by M.J. Flinkstrom
FITCHBURG, Mass. — The Finnish Center’s June board meeting of directors began with the sharing of the sad news of the passing of Ida Kymalainen who, until 2024, had served as recording secretary for many years. A moment of silence was held in her memory. I always marveled at the fact that her notes were taken using shorthand. Ida was admired and will be remembered by many.
It was only a few weeks ago that Maija Mard’s funeral occurred. She had been Saima’s president. She spent several years being on the staff of Saima Park’s monthly newsletter. She represented the Finnish Center with Finlandia Foundation National and in Helsinki at the Expatriate Parliament. She volunteered by preparing mailings of the Raivaaja newspaper. She conducted her own business as a hairdresser which she named Maija’s Kampaamo.
Maija’s son Tuomas was listed on the Kesäjuhla program to speak in remembrance of her.
The agenda for June included a follow-up report of the teen-ager making progress on creating informational signage for our woodland trails to earn her Eagle Scout badge. Her proposal was presented at last month’s meeting. Another person who is a textile designer came this month to ask for help in naming his business to give it a Finnish word in memory of his mother.
He had discovered Finnish displays in the function hall, admired them and came back to do research in the library. He will be selling his work at Tori and maybe as a vendor at breakfasts.
Interest in this New England Finnish Center has been growing far and wide! We recently hosted a man who visited Fitchburg’s Historical Society then spent hours at Saima Park to see the books and monument of Oskari Tokoi and learn about his editorship at Raivaaja. As a union representative based in the Washington D.C. area, his main interest is researching labor history in many parts of America. He said, “I learned about the profound impact Finns had on the labor movement in this country. That is what led me here, so I am excited to learn more.”
He saw where Tokoi had lived in Fitchburg and even visited his gravesite. Conversation was lively and informative.
The other amazing request to visit came from a New Yorker who moved from Finland in 2013. She is developing a documentary about Finnish Americans in the east coast and wondered if we would be open to being part of it. She said in her first letter “Saima seems so magical - I’m so impressed with it!” Of course, we would welcome her and her film crew! They scheduled their visit to include a Saturday viewing of the grounds and interviews in the library. Overnight will be spent at Lorna’s kesä mökki on Sauna Row at the pond. On the 28th, they will film the outdoor games, the chess players, chickens being barbecued, speakers, the dancers and musicians — all the Finn things that have been happening for decades at Saima Park.
In the August issue, more will be told about the Summer Festival which hasn’t happened at the time of this writing.
Now in July, many rentals occur in the pavilion and function hall. Registrations are being accepted for the bus trip to hear the violin concert at Tanglewood and the Fourth Saturday Breakfasts will begin again. Music and Nature Walks on Tuesdays continue and yoga devotees will come with their yoga mats to enjoy some out-door time together in the pavilion.
Just as we observe Finland’s Independence from Russia since 1917, let’s now celebrate the 250th year of America’s Independence with a peaceful heart, feeling grateful and blessed.