Menu
Log in


        

Log in to your Member account here:

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Dear Drott Lodge Members and Friends,

We were treated to semla—also known as fastlagsbulle or fettisdagsbulle—at our lodge meeting on February 4. These decadent treats have historically been served on Shrove Tuesday, the beginning of the Lenten season. Now one can enjoy semla from January through Easter. Thanks to Margaret Schueman for sharing the history of these special pastries, and thanks to Eva Dunhem for making them to share with the lodge. 

We heard a fascinating presentation by Dr. Lilla Kopár on Norse mythology. We learned about creation stories and the qualities of different gods and goddesses. Norse mythology was slowly swept away by Christianity, with the process complete by the eleventh century. Dr. Kopár’s presentation was a thought-provoking journey of comparative religion. She reminded us that the modern depiction of Norse mythology in movies and television is largely a figment of imagination. We are so fortunate to live in an area where we have academics like Dr. Kopár. Special thanks to Julie Olsen for arranging Dr. Kopár’s visit to our lodge. 

We hope you will join us March 10 for a pea soup dinner. Please register so we can be sure to have enough food. 

In Generosity, Truth and Unity,

Arne Dunhem

Chairman

Drott Lodge No. 168 Vasa Order of America




Set Sail With Swedish American Line

Set sail with us aboard the Swedish American Line on a journey back to the old country. We’ll hear enchanting stories from those who journeyed across the Atlantic, view the fleet, and see images of the Veranda deck, dining rooms, lounges, libraries, and state rooms.

After embarkation, the Captain will invite all passengers to enjoy Sweden’s traditional Thursday pea soup dinner (pea soup, ham, cheese, wasa, and a special dessert of Swedish Pancakes), celebrate, toast, sing traditional songs, and take a turn around the dance floor with the Foxtrot! We’ll enjoy a teaching session from Chris Kalke, Director of the Nordic Dancers of Washington, DC. 

Sunday, March 10  at 2 p.m.

Pre-register here



Scholarship applications due soon

Vasa Order of America District Lodge PA No. 9 awards an annual youth scholarship and a bi-annual adult scholarship. The deadline for submitting the scholarship application is March 16. See the Scholarship page for more information. 

A trip of a lifetime - El Camino de Santiago

This contribution was written by Pat Bellingham of our sister lodge, Svea Lodge, Erie, PA, and partly excerpted by her from “The Catholic Link”. It was originally included on the District #9 website.

5ks may be all the rave, but would you walk 500 miles? In Europe, through mountains? On something called The Way of St. James? El Camino de Santiago is a 500-mile walking pilgrimage trail from France over the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela (St. James of the Field of Stars).  Yes, 500 miles on foot.  It depends where you start, but most commonly the path begins in Southern France, from a town called St. Jean-Pied-de-Port. 

People from all walks of life and countries in the world travel it. Legend says that St. James, Spain’s patron saint, was sent to that area to preach the Gospel before he returned to Judaea and was beheaded by the romans in 44 AD.  The El Camino de Santiago ends in Santiago de Compostela, where tradition says the body of Saint James, the Apostle rests. A 9th-century hermit Pelayo received a dream revealing the remains of St. James, to which the bishop he told decided to check and then told the kingSome say St. James’ disciples shipped his body to the Iberian Peninsula for burial, but it was shipwrecked and washed ashore covered in scallops. Others say an angel brought his body back and a groom saying his vows on the beach ended up covered in scallops after his horse spooked and dragged him into the water and they miraculously resurfaced. Either way scallops are a symbol for pilgrims along the Way. 

The trail years ago was dangerous, for pilgrims and those punished to walk it alike, but today it is a way of pilgrimage, tourism, tradition, and a physical challenge. These pictures here were taken by Arne and Eva Dunhem during their Camino de Santiago pilgrim hike September – October 2023. They hiked 350-miles out of a total of 500-miles.

Keep in Touch

Sign-up for our monthly newsletter:                     Subscribe

Follow us on Facebook:      Click here

Join Us For Fun-filled Events Together With Our

Sister Lodges In Our Vasa District, PA #9


Why not visit our two sister Lodges within Pennsylvania District #9? The two other lodges are Nobel-Monitor #130 in Cleveland, OH and Svea Lodge #296 in Erie, PA. Check out their websites to find out what they are doing.

We plan to have some joint activities together with Members of the other two lodges to include some fun events in their areas and we will travel there to spend a day or weekend with them. We will, to the extent possible, arrange car pooling. For some other events, they will travel down to us and join our events.

Here are the websites for our District Lodge #9 and our two sister Local Lodges, just click:

District Lodge PA #9:   www.vasa-districtno9.org

Nobel-Monitor:     www.nobelmonitorlodge.wildapricot.org

Svea:             www.svea-erielodge.org

Not a member yet?

Active communication is very important to grow our Drott Lodge and make a difference. If you have not signed-up yet, here is your chance to become a member in Drott Lodge. Click and Sign-up below

Sign-up to become a member


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 


You can search our website here below:


Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software