CVIII EST. 1906 La Palma, California September 2015 Number 3 www.orderofruneberg.org Order of Runeberg Message Early Colonization of America by Swedish and Finnish Settlers

The tall ship Kalmar Nyckel I became interested in “Early Picture of the painting by Inke Colonization of America by Swed- Sunila of the tall ship Kalmar ish and Finnish Settlers” after see- Nyckel ing the painting of the tall ship Kalmar Nyckel done by New Haven nial ships, a Mayflower of the Dela- lodge’s very talented Vice President ware Valley, yet her remarkable Inke Sunila. To view the painting story has never been widely told. and other pictures accompanying The original Kalmar Nyckel served this article in color, go to our “Or- as Governor Peter Minuit’s flagship der of Runeberg Lodges” website, for the 1638 expedition that click “Genealogy” on the main founded the colony of New Swe- menu, then “1638 colonization” den, establishing the first perma- from the sub-menu. Here is the full nent European settlement in the link: Delaware Valley, Fort Christina, in http://www.orderofruneberg.org/ present-day Wilmington, Dela- genealogy/1638colonization.html ware. She would make a total of From the Kalmar Nyckel four roundtrip crossings of the At- Foundation’s website lantic, more than any other docu- (http://www.kalmarnyckel.org): mented ship of the American colo- Map of Delaware River Settle- “The original Kalmar Nyckel was nial era.” one of America’s pioneering colo- ments in Year 1638 continued on page 3 WHAT’S INSIDE:

Genealogy Corner...... 4

Lodge News...... 7 Finlandia Foundation...... 13

Morton Homestead 2 September 2015

We need your help 10th most livable city As we continue with the Lead- According to the list pub- position with Zurich, Switzer- ing Star we need your help in pro- lished by the Economist Intelli- land. viding news about events in your gence Unit (EIU) Melbourne is Second on the list is the Aus- lodges and communities. In this is- the best city in which to live. The trian capital, , with third, sue you can see we have a lot of pic- city, in the southern Australian fourth, and fifth positions all tures that go with the articles. Pic- state of Victoria, has now main- taken by Canadian cities— tures really help bring out the con- tained pole position for five years Vancouver, Toronto, and tent of the articles and with digital in a row. There was minimal re- Calgary, which tied with another cameras they are easy to take and shuffle in the top 10 year on year, southern Australian city, email to us. You don’t need to write with all seven of the top cities Adelaide. a lot when you have pictures to go retaining their 2014 ranking. Sydney and Perth, also Aus- along with an article. Perth and Auckland knocked tralian cities, came in at seventh Please note Stew Lyon’s article Helsinki down two pegs from last and eighth respectively, New on this page asking for volunteers year’s perch or 8th position. The Zealand’s Auckland in the ninth to write an article for the front page. Finnish capital now shares tenth spot. Please consider what you might be able to do. The Finnish American Reporter Also please notice the Christmas September 2015 Greeting article on the back page. Thank you and a reminder. The greetings are free and so I want to thank Annabelle Kergan for contributing the front page article in the we encourage you to send a June issue of the Leading Star, and to remind our lodges, including individual lodge mem- greeting this year that we can put in bers, of the need to provide front page articles and lodge meeting / activities articles for the December issue of the paper. future issues of the Leading Star. As Annabelle’s June front page article mentioned: “The success of the Leading Star’s continuation will depend on all the remaining lodges / mem- –DH bers being willing to contribute something to each publication.” Stew Lyons

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: September 2015 3

Message continued from page 1 From the Delawareonline website: “Swedes and Finns are widely cred- Early Colonization ited with building the nation’s first The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation log cabins after their 1638 landing has an absolutely fascinating 48 at The Rocks in what became page guide book - “KALMAR Wilmington. Two reportedly were NYCKEL: A Guide to the Ship and built at Fort Christina, which Her History” - in pdf file format started the Delaware Valley’s first which can be downloaded from this permanent European settlement.” Kalmar Nyckel Foundation web page: Finnish Settlers Monument http://www.kalmarnyckel.org/ “Finnish Settlers Monument,” dy.asp?p=9. For example, the designed by Wäinö Aaltonen and guide, on page 24, lists the voyag- erected in 1938 as part of the 300th ers aboard the Kalmar Nyckel in anniversary of the ships Kalmar 1638, including national origins of Nyckel and Fogel Grip landing in the crew and colonists. Both ”Finnish Settlers Monument,” 1638. The monument commemo- Swedes and Finns were part of designed by Wäinö Aaltonen and rates the landing of Finns on this Kalmar Nyckel’s first voyage, since erected in 1938. The monument continent in 1638 and is located in was part of the Swedish commemorates the landing of Crozer Park, Old Chester, PA. realm until 1809. Finns on this continent in 1638 and is located in Crozer Park, Delaware Colony of Old Chester, PA. Kalmar Nyckel Monument Swedes and Finns From Wikipedia (https:// by Swedish From the Finnish Genealogical en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ sculptor Society’s website: Fort_Christina): Carl Milles http://www.genealogia.fi/emi/art/ In 1938, to celebrate the 300th article229e.htm anniversary of the Swedish coloni- Because the colony of New Sweden zation of the area, the state of Dela- retained that name for only eigh- ware created a park which con- Declaration of teen years many students of Ameri- tained The Rocks and the site of the can history are but slightly famil- former forts. The dedication was Indepen- iar with the Finnish and Swedish attended by U.S. President dence signer settlements which grew up in Dela- Franklin D. Roosevelt, Crown John Morton , ware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Prince Gustav Adolf, Crown Prin- descendant (this explains why there’s a cess Louise, and Prince Bertil. The of Finnish set- Swedesboro in southern NJ) sev- Prince presented a gift from their eral decades before the coming of homeland: a monument, topped by tlers. William Penn. The ships Kalmar a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, de- Acquired and then renovated by Nyckel and Fogel Grip, landing in signed by Swedish sculptor Carl the state of Pennsylvania in the the spring of 1638, brought the first Milles. 1930s, the Morton Homestead in Finnish and Swedish settlers. The Delaware County is maintained as present nation of Finland was then First log-cabin structures a monument to Declaration of In- a part of Sweden, and the colony dependence signer John Morton, a was named New Sweden. built on American soil descendant of Finnish settlers. In Wilmington, the first settlement, An amazing and little-known fact, Morton was probably born was called Fort Christina in honor fact from the Kalmar Nyckel Foun- nearby, but the homestead has a of the Swedish Queen, daughter of dation website: rich history dating back to the 1660s Gustavus Adolphus who had “Fort Christina is rightfully famous and continues to evoke memories of planned the sending of colonists to as the home of the first log-cabin Finnish settlement in the Delaware America prior to his death on the structures ever built on American River Basin before the arrival of battlefield of Lutzen in 1632. One soil, a barracks and a warehouse William Penn and British Quaker branch of the stream which enters constructed by Finnish soldiers colonists in the 1680s. who were part of the original Swed- the Delaware River at that point Stew Lyons still bears her name. ish expedition.” New Haven Lodge #205 4 September 2015 Genealogy Corner

and on this particular occasion, when he went to town on busi- ness, he sold his horse in town and bought a new one. The old horse knew the way home and how to continue on if grandfa- ther was tipsy and had dropped the reins. The new horse pan- arge Mattsson icked and drove the cart with my Beaver wrote this grandfather in it off the bridge, about her parents, June Pelo killing him. After the funeral, Johan Mattsson, A Dedicated Genealogist there was some insurance money 1875–1957, married left and it was divided among the toM Sofia Abrahamsdotter children, including my grand- Bastubacka-Bast, 1878–1958. he was 15 and worked as a lum- mother. My mother booked pas- Johan was from Esse, Finland, berjack in a logging camp in Min- sage to America with her share and Sofia was from Nedervetil; nesota. My mother came from a of the money. both died in Superior, Wiscon- town called Nedervetil. She said My cousin Gertie told me that sin. Marge was the youngest of it was very pretty. Her father her father Fred, who was my their children. owned horses and when she was mom’s brother, said their mother In the late 1800s and early young she used to ride bare- raised her boys alone when she 1900s our shores teemed with back. My mother was barely 19 became a widow and they were immigrants. They came from when she came to the United pretty wild boys. My ma came many places. My parents, Sofia States. She worked at different to the United States first and her Abrahamsson Bastubacka and jobs. She worked as a maid for four brothers and sister came Johann Mattson, landed in New different families. She worked in later on. Eventually, they all York from Finland. Then they a laundry, ironing men’s shirts. came to Superior and made their ended up in Superior, Wiscon- She could iron a man’s shirt, homes there. Several brothers sin. They wanted to be near a beautifully, in just 15 minutes. remained in the old country. My lake as it reminded them of their She worked as a waitress at a Mil- mom showed me a photo once a homeland. waukee restaurant where she long time ago of the remaining My mother and father were met my father. brothers and their wives and Swedish and had been born in I must tell you how she got children and her mother and Swedish settlements in Finland. the passage money to come to grandmother. Her grandmother They lived about 150 miles from the United States. My mom lived was old and very tiny and white- one another but never met until with her parents, brothers and haired. I believe she lived to 101. they arrived in this country. My sisters. Their elderly white- My mother said her intention father came from a town called haired grandmother lived was to fill her trunk with money “Esse,” and my mother some- nearby. My grandfather drank and go back to the old country. times called him “Esse John.” He Instead, she married my father came to the United States when and had 12 children. My mother September 2015 5 and father never went back to the near the shipyard. Mr. Kaner ter. In the second garden they old country. It must have been so would give us money, 10 cents raised green beans, tomatoes, sad to leave your homeland, par- each, to go to the movies and cucumbers, beets and corn. My ents, brothers and sisters and sometimes more for candy. mother would can for the whole friends and never see them again. The shipyard slip wasn’t far winter. We lived mostly on ham- My mom made homemade bread, from our house; boats came there burger, potatoes and gravy. The white and brown. The brown to be repaired. This is where I vegetables we ate mostly on bread was called Limpa, a Swed- learned to swim; my mother Sundays. ish bread, that she baked twice a never knew this. I tagged along My father was a carpenter of week. Limpa had spices in it, an- with my brothers and we never sorts. He built a bench for our ise and cardamom seeds. Her did tell my mother. I remember backyard and I loved to sit in it. bread was so good that the neigh- playing around the ship’s an- He even built a boat with oars borhood kids that we played with chors. The water was quite deep and all; it was a beauty. He also would stand at the back screen in the slip, and we always had fun made gun stocks out of the pret- door until she cut a loaf for all of there. tiest wood. Some he kept and us to eat. I remember my first trip back some he sold. He never had a We used to go to the Salvation home. The highways, the water, blueprint but he could really Army as children. One Christmas bridges, all the vast changes. All build and carve and his gun I sang a Swedish song that my the familiar landmarks gone. stocks always had the right mother taught me out of her hym- Even many houses I remembered weight and balance. He would nal (which I still have). I can still torn down, including ours. So sad trap muskrats; I’d go with him see my mom and dad sitting in the and so many changes. There is an in the evening and check his congregation and they were so American flag where our house traps near the swamps. I would proud. My dad sat there with his used to be. My mom loved the even carry the muskrats home, fur hat in his lap and he was fairly American flag, especially after by the tails! He would skin them beaming. having three sons in World War and scrape the hides and send During the summer we would II. She‘d be pleased to know they them off to New York when they all go berry picking. My mom erected one there. It was sort of were dried. He sold a lot of furs. would pack a lunch and the whole like it was there to honor my My mother did embroidery family would go and pick mother. work and made a lot of table- chokecherries. We had to walk We lived on hamburger cloths, pillowcases and dresser quite a way but we never minded mostly, it was real cheap, 20 cents scarves. She would make them and we always had fun. We would a pound and it took three pounds and put them away and when make a day of it; it was like a pic- to feed our family. I‘d be embar- she needed money she would nic. rassed if any of my school friends take some out and put them in a We would also go to the ship- saw me buying it, as most people box and we would go around the yard and dig for iron. My parents bought it to feed their dogs. When neighborhood and sell chances and brothers and I would take I had to buy hamburger, I‘d al- on them, ten cents for three of pick axes and dig for buried ways peek in the store first to them. After we had sold enough plates, nuts and bolts that had make sure no one I knew was in of them, we would put the been there for years. My mother there. names and addresses in a hat would take lunches along and we We had two gardens, one was and draw out the winners. Then would stay all day. My father “potato land,” my parents only we would deliver the prizes. would load the iron in a wheel raised potatoes in it. They’d put My mother told me how the barrow and sell the metal, 60 the potatoes in the cellar in the Swedish people would celebrate cents for a hundred pounds, to fall and they would last all win- Mr. Kaner. He owned a junkyard continued on page 6 6 September 2015

Barbara said she remembered living in the apartment on 5th how our parents loved to dance. Street. When she was released Every Saturday night they’d go to from the hospital, she went to Corner Connor’s Point near Lake Supe- live with Kenneth and Ethel in continued from page 5 rior. They would have music and the country. She developed St. Lucia Day. It is celebrated on they would meet their friends at pneumonia and they brought December 13th. St. Lucia was a the dance hall. Mom wore a black her back to the hospital, where maid who promised her life for- satin and taffeta dress. She kept she died. tune to the church. She was it wrapped in tissue paper along Marge also writes about one bethrothed to a handsome with her corset. She had a very of her mother’s younger broth- young pagan and he was infuri- tiny waist, about 18–20 inches. ers as follows: ated when he learned she had She had long brown hair that she My mom’s younger brothers given her dowry to the poor. She kept in an upsweep on top of her Otto and Fred both had farms. died a martyr. St. Lucia appears head. Uncle Fred had cows and he de- on Decemebr 13th as a My mother called herself a livered milk. He had a bad foot. harbringer of Hope, Light and sound dreamer, a Swedish phrase My mom said he worked hard as she offers help to all. Early in the which meant things would come a boy in the old country and morning on December 13th the to pass. She’d dream of a wedding something happened to his foot eldest daughter of the house or babies or someone she knew, and it never did get well. He had rises and prepares coffee and St. and it would come to pass. such a good sense of humor; Lucia buns which she serves to My mom and dad could nei- he’d come in and say, “Fia, leg all members of her family. While ther read nor write. In the old café paw!” which meant for my she serves her family she sings a country only the wealthy people mom to put the coffee on. Fred melody called, “St. Lucia,” which sent their children to school. called her Fia, which was a nick- foretells that darkness will soon Most of the children worked on name. He’d stop in and drink be vanquished and brings a mes- their parents’ farm. After a few coffee with her when he deliv- sage of hope and charity. She years in this country my father ered our milk. Uncle Fred would wears a crown of leaves with 9 taught himself a little bit of En- drink his coffee out of the sau- lighted candles on it which rep- glish as he learned how to read the cer; I guess to cool it off. He was resent the nine months of light. evening newspaper. He also knew always joking and he had the She wears a long white gown tied how to read Swedish. Both my most infectious laugh; I loved to with a red sash.” parents read the Strids Ropet, a hear him laugh. Another reason My mom said she had been Swedish newspaper that came I liked him was because he’d al- named after the Queen of Swe- once a month. He learned to sign ways reach in his pocket and find den, Sofia, who had long red his name John instead of Johan. me some pennies. Once I heard hair. My parents had 12 chil- My mom learned how to sign her him drive up and I went to the dren: Johann (George), Ingrid name. Before, they marked with door – and it was cousin “Eb.” (Bonnie) 2 Ingvalls – one died an X for their signatures. The He was about 14 or 15 then and of diptheria and the second proudest day of their lives was I think I really embarrassed him Ingvall (Harold) survived. Then when they became United States as his face turned red when I came Agnes (Barbara), Svea citizens. I remember they would spoke to him. He was deliver- (Pearl), Glen Elial (Leonard), go and vote in every election. ing milk that day for his father. Signe Otelia (Dorothy) and then My mom died at age 78. She’d Uncle Fred and Aunt Rosa had Kenneth, Marchall, Russell and fallen on the ice and broken her five children: three girls and two me. hip. When it happened, she was boys. Our cousin Gertie taught

continued on page 13 September 2015 7 LODGE NEWS

Lodge #106 Tacoma, Washington

The Order of Runeberg Eileen Scott and Elsie enjoyed. Bob Ostrand came after Meeting was held out at Carolyn Thompson enjoyed themselves, he had been to church. Nelson’s home on Clear Lake in also, sitting outside on the porch Our next meeting will be Eatonville. There were 19 people looking over the water. held October 17 at the church. present enjoying each other’s Marilyn and Lee Thompson company. were also there. Lots of good Sincerely, your president, Our president, Marita G. food and coffee was served and Marita Gustafson Agnew Agnew, crowned the Brannforses “King and Queen of Battle- ground, Washington.” Both An- gela and Ed were surprised. Ray at the Agnew Family and Sally Thompson were present and it was so good to see them. We had not seen them for a while. Cousin Monica Mason was enjoying visiting with everybody and so was Carolyn Nelson. John LaLone and his mother, Eeva LaLone, who had just come home from Helsingfors after vis- iting relatives there. Shirleyanne Sargent and Marge Kunscak were enjoying themselves. I (Marita) sang a Swedish song for Shirleyanne. It goes like this: “Jag satte iglasögon på min näsa för ahhse om jag Kunde Läsa, jag Läste så att idetvar öMäjligt ah leva lyckligt förutom dej! Trala Lala Jake Nakano was at work so his Det var möjligt.” wife Rebekah, who is a kindergarten Thank you, Larry Kronquist, teacher, brought their children: for the nice, big photos you gave Jayna (9 years old), Annabelle me and for thinking of me. Gil- (5 years old), and Sawyer (who will bert and Rhea Linden enjoyed be 3 on November 28). Sawyer is sitting out on the porch overlook- sitting in Granpa David’s lap. ing the water. Mt. Rainier wasn’t Mommo Marita is taking the visible due to the haze from the picture of this happy family. forest fires.

Our Little Cowboy Sawyer has caught a Reindeer. 8 September 2015

LODGE NEWS Lodge #205 New Haven, Connecticut Advanced information for the New Haven Lodge #205 Has splendid weather for our annual Summer Picnic. “Fall Hike & Potluck Dinner” The New Haven lodge held Our picnic participants has been published on the Lodge its traditional “summer picnic” contributed delicious foods, #205 page of the Runeberg gathering on Saturday, June such as appetizers, salads, website. Information includes 13th, at the home of Inke vegetable dishes and desserts. location, date (Saturday, Octo- Sunila. Inke graciously hosted All-in-all, a fun day! The ber 24, 2015) and other details. us and, as shown in photos “summer picnic” photos ac- For persons / families with an accompanying this article, companying this article, and interest in Finnish / Swede-Finn provided delicious entrees, more pictures may be viewed in culture, and within travel dis- such as salmon (smoked by color via the Lodge #205 page tance of the New Haven area, we Inke on the outdoor grill), fresh of the Runeberg website: encourage you to join us – our oysters, oysters casino, BBQ www.orderofruneberg.org – Lodge’s contact info is available chicken, and grilled sausage. select Lodge #205 page, then at the Runeberg website: Absolutely delicious, Inke – click on the “Summer Picnic, www.orderofruneberg.org, then thank you! 2015” button. click “Lodges” / “L205.” We hope to see you! Stew Lyons

L-R: Dave, Klas, Sirpa, Dottie, Roy. Photo by Inke

Seated L-R: Klas, Dottie, Stew, Inke, Kaarina, Doug, & Jamie. Standing L-R: Tuula, Liisa, Kirsti, Sirpa, Dave, Noora, Annamari, Roy, Lise, & Jason. Photos by Aaron, our Lodge Photographer September 2015 9

LODGE NEWS

We must be in Finland! L-R: Annamarie, Kaarina, Inke, Tuula, & Liisa

Foreground, L-R: Klas, Dottie, & Lise Background, L-R: Dave & Robert

Inke cooking smoked salmon

Clockwise from 6 o’clock: Sirpa, Stew, Roy, Jason, Doug and Kirsti

Noora Aaron Jason getting oyster shucking lesson from Inke Photo by Inke & Klas taking notes 10 September 2015 LODGE NEWS

Lodge #124 Vancouver, B.C., Canada most delicious ham for all to en- joy! Rumor has it that we are invited to come again next year. What a great idea, a beautiful place to have a picnic with the Summertime Picnic perfect hostess! Thanks, Britta, for opening your home to us all. With a chair and a potluck Out with the old and in with Here are a few photos taken dish in hand, we arrived at the new! With the many changes by Janet Duxbury for all to en- Britta’s. Waiting for us were cof- that have occurred with the dis- joy. banding of the International Or- fee and goodies, juice, beer and der of Runeberg, Vancouver wine (supplied by the Lodge). Annabelle Kergan Lodge #124 has decided to make The highlight though was watch- an official name change to reflect ing as Britta attended to an in- some of those changes. We will ventive smoker in the back lot. now be known as THE ORDER She used the barrel to smoke a OF RUNEBERG SOCIAL CLUB. Activities and our connection to the Scandinavian Community Centre and to all remaining Lodges will remain the same. Our usual annual summer picnic was also a little different this year. We joined together with Finlandssvenska Klubben to picnic together. This was a great Alfie Warne and Lawrence success as our numbers in- Roufossse creased as did the social aspects Left to right: Dorothy Berg with of two organizations mingling Martha and Holgar Stenfors together. On August 15th mem- bers headed east to Whonnock, B.C. (Maple Ridge) to enjoy a lovely afternoon at the home of Britta Cederberg. Though the day was a little cool and cloudy, the event went off smoothly with- out rain! Britta’s famous smoker Britta lives in beautifully wooded country acreage, com- CORRECTION: plete with a river running I wish to extend an apology to Mary Lou Hjort. Her name was through it. Her very large and missing in the article written for the fruitful garden was the first thing June issue of the Leading Star you saw upon entering. Acco- Lorene Mara, George “Down Memory Lane. “ The work lades to Britta for all her hard and Ulla Nelson of publication and editing was and work – hours of planting, water- still is a joint effort from both Mary ing and weeding certainly was Lou and Dale. A belated Thank you is extended to Mary Lou as well, for evident in her garden. her valuable work with the publi- cation of the paper. Annabelle Kergan September 2015 11 LODGE NEWS

Britta Cederberg – our hostess taking time out for a skoal Food on the table

Britta Cederberg with daughter Britta Cederberg with daughters Lena Hunter Christine Knight and Lena Hunter

The End

Our hostess Britta with the smoked ham 12 September 2015

LODGE NEWS Lodge #124 Vancouver, B.C., Canada (more photos from 90th Anniversary Celebration)

Here is the first of several photos taken at the March 28th, 2015, Andy Carlson with daughter – attending from Tacoma Wash. Sharing a 90th Anniversary Celebration at little laughter with Ulla and George Nelson – Vancouver members. the Scandinavian Community Centre. This is the banner that Janet Anderson, Secretary – was displayed. International, and Lodge member of Eureka, California, Floral décor presenting Past President was noted Annabelle Kergan with a Past throughout President’s pin. the hall as our talented President did her magic.

Miia Kronhom is all smiles President Lorene Mara (Lodge #124 after receiving her lovely Vancouver) presenting Marita bouquet of flowers. Seija Kronholm with Kareinen with a floral tribute of Miia Kronholm sharing thanks for many years of catering for a smile for the camera. many Lodge events. September 2015 13

Genealogy continued from page 6 Corner school and now lives in Duluth, Minnesota and is in her 80s. She married a man from Superior, a very nice man. I met him when I worked at the beauty salon in East End; they had an apartment Finlandia Foundation National upstairs of his mother’s house. I th used to go there quite often to welcomes 49 chapter visit and for lunch. Then they At its June meeting in Lead, South Dakota, the Sons and Daugh- moved to Mexico. I’m not sure ters of Suomi voted to become affiliated with Finlandia Foundation if he worked for the Border Pa- National (FFN), the premier network of Finnish-American organiza- trol. He died at an early age of a tions in the United States. brain tumor, leaving Gert with “Our group is primarily comprised of Finnish descendants, and several small children. She said spouses, who reside in and around the Black Hills of South Dakota,” it was the saddest and hardest says Steven Mitchell, president of the 44-member organization. thing she ever had to do, to go This brings FFN membership to 49 chapters in 23 states and Wash- home and tell her children their ington, D.C., reports FFN President Ossi Rahkonen. “The Sons and daddy was gone. She moved Daughters of Suomi is the third chapter this year to affiliate with back to Superior and Duluth to Finlandia Foundation. This indicates an appreciation of the value of finish raising her children, near partnering with a larger organization to create a stronger alliance of where she grew up. Finnish-Americans and friends of Finland across the United States.” Fred was on his own at the age Since its founding in Pasadena, California, in 1953, the mission of of 13 as his father died in an ac- FFN has been to strengthen ties between Finland and Finnish America cident, and he was not taken in and to support programs in the U.S. that encourage preservation of Finnish heritage and traditions, as well as the culture of contempo- by his mother’s new husband as rary Finland. his brother Otto was. FFN, a nonprofit organization, annually awards academic and law scholarships and grants for a variety of cultural programs. Its tour- “I Remember” ing programs—Lecturer of the Year, currently actress Tiana Elg, and by Marge Mattsson Beaver Performer of the Year, violinist Sara Pajunen—present information June Pelo and entertainment to FFN chapters throughout each year. The FFN- sponsored Soiva International Music Camp conducted in Moorhead, Minnesota, each June attracts students and teachers from the U.S. Please submit all and Finland. In 2015 FFN awarded grants to assist chapters in host- th news, resolutions, and ing more than 50 programs honoring the 150 anniversary of the articles by birth of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. November 29, 2015 For more information about FFN: www.FinlandiaFoundation.org. for publication in the December Leading Star The Finnish American Reporter September 2015 14 June 2015 Meet the New Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi

Kirsti Kauppi is the new Am- affairs, so it is no surprise that bassador of Finland to the United she has made her career in the States. She started in Washing- Ministry for Foreign Affairs. ton, D.C., on September 1, 2015, The new ambassador looks and looks forward to strengthen- forward to giving a real contri- ing the relationship between Fin- bution to the Finnish-American land and the U.S. during her relations and to increasing four-year tenure. people’s interest and knowledge Ambassador Kauppi has over in Finland. Ambassador Kauppi 30 years of experience in foreign expects that the most challeng- policy. She joined the Ministry ing part of her new job will be for Foreign Affairs in 1983 and prioritizing what to do. The started working in development United States has so much going cooperation. Prior to coming to on politically, economically and Washington, D.C., she worked as culturally, that there are at least Director General of the Political a hundred sensible ways she Department. could use her time as Ambassa- Her most recent post abroad dor. was Vienna, where she served as Ambassador Kauppi feels Ambassador of Finland and as very privileged to take up the po- Finland’s Permanent Represen- sition of the Ambassador of Fin- tative to the International worked at the Embassy of Fin- land to the United States. She Atomic Energy Agency IAEA and land in Washington, D.C., from looks forward to meeting, also, the UN Agencies. She has gained 1997 through 2000. the Finnish-American commu- international experience also in Ambassador Kauppi grew up nity in person, and in the mean- the Finnish embassies in in northern Finland, in a small while, encourages people to stay Bangkok and , as well as in village close to Oulu. She stud- in touch via the embassy website, Finland’s Permanent Represen- ied in the Helsinki School of Eco- as well as the embassy’s social tation to the EU in . In nomics and Business Adminis- media channels. addition, Ambassador Kauppi is tration, and received her News, 9/1/2015 | Embassy of familiar with the U.S. She Master’s degree in Economics in Finland, Washington 1981. She has always been inter- Finland in the U.S., ested in history and international September 2015 June 2015 15

New Finnair adding assumes leadership hundreds of pilots innair has announced that On 1 June, the President of the Republic of Fin- it will hire 200 pilots on a land, Juha Sipilä, appointed the country’s 74th F permanent basis as it pre- government. This moment marked the dismissal pares to take delivery of its new of ’s cabinet and the coming into fleet of Airbus A350 XWB air- office of Sipila, who will be heading the new 14- craft and to respond to a rising minister government. The governing coalition demand for air travel. will now consist of the Center Party with six ministerial posts, the “We are preparing for future FinnsParty and the , with four ministerial posts growth and will hire nearly 60 each. full-time pilots as early as this After weeks of cabinet formation talks, party leaders have agreed on a autumn. The pilots will be as- lineup which welcomes the return of ex-Prime Minister Alexander Stubb signed to Finnair’s long-haul as Minister of Finance. Another party boss not leaving the negotiating services, with the first being set table empty-handed is Timo Sosini from the eurosceptic Finns Party. The to start already in October,” Jari freshly appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs is expected to make quite a Paajanen, the head of flight op- splash in international and European politics as head of Finnish diplo- erations at Finnair, tells in a bul- macy. An outspoken conservative and a deft politician, the right-wing letin. populist managed to become the second most powerful man in the newly The majority-state-owned formed cabinet. airline is scheduled to take de- As Deputy Prime Minister, Timo Soini will have a say in governmental livery of the first of the 19 Air- decisions and more leverage over its policies than any other minister hold- bus A350s it has ordered as early ing office. That would not mean much if not for his controversial stance as this autumn. The first of the Airbus A350s will replace seven on climate change and strong opposition towards emissions trading. Timo Airbus A340s currently in ser- Soini once referred to Finland as the “North Korea of climate policy” due vice and the rest expand the to its climate change agreements and also considers that “green taxes are fleet—and thereby the flight op- like shooting yourself in the foot.” A staunch Kremlin critic and US sup- erations—of Finnair. porter, Soini could also be victorious in persuading the newly appointed The full-time employment government to appeal for NATO membership. He is reported as saying contracts will be offered to pilots that the government is preparing an analysis in which they will assess the who are currently employed by benefits for Finland joining the political and military alliance. the airline on a fixed-term basis Although he has toned down his rhetoric in the past few years, Soini or who are set to join the airline remains a eurosceptic and a critic of the financial rescue package for Greece. on a fixed-term basis next sum- Whether his boss will manage to come to terms with his divergent views mer. remains to be seen. Soini’s stance on Europe might become an issue not Finnair announced earlier only for newly-elected Prime Minister Sipila but for Mr. Stubb, the third this summer that it will also hire leader in the coalition. more than one hundred cabin A vote of confidence is expected for the new government programme. crew after re-organizing its staff Prime Minister Sipilä wants to push a very ambitious plan forward to pull considerably through lay-offs Finland out of its economic slump. In order to sort out the country’s fi- and outsourcing in recent years. nances, he announced his intent to cut public spending by at least € 6 The number of people employed billion. He is also looking into boosting competitiveness and is in need of by the airline has fallen from support from trade unions as he seeks to increase the number of working 7,578 in 2010 to no more than hours: “An increase in working hours was one of the tools in the kit.” 2,949 at the end of June. The 54-year old Sipilä was a successful businessman before turning to The swollen cost structure of politics. He was first elected to Parliament in 2011 and has been leading Finnair has hindered its ability the Center Party since 2012. His party’s victory in April’s parliamentary to respond to the foray of low- cost carriers into the aviation elections positions him as one of the country’s political heavyweights, but market. whether he can provide comfortable and smooth governance will be a dif- ferent challenge altogether. The Finnish American Reporter The Finnish American Reporter September 2015 July 2015 Dale & Mary Lou Hjort 7682 Tracy Lane La Palma, CA 90623-1501

Address Service Requested

Celebrate the Magic of Christmas with a personal Christmas Greeting . . . in the Leading Star

Christmas is approaching Name:______Addres______Christmas greetings may be City______sent to other Order of Runeberg members and your friends State:______through the the media of the Zip:______Leading Star. Please write your greeting in this form and mail it to your Greeting: ______Leading Star editors. ______Thank you, Mail to: Leading Star ______Attn: Dale Hjort ______7682 Tracy Lane ______La Palma, CA 90623