Syrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonAnnabelle KergenCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackElaine & Erik StevensMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Verna & Bob JacobsonPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Mark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonOur beloved caterersSocial HourSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane Ely& Etel RossbackGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.SFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Syrene ForsmanBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergVolunteers Nino & HannahSunnie Empie with guestPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Gunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteePer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistMark Hillman enjoying social hourPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Solveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Connie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandGunnar DamstromUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerThelma 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.President Elect Bill CarlsonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Ed Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of Runeberg
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…
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