FINN FUNN 2008 FEST SHINES
The nest is full, and the overflowing eggs are rolling out into the community. That is the scene of our Finnish Heritage Museum. Every egg seems to represent another aspect of good growth, research, and happenings here.
The web site is reaching out into the big wide world, and a contact was made. We now have on display a soldier's white fur-lined coat in one of our display cases. Norwegian warriors of the Finnish-Russian Winter War of 1939-40 helped in Finland’s epic battle. Another glass case displays old Finn Hollow artifacts and another, home building tools. The wall mountings tell of genealogical history of present day families, and the art show tell of the sturdy Finnish "sisu" that makes the egg to roll, telling Finnish history is still alive in America.It's been great watching members working together as we presented the first Finn Funn Days in Ohio. Next year the excitement will move on to Conneaut, and the following year to Ashtabula.
The weekend's celebration activities began with a large banquet with 140 in attendance. After dinner, Rachel Ward (viola) and Timo Lehtonen (clarinet) entertained, followed by Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena's instrumental/vocal presentation, Reijo Jokinen's first time American performance with his accordion, and the Toronto Sisu Folk dancers. Cleveland’s Channel 8 weather forecaster Brad Sussman told of his Finnish family adventures. Saturday’s performing events included the Chardon Polka Band, John & Linda Riddell in their Happy Wanderers Duo, John Ollila in a seafaring songfest, and the Stubborn Finns, a local group of Finnish singers, and Richard "Chip" Knox and his guitar who is also a member of the Stubborn Finns group.
Other program presenters during the weekend festivities were: famous soccer player Kai Haaskivi, lecturer Jerry Peterson, well-known educator in Buckeye Schools, and Lasse Hiltunen presented his ongoing history of famous former Fairport mayor Amy Kaukonen. © text by Elaine Lillback and © photo by Lasse Hiltunen
