Finlandia Foundation® Spring 2012 http://www.finlandiafoundation.org OVER $80,000 DONATED BY COLE ESTATE By Trent Blackburn, Seattle Lodge Leonard and Rauha Cole were longtime members of the the Seattle Lodge and the Theosophical Society in America (TSA). The TSA encourages the study of science, philosophy, and comparative religion. Both were deep thinkers, widely read, and compassionate. They also participated in the peace movement in Berkeley, California. Mrs. Cole was born in Finland, and was proud of her national heritage, as a result. She maintained membership status in the Finlandia Foundation National as a way of keeping in touch with her homeland. Rauha left Finland as a teenager to accept work as a nanny in South SOIVA INTERNATIONAL MUSIC America. From there she moved to the US where she met Leonard through her friend Aino Kunz who was also from Finland. Leonard CAMP 2012 delivers significant and Rauha married in 1955 and joined the TSA in 1957. Leonard was treasurer of the Seattle Lodge for ten years until 1963, when Finnish-based instruction they moved to California. Leonard was employed by the University By Dennis Anderson, Trustee of California at Berkeley, retiring from his position as chief internal American music students, ages 11-17 with a minimum of three years auditor in 1981. of experience, are invited take advantage of the world-renowned In 2004, the Coles moved back to Seattle, Washington, to be nearer Finnish educational system. Finlandia Foundation National is their lifelong friends, the late John Kunz and Aino Kunz. By that partnering with Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, to time, Leonard was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which made offer the 2012 Soiva International Music Camp from June 17-24. it very difficult for him to attend lodge meetings. Rauha, his beloved Lessons are offered in piano, violin, flute, clarinet, and composition. wife, consort, and companion, chose to remain at his side rather All campers also gain valuable experience in improvisation. Both than attend meetings without him. teachers and students will be coming from Finland to join their American colleagues for this auspicious event! Both Leonard and Rauha faced significant medical challenges in their final years and endured them with courage, grace, and quiet Thanks to recent grants, a special tuition price of $600 is available acceptance. They were widely loved and revered by those fortunate right now! This includes housing and meals on campus, all enough to cross paths with them as they set splendid examples of instruction, and the opportunity to utilize every one of the amenities Theosophy in action in the way they led their lives. of a great music school with 36 practice rooms, 30 studios, a computer lab, a recording studio, and a performance hall that has the capability to web cast performances to friends and relatives over the NEW EERO and HELLI TETRI FUND internet. By Ossi Rahkonen, Trustee The following excerpt from the parent of a 2009 Soiva camper attests Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) is pleased to announce the to the high quality of this camp: receipt of a generous gift from Mr. Eero Tetri of Seattle, WA. FFN has established the Eero and Helli Tetri Fund, and Mr Tetri has “I burst with awe! and pride hearing them play...at the final Soiva inaugurated this fund with a $25,000 gift this year. To provide Recital... The Finnish music teachers were clearly world-class sustained support for FFN, he has generously agreed to give $25,000 musicians...and yet they were down to earth...willing to share their to this fund every year through 2016. expertise with students, my children. Collaborating, teaching and performing showed...a raised learning Eero and Helli Tetri immigrated from Jyväskylä to the US in 1957 ‘ceiling’...how much better music could be. This was the best and have been active with the Finnish communities in WA and AK. musical opportunity my children have experienced.” Mr. Tetri speaks of his gratitude to the US for providing him and his late wife with a warm welcome and abundant opportunities. This gift Consider supporting a child or grandchild with a significant to FFN, as well as his support of the Finnish language program at experience of Soiva International Music Camp. For scholarship the University of Washington, is an outgrowth of this gratitude. It is information and an application please email his hope that these gifts will be instrumental in promoting Finnish- [email protected]. More details, including a video from American cultural exchange through music, language, education previous Soiva camps, are posted on the Finlandia Foundation and other activities. Continued on page 3 National web site at www.finlandiafoundation.org. NATIONAL TRUSTEES • PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT Dear Friends, Satu Mikkola Anita Häkkilä Smiley [email protected] You have in your hands another issue full of exciting news and developments from [email protected] Preston, CT Poulsbo, WA Finlandia Foundation National. We continue to grow as new chapters become Peter Mäkilä affiliated, bringing our chapter count to 42. Welcome to the Finnish Farmers Club VICE PRESIDENT Paul Halme [email protected] of Monson, ME; Frederick Forward of Frederick, SD; and the Red Lodge Knights [email protected] Lake Worth, FL and Ladies of Kaleva of Red Lodge, MT. To describe a typical chapter would Solvang, CA Armi Koskinen Nelson be difficult except for the common interest in celebrating the Finnish culture TREASURER [email protected] Edina, MN and heritage. Innovation and volunteerism give rise to some unique ways of Anne-Mari Paster celebrating—typified, for example, by the hilarity of St.Urho’s Day celebrations. [email protected] Ossi Rahkonen Lexington, MA [email protected] Mc Lean, VA On the cultural side, the celebration of Kalevala Day is included on the yearly SECRETARY program of many organizations, all with a varying theme. We like to hear how our Jacqueline Harjula Jon Saari [email protected] [email protected] chapters are drawing and inspiring members to contribute their time and talents. Thomaston, ME Marquette, MI As you read about this year’s grant recipients, it’s not too early to give some Richard Ahola Tarja Silverman thought to individuals, groups, and chapters who might be considered for an [email protected] [email protected] award in 2013. Inspiring the pursuit of innovative ideas can result in a project Dundee, NY Greystone, NY which might otherwise be abandoned due to lack of funds. Similarly, if you know Dennis M. Anderson Paul Suomala scholars who might not be familiar with the FFN scholarship program, steer them [email protected] [email protected] to the FFN website for guidelines on applying. Rochester, MN Dilworth, MN Janet Kniffin George Sundquist Sadly, the scholarhips offered by FFN for young people to attend Salolampi [email protected] [email protected] Language Village and Soiva Music Camp go begging for applicants. Scholarships Simsbury, CT Redwood City, CA are available for chapters that match the FFN scholarship amount. Six such Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski Päivi Anneli Tetri scholarships were available this year with only four applicants. Also, funding has [email protected] [email protected] Lafayette, CO St. Louis, MO been made available for students attending Soiva Music Camp, an innovative, unique camp dedicated to teaching music with a Finnish thrust. Students and instructors from Finland interact with American students and teachers. The setting this year for this camp for students between the ages of 11 and 17 is Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. We want to encourage our young MISSION people to savor their Finnish heritage, and sending students to Salolampi and Our mission is to sustain both Finnish- Soiva Music Camp is an ideal way to do this. Further information about any of the American culture in the USA and the aforementioned programs is available on the FFN website, ancestral tie with Finland by raising funds www.finlandiafoundation.org. for grants and scholarships, initiating innovative national programs, and All of these programs are made possible through the generosity of those who networking with local chapters. understand the value of carrying Finnish-Americana into future generations. We at Finlandia Foundation National remain focused on the vision of Consul Yrjo Paloheimo and friends as they sat in the Paloheimo sauna in Pasadena and decided to form what is now Finlandia Foundation National to offer assistance Be a friend of FINLANDIA to students and other scholars. That vision was increased to include musicians, artists, engineers, and doctors from Finland to study in the U.S. and Americans FOUNDATION NATIONAL to study in Finland. We, as Finlandia Foundation members, need to feel the On responsibility to carry on that vision. Facebook: The generosity of many will help us push towards the goal set for us almost 60 http://www.facebook.com/ years ago. There are numerous ways to contribute, outlined in this newsletter. A Finlandia.Foundation.National charitable gift through a will or trust is a simple and powerful way to make an impact, as was done through recent bequests through the Cole and Koski estates. The establishment of the Eero and Helli Tetri Fund, with sustaining support over If you would like to receive this newsletter a 5-year period, will have a significant impact on future funding. We are deeply as a PDF by e-mail only, let us know by indebted to those who have placed their faith in the charitable work of Finlandia emailing office@finlandiafoundation. Foundation National. As we approach the 60th anniversary of FFN in April, 2013, we keep our sights on the goals set so many years ago by Finnish visionaries in that sauna in Pasadena. We hope that you will join us in celebrating by helping to build NEWSLETTER: The Finlandia Foundation on that vision. National newsletter is a production of the FFN Communications Committee--Jacqueline Harjula, Finland beckons again as I make plans to travel with my 18th tour group to Chair, Armi Koskinen Nelson, Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski Finland. With those pleasant thoughts, I send best wishes to all for a relaxing and Satu Mikkola. Editing, Computer Production and summer. Distribution--Christina Lin, Executive Assistant. Mailing address: P.O. Box 92298, Pasadena, CA Anita Smiley, President 91109-2298. Phone: (626) 795-2081

Finlandia Foundation National President’s Message Email: [email protected].

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INTRODUCING NEW TRUSTEES Trustees National New JANET ARVONEN KNIFFIN, a 30-year veteran the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in the nonprofit and public sectors, is the Chief of the Connecticut General Assembly. In addition to Development Officer of Connecticut Food Bank a proven record of accomplishment in fundraising where she leads the agency in developing and and communications, Kniffin has extensive implementing ongoing strategies to expand experience in board governance and strategic funding, community and public relations, special planning. events and volunteer efforts. Kniffin also plays a critical role in raising the public's awareness of The granddaughter of four Finnish immigrants, the problems of poverty and food insecurity in Kniffin grew up in eastern Connecticut within Connecticut and the nation. Kniffin previously a strong Finnish-American subculture. Her worked eleven years as a senior executive with grandparents and parents were active with the the Girl Scouts. She has also worked in executive Sampo Hall in Canterbury, Connecticut - now the management for various human services and health home of the Finnish American Heritage Society Janet Arvonen Kniffin organizations as well as serving for eight years with (FAHS) where she currently volunteers on the FAHS newsletter team.

TARJA SILVERMAN was born in Helsinki, Finland, Finnish American Women’s Network (FAWN). and has lived most of her life in New York City. Visual art is close to her heart, and that is why she She has a Master’s degree in Art Administration curated a number of art exhibits of mostly Finnish from New York University and has worked at the artists in New York and had her own exhibition Consulate General of Finland in New York for of four Finnish artists in the Hampton Art Fair in the last 15 years. She is currently President of the Bridgehampton, Long Island, in the summer of 2011. Finlandia Foundation New York Metropolitan She has three children with dual Finnish-American Chapter and has been a board member since citizenship, and her goal is to keep the rich Finnish 2002. Prior to that, she was a board member cultural heritage alive. of the American Scandinavian Society and the

PAUL A. SUOMALA has Finnish roots in Wolf years, during which time he founded EMPRO

Lake, Minnesota, where he was born and raised on a Corporation. EMPRO, headquartered in Perham, • family-owned dairy farm. His family spoke Finnish MN, and later the Twin Cities, was a construction Tarja Silverman at home. materials wholesaler serving seven states. He was

with EMPRO for the next 14 years. In Moorhead, Trustees National New His paternal grandparents immigrated to the Wolf Minnesota, Mr. Suomala served as the Executive Lake in central Minnesota from Kalajoki and Teuva, Director of The International Coalition (now the Red Finland, in the 1890’s. His maternal grandfather River Basin Commission) until his retirement. immigrated from Alaharma, Finland (grandmother from Sweden), also in the 1890’s. They built a Mr. Suomala’s volunteer work includes serving home (Iso Aho) featured in The Opposite of Cold, a term as President of the Minnesota Finnish- depicting Finnish homes and saunas in the United American Historical Society. He is currently States. treasurer of the Red River Finns and has coordinated and prepared Finnish food for the annual Mr. Suomala graduated from Frazee (MN) High Hjemkomst Scandinavian Festival for 18 years. Mr. School and attended the University of Minnesota, Suomala has been a member of Rotary, International, majoring in animal industry and economics. His for 42 years. first employment after college was with Cargill, Inc., where he served as a territory manager in Mr. Suomala and his wife Dorothy have four children the feed division. He was then employed as a and six grandchildren. manager of feed manufacturing facilities for eleven Paul A. Suomala

EERO and HELLI TETRI FUND Continued from cover In 2013, Finlandia Foundation National will celebrate its 60th anniversary as the largest non-governmental source of information and education about Finnish-American culture in the United States. In 2011, FFN provided more than $100,000 for 22 scholarships, 38 grants, Lecturer of the Year and Performer of the Year programs, and the Soiva Music and Salolampi Language Camps. Looking ahead, FFN is aware that scholarship and grant programs are able to fund only a fraction of the well-qualified applicants without additional support. Mr. Tetri has been invited to become a member of the FFN President’s Council, a key advisory board supporting our fundraising efforts. FFN is grateful to Mr. Tetri and all of its friends who support our efforts to promote awareness of Finnish-American culture in the United States. FFN welcomes all financial support • and gifts of time to support this common goal! 3 Finlandia Foundation National Awards $65,000 to 31 Projects By Jon Saari, Trustee Not to be outdone in its zeal for the unusual, “Pipe Fire” following a reindeer herding Lincoln Center Outdoors in New York city family through the cycle of the year, while A striking fact about the 2012 FFN grants is reviving a lost Finnish tradition of live a Michigan-based arts educator proposes is that almost 60 percent of the funds accordion music accompanying wrestling to document the quality and impact of were awarded to proposals by groups and matches; this modern recreation will take Artic light and darkness through a series of individuals primarily from outside Finnish place on a big stage in a park, and FFN community art workshops. America. Forty percent of the funds went will be one of several sponsors for the to applicants from inside Finnish America, spectacular event. Another community-based arts project, a mainly from well-established halls, chapters, four-month residency for two New York- and organizations. The Finnish model of education, widely based dancers in Rauma, Finland, will acclaimed in recent years and highlighted allow them through performance and film This pattern may be a sign that Finland, as at the San Diego FinnFest 2011, lies to get to know and perhaps inspire a Finnish a small but much touted European nation, behind several grant proposals. The town. is finally making it into the American Economic Opportunity Institute in imagination for more than saunas and Seattle, Washington, long interested in Rebecca Frank, a graduate student at WWI debt repayments. The list of topics Finnish education, is planning a conference Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield includes colonial emigration from Finland, aimed at influencing educational policies Hills, Michigan, will deepen her networking architectural design and preservation, in Washington state and beyond. And a with Finnish jewelry designers and accordion wrestling (yes, seriously), K-12 Berkeley, California, educator will spend a producers through attending the Koru 4 education, classical dance, reindeer culture sabbatical semester in Finland exploring conference in Imatra, Finland. and the quality of light in Lapland, jewelry how high-quality, equitable education for design, folk and chamber music, and all students has been achieved. And finally, the Currier Museum of Art interactive performance art. Education and in Manchester, New Hampshire, a New the arts dominate, but other themes are The Tero Saarinen dance company will England regional resource, has chosen breaking through. return to the Jacob’s Pillow summer dance to highlight the expressive landscape festival in Massachusetts, to perform again paintings of the American artist of Finnish their very successful 2006 “Borrowed Light,” descent, Eric Aho. The grant will assist the museum with the exhibit and associated Projects from outside Finnish America a dance interpretation of American Shaker culture. programming. The seventeenth century “Forest Finns” of the New Sweden colony (1638-1655) have Two quite different musical groups, the been promoted inside Finnish America at Chicago-based Scandinavian folk music Projects from inside Finnish America least since the 1938 Tercentenary, but now group, Spelmanslag and the Oregon a conference organized by the American Portland Chamber Orchestra, each Many of the proposals from outside Finnish Swedish Historical Museum will bring received grants. The Spelmanslag musicians America are one-time projects, and FFN international scholars together in November have been invited to the Kaustinen Folk may never hear from the applicants again. to reconsider their significance. In a separate Music Festival this summer; attending Proposals from inside Finnish America, proposal, this earliest settlement of Finns in represents an investment in their Finnish on the other hand, come from Finnish- America is being turned into a geography music repertoire. The Portland Chamber American groups that have been around for lesson plan for school children in Delaware, Orchestra is celebrating its 65th anniversary; decades sustaining Finnish and Finnish- a project developed by the Kalmer Nyckel its founder and longtime conductor was American culture: Suomi College/Finlandia Foundation which applied for the grant. Boris Sirpo, a Finnish WWII immigrant. University (1896), FinnFests (1982), This grant is for a commemorative book Salolampi (1978) , FFN chapters (1954), A Frank Lloyd Wright-style house, called project honoring its history as the oldest Kaleva lodges (1898), music societies, and Santaranta, has been built for a Finnish incorporated chamber orchestra in municipalities where many Finns settled and rock musician in Heinola, Finland, by America. stayed. Wright’s grandson; the only house in Europe with this distinction will be showcased A Chicago-based community arts group, Because of repeat applications, FFN in an exhibit by four international Akvavit Theatre, last year received a grant instituted the three-year rule that photographers, three of them Finnish to translate a modern Finnish play into applications from the same applicant for nationals. Meanwhile, the U.S. affiliate of English, and this year received a small the same or similar programs would only Docomomo International (dedicated to follow-up grant to assist with the actual be considered after three years had elapsed, preserving modernistic architecture, cities, production. The play is Kokkola by Leea unless the program was distinctively and landscapes) applied for a grant to assist Klemola. different. FFN seeks to fund new offshoots four young American graduate students, from the old tree, not just strengthen selected in a national competition, to attend Finnish Lapland is the subject of two of established branches. this year’s twelfth annual conference held in this year’s successful grant proposals. Two Espoo, Finland. documentary film makers, Jessica Oreck One such new offshoot is the Finnish Folk and Rachael Teel, will complete a film Music Camp initiated by the Finnish • Grants 44 • Grants Finlandia Foundation National Awards $65,000 to 31 Projects Council at Finlandia University. After a The Finnish Choral Society of Seattle will The grants program as a cultural window successful first year at a church camp on be giving a concert tour in Finland in July, Lake Superior in the Keweenaw, the music and a modest FFN grant will assist their Being inside or outside Finnish America camp is moving on-campus where better fundraising. Coming in the other direction does not mean a tight seal between the facilities are available to house, feed, and will be the PKH Trio from Finland, doing two. Sometimes an “outside” group, like the mentor more young aspiring folk musicians. a west coast tour in early 2013; the FF San Economic Opportunity Institute in Seattle, The 14th annual Sibelius Academy Music Francisco Bay Area Chapter is sponsoring has strong networking and personal ties to Festival, taking place at various Midwest their tour. Finnish-American groups. And individual venues in September, was also assisted by a ethnic identifications can easily be disguised grant to Finlandia University. Only two FFN chapters out of 43 applied for by non-Finnish sounding names. grants this year, which is a good sign that FFN has supported FinnFests in the past in their programming is largely self-sustaining. Yet the distinction has some value. The amounts ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, Many chapters took advantage of the travel future of Finnish ethnicity depends not just recognizing that these annual festivals are subsidies for the Lecturer of the Year and on “taking care of our own” within Finnish major national gatherings for Finnish Performer of the Year programs, but covered America, but upon engaging strangers and Americans, whether conducted on a cruise the remaining costs for lodging, local non-affiliated groups and individuals with to Alaska, organized by expatriates in San arrangements, and honoraria themselves. the stories of Finland and Finnish America. Diego, or returning to the “nesting place” of It is a good sign for the future that more of Finnish settlement in the Copper Country of A new chapter, the Finlandia Foundation our funding is going to the latter than to the Michigan in 2013. Suomi Chapter from Bellingham, former. Washington, founded in 2010, received a In recent years the funding has been a block small grant to assist with the purchase of The mission of Finlandia Foundation grant to FinnFests to underwrite major office computer equipment. National has always been two-pronged: programming, but clear guidelines for this sustaining the hybrid culture of Finnish policy have yet to be worked out between Besides the proposals from established America and the ancestral tie with FFN and FinnFest USA. This year the Finnish-American organizations, three Finland. The grants program is a window FinnFest-related grants were two: one for individuals wrote successful proposals for into how the tie with Finland is always classical music programming at FinnFest projects deeply entwined with Finnish- bypassing the ancestors to bring us new 2012 in Tucson, Arizona, and a second for American themes. impulses from the present. It reminds us a video as part of the opening ceremony of how that keeps happening, from Forest FinnFest 2013 in the Copper Country. Richard Vidutis will complete a book and Finns to accordion wrestling. photo exhibit based on the thousands Salolampi, the Finnish language camp in of photos and sketches of Finnish log Minnesota, received two grants: one to assist buildings in the Copper Country, 2012 GRANTS COMMITTEE: staff travel to FinnFest 2012 for a Salolampi Michigan, that he created in the 1980s. Rita Vermala-Koski, Chair; Richard Ahola, Sampler, and a second to assist with the Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski, Armi Koskinen publication of Opi II, the language primer Suzanne Jurva will complete a film Nelson, Jon Saari, and George Sundquist. developed by former Salolampi Dean Larry “Yoopera!” based on the making of the Applications for Finlandia Foundation Saukko. Finnish-American opera “Rockland” and National grants may be made at any time its affiliated Storyline project; this opera, until FEBRUARY 1, 2013. The Grants An old Finn Hall in Brimson, Minnesota, is which premiered in Finland and Houghton, Committee rates all applications according celebrating the Petrell Hall Centennial in Michigan, last year, represents a major to the characteristics listed at the top of the 2012, a two-day event of music, historical international collaboration, which Jurva’s application form. Final approval of winners exhibits, lectures, reminiscences and food film will document for a much larger is made at the annual meeting in March, for the entire community. An organizational audience. and checks are mailed by MAY 15. For anchor of the Finnish-American community more information and the application and in Seattle, the Nordic Heritage Museum, And the American sculptor of Finnish directions, see the link for GRANTS on the received a grant for a major exhibit on “Eero descent, Eino Romppanen from Pahrump, Finlandia Foundation National web site: Saarinen: His Reputation for Innovation” Nevada, will be assisted by a grant to take www.finlandiafoundation.org which will run from May to August. his unique “Einoart” to Finland in the summer of 2012 for exchanges with artists The municipality of Kaleva in Lower and educators. Northern Michigan is expanding a Walkway Park honoring its Finnish-American heritage; in particular, the village president Robert Rengo (who served 44 years) will be memorialized in sculpture and text, with help from a FFN grant.

55 By Saana McDaniel

• Scholarship Committee Member 20 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO TALENTED STUDENTS

2012 SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE: MATTI ERPESTAD, a dual citizen of non-judgmental, open-minded, and Edith Eash, Chair; Maurice Eash, Jacqueline Finland and US, is currently enrolled in genuinely well-balanced young person that I Harjula, Erja Kajosalo, Sirkku Konttinen, the Master of Environmental Education have met in many years.” and Saana McDaniel. Program at the University of Minnesota Duluth. His passion in environmental OLLI HIRVONEN, a Finnish citizen and a ZOE BARTHOLOMEW, a US citizen, education has taken him to Finland where graduate of Sibelius Academy, is enrolled in is studying Art History and Scandinavia he studied at North Karelian College in a Masters program in the Manhattan School Studies at the University of Minnesota with Niittylahti. He is going to research the of Music where he is studying jazz guitar a 3.66 GPA. She has a true passion for the differences in motivation and social impact with a 3.902 GPA. Olli is a highly awarded Finnish folk art as well as the modern work of students majoring in environmental young musician, who was named Pori Jazz of Finnish artists. In order to dig deeper in education between the two institutions. Festival Artist of the Year 2011 among other her research, she started to study the Finnish His fluency in both Finnish and English things. Professor Jones writes: “He is one of language. Her Finnish Professor, Daniel will be a huge benefit. Professor Gilbertson the very best of his generation playing jazz Karvonen, writes: “Zoe is exactly the kind of writes: “Matti is a superb student who holds guitar today.” student that may eventually become a leader exemplary attributes and academic skills.” IRENE KETONEN, a Finnish citizen, is in the Finnish-American community and NIKLAS FOLKE, a dual citizen of Finland pursuing a PhD at SUNY University of thus help promote the mission of Finlandia Buffalo in the Department of Anthropology. Foundation.” and US, graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a GPA of 3.75 and is now Her dissertation project investigates the EEVA CALDARA, a US and Finnish citizen, continuing his studies in mining social practices related to European Union is a second year nursing student at Clemson engineering at Montana Tech. Niklas agricultural subsidies in Northern Ireland. University. She maintains a 3.8 GPA, while completed his Finnish military service in Her thesis advisor, Professor Reed-Danahay, she continues to impress her professors June 2011. Professor Conrad writes: “I writes: “She is a serious, mature, and with her maturity and interpersonal skills. believe that Mr. Folke will be a great intelligent person. I count her among the top As Professor Schvaneveldt notes: “This engineer and an asset to the mining graduate students I have mentored during combination of diligence, intelligence, and industry.” my career.” personableness will serve her well in her CLAIRE KETURI, a US citizen, is chosen profession or nursing.” IRENE HALMARI, a dual citizen of Finland and US, is a full-time graduate attending the University of Texas at Austin REBEKAH EFTHIMIOU, a US and student at Nova Southeastern University where she is enrolled in the Department of Finnish citizen, is in her third year pursuing where she is enrolled in the Physician Natural Sciences. She has currently a 3.428 a Bachelors of Music degree at Oberlin Assistant program, and will earn a Masters GPA. Professor Camp writes: “Claire’s hard Conservatory of Music with a concentration of Medical Science degree in August 2014. working and creative nature reflect a strong in harp performance. She has a 3.48 GPA, Professor Athas writes: “Her commitment character.” and her plan is to build a career in harp to excellence is surpassed only by her JONATHAN KILPELA, a US citizen, is in performance and teaching. Rebekah’s family high ethical standards and compassionate his third year studying Biological Sciences has deep roots in the Finger Lakes Finnish disposition.” In addition, Professor Tapper and Secondary Education at Michigan community. notes: “Perhaps due to her bi-cultural Technological University. He has a 3.94 GPA upbringing (Finnish and US), Irene is and spent a rewarding semester in Oulu arguably the most mature, professional, University in the spring of 2011, where he

Zoe Bartholomew Rebekah Efthimiou Matti Erpestad Niklas Folke Irene Halmari

Applications for Finlandia Foundation National scholarships including letters of recommendation and transcripts must be postmarked by SCHOLARSHIPS • SCHOLARSHIPS • SCHOLARSHIPS • SCHOLARSHIPS • SCHOLARSHIPS FEBRUARY 1, 2013. For more details and the application go to: • • 6 Heli Korzhukov Otto Lehtonen Taylor Loe Matti Peter Sansbury finlandiafoundation.org • SCHOLARSHIPS • SCHOLARSHIPS • SCHOLARSHIPS • 7 , a dual citizen citizen , a dual Olli Hirvonen , a dual citizen of of citizen , a dual , a dual citizen of Finland Finland of citizen , a dual JAAKOV SCHULMANJAAKOV SAMI SIVEN SARA WERTANEN of Finland and US, is a sophomore at the at sophomore a US, is and Finland of Duke Sciences Arts at and College of Trinity majoring is He 3.74 GPA. a with University to hopes eventually Science and in Political relations. of international in the field work who man young a well-rounded is Jaakov student of veryis a number with active Sussex Professor campus. on organizations person exceptional an is “Jaakov writes: academic excellent an has student…He and and a comprehensive brings and record culture Finnish of appreciation enthusiastic Duke University to and States the United to especially.” in the Miller School enrolled of US, is and where Miami of the University at Medicine in Doctorate his towards working is he Roach writes: Professor Therapy. Physical and articulate inquisitive, bright, is “He stood Finn Heritage…He his of very proud of in a class the best students of one as out and individuals very academically strong equally were courses grades other his in his carries a 3.925 GPA. He outstanding.” Lake attending currently US, is and Finland in the is but College, Community Sumter of the University to transferring of process in will 2012. She in the fall major of Oregon in a minor have Science and Environmental Campbell Professor Studies. Scandinavian in ranks clearly Wertanen Sara “Ms writes: who have all the 2% of students the upper of years in my class my passed through my has she and level the college at teaching both as a scholar recommendation highest financial any of leader worthy a business and award.” a scholarship with support Sara Wertanen Emily Kinnunen a US citizen, a US citizen, , , a Finnish citizen, citizen, , a Finnish , a Finnish citizen, is is citizen, , a Finnish Sami Siven Jonathan Kilpela century. In addition, it would help help would it addition, In century. th MIKKO POLLARI MATTI PETERMATTI SANSBURY TAPANI SAARINEN TAPANI semester 2012. Professor Lambers writes: writes: Lambers Professor 2012. semester picks (she quick working, hard is “Taylor utterly and organized rapidly), concepts up reliable.” working on his PhD dissertation “Socialism dissertation PhD his on working Tampere. of the University at Harmony” of the University at will scholar be a visiting He fall and the summer during Chicago of with closely working in 2012, semesters to him for Zahra.is aim The Tara Professor transnational of understanding his broaden advisor, thesis His history. migration and research “A comments: Sulkunen Professor essential period an make in US would linking by dissertation Pollari’s to addition mass of the wider phenomenon to study his of the turn at West East to from migration the 20 is working on his PhD in Religious Studies Studies in Religious PhD his on working is of University the Catholic at Politics and Root Professor a 3.500 GPA. America with student, excellent an is Saarinen “Mr. writes: in the interrelations interest a strong with and peace.” conflict religion, among him to gain access to archive materials not not materials archive to access gain him to in Finland.” available College University, Syracuse the at junior a is he Arts where Performing and Visual of in minoring and in Acting majoring is has family Matti’s a 3.240 GPA. with Writing the Finlandia of member been a long-time Chapter. Metro York New Foundation the kind has “Peter writes: Clark Professor that motivation and dedication, talent, of in the theatre.” success his insure should

Claire Keturi Jaakov Schulman

, a Finnish citizen, citizen, , a Finnish , a US citizen, is is , a US citizen, , a Finnish citizen, is is citizen, , a Finnish , a US citizen, is a student a student is , a US citizen,

Irene Ketonen

Tapani Saarinen Tapani TAYLOR LOE TAYLOR

OTTO LEHTONEN HELI KORZHUKOV

EMILY KINNUNENEMILY attending the University of Turku tor the fall tor Turku of the University attending language with a 3.79 GPA. She will She be a 3.79 GPA. with language majoring in biochemistry and the Finnish in biochemistry the Finnish and majoring education.” double Washington, of the University at and he is committed to obtaining a quality a quality obtaining to committed is he and writes: “He is mature and enjoys learning learning enjoys and mature is “He writes: competitive diving team. Professor Loehr Professor team. diving competitive GPA. He is a student-athlete who is on a who on is a student-athlete is He GPA. at Indian River State College a 3.75 with State River Indian at pursuing his Associate degree in Psychology in Psychology degree Associate his pursuing Business. complete her Bachelor’s degree in Global degree Bachelor’s her complete University of Texas at Dallas where she will Dallas she where at Texas of University She is in a process of transferring over to to over transferring of in a process is She Community College with a 3.65 GPA. College a 3.65 GPA. with Community has earned 60 credit hours at Collin County at hours earnedcredit 60 has citizens.” personality that produces exceptional produces that personality combination of talent, intelligence and and intelligence talent, of combination comments: “She possesses that rare rare possesses that “She comments: Pittsburgh Chapter. Professor Glaser Professor Chapter. Pittsburgh of times at the Finlandia Foundation, the Foundation, Finlandia times at of of all classmates.” his of performed a number has She horn. French citizen” in terms of supporting the learning the learning supporting of terms in citizen” the is primary instrument Her 3.063 GPA. is both a very capable student and a “good “good a and student bothis a very capable a with Music School of Jacobs University is a man of few words, but it is clear that he he that clear is it but words, few of a man is Indiana at Education Music studying roots. Professor Meyer writes: “Jonathan “Jonathan writes: Meyer Professor roots. was able to re-establish his deep Finnish deep his Finnish re-establish to able was 20 20 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO TALENTED STUDENTS NewsAN EVENING • OF SHARING--FAHS AND FINLANDIA FOUNDATION NATIONAL By Anita Smiley, FFN President The evening of Saturday, March 31, was a special occasion at the Finnish Hall in Canterbury, Connecticut, when Finnish American Heritage Society (FAHS) Board members hosted the Board of Trustees of Finlandia Foundation National (FFN). As a recipient of generous grant funding from FFN for some of our FAHS projects, it was a welcome opportunity to see how this funding has helped preserve their historic structure and grow their organization. Before entering the hall, the board was invited to visit the sauna building on the property. This sauna is one of the many ways the Finnish heritage and culture is being preserved by FAHS. At the social hour, President Stan Karro welcomed the board and gave a short history of the Finnish settlers and the significance of this Finnish Hall in eastern Connecticut. A tour of the hall, led by Jack Smiley, gave an overview of how the hall has been expanded and how it is utilized for our many activities. A highlight of the evening was a sumptuous Finnish buffet prepared by FAHS member Mirja Hanslin. The following comments, shared by the board, attest to the fact that the visit was appreciated: “Congratulations to the FAHS on their 25th anniversary!” “I so enjoyed the company and hospitality of the FAHS.” “Thanks also to Mirja Hanslin and the entire crew for a superb Finnish dinner.” “I was impressed with the passion of the members and how proud they were to share their considerable accomplishments with us.” “You have a truly valuable collection of Finnish-American history.” “This is a thriving community of friends of Finland!” “Amazing to find ‘Little Finland’ right in the middle of this historic New England area.” “Preservation and restoration of Finnish-American halls is important to the Finlandia Foundation National mission. Canterbury’s Finnish Hall may be the best in the country.”

FINNISH AMERICAN FOLK FESTIVAL By Anita Raistakka, FAFF member Naselle is a rural community of 1,200 residents located in southwest Washington. Before roads, transportation was by boat, either across the Columbia River, and up the Deep River, Seal River, and Grays River or from Willapa Bay up the Naselle. Settlers began arriving in the Deep River, Rosburg, Grays River areas in the 1860s and in Naselle in the 1870s. They were attracted to jobs in the logging and fishing industries and to the availability of land for farming. The first Finnish American Folk Festival was held in 1982. FAFF incorporated in 1983 and achieved 501 (c) (3) status in 1984. FAFF holds a biennial festival on the last weekend in July on even numbered years. In the past two years, FAFF has partnered with the Appelo Archives Center and the UFKB&S Lodge No. 2 of Astoria to sponsor these events.

The Finnish American Folk Festival keeps alive the Finnish and Finnish-American traditions of the early settlers. We learn and share our local history and the Finnish connections among the Lower Columbia communities. We study modern Finland and the history of Finns across North America to enrich our presentations. Our festival attracts an average of 2,500 visitors from all over the United States, Canada, Finland and other foreign countries. FAFF has thirty-one standing committees with 200 volunteers from the local community. In addition, many NHS graduates who now live out of the area, plus members of Nordic organizations from Portland to Seattle, volunteer to lend a hand. The three-day festival includes something for everyone: a golf tournament, performances, presentations, workshops, exhibits, a museum display, food vendors, a Tori, food demonstrations, a Paavo Nurmi 3K walk/run, games, and a dance. Sunday is a time for worship and fellowship. FAFF invites all to join us for this year’s Finnish Hall in Canterbury, Connecticut, where the Finlandia 16th festival July 27-29, 2012. Foundation National board visited the Finnish American Heritage Society in March 2012. 88 • Chapter News • Chapter News • Chapter News • Chapter Chapter • News Chapter • News Chapter • News Chapter • • Chapter News • Chapter News • Chapter News • Chapter

News • FREDERICK FORWARD Celebrates Their Community’s Finnish Heritage Every Midsummer By Heidi Marttila-Losure, Frederick Forward President 2012-13 Frederick had a very successful quasquicentennial celebration in 2007, and when a newly formed community development group called Frederick Forward decided they wanted to have a summer festival each year to draw people to the community, they drew upon Frederick’s Finnish heritage as a theme. (The town was named after Kustaa “Frederick” Bergstadius, a railway clerk in charge of immigration and settlement to the area, and many Finns settled there in the 1880s.) Putting on a Finnish festival was not an easy task for Frederick. While Frederick still had a number of Finnish last names, the link to Finnish culture had been nearly severed. Apparently Watching the bonfire: A crowd gathered to watch the juhannuskokko the sisu was still passed down, however, as group members first during Finn Fest in Frederick, South Dakota. educated themselves about Finnish culture, and then passed on Photo by Heidi Marttila-Losure. what they learned to the community and the region during the festival. In 2008 they started with a juhannuskokko (bonfire), a wife-carrying contest, and a little mojakka stew. Each year thereafter they added a little more Finnish flavor: Finnish musicians, Finnish gifts, an art show based on a Finnish theme, and a program booklet that explained aspects of Finnish culture. Last year the festival was featured in South Dakota magazine and on South Dakota Public Broadcasting’s “Dakota Digest.” (The wife-carrying contest received a great description on the radio— search online for “Finn Fest SDPB” to read the transcript.) This year they are pleased to have the all-school reunion, which happens every five years, held in conjunction with Finn Fest. The crowds will be big, and Frederick Forward is once again looking forward to a good party—this time with Finnish flair.

FINNISH CENTER ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES 45 Years By Markku Ketola, FCA member Finnish Farmers Club in Monson, Maine. Photo by Donald P. Higgins. Story on page 11. The Finnish Center Association celebrated its 45th birthday last year by having a Juhannus Celebration and a picnic during the summer, a Kantele Concert in the fall, and a Finnish Independence Day Celebration in December. The Finnish Center Association was formed in 1966, and the Cultural Center was opened in 1974. What has made the last 45 years possible is the volunteers who have donated hundreds and even thousands of hours of their time. It is the volunteers who have made it possible for the Finnish Center Association to promote and preserve our Finnish and Finnish-American culture through such things as: Finnish language classes and Finnish conversation groups, weaving, folk dancing, music and singing, cooking and baking, drama club, gardening club, book club, Nikkarin talo/wood shop, the gift shop, and the many programs, celebrations, and concerts held at the Cultural Center. As we say kiitos, K-I-I-T-O-S to our volunteers, we must The Finnish Center of Farmington Hills, Michigan. remember also our future. The future brings the FCA even Photo by David Sharpe. greater challenges, but we can overcome those challenges with our volunteers and SISU. 99 Kalmar Nyckel Foundation THE FOREST FINNS OF EUROPE, New Sweden, and North America is the subject of the 12th Annual Awarded Finlandia New Sweden History Conference, Saturday, at the American Swedish Historical Foundation National Museum (ASHM) in Philadelphia. Grant for 2012 By Carrie Hogan, Curator, American Swedish Historical Museum The Forest Finns were an important Nordic cultural group that emigrated from By Samuel W. Heed, Esq. Finland into Sweden and then to North America through the New Sweden Senior Historian & Director of Education colony (1638-1655) on the lower Delaware River. The conference will examine Kalmar Nyckel Foundation Forest Finn culture in Europe and North America and the broader Finnish Fifth-grade Delawareans will soon be studying the material culture legacy for the United States. Finnish origins of the American log cabin as part of Maud Wedin, Uppsala University, Sweden, will give the keynote presentation, their statewide curriculum, thanks in part to a recent “The Evolution of Forest Finn Culture in Finland and Scandinavia in the 16th grant awarded the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. “What th th and 17 Centuries.” Other speakers and their topics are Ronald Hendrickson, an interesting story for 5 graders to study,” says Samuel Swedish Colonial Society, “The Forest Finns of New Sweden and Beyond”; Jan Heed, Senior Historian and Director of Education for Myhrvold, FINNSAM (a Swedish scholarly alliance to study Forest Finn culture), the Foundation. “In Delaware of all places – home on aspects of European Forest Finn culture; Lu Ann De Cunzo, University of to the first log cabins on American soil, brought Delaware, comparing the agricultural systems of the Forest Finns, New Sweden’s by Forest Finns in 1638 as part of Peter Minuit’s American Indians, and European field farmers; and Frank Eld, an independent expedition that launched the colony of New Sweden – scholar, “Finnish Vernacular Architecture in North America after New Sweden.” every student should know something about the origin of this most iconic of American frontier structures. Conference sponsors are the ASHM, the Swedish Colonial Society, and the McNeil Center for Early American Studies at the University of Pennsylvania, all of Philadelphia; the Delaware Swedish It’s an important story about cultural diffusion, part Colonial Society, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation, Holy Trinity (Old Swedes) Foundation, and the frontier realism and part rags-to-riches idealism, and a New Sweden Centre, all of Wilmington, Delaware; and Trinity Episcopal (Old Swedes) Church, telling reminder that American history has always been Swedesboro, New Jersey. Carrie Hogan at the ASHM, 215.389.1776, [email protected]. authentically multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, often in ways we don’t even begin to know or appreciate.” The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation is partnering with Delaware’s Department of Education (DDOE) to build a new geography unit for the state’s 5th grade curriculum, entitled Thinking Geographically: Wilmington’s Riverfront Over Time. The Unit will address Delaware’s Content Standard 3 for Geography, “Site and Situation – Places Change Over Time.” Due to be launched for the 2013-13 school year, the Unit will take advantage of the many celebratory events that will mark the 375th anniversary of New Sweden. Thinking Geographically will look at Wilmington’s Christina Riverfront as it changes over time, from colonial settlement to industrial powerhouse, from post-industrial decline to revitalized waterfront community. As Heed wrote in the grant application about why log cabins matter: “This historic Finnish The American Swedish Historical Museum, which is the location for the 12th Annual New Sweden contribution to America’s cultural and material History Conference on November 3, 2012. identity – a real life story of America’s pioneering ethos and cultural diffusion, moving east to west along with the ‘frontier’ – will serve as an ideal mechanism for students to develop an understanding of how people use available resources, adapt to their environment, and change the places they inhabit, all of which are required by the Content Standard.” Heed is co-authoring the Unit with Delaware’s 2011 Geography Teacher of the Year, Kristen Becker of Red Clay School District. Additional assistance is provided by Delaware Geographic Alliance and DDOE. The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation gratefully acknowledges the Finlandia Foundation National for supporting this statewide curriculum initiative for Delaware’s schools. Kalmar Nyckel Foundation tall ship. Photo by Andrew Hanna, who is also a volunteer crewmember of the ship. 10 • Grant Stories • POY • LOY • Scholarships for Salolampi • POY • POY • Salolampi for Scholarships • LOY • POY • PERFORMER OF THE YEAR 2013 WELCOME FINNISH FARMERS CLUB Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) By Ethel (Kurki) and Donald Higgins, Finnish Farmers Club members welcomes nominations for the The Finnish Farmers Club formed in 1935, when Finnish families in 2013 Performer of the Year. Monson, Maine, decided to preserve their cultural heritage in a formal The due date for nominations and organization, sometimes referred to as the Monson Finnish Club. The earliest documented evidence of the club is a deed from the inhabitants submission of all materials is of the Town of Monson to the trustees of the Finnish Farmers Club September 15, 2012. dated August 1938. The local Kotimiiki brothers, Eino and Sulo, made gifts of land to the club in September 1940. The POY 2013 term is a full calendar year starting on January 1, 2013. The Club was very active until WWII. After the war, many younger The POY Guideline Summary and instructions families moved to other parts of New England for better employment opportunities, and by then older members had passed on. By 1979, for the applications are listed on the FFN the Finn Hall needed funds to pay for property tax liens. Fundraising website: www.finlandiafoundation.org efforts through many dances, suppers, raffles, events and yard sales rehabilitated the Club. Improvement to the building also benefited from The POY Travel Grant is $7,000 to cover a Finlandia Foundation National grant and members who have since the POY’s travel expenses as stated moved away have donated $29,000 in the last eight years to keep the in the POY Guidelines Summary Club alive. for performances within the United States. The Club has actively sponsored performances by groups from Finland For further information, contact Satu Mikkola, (Soittovat Sarat, Myllarit) and held festivals promoting Finnish culture (foods, dance and folk music primarily). Accordionist Veikko Honkala POY Coordinator, at [email protected] has generously played music to benefit The Club. Currently the Club has its own "house" orchestra, "Woodsong" (Metsalaulu) with members who have a profound interest in Finnish folk music, while none are of Two Lecturers of the Year Finnish descent! Available in 2012 The primary mission of the Finnish Fanners Club is the preservation By Jon Saari, Trustee and LOY Coordinator and promotion of Finnish folk music and dancing with the fellowship of a country dance hall replete with coffee and pulla and an occasional The 2012 Lecturer of the Year, Glenda Dawn Goss, began her potluck supper. Attendance at dances averages forty to fifty adults term with a very successful presentation before the Boston and a half dozen or so children. All are introduced to Finnish polkas, chapter in March. Anne-Mari Paster commented that the schottisches, waltzes as well as Raattikko and Kerensky. new LOY gave a very high-quality talk. “We think we know so much about Sibelius, but this presentation was unique and Photo on page 9. gave a totally new perspective. It was not only educational, but enlightening in every way.” Because Dr. Goss splits her time between Finland (where she SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SALOLAMPI teaches at the Sibelius Academy) and the United States, she is By Mervi-Hjelmroos-Koski, Trustee not always available for LOY presentations. She will be in the U.S. until the end of May, and then again for a six-month period Since 2006, Finlandia Foundation National has supported the local (November 2012 through April 2013). chapter participation by covering approximately one-half of the one- week tuition for one camper, giving a priority for first-time campers. For two months when Glenda Goss is not available, i.e. The scholarship is granted when the local chapter provides a matching September-October 2012, chapters will be able to get an early or larger scholarship. The number of individual scholarships varies booking of the 2013 Lecturer of the Year, Yvonne Lockwood. annually. This is a unique opportunity for our young people to learn the Recently retired from the position of Curator of Folklife at Finnish language and heritage in an authentic environment. Michigan State University, Dr. Lockwood has had a long career exploring the material culture of Finnish Americans, Finnish language is one of the 15 languages in the Concordia program; it focusing particularly on rag rugs, food ways, and the sauna. She is also one of the six cultures that has an authentic village on Turtle Lake. pulled her reflections together in a 2010 book entitled Finnish Each summer approximately 150 young people enroll in the program American Rag Rugs: Art, Tradition, and Ethnic Continuity. representing 20 to 25 states. The Finlandia Foundation National is So please take note of the different dates that each LOY is awarding scholarships to the following campers for the summer of 2012: available, and plan accordingly. Sofia Laskorski, age 11, from Finlandia Foundation – Boston, Inc.; Kim Mustonen, age 16 and Justin Wier, age 14 of the FF Florida Chapter; and • Glenda Goss, the Sibelius scholar: May, 2012, November, 2012 Kolson Kytta, age 8, of the FF Copper Country Chapter. through April, 2013 • Yvonne Lockwood, the rag rug-food ways-sauna scholar: September-October 2012, and the calendar year 2013. Contact Jon Saari, the LOY Coordinator, at [email protected] to explore availability. 11 Five FFN Trustees Decorated By the Government Finland In March 2012, Finlandia Foundation Bottom left photo: The Honorable, National Executive Vice President, Paul Erkki Huittinen, Consul General of O. Halme, was awarded Commander of Finland from Los Angeles, presented the Order of the Lion of Finland, which Rita Vermala-Koski, Trustee Emerita, is the 3rd highest honor and is rarely with the Insignia and Diploma Knight awarded to a non-resident of Finland. of the Order of the Lion of Finland on January 30, 2002. Left to right: Halme was born in Los Angeles, granddaugher Katherine Redfern, California, to Finnish immigrant daughter Taina Redfern, Rita Vermala- parents, the late Rev. Omar G. and Koski, granddaughter Natasha Parker, Saimi K. Halme. Rev. Halme was one of and daughter Randi Parker. the founders of Finlandia Foundation National. Paul has been an attorney since Bottom right photo: His Excellency, 1967. Early military postings took Paul Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland to and his wife, Susan, to Alabama and the United States, presented the Cross London, England, where Paul served of Merit of the Order of White Rose of three years as a USAF Captain (JAG). Finland to Marianne Parssinen, Trustee Additionaly, Paul sat on the Ballard Emerita, at the Embassy of Finland in (County, California) and Santa Ynez Washington, D.C. on May 27, 2009. Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland Valley (SYV) Union High School boards, The Order of the White Rose of Finland awarded to Paul O. Halme. Jose Villa photo/ worked wth SYV and Cottage Hospital was established by Gustaf Mannerheim Inside the Santa Ynez Valley Magazine. Foundations, and served as president in 1919. The name comes from the of the (Danish) ElverhØj Museum of nine roses argent in the coat of arms of Solvang, California. He founded the SYV Finland. The Order of the Lion of Finland Bar Association, formed the law firm of was founded in 1942 in Halme and Clark, and in 2003 was named an effort to preserve the Man of the Year by the Valley Foundation. prestige of the Order Just recently, on April 29, 2012, Halme of the White Rose of was the commencement speaker and Finland, which could received an honorary Doctor of Humane have been diminished if Letters degree from Finlandia University. granted too frequently, Top left photo: His Excellency, Pekka and to facilitate the Lintu, Ambassador of Finland to the awarding of honors United States, presented Ossi Rahkonen, including both civilian Trustee, with the Knight of the Order of and military merit. Lion of Finland at the Embassy of Finland Both awards are given in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 2009. to those who are wholly dedicated to promoting Top right photo: The President of Finland Finland. awarded the insignia of the Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland to Satu Mikkola, Trustee. Her Excellency, Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Ambassador of Finland to the United States, presented the award in a decoration ceremony at the Columbia Tower Club in Seattle, Washington, on November 11, 2011.

Finlandia 12Foundation National Trustees & Emeriti Finlandia Foundation National Trustees & Emeriti & Trustees National Foundation Finlandia

RETIRING TRUSTEE RITA VERMALA-KOSKI led to a career as a travel consultant. Vermala-Koski owned and managed a After almost twenty years of dedicated travel agency for 32 years and brought service to the Finlandia Foundation many Finnish performing groups to National, Trustee Vermala-Koski the United States and arranged travel is retiring from the board. Among for American performing groups to many other involvements, she has Finland. She has been involved with been instrumental in the scholarships, Finnish community affairs wherever grants, POY and nominating she has lived. Organizations that she committees. The photo of her with has contributed to include: The Finnish Esa-Pekka Salonen was well deserved Lutheran Church, Nordic Festival as she arranged for the Foundation Committee, Finlandia Foundation- and its chapter representatives to Seattle chapter, The Finnish-American have a chance to meet him after a Chamber of Commerce of the performance at the Seattle Symphony Northwest as President, Board member Orchestra in Seattle, Washington, in of the Finnish School of Seattle, May of 2006. Northwest Ethnic Council, FinnFest Trustee Emerita Rita Vermala-Koski with Finlandia USA, Children's Hospital Guild Foundation patron Esa-Pekka Salonen after a concert in Vermala-Koski was born in Helsinki to Association, Nordic Heritage Museum, Seattle, Washington, in 2006. Photo by Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski. a Russian father and a Finnish mother. Her family immigrated to Canada in and finally Trustee of the Finlandia 1947, to Chicago, Illinois, in 1963, and Foundation National. Rita Vermala- Finnish Expatriate to Seattle, Washington, in 1981. Her Koski was named Knight, Order of the study of languages and horticulture Lion of Finland. Parliament (FEP) “ - cooperative forum and promoter of interests for all Finns living abroad.” WHY WE SERVE JOHN LAINE: I was fortunate to that heritage to other Americans with Welcomes organizations to participate in its 7th have had the opportunity to serve on little or no connection to Finland was session at the University of Helsinki on the Finlandia Foundation National important to me personally. October 26-27, 2012. Board of Trustees for 20 years in various All Finnish expatriate associations can participate capacities. All of us who have served and If you are considering service on the in the FEP. New member associations are welcome continue to serve hold our own Finnish FFN board, I would highly recommend to join and attend the session by ratifying the FEP heritage in high regard. In a way, our it. It will give you a new view of your bylaws. The information and ratification forms are service provides us with the opportunity heritage. It becomes a marvelous available on the FEP web site: www.USP.fi. Every chance to carry that torch forward so member organization that has ratified the by-laws to be a torchbearer for future generations and to provide support for that others can experience the richness of the FEP is entitled to send a representative to and depth of Finnish culture. Finally, the parliament. those who work to keep Finnish culture vibrant and transforming. you will gain a better understanding Initiatives: of another country’s path in a complex Each member organization is entitled to submit As a third generation American, my world that may be in contrast with a initiatives to the parliamentary session. The views differ from those with closer more familiar path yet still one worth deadline for the initiatives is July 26, 2012. contact generationally. Working to bring exploring. Schedule of the Session: July 26 Deadline for registration and RITA VERMALA-KOSKI: I was individuals. Positivity guides these fine the submission of initiatives invited to serve on the Finlandia women and men, from every corner of September 14 Names of the participants to be Foundation National (FFN) board over this country, who offer their time for submitted to the secretariat 20 years ago. Here was my opportunity the benefit of an efficient FFN. I have of Suomi-Seura.fi to volunteer in the planning, facilitating, witnessed growth in FFN programs September 26 Summary of initiatives; the and implementing of the fine projects and finances. Our project funding agenda is mailed to participants offered by this important organization. has increased as have the number of Regional meeting: My passion for the preservation of chapters. There is, however, always October 25 USA and Latin America Finnish culture and heritage in the USA room for continuous growth in both Additional events: could make a difference. areas. October 25 Three seminars on expatriate issues: Senior issues, expatriates I accepted the invitation. So began If volunteering is about donating time, as a global business promotion a most rewarding association with energy, and skills, I have had that good network and multicultural marriages FFN. To have been a part of projects fortune; and in giving, I have received. that focus on supporting Finnish and As I retire from serving FFN and For additional information, please contact Marita Finnish-American culture, heritage and continue my journey along other paths, Cauthen, Deputy Speaker of the Region USA and technology has been most energizing I look back with pride and gratitude Latin America: [email protected] or Satu and rewarding. Through these years, at having been given the opportunity Mikkola, Alternate Deputy Speaker: [email protected] I have served with the best of the best to be a part of this incredibly effective of dedicated, talented, and generous organization. 13 From December 3, 2011 THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFTS! To April 30, 2012 •• MAJOR GIFTS $500 to $999 Matti Cirigliano Eleanor Maki Alpo Crane Jeanne Martin

• Rauha Cole Donald Leethem Tim and Janice Cribley Edward and Nancy Mattila Curtin-Paloheimo Andrew Luhtanen Ira A. Ebeling Wayne Mikkola Charitable Trust Odd Ryden Beverly Ellis Lyyli Nelson Aina Swan Cutler David Erkkila Kenneth and Martta Niemi Eero Tetri $200 to $499 Oscar and Sally Forsman Marjatta Nisenson Haikala Associates Anni R. Forsman Kelly O’Connor Ronald A. Helin Arthur Axelrad Mimmi Fulmer Gary and Carol Oja Hilda M. Hendrickson Trust Kaisa Dolan Enrique and Nancy Garcia Anthony and Judith Olson Dr. Vaino Hoover Tor and Chris Haggblom Joyce Giblin Nancy Olson Aune E. Koski Faith Johnson Michael Glass Matti and Lisa Paavola Gertrude Kujala Alan Listemaa Marian Karvonen Johanna Padie John and Nancy Laine Ray and Anja Miller Sol Greenspan and Arvid and Marianne Parssinen Pertti Lindfors Ivy E. Nevala Pamela Lintula Robert J. Pemberton John and Pauline Kiltinen Robert D. Thorson Bea Gudmundson Mary Putonen Earl I. Mack Foundation Walfred Haanpaa Vesa Pylkkanen Jean Sainio-Nolan Trust $100 to $199 Leona Lampi Hassen Urho and Pamela Rahkola Paloheimo Foundation June Haugen Paul and Nancy Rajala Leonora C. Paloheimo Michael and Elaine Anuta Ted and Nancy Benttinen Anna-Liisa Heckman Eva Risnel Elma Randall Estate Dorothy Hedrick Chuck Routhe and Ossi and Karin Rahkonen Elana Brink Joseph and Patricia Clement Helen Heino Vergene Ollila-Routhe Bert and Marjatta Salonen Clair and Mary Hekhuis Vernon and Diana Ruuska George and Marion Sundquist Heidi Crooks Patti Folsom Davis Helberg George Saari U.F.B. and S. Lodge #1 of SF Linda Henriksen Dirk and Pirjo Schulbach Fund for Scholars Laila Frank Adele Idestrom John Hirsimaki Elaine Stevens Regina K. Valley Charlotte Holmes Emily Stewart June M. Wepsala Carl R. Inkala Albert Jokela Gordon Holt John and Gundula Sundgren Stanley Krahn Leo E. Hovi The Finnish Center at $5,000 to $9,999 David Kumpula Maija Hulkkonen Saima Park Inc. Christina Lin Greg Jacob Amy Tervola-Hultberg Rita Vermala-Koski and Jaak Juhansoo Allan and Linda Tuomaala Alvar Koski Yvonne and William Lockwood Nicholas and Brenda Monaco Charles and Betty Jylha Dennis Usitalo Satu and Jussi Mikkola Vesa Kaartinen and Karen Vance Jon Saari William and Lisa Nam Timothy Nurvala Leena Haataja Terttu Voskressensky Anita and Jack Smiley Peter and Sharon Kachmar K. Marianne Wargelin Paivi Tetri Richard Ploe-Kaijala John and Joy Pratt Ronald Karjala Marlissa Westerfield Alvar Kauti Richard and Mary Westhoff $2,000 to $4,999 Mark and Susan Suokas Leslie Tervo Paul and Barbara Kelsey Aira Williams Richard Ahola Brent Thompson John and Pauline Kiltinen Laila Williamson Paul Halme Martti Kinnunen Violet Winsor Mary Knapp Helena Katriina Zorndorf Jacqueline L. Harjula UP to $99 Mervi Hjelmroos-Koski and Janet Kniffin John Koski Susan Ahl Helvi Koivunen The donation amounts listed William Kokko include cumulative and recent Peter Mäkila Jack Aho Armi Koskinen Nelson Arnold R. Alanen Kalevi and Ritva Korpi donations. Anne-Mari Paster Louis R. Amundsen Ruth Kotila Stan and Jeanne Krahn FFN is grateful for countless Duane and Cheryl Rogers, Robert Anderson gifts in-kind. Raili and Miranda Steven Autila Pentti and Silja Lahtinen Susan Walima Kari and Riitta Autio Daryl and Bill Laitila IF THERE IS AN ERROR Mauri and Laila Auvinen Frans and Angie Laulainen please e-mail Sharon Laulainen $1,000 to $1,999 Robert and Norma Belden Treasurer Anne-Mari Paster Joan Wennstrom Bennett Michael and Kerttu Lavallee ([email protected]).

THANKDennis YOU Anderson GENEROUS and DONORS! Donald and Marjorie Blevins Richard Leppanen Madeline Bahr Jim and Virpi Loomis Finlandia Foundation National John and Aila Bolton is a US non-profit organization Richard and Lois Lindgren Wayne and Carole Brown Carla Lyon Millennium Pharmaceuticals Charlotte Lytikainen recognized by the Internal Erick Buck Revenue Service as tax-exempt Elaine Burnham Jason and Katja Maravelias

• and designated a public charity Arthur Butler David and Taimi Marean Reijo and Maria Makela under Section 501(c)(3) of the Andy and Virginia Carlson IRS codes. 14 James and Mary Ann Chellman Bob Maki •

FUNDRAISING WALIMA FUND for FOLK MUSICLibrary Lending National Foundation Finlandia The main objective of the Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) By Susan E. Walima, Ph.D. is to support Finnish and Finnish-American culture. It does this Susan Walima created the Walima Fund for Folk Music in honor of by providing grants and scholarships and by supporting special her parents, Adolph A. and Grace A. Walima. Born in Minnesota programs, such as Lecturer and Performer of the Year, Salolampi to musical families, they met at the Finn Hall in Minneapolis. As a Finnish Language Camp and Soiva Music Camp. All of these are child, Susan remembers her parents taking her to the Minneapolis high-quality programs; recipients are described elsewhere in this Finn Hall. She watched them dance to polkas and schottisches newsletter. This year more than $115,000 has been awarded in while the crowd parted to give them the floor. Her father told her support of these programs. to just stand on his feet, hold on to him, and this is how she learned to dance to folk and country music! To this day, she loves these Finlandia Foundation, with its 42 chapters, is therefore by far the memories and loves to dance. Hearing her father play the harmonica most important organization in support of Finnish-American (he was self-taught) was a special treat, and when later she learned culture. Our main disadvantage is that FFN does not have sufficient to read music and play the violin, her parents gave her a songbook of funds to support all well-qualified applicants; it is able to fund only Finnish music. Her favorite song was “Renki Jussi” (Farmer Johnny). a fraction of these applicants. With additional funds, we could significantly expand these programs. Fundraising therefore becomes Her mother’s family had singers who gathered around a piano and a critical factor in meeting these needs. sang together. Her family still sings in harmony “by ear.” Her younger brother, Brian, taught himself to play the harmonica and guitar. Finlandia Foundation is fortunate that the Paloheimo Foundation matches all donations up to an annual total of $100,000. Finlandia Walima is proud to honor her parents and the great traditions of folk Foundation is a 501(c)( 3) non-profit organization. Therefore, not music through the Finlandia Foundation. She even did her Ph.D. only is your donation matched dollar to dollar, but it is fully tax dissertation fieldwork with Samppa Uimonen, the “last of the rune deductible for you. In addition, all donations are fully allocated singers,” - the Kalevala and kantele music. The Finlandia Foundation to support these programs, since FFN’s administrative costs and brought him to California with a grant and he did nine performances overhead are separately funded. Your tax-free donation is fully in ten days. SISU!!! The latest contribution to the Walima Fund for matched and goes without deductions to support grant programs. Folk Music was helped by folk musician, Aaron A. Walima, Susan’s This is truly a very attractive deal. brother Brian’s oldest son. There are many ways to give: FFN’s LENDING LIBRARY • Make your gift online at: www.finlandiafoundation.org The following items are available for loan from the FFN office in • Become a Monthly Donor: sign up to have your gift Pasadena (for a complete list contact [email protected]) automatically debited from your account every month • Give a Gift of Stock: Contact our attorney, Paul Halme, CDs from POYs and DVDs The Legacy of Ida Lillbroända: from LOYs Finnish Emigrant to America FFN Trustee, to learn more: [email protected] 1893 • Make a planned gift: Contact Paul Halme at DVDs: "An insightful analysis of a [email protected] Sibelius Swedish-speaking woman and • Join The President’s Council, the FFN Leadership Fire & Ice of her adjustment within a Program. To find out more, contact Ossi Rahkonen, FFN Letters from Karelia multitude of different settings in Trustee at [email protected] Mother of Mine the American West." Otto Heino: A Way With Clay By Arlene Sundquist Empie Note: You may have other matching programs available, Otto Heino: A True Potter Sibelius: A Composer’s Life and which can be used to further enhance the dollar-for-dollar Finland Phenomenon the Awakening of Finland FFN/Paloheimo matching. Kalevala Tuohitorvi Soi! By Glenda Dawn Goss Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to support Produced by Evergreen School By Bernhard Hillila: FFN. Use the envelope attached to this newsletter for sending your of Performing Art; The Finnish Line gift today! Finnish-American culture and traditions, combined Directed by Helina Pakola Cutting Edge with Finnish heritage, are too rich and valuable to be lost. FFN BOOKs: The Sauna Is: Reheated and will continue to inspire and strengthen the Finnish-American Revised community in the U.S. and cultural ties with Finland for years to The Helsinki Chronicles of Dr. The Lapp King’s Daughter: come. Louise C. Love and Mr. P.: Six Adventures in A Family’s Journey Through Sincerely Yours, Finland’s Capital Finland’s Wars By Stina Katchadourian Ossi Rahkonen, Trustee By Arthur M. Alexander

The second edition of FFN’s history, Black Ties and Miners’ Finlandia Foundation National Boots: Inventing Finnish-American Philanthropy, A History gratefully acknowledges the of Finlandia Foundation National 1953-2010 by Jon L. Saari, awarding of a �600 media grant from is available for $19.95 (California residents also pay 9.25% sales tax). All new members receive a free copy: email Suomi-Seura/Finland Society. [email protected] or call (626) 795-2081. • 15 ••

Finlandia Foundation® National Newsletter Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage P.O. Box 92298 PAID Pasadena, CA 91109-2298 Los Angeles, CA http://www.finlandiafoundation.org Permit No. 4848

Finlandia Foundation® National Chapters/Presidents ARIZONA GEORGIA MICHIGAN continued OREGON The Finnish-American Club of Tucson - Atlanta Finland Society, Inc. - 1975 Upper Peninsula Chapter of the League FF/Columbia-Pacific Chapter - 2001 2007 Katriina Naukkarinen - of Finnish-American Societies - 2006 Seppo Saarinen - Joel Wasti - [email protected] [email protected] Ron J. Hill - [email protected] [email protected] Finns and Friends of Phoenix - 2010 Finnish-American Society of West Central Hannele Waissi - [email protected] ILLINOIS Michigan - 2007 PENNSYLVANIA Finnish-American Society of the Midwest Kay Ollila - [email protected] FF/Pittsburgh Chapter - 1990 CALIFORNIA - 1997 Seija Cohen - [email protected] Oscar Forsman - [email protected] FF/Los Angeles Chapter - 1974 MINNESOTA Finnish-American Society of Delaware Valley Ellen Harju - [email protected] Finnish-Americans and Friends - 2006 MAINE (Hibbing Chapter) - 1998 Jukka Kervinen - Finnish-American Home Association - Finnish Heritage House- 2007 Wes Kutsi - [email protected] [email protected] 2005 Jacqueline Harjula - Kari Autio - [email protected] [email protected] FF/Twin Cities Chapter - 1993 Betsey Norgard - [email protected] SOUTH DAKOTA FF/San Francisco Bay Area Chapter - 1956 Finnish Farmers Club - 2012 Frederick Forward - FF Dakota Chapter 2012 George Sundquist - [email protected] Inez Goodine - [email protected] FF Northland Chapter - 2010 Heidi Marttila-Losure - Tracey Gibbens - [email protected] Finlandia Club of Sacramento - 2006 [email protected] Heli Hatanpaa-Wetzel - MARYLAND Red River Finns - 2011 [email protected] FF/Baltimore Area Chapter - 1974 Ellen Liddle - [email protected] TEXAS Merja Laakso - [email protected] Finnish-American Soc. of Dallas/Fort Worth COLORADO MONTANA - 1991 FF/Colorado Chapter - 1993 MASSACHUSETTS Finn Club of Helena - 2007 Jeremy Martin - [email protected] Juha Mäkikalli - [email protected] FF/Boston, Inc. - 1955 Marjorie Peura Reilly - [email protected] Teresia Moller - [email protected] Red Lodge Knights and Ladies of Kaleva VIRGINIA CONNECTICUT The Finnish Center at Saima Park, Inc. - - 2011 FF/Tidewater Virginia Chapter - 1978 Finnish American Heritage Society - 2011 2005 Pat Wallila - [email protected] Riikka Mohorn - [email protected] Stan Karro - [email protected] Maija Mård - [email protected] WASHINGTON The Finnish Heritage Society - Sovittaja NEW YORK DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FF/New York Metropolitan Chapter - FF/Seattle Chapter - 1968 - 2006 Gary London - [email protected] FF/National Capital Chapter - 1960 Barry Heiniluoma - [email protected] 1954 Leila Takala - [email protected] Tarja Silverman - FF/Inland Northwest Chapter - 1970

MICHIGAN [email protected] Don Heikkila - [email protected] FLORIDA Finnish Center Association– 2004 Finger Lakes Finns - 2006 Swedish-Finn Historical Society - 1991 FF/Florida Chapter - 1954 Cortland Book - [email protected] Lisa Koski - [email protected] Dick Erickson - [email protected] Kaarina Langeland - [email protected] Finnish Theme Committee of Hancock - FF Suomi Chapter - 2010 FF Copper Country Chapter - 2006 OHIO Tapio Holma - [email protected] Finnish-American Heritage Association of James Kurtti [email protected] Finnish-American Folk Festival- 2011 Ashtabula County - 2004 Becky Hoekstra - Mike Swanson - [email protected] [email protected] Elsa Shephard - [email protected]