Beverly Huchala, Aleda Enright, & Nancy EricksonSyrene ForsmanSandi Gaffney & Candy EnquistMary Hillman putting out the delicious cardamom bread that she baked for the social hourSFV Guests and Welcoming CommitteeConnie Harrington & Shirley JenkinsDick Erickson, Ed Schneble & his better halfPresident Elect Bill CarlsonAnnabelle Kergen & Johanna PadieMark Hillman enjoying social hourDon Ostrand & Gunnar DamstromLorene Mara inviting SFHS members to the 90th Anniversary of Runeberg Lodge 124Syrene Forsman, Inge, Laura, & Alicia CarlsonPer-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraAnnabelle KergenSandi Gaffney, Shirley Jenkins & Jane ElySunnie Empie with guestJohn Laakso & Bud SaxbergSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerVolunteers Nino & HannahUlf & Harriet Wallendahl with Carita LaaksoFrank & Barbara Sanchez with Gunnar Damstrom trading Swedish Finn secrets at last year’s Annual Luncheon.Our Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenSolveig Lozier & Carita Laakso at the Annual Luncheon in 2015. Reserve your seat today.Gunnar DamstromGunnar Damstrom sings American National AnthemSocial HourTorr Rosback & Ed BrannforsEd Brannfors presenting a generous donation from Order of RunebergGunnar Damström Sings Canadian National AnthemSyrene Forsman hanging out with the bandGeorge Miller Conducting Board ElectionsThelma Mosebar, Larry Sandell & Cami HaskinsLarry Sandell, Lee Thompson, Mary Hillman, , & Lynn ThompsonJean Monsebroten visiting with Marita AgnewEtel & Torr Rossback with George NelsonSyrene Forsman Introducing Maria MännistöPresident Elect,Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Maria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusMaria Männistö Singing Songs of SibeliusDick Erickson holding his award and thank you gift for over a decade of SFHS leadershipWendy Sundquist, Torr Rosback, Dick Erickson, & Bill CarlsonEd Brannfors with Nils Holm in backgroundOur Featured Speaker Jean MonsebrotenElaine & Erik StevensSunny Empie, Leif Holmes & Ron ZentnerGunnar Damstrom Sings Finland’s National Anthem (in Swedish, of course)Carol Deskines, Dick Erickson & Torr RosbackSFV’s new publication “SFV Magasinet”Caterers happy it’s over. Kal Gellein and his talented crew of caterers.Marita Agnew & Thelma Mosebar& Etel RossbackOur beloved caterersBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonLee & Lynn Thompson with Ed BrannforsThelma 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.Per-Edvin Persson presenting a thank you giftMark Hillman, Joanne Hilton & Karen LundgrenPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, with the three recipients of the SFHS “President’s Award of Excellence”Per-Edvin Persson giving thank you gifts to SFHS Board Members with help from SFV Director Johan AuraBoard Chair of SFV, Per-Edvin PerssonDick Erickson, Connie Harrington, & Bob OstrandVerna & Bob JacobsonPresident Elect, Bill Carlson, thanking Dick Erickson for over a decade of SFHS leadership
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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