In January 2025, Duluth native Debra Ogston left behind her life in Florida and relocated to Finnish Lapland under the paluumuuttoviisumi (remigration visa). What began as a bold cross-continental move quickly became a journey of internal transformation. Settling into a 1950s veteran’s house along the Ounasjoki River, she found herself immersed in a different pace of life—one shaped by simplicity, seasonal rhythms, and the quiet demands of learning to live in a new way.

In this session, Debra shares how living above the Arctic Circle has reshaped her understanding of happiness, home, and enough. From navigating Finnish bureaucracy in a language she is just beginning to learn, to heating with wood and building a new relationship with solitude, language, and nature, she explores how Finland’s cultural values—quiet perseverance, equality, and stewardship of land—have deeply impacted her sense of self and helped her to see why Finland continues to rank as the happiest country in the world.

Barb Yarusso was always fascinated by her Grandma Alma Norha’s rag rugs. When she joined the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and began to weave, rag rugs were one of her first projects. Barb observed some of Alma’s rugs while on a visit to her grandparents’ old farm, and was inspired to try to revive one of them.

Barb will talk about how rag rugs are woven and used by Finnish American families and traditional patterns favored by both Finnish and Finnish American weavers. She’ll describe how she studied and rewove Alma’s rug, and talk about the communities of rag rug weavers in Minnesota (and neighboring states) today. She’ll show Alma’s rug as well as some of her own.

PRESENTER:
Barb Yarusso is the granddaughter of Eino and Alma Norha, Finnish immigrants who settled in Embarrass, Minnesota. She was born in Duluth and grew up in Columbia Heights (a Minneapolis suburb). She lives with her husband in Shoreview (a St. Paul suburb). Before retirement, Barb worked as a Chemical Engineer, high school science teacher, and legislator.

Barb’s craft interests include weaving, basketry, and learning new ways to make useful things. In 2013, she quit just admiring weaving and bought her first loom. Barb is now an active member of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, and serves on its Board of Directors. Barb enjoys participating in many of the Guild’s special interest groups, and volunteers each year to demonstrate and greet visitors at the Guild’s booth at the MN State Fair.

Barb Yarusso was always fascinated by her Grandma Alma Norha’s rag rugs. When she joined the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and began to weave, rag rugs were one of her first projects. Barb observed some of Alma’s rugs while on a visit to her grandparents’ old farm, and was inspired to try to revive one of them.

Barb will talk about how rag rugs are woven and used by Finnish American families and traditional patterns favored by both Finnish and Finnish American weavers. She’ll describe how she studied and rewove Alma’s rug, and talk about the communities of rag rug weavers in Minnesota (and neighboring states) today. She’ll show Alma’s rug as well as some of her own.

PRESENTER
Barb Yarusso is the granddaughter of Eino and Alma Norha, Finnish immigrants who settled in Embarrass, Minnesota. She was born in Duluth and grew up in Columbia Heights (a Minneapolis suburb). She lives with her husband in Shoreview (a St. Paul suburb). Before retirement, Barb worked as a Chemical Engineer, high school science teacher, and legislator.

Barb’s craft interests include weaving, basketry, and learning new ways to make useful things. In 2013, she quit just admiring weaving and bought her first loom. Barb is now an active member of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, and serves on its Board of Directors. Barb enjoys participating in many of the Guild’s special interest groups, and volunteers each year to demonstrate and greet visitors at the Guild’s booth at the MN State Fair.

Come test your knowledge of Finnish history, geography, and culture for the chance to win a prize!

Join us for an hour of Finn facts and friendly competition at FinnFest’s trivia event, sponsored by Finlandia Foundation National. Come one, come all: Whether you’re a trivia aficionado or new to the game, there’s enough fun to go around. And who knows, you might even win a prize from Cedar + Stone, North Wind Books, or Finnish Long Drink! Both teams and single players welcome. We can’t wait to see you there!
The Family Fun Finnish Trivia is made possible by Finlandia Foundation National.

PRESENTERS:

Anna Laine is a proud Finnish-American and dual citizen, born in the U.S. to Finnish parents. She’s passionate about all things Finland—and trivia! When she’s not quizzing you on Sibelius, salmiakki, or saunas, Anna is a graduate student at Thunderbird School of Global Management, a Brand Ambassador for The Long Drink Company, and an active member of the Finlandia Foundation National’s Young Leaders Board. Nähdään pian!

Molly Tynjala is a senior editor/lead fact checker at Experience Life, a health and wellness magazine based in the Twin Cities. She is a fourth-generation Finnish American on her father’s side. Molly studied Finnish for three years at the University of Minnesota and hopes to one day become fluent enough to have a full conversation. She joined FFN’s Young Leaders board in October 2024.

Chelsey Miller, UMD Library Sámi Collection Bibliographer, presents information about the Rudy Johnson Memorial Sámi Collection.

Why does the UMD Library have a Sámi collection? What does this mean, and who are the Sámi people? Attendees will learn about how this collection came into being, how it is used in a university setting and how it can be a resource for the larger community, and the importance of caring for an indigenous collection of materials.

Presenter Bio: Chelsey Miller is the bibliographer for the Sámi collection at the Kathryn A. Martin Library, and the library’s marketing and communications professional. Outside of her role at UMD she is a visual artist and board member at the Sámi Cultural Center of North America.

An introduction to three traditional forms of Finnish weaving—rag rugs, raanu, and rya—plus profiles of Finnish-American weavers who carry on this legacy.

Presenter Bio: Lisa-Anne Bauch is a folk artist whose work is rooted in the traditional textile techniques and materials of Sweden, Finland, and Norway, well as their respective immigrant communities in North America. Her writing about textiles has appeared in several magazines, including PieceWork, Norwegian Textile Letter, Väv, and Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot.