Thank You from the St. Urho Committee

A giant KIITOS (THANK YOU) to all of the people who helped to make the 49th Annual St. Urho’s Celebration happen. From all of those who helped 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, and to the businesses and folks who participated in the ‘Passport Game’… you all helped 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 Four Seasons for feeding the crew afterwards. The Miss Helmi 2024 winner is Shawn Nowot­cyznski. Thanks to Adam’s Auto Value SB for providing the bus and an especially big thanks to our driver, Carter!

Thanks to all who helped out at the Float Workshop. Thanks to Sonju Lake Sawmill and Timberframing for the use of the forklift for the Miss Helmi/Community Float Workshop Float, Alma Mitchell for teaching her mom how to drive the forklift at the last minute, and Lynda Schauland and Katlyn Bjerkness for helping to get the forklift out of the driveway. Thanks to Slim Steffens and Dana Deyette for last minute rides and supplies. Thanks to Augie Schauland and Chris Homyak for their help towing the forklift when it died in the middle of Hef­felfinger Road.

Thank you to Tina Kreger Buus for organizing our parade this year! Thank you to our flag bear­ers, and to all of the creative people with their amazing parade floats! You guys all rock! Thank you to our Grand Marshal Diane Lindberg! And a big thanks to our parade judges (Bonnie Tik­kanen, Dana Deyette and Danette Sundvick) and to Pat Ramsdell (Herbie) for making the awe­some trophies!

Thanks to Mason Buus for putting up signs and scaffolding and generally being helpful.

Thanks so much to our film and livestream crew this year: Kaare Melby, Pam Melby, Jona­than Beauchane, and Renee Goneau-Maas.

Big thanks to Robin Sunquiet for setting up and decorating the outdoor stage, to Robin and Steve Solkela for playing music outside during the day, to the Northern Stars for playing at the Clair Nelson Center, and to Lovin Lake County for sponsoring the whole thing.

Thanks to Lucy Carlson and the Finland Food Chain team for making mojakka for lunch at the Clair Nelson Center after the parade.

Thanks to Crystal Bay Township for providing port-a-potties for the weekend! All of us really appreciate it!

We also want to acknowledge Adam’s Auto Value for sponsoring and providing the sober cab (bus) – it really is a great option and helps keep everyone safe! Thanks so much!

Huge shout-out to all the individuals and busi­nesses who donated to the online auction and door prizes for the raffle ticket drawing this year! There were so many beautiful items do­nated. Thank you so much! Thank you bidders! And the donated door prizes really help to make the drawing a festive event.

Adam’s Auto Value
Amber Klinker – Scentsy
AmericInn by Wyndham Tofte
Baptism River Barbecue Co.
Beaver Bay Mobil Mart
Beaver Bay Sports
Black Beach Inn by GrandSta
Blackbear Outfitters – Dick Krech
Black Beach Mini Golf
Bluefin Bay Resort
Briesa’s Convenience Store
Castle Danger Brewery
Cheryl Esterbrooks – Young Living
Clearview General Store
Cove Point Lodge
Creating My Journey – Jessie Anderson
D&D Services
Don’s Auto Repair & Towing
Donna McCurdy-Wolke – Avon & Color Street Nails
Finland Cooperative Company
Finland Fire Department
Finland Snowmobile / ATV Club
Finnskogen Farm – Kaare & Pam Melby
Fish Out Of Water
Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar
Friends of the Finland Community
Happy Wanderers
Holiday Stationstore Beaver Bay
Hugo’s Bar
J&H Auto Repair & Towing
Jammin’ on the Border – Patricia Boman
Jen’s North Shore Nursery
Julie’s True Value
Just Plain Sorrel – Christine & Libby Althaus
Knotted Pine Inn & Tavern
Lauri Hohman
Maple Grove Lodging
North Shore Area Partners
North Shore Federal Credit Union
Northwoods Family Grille
Our Place
Paparazzi – Debbie Ahlbeck
SalonHaven
Silver Bay Marina
Silver Bay Municipal Bar & Liquor Store
Silver Bowl
St. Urho Committee
Sterling Auto Parts (Napa TH)
Susan Koschak
Temperance Traders
The Green Door
The Well Northshore
Thirty-One Gifts – Gloria Stern
Timber Coffee Co.
We Are The Body Solutions
Wildhurst Lodge & Campground
Wildly Organic
Wolf Ridge ELC
Zoe’s Pizza Kitchen
Zup’s Food Market – Silver Bay
Zup’s Flower Shop & Dollar Store

Thanks to Senja Ahlbeck and Heather Sve for all of their work to gather door prizes and online auction items, and to Randy Duke for assisting.

Thanks also to Thrivent Financial and those who filled out Thrivent Action Teams to support this event!

Huge thanks to Jeff, Pam, Joyce, and the whole crew at the Four Seasons for going all out this year and for hosting the raffle ticket draw­ing, and thanks to everyone who helped out on the day of the drawing!

Thanks again to Lovin’ Lake County for all the support!

Thanks again to all for supporting St. Urho’s Day! It really does take the whole town and then some to put on this event, so to everyone who helps – THANK YOU! We’ll see you next year for the 50th annual! Stay tuned — more details coming soon!

With so much love and gratitude,
The St. Urho Committee