The Swedish Council of America will hold its 2011 annual meeting in Portland, Oregon April 7-10, 2011. The Great Achievement Award will be presented to Siri Eliason (Thousand Oaks, CA) for her many years of work to vitalize and preserve Swedish culture in America.

Awards of Merit will also be presented to hard working volunteers in the region, with Nordstjernan contributor Leif Rosqvist among those to be so honored. Also honored is author Lars Nordström whose latest book 'Ten New Lives' on modern Swedish immigrants was recently released through www.swedishrootsinoregon.org. The northwestern Swedish Americans are active in a variety of organizations, see www.newsweden.org or nordstjernan.com - Pacific States to find out more.

A banquet dinner event ($65) is being held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Benson Hotel in Portland, OR.