Events

We want to hear from you!

Are you a Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter member or interested in joining us at any events? Do you read our newsletter? Are you a Finn, Finnish-American, or otherwise have a connection to Finland and are living in the Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan county area? We want to hear from you! Please take some time to write to us and tell us how we can better serve you. ffsuomi@gmail.com

Upcoming Event

Annual Meeting, Saturday, April 27

Please set aside the afternoon of Saturday, April 27th, for our Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter annual meeting. It will be held at the Fairhaven Park's lower enclosed pavilion closest to the park entrance off Chuckanut Drive. The event will begin at 11:30 and will last until 1:30. Our guest speaker will be Western Washington University professor Dr. Vajda who has previously spoken to our group. This will be a potluck, so everyone is encouraged to create and contribute your favorite Finnish dish to be shared with one and all.

Currently we are short a few board members since Brend and Tapio Holma moved to Finland. Please consider volunteering to serve on the board; no experience is necessary, just a desire to help our organization grow and to help create activities that would appeal to our members. Naturally, board members need to be members as well.

Another facet of the annual meeting will be the election of next year's board members. According to our by-laws, only dues paying members are eligible to vote in our election, and the dues must be paid prior to April 15 when ballots will be emailed out to members. Ballots are due via email by the time we hold our annual meeting, or you can come to the meeting and simply vote in person. Members do not need to be present at the annual meeting if they voted via email.

We eagerly look forward to seeing many of you at this annual event. Come share your delicious dishes, make new friends and enjoy the conversations that often centers around life in Finland.

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Recent Events

Finding Your Ancestral Roots
(Finnish in Particular)

This Finlandia Foundation chapter meeting was held on Saturday morning, January 27th, at the Fairhaven Public Library in the downstairs room.
        Our presenters were Judith Culver and Cathie Oberg – both members of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. Their presentation taught us how to research our genealogical roots and Finnish in particular. The program included a Powerpoint slide show, handouts and lecture. Questions and open discussion began at the conclusion of their presentation.
        This event was free and open to the public. Coffee and treats were provided.

Annual Independence Day Dinner, Sunday, December 10, 2023

We met in the banquet room located in the Holiday Inn & Suites, 4260 Mitchell Way, Bellingham 98226. It is located across the parking lot from the Bellingham Airport terminal. The evening's events extended from 5:00 to 8:00 PM and included a Mediterranean dinner, speaker and festivities. We sold some merchandise, and the auction went quite well too. Two kanteles went for $50, the one with a gorgeous walnut case went for $150, and the walnut framed LED backlit photo of a Finnish sauna on a lake went for $300. These funds will go toward financing future events held by our chapter, such as the genealogy one mentioned above.

Juhannus (Midsummer Celebration)

Saturday, June 24 from 3-7pm at Birch Bay State Park

Activities for the day included a talk on midsummer traditions across Europe by WWU professor Dr. Vajda, a campfire and picnic fare (hotdogs, salads, s'mores supplies). A $15 suggested donation for food was requested of all. We had a banquet permit, so people were able to bring their own beer or wine to enjoy! We' also had lawn games (Molkky anyone?) and the beach wasjust a short walk away (low tide was at 4pm). It was a great time for all those who were able to join us.

Vappu (May Day)

The day was celebrated on Sunday, April 30, 2023. The event was held at the lower, fully-enclosed pavilion at Fairhaven Park from 12:00 until 2:30. All Finns, Finnish-Americans and friends of Finland were welcomed. Refreshments were of the pot luck variety, and many people brought along their favorite Finnish or Nordic dishes that were shared with others.

Finlandia Foundation Suomi Chapter