Finnish Juhannus celebration held

Exhibits on Finnish farmers were enjoyed by all inside the newly cleaned and painted Farmers Camp during the celebration. COURTESY PHOTO

The last meeting of the season for the Westminster Historical Society was a special program, commemorating the celebration of Juhannus, or St. John's Day, otherwise known as the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. The meeting was held at the Westminster Farmers Cooperative Association building on Leominster Street on Thursday, June 21.

The building was given to the town in 1977, as noted on the monument in front of the building, making this year's Juhannus event the 30th anniversary of the gift of this building to the town by the Finnish farmers. It was originally built by the Finnish farmers of Westminster to store the farming equipment that was purchased together for the use of all, and to collect blueberries and other fruits that were grown in town and gathered here for their trip to eastern markets. The Farmers Camp, as it was often called, was cleaned up for this event by Historical Society members, Irene Kamila, Darlene Johnson and Edward and Betsy Hannula. Town staff helped clear the outdoor areas next to the building of brush and carried old theater chairs from the Town Hall to use there. The ceiling and walls and floor were painted, a cabinet was hung, baseboards were installed, and curtains were hung at the windows. The next door storage room was cleaned and chairs were placed inside, leaving space for people to give programs that evening. The hall was specially decorated with young birch trees, a long-time tradition, demonstrating how Finns often try to bring the outside inside. The old kitchen was set up with several tables filled with exhibits of items from Finnish farms in town and also provided space for serving refreshments afterwards. A display of photos of Juhannus programs from several decades ago was hung and paid for by the Historical Commission. They will remain for those who use the building in the future to remember its past use. Over 60 people of all ages attended this Juhannus program. The attendees were invited to examine notebooks filled with information and photos of several hundred Finns listed in the valuation and tax booklets of years.

Phil Manseau, the Historical Society president, welcomed everyone and Hannula explained the tradition of Juhannus celebrations and the importance of everyone participating. Kamila described some of the trials that Finnish immigrants endured, and encouraged everyone to begin writing his or her family's story and collecting the items which will help tell these stories. George Engman was the first to "give program" on his accordion - and explained that the music of Finns. He played several Finnish pieces including a polka and schottische, all from memory. Ellie Lucander next read a poem about Finnish ways and then played "Wild Rose" on the accordion. Later her son, Karl, explained how he learned about using black birch branches to make the vihtas or switches commonly used in sauna to stimulate the skin, and then played the song "Who's Going to Light the Sauna?" on his harmonica. A cooking fire had been built in a nearby area to help everyone remember the bonfires of long ago built to celebrate Juhannus. Despite the heavy rain that fell earlier, the fire did very well and hot dogs and marshmallows were enjoyed by all.