Sandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyPresident Elect Bill CarlsonBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandVolunteers Nino & HannahJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewElaine & Erik StevensPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.& Etel RossbackJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenThelma 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.Gunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Ed Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Gunnar DamstromSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerSyrene ForsmanPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemVerna & Bob JacobsonSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsSocial HourPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Our Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenMark Hillman enjoying social hourConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Mark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenSunnie Empie with guestUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Dick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarAnnabelle KergenCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Our beloved caterersDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Etel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerGeorge Miller Conducting Board Elections
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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