FAHA

"The Board has crunched the numbers, and FAHA has enough money to make it through part of next year. [...] If you have extra to give, this is the year to donate to FAHA." Read more from our (unusual) annual letter below, and if you can, please donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/ ... Dear FAHA Family, Greetings from Philadelphia, where I’m writing this letter during a 14-day COVID-19 quarantine after visiting my mom (Tarja Hirvonen, President of the Manor Board) and stepdad (Steve Rowe, FAHA board director) for 3 weeks in Sonoma. During my visit we took a quick trip to FAHA to recreate a photograph taken 25 years ago on the steps leading up to the apartment above the Heritage Hall. As you might know, my mom and dad became the property managers at FAHA when I was two years old. I learned how to swim at FAHA, trick-or-treated at the Palms, painted many wooden Finnish flags at FAHA summer camp, sang with my dad’s band at Juhannus and my high school a cappella group at Pikkujoulu, and served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. FAHA has always been home the whole FAHA family raised me and shaped me. This experience is not unique to me. For so many of us, FAHA is home. When I was visiting Sonoma, we talked a lot about how COVID-19 has changed FAHA. The saunas are closed. The pool is closed. There was no Juhannus this summer. There will be no Pikkujoulu. Board meetings take place over Zoom. There are no weddings or quinceñeras to generate income, no guest room stays, no fundraising events. And surely some people will decide not to pay their $60 membership fee this year. The Board has crunched the numbers, and FAHA has enough money to make it through part of next year. The thought of FAHA not being around for the next generation is heartbreaking to me, so I asked to write this letter. If you can, please make an end-of-year donation here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/. I know this year has been hard for so many of us. If, however, you have extra to give, this is the year to donate to FAHA. Make an investment in the future of FAHA, so we can all return home when this is over. Stay safe, Heidi Hirvonen

Updated information for FAHA's members.

Kutsu virtuaaliseen pääsiäiskirkkoon. https://mailchi.mp/ae48a4d42ab8/0eenl7qm7l-2715399

From Finlandia Foundation The program begins at about nine minutes into the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch... Music to Soothe You March 2020 Greetings~ Music soothes the soul, and Finnish cellist Jussi Makkonen and pianist Nazig Azezian invite you to enjoy, via YouTube, two of their concerts featuring works by Finnish composers, from Jean Sibelius to contemporary artist Jonne Valtonen. Finlandia Foundation National selected Jussi and Nazig to receive its Award of Excellence, presented in October of 2019. The honor recognizes their outstanding musicianship, unique interpretation of the works of Sibelius, and efforts to increase awareness and appreciation of Finnish music in the U.S. as well as in Finland. To read more about the duo's work and the award, click here for the fall issue of the FFN newsletter. FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE Jussi and Nazig's performance of Sibelius Inspiration took place at Arizona State University in November 2019 as part of their U.S. tour sponsored by Finlandia Foundation National. The concert was hosted by the FFN chapter, Finns and Friends of Phoenix. Don't miss the opening video of the musicians performing outdoors, in the natural world that inspired Sibelius. Click here for the concert; the program begins at about nine minutes into the video. Click here for more information about Jussi and Nazig and their programs. Their second performance is Lintu Sininen (The Blue Bird), composed by Jonne Valtonen to accompany the children's storybook illustrated by Katri Kirkkopelto. The CD-book combination follows the Sibelius-themed Soiva Metsä (Melody Forest) that they released in 2017; it was the first Finnish Chamber music record to sell platinum. Click here for the performance, accompanied by comments (in Finnish) by Jussi and Nazig. They close the concert with music by Sibelius, including Finlandia. FFN, Jussi and Nazig are planning to resume their U.S. tour in the fall of 2020, and continuing in spring of 2021. Click here for information on how FFN chapters may host a program by these versatile musicians. Happy listening!

Straight from Zenner's sausage factory in Oregon! We are able once again grill some real makkara. Come and get yours this Saturday 2/15. Register online at http://www.fahausa.org/store/2020sauna.html

ANNUAL WINTER SAUNA FEST AND MEMBERSHIP EVENT FEBRUARY 15, 2020 1:00 - 6:00 PM... Join us for this annual Winter Fun event of hot saunas and dips in a cool pool. Snack bar will be open for purchase of pea soup, oven pancakes, and grilled sausages. Bar will be stocked and ready to quench your thirst. Membership event special: Join FAHA during the event and save 10% of the initiation fee. Event attendance is free for members and guests; but we need to know if you plan to attend. Online registration is open at http://www.fahausa.org/store/2020sauna.html

FAHA Annual Meeting January 25th. Winter Sauna Fest February 15th.

It’s time to RSVP to Pikkujoulu - Xmas Party! Registration is open online http://www.fahausa.org/store/xmas.html.

15th Annual Afternoon Concert in FAHA. Sunday, November 3rd. Register online http://www.fahausa.org/store/concert.html

FAHA NEWS JUHANNUS EDITION. REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Don't forget to register for Juhannus this year! The event will take place June 21 - June 23.

Spend Mother's Day in FAHA. Food, wine, sun and jazz - what else could you want? Register now online at http://www.fahausa.org/store/2019mothers.html

Registration for Juhannus is now live! The event is free, but registration is required get your tickets today and join us for the happiest midsummer celebration outside the happiest country in the world. *Don't worry, be Finnish.*