FALCONER – Members and guests gathered at the Falcon’s Nest in Falconer for their Easter dinner, known in Swedish as the “egg-sexa,” meaning foods made with eggs.

The Thule Lodge was formed 118 years ago in the Jamestown area to help Swedish immigrants with housing, schooling and employment. Many of the Swedish people found employment in the furniture factories which were once a part of Jamestown. Today, Thule Lodge exists to preserve Swedish heritage through events and activities.

Susan Washington Sipos is the chairman of the local lodge and welcomed all to the dinner. A ham dinner was prepared by the 3C’s Catering. John Sipos, lodge secretary and lodge historian, gave the roll call of officers and then led all in the pledge to the flag. The pledge of allegiance was written in 1892 to mark the 400th anniversary of Columbus landing in North America. However Leif Ericson landed in this continent about the year 1000 in NewFoundLand. Sipos read the minutes of the lodge organization meeting held in March. Treasurer Loretta Smith gave the financial report of the lodge.

Chautauqua County Historian Norman Carlson spoke about the county history day on Saturday, Aug. 23, in the Fluvanna Church Fellowship Hall. It will be known as the Chautauqua County Expo to include activities of all organizations in the county, Directory chairman Nancy Jones would like to have a space for historical records of the lodge, and Gloria Anderson said the Thule Folk Dancers could perform Swedish dancing.

Events chairman and cultural leader Lynne Meyers talked about the Swedish custom of Walpurgis night, held on the last day of April when farmers would have a bonfire to scare away wild animals before letting their cattle outside of the barn for the summer. The special day also includes activities of festivals so that all participate.

The next Thule Lodge meeting will be in May and is the annual Memorial Service to remember all those members who passed away in the last year. All are welcome and Thule Lodge always welcomes new members. Vaughn Wilson was the recipient of the monthly lodge award.