St. Urho’s Dinner & Dance
By Lorna Sulin and Sandra Perko
We always have fun celebrating this fictional saint, and this year was no exception. With plenty of grapes and grasshoppers decorating the hall and partiers’ hats, everyone got into the spirit of the day. We did miss Linda and Joe Byrne and hope they will soon be able to join us. Linda initiated the St. Urho’s event years ago, and has always been our emcee. In her absence, VP and acting president Mike Potsaid stepped up to the mic, assisted by his grandson Xavier, who called the tables to line up for dinner in a voice that was loud and clear. Xavier was also busy offering guests edible roasted crickets in 3 flavors from a small bucket that topped his hat! A small sign there said, “TRY ONE / CRICKETS.”
The social hour featured appetizers provided by board members. To keep our admission price down, we decided not to hire a caterer, and instead prepared a tasty dinner under the capable leadership of Mike Potsaid. Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, pickled beets, cranberry sauce, and rolls and butter. Vegetarian “meatballs” were also offered. For dessert, we had a delicious, beautifully decorated cake, complete with green and purple flourishes and a detailed frosting grasshopper. In case you need reminding, St. Urho is the (fictional) hero who drove the grasshoppers (green) out of Finland and saved the grape crop (purple).
Those who had brought hats wore their creations as they paraded around the dance floor, and Sally Cragin selected and interviewed winners and awarded certificates in several amusingcategories, including Most Creative Use of Materials, Most Likely to be Left at Goodwill at the End of the Night, Most Likely to be Worn in Witness Protection, etc. First place went to Xavier for the hat Most Likely to Scare Off Grasshoppers (his hat had those scary crickets!).
Linda Byrne chose the game, based on an activity she had done at Fairlawn Rehab. Three teams of five people sat in circles. Each team volleyed a balloon, and the team who kept the balloon in the air the longest won a free breakfast for each team member. It was a fun change from the challenges of Finnish trivia! Thank you to game host Mike Cappello.
Once again, Central Mass Accordion Club and Revontulet director Leila Luopa succeeded in getting dancers on the floor. Aside from the couples dancing, Leila led “wanna-be dancers” in some fun and easy group folk dances. Accordionists Dan Mackowiak, Arthur Richard, and Jane French ended the night by playing “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” as we sangin a big circle, swaying and holding hands – a traditional and heart-warming way to end the evening.
Thank you all!
