Salolammen Sanomat The Concordia Finnish Language Village
October 2013
www.salolampi.org
FinnFest 2013 – pg 6
Summer 2013 Reflections & Memories
Donors & Memorials – pg 7
By Amy “Iida” Tervola Hultberg, Dean
Salolampi Foundation Board • Contact information – pg 8
Villagers and Staff
Where to find… Summer 2014 Schedule – pg 2 Scholarships – pgs 2 & 3 Village Staff & Events – pgs 4 & 5 Adult Week – pg 5
Summer at Salolampi is always full of memories, and 2013 was no exception. It is a beautiful site filled with gracious gifts, but perhaps our most valuable resource comes in the form of creative An Easter (Pääsiänen) witch and villagers perform in a excited staff members. This year almost skit that highlights a popular Finnish tradition. thirty staff members welcomed and entranced villagers through a brand-new curriculum, memorable evening programs, and moments of reflection. Our high number of native Finns on staff this summer gave us an opportunity to think deeply about what we value at Salolampi and how we can make the experience even more meaningful for villagers. Villagers who joined us this summer were treated to an amazing Salolampi experience. Our new curriculum is designed as a seven-year cycle leading to our credit program, so villagers will experience a new theme each year as Salolampi seeks to be a “bridge” to Finland.
“Kesämökkipäivä” June 23 Mauno enjoys outfitting the tikkuleipä he just roasted over the campfire during kesämökkipäivä.
We welcomed alumni, former staff members, and friends to Salolampi on Sunday, June 23 for our weekly “Kesämökkipäivä.” This event was meant to honor the 20th year on our new site and introduce new young people to a day of fun at the Village. All the Salolampi favorites were available—warm sauna, cool lake, kioski, macaroni casserole, singing, and a hockey evening program. We believe the best way for new villagers to learn about Salolampi is to experience the site and interaction available. We intend this to be an annual event, so mark your calendar for June 22, 2014.
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Sharing the Love of Salolampi By Tiina Watts, Salolampi Foundation President These past few months as president of the Salolampi Foundation have been interesting and educational. My favorite part of the job is getting to know so many great people that share a love of Salolampi and of Finland. At Adult Week last spring, I was able to see first-hand how college students were taking Tiina greets visitors to the advantage of the new halfSalolampi booth at FinnFest. price scholarship. What an exciting opportunity for them to be able to spend a whole week immersed in the Finnish language and culture for less than $350. This is one way the Salolampi Board has fulfilled its mission to “sustain Finnish language and culture through scholarships and program support at the Salolampi Finnish Language Village.”
At FinnFest in Michigan in June, I helped spread the word about Salolampi through teaching a class on Finnish verbs and at the Salolampi booth in the tori. A few summer staff counselors were also there and did a wonderful job leading miniSalolampis throughout the day and were even featured on the news in Finland. We hope to have an even bigger presence at FinnFest next summer in Minneapolis August 8–10. Watch for us there! One of our best ways to raise money for scholarships so more people can enjoy the Salolampi Language Village is through our annual Phonathon. If you can help out with even just $10, please say “Yes” when you get that phone call or postcard. Every little bit helps someone’s child or grandchild learn about their great Finnish heritage. I hope to see you at Salolampi or FinnFest this year! Email me at tiina.watts@salolampi.org if you have a Salolampi story to share or suggestions on how we can make Salolampi an even better place.