The area Finlanders
celebrated St. Urho's Day this past weekend. In
Ontonagon County the festivities took place Friday
evening at Trinity Lutheran Church in Trout Creek and
then on Sunday afternoon a St. Urho's Day dance took
place at Little Finland in Iron County Wi.
The two celebrations were very different
in flavor. In Kimball the celebration began at
2:00pm and included a cook out and a dancing. Music for
the dance was provided by Dorothy and the Boys.
The Trout Creek celebration took on a
special meaning when St. Urho and St. Patrick
arrived for the evening. We're not certain but, we don't
believe that these special appearances take place in
Finland..
Those who came to Trinity Church were
first treated to a Great Spaghetti Dinner. There were
enough deserts to send a diabetic straight to
heaven.
Afterwards the people gathered went upstairs for a
sing-a-long and a St. Urho skit. The audience sang quite
a few songs and then sang the St. Urho's version of
those songs. The skit featured 4 Finlanders seated
around a Kitchen table reminiscing about the past Kings
and Queens of Trout Creek. This evening, there would be
the crowning of new royalty.
At
Little Finland
Little Finland was the scene for Iron
County's St. Urho's Day Celebration
above - at Little Finland in Kimball,
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Hannula collecting the money
above - at Little Finland, Elmer and
Carol in their St. Urho shirts
above - the Kitchen crew waiting for the
band to take a break so they can start serving goodies
At
Trout Creek
above - Helmi's Helpers prepare and
serve up one great spaghetti dinner. Not a very
Finish meal but, followed up by delicious Finnish and
Irish desserts.
above - Bob Kenivala stops by to
commiserate with diners.
above - Joy Ibsen was the Music Director
for the evening. Joy accompanied the audience
sing-a-long with music on the electric keyboard
St. Urho songs, sung to more traditional
versions of standard compositions.
above - Janet Dellaria, introduces the
skit she produced for the evenings entertainment.
Descendents of the long ruling Trout
Creek Monarchy await the anticipated visit by St.
Patrick and St. Urho himself!
above - St. Urho and St. Patrick have
arrived and settled down for coffee. Lots and lots of
coffee!
Cast charachters stand to welcome the
Pilgrims (pictured below)who arrive to bring Sts.
Urho and Patrick with Gifts. Lots and Lots of coffee.
Below- the finale. Two Trout Creek
residents are chosen to become the King and Queen of
Trout Creek.
above - The new reigning King & Queen,
Dick and Arvella Kalbfleisch.
above - Joy motivating the audience in
the sing-a-long
above Joy Ibsen and Linda Graham
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