Volunteers Nino & Hannah& Etel RossbackGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Lorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Mary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromMark Hillman enjoying social hourPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSocial HourGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSunnie Empie with guestCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Our Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemElaine & Erik StevensPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Thelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsGunnar DamstromBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Sandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonAnnabelle KergenMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipPresident Elect Bill CarlsonBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.SFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Syrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Our Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackThelma 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.Syrene ForsmanEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusVerna & Bob JacobsonEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergOur beloved caterers
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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