CXI EST. 1906 La Palma, California Marcn 2017 Number 1 www.orderofruneberg.org

More about the people of

e begin this by saying that is the following: http:// the final issues of the finlander.genealogia.fi/ WLeading Star are here. So sfhswiki/index.php/ much has been written over the Category:Articles_by_June_Pelo years about Finland and the We have shared many of her people coming from Finland to articles in the Genealogy Corner North America. One person who section of the paper. We wanted has researched, translated and to share more of these articles documented these happenings is before the last issue of the Lead- June Pelo. She has a large library ing Star is here. So here is an of articles available on the article about emigrating Finland internet. The link for the website Swedes which is in addition to her Genealogy Corner article.

Dale Hjort Finland-Swedes in America he number of emigrants year period 1894-98 also came a In this connection an inter- from Finland to America wave of emigrants from Finland. esting fact can be observed. In during the years 1871-90 During this period only 15,868 the first wave of emigrants, only was 26,130. The largest passports were issued for non- 33.1% were women, ie 1/3 of the number, 21,968, emi- European countries, or an aver- emigrants. But during the Tgrated during 1886-90. From age 3,173 each year. trough between the waves, the 1891-93 there were 20,606 continued on page 2 people. It was during the later part of the 1880’s and the first part of 1890’s that the first tidal WHAT’S INSIDE: wave of over 42,000 emigrants from Finland rolled in over North America. They spread Genealogy Corner...... 4 from coast to coast over the US and established resident areas Lodge News...... 6 for the later emigrants. During 1893 began the so- Swedish Finn Historical Society...... 9-10 called Cleveland depression with its moderating influence on all immigration. During the five- 2 March 2017 Finland-Swedes in America continued from page 1 for travel to non-European coun- went to Canada. During the female percentage stepped up to tries. A number of people trav- 1930’s and 1940’s the number of 53.8% in 1894 and to 54.8% in eled without passports (with emigrants from Finland to the 1897. Soon thereafter the female passports from Swedish US and Canada dropped to only share fell again to around 1/3 of Österbotten) to , from about 5,500 people. the total emigration. This pro- where they later could obtain Probably about 3/4 of Fin- portion was typical for the entire passports to travel to America. land-Swedish emigrants came immigration period. After the When World War I began, from farms and cities in relatively short trough between another trough began, during Österbotten. Passports issued at waves, another tidal wave began which the number of passports Vasa province during 1893-1924 in 1899, the year that the notori- gradually sank from 6,472 in were 41,500 out of a total of ous February manifest was im- 1914 to only a little over 1,000 in 302,271 passports issued. Ac- posed and the years of calamity 1919. But 1920 ushered in a third cording to the 1960 US census, began in Finland. The wave got emigration wave with about 67,624 people who were born in much higher than previously and 6,000 passports issued, and dur- Finland resided in the US. Of continued for fifteen years until ing 1921-29 55,046 passports these, 50,359 had Finnish as World War I began. were issued, most for travel to their mother tongue, 10,060 had This was the greatest emigra- the US during the first part of Swedish, 302 English, 5,111 an- tion period, during which a total 1920’s. After the quota law be- other language and for 1,792 the 222,157 passports were issued came valid in the US in 1925, the mother tongue was not given. greatest number of emigrants The figure of 10,060 for Swed- continued on page 3

The Leading Star is published quarterly by the Order of Runeberg for its members and others interested in the Order at 7682 Tracy Lane, La Palma, California 90623-1501.

The Leading Star / Ledstjärnan Dale & Mary Lou Hjort Editors: Dale and Mary Lou Hjort 7682 Tracy Lane La Palma, CA 90623-1501 Address all correspondence to: Postmaster: Send changes of address to: The Leading Star Name:______Attn: Dale & Mary Lou Hjort Street:______7682 Tracy Lane La Palma, CA 90623-1501 City:______Telephone/Fax: 714-739-0932 Email: [email protected] State:______Zip______Correspondents: Information received by the first Friday of the quarterly month or as noted will be Lodge & Number:______included in that quarter’s issue. ______To correct our listing of your address, fill in the requested information in the form to the right and send your old mailing label to: March 2017 3 continued from page 2 ish as the mother tongue is prob- sented a very thorough investi- from “Etela-Pohjanmaan ably not correct. The census tak- gation and account of emigration Valtamerentakainen ers probably assumed that if a in all the more substantial as- Siirtolaisuus”. She said that a to- person was born in Finland, pects from 46 communities (20 tal of 361,000 emigrants went Finnish was his mother tongue. Swedish farm areas, 22 Finnish from Finland to non-European Of those who had Swedish as farm areas, also cities of Kaskö, countries during 1867-1930. their mother tongue, 4,133 lived , Vasa and in the eastern states, 2,076 in ) in the southern Excerpted from “Finland- north central states, 460 in the Österbotten during 1867-1930 in svenskar i Amerika” (The Fin- south, and 3,391 in western a short report titled “Kolmannes land-Swedes in America) states. palsa ja koksi kolmannesta jaa”, By Anders Myhrman, 1972. Anna Leena Toivonen in a June Pelo 1991 1963 doctor’s thesis has pre-

Publication Fund Report March, 2017 Obituary Reporting on December LS costs Karl Gustav Bergman Holger Johannes As with the previous Leading Star 12 page October 8, 1926 , Stenfors issues, the December Leading Star 12 page Finland - January 12, 2017 issue costs were reduced compared to the November 3, 1923 New Westminster B.C. previous 16 page format. Finland Gus was the middle child of five, November 27, 2016 growing up on a family farm in a small Cost summary of the December, 2016 issue town. He left school early to help out Coquitlam British Columbia. of the Leading Star: on the farm and there developed a life- Holger passed away peacefully December Leading Star issue: long love for animals and nature. He at home, with his family at his side. Editors’ stipend: $200. He leaves to mourn his wife Martha of was called to train in the military but Graphics: $360 62 years – daughter Cathy with hus- due to a bout with pneumonia did not LS postage: $192.08 see active duty. Unable to find work band Darrel, son Brian as well as many (for 223 copies mailed) in Finland he immigrated to Canada friends and relatives in Canada, Fin- in 1954. land and in Sweden. Printing: $111.20 Gus was pre-deceased by his lov- He lived a very active life, in his Total / issue: $863.28 ing wife Kay (1984). They had two early days he served in The Finnish daughters, Sandra and Norah, and two military. He spent some time in Aus- Publication Fund Balances: grandchildren, Elise and Shawn. He tralia and then later as a new immi- Balance reported in September 2016 had a variety of work opportunities grant to Canada (1954). He loved his $ 3,108.13 both in and out of the Vancouver area. homeland and returned every summer Cost of December 2016 LS In retirement he enjoyed reading, his- with Martha. When Martha was un- $ 863.28 able to travel he did so on his own, re- tory, gardening and travel and of Current Balance, March 2017 turning to his family farm to spend course… always a good cup of coffee. $ 2,244.85 Two years ago he had some serious time in the homeland. Holger was a health issues that almost took his life dedicated member of the Order of but with extreme determination he Runeberg, Lodge 124 for some 42 Based on the above costs, it is estimated that was able to go from bed to recovery, years. He was in attendance at our last the “last Leading Star issue,” to be the June, enabling him to spend his last summer meeting in early November, cheerful 2017 issue (same as previously projected). puttering in his garden. Shortly after and in good health. Our Leading Star editors have suggested we Christmas he suffered a small stroke Holger died as he lived: on his own may be at a point with a future issue of the pa- and passed away peacefully at Royal terms. Defying the odds one last time. per that we go to 8 pages – depending on quan- Columbian Hospital on January 12, A memorial service was held on De- tity of content submitted by our lodges. The 2017. cember 10 in Coquitlam B.C. He will plan is to look at each issue on a individual ba- be sadly missed by all who knew him. Gus Bergman was a long time sis. Thus the page count would be 8 or 12 de- member of the Order of Runeberg, Submitted by Annabelle Kergam pending on what has been submitted. I agree Lodge 124 for some 42 years. He was with the editors. able to celebrate his 90th birthday at our November meeting. He will be Fund Report submitted by Stew Lyons deeply missed by family and friends both here and in Finland. 4 March 2017 Genealogy Corner

Emigration from Two-thirds of the emigrants had to borrow ticket money from he first Finns and Finland or from someone who Swedes came to had emigrated before them. If America in the 1600’s they couldn’t scrape up the when Finland was still money, they couldn’t emigrate. a province of the Once they had the money, it was SwedishT Empire. The first Swed- necessary to get a passport. They ish expedition landed at the needed a church-issued birth mouth of the Delaware River in certificate and a certificate of 1638, and in 1640 a few Finns non-objection from the police arrived. About 500-600 Finns authority. After 1903 men of con- moved to New Sweden, scription age had to submit proof June Pelo of military service. When they Delaware’s Swedish colony. A Dedicated Genealogist Some came from the Finnish for- had the required documents they est areas of Sweden and some went to the port of departure. came from Vasa and 23%. More men returned than Some steamship companies in Ostrobothnia. In the begin- women, more wealthy people checked the health of the passen- ning of the 19th century a few than poor ones, and more old gers because the United States hundred moved to Alaska. There emigrants than young ones. refused to admit sick immi- are known instances of emigra- Most emigrants came from rural grants, and the ship companies tion from Munsala in the 1840’s areas, with about 6% from cities. had to return them to their home and 1850’s, but it’s not known Most of the emigrants were country at no charge. Four per- how many emigrated to Alaska young unmarried men. More cent were rejected at point of nor who jumped ship. than 80% were 16-40 years old. departure. The most common North America suffered a la- The 16-25 year-olds were the reasons for rejections were the bor shortage in the 1860’s and largest group, and about 10% eye disease trachoma and tuber- ‘70’s, and the influx of immi- were children under age 16. culosis. grants helped solved the prob- Many of the older emigrants Some of the early immigrants lem. A continuous stream of emi- probably moved to spend their went to Sweden and continued grants began in 1867, when a fac- retirement years with their chil- across the ocean from tory worker from Vasa left Fin- dren. Gothenberg or Trondheim, Nor- land. In the peak year of 1902, The majority of emigrants way. In 1874 the Wasa-Nordsjö 7,310 people were issued a pass- from southern Ostrobothnia Steampship, Inc. sailed a few port by the province of Vasa. worked on farms in Finland. times per summer from Vasa to From 1870-1930 about 400,000 Emigration hit crofters, depen- Hull, England. Then in 1891 the emigrants left Finland, with dent lodgers, cottagers and hired SHO line began regular Hangö- 320,000 going to the United hands who were affected more Copenhagen-Hull travel. Rates States and 80,000 to Canada. than landowners. Younger chil- were cheaper and the trip was About 52% of them came from dren who did not inherit the farm faster. The passengers then went Vasa province. decided to emigrate. In the early by train from Hull, England to Many emigrants returned to stages the rural population that Liverpool where they boarded a Finland. The majority of them had suffered economic hardship ship across the Atlantic. Finns went to North America to earn left, but later on emigration be- usually traveled third class. Con- money for a house or farm and came a mass movement and ditions aboard ship didn’t always then planned to return to Fin- other people also left to “whittle correspond to the descriptions land. A general estimate is 20- gold in America.” published by the ship companies. March 2017 5

In the 1800’s passengers com- tween the two countries and from landless so they had to seek a liv- plained about bad food, tight east to west. The bulk of them ing elsewhere. space, filth and the slowness of settled north of the Great Lakes Tar burning and shipbuild- the ship. The trip to North in Ontario, in mining towns, cen- ing were profitable industries. In America usually lasted an aver- ters of railroad and logging indus- the mid-1850’s the world shifted age of two weeks. try and large cities. Immigrants from wooden ships which relied In North America they landed from Vasa province chose on tar to steamships made of either in New York or Boston, or Ontario. Many moved on from steel. That created a “tar crisis.” in Canada at Halifax, Quebec Ontario to British Columbia. Another reason for emigration City or Montreal. Some immi- was the conscription edicts grants stayed in the cities where Reasons for Emigration handed down during the Rus- they landed. For example, those The economic conditions sian oppression years 1899- from Närpes and Peräsienäjoki were the main factor in southern 1917. Finland was a Grand stayed in New York. The immi- Ostrobothnia. The strong growth Duchy under the Russian Czar grants settled where work was in the population in the 19th cen- until 1917. Many men avoided available and where they knew tury created economic pressures. conscription which they consid- where people from their home The province of Vasa had a sur- ered unlawful by emigrating to town already lived. On the east plus population which explains North America. coast they settled mainly in Mas- the large emigration. Crop fail- Sometimes marital relations sachusetts, New York, and Penn- ures and years of famine brought broke down and the man emi- sylvania. Many went to the great hardship. The majority of grated rather than get a divorce midwestern states of Michigan, southern Ostrobothnian farmers which was frowned upon. The Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. owned small farms and they had arrival of stepmothers or step- Others went on to Washington, to struggle to make a living. Ac- fathers drove children to emi- California, Oregon, Montana cording to inheritance practices, grate. Some young men emi- and Colorado. Ostrobothnians the oldest son got the farm and grated to avoid parental respon- didn’t settle in the southern paid his siblings cash compensa- sibilities. And some had a pow- states. tion and the other children had erful desire for adventure. In Canada they followed the to go elsewhere to find work. The Ostrobothnians had a strong same pattern as in the United children of freeholders were sense of belonging and many left States: close to the border be- together in large groups. In the United States the Homestead Act of 1862 offered free land to immigrants. America needed workers so recruiters went to Finland to entice people to emi- grate. Recruiting was prohibited by the United States in the 1880’s but in Canada it contin- ued into the 20th century. The recruitment effort helped spread “America fever.” Also people who emigrated between 1860- 90 wrote enticing letters to Fin- land which were published in newspapers. The news that there was work in America lured many to try their luck in a for- eign country. The majority of men worked in physically demanding jobs, e.g. in mines, construction, lum- ber camps. Some later bought continued on page 10 desserts!

6 March 2017

LODGE NEWS

Note to readers: You may have noticed in the New Haven lodge’s Fall meeting article in the December Leading Star was not an article about the meeting, but rather the invitation to the meeting. This is because I accidently sent the wrong file for publication. I con- tacted our editors, and they agreed to publish the correct article, below, along with meet- ing pictures. I apologize for my December issue error. Stew Lyons New Haven Lodge 205 Annual “Fall Walk & Potluck Dinner” On October 15th, members & friends http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp? of Lodge 205 enjoyed our annual “Fall a=2716&q=325210&deepNav_ Walk & Potluck Dinner” hosted by Robert GID=1650%20, and Tuula Berke. We started by walking the newly con- The appetizers, main dishes, salads and des- structed trail at Hammonasset State Park serts provided by our hosts and members in Madison, CT: were all delicious. There was a wide variety then drove to Robert and Tuula’s beauti- of interesting entrees – of special note – Inke ful home, where everyone was ready for brought and cooked 100 littleneck clams – the potluck dinner! and we ate them all! To appreciate the Fall New England foliage colors, the pictures accompanying this article the pictures may be viewed in color on our Runeberg website, New Ha- ven Lodge 205 page: http:// www.orderofruneberg.org/ l20516fallwalk.html For members, friends, and persons / families interested in Finnish &/or Swedish- Speaking Finnish Culture & Traditions living within driv- ing distance to our New Ha- ven area Lodge 205 meet- ings, you are invited to join us for our next event – “Sum- On the trail at Hammonasset State Park, Madison, CT mer Picnic,” scheduled for L-R: Marjatta, Tuula, Sirpa, Kirsti. Photo by Inke March 2017 7

LODGE NEWS

Saturday, June 10, 2017. Event details and contact in- formation are at: http:// www.orderofruneberg.org/ lodgesl205newhavenct.html

L-R: Klas, Tuula, Stew, Lise, Peter

L-R: Klas, Dottie, Stew, Peter All enjoying the many delicious potluck dinner entrees

The desserts!

L-R: Lise, Roy, Dottie & Stew Business meeting in progress 8 March 2017

ing within driving distance to our O of R New Haven Lodge 205 New Haven area Lodge 205 “Bowling & Pizza” event meetings, you are invited to join us for our next event – “Summer A small dedicated group of ers, and cocktail sausages. Des- Picnic,” scheduled for Saturday, members of Lodge #205 gath- sert included homemade carda- June 10, 2017. Event details and ered at the Highland Lanes in mom cookies and ice cream sun- contact information are at: http:/ Cheshire, CT for duck pin bowl- daes featuring wild berry sauces. /www.orderofruneberg.org/ ing on January 22nd. Duck pin Due to the absence of several lodges/l205newhavenct.html officers, the business meeting bowling is a challenge for Submitted by bowlers with scores being gener- was postponed until the next George Nousiainen ally low. However, it is a fun meeting on March 18, 2017. sport in which to participate. President, Stew Lyons is recov- Kirstin Bjork, a youth member, ering from an injury and we wish was a leader in cheering and in him a speedy recovery. The con- Membership information recording scores. versation was spirited and con- Swedish Finn Historical A pizza social was held after tinued until late in the evening. Society bowling at the home of George For members, friends, and per- and Brenda Nousiainen. Several sons / families interested in As the Society is the reposi- varieties of delicious pizza Finnish &/or Swedish-Speaking tory for all the information sub- quickly disappeared along with Finnish Culture & Traditions liv- mitted by all past Lodges of the a variety of cheeses, bread, crack- now disbanded Order of Runeberg, membership in the Society keeps all past members in Runeberg touch with their heritage and past Social Club Highlights 2016 history of the Order. Upon join- ing, one is entitled to receive the The year began with our first The endowment fund for QUARTERLY magazine. It gives meeting on February 7th, 2016, in scholarships is now $35,000.00. access to all the publications, celebration of Finland’s National Members continued to receive that have been gathered by the Poet, J.L. Runeberg. Runeberg the Leading Star (International Society for the enjoyment and use tarts were featured and two short OR paper) and four times a year, of the membership, not just films were viewed – both filmed our local newsletter, the OR Top- O of R materials but a wide vari- in Vasa, Finland and of histori- ics. ety of articles and information The summer potluck picnic cal significance. about Swedish Finns both in Fin- was held on August 13th at the In total we had four meetings land, USA and Canada. For more (Feb., May, Sept. Nov.) The No- home of Britta Cederberg, in information please contact: vember meeting was our A.G.M. Wonnock BC. We jointly cel- The Swedish Finn and election of officers. Our De- ebrated this event with Finland’s Historical Society cember gathering was our Svenska Klubben. Christmas luncheon celebrated Our year ended with 40 adults 1920 Dexter Avenue North at the Best Western Hotel in and 5 junior members. Sadly 2 Seattle Washington, 98109 Coquitlam. of our long time members, Miia USA A Scholarship Fundraiser was Kronholm and Holger Stenfors Membership in SFHS is on an held on February 10th, under the passed away. annual basis: direction of Finland House. Respectfully Submitted Individual: $25 US/EU $7,710.00 was realized and was Annabelle Kergan, Senior (65 +) used to support six Scholarships President, Runeberg Social Student $25 US/EU (2016) which were awarded on Club Family (one address) $30 US/EU Finland’s Independence Day cel- Give it a try! ebrations in December. You won’t be disappointed. March 2017 9

News from the Swedish-Finn Historical Society

On March 4th, 2017 the SFHS Annual Meeting and Luncheon took place at the Swedish Club, Dexter Avenue, Seattle, Wash- ington. Many past members of the International Order of Runeberg were in attendance. The day was sunny and the meet- ing was well attended. The day began at ll am with a social hour and live music per- formed by Leif and Sunnie Accor- dion Duo. This was a wonderful time to renew friendships – make new ones and generally begin the business of the day on a light note. By 12:30 pm we were all ready to partake of a fabulous Smorgasbord with all the usual Scandinavian touches – pickled herring, hardtack, cucumber Marita Agnew Annabelle Kergan salad, cardamom bread, roast leg of lamb, mashed potatoes with gravy, braised carrots and onions meeting was held with an over- Lodge and the Swedish –Finn – finishing with apple cake. An view of things to come for SHSF. Culture. The second Award was added touch was complimentary Of special note to past OR mem- presented to Annabelle Kergan, wine at each table and of course bers was that digitalizing of all also a long time member and the usual good Scandinavian Leading Star issues (from its be- devotee to the cause of the Or- style coffee. However, before the ginning – copies found and made der of Runeberg and the preser- banquet we were invited to take available) and now anyone can vation of Swedish Finnish Cul- a skol of aquavit in honour of all access the past papers for re- ture. Tor-Erik Rosback gave a immigrants … a nice touch to be- search and general interest. This short speech as he introduced gin our meal. After a short wel- was a huge job and certainly a Annabelle, noting that both her come and opening prayer we all way to preserve our Runeberg parents were Charter members enjoyed a lovely meal. heritage. Bill Carlson, President, of the Vancouver Order of The Program was short and gave an update on the future of Runeberg, Lodge 124. entertaining with guest speaker SFHS. Though there were about Both Awards read: Sara Kahokola, who is on ex- 125 people in attendance he change from Finland. Her topic, noted that membership was glo- 2017 “Language Identities and De- bal with some 600 plus, mem- Tack Sa Mycket Award bates – in 100 bers worldwide. year old Finland” was most infor- Before adjournment the pre- Presented to mative. She brought us up to sentation of two special Awards Marita Agnew date on the language issues that were presented. Ed Branfors are occurring in Finland. It was gave a short speech about long and good to hear that the government time Order of Runeberg mem- will not do away with the study ber, Marita Agnew, Tacoma Annabelle Kergan of Swedish in Schools and that President. Though unable to at- “For tirelessly preserving our Swedish will still be recognized tend she was recognized for her Swedish Finn Culture and as the other official language of tireless devotion to both the unwavering Swedish Finn the country. After a brief coffee/ Pride” dessert break, a brief business See article on page 10 for more about these awards. 10 March 2017

Swedish Finn Historical Society honors two longtime Runeberg members At this year’s Swedish Finn tion on the Oravais (Roukas) ori- dozens but hundreds of others Historical Society annual meet- gins of my grandmother, Greta through the years. ing and luncheon on March 4th Lovisa (Spets) Brannfors. This was A plaque was presented by in Seattle two longtime members followed by numerous invitations SFHS President, Bill Carlson, of our IOR Lodges in Tacoma for coffee and cardamom pastries and accepted on Marita’s be- and Vancouver, B.C. were hon- at her (and husband Jim’s) home half by Monica Mason. ored for their decade’s long con- in Vancouver where she provided Secondly, Annabelle Kergan tributions to their organizations translations of the old postcards was honored with a similar and to the larger Swedish Finn and the “America Letters” we plaque for her many years of community. brought back from Finland. She ar- service to her Canadian First, Marita Agnew now of ranged to have a local historian community’s Swedish Finns Olympia, WA was acknowledged couple escort us to visit family lo- and to the International Order for her lifetime support of IOR cations from Kimo to Roukas. Mu- of Runeberg which she served and SFHS activities. I spoke to sic was discovered (Eklund’s Majus as President. Tor-Erik the assembled members of my Minuet), graves were located where Rosback provided comments experience of joining SFHS in flowers were planted, the home site thanking Annabelle for her 1997 and with my new member was walked through… all as a result kindness and continuing ser- listing in the Quarterly, it wasn’t of Marita’s assistance. Finally I vice to the Vancouver, B.C. long before Marita called me of- gratefully said that what Marita has Swedish Finns. fering any assistance in transla- done for me, she has done for not Contributed tion from Swedish or informa- By Ed Brannfors 3/25/17

had more money than when Genealogy Corner they left and many bought a continued from page 5 house with money earned in North America. During and farms. Women worked mostly in posited their money in Finnish after World War II the immi- domestic work. The men worked banks. Those who planned to re- grants sent money and parcels under harder conditions than at turn sent their savings from North to Finland, and some sent home in Finland. But wages were America to banks in the homeland. money to the province of their better and workdays were Also, more inheritance money birth for rebuilding purposes. shorter than in Finland, so they came from North America to Fin- It is estimated that before managed to endure the harsh land than the other way around. World War I each emigrant conditions. Also the food and Finnish inheritances were usually sent to Finland annually about clothing were better. The high small and immigrants often relin- the same amount of money as standard of living and the higher quished their inheritance to rela- a worker would earn in Fin- earnings proved that emigration tives who stayed at home. land in a year. was worthwhile. Many emigrants sent packages The majority of emigrants home which contained money and Extracts from Journal of brought more money to Finland goods that were hard to find in Fin- Finnish Studies, “Exploring than they took with them. Every land. At the peak of “America par- Ostrobothnia” by Mari Niemi third emigrant borrowed his fare cels” in 1946, every third south June Pelo from Finland and usually paid it Ostrobothnian received an Ameri- back with interest. At departure, can parcel. Returning immigrants the more wealthy emigrants de- March 2017 11

Traveling Sauna Visits L.A. County s part of Finland’s centennial celebra- tions, a Traveling Sauna is currently making its way across the United A States. The Traveling Sauna has been widely promoted on social media, and it has attracted the attention of local media and brought attention to Finland’s centennial events, as well as to Finnish and Finnish-American or- ganizations and their operations. Having started its 12-month-journey in Min- nesota in January 2017, the Traveling Sauna The Traveling Sauna was a visible part of the reached California on March 5. The Traveling 626 Golden Streets festival in Duarte, CA. Sauna’s visit in Duarte in L.A. County was linked to 626 Golden Streets festival, a free sports and well-being event attracting tens of thousands of visitors. 626 Golden Streets is the largest street festi- val in the United States, comprising 18 miles of open streets, 7 cities (Duarte being one of them), and offering a variety of activities such as yoga, Zumba and dance classes. The streets were closed to “motorized transportation”, i.e. people were free to walk, bike, skate and jog on the streets. Additionally, there was live entertainment like music, chalk artists and friendly sasquatch, as well as vendors and other businesses on display. According to the festival organizers, 100,000 people in total took part in the event. Visitors at the festival had a chance to experi- Risto Sivula (left) and Jouko Sipila together with the ence and bathe in an authentic wood-heated Traveling Sauna. Finnish sauna, learn about the Finnish sauna culture and share experiences with other first- More information about the Traveling Sauna: time-goers. People were enthusiastic about the www.travelingsauna.com possibility to see an actual outdoor sauna and From News, 3/8/2017 I Embassy of Finland, learn more about Finland and its culture. Next, Washington the Traveling Sauna will make its way to north- ern California, and in April people can experi- ence Finnish sauna culture in Oregon and Wash- ington. Dale & Mary Lou Hjort 7682 Tracy Lane La Palma, CA 90623-1501

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Order of Runeberg Lodges www.orderofruneberg.org CANADA MICHIGAN Lodge #124 Lodge #8 Vancouver, BC Dollar Bay CURRENCY RATES CALIFORNIA OREGON Lodge #102 Lodge #126 1 EURO = 1.06USD Eureka North Bend/Coos Bay 1 USD = 0.94 EURO CONNECTICUT WASHINGTON XE-04/08/17 Lodge #205 Lodge #106 New Haven Tacoma Please submit all news, resolutions, and articles June 2 for publication in the June Leading Star