Sandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Syrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonAnnabelle KergenDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Dick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Gunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromVolunteers Nino & HannahMark Hillman enjoying social hourGunnar DamstromPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Maria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraPresident Elect Bill CarlsonEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Ulf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenThelma 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.Annabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundOur beloved caterersPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusSunnie Empie with guestSocial HourMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarElaine & Erik StevensPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Jean Monsebroten visiting with Marita Agnew& Etel RossbackSyrene ForsmanSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Connie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Dick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsVerna & 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.
The National Nordic Heritage Museum to feature a special exhibition Nina Katchadourian: Origin Stories Nina is an interdisciplinary artist whose work includes video, performance, sound, sculpture,…
Some graphics for Independence Day 2024 that can also be found on our Facebook page.
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