Per-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraPresident Elect Bill CarlsonEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonMark Hillman enjoying social hourThelma 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 Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Sandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane Ely& Etel RossbackBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonAnnabelle KergenBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraOur beloved caterersGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Ulf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSocial HourDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsSyrene ForsmanVolunteers Nino & HannahSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Solveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Lorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Caterers 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 hourCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenSunnie Empie with guestMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Annabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieGunnar DamstromFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Elaine & Erik StevensMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusVerna & Bob Jacobson
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.
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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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