Looking Back at 2022 and Looking Forward to 2023

2022 has felt like a “normal” year, or at least, “more normal” than 2020 and 2021. The Clair Nelson Center was used for regular weekly activities throughout this year with only occasional modifications or cancellations due to COVID concerns.  Most importantly, we were able to have Youth Night almost every Thursday this year, and we…

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Local & Handmade Timber Frame Project at the Clair Nelson Center

As the pandemic recedes and makes way for new hope, our hearts will be warmed to see new life in the form of a long awaited equipment shed that reflects the values of our community. This May 21st we’ll be sending off an old friend of the Finland community and welcoming a new one. That…

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Finland Community Nature Childcare Scheduled to Open in February

At long last, the Finland Community Nature Childcare is scheduled to open this month! They are now taking registration for children ages 6 months to 7 years. Call Elli King at 218-220-8997, email finlandchildcare@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Finland-Community-Nature-ChildCare-110362037541575/ Friends of Finland incubated the childcare project as it has grown to become its own…

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A Great Loss to Our Community: Kiva (Dennis) Black

Kiva Black  – July 26, 1963 ~ September 19, 2021 Kiva (Dennis) Black passed away September 19th after a short battle with stage IV colon cancer. Kiva was an integral part of the region, working as Sales Manager for the North Shore Journal, and very active in the community, living in the Finland area.  His…

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From Concept to Completion! Finland Wild Rice House “Caps” its Journey

The Finland Wild Rice House – Manoomin Waakaa’igan – Villirisi Talo capped off its first season with a shed roof built by Sonju Lake Sawmill and Timber Framing. It has been an interesting season for wild rice. The drought impacted rice stalks and bed numbers, some waterways were deemed inaccessible due to forest fires or…

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Another Successful Finland Farmers Market Season Ends!

by Katee Ristuccia, Finland Farmers Market Coordinator A big thank you to all our vendors and supporters that came out to supply and purchase delicious locally sourced food and sustain our local farms! What a entertaining year of both live music and weekly food demos we all shared. This summer we had musicians from all…

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Strategic Planning Potluck Results

For the past month, the Friends of Finland Board has been seeking community input as they develop a strategic plan for 2022-27. Posters, ads in the North Shore Journal, and in-person outreach by staff and board members have generated some great ideas and comments from folks. These ideas were all on display at the September…

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The Finland Community Nature Childcare is Very Close to Opening!

You may have heard already that the Finland Community Nature Childcare has been working with Lake County to acquire a lease for the currently unused County Forestry House, located right in Finland, between the DNR  building and the Fire Hall, on the north side of Highway 1. Friends of Finland has incubated this project from…

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Free Yuletide Feast – To Go!

Meal pick up will be Wednesday December 23rd, 2-4pm Staff at the Clair Nelson Center are really missing all of you community folks and the regular potlucks and other meals we used to share. We’re counting down to the shortest, darkest days of the year right now. Traditionally, winter holidays like Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, and…

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