President Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipVolunteers Nino & HannahDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Ulf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoSocial HourSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Maria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Mark Hillman enjoying social hourAnnabelle KergenPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Sunnie Empie with guestConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusOur beloved caterersMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonSyrene ForsmanVerna & Bob JacobsonJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Dick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfPresident Elect Bill CarlsonGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Ed Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Sandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Sunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in background& Etel RossbackElaine & Erik StevensThelma 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.Marita Agnew & Thelma MosebarGunnar DamstromSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandBoard 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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