{"id":2223,"date":"2011-04-01T13:55:19","date_gmt":"2011-04-01T17:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.finncamp.org\/blog\/?page_id=2223"},"modified":"2011-04-01T14:04:23","modified_gmt":"2011-04-01T18:04:23","slug":"these-articles-were-written-for-the-1975-50th-anniversary-book","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.finncamp.org\/blog\/?page_id=2223","title":{"rendered":"These articles were written for the 1975 – 50th anniversary book."},"content":{"rendered":"

ELMER’S STORY<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

On or about 1907 or 1908, a group of Finnish people organized the Detroit\u00a0Finnish Educational Association. Their meetings were held at the Finnish\u00a0Educational Association Hall — 5969 14th Street in Detroit, Michigan.<\/p>\n

Because they enjoyed outdoor activities in the summer months, they would rent\u00a0and use various beaches and parks for camping, swimming and other activities.\u00a0From 1920 to 1924 they were at Wing Lake and Walnut Lake in the present\u00a0Birmingham area.<\/p>\n

In April of 1925, the D.F.E.A. decided to elect a committee to seek a\u00a0suitable permanent location. The chairman of this committee was Pekka Juvonen.\u00a0The secretary was Elmer Makela. The other names of committee members have been\u00a0lost to history.<\/p>\n

The first site selected was an 80 acre farm near Pleasant Lake. The full\u00a0price was $40,000.00. A $50.00 deposit was made. The site was cancelled. The\u00a0reasons were not noted in the minutes of the committee.<\/p>\n

On June 21, 1925, a caravan of between 20 to 30 automobiles left Detroit to\u00a0hold a picnic at Site No. 2. Upon arriving at Sears Lake, they found it most\u00a0unsuitable. Among other things, the Lake itself was a shallow mudhold. Sears\u00a0Lake near Milford was a 40 acre farm. The price was $16,750.00 A $500.00 deposit\u00a0had been made.<\/p>\n

The caravan left Sears Lake and continued on to the 3rd site which was a 100\u00a0acre farm on Loon Lake. The price was $32,000.00. After looking over the Loon\u00a0Lake site, the group became very enthusiastic about its possibilities.<\/p>\n

At the following meeting the committee held another confer- ence at which it\u00a0was decided to organize the DETROIT FINNISH CO-OPERATIVE SUMMER CAMP\u00a0ASSOCIATION. This association was to be a separate organization from the D.F.E.A.\u00a0as the D.F.C.S.C.A. would be too large to be affiliated with another\u00a0organization.<\/p>\n

The aims and goals originally desired were:<\/p>\n

1. To maintain and promote social, physical, cultural and recreational\u00a0activities.<\/p>\n

2. To take care of the spiritual and physical well-being of\u00a0its membership by arranging lectures, picnics, programs\u00a0and meetings.<\/p>\n

3. Also to secure for its members — facilities for ball games, athletics,\u00a0swimming and bathing.<\/p>\n

4. For the purpose of maintaining and developing physical education.<\/p>\n

5. To provide its members a peaceful site for summer\u00a0homes.<\/p>\n

The only requirements for membership were: to be of Finnish descent, Finnish\u00a0speaking, of good character and to live in the Detroit area.<\/p>\n

With the charter signed, this enthusiastic group began a building program\u00a0that has spanned 50 years. The organization continues today with 2nd, 3rd and\u00a04th generations of people who have not lost the spark of the original members.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

MEMORIES OF FIFTY YEARS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

I am one of the first members of the Detroit Finnish Summer Camp. My husband, Toivo Aho, bought his share in 1925. Toivo died in
\n1946. The share was put in my name, Katri Aho. In 1948 I married George Larson,\u00a0then the share was changed to Katri Larson.<\/span><\/p>\n

I remember so clearly the Sunday we went on a picnic to\u00a0Sears Lake. Young as we were we simply had to go swimming. But we sure got out\u00a0of that lake in a hurry! The water was muddy and long, black snakes were\u00a0swimming in it. We all left that picnic spot and came to look at Loon Lake.\u00a0Everyone was delighted with this place. We walked around what today is the\u00a0kentta area; it was covered with brush, bushes and long grass. We found a narrow\u00a0path to the beach; following the path we found an old row boat in the water.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toivo was one of the first building workmen at Loon Lake.\u00a0He did many different jobs. He was caretaker with Kusti Maki. It was in the\u00a01930’s when construction work was at a standstill. Toivo was a mason, or brick\u00a0layer by trade, so he was out of work.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Caretaker lived in the old farm house. Heat and light\u00a0were provided along with the living quarters. He received no salary. At that\u00a0time the Caretaker’s chores were: heat the sauna, clean the sauna and the beach;\u00a0clean the kentta area; clean the dance hall; clean the toilets (they were known\u00a0as outhouses); keep the pumps in good repair; burn the trash; and any other\u00a0chores that were to be done and chores were always to be found.<\/span><\/p>\n

Toivo also put in his term on the Board of Directors. He\u00a0was always ready to give a hand where it was needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Our first camp was put up in 1926. During those days the\u00a0camp area had no electricity. In fact the camps didn’t have electricity for a\u00a0long time. Toivo made a brick stove outside; it was large enough for our\u00a0neighbor ladies to use. Later on we purchased an oil stove. The first camp had\u00a0canvas roof and sides. The roof didn’t last too long, as the sap dripped from\u00a0the trees and burned it full of holes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first years were happy times at Loon Lake. Everyone\u00a0knew one another. We were like one big family. Of course there were differences\u00a0of opinions and ideas, but as in any large family not everyone thinks alike.<\/span><\/p>\n

We talked over our ideas and opinions and matters were\u00a0settled and this is how they have always been settled. When the hard years came\u00a0along many members had very little money. In the long run every member had it in\u00a0his heart to save this place. Be- cause this was all our very own summer resorts\u00a0We had our cele- brations and week-end affairs with total member support. This\u00a0is how we fared the hard years with great pride. Our debts were paid and we\u00a0built onward.<\/span><\/p>\n

For my own part I wish to say this Loon Lake has been my\u00a0very life and a cherished place. I have been in Ohio over four years. As yet I\u00a0have not been able to give up my share — so dear this area has been to me. I\u00a0have made visits in the past and hope that I can come to the 50th Anniversary\u00a0celebration.<\/span><\/p>\n

I wish the new members the same work strength that the\u00a0first members shared. <\/span>— Katri Larson (Aho)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ELMER’S STORY On or about 1907 or 1908, a group of Finnish people organized the Detroit\u00a0Finnish Educational Association. Their meetings were held at the Finnish\u00a0Educational Association Hall — 5969 14th Street in Detroit, Michigan. Because they enjoyed outdoor activities in the summer months, they would rent\u00a0and use various beaches and parks for camping, swimming and … <\/p>\n

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