At the Swedish Christmas dinner of the Thule Lodge, Susan Sipos, lodge chairwoman, set a display of a Swedish table with Swedish items.

FALCONER – Members of the Thule Lodge recently held their Christmas dinner.

The Thule Lodge is the Swedish organization, formed 117 years ago in the Jamestown area to help Swedish immigrants with housing, employment and schooling. Many of the Swedish immigrants found employment in furniture factories in the Jamestown area. The lodge now exists to preserve Swedish heritage through events and activities.

Recently the annual Swedish Christmas dinner, known as the Dopp I Gryta was held at the Falcon’s Nest in Falconer and served by the 3C’s catering.

Susan W. Sipos, lodge chairwoman, welcomed those attending before the blessing was given by chaplain Stephanie Buccola. The meal included Korv, Swedish meatballs, ham, rice pudding, deviled eggs, pickled beets, pickled herring, and pickled herring provided by Tim Miller, cucumber salad, breads, cheese, and cookies. The meal was planned by treasurer Loretta Smith, and Gene Smith was in charge of the finances. Music and Christmas decorations were provided by Sipos.

Following the meal, Sipos held the monthly business meeting. Historian John Sipos led all in the pledge of allegiance after giving the history of the pledge of allegiance. It was said that even though Christopher Columbus landed on this side of the earth in 1492, that Leif Ericson landed first in Greenland in the year of about 1000. Secretary John Sipos gave the roll call of officers. Thule Lodge 127 had a Christmas message in the recent VASA Star, which is the international Swedish publication along with a photograph of the dance team and an article submitted by the secretary.

Scott Axelson talked about the monthly Scandinavian Studies at Jamestown Community College on the first Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. Axelson had brought a display of St. Lucia items and newspaper clippings from Donna Johnson. There was a discussion on the slate of officers for 2025. Elections will be held in March. Lynne Meyers said she will take charge of the dinners beginning in January 2025 and Jack Ericson will take the phone reservations. Meyers said that on the new calendars for 2025, dinners will be noted, and people will have to call to make reservations. No cards will be mailed out in the future. Loretta Smith sent out reservation cards for the Christmas meal, and Gene Smith took charge of the meal finances.

Lynne Meyers talked about Christmas in Sweden, and the Swedish Church. John Sipos read a story about a Swedish immigrant in Massachusetts who was named Santa Hot Dog, because he gave thousands of free hot dogs to children on Christmas day. It was during the time of the influenza in the beginning of the 1900s when many children lost their parents

The meeting award was presented to Charles Kent. Thule Lodge will be taking a winter break from the meetings and meet again in March 2025.