Finns & Friends
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Phoenixin Suomalaisten Kerho
Social Club for Finns and their friends in the Phoenix area!
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Hope everyone has had a wonderful winter!
Spring is almost here and the club is looking ahead to a very busy year with Finn FEst 2012 being hosted by our neighbor -Tucson. We have several new events planned for the spring, and the always popular VAPPU Party will be back this year. Our wish is that everyone will find something of interest and be able to make it! Please see the events calender for dates and description of events. All paid members will also get e-mail reminders (or a phone call or snail mail info if you don't have an e-mail). Occasionally I get some e-mails rejected -if your e-mail address has changed, or you are not getting these e-mails for some reason, please contact me using the form at the bottom of this page.
In other news: FINN FEST 2012 will be held close to us in TUCSON -NOVEMBER 8-11, 2012 !
The location hotel for the Finn Fest has been chosen. It is the Doubletree Reid Park by Hilton.
Last weekend Gretchen and I drove down to Tucson to meet with the Tucson Finnish Club and Finn Fest USA President to learn more about the planned programming and what the local Finnish (and why not other Scandinavian clubs,too) can do to help.
I wanted to share one of the programming ideas here so you can start spreading the word.
As shared by Marianne Wargelin -Presidnet of Finn Fest USA:
A week long emphasis on the Finnish Education Success story is becoming quite strong. It will begin in Phoenix and move to Tucson. In both communities, the goal will be to interact with the two Colleges of Education, with teachers, and with public policy makers. We hope that you will help to tell people that this programming will be available. A day long forum will occur in Tucson on November 10th.
I will e-mail all the members a more detailed 'discussion' of some of the ideas that are being developed. The event is still very much forming and programming ideas are being accepted. If you are not a current member of Finns & Friends but are interested in Finn Fest 2012 you can use the contact form at the bottom of this page to let me know if you would like to be added to our mailing list for more info.
There are two easy things you can do right now to help in organizing and making this event a success:
- SPREAD THE WORD Finn Fest is not only for the local Finns. Tucson is a great winter travel destination. And the educational programming is sure to be of interest to many people. Do you know any local teachers? Maybe they would like to participate in one of the workshops?
- Think about VOLUNTEERING There will be many opportunities during the event for volunteering. Maybe you can spare 2 hours for a day or two to stand at the door of one ofthe meeting rooms to direct participants to the right location. Or take a turn in selling tickets to participants on location. However much, or little, time you can offer will be greatly appreciated and it does not have to be a long commitment tying you up for the whole festival duration.
Let's work together to make FINN FEST 2012 a success!
Finns & Friends is also now on Facebook. Please visit and become a friend! Just click on the link at the bottom of this page.
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Here are a few pictures from Finn Fest 2011 in San Diego
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Tervetuloa! Welcome!
A little history on how Finns & Friends got started....In the 1970's there was still a Finlandia Foundation Chapter in Phoenix. An Annual Meeting was held in February and a Picnic every spring and fall. These events made it possible for newcomers to meet other Finns and make friends. However, several members wanted a less formal 'social' club.
Tuula Granberg decided to make this idea a reality, so she and her neighbor Dolores Wargelin held a meeting to establish the new club. Esther Joki-Witcher was appointed secretary, Tuula treasurer. Others present were Airi Riikonen, Vi Rukkila and Nanny Salonen. The name Finns & Friends was chosen because not all members were Finnish.
Today, almost 33 years later, the club is still going strong. On these pages you will find news of upcoming events, as well as descriptions of recent get-togethers.
These pages are still a work in progress –please come back often to see what is new.
If you have ideas for additional content, please let me know.
If you have found this page looking for Finns and all things Finnish in the greater Phoenix area and would like to join us, please fill out the form below.
