Finns honored at chamber session
Finns honored at chamber session
By LAYLA ASLANI, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — Years ago, large numbers of Finnish citizens immigrated to the Keweenaw, greatly impacting the local culture. This week, a Finnish group came to the Copper Country, not to influence the culture, but to observe and interact.
The group belongs to Tampereen Pyrintö, the largest sport club in Finland for 15 to 20 year olds, and consists of 16 basketball players along with their coaches and team manager.
The visit is part of an exchange program to learn about the local culture and American culture as a whole.
Tampereen Pyrintö Club members engage in orienteering, cross-country skiing, weight lifting, basketball and bowling. Founded in 1896, the club has played an important role in Finnish athletics and club athletes have won a total of 28 Olympic medals and several World and European Championship medals.
The trip was organized by the Marquette Magic Amateur Athletic Union Basketball Club, of which some members visited Tampere last year.
The Hancock visit is hosted by Finlandia University. Other stops include Marquette, Milwaukee and Ripon, Wis. and Chicago.
While here, the team has enjoyed meeting people of Finnish descent and touring the area.
“I would say that they are enjoying themselves,” said Finlandia University Dean of Enrollment Management and Student Development Ben Larson, who has served as their guide. “Highlights for them were to see the Finnish flags and street signs in Hancock, (and to) experience the ‘Finnish’ feeling of the area,” he said.
The youth’s schedule includes a cookout at Hancock Beach and tours of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Finlandia University, Michigan Tech University and the Quincy Mine Hoist.
The group stopped by the Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday at the Franklin Square Inn, where they were welcomed warmly.
Overlooking the former Quincy Mine Company Smelter Complex in Ripley, the chamber presented each player with a piece of native copper while explaining the local significance.
Tonight, the team will play two games in the Hancock Central High School Gym against local high school players, most of whom are of Finnish descent, coached by Derek Gardner. The girl’s game begins at 5:30 p.m., while the boy’s game will be at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $4 and the public is invited to attend.
“Coach Gardner has gathered a nice group of both boys and girls that should represent our area and American basketball styles very well tonight,” Larson said. “I think the Finnish players will enjoy playing against opponents named Kinnunen and Asiala and will enjoy seeing our style of basketball.”
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