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FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Drott Lodge Members and Friends, 

Exciting times are ahead in the next two months! First, we’ll participate in the Icelandic Bazaar on November 9th, followed by our Sounds of Sweden – A Soiree on November 16th. Then comes our appearance at the SWEA Holiday Bazaar on December 7th, and finally, our Lucia and Christmas celebration in partnership with ASA on December 8th. Check out the events page for all the details. 

A particular highlight will be the Sounds of Sweden – A Soiree on November 16th. Four of our talented local Swedish and Scandinavian musicians will treat us to an array of traditional Scandinavian folk music, jazz guitar, Swedish and American classics, and popular tunes. Featured performers include Skandal, Fredagskvartetten, Al Bauman and Anders Ljungholm, and The Kensingtones. There will be ample opportunities for dancing—and maybe a little ABBA too! Light refreshments will be served. This event is free, but advanced registration is required, and spots are limited, so sign up soon!

I had the unique experience of spending time as a Viking on October 5th, serving as part of the rowing crew on an authentic Viking longship, the Sea Hrafn. Drott Lodge members spent the day rowing and sailing on the bay with the Longship Company who built a replica viking ship. We may have had a few more blisters on our hands by the end of the day, but it was worth it to connect with our distant heritage! It was an unforgettable experience, even without Viking helmets or weapons—and no, we didn’t raid any nearby towns!

As always, we welcome any members willing to volunteer. With so many activities and events, extra helping hands are greatly appreciated.

In Generosity, Truth and Unity, 

Arne Dunhem 

Chairman





Was Beowulf from Gotland? 


The Swedish American Cultural Union proudly presents a virtual lecture program November 21, 2024, 12:00 Noon ET by Hans Wannaby and Rikard Evertsson

Beowulf is one of the most famous heroes of English and European literature. But where was Beowulf from? 

Wannaby and Evertsson will present their research on why they have concluded that Beowulf was from Gotland. Wannaby and Evertsson strongly believe that the historical house called Stavar’s hus (now an historic site of the remains of a large rectangular long house) was Beowulf’s home, and that the figure of Stavar (named after his large home) was, in fact, Beowulf.

The poem tells us that Beowulf died after battle with a dragon and that his followers created a burial site for him that was visible from the sea.

Please RSVP to sacu2022@gmail.com by November 15, 2024

The Zoom link to be provided to attendees closer to the date.  


Upcoming Events

  • Sounds of Sweden - A Soiree
    November 16, 2024 6:00 PM
    Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852
  • Lucia and Jul Fest
    December 14, 2024 5:30 PM
    St James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
  • Annual election and a history of Drott Lodge
    January 12, 2025
    Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852
  • Swedish baking
    February 16, 2025
    Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852
  • Pea Soup and member initiations
    March 09, 2025
    Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852

IKEA College Park Halloween Fair & Outdoor Movie Night

Two members from Drott Lodge joined in the Halloween fun at College Park IKEA, handing out candy to excited local kids at this year’s Halloween Fair on October 18.  The night wrapped up with an outdoor movie screening of Hocus Pocus, giving everyone a chance to relax as the sugar rush began to fade. Kids loved the games, danced to Halloween classics like Monster Mash, This is Halloween, and Spooky Scary Skeletons, and showed off an impressive array of costumes! Spiderman and Batman were crowd favorites, alongside happy dinosaurs, prom queens, Harry Potters, and plenty of beloved video game characters. It was a night of community, laughter, and Halloween magic!


See all our events the next six months


Member Spotlight - Ben Crull

What is your connection to Sweden?

My great-grandmother immigrated from Sweden, specifically Öland, and while I never knew her I grew up hearing many stories about her and Sweden. We always have meatballs at Christmas that we make using her recipe and I always listen to Swedish Christmas music while trimming my tree. One of my favorite funny moments growing up was when as a kid I learned that not everyone had Swedish meatballs at Christmas and it blew my mind, I still can’t fathom having anything else for dinner Christmas Eve! My family and I traveled to Öland in 2022 and I got to meet cousins and see where my great-grandmother was born and raised, it was a truly special trip and really deepened my connection with my heritage.


Tell us a little about yourself

I was born and raised in Maryland and live just outside of Baltimore. I studied Information Technology at Towson University and got both my Bachelors and Masters there in IT. I also work there as the AV Lead Technician. I enjoy spending my free time reading, hiking, or hanging out with my dog Kenzo. I also recently just completed the Rim-to-Rim hike at the Grand Canyon.


How did you discover Drott Lodge, and what keeps you involved?

In 2023 my family and I decided it would be fun to see a Lucia celebration, my mom and her siblings grew up participating in a local Lucia in Baltimore but my brother and I had never seen one. We joined after that and have been having a blast since. I’ve always loved my heritage and it’s wonderful to be surrounded by people who share that appreciation for Sweden and our cultural heritage.



Göteborg Lodge #452 Celebrates 100 years in Sweden with the King 

Our sister lodge in Sweden, the Göteborg Lodge # 452, recently held a gala celebrating their 100 year anniversary, with Lodge leadership, members, and even King Carl XVI Gustaf was in attendance. Two Drott Lodge members, Arne and Eva, were even able to celebrate with Göteborg Lodge leadership a few weeks before the gala, while they were traveling through Sweden.


Göteburg Lodge #452 was the first Vasa Order of America lodge formed in Sweden. It was started in 1924 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. So what led to the creation of a Vasa lodge in Sweden? 

The idea was initiated by Wilhelm Lundström, a professor at the University of Gothenburg. An enthusiast about his homeland, Professor Lundström founded the Swedish Association for the Preservation of Swedishness Abroad in 1908. 

Over in America, in the early part of the 20th century, emigration from Sweden was going strong. One particular Swede, Johannes Hoving, a pediatrician, had emigrated to America in 1903, settling in New York City.

He was an active member of a Vasa lodge in the city, and in 1924, he led a group of 45 children, who were in Vasa Children’s Clubs, on a trip to visit Sweden. When the ship arrived at the port of Gothenburg, the children were received by the King. The group then met with Professor Lundstrom and it was this visit that sparked the idea for Lundstrom to start a lodge in Gothenburg. Sweden now boasts a total of approximately 23 lodges. 


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Meeting Location:

Saint Mark Presbyterian Church

10701 Old Georgetown Road

North Bethesda, MD 20852


Please do not call the Church!

Email Drott Lodge at Drott.lodge.168@gmail.com 


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