& Etel RossbackSunnie Empie with guestLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonVerna & Bob JacobsonGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Sandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadershipMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonGunnar DamstromGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsSyrene ForsmanUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoMarita Agnew & Thelma MosebarEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsSocial HourDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”SFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonMark Hillman enjoying social hourSyrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewVolunteers Nino & HannahMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourBeverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadiePer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraCaterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.SFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”President Elect Bill CarlsonPer-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftThelma 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.Lorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Syrene Forsman hanging out with the bandSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöAnnabelle KergenOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusOur beloved caterersPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Don Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromElaine & Erik StevensLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Torr Rosback & Ed BrannforsCarol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElyPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.
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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