Our Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenElaine & Erik StevensSocial HourSunnie Empie with guestSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonAnnabelle KergenMark Hillman enjoying social hourDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Mary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better half& Etel RossbackCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Dick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipVerna & Bob JacobsonEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Larry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Jean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Volunteers Nino & HannahBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemSyrene ForsmanThelma Mosebar, Syrene Forsman & Dick Erickson enjoy during the social hour at the 2015 Annual Luncheon. This year’s luncheon is March 12, 2016. We would love to see you there.Wendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Thelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Annabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusOur beloved caterersGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöGunnar DamstromSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Marita Agnew & Thelma MosebarPresident Elect Bill Carlson
Relive the Social Hour in Two Minutes
SFHS members spent an hour and a half socializing before heading downstairs to lunch. We would like you to experience a taste of the luncheon wherever in the world you may be. The hour and a half has been edited to a 2 minute time lapse to make that possible.
This year’s luncheon was a resounding success! It started off with good conversation, coffee and cardamom bread accompanied by the accordion trio of Lars, Leif, & Lena (some of you may know Lena by the name of Sunnie Empie. We then enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by our Swedish Finn Chef, Kal Gellein. The guests were serenaded during lunch by Maria Männistö singing songs of Sibelius. Jean Monsebroten, our featured guest, gave an interesting talk on “The Swedish Finns of Coos Bay.” The talk interspersed Jean’s own memories of her family along with accounts of what life was like for the immigrants. Our honored guests from Svenska folkskolans vänner (SFV) gave some wonderful gifts to the board. The Board Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin Persson, told us a little about the history of SFV and why it is important today. He stressed the importance of SFHS and SFV maintaining close ties. The luncheon was adjourned after outgoing President, Dick Erickson, gave awards to Syrene Forsman and Gunnar Damstrom for their unwavering support of the SFHS mission. Dick was surprised by President Elect Bill Carlson handing out his own award to Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS Leadership.
On May 13, 1848 university students gathered in a meadow near Helsingfors to celebrate a spring festival. A choir, conducted by Fredrik Pacius, gave the first…
The Occasional Dispatch is our monthly e-newsletter sharing culture, history, and news about the organization. Subscribe today! If you are already an SFHS member you will automatically receive the Newsletter.
