Grand Master's Message

Grand Master John Hanright (Jack)'s Fall Message for 2024

THE GRAND MASTER'S MESSAGE
Read in Swedish

The Grandmaster’s Message

Dear Vasa Brothers and Sisters,

Fall is rolling in and the trees are changing colors and dropping their leaves.
We had a very busy and exciting end to the summer. In August we visited with Nordic Lodge 708 in Atlanta Georgia for their 50th anniversary celebration. Nordic Lodge is extremely active, and they held a wonderful event at Roswell Country Club.

Vasa Drängar entertained with a singing group and very nice instrumental accompaniment. Grand Lodge Deputy Göran Rygert and I had the honor of presenting Agnetha Belue with her 50-year membership pin. Agnetha is a charter member of Nordic Lodge 708. I also had the great pleasure of seeing an old friend, Larry Bloomberg, who was formerly of NJ and now living in the Atlanta area.

The very next weekend Inger and I traveled to Gothenburg Sweden. The first part of our trip was visiting with family and later we met with other Grand Lodge members at Hotel Scandic for our annual Grand Lodge Executive Board meeting. The board met for two days and covered many important issues.

We scheduled our meeting to coincide with Gothenburg Lodge 452, 100th anniversary celebration. It was particularly nice for the Grand Lodge Officers to meet with many members from the Swedish lodges and spend some time together.

Gothenburg Lodge 100th anniversary was a spectacular event. Lodge Chair, Birgit Hellström and her planning committees did a fantastic job and didn’t miss a single detail. We joined them for a special lodge meeting followed by a beautiful banquet.

H.M. the King, Carl XVI Gustaf joined us at the banquet and made for a most memorable occasion. I’m sure there is an article from Gothenburg Lodge in this edition. It had been many years since the GL board met in Sweden and this was a wonderful event to join them in.
Later in September we visited with Pennsylvania District 9 at “The Lodge at Geneva on the Lake”, in Geneva Ohio. I am pleased to report they had 10 new delegates join the district lodge. Moreover, some of them ended up being elected to district offices. Congratulations to those new district members. District Master Bo Carlsson and Secretary Pat Bellingham ran a flawless meeting.

It was my pleasure to be joined by Grand Lodge officers, Vice Grand Master Tom Cleveland, GLT Kevin DeFeo, GLEBM Eastern Region Debbie Larsson, GLEBM Midwest Region Antonio Spargo, GLD Julie Olson and Past Grand Master Rolf Bergman. GL Deputy Julie Olson did a fine job running the election and installation of new officers. Congratulations to newly elected District Master Arne Dunhem and his new board. 
Some notable birthdays for this issue, In September Elna Lidman of Scottsdale AZ. Turned 103, Lillian Chapman of Jamestown NY turned 99. In October Virginia Campbell of Portland OR turned 102 and Russel Ellis of Sacramento CA turned 102. In November Britta Larsson of Karlstad turns 100, Dorothy Peterson of Jamestown NY turns 99 and Marten Wessberg of Stanga turns 101.  Happy Birthday to these special members!

In Generosity Truth and Unity

John Hanright, (Jack), Grand Master