President Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Dick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandSunnie Empie with guestLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.SFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistPresident Elect Bill CarlsonOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenGunnar DamstromOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Mark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenVerna & Bob JacobsonPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSocial HourUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.President Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipThelma 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.Elaine & Erik StevensOur beloved caterersGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Beverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsSyrene ForsmanDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerAnnabelle KergenBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Solveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Mark Hillman enjoying social hourDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöVolunteers Nino & HannahMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”& Etel RossbackPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan Aura
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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