Calendar & Events

In Father’s Footsteps for Future Victories–Vasaloppet Motto

Join Drott Lodge for our annual afternoon dinner of Swedish yellow pea soup, baked ham, cheese, pancakes and a buffet of other treats. This year you may even sample the famous blåbärssoppa (“blueberry soup”), a traditional drink for racing competitors in the Vasa Ski Race.

On the heels of the 2018 winter Olympics, this year’s theme will celebrate the recently completed “Vasaloppet”, or Cross Country Ski Race held every year since 1922 in Dalarna in early March. With a presentation from a frequent participant in this week of racing events, Gunnel Hamilton, we will see imagery and learn more about this exciting sporting event that is both the oldest and longest cross country event in the world. It is a world class sporting challenge AND a historical celebration of the romanticized story of Gustav Ericcson Vasa’s 1520 ski run back from near the Norwegian boarder to Mora, having received word of growing support in Dalarna for his Swedish uprising against the Danish ‘Tyrant’, Christian II. With the start of the Vasa dynasty in 1523, Sweden marked its start as a modern state and threw off foreign rule.

FREE to Drott Lodge members, guests $10 donation.

The session lead by Dr. Bob Dyer, professor Emeritus of Marketing at GWU, will look at trends in Swedish sports participation including: Which sports are gaining popularity and which are losing (and why) over the  Swedish population.  How does a tiny country like Swedish continue to produce such large number of world class athletes over numerous sports?  Is there any connection between Swedish nationals’ traits or  characteristics (e.g. fair-play) and how they play their sports activities?

The session will also cover major differences between the U.S., Sweden and Norway with respect to world sporting dominance.  Finally, the results a poll of readers provided by Dagens Nyheter newspaper will be used to look at profiles of Sweden’s Top Ten All-Time Athletes.

Bob has written a number of articles and case studies on sports trends in Sweden. His last presentation to Drott Lodge covered “Hovding: The Airbag for Bike Riders.” He has travelled to Sweden every year for the past two decades with each visit involving a few activities as a participant or spectator in sports such as XC skiing, sailing, soccer matches,  tennis, golf, distance running, bicycling, fishing, car racing, and equestrian programs.

Click on the links below for all the information you will need to join us for Drott Lodge’s Swedish style celebration of St. Walpurgis Night, complete with picnic, lawn games for children and a bonfire.

Valborg 2018 – Flyer

VALBORGSMASSOAFTON APRIL 28, 2018 – English

VALBORGS – 2018 – Swedish

Join us at 2:30 pm on Sunday September 9th for our Welcome Back Swedish Crayfish Dinner with traditional (and non-traditional) group sing along. Come enjoy the fellowship of Drott Lodge with an afternoon meal including, but not limited to, crayfish which are a staple of Swedish summer celebrations. We will bring an end to the summer and gear up for our fall programming and Christmas bazaar.

This annual event is FREE to all dues paying members! Suggested donation of $12 to guests over 10 (free to children 10 and under).

After our regular business meeting, we will hold a fun mixing event for our newer members to get to know our older members and vice versa. This will be a fun afternoon quiz on categories related to Sweden and the other Nordic Countries and teams will be paired up to ensure that newer members can mingle easily with Drott veterans. Come to show off your knowledge of all things Nordic and make new friendships ahead of our November 3rd group fundraiser, The Annual Swedish Bazaar. 

Drott Bazaar Flyer 2018

This event was postponed from Jan. 13th due to winter weather and rescheduled to accompany our annual Pea Soup & Pancake Dinner on Feb. 10th at 2:30pm.

Drott Lodge’s very own Ashley Mullinax was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the American reality stars of the 2018 Swedish TV series, “Ällt för Sverige”.  She will share her experiences, favorite clips from her series and some behind the scenes insights into what REALLY goes on filming reality TV. The entire series can be viewed now on YouTube.

This fun cultural program will be followed by our first business meeting of 2019 with the election of new officers. Thanks to all who came out to make our Lucia Fest and Julbord such a success in December. We hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays and we look forward to an exciting year ahead with new monthly cultural programs and Swedish social gatherings with your friends at Drott Lodge.

After the great success of our 2013 event, Abbapalooza, celebrating the release of the film Mamma Mia, Drott Lodge is thrilled to present Mamma Mia 2: Here We Go Again… as a party watching the film on large screens, dancing to the Abba tunes and enjoying food and drink in a fun atmosphere. Abba or period costumes are encouraged. Take your picture with the band in the Photo Booth!

Tickets must be purchased online in advance and includes two drink tickets and food. Places are limited so act now to avoid disappointment. Go to https://mp.gg/0hr1p to register and buy tickets ($20 Vasa Order of American Members, $30 guests).

Karin Weeden of Drott Lodge will give a presentation on the many traditions in Sweden to celebrate Easter. She will show how to make authentic Swedish decorations and will offer insights into some “Holy Week” traditions that are very different to how it is celebrated in America. The buffet will feature traditional foods for Easter.

That will be followed by another 30 minute presentation by Charlotte Börjeson, a Delegate of the Vasa Order of Sweden and a representative from D.I.S (Digital Genealogical Society in Sweden) and member of Swede-Gen. Charlotte will give an overview of their online services which may connect with other genealogy websites our members are using or may be interested in. Her organization will participate in the May 2020 Scandinavian Genealogy conference being planned, in large part, by our Cultural Committee member, Janet Johnson.

This cultural program will be followed by a business meeting. Both parts are free and open to visitors.

Information about this picnic with lawn games and bonfire to usher out winter and welcome spring will be sent privately to Drott Lodge Members and its sister organizations promoting Nordic Cultures and Traditions in the DC Area. Specifics and directions will be included in your online sign up form.

“If you can walk, you can dance.”

Folk and Social Dancing with the Nordic Dancers.

This interactive workshop will offer you the chance to try your hand (and feet) at some of the dances that have held communities together both in the old countries and when the nordic diaspora came to the United States.

This cultural event will be followed by a brief business meeting. Drott Lodge will be on hiatus for the summer but we hope to see members at the June 29th Midsommar Picnic with Maypole Dancing at Carderock Park Pavilion at 3:30pm.

Did you know? Midsummer is the most celebrated holiday in Sweden after Christmas!

Join in the fun at the 55^th Annual Swedish Midsommar Celebration, hosted by Drott Lodge and the American Scandinavian Association, at Carderock Park, MD.

This is a potluck, so please bring a dish as designated by the first letter of your last name (see the flyer below for these details, including other things to bring and directions). Fun activities will include children’s games, maypole decoration and procession, dancing and live music.

Midsummer 2019 flyer

Join us at 2:30 pm on Sunday September 8th for our Welcome Back Swedish Crayfish Dinner with traditional (and non-traditional) group sing along. Come enjoy the fellowship of Drott Lodge with an afternoon meal including, but not limited to, crayfish which are a staple of Swedish summer celebrations. We will bring an end to the summer and gear up for our fall programming and Christmas bazaar.

This annual event is FREE to all dues paying members! Suggested donation of $15 to guests over 12 (free to children 12 and under).  Please  RSVP here: https://mp.gg/88rdz

The meeting will be in two main parts:

Firstly, we will have a solemn remembrance of our dear member Gerry Schueman who, sadly, passed away on July 3, 2019.  We will Drape the Charter in celebration of Gerry.  Members will be offered the opportunity to speak about their memories of Gerry.

Secondly, as part of our Business Meeting, we will discuss the current financial information for Drott Lodge.  Members will receive by email, prior to the meeting, Profit-and-Loss statements and Balance Sheets for the period of January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018 and for the period of October 1, 2018 – September 29, 2019.

Summaries of the financial results will be discussed for our two 2018 bazaar activities — our own bazaar and our participation at the SWEA/HoS bazaar.  A proposed budget for year 2020 will be presented for review and approval by the Membership.  The proposed budget will include proposed allocations, among others, for meeting and cultural activities, Special Goals donation and administrative expenses.

A Memorial service for Gerry Schueman will be held on October 26th, 2019 starting at 10.15 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer at 1545 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA 22101. Doors will open at 10 a.m. There will be a reception after the Memorial service.

Margaret Schueman has requested to receive RSVP’s. Participation can be submitted by sending a brief RSVP email to Arne Dunhem at [email protected]

drott-lodge-bazaar-flyer1-4-lowres 40th annual