We are excited to announce the 2023 Clair Nelson Vocational Scholarship Recipients! Chase Hipple of Silver Bay Residential Electrician Certificate at Lake Superior College Samuel Peterson of Silver Bay Marine and Power Sports Technician at Alexandria Technical College Grayson Peterson of Two Harbors Electrical Lineworker Diploma at MN State Community and Technical College Ethan Swartout of Two Harbors Heavy Equipment Operator at Central Lakes College Congratulations to these young folks! We wish them success in their future endeavors and hope that they always feel supported by their community. When Friends of Finland took over managing the Clair Nelson Vocational Scholarship in 2011, the Fund was just over $14,000 and had only a few regular donors. We gave out 4 scholarships of $250 each annually to students or adults in the Lake Superior School District who are pursuing education in vocational fields. Now, in 2023, the scholarship fund has grown to over $48,000,…
We want to welcome two new staff members to the Friends of Finland Core Staff: Kyle Flack as the new Operations Lead, and Jenni Yandrasits as the new Finance Lead. In Kyle’s own words: My love of the North Shore goes back as far as I can remember. My father would bring us to the Shore from the Cities each summer for family camping trips. I moved to the Finland area in 2014 and couldn’t be happier. Living here allows me the opportunity to not just follow my passions of sustenance hunting/fishing and growing/preserving my own food, but live them. I am honored to be in such a unique position to help our community. Kyle is taking over the position recently vacated by Nancy Anselment-Olson’s retiring. He’s already diving into the job with enthusiasm, scheduling rentals and figuring out maintenance issues. Welcome Kyle! In Jenni’s own words: My name is…
The deadline for the Clair Nelson Vocational Scholarship has been extended through May 1st. Clair Nelson Vocational Scholarships offer financial assistance to high school seniors and adult residents of School District 381. Applicants must be interested in pursuing a career in a vocational or technical field. Vocational career fields are usually considered to be those that require two years or less of postsecondary education or training. Three scholarships of $500 each are awarded annually. Applications are accepted January 1st to April 1st of each year, but this year we want to give extra time. Applications can be obtained through the guidance offices at the high schools in Two Harbors and Silver Bay, Two Harbors and Silver Bay Service Centers, and are also available here. When Friends of Finland took over managing the Clair Nelson Vocational Scholarship in 2011, the Fund was just over $14,000 and had only a few regular…
A giant KIITOS (THANK YOU) to all of the people who helped to make the 48th Annual St Urho’s Celebration happen. From the guys who put the sign up over the highway, to the folks in the parade, to all the raffle ticket sellers, to the businesses that helped out by donating or selling raffle tickets and buttons, you all help make this event happen. Thank you so much! Big thanks to the outstanding crew that put on Miss Helmi, the great contestants this year and their helpers, and to the kind folks at the Our Place for feeding the crew afterwards. Miss Helmi 2023 is Jonathan Beauchane, as Boj the Beauty Queen! Thank you to Tina Kreger Buus for organizing our parade this year and thanks to Cheri Bischoff for training Tina in! Thank you to our flag bearers, and to all of the creative people with their amazing…
Nancy Anselment-Olson has been with Friends of Finland for a long time. She started as one of the original board members when the organization was formed back in 2007, and was hired as the Building Manager (which became the Operations Lead position) a few years later, after the Clair Nelson Center was built. She has been managing the schedule, coordinating rentals, and arranging repairs and maintenance for the Center ever since. She has also been instrumental in the growth of the Finland Community Youth Program, Camp Finland, and many of the other quality activities that happen at the Center over the years. Nancy’s sense of fairness and justice, her reliability, and her sense of humor have greatly shaped the development of the Friends of Finland organization. She has worked hard to create a welcoming environment for all who come to the Clair Nelson Center, whether it’s for a wedding or…