by Stan Karro
CANTERBURY, Conn — Following a relatively quiet summer schedule at the Finnish Hall in Canterbury, the annual yard sale chaired by Eric (Rick) Arno was held on three consecutive weekends to attract local fair traffic and folks visiting townwide yard sales. Volunteering were many society members with significant support from Rick’s brother Bruce Arno. The event was successful thanks to many donations and purchases.
The Canterbury Finnish Hall 100th Anniversary Committee has announced the October 4 celebration is sold out. The committee looks forward to welcoming many new and long-term members as well as the leadership of Finlandia Foundation National. The event features a program with the history of the hall by Anita Smiley, a performance by accordionist Ed Hendela, songs by Hannu Makipuro (our first Heritage Society president), and added commentary. The committee has arranged a catered meal and a silent auction with many Finnish items.
In previous articles I have mentioned that my family moved to the Brooklyn, Connecticut area in the 1950s and I’ve shared my many memories of the many Finnish residents and businesses. I received a response from Olli Sillander of Florida reminding me of his father Dr. Sillander, a practicing dentist in Brooklyn. Olli and I were students at Killingly High School during the late ’50s and early ’60s. Other recollections were August Naakka Trucking Company, later managed by his son Raymond. The firm was known for transporting many poultry products from the region throughout the Northeast. On occasion the firm would support Finnish families moving household goods from Brooklyn, New York to Eastern Connecticut. At the time the firm also contracted the school bus service; my first bus ride was with Finn William (Bill) Turkin.
If FAR readers have memories of the Eastern Connecticut region, please share them by sending to swbkrklyn@aol.com.