Pete Torola's Homeless Page

2012-01-27T13:11:00.005-05:00

My birthday meal at the Hut, on Jan 21st.....74 yrs ollllldddddd.!!!

Glenn Hyrkas's birthday, a day after mine..25 yrs. old

Leah's dog and cat...meowrr??

Washington services: Hills, Walkers, Martini's, Mikko, Dahl's & Taivalkoski's recently

Lyle and Heather Anderson family

2012-01-24T12:42:00.001-05:00

Kiera Johnson (my gr/grdaughter) trying out her skating legs

with my gr/daughter Rosie Torola

2012-01-24T12:39:00.001-05:00

Our maintenance man digging our cars out.

They do that for us after a storm.

Judy Roepke's car half buried after the storm

2012-01-23T11:15:00.001-05:00

ELLEN ROUSU OF DELANO, MN. WILL BE 90 ON FEB. 4

PLEASE SEND HER A CARD AND "MAKE HER DAY"

ADDRESS IS 290 KINGS POINTE RD.

DELANO, MN 55328

2012-01-19T22:08:00.004-05:00

These 3 pics. are my daughter Leah who works in no. dakota, and has a man-type job in Minot.

she works for an excavating company, uses water hoses under great pressure, and a vacume also, cleans off trucks and other jobs. she is full of mud all the time, has layers of clothes on, her pants are so full of oil that they are now waterproof. she has found muscles she didn't know she had. safety glasses, inner clothes, outer clothes, big boots.....she thought she was working alongside a man, and found out it was another woman when they shed the outer clothing. she has found out how to define a woman in all the clothes by the way they stand, they put their hands on their hips.

2012-01-18T19:41:00.004-05:00

Bunch of ladies at the Hut recently

Dan & Kate Helppi's littlest one...

Two good "buds"...Luke Frantti & Ethel Eskola

Grace & Bob in Port Isabel waiting to walk across the causeway to So. Padre Island, TX, a yearly thing...pete and I used to do it too.

Three more executives..anderson, jukuri, sturos

2012-01-08T22:38:00.007-05:00

Jeremy , Cody, and Greta (Hyrkas) Kinnunen at the baptism recently

(I don't have Missy & Mike's pic.)

The two godfather's, Wayne and Greg Hyrkas

Rick with baptism babies

Great-gram Me, and Grant Lupinski, Cody Kinnunen..baptism

Bunch of girls at church

Grace's birthday lunch in Dec...her brudders (Randell's) and their spouses

Madelyn Torola's birthday in Dec. (Dave & Ann's)

2012-01-08T22:32:00.002-05:00

Don D. picked us ladies up, we went to lac la belle and ate at the restaurant there, then went to visit don and gail frantti and judy anderson...a great day and visit (friday)

minus one, added one

Helminen's are now "horsing around"

2012-01-03T22:57:00.003-05:00

Darlene, Dingo, Joyce and Charliehorse

The farrier is getting ready to trim "charlie horse's" hoofs...(his real name)

2012-01-03T22:48:00.001-05:00

oops...this should be w. the helminen pics...margie just opened her "gift", an angel that we have been gifting each other for a year,now...xmas, birthday, mother's day....going back and forth...getting harder to disguise the package!

2012-01-03T22:43:00.002-05:00

Roger on Dingo

Joyce on Dingo

Darlene on Dingo...I told her if he gets ornery, call him Dingbat

2012-01-03T22:39:00.002-05:00

Half of the Helminen's on Christmas morning...Martin on the right has reflective clothing on...works good. Roger is in his usual position, guy in black, laying down...

"where's waldo?"....bunch of helminen's on christmas morning, buried in the paper!

2011-12-30T22:47:00.002-05:00

At our christmas party, margie & brian found these old relics in the sauna, from way back when we all lived in their house and they were just young kids. ...the dipper and thermometer....broken....and full of memories. They were given to the guys to open by proxy for Wally. Wally is so kauhian sentimental, that the sauna stuff will be given to walt when he comes home next week from No. Dakota!

2011-12-30T22:33:00.005-05:00

Me and half the grandkids, some great/grands...our Christmas party always held in the Mohawk gym. potluck, sing, skits from each family, and games. great time.

Partridge in a pear tree: we stand in a big circle, i play the keyboard, margie gives each group their number to act out for the song...it's really hilarious.

Three french hens

2011-12-30T22:22:00.005-05:00

Four calling birds

This pic. started when they happened to be sitting together as babies at one of our xmas parties. I take a pic. each year, with the kids in the same order. fun to see them grow.

Caterpillar game...two teams, pass an empty 2 liter pop bottle thru your legs, next one passes it over their head, hence the name....last one at the end of the row runs to the front and starts over....can go on as long as you want, or up to a certain line in the floor. the little kids really like it, and big ones join in with them...an annual game.

Caterpillar game

Cody...Greta & Jeremy's baby, Randy and Greg Hyrkas in the bk/ground

Tina (Hyrkas) Zegel, Greta (Hyrkas) Kinnunen, Janina (Larson) Hyrkas, Ann Torola

engagement No. 4....any more?

2011-12-28T15:54:00.001-05:00

Jim Dowd and my gr/daughter Marisa Torola

getting married in July

NEW ENGAGEMENT PICTURES SENT TO ME

2011-12-25T23:16:00.003-05:00

Engaged this Christmas season:

Jared Hyrkas & Susan Sturos

Eric Sturos & Marissa Ryynanen

Chase Sturos & Carmen Heinonen

PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT HAVE A RESIDENCE PHONE, JUST A CELL.

# IS 36 92468

ALSO, MY APARTMENT # IS 11, NOT 12

couple more for the gingerbread party

2011-12-25T23:07:00.001-05:00

having a sing-a-long after making gingerbread creations

Kiera Johnson (my gr/grandaughter) examining a house

Pictures of our gingerbread making party, pete & I started it about 25 years ago

2011-12-21T22:54:00.003-05:00

Steve, me & Paul (Had to leave early, so not in the big pic)

Ann, Petey, Maddie & Josie

Missy (Hyrkas) Lupinski and son Tyler (my gr/grandson)

2011-12-21T22:41:00.007-05:00

the whole gang, minus steve & paul

Martin made a bird feeding station

Pam made a horse drinking from a trough, Cade made a big spider...so it wasn't just gingerbread houses this year

Pam, Isis, Joyce, Janie, me, Rosie, Nina, Darlene

Kurt, Kiera (gr/grand) and Selena Johnson

Rodney (from Menahga), Bruce, Trevor, Lizzie

Martin, Steve, Glenn, Paul, Julia, just getting started

A variety of creations, not even houses

2011-12-21T22:39:00.000-05:00

Anna Anttila's birthday party recently; she is recovering for knee replacement surgery.

please know that my apt. no. is 11, NOT 12; cards have been returned just because of one number

2011-12-19T12:50:00.002-05:00

e-mailed from mpls. area

2011-12-17T21:38:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas from the family of George Peterson . The picture was taken 12 days before George was called home, on Jan. 6, 2011. We thank God for all your love and prayers.

2011-12-15T22:12:00.001-05:00

Irene & Kirby Frantti...Merry Christmas

Eskola ladies party at Park Ave. this past Tues.

Bunch of pics from last saturday in calumet

2011-12-14T22:11:00.002-05:00

John & Maria Sturos having hot chocolate after the dogsled rides

2011-12-14T18:35:00.000-05:00

the anderson clan...marne, sheri and kids waiting for a dogsled ride

2011-12-14T17:52:00.006-05:00

Peter Torola visiting santa in Calumet last Sat.

Lizzie, Me & Janie loving up one of the sled dogs; the girls were ready to take him home.

Dogsled rides in the park...tons of people and fun

Lizzie & Pete on the dogsled ride

Trevor & Maddie on the dogsled

Amy Erkkila and daughter on horsecart ride

2011-12-14T13:09:00.002-05:00

Dave & Ann & Kids going for a ride around Calumet

Madelyn Torola (Dave & Anne) with Santa

A bunch from the valley, out to enjoy the Calumet doings

Pearl Loukus's surprise birthday party at Park Ave. last wk

2011-12-10T22:11:00.007-05:00

Pearl & her cake with that crazy lady's portrait...was her name Selma Hagalaga? (oomlats over the "a's"...

Delish salad lunch brought by all: Linda Luoma, Carol Eskola, Judy Roepke, Betty Halonen and Cheryl Kangas (about 20 ladies )

WOW! Look what showed up for Pearl's party! We think it was her girls and in-laws...they spoke not a word while they were there!

Posing before they left

Anita Koski, Margaret Koskela, Norma Anderson, Helen Pennala at Pearl's party

Ethel Eskola, Marianne Peterson, Jeanette Kangas at Pearl's party

2011-12-08T13:24:00.000-05:00

Oops, I found another pic. from Bill Kero's bd party!

Walt & Ruth Maki

2011-12-08T13:18:00.003-05:00

My grandson Glenn Hyrkas got this 10 pointer with a muzzleloader from his tree stand.

It was the biggest he's ever gotten. Second one of this year...got an 8 pt with rifle.

2011-12-07T22:49:00.003-05:00

Pics sent to me: beautiful baby, Lucy Sophia Keranen, born 10-16-11

Baptized in church 12-4-11

Parents, Kevin & Janelle Keranen w. baby Lucy

Godparents, Caroline Pietila, Missy & Ted Keranen

The following pics are at Bill Kero's 90th surprise birthday party

2011-12-05T23:12:00.011-05:00

Son Glen, Bill, son Paul (Nov.28, 2011)

several others attending were over or near 90...guess who?

Don Daavettila, Bill Kero, Doug Edwards

Ray Kotaniemi

Joe Randell & Charlie Bukima

Me & Ethel

Taking pics of the birthday man

some of Bill's great grandkids (I think)

In-laws & outlaws at Bill Kero's party

Table people at Kero's party

Two brudders, Edsel & Elmer Johnson at Kero's party

clyde shot a wooden deer

Another picture and letter from across the world in Armenia

2011-12-03T18:47:00.002-05:00

From my gr/daughter Evelyn Helminen in Armenia (Peace Corps)

"I got a package in the mail from Betty R. Taivalkoski including a Calumet high School towel. She asked me to take a pic. of me with the Towel, send it to her so they could put it on the CHS facebook page. They want pictures of all the many CHS alumni with these towels to document the many places they go in the world."

Neat idea, hey?

a letter and picture from across the world

2011-12-01T19:36:00.002-05:00

I got this e-mail just now: " I don't know who is running Pete's homeless site right now, but I'd like to say hello to all the christian folks back home in the U.P. I'm deployed in Africa these days having a grand old time. (as much as it can be "grand" out here)"

LCPL Haataja, P.S.

VMGR-252 DETC

(Cindy & Ron Haataja's son Paul)

a scene from Africa where Paul Haataja is stationed

(mode of transportation?)

2011-11-30T12:51:00.007-05:00

someone sent this pic labeled "zion canes"...Alan Davidson, Betty Jackola & Jean Pelli

Starting the line to eat our Thanksgiving dinner at Margie & Brian Helminen's

Loren & Andrea Haverinen at Thanksgiving dinner

Liza Helminen

Heidi & Dan Helminen and daughter Cassie

Darlene Helminen (Margie & Bri's) holding Daryl Haverinen from Menahga, here for Xsgiving dinner (Andrea & Loren's)

Nina Torola (Wally's) holding Annette Harmala (Melanie & Norman's)

2011-11-30T12:48:00.001-05:00

New addition to Trudy & Roger Haataja family...baptized in church

Roger & Trudy Haataja family at Leroy's baptism recently

2011-11-28T21:26:00.002-05:00

Rosemary Torola getting ready for the big hunt in youth season

with big sister Marisa

Rosemary's button buck...she gets bragging rights for her house, cuz she got the only buck in their household!

2011-11-26T22:00:00.002-05:00

We all talked to evelyn helminen on skype...she is in armenia in the peace corps. We showed her the table all set, carving the turkey. it was midnight there, so she is wrapped up in a blanket. snow on the ground, she said...and of course armenia doesn't have a reason to celebrate thanksgiving

Turkey Day at Margie & Brian Helminen's 2011

2011-11-26T17:08:00.002-05:00

Margie getting dinner ready. lots of stuff to eat per usual, we all brought dishes and pies, too.

Brian carving the bird

2011-11-26T17:04:00.002-05:00

Brenda & Davin had to leave, so got their very own snapshot

The outside crew after eating our turkey dinner. they are all cousins from two families...brenda & davin's and margie & brian's

The inside crew, helminen turkey day

Williston, North Dakota coffee clatch at applebee's

2011-11-25T22:56:00.002-05:00

Ed Johnson (downstate), Anderson (Dennis & Loanne's), Wesa, (Pete's), Wally Torola, Craig Koski (Russ's) Daavettila (John's) & Keith Pietila (Ruth's)

2011-11-24T22:26:00.001-05:00

11 yr. old Warren Torola got this buck right out of his back yard! (Carl's son)

Johanna Tolkkinen got this buck in Traprock Valley...so did her brotheers gavin and saul

2011-11-24T12:03:00.001-05:00

SEND ME SOME PICS. OF THANKSGIVING TIME

and more deer ones

2011-11-23T11:29:00.001-05:00

This biggie was shot by Jim Hendrickson of Menahga, MN. (betsy's uncle)

9 pointer, rack 21.5 wide, 198 lbs.

2011-11-22T12:48:00.001-05:00

Aaron Larson shows off his 10 point buck to his kids, Logan & Jenny

He shot it first day of bow season

2011-11-20T22:28:00.005-05:00

Margie's orchids a few months ago

Clyde put out a pumpkin birdfeeder, and look what happened...

notice the head in one end, tail out of the other!

Kristen Tervo, Lana Hyrkas, Janine Kiilunen

My cousin, Mary Lou, and husband Al Pesola, Al is looking good after heart bypass surgery

Two fine executives, Kurt Anderson and Jaako Helppi

How's this for humble Bumbletown? (Clyde Randell)

2011-11-19T22:22:00.001-05:00

Paul & Peter Torola (Dave's) and Paul's buck

12 gauge, doubleOO buck (whatever that means)

First deer for Paul!

I AM WAITING FOR SOME DEER HUNTING PICS!!! SEND 'EM!

2011-11-18T19:22:00.000-05:00

3 elder birthdays to remember,( requests to list these)

2011-11-14T22:08:00.004-05:00

Bill Kero will turn 90 on Nov. 28, his party is listed above. His address is 55795 Pepin Rd., Laurium, MI, 49913

Irene Somero turned 90 on Nov. 8...it's not too late to send her a card. Address is 723 Seventh st., Laurium, MI 49913

Ethel Harmala will turn 80 on Nov. 26. Her address is 6440 Springflower Dr., New Port Richey, Florida, 34653

2011-11-14T07:05:00.002-05:00

Pic sent to me recently of a mine tour in virginia, mn.

From Left, the Seiter's, Frantti's, Finland minister, (Koivukangas???) Dorothy & Emil Johnson & kids, Aggie Johnson, and Johnson's boys. don't know who the boy in the yellow shirt is.

2011-11-14T07:01:00.002-05:00

Recent wedding pic sent to me...Celia Sturos & Dan Raisanen, daughter of Pete Sturos's of Farmington area, and Heidi & Keith Raisanen of Cokato. Celia is wearing her grandma Maria Sturos's wedding dress, of 54 years ago. It's awesomingly beautiful!

2011-11-14T06:57:00.002-05:00

Twins, Lucy & Allie, born recently, daughters of Kari & Gordon Bekkala of Cokato, MN

2011-11-09T23:32:00.000-05:00

22 little artists painted a watercolor picture with me at Busy Bees this week

RETIREMENT PARTY FOR CAROL ESKOLA MON., NOV. 7, 2011

2011-11-08T08:51:00.014-05:00

Carol and one of her presents! Had a fun time, ate, sang, (also sang an 8 verse song about Carol and her retirement, tune of "my Bonny lies over the ocean", concocted by Ellen.

Also ladies were given an "old lady" test, to see if they remembered stuff like blackjack gum, rollerskate keys, glass milk bottles, candy cigarettes, etc. Most of us did remember them, but Carla B. is only 40, so had only 7 yes, while the rest of us had about 25....shows how really old some of us are.

A great evening, and Carol enjoyed the party with so many friends!

notice the ballons on the tree...inside was a retirement wish from all of us...so she had to pop and read them! Great fun!

Missing from pics is Julie Kangas and Ellen, Lana, Judy Nordstrom, Holly Eskola, Janet Larson, Kathy Johnson

Julie and Judy Roepke were the party planners and did a good job!

Annual "Roiko weekend"...a family fun time!

2011-11-08T08:48:00.001-05:00

2011-11-07T20:49:00.000-05:00

Recent wedding pic sent; Leanne (Niska) and Brent Luoma

in virginia, mn

2011-11-04T22:56:00.004-04:00

One more pic. from Alaska trip...at the airport, I was late getting my shoes back on cuz I always get "wanded".

Brian Helminen with a big snapping turtle this past summer

Tina (Hyrkas)Zegel, Me, Christi (Hyrkas) Warner at Randy & Janina's wedding in Aug.

Sandy & Joe Koivisto

More Hillstrom/Storm wedding pics

2011-11-04T22:46:00.006-04:00

Me, Carolyn Kangas, Maija Tolkkinen

?Grangroth, Verna Grangroth, Sandy Lasanen

Janet Storm, Verna Daavettila

Janet Tolkkinen, Paula Leppanen, Margie Helminen

Kathy Halonen and Debbie Lasanen

Eric Torola and Aaron Storm at Hillstrom/Storm wedding in Cokato

Two of Hillstrom sisters, with cousin Emily Sheffer in the middle

2011-10-31T10:43:00.002-04:00

ODE TO LADD ANDERSON ( A LIMERICK BY ELLEN)

THERE ONCE WAS A BOY NAMED LADD

WHO STARTED TO FEEL KINDA BADD

A BLOOD PROBLEM IT WAS

AND IT WAS THE CAUSE

TO MAKE LADD FEEL VERY SADD.

HE BEGAN A RIGOROUS INFUSION

OF MEDICINES THAT MADE SUCH CONFUSION

IT MADE SUCH A PUNCH

THAT HE COULDN'T EAT LUNCH

IT FELT LIKE HE HAD A CONTUSION.

AND AFTER HIS TREATMENTS WERE DONE

(IT WAS NOT VERY MUCH FUN)

IT FELT LIKE A YEAR

BUT NEVER YOU FEAR

THE PRAYERS AND SUPPORT WILL HAVE WON!!!

2011-10-31T10:34:00.002-04:00

Ladd Anderson (brown jacket, blue jeans in the middle) has leukemia, and isn't able to mingle right now. His mom brought him to church so he could have this picture with his sunday school class. Then she had to take him home. Ladd's leukemia is treatable, so that is great. If you will notice, some of the boys shaved their heads for Ladd's sake! (He is Becky & Doug Anderson's boy)

2011-10-30T22:06:00.001-04:00

Snowmen in Armenia...Evie & friend Laura

note houses in background

Evelyn Helminen & Laura, made snowmen in Armenia

2011-10-29T16:51:00.001-04:00

Liz & Bob Keranen, Menahga...

Emily, Elise, Lars, Brian, Eva, Erika, Joseph..and Grant Tolkkinen (not in that order)

A preview of some of the smaller paintings that i will have at the Houghton Art Affair and the Old Fashioned Bazaar in Nov.

2011-10-29T11:08:00.009-04:00

11 x 14 acrylic, Esrey Park in the Keweenaw

Think of Christmas presents for your kids, boss, best friend!

16 x 20 frame, watercolor, Appleblossoms (acutual is much clearer)

Top 8 x 10 frame, watercolor of Thimbleberries

bottom, 8 x 10 frame, watercolor of Trilliums

8 x 10 acrylic of Traverse River

Top, McLain Park, Mt. Drive, 8 x 10 acrylic

Bottom, Lady Slippers, 5 x7 acrylic, Copper Harbor, 8 x 10, acrylic

Three phases of Breakwaters

one 10 x 20, the other 2 are 10 x 10, acrylic

can be purchased separately or whole set. looks good all side by side, but for the camera's sake, did it this way.

2011-10-27T16:06:00.004-04:00

This carving (#36) is done by a man who goes around the world, with his carvings to memorialize the American indians as well as other world tribes. It's from Douglas Fir. Another one of his indians is at Sunday Lake in Wakefield. As of this time, the carver is in Russia doing another carving.

Wally sent this pic. of an oil well in Worland, Wyoming, where he had to drive a vanload of workers to fix a problem on the well. He is back in No. Dakota now.

Here is Betsy Kangas (Edney's) in Germany after her surgery on mon...this is thurs. she's looking pretty perky, and went to the cafeteria with Edney to eat.

2011-10-26T12:54:00.000-04:00

Arvi & Beega Impola

2011-10-26T12:50:00.001-04:00

more cottage house breakfast ladies, menahga

virginia haapala, lempi roiko, mary peterson, me

2011-10-24T16:51:00.001-04:00

Betsy's hospital in Germany....looks more like an elegant manor. Her surgery went fine, and a lady called Helga helped translate everything.

2011-10-24T16:45:00.003-04:00

Elaine Skoog & Gladys Martin in Menahga

In Menahga at the Cottage House for breakfast...Sharon Siltala, Martha Pinoniemi and Shirley Josephson

2011-10-24T16:40:00.001-04:00

Hillstrom sisters in cokato

two beauty queens, no doubt

me and myrt

a german meal

2011-10-22T16:00:00.002-04:00

betsy & edney are in germany for her medical treatment; her surgery is on monday, all is going well. they e-mailed some of us, and tried to describe edney's meal...it was hilarious. It could be this, it could be that, but wasn't sure what he ate! (besty had a different meal, being in the hospital)

2011-10-20T13:20:00.000-04:00

Clyde caught this racoon on camera in his bird feeder!

2011-10-20T13:05:00.005-04:00

Judy & Rick Eskola at Janina & Randy's wedding

Nichole Roiko's birthday in Alaska

me, janina & randy, aug. 27

Lana Heinonen, Edie Isaacson, Doris Huhta

carrie and me at randy & janina's wedding

2011-10-19T22:12:00.001-04:00

Hows' this for a sign...in sebeka...spotted it while we were garage saling

2011-10-18T22:48:00.001-04:00

Ina Haataja (daughter of Janie & Mark), and Martin Helminen (son of Margie & Brian) are engaged, to be married May 5

2011-10-17T08:11:00.001-04:00

Tremendous waves and wind at lorraine and bob's yesterday....at breakies, there were surfers who were even having a rough time keeping upright.

2011-10-16T22:24:00.004-04:00

The Peterson sisters having a good time at the wedding...Maria, Lisa, Marci and Ilona

Did I already post this? Oh, well....Kylie Helminen clowning around with the peaches!!! daughter of gordon and amanda...in alaska.

Greta (Hyrkas), w. husband Jeremy kinnunen w. baby Cody

some of my gr/kids..wayne hyrkas, glen hyrkas, mike lupinski, brian and paul torola

Donna & Don Larson at Larson/Hyrkas wedding in Aug.

2011-10-16T22:21:00.002-04:00

here's the niemi kids from brighton area....3 of them left a note on my door this summer. they wanted to meet me cuz they always look at this homepage. kids are ilona and, I think, steve niemi's kids...If im wrong, correct me on "steve"...i'll fix it. HI, KIDS!

2011-10-14T08:31:00.002-04:00

beautiful flowers along side a walking trail in Girdwood

Girdwood, Glacier Creek...see the rainbow?

Glacier Creek in Girdwood

2011-10-14T08:25:00.002-04:00

we went to girdwood, on our way bk to anchorage, past the Turnagain Arm, wild life rehab center, beautiful scenery and because of the slight mist in the air, lots of rainbows. what an awesome scenery day!!. this beautiful cabin (house) belongs to amanda's boss...she lets gord and amanda come and stay any time. we had our supper here. this is the only place in alaska that has a ski hill, and it was hard to believe! very touristy town with lots of cabins tucked in among the trees. caleb & baby avery conked out.

2011-10-14T08:20:00.002-04:00

Doug & Caleb gearing up to go stream fishing

our fishing tub

gordon with the "sun protector" on his face (???)

harbor scenes in homer as we came back from fishing

2011-10-14T08:15:00.002-04:00

2011-10-14T08:12:00.001-04:00

couple more denali scenes..this is my favorite

2011-10-12T10:34:00.002-04:00

HERE'S ANOTHER 90TH BIRTHDAY FROM MINNESOTA THAT WAS SENT TO ME:

VELMA SARKELA WILL BE 90 ON OCT. 23...IT WOULD BE FUN TO SEND HER A CARD, TOO, EVEN IF YOU DON'T KNOW HER!

ADDRESS: 9088 KEENAN RD

IRON, MN 55751

WHERE'S WALDO????

2011-10-11T08:40:00.005-04:00

This is Helen Pietila's 80th birthday party that was sent to me. I had to study it a long time before I found Helen!

Russell playing with Allie & Kaitlin Pietila, with their boats from boatshow

russ & caleb watching a blacksmith at the wooden boatshow in homer

at the wooden boat show in homer...they had various small wood boats ready for the kids to add their sails, or things for different kinds of boats

2011-10-11T08:37:00.001-04:00

Amy Daavettila (reed & sue's) and Luke Aho (cokato)

they came to our rented house in Homer also, but too late for our group picture

2011-10-09T20:31:00.006-04:00

at a flea market in homer...this crusty old guy made this banjo, and the sitar-dulcimer you will see below....he did all his figure carvings with a dremel tool.

demonstrating his sitar-dulcimer

working on my alaska sketch/painting of our trip

Worthington Glacier...Lempi & Nichole...you could see people climbing the glacier...at the base are ice caves.

Trisha, Brad, Allie, kaitlin and Brenna Pietila. Brad is a veterinarian in Anchorage, son of pauline

2011-10-09T20:26:00.002-04:00

talkeetna, alaska is a charming tiny village, filled with small log cabins filled with gifts, cafes, galleries, and tour businesses. lots of people in sept., so can't imagine how full it must be during the summer. here is amanda helminen in front of a shop

more of talkeetna. alaska

2011-10-08T16:04:00.002-04:00

On OCT. 28, ELLEN TORMANEN WILL BE 90 YEARS OLD. SHE DOESN'T WANT A PARTY. SOMEONE FROM COKATO ASKED ME TO PUT THIS ON MY HOMPAGE....IT WOULD BE FUN FOR HER TO GET A BUNCH OF BIRTHDAY CARDS.

ADDRESS:

P.O. BOX 61.....COKATO, MN 55321

here's a couple extra pics before i put on more alaska pictures

2011-10-06T22:16:00.001-04:00

The great white hunters of alaska....one grizzley bear, on ram and now this caribou

russell & katrina helminen

2011-10-06T22:12:00.003-04:00

mia & paul storm, married last sat. in cokato

daughter of terry and mugga hillstrom, son of judy & mark storm

2011-10-04T20:33:00.001-04:00

We saw many puffins in the Bay....I always thought that they were land birds, so it was a surprise to see them in the water.

2011-10-04T17:13:00.000-04:00

tons of sea otters

2011-10-04T13:38:00.003-04:00

We rented this house in Homer. Many of the families came down and camped this weekend. They all brought their suppers to our house sat. night. we visited and sang church songs. nice to visit all at one time. (I liked Homer very much; there was so much to see all close by. the harbor was beautiful, there were tons of little gift shops on the "spit", the long 200 ft. wide peninsula, and also where the people camped...and nearby in town lot of more shops and art galleries. A moose walked across our front lawn here.

Doug steering our fishing boat on Kachemak Bay out of Homer

2011-10-04T13:30:00.002-04:00

six of us (me, russ, gordon, doug, caleb, & nichole) went deep sea fishing, 8 hrs. in Kachemak Bay out of Homer...the boat was aluminum (I think), owned by this crusty bachelor kind of guy...he had the men steering the boat half the time, as he cut bait, put lines out, and netted fish. here he is pulling in the anchor...the tide rises 19 feet in this bay. If your anchor is down when the tide rises (and it rises fast) your boat can capsize. We didn't see or feel the tide, but he did. We saw tons of cute and happy sea otters all around us. it was a beautiful and fun day. cool, but we were dressed warm.

Caleb was the first to catch a fish!

2011-10-04T13:21:00.005-04:00

Russell's giving me a play by play to reel the fish in!

Fishing guide, me with a 25 lb. king salmon, Russ

Fishing guide & Gordon with his halibut

Nichole Roiko with her king salmon

All of us, with some of the fish

Russell & halibut

2011-10-04T13:16:00.002-04:00

Andrea, Otto & Tim

Otto...andrea & tim Taivalkoski's baby (gr/son of joanne & dave)

2011-09-29T13:21:00.002-04:00

Brenna & Kaitlin Pietila holding the horns of Russell's sheep; story below

This summer, Russell Helminen went sheep hunting. An airplane brought him to this place in the mountains, dropped him off with two wks. worth of food and his gun, tent, etc. There was a GPS involved here, but don't ask me about it....Russ walked and walked, over rocks and gulleys...no trees. tented in small hollows. Got his sheep, and notified the pilot. Russ dressed the sheep, and walked some more to where the pilot would pick him up with 70 lbs. more weight on his back...all his gear, etc. He figured that he walked over 50 miles in that one week. He doesn't show it here, because of the big smile, but he said he was bone-tired weary!

2011-09-28T20:54:00.002-04:00

did I put this on already? can't remember.

Brian, David, Bruce & Bob Torola

shapes, man,...shapes! (brian torola knows how to do fancy stuff with the computer, so he created the great shapes on the guys!

2011-09-28T20:45:00.001-04:00

Caleb caught a "grayling"...odd shaped fish with such a huge top fin

Chena River another river Caleb fished