Area Finns to mark Finland's 90 years of independence

FITCHBURG - A gala celebration to mark Finland's 90 years of independence will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30, at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, 150 Royal Plaza Drive, Fitchburg.

Five area Finnish American organizations - Knights & Ladies of Kaleva (Maynard), Knights & Ladies of Kaleva (Fitchburg), the Finnish Heritage Society Sovittaja (Rutland), the Finnish Center at Saima Park (Fitchburg) and Raivaaja Publishing Company (Fitchburg) - are co-sponsors of the event with a dinner, program and dancing. Tickets are $30 per person and need to be purchased in advance. They are available at Raivaaja office, 164 Elm St., and from Cathy Crowther by calling (978) 897-5217 or emailing katfstrmom@aol.com, Maija Mård at (978) 582-7717 or e-mailing MaiLis@ aol.com and Eva Hirvi at (508) 791-4371. Deadline for tickets is Nov. 16.

The featured soloist of the evening will be Maria Männistö of Seattle, Wash., who is the current Finlandia Foundation Performer of the Year. She is widely regarded as one of the finest Finnish American sopranos in recent years.

In addition, Edwin E. Kaarela, retired Honorary Consul of Finland, will deliver a keynote address.

All Finnish Americans and friends of Finland as well as music lovers in this region are welcomed to attend this gala event. For information, contact Marita Cauthen at Raivaaja

at (978) 343-3822 or raivaaja@net1plus. com