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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula January 17, 2005 Text  © 2006 Finlandia University and courtesy Karen Johnson. Photos © 2006 Finlandia University and © 2005 Michele Anderson.

Finnish proverbs inspire Heikinpäivä (mid-winter) Celebration through Jan. 22

HANCOCK -- Many in the Copper Country recall a couple of old Finnish proverbs connected with winter’s cold and snow: “Talven selkä poikki” (“Winter’s back is broken”) and “Karhu kylkeänsä kääntää” (“The bear rolls over”).

The City of Hancock’s annual Heikinpäivä Celebration, now underway through Jan. 22, draws its theme from these proverbs. Both sayings mean that the winter is half over -- a great reason to celebrate with events for the whole family.

Finlandia University sophomore art and design student Kevin Schuldt, 19, has his own reason to celebrate mid-winter. The young graphic designer has used these proverbs, as well as some old Finnish folklore drawings and jewelry designs, as inspiration for his first-ever professional graphic design job: the logo for the 2006 annual Heikinpäivä Celebration.

Finlandia University sophomore art and design student Kevin Schuldt and Stella Tillya, Finlandia student from Tanzania, model the 2006 Heikinpäivä t-shirt Kevin designed. The logo was inspired by Finnish proverbs and folklore designs. (Photo © 2006 Finlandia University. Reprinted with permission.)

After discussing the design with the Finnish Theme Committee, Kevin presented the Committee with ten drawings. "I wanted the logo to look similar to last year's and add my own 'twist' with a kind of rustic, folk art look," he said.

The committee first identified four of Kevin's initial proposed designs as what they were looking for. From those selections and additional comments from committee members, he came up with the idea for the recumbent bear slumbering under a crescent moon. One can easily imagine that the bear may have, just moments ago, turned over on his back during his winter hibernation.

"I was happy to get my first logo design job and some early professional experience," Kevin said. "I feel fortunate at my age, and having just finished my freshman year of college, that I already have a professional design reference in my portfolio," he added. "I've read and learned about the process of professional design in the classroom; but now that I've experienced it for myself, I feel I am starting to really know how it all works."

Kevin, who graduated from Lake Linden High School in 2004, is pursuing a double major in graphic design and illustration at Finlandia. His parents are Glenn and Andrea Schuldt of Lake Linden. Both of his maternal great grandparents were 100% Finnish.

The Heikinpäivä Mid-winter Celebration is an annual festival celebrating Hancock's rich Finnish heritage. The City of Hancock Finnish Theme Committee organizes the event. Each year, the Committee selects one person whose work toward preserving and promoting Finnish culture in the area goes above and beyond "normal" efforts. That person is the festival's Hankooki Heikki and presides over the festivities, wearing the crown and robe that come with the honor. This year the Committee has chosen a couple who, since Heikinpäivä began in 1999, have worked together to make the event a success. 

Jim and Debbie Kurtti named Hankooki Heikki

Jim Kurtti, director of the Finnish American Heritage Center and editor of the Finnish American Reporter, and his wife Debbie, active members of the Finnish Theme Committee since the first Heikinpäivä, will preside over the 2006 Heikinpäivä Mid-winter Celebration as Hankooki Heikki.

"This will be our eighth year on the Finnish Theme Committee," Jim Kurtti said. "This year the Committee is going to become a Finlandia Foundation Chapter."

Jim and Debbie Kurtti enjoy the Seisovapöytä (Finnish Buffet) during the 2005 Heikinpäivä Celebration. The Kurttis, Finnish Theme Committee members since 1999, have been named Hankooki Heikki for 2006 and will preside over this year's Heikinpäivä events. Jim Kurtti is Director of the Finnish American Heritage Center and Editor of the Finnish American Reporter. (Photo © 2005 Michele Anderson)

The Finlandia Foundation is a national philanthropic organization with local chapters.* Jim noted the President of the Foundation is expected to attend Heikinpäivä events this weeks. Other distinguished visitors include Michigan representatives Rich Brown, D-Bessemer, and Stephen Adamini, D-Marquette, who will participate in the parade on Saturday morning, Jan. 21.

For additional information and registration for classes please contact Glenda Bierman at the Finnish American Heritage Center, 601 Quincy St., Hancock, at 906-487-7505.

Heikinpäivä events this week will include the following:

Tuesday, Jan. 17: Five-string Kantele Class, instructed by Kay Seppala. 6 p.m. Finnish American Heritage Center Theater. Class limited to 10 people. For ages 13 and above. Registration fee: $10. To register for this and other classes listed below, call (906) 487-7505 or e-mail Glenda Bierman at glenda.bierman@finlandia.edu.

Wednesday, Jan. 18: Bones Workshop, instructed by Randy Seppala, with Johnny Perona. 6 p.m. Finnish American Heritage Center. Class limited to 20 people. For 
ages 13 and above. Registration fee: $15. 

Friday, Jan. 20: Birch Bark Weaving (Snuff/Jewelry Box) Class. 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Portage Home Health Conference Room, 821 W. Water St., Hancock,. $35 per person. Students should bring scissors, measuring tape, pencil and pocket knife. Limit 10 people. 

Friday, Jan. 20: Gallery Reception: "The Finnish Ryijy: Beyond Function to 
Cultural Artistry." 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Finnish American Heritage Center Gallery.No charge, refreshments served.  Contact 906-487-7500.

Friday, Jan. 20: Tango lessons by Ralph Tuttila, 6 p.m. South Range Community Center. $15 per couple, $8 for singles (partner not necessary). Class size limited only by available space. This will be followed by "Karhu Tanssi" (The Bear Dance), featuring Finn Hall. 7:15 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. South Range Community Center. Sponsored by Holy Family Parish Altar Society. $7 at the door.

Friday, Jan. 20: Club Finndigo, dinner/movie, Screaming Men. 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.   Calumet Theater. Dinner and film - $15; Dinner only - $12.50; Movie only: $2.50 (suggested donation).

Saturday, Jan. 21: Tori Market. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The market features Finnish and ethnic crafts and foods. No charge. Finnish American Heritage Center.

    10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Vipukelkka (whipsled). Hancock Middle School lawn.

    11 a.m. Parade, downtown Hancock. Line up at former Hancock Hardware before 11. Cash prizes. Immediately following parade: Boot-throwing and Wife-carrying contests, Hancock Middle School lawn. Prizes.

Saturday, Jan. 21: "Talvitohinat" (Winter scramble) Cross-country ski race. Starting 1 p.m. Michigan Tech University trails, Houghton. 1 p.m. - 5 and 10K freestyle race; 2 p.m. - 2.5K youth freestyle race; 2:30 p.m. - 6K family/team relay. Registration 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. race day. For information, call (906) 482-0820 or visit Keweenaw Land Trust.

Saturday, Jan. 21: Finnish-Scandinavian Wheat Weaving Class. Instructed by Midge Waters. 1:30 p.m. Finnish American Heritage Center. Class limited to 12 people. Fee: $16 (includes all supplies).

Saturday, Jan. 21: Polar Bear Dive.  3 p.m. Hancock waterfront, near Ramada Inn.

Saturday, Jan. 21:  Seisovapöytä (Finnish Buffet). 6 p.m. Finlandia Hall, Finlandia University. The Finnish-style smörgåsbord draws its flavors from the sea, the forest, lakes and fields and includes fresh fish and meats, a variety of salads, cheeses and breads. Tickets: $16. For tickets contact: Hazel Tepsa, 906-482-3828 or htepsa@webtv.net. Saturday, Jan. 21:  Tanssit (Dance). 8 p.m. Finlandia Hall, Finlandia University. Featuring Wilho Kilpelä and Friends. Dance-only tickets: $5. 

Sunday, Jan. 22: St. Henrik's Commemorative Church Service. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock.

Editor's Notes: Visit the Heikinpäivä Web site for more details and photos of past celebrations.

* For information on the Finlandia Foundation National, visit their Web site.

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