Local Artist Andrea Puzakulich at Reflection Gallery

HANCOCK – The Finlandia University student-run Reflection Gallery will feature work by local artist Andrea Puzakulich January 30 to February 29, 2008. A reception for the artist will take place Thursday, January 31, at 4:30 p.m.

Puzakulich is the owner of the fashion and fiber studio, Distant Drum, located on the first level of Finlandia’s Portage Campus.

According to her artist’s statement, the exhibit, “Hung up on Color,” is a collection of fashion photographs and fiber works inspired by the London fashion scene. Puzakulich adds that in the exhibit images of boldly colored window displays give the viewer the gift of color in the heart of winter.

The Reflection Gallery is on the second level of Finlandia’s Portage Campus, 200 Michigan St., Hancock.

For additional information, please contact Finlandia studio arts faculty member Yueh-mei Cheng at 906-487-7375.

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Rollout Massages, Wellness Symposium Friday, January 25

HANCOCK, MI – A wellness symposium will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2008, at Finlandia University Portage Campus, 200 Michigan Avenue, Hancock, Room 232. The symposium is free and open to the public.

‘Magnetic rollout’ massages will be available throughout the day starting at 2:00 p.m. The massages are by donation.

The wellness symposium is hosted by a group of Finlandia nursing and human services students who are raising money for a summer study abroad opportunity in Finland.

Throughout the day, a variety of wellness products will be available for review and purchase by order, these include items for nutrition, physical fitness, rest and relaxation, healthy air and clean water.

At 1:00 p.m., a one-hour Wellness Home Options presentation will discuss the ways you can bring wellness to your home.

At 3:30 p.m., Nikken Inc. representative Dallas Spader will give a one-hour presentation on how the Nikken high tech air cleaner technology and water purification system work.

A Wellness Preview will take place from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at which attendees are invited to sample Nikken wellness products. "If you can attend only one of the events, this is the one!" says Debbie Karstu, assistant professor of nursing.

From April 29 to May 15, 2008, the two nursing students and seven human services majors will travel to Helsinki, Finland, to learn about Finland’s health care and social services systems. The students will be accompanied by Karstu and associate professor of human services Doris Ravatos.

The nine study abroad students are nursing majors Ken Tolkkinen (Calumet) and Roberta Rosenberger (Mohawk), and human services majors Brian Fetterley (Atlantic Mine), Ashley Leitch (Garden City), Brenda Peterson (Calumet), Sarah Skoviera (Hurley, Wisc.), Kristen Swanson (Iron Mountain), Melinda Seppanen (Atlantic Mine), Ashley Wanhala (Hancock).

For additional information, please contact Debbie Karstu at 906-487-7354 or debbie.karstu@finlandia.edu.

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Sunday Open Swim Resumes this Week

HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University Paavo Nurmi Center will resume weekly Sunday afternoon open swimming from 1:30 - 3:30, starting this Sunday, January 27.

Open Swim is still available on Friday evenings, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Fitness Swim is available at the Paavo Nurmi Center pool weekdays, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Aqua-Fit classes are offered Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m.to 7:00 p.m. Please contact Anne Halgren, 906-487-7308 to sign up for Aqua-Fit.

Please call 906-487-7378 or e-mail chris.salani@finlandia.edu with questions about fitness swim, open swim, or renting the pool for special events.

Visit www.finlandia.edu/paavo.html for fees and fitness center membership information.

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HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center is the site of two evening community enrichment courses this winter.

Mike Sullivan will teach a Finnish II course that begins where he left off at the end of his fall 2007 Finnish language community course. Those with some Finnish language background could likely join the class without difficulty.

The seven-week class will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00-7:00 p.m. beginning Tuesday, January 29. Registration is $50 per student. For more information and to register, call 906-487-7302 or e-mail editor@finnishamericanreporter.com.

A seven-week course on the 5-string kantele, led by Kay Seppälä, will take place Monday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. beginning January 28. The 5-string kantele is a great instrument for beginners, and experienced musicians can enjoy it as well.

For more advanced students, Seppälä will also teach a one hour seven-week 10-string kantele class beginning Tuesday, February 12 at 5:30 p.m. The 10-string kantele is a bit more difficult, so a musical background is helpful.

Registration for either kantele class is $30 per student, which includes in-class use of instrument, music and instruction. Some 5- and 10-string kanteles are available for use for the duration of the class. These instruments will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and a deposit is required.

For information about the kantele classes, or to register, call Kay Seppälä at 906-523-6271 or e-mail seppala@up.net.

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Free Business Counseling Wednesday, January 23

HANCOCK, MI – The Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance (KEDA) and Finlandia University invite area entrepreneurs to take advantage of free one-on-one business counseling sessions at the university’s Jutila Center for Global Design and Business (CGDB) on Wednesday, January 23, 2008.

Business consultant Roger Woods of Homer Productivity, LLC, can advise on all aspects of small business development from the initial idea through growth and expansion strategies.

Appointments are recommended and can be made by phone (906-487-7450) or e-mail (cgdb@finlandia.edu).

The CGDB is located at the Finlandia University Portage Campus (formerly Portage Hospital), at 200 Michigan St., Hancock.

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Non-traditional Student Work at Reflection Gallery

HANCOCK, MI – Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 4:30 p.m., the student-run Reflection Gallery at Finlandia University’s Portage Campus will host an opening reception for a dual exhibit of non-traditional work by International School of Art & Design studio arts students senior Melisa Gronowski and junior Benjamin Mitchell.

Melisa Gronowski’s work includes an installation and painting exhibition titled, “(R)Evolution. This show features work with innovative media mixed, variations on traditional oil painting, and sculptures constructed of recycled material.

Benjamin Mitchell is showing a collection of acrylic painted longboards, a type of extended skateboard which the artist constructs himself.

The two exhibits are on display through January 29.

For additional information, please contact Finlandia studio arts faculty member Yueh-mei Cheng at 906-487-7375.

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Finlandia Homecoming January 14-19

HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University Student Alumni Association (SAA) will host a Homecoming celebration the week of January 14-19, 2008.

The event is organized by the SAA in cooperation with members of the Finlandia International Alumni Board (IAB) and other alumni.

Activities will include nightly games; a dance Thursday night, January 17; a tailgate party Friday, January 18, prior to the men’s hockey game; a women’s hockey game Saturday, January 19; and an alumni lunch, also Saturday, January 19.

Registration is not required for any of the Homecoming events. For more information, please contact Christina Mayworm, director of alumni relations, at 906-487-7205 or christina.mayworm@finlandia.edu.

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Free Blood Pressure Checks Begin January 15

HANCOCK, MI – Beginning Tuesday, January 15, 2008, and continuing each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. for eight weeks, senior-level Finlandia University nursing students will be performing free blood pressure checks at Finlandia’s Paavo Nurmi Center gymnasium.

The blood pressure checks are offered in conjunction with the indoor walking program co-sponsored by Finlandia and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

For additional information, please contact Rachelle Bachran at 906-482-7382, ext. 189.

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Finlandia University Open House Friday, January 18

HANCOCK, MI – An all-day winter open house for persons interested in attending Finlandia University will take place Friday, January 18, 2008, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

Open house participants will start the day with breakfast at Mannerheim Cafeteria followed by an opportunity to attend classes, a campus tour, a financial aid workshop, lunch with faculty, and other activities.

Parents who wish to attend the open house with their son or daughter are invited to eat breakfast at Mannerheim Cafeteria and participate in a campus tour and question and answer session. The financial aid workshop and lunch with faculty are also open to parents.

Pre-registration for the winter open house is requested. For additional information, please call Finlandia Admissions at 906-487-7274 or send an e-mail to openhouse@finlandia.edu.

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HANCOCK, MI – Finlandia University is the site of several events during the 2008 Heikinpäivä Mid-winter Celebration. Organized by the City of Hancock Finnish Theme Committee, the annual festival celebrates Hancock’s rich Finnish heritage. The activities to take place at Finlandia appear below.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Nordic Film: “My Friend Henry.” The Finnish film, released in 2004, is a tale about 12-year-old Elsi Björkman and a mysterious boy named Henry. No charge, donations accepted. Finnish American Heritage Center.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tori Market. The market features Finnish and ethnic crafts and foods. No charge. Finnish American Heritage Center.

1:30 p.m. Scandinavian Wheat Weaving. Class instructed by Midge Waters. Class size limited to 16 people. For ages 13 and up. Fee: $10. Finnish American Heritage Center.

6:00 p.m. Seisovapöytä (Finnish Buffet). The Finnish-style smörgåsbord includes fresh fish and meats, and a variety of salads, cheeses and breads. Tickets: $16. Finlandia Hall. For tickets, contact North Wind Books, 906-487-7214, or Hazel Tepsa, 906-482-3828.

8:00 p.m. Tanssit (Dance). Featuring music by Wilho Kilpelä & Friends. Dance-only tickets: $5. Finlandia Hall.

For a complete schedule of 2008 Heikinpäivä activities, please visit www.pasty.com/heikki. For additional information and to register for any Heikinpäivä events, please call 906-487-7505 or e-mail htepsa@webtv.net.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is located at 435 Quincy Street. Finlandia Hall, the university’s residence hall, is at 625 Summit Street.

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HANCOCK, MI – Saturday, January 19, 2008, beginning at 12:00 noon, Finlandia University’s North Wind Books will host a book signing with Minnesota author William Durbin. All are invited and refreshments will be served.

Durbin will sign copies of his latest historical novel for young adults, “The Winter War: A Novel.” Not due to be officially released until February 12, North Wind Books has received special permission from publisher Random House to sell the book during this year’s Heikenpäiva celebration.

“The Winter War: A Novel” tells the story of Marko, a young Finn who volunteers to help the war effort when the Soviet Union invades Finland in November 1939. Even though his leg was weakened by polio, he can ski well, and he becomes a messenger on the front line, skiing in white camouflage through the forests at night.

Marko teams up with another messenger, Karl. Gradually Marko learns that Karl’s whole family was killed by the Russians. And Karl has a secret – he’s really Kaari, a girl who joined up to get revenge for her family’s deaths.

William Durbin lives on Lake Vermilion at the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota. He taught English for many years, and now writes full-time.

North Wind Books is located at 437 Quincy Street in downtown Hancock. For additional information, please contact the bookstore at 906-487-7217.

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HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center Nordic Film Series continues Thursday, January 10, with the film “My Friend Henry.” Showings are at both 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

“My Friend Henry” (Ystäväni Henry), released in 2004, is a film about children and secrets. It is a tale of invisibility and translucence, and of people who cannot or will not be seen as they are. It is also a tale of friendship and love.

When 12-year-old Elsi Björkman and her mother return from a week’s vacation, Elsi immediately senses that someone has been in her room and touched her things. She tells her mother, who does not believe her.

Later, at the local supermarket, Elsi meets a boy named Henry. Elsi doesn’t know anything about him, but he has a tiresome habit of appearing as if from nowhere, only to disappear again, as if into thin air. The children do, however, find a common ground, and it looks like Elsi has found a friend.

Elsi skips school one day and Henry invites her to his house where they swim and grill sausages. But when Elsi goes back to the house the door is opened by a woman who does not know Henry. In fact, no one knows anything about Henry. Elsi is the only one who has seen him.

Has Elsi made it all up? Is Henry an imaginary friend, or is he a real boy after all? If he is real, why does he lie about himself and his family? Why hasn’t anyone else seen Henry?

“My Friend Henry” was featured at multiple international film festivals. It was nominated for three 2005 Jussi Awards, Finland’s equivalent of the Academy Awards: Best Music, Best Script, and Best Set Design.

The film is in Finnish with English subtitles. There is no admission charge, but donations are gratefully accepted.

The Finnish American Heritage Center is at 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. For additional information, please call 906-487-7302.

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