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Thule Lodge Elects Officers For 2017

BEMUS POINT — The Thule Lodge, located at 4123 Pancake Hill Road, is the Swedish organization formed 109 years ago in the Jamestown/Bemus Point area. When the lodge was formed, it served to help the Swedish immigrants with employment, their families, illnesses and act as a social gathering place for the people.

Many of the immigrants found employment in the furniture factories of the Jamestown and Falconer areas. Today, the lodge serves to preserve the Swedish heritage through events and activities held throughout the year.

At a recent meeting, lodge chairman Tom Eckberg welcomed all to the meeting, and historian John Sipos led all in the pledge of allegiance. Lodge secretary Lynne Meyers read the minutes of the previous meeting and gave the roll call of officers. Financial secretary Loretta Smith gave the monthly report. Treasurer Carol Schermerhorn gave the financial report of the organization.

Cultural leader Sonja Pascatore reported on a time of thanksgiving in Sweden. In Sweden, the thanksgiving time is known as the Feast of St. Martin. The two day feast begins on the 11th hour of the day before Nov. 11 and continues all the next day. Turkey is not served, but goose instead. St. Martin is known for his generosity in giving help to the needy people in Sweden.

Children’s dance leader Donna Johnson reported that the young people are preparing for the annual Lucia festival to be held at the Holy Trinity Church on Sunday at 2 p.m. The dance group will be at the annual Swedish Julmarknad to be held at the Jamestown Community College on Saturday December 3rd beginning at 9:30 a.m. Many other Swedish establishments in the Jamestown area will also hold a Swedish market that day in their places of business.

Historian Sipos reported on the VASA Star, the international publication of the Swedish organization. Sipos also reported that the daylight hours in Sweden is diminishing this time of the year, and by about Saturday, there will be total darkness for 24 hours a day until the first week on January.

Officers for 2017 were read by past chairman Ralph Veights, who served as the chairman of the nominating committee. Veights read the list which was approved by all at the recent meeting. Elected for the new year are Tom Eckberg as the chairman of the lodge, and Susan W. Sipos as the vice chairman. Immediate past chairman is Veights. Recording secretary is Lynne Meyers, and financial secretary is Loretta Smith. Carol Schermerhorn is the treasurer. John Sipos will continue as the lodge historian. Diane K. Shaw is the chaplain, and the inner guardsman is Diane Grodecki. Cultural leader elected is Sonja Pascatore. Mistress of ceremony is Donna Johnson and assistant is Bernice Veights. Trustees and auditors elected are Scott Axelson, Jerry Erickson, Tim Miller, Wayne Nelson, Ralph Veights and Edwin Sandberg. Sandberg has a long association with Thule Lodge, serving as chairman and the state district master.

Historian Sipos gave a brief history of Thanksgiving in the United States, dating back to the time of the Mayflower landing with 104 passengers. Special meeting award was given to lodge chairman Eckberg. The next gathering of the lodge will be the annual Christmas event known as the Dopp I Gryta, which means the dipping of the breads. A variety of breads will be served for dipping in the gravy. Ham, korv, Swedish meatballs, beets, pickled herring, cheeses, potatoes, and many kinds of cookies will be served as well. The December gathering will be at the Kiantone Congregational Church at 646 Kiantone Road in Kiantone on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m.

Thule Lodge will be taking a winter break of no meetings during January and February. New members are always welcome.

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