CX EST. 1906 La Palma, California June 2016 Number 2 www.orderofruneberg.org

Order of Runeberg Message

a contribution to your own com- munity – Finland. The centenary is a vantage years point from which we can look 1 00 both forward and back on a hun- dred years, with our feet firmly From the Home page planted in the present. Our cen- of the website, tenary program will deepen our http://suomifinland100.fi/ understanding of the entire pe- info/?lang=en, created by the riod since independence, while Finnish Prime Minister’s Office: surveying Finland as it is now and seeking and forging a new country. Finland’s big A varied program will mark year 2017 Home page: Finland’s independence celebra- Finland became an indepen- “Theme – Together tions in 2017. While overall re- dent state on 6 December 1917. The theme of Finland’s cente- sponsibility for putting the pro- The newly born state was willed nary celebration year is ‘To- gram together rests with the into being by the Finns after a gether.’ With the help of a host ‘Finland 100 Years’ organization long struggle. In spite of hard of participants, we will draw up a established in the Prime times, the Finnish people have lively program covering the Minister’s Office, the centenary for almost a hundred years en- whole of 2017. The centenary cel- program can only be created gaged in the building of their ebration is open to both Finns through the joint efforts of Finns country and making decisions and friends of Finland. Now you and friends of Finland.” together. Now the Finns are lead- have the opportunity to do a ing their country into a new cen- small or great deed and so make continued on page 3 tury with courage and determi- nation. The centenary of Finland’s in- dependence in 2017 will be the WHAT’S INSIDE: most significant commemorative year for this generation of Finns. Genealogy Corner...... 4 It will provide opportunities to better understand the past, expe- Lodge News...... 6 rience the jubilee together and set the course for Finland’s future My Trip to Finland ...... 8 success. Also from the above referenced 2 June 2016

Our past, present and future We weren’t sure how much content we would have for this issue of the pa- Seattle Sojourn per. As it turns out we have a number of It was after the Millennium that I became acquainted with the Swedish good articles that tell about our lodge Finn Historical Society. The Quarterly provided the right connection with members and their activities. Also, the my heritage. My Swedish-Finn parents immigrated from Österbotten and front page article about “Finland 100 made their first home in Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada. My aunt, Years” and the Genealogy Corner article Anna Peterson, was a life-long member of the Order of Runeberg, Lodge about “The Creativity of Finns” fit well #124. As a result of family interest, I, too, joined the same Lodge. together. Both share and consider how As a child, I attended the Order of Runeberg Christmas Concerts and Finland has developed a national iden- loved to watch the adults dance. It seems I had my first acquaintance with tity and celebrate what has been accom- Gunnar Damström, The Quarterly staff editor in chief, when I submitted plished. a short story to The Quarterly about Bill and Linnea Klockars who danced We have a couple of articles that tell the hambo like a couple in “Dancing with the Stars.” If Life is a Journey, then my Guardian Angel directed me to plan a trip about keeping a record of our history. th The Swedish Finn Historical Society is to the Swedish Finn Historical Society 25 Annual Meeting and Luncheon digitalizing past issues of the Leading on March 12, 2016. I was privileged on Friday to ride to Seattle with Cousin Star which will make them more acces- Annabelle Kergan, president of the Vancouver Runeberg Social Club and sible to all. There is an article about a Secretary Janet Duxbury. We headed towards Ballard and stopped at the request for information about someone Nordic Heritage Museum. We had time to meander through two floors, from the past. These articles can be oohing and awing at Scandinavian history, colors, design, and the results taken as a challenge for you to record of prayer, work, and conditions of the times. your family history if you haven’t already We drove into the parking lot of the Swedish Club Cultural Center at done so. 1920 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109, in mid-morning on Satur- As always, we are in need of articles day, March 12. We received a warm welcome and tour of the second floor. for the paper. Send us news about your I met Gunnar Damström and Syrene Forsman. We toured the area for activities and pictures, if possible, so we Swedish Finn Emigrant Data. Kim Jacobs told of Pedigree Charts and can keep the historical record going. Genealogy. –DH continued on page 9

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: June 2016 3

Finland years From the Finlandia Foundation National (FFN) 1 00 website continued from page 1 www.finlandiafoundation.org/finland-100/ Also from the above referenced Home page: “Finnish Ambassador to the United States, Her “Building the program together Excellency Kirsti Kauppi, and her staff at the Em- Anyone can propose a project to be included bassy in Washington, D.C., have been working with in the Finland 100 program – this means you or representatives of local Finnish-American organiza- your club, association or company (maybe your tions (including Finlandia Foundation represented O of R lodge?). Applications are received up to by FFN President Ossi Rahkonen) to plan a series of the autumn of 2017. To read more about the prin- events across the U.S., notably a traveling sauna that ciples of program preparation and the require- will visit at least a dozen locations throughout 2017.” ments for cooperation and partnering agreement I hope the above information will encourage you and to access the online application form, click to visit the referenced websites where much more the provided link.” information on the “Finland 100 Years” programs The above referenced Home page mentions is available. that program updates are made almost daily, you Stew Lyons may sign up for a newsletter. Signup is easy to Lodge#205, New Haven, CT do.

Publication Fund Report June 2016 As planned, we reduced the number of pages in the Leading Star from 16 pages to 12 pages (25% less pages), effective with the March issue. The costs of publication / issue were reduced as follows: ` Graphics cost for March was $360 360 / 480 = 75% of previous cost The postage cost for March was $165.13 165.13 / 204.204.69 = 81% of previous cost The printing cost for March was $111.13 111.13 / 136.41 = 75% of previous cost The total cost for the March issue was $836.26 836.26 / 1,021.10 = 82% of previous cost = 18% cost reduction Cost summary of the March 2016 issue of the Leading Star: Per Leading Star issue: Editors’ stipend: $200. Printing: $111.13 Graphics: $360. Total / issue: $836.26 LS postage: $165.13 In addition to the Leading Star cost reduction, I received an offer of a 20% reduction in the annual (5/7/16 to 5/6/17) cost of our Internet service provider (ISP – for our Runeberg Lodges website hosting) 126.79 / 158.49 = 80% of previous annual cost Publication Fund Balances: Balance reported in March 2016 $5,778.21 Cost of March 2016 LS $836.26 Annual ISP service cost $126.79 Current Balance, June 2016 $4,815.16 Based on the above cost reductions, it is estimated that the revised “last Leading Star issue,” to be the June 2017 issue (previously projected to be the March 2017 issue). Our Leading Star editors have suggested we may be at a point with the June issue of the paper that we go to 8 pages—there was not a lot of content. The plan is to look at each issue on an individual basis. Thus the page count would be 8 or 12 depending on what has been submitted. I agree with the editors. Report submitted by Stew Lyons 4 June 2016 Genealogy Corner

In 1531 Agricola returned to The Creativity Finland. He was assigned to the cathedral school in Turku where of the Finns he taught pastoral candidates biblical studies, theology and the The creativity of the Finns is rec- duties of pastors. He had a ma- ognized in areas such as architec- jor influence on the people of ture, literature, music and tech- Finland by virtue of his personal nologies. This article focuses on dedication. What he did for the six historical leaders who devel- outreaches his oped the Finnish language and lifetime of service. national identity. A common lan- June Pelo A Dedicated Genealogist During time away from class- guage provides the means for rooms and pastoral work, populations to achieve a national Agricola gathered the letters of unity and culture. Without the Russia then attacked Finland spoken Finnish into an alphabet foresight and creativity of these and Sweden in 1808 and won the six, there may never have been a war, fought largely by the Finns, Finnish nation. in 1809. Finland was made a Every independent nation Grand Duchy of Russia. Russia’s has scores of men and women rule, ranging between benevo- whose thought, creations and lent to despotic, lasted more than deeds have made possible their a century. country’s nationhood. In People under foreign control America we have Thomas Paine for centuries see it as unchange- and Francis Hopkinson. Paine able. But certain people in Fin- wrote his fifty-page booklet, land worked with the elements Common Sense, which stirred of national identity in both the the colonists to act. Hopkinson Swedish and Russian periods. designed the American flag, our and a study book called an symbol of unity. Both still help MICHAEL AGRICOLA aapinen. He translated the cat- us to understand define our (1510-1557) echism received from Martin country. Finnish has a long history as Luther. He prepared a prayer Finland’s freedom and inde- a spoken language. Michael book in Finnish. Later he trans- pendence could neither be con- Agricola developed it into writ- lated the New Testament and ceived nor achieved in the brief ten form and systemic use. Born much of the Old Testament. span of time as that of America. in 1510, he grew to manhood People were drawn to them for Sweden’s forced annexation of with two driving causes in mind, their content and the Finnish Finland began around 1200. Its Christian faith and the Finnish language. rule lasted more than six centu- people. As a gifted student he Agricola is recognized as fa- ries. In 1807 Napoleon plotted was sent to Wittenberg, Ger- ther of the written Finnish lan- with Tsar Alexander I to convince many, to study under Martin guage. His objectives were to fos- Sweden to help in their war Luther and his co-worker, Phillip ter and nurture the faith and to against England. They failed. Melanchthon. help people to learn and grow. June 2016 5

HENRIK PORTHAN JOHAN LUDVIG ing poets and thinkers of all Scandinavia. (1739-1803) RUNEBERG Runeberg published a num- (1804-1877) ber of books such as Kung Fjalar The son of Finland who in 1844. The same year the King brought his country some of her of Sweden decorated him with earliest literary and intellectual the Order of the North Star. acclaim was Johan Ludvig Most noteworthy of his books Runeberg. He was born in Feb- was The Songs of Ensign Stål. ruary 1804 and raised by an uncle It deals with the war against the due to the poverty of his parents invading Russians in 1808- who had younger children to 1809. Finnish heroism and pride house, clothe and feed. Being occurs and reoccurs in gifted he tutored children of Runeberg’s book of vivid poems. wealthy families for a living and Runeberg reached his be- later for his studies at the Univer- loved countrymen. A further After Michael Agricola many sity of Turku. He learned of Pro- bonding with them was forged people could be named for their fessor Henrik Porthan and joined when the book’s poem of dedi- contributions to the Finnish cation, “Our Land,” became people, but a history teacher Finland’s national anthem. comes into our view for the cre- ative intensity of his research, teaching and ideas. He is Henrik DR. ELIAS LÖNNROT Porthan who taught at the Uni- (1803-1884) versity of Turku. He died 24 years What drove this doctor of before the university burned and medicine to seek, sort out and was moved to . Follow- publish the sung legends and ing his death students and schol- poems of the folk and peasants ars formed a Saturday Society to of Finland and Karelia? What study and discuss his ideas. He excited him to do this? What taught in the 18th century, but his gave him the determination and stamina to stick to his task? largest impact came through the others in their study of his ide- Born in 1802 into the family Saturday Society in the following als. He earned his doctor of phi- of a village tailor he spent work century. losophy degree in 1827 shortly time in his father’s shop. He also What was it about Henrik before Turku and its university worked in an apothecary to earn Porthan that caused people to were claimed by fire. take up his legacies? What he By 1830 he had published a continued on page 10 found in the history of the Finn- book of poems, translated and ish people helped him to envision published another and also began what they could accomplish, a periodical called The what they could become. What Helsingfors Morgonblad. While he learned through his research Runeberg wrote and published in he taught and articulated well. Swedish, his life and thought For these reasons Henrik were centered in Finland. Except Porthan is every bit as creative of for one short trip to Sweden, the Finnish identity and culture Runeberg lived his entire life in as those who followed him. Finland. Despite this he came to be recognized as one of the lead- 6 June 2016

LODGE NEWS

Lodge #205 New Haven, Connecticut “St. Urho’s Day” 2016 Celebration veryone had a good time at our annual “St. Urho’s E Day” celebration on April 3rd. The celebration had been scheduled for mid-March but was rescheduled due to predic- tions of a heavy snow storm. The prediction was inaccu- rate—only minor snow. The cel- ebration included a potluck dinner, reciting the “Ode to St. Urho” and good conversation at the home of our hosts, Glenn and Sandy. Glenn and Sandy did a won- Sandy (L) & Brenda enjoying gourmet selection of appetizers, derful job decorating for the St. vegetables, salads, and desserts Urho’s Day celebration— purple, green, and grasshop- pers everywhere! We had a good turnout of members as can be seen in the pictures ac- companying this article. All the potluck appetizers, dinner and dessert items were delicious. Thank you to all our members for their contribu- tions to the gourmet selections! We had a wide variety of food items: shrimp dip, pea soup, deviled eggs, chili, salad, salmon pie, pulled pork, as-

L-R: Liisa, Kirsti, Dottie & Stew - enjoying conversation June 2016 7

LODGE NEWS paragus quiche, fruit tarts, and chocolate whisky cake! After a business meeting, Liisa Lindholm led the group in reciting the “Ode to St. Urho.” Roy Kosonen then treated our members by singing a tradi- tional Finnish folk song. The pictures accompanying this ar- ticle may be seen in color at New Haven Lodge’s St.Urho’s Day web page: www.orderofruneberg.org/ l205sturho16.html L-R: Cindy, Klas, Brenda & Roy enjoying the potluck dinner selections and St. Urho Day celebrations Our New Haven lodge also held our annual Summer Picnic on June 4th, which will be cov- ered in the September issue of Liisa is the Leading Star. leading the Our next meeting, which is group in the annual Fall Hike & potluck reciting the “Ode dinner, is planned for October to St. Urho” 15th, and will be hosted by Rob- Our Lodge #205 St. Urho ert & Tuula Berke. The hike will grasshopper be at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Upon completion of the afternoon hike, we will gather at Robert and Tuula’s home for a potluck dinner. Check our lodge website for details as the date approaches: www.orderofruneberg.org/ lodgesl205newhavenct.html

Stew Lyons

Reciting the “Ode to St. Urho” L-R: Klas, Brenda, Roy, Doug & Lise 8 June 2016 My Trip to Sweden and Finland By Linden Keinzle Part two: Finland This is the second part of my Sweden and Finland story. At the Linden ferry terminal in Stockholm we on the top got onto an ocean liner called the Viking Line that was taking us to bunk on Finland. Inside the boat there the ship was a kid’s video game place and a huge restaurant buffet. After hanging around the boat a little bit and going on to the windy deck, (by the way, the view was amazing, we even saw a medieval castle) we went to the buffet for Richard Martina, Linden dinner with lots of choices for and Annabelle on the ship food. I got turkey and cranberry sauce. We then went to bed in our cabins below deck. There Strawberry were nice little fold-up bunks cake at and I got the top, as usual. Margareta When we arrived in Abo, Fin- land, we made breakfast before and Johan going to Muminville. In Stoor’s house Muminville we met more rela- tives and then we saw a play (in Finnish). Next, we visited a rep- lica of Mumins’ house and went on a little hike visiting Mumins’ Johan cooking potatoes and elk dad’s ship. We left Muminville at about The first big adventure in Vasa In Sundom we went to a mete- 3:00 p.m. and headed north to was going to an island owned by orite observatory and watched a Kristinistad. Kristinastad is a Margareta and Johan Stoor, mini film about the meteorite very old town near Vasa. We called Rock Island. There were that fell in Sundom during the were coming here because it is lots of fun things to do there like last ice age. It was called where my great-grandpa was going to the sauna, hiking around Söderfjärden. I learnt a lot about born. He lived on a street called the island, swimming and even a meteors. After we went to Cat Fighting Street. It was very gazebo with a barbeque inside it. Söderfjärden, we went to visit interesting looking at all the old In the gazebo Johan cooked us relatives who lived near the cra- gravestones in the churchyard. potatoes and elk. ter. They had a dog named Elvis Next, we arrived at Johan and Some of the other highlights of who was very fluffy and only un- Margareta’s house in Vasa. It was Vasa were going to the yacht club derstood tricks in Swedish. They 11:00 p.m. and it was still light with an outdoor buffet. Going to also had a cat who brought in a out! When we got there we had Stundars, a historical outdoor dead mouse. We had dinner with strawberry cake with whipping museum where I learned to walk cousins Sabina and Andreas. We cream. Vasa was an important on stilts and make knikibrod and stayed there the night and in the stop because my great-grandma of course, going to another buf- morning once again the ten of us was born here and most of my fet! relatives live in Vasa and Sundom. June 2016 9

and two dogs drove on the road Jansson’s Temptation and braised to Helsinki! Seattle Sojourn red cabbage. There was wine on the table. When we arrived in Helsinki, continued from page 2 we found the Stoors’ apartment Coffee and tea were ready. Dessert that they kindly let us stay in it. We met more of the Vancouver was cinnamon and cardamom The next morning we went to the Lodge brothers and sisters: Etel and spiced poached pears. After our Tor Rosback, Ulla and George welcome, a toast, and opening market. I bought a Finnish knife Nelson. It was a lovely social get to- prayer, we joined our table mates that had a flint and steel and even gether over coffee and cardamom in eating while listening to the in- a case. It was fun to look at all bread. “Svenska” music was pro- teresting speakers. Roger Johnson the cool stuff in this outdoor vided by Verne and Jeannie spoke of the Swedish Finn Commu- market. We then went to Lindquist. Verne played the accor- nity in Northern Minnesota Stockmans for more shopping. It dion and Jeannie played guitar, (Hibbing, Duluth). He also thanked is a really big store with 7 floors! mandolin and flute. This setting and his Seattle hosts for the Washing- When we got home we packed special company gave me a grateful ton “washing.” It was rather cold up, and said goodbye to our feeling. and wet. Dick Erickson spoke about Swedish relatives before they got At 12:30 we went downstairs to writing his family history, “Immi- on the boat to Sweden. the dining room for a traditional grants of the Independence Valley,” We woke up at 1:00 a.m. to Swedish luncheon. The menu in- which took 10 years to write. The cluded a buffet of choices: limpa afternoon ended with a short finan- catch a taxi to the airport. Time bread, hardtack, cardamom bread, cial and business overview. On the to go back to Canada! It was a pickled herring, and cucumber drive back to Burnaby, B.C., we trip that I will never forget! salad with dill. There was roast pork happily discussed aspects of our The End! with prunes and lingonberries, memorable weekend. Barbara Winter—April 18, 2016

Swedish Finn Historical Society Donations can be made Please Help Us Make Your History Available to You and the World: by mail to: Dear Members and Friends of the Order of Runeberg: When the International Order of Runeberg made the decision to close, the Swedish Finn Historical Society records of each chapter were sent to the Swedish Finn Historical Society. SFHS 1920 Dexter Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109 already had copies of most of the Leading Star issues. At that time $10,000 Or at our webpage: was given to SFHS to help support the archiving of these records. Swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org SFHS has recently completed digitizing of the Leading Star. The digital cop- We hope you will support this ies are searchable in Swedish or English. They will be made available to SFHS effort to record your history. members online. SFHS has also nearly completed the digitizing of our photo Sincerely, files some of which are from OR. These, too, will be available online. Many mem- Bill Carlson bers of the Order of Runeberg are also members of SFHS. SFHS is willing to President of Swedish Finn grant membership to all Order of Runeberg members; you just need to contact Historical Society SFHS and sign up and give the name of your OR chapter (or former chapter if it closed). Ed Brannfors One of the exciting things about history is making it available to people to Former Treasurer, International explore their past, their families’ past, and the history of the communities in Order of Runeberg which they lived. There are 65+ boxes of records of Order of Runeberg. These boxes vary greatly in number of pages from none to well over 3300. Most will Stewart Lyons have significant numbers of pages. The single box having no pages was full of Former President, International trophies—which we will photograph. We are still trying to estimate a total page Order of Runeberg count. It will be a very high number. The process of digitizing, organizing and uploading to our website is time Dale Hjort consuming and expensive. We are asking OR members, OR Chapters, and SFHS Editor of the members to please help us with donations to support this effort. Leading Star 10 June 2016

people. It remained for another Through his own periodicals, to make the benefits of their work one in Finnish and one in Swed- known and usable in all of ish, Snellman brought the issues Corner Finland. to his readership. Snellman kept continued from page 5 the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar JOHAN Alexander II, informed of devel- for his costs at the University of opments and the needed Turku. Others at the university VILHELM SNELLMAN changes. Alexander II also knew who studied folk poetry sparked (1806-1881) that Sweden was coveting the his curiosity about the subject. now more prosperous Finland. He made Väinämöinen the focus In 1868 Alexander II issued of his master’s thesis. Perhaps a Language Edict which made the apothecary experience, folk Finnish the language of medicine or something from children’s education in Finnish Henrik Porthan’s work contrib- speaking communities. Swedish uted to Lönnrot’s interest in was allowed in the schools where medicine. Perhaps he foresaw Swedish was the local language. how he could combine medical Finnish became one of the two calls with literary research. In languages of Finnish govern- any case he completed his doc- mental personnel. Government toral studies in 1832 with a study administrators and workers were of healing and medicine among given twenty years to become the folk and peasant Finns. The third person of the Satur- proficient in Finnish. Dr. Elias Lönnrot made many day Society who made major Johan Vilhelm Snellman is trips in Finland and Karelia to gains for the cause of Finland was one of the persons whose cre- gather as much as he could of the Johan Snellman. His contribu- ative passions freed the Finnish legends and verses. Equipped tions built on those of Runeberg language from its historical with a flute, writing materials and Lönnrot. With them he be- shackles and helped to bring the and his doctor’s kit he attended lieved in the quality, strengths Finns and Swedo-Finns together to persons with illness or injury and wisdom of the Finnish for the sake of their country. when the need arose; provided people. No nation of credible character and purpose would music for events of life such as FinnFest USA 2016 overlook the human resources weddings and village gatherings; Sailing from Boston, and responded to rune singers and potentials in its folk and peasant populations. In them the Massachusetts, to when they were ready to share. Montreal, Quebec, on He listened to, memorized, sang future of Finland was to be found. board Holland America’s and recorded dozens of poems Veendam July 9–16, and thousands of poem lines. Johan Snellman recognized the need for two considerable 2016. Travel with others In 1835, Lönnrot published who enjoy a bit of Finland changes essential for Finland’s the first in a limited on their cruise including future. First, the education of number. In 1849, his enlarged Finnish music, Finnish Finnish speaking children and revised Kalevala was pub- films, Finnish cooking lished. By then a waiting reader- needed to take place in Finnish, demonstrations and in- ship in Finland and other coun- not Swedish. Second, the Finn- teresting lectures on the tries was anxious to secure this ish majority and the Swedo- route that many Europe- epic of Finland. Runeberg and Finnish minority needed to be ans used to enter North Lönnrot did so much for the reconciled into a cohesive soci- America. identity and culture of their ety. June 2016 11

ALEKSIS KIVI Henry Porthan’s work. But Kivi’s instinctive, driving interest in his (1834-1872) fellow Finns brought him into that company of people who be- Corner lieved in the future of Finland. them. They came to love him be- Kivi wrote as a dramatist and cause he loved them, their way novelist. Plays he did for the the- of life and their language. ater are Lea and Village Cob- blers. Their performances mark THE SIGNIFICANCE the beginnings of Finnish the- ater, an undertaking that was OF THE SIX summarily opposed at that time During the 20th century I, as by Swedish speaking citizens. well as others, have heard refer- His plays are masterful and their ences to these six men and oth- high standings continue. ers by grandparents and other The greatest work of Kivi is relatives, in church and histori- his novel, Seven Brothers. It was From the province of Häme cal society meetings and later in published when he was thirty-six came a man of incomparable post high school studies. years of age. In this work the gifts of language. His powers of Memory and curiosity cause us Finns could read about them- observation, human character- to ask, “What was their signifi- selves, see themselves. The reali- izations and drama, coupled with cance?” It lies in the use of their ties of life in Häme were before his superb language skills, won creative talents toward the na- their eyes. The emotions in the him Finland’s highest literary ac- tionhood and independence that novel were theirs. Everything claim. His name is Aleksis Kivi. their country ultimately they knew was there, simple but Kivi was born beyond the time achieved. heroic. When Seven Brothers that would allow him to have By Giles C. Ekola, was absorbed by the Finns they participated in the Saturday The Finnish American took Kivi into their hearts in a Society’s probing discussions of Reporter, Oct. 1998 way that reflects what he gave to June Pelo

Request to all readers of the Leading Star Thank you June Pelo, who provides the He also was involved in socialist and a Reminder Genealogy Corner article, re- activities in Chicago circa 1916. As done in previous issues of the ceived this request from Finland. His son Elis was born there in Leading Star, I want to: (1) thank Markus Ahlskog, a professor 1916. Viktor seemed to travel those who have contributed articles of physics at Jyväskylä Univer- back and forth to Finland fre- (front page and “Lodge News”) and sity in Finland, is gathering in- quently, as well as to Russia, (2) remind our lodges, including formation about Viktor where he died in 1969. Any in- individual lodge members, of the Gåsström prior to writing a book, formation about him would be need to provide front page articles and has asked for help. Viktor welcomed. and lodge meeting and activities was involved in socialist clubs in If you have any information, articles for future issues of the New York in the early 1900s, and please send an email or letter to Leading Star. Quoting Vancouver married there in 1913. He went your editors, Dale and Mary Lou lodge member Annabelle Kergan: to Canada in the 1920s and was Hjort. Their addresses are found “The success of the Leading Star’s deported in 1927 because of his at the bottom of page 2 of this continuation will depend on all the socialist activities (Markus can’t paper. remaining lodges / members being find anything about that period). willing to contribute something to each publication.” Stew Lyons 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 = 1.11USD Eureka North Bend/Coos Bay 1 USD = 0.90 EURO CONNECTICUT WASHINGTON XE-07/07/16 Lodge #205 Lodge #106 New Haven Tacoma Please submit all news, resolutions, and articles September 18, 2016 for publication in the September Leading Star