Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1950-01-16
klippan Lodge No. 228-
Order Of vasa

after SWeden's most illustrious
King, Gusetaf Vasa 1 (1523-156O)
The organization consists of local,
district lodges and a Grand Lodge,
which together make Vasa the
strongest and most requested Swe-
dlsh American fraternal organiza-
ton with more than 400 lodges
throughout the United States, Can
ada and Sweden.
Lodge Klippan No. 22s (of Sc
attic city center) is one of the
local Vasa lodges, and like the
others, 1t is social and sick
benefit order and was organized in
June "a, 1912 to serve it's Swedish
members in sickness and distress
and also create many social ac-
tivities which promote exchange
of customs, binding culture rela-
tions, and new friendships between
Sweden and America.
kilppan Lodge No. 22S meets
the first and third Sunday at 500
at the Swedish Club. The officers
OF klippan Lodge are as follows:
Past President, Merrill Rylander.
President, Alfred HORT; Vic
President, Hilda Palmgren; Sec
rotary, Elisha Holm; Financial Sec
rotary, Emmy Hort; Treasurer,
Hilma Carlson
Lodge klippan's members first
consisted of all Swedish Americans
but today the membership is so
much of the second and third
generations that the ritual and
meetings are held in English for all
to understand. English is also pre-
dominate in the Swedish homes.
Some of Klippans lodge achieve
ments are:
Sponsorship of weekly Sun
day night Scandinavian dances at
the Swedish Club, where young
people gather to learn and socially
enjoy Sweden's folk dances.
2.-Started in 1920 the Midsum-
mer Festival at Vasa Park, which
is today one of the biggest func-
tons of the West Coast.
3.-In 1926, Klippan aided in the
purchase of Vasa Park on the west
side of Lake Sammamish and share
with eight other Washington Vasa
lodges the controlling interest in
this beautiful natural park.
Also combined with the Vasa
Hope Lodge, and Frihet Lodge,
along with Klippan a children's
club has been again organized for
members of each lodges children.
They meet on Saturdays at the
Swedish Club, where they learn
dances and Swedish customs.
Once a month Swedish customs
are renewed and presented to Kip
pans members as the meeting is
devoted to certain states of Swe-
den (Landskapsafton), and men,
bers born in the appointed states
conduct the social program with
Swedish movies, stories. songs and
then provide refreshments for the
members.
To help make the Lucia festival
a big success in 194S, Klippan
Lodge took active leadership in
the elaborate Olympic Hotel re-
ception which Seattle Vasa lodges
sponsored for the Lucia Bride from
Sweden, Marianne Hylen.
The Klippan Drill Team, organ
lied in 1927 by Lillian Olson, has
served the lodge and installations
and limitations unstintedly. Not
only in Seattle is the Drill Team
known. but has been invited to
partake at large meetings and con-
ventions throughout the district.
Upon the resignation of Lillian
Olson, Signe Steel became cap
tain. The present captain is Henry
Iceberg, formerly of st. Paul
Minnesota.
The Drill Team meets once
week at the Swedish Club for a
brisk IL hour practice, along with
a business meeting held once a
month. The officers of the Drill
Team are: President, Myrtle Ry-
lander; Vice President, Lii a n
Mausof; Secretary, Mrs. Pete Jo-
hanson; Treasurer, Beatrice Elk
loft. Much credit is attributed to
Martha Lundquist, the accompanist