A resident of Carveth Care Centre was born in northern Finland, a rugged country she calls the land of the midnight sun.

Located in northern Europe, Finland will be studied this month by the Carveth Culture Club.

Speaking for his mother, Anneli of Carveth Care Centre, Michael Weatherhead says, “From late May to late July, the sun doesn’t disappear in Lap land. Mom used to enjoy walking the family work horse there.”

According to Michael, Anneli grew up on a farm with her five sisters and two brothers. They called her house the Koivu House which means the birch tree house because there were so many birch trees on the property.

Anneli arrived in Montreal, Canada in 1957 when she was 18 years old. She stayed with a family and worked as a housekeeper before meeting her husband, Richard, at a dance. They fell in love and had two sons, Gary and Mike.

When she lived in Finland, Anneli helped plow the fields with the family’s horse. She was the horse’s favourite family member. She loved working outside with the animals.

When she arrived in Canada, Anneli was surprised by the friendliness of Canadians.

“Finns have a reputation for being reserved and Canadians are outgoing,” says Michael. “One thing Anneli loved about Finland was the midnight sun. During the summer, the sun doesn’t set. To celebrate the start of the Nightless Night, children would get to stay up late.”

Carveth Care Centre is excited to study Finland this January. To learn more about living or working in our home, please call 613-382-4752.