A Word From Our President
Richard Ahola
[May 2006 Newsletter]

Finger Lakes Finns is now a chapter of Finlandia Foundation. I will be attending an all chapter meeting in May in Seattle. A copy of the history of the Foundation, Black Ties And Miners' Boots, is available for members at our regular meetings. The book, written by Jon Saari, will be mailed to members living outside the immediate area, and to those on our shut-in list.

Several Finger Lakes Finns attended a Meet the Artist reception for and demonstration by Oiva Toika at the Corning Museum of Glass on April 6. Designer Toika is a well-known designer of glass birds for Iittala . His New York State bluebird will be sold for a limited time at the Corning Museum Glass Market.

I have asked Katrina Mackey to be focus person for Project Finland, a website which will expose American children to positive social values from Finland in an informative and entertaining way.

The latest, incredible Finger Lakes Finns quilt is almost complete and raffle tickets will be available for distribution and sale at our meetings and several area venues such as Spencer Picnic and Newfield celebrations. The drawing for the quilt will be on September 16 at our Fall Finn Festival to be held at the Spencer School.

Members of the Finger Lakes Finns working on the quilt at Shirley Barton's house, left to right: Lisa Koski, Barbara Twombley, Nancy Pakkala (behind Barbara), Susan Pakkala, Shirley Barton, Toini Kaartinen, Patty Huttunen, JoAnn Neal.