Gunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSocial HourMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the 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.Sunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerSunnie Empie with guestAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Annabelle KergenMark Hillman enjoying social hourThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenPresident Elect Bill CarlsonMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Carol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)President Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsVerna & Bob JacobsonLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSyrene Forsman& Etel RossbackSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsVolunteers Nino & HannahEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundElaine & Erik StevensSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Solveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Dick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Gunnar DamstromLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Syrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Mark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenOur beloved caterersBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin Persson
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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