Maria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusVolunteers Nino & HannahDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipGunnar DamstromAnnabelle KergenCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Mary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoThelma 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.Lorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Torr Rosback & Ed BrannforsJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistMark Hillman enjoying social hourPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Lee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergSocial HourPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Don Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)SFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Carol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerVerna & Bob JacobsonSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandSyrene ForsmanMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenSunnie Empie with guestLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElySyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonElaine & Erik StevensSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Our beloved caterersEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in background& Etel RossbackMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Annabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsPresident 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…
Saturday, March 16, 2024 SOCIAL HOUR 10:30 AM | BRUNCH 11:30 | PROGRAM 12:30 This year we welcome back members to meet in person or online…
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