by Sirpa Aho
LAKE WORTH, Fla. — After we have been enjoying a long hot summer, it is time to prepare for the winter season. And just as a friendly reminder, if you do not especially enjoy the snow, in Florida the sun will be shining and the water will be warm, and if it rains, it is only liquid sunshine.
We expect Finnish cultural activities to get started soon. Midnight Sun Festival will be chaired by the newly appointed honorary consul Jaana Piira. Finlandia Foundation is preparing the annual gala with high level Finnish musicians. Florida Karelian has surprises in their back pockets. Regular and frequent pancake breakfasts, rummage sales, lunches and dinners are anticipated throughout the winter season.
The summer behind us was amazing, full of activities and traveling. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy the summertime in Florida, but the 250-year anniversary of the United States and my new book “Glorious Story of Finns in America” need my attention. While visiting Finland in spring, Suomi-Amerikka Seura (SAM) organized a well-attended seminar, where its coordinator Arttu Uuranmäki interviewed me and my publisher Matti Ylipesa from Antain & Nord.
Several boxes of my new book were shipped to Hancock, Michigan, to be available through North Wind Books during the Finno-Ugric Juhannus celebration, where I had an honor to give a speech about the brave Finns throughout the history of the United States.
In August it was again time for me to visit Finland. Now it was time to get together at the Migration Institute in Turku. I got a full house interested in learning more about the brave Finns. On behalf of the Institute, Samira Saarimo welcomed us. My Florida friends were well represented. The emeritus honorary consul Peter Mäkila gave his greetings, Kari and Eva Repo, Kale Kumpula, Arja Vilen and a few more Florida snowbirds participated in lively discussions. And what would a FinnFest be without the Glorious Finns. So, my presentation opened the Friday morning session in Minneapolis.
And, something to look for: my publisher Matti Ylipesa from Antain & Nord will be in Florida mid-January. We will give you an opportunity to meet him and ask him all you ever wanted to know about the Glorious Finns in America and especially in Florida. See you all in Florida during the winter season!