"Then and Now" /A celebration in the Finnish /American Perspective/ "Ennen ja Nyt"/
Banquet Page
GRAND OPENING BANQUET
MARKS OUR NEW BEGINNINGS
SATURDAY
EVENING BANQUET
Social Hour
The Grand Opening planning committee aimed at "time" for socialization for members and guests. From all appearances, this seemed to work out well.
Silent Auction
Organized by Sue Troutman, the auction excited many people.
FHM friends
In a sold out event, the banquet provided an atmosphere where friends could share memories and make new friends.
Invocation
Reverend Don Thompkins has given our blessings in Finnish and English on many occasions for many years.
Buffet Dinner
Buffet dinner was served.
EVENING PROGRAM
Mel Hakola
A Fairport lad who graduated from Fairport Harding High, Mel Hakola is music professor emeritus at Baldwin Wallace University and has performed at many places in his distinguished career. He was accompanied by Berdi D'Alberti.
Introduction Honored Guests
Honored guests were Fairport Harbor Mayor Mr. Frank Sarosy and Mr. Timothy J. Grendell, State Senator of Ohio.
Introduction FHM Honorees
Linda Katila Linda Katila and Veikko Malkamäki
Over the years, Linda Katila approached several individuals with the idea of starting a Finnish museum. She was aware that many of her generation had no place to leave their Finnish items that they or their families no longer wished to keep. No one responded until she approached Veikko Malkamäki in November of 2002. Veikko thought this was a great idea and immediately went into action. Within a few hours, he had phoned about twenty people and set up a time and place to meet. The first meeting was held November 18, 2002 at 7:00 PM in the Luther Center in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. In attendance were the following people: Ailiin Andrew, Vivian Heikkinen, Linda Katila, Raili and Matti Lehtonen, Laura and Veikko Malkamaki, Niles Oinonen, John Ollila, and Viola Pohto. The museum was born that night. The original name for the museum was Fairport Finnish Museo Association. (See museum history)
Recognized were members of the Grand Opening Committee: Heikki Penttila, Pat Spivak, Laura Malkamäki, Veikko Malkamäki, Ailiin Andrews, Lasse Hiltunen, John Ollila, Niles Oinonen.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Patricia Book Patricia A. Book is the Vice President for Regional Development at Kent State University. Dr. Book is responsible for leading Kent State’s outreach initiatives and the administration of Kent State’s seven regional campuses, the Kent Campus’ College of Continuing Studies, the University’s Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships effort, and Regional Corporate and Communities Services representing all eight campuses across Northeast Ohio. (continued next column)
Prior to this appointment, she served as Associate Vice President for Outreach at The Pennsylvania State University.
Dr. Book's academic discipline is medical anthropology. She received her Bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Oakland University and her Master’s and Doctorate from the University of Connecticut. Her first research project as a young graduate student was on “Sex Roles and Politics among Finnish Immigrants” based on research conducted among aged Finnish immigrants in Upper Michigan.
Dr. Book’s grandparents emigrated from several communities in Finland: the Mäenpää and Hautala families came from Jalasjärvi, the Böök families came from Simo, and the Patola families came from Karvia. All grandparents immigrated to Upper Michigan where her grandfathers and father worked in the iron ore mines. Dr. Book’s mother attended Suomi College, recently renamed Finlandia University, in Hancock, Michigan.
Music Program #1
Timo Lehtonen, son of George and Kaarina Lehtonen of Concord, Ohio is a second generation Finn who has a long list of musical accomplishments, and the present Baldwin Wallace student is pursuing a career in classical orchestra. Rachel Ward, of Maumee Ohio, is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music and is pursuing a Master's degree in Viola performance.
Sisu Dancers
The Toronto based Sisu Dancers entertained us for the second time this weekend. They certainly enjoyed themselves to the delight of the crowd.
MUSIC & DANCING --Music set #1 Toronton Pelimannit.
Toronton Peilimannit started out as a band to accompany the Toronto Finnish Male Singers in their concerts. They have been accompanying this choir for several years now. The regular group members are Tiffany Mustonen and Anita Nutikka and Pertti Vesanen. Paul Hietala, the conductor of the men’s choir also conducts Vox Finlandiae joins the group on occassion. Toronton Pelimannit often "jam" together at choir parties and picnics, and have played at a dance after one of the choir concerts this spring.
Tiffany and Anita also perform as a
duo "Tiffanita". Tiffanita has a program of
traditional and contemporary folk music.
They will be playing in Sudbury on Juhannus.
Pictured left to right: Paul Hietala, accordian;
Tiffany Mustonen, violin;Anita Nutikka, accordian; Pertti Vesanen, guitar
Music Set #2 Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena
Heikki Perttu is a composer and arranger and has just released a music CD entitled “Ameriikan
Raitilta.” Heikki is a former Zion Lutheran Church organist and choir director. For the last six years during the winter months, he has directed the Florida Finnish Male Singers choir in Lake Worth, Florida. He is an accomplished accordion, piano and organ player. Before immigrating to the United States, he played vibraphone for approximately 6 years in a jazz band in Finland.
Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena frequently perform together.
Hilkka Helena is an accomplished singer, who has enjoyed singing her whole life. She was born in Helsinki, Finland and now lives in the “Palm Beaches” area of Florida. Hilkka Helena has specialized in singing Finnish tango and humppa., and her repertoire includes songs in both the Finnish and English language . Hilkka Helena regularly performs with Heikki Perttu. They both keep a busy schedule of appearances. Among other performances, this year, they have performed at Suomi Viikko (Finland Week) in Lake Worth , in Atlanta, Georgia , and at 80th birthday party in Florida with over 200 guests. Hilkka Helena also was a guest artist, performing with Black Tie band, for the 75th gala celebration for Vapaa Sana, a Finnish-Canadian newspaper. Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena will be releasing a new CD this fall entitled “Amor.” On this upcoming CD, Heikki has composed an original composition entitled “Me Kaksi.”
Heikki Perttu is a composer and arranger and has just released a music CD entitled “Ameriikan
Hilkka Helena is an accomplished singer, who has enjoyed singing her whole life. She was born in Helsinki, Finland and now lives in the “Palm Beaches” area of Florida. Hilkka Helena has specialized in singing Finnish tango and humppa., and her repertoire includes songs in both the Finnish and English language . Hilkka Helena regularly performs with Heikki Perttu. They both keep a busy schedule of appearances. Among other performances, this year, they have performed at Suomi Viikko (Finland Week) in Lake Worth , in Atlanta, Georgia , and at 80th birthday party in Florida with over 200 guests. Hilkka Helena also was a guest artist, performing with Black Tie band, for the 75th gala celebration for Vapaa Sana, a Finnish-Canadian newspaper. Heikki Perttu and Hilkka Helena will be releasing a new CD this fall entitled “Amor.” On this upcoming CD, Heikki has composed an original composition entitled “Me Kaksi.”