2007

Nineteen Awards of Merit were presented at the Swedish Council of America's 35th Anniversary gala dinner on April 21, 2007. Pictured here are Urban Lundberg, chairman of SCA's Awards and Recognition Committee, and award winners Nels Backman, Ewa Rydåker, Char Bostrom, Edgar Eklof, Lorraine Sward Carlson, Paul Dahlin, Carol Sakrison Larson, Lillemor Horngren, Stan Swanson, Dee Kleinow, Claudia Pratt, Ron Swanson, Elsie Hanson, Fran Hillier, Jack Swanson, Louise Unkrich, Harry Anderson and Les Touve. Not pictured: Jo Mihelich.

Hailing from North and South Dakota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, these individuals represent 15 different SCA affiliate organizations. They are recognized by the Swedish Council of America and by their organizations for their many years of service on behalf of Swedish America.

Harry Anderson Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin	Char Bostrom Twin Cities Swedish Folk Dancers/Nisswa-Stämman
Nels Backman Swedish Cultural Heritage Soc. of Red River Valley	Lorraine Sward Carlson Dalesburg Scandinavian Association
Paul Dahlin American Swedish Institute Spelmanslag	Edgar Eklof American Swedish Institute Male Chorus
Elsie Hanson VOA Norrskenet Lodge #331	Fran Hillier Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota
Lillemor Horngren VOA Linde Lodge #492	Dee Kleinow Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota
Carol Sakrison Larson Swedish Fdn. of Iowa's 'Swede Bend Settlement'	Jo Mihelich VOA District Lodge #7
Claudia Pratt Nordic Culture Clubs/Scandinavian Hjemkomst Fest	Ewa Rydåker American Swedish Institute
Dr. John Swanson Augustana Heritage Association	Ron Swanson Swedish Genealogical Society of Minnesota
Stan Swanson VOA Norrskenet Lodge #331	Les Touve Swedish American Historical Society of Wisconsin
Louise Unkrich Swedish Heritage Society of Swedesburg

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On Saturday, September 15th, 2007, Arne Fahlen and Cai Rubin received the Award of Merit in conjunction with the 10th Anniversary celebration of the Swedish American Heritage Society of West Michigan. The success of the SAHS is a wonderful example for all Swedish America, having grown from nothing to over 400 members in a mere 10 years and actively involving members of all generations, especially youth. Pictured from left to right are SCA Board members Kerstin Trowbridge and Lennart Johansson, award recipients Arne Fahlen and Cai Rubin, and Society founders and 2003 SCA Award of Merit recipients Doris and Clarence Anderson.

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During the SCA board meeting weekend in Atlanta, fourteen Awards of Merit were presented at a banquet held at the Carter Presidential Center on Friday, October 12, 2007. These were the first Awards of Merit presented in Georgia.

Back row: Ulla Zreloff (VOA – Nordic Lodge #708), Ed From (Scandinavian Festival of Georgia),  Guye & Joe Dupcak (VOA – Nordic Lodge #708), Monica Eklund (SWEA – Atlanta), Jorgen Conradsen (Scandinavian American Foundation of Georgia), Jill Olander (SACC – Atlanta), Göran Rygert (Vasa Drängar), Urban Lundberg (SCA Awards & Recognition Chair).

Front row: Sam Linden (VOA – Nordic Lodge #708), Margareta Martin (Scandinavian American Foundation of Georgia), Maria Kransmo (SWEA – Atlanta), Lilian & Dale Nordin (VOA – Nordic Lodge #708). [seated] Barbro Linden (VOA – Nordic Lodge #708)

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On Saturday October 13th, 2007, two Awards of Merit were presented to members of SWEA-Arizona in conjunction with the Western Americas Regional Meeting of SWEA (Swedish Women’s Educational Association). Margaretha Turner and Britt Marie Flynn were presented the award by SWEA founder Agneta Nilsson who also serves on the SCA's Board of Directors.

 

 

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The Swedish Cultural Society of Cleveland celebrated its 80th anniversary with a banquet dinner on Saturday, October 20th, 2007. In conjunction with this event, Urban Lundberg, SCA Awards & Recognition chairman, presented Awards of Merit to (left to right) Lars Eriksson, Iris Stjernholm, Glenda Carlsson and Peggy Hallqvist (not pictured).