John Laakso & Bud SaxbergDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewPer-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”Ulf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Social HourSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Wendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraGunnar DamstromTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieVerna & Bob JacobsonEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Board Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Sandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackThelma 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.Syrene ForsmanMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarVolunteers Nino & HannahSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Beverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonAnnabelle KergenOur beloved caterersLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Sunnie Empie with guestMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerElaine & Erik StevensSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyMark Hillman enjoying social hour& Etel RossbackDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”President 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.
Julkalender, Day 12 —Merry Chrismas from Swedish Finn Historical Society and learn about the holiday’s history in Finland By Karen Lundgren December 24, 2024 In this…
Julkalender, Day 11 —Explore what Christmas Eve means to Swedish Finns in this Christmastime installment By Karen Lundgren December 23, 2024 Christmas Eve in many Finnish…
