Sad news yesterday around 7pm when we found out that the The Finnish Labour Temple had caught fire.  The news isn’t any better today as fire crews continue to work at the Thunder Bay landmark.  We tried look back on the good times there and shared our fondest memories.  I remember the first restaurant we went to when we arrived in town 5 years was the Hoito… everybody said I to go there for the Finish pancakes.  I also remember my first St. Urho parade, didn’t really understand it but had a blast with my little ones.  John Ongaro joined me this morning and shared his memories and the impact the building had on the community.

Lots folks texted in their memories as well…

John V-“My wife and I went to the Hoito for breakfast after church every Sunday and my car club friends went there for hot beef sandwiches on Saturdays. So sad.”
Tracy-“A memory of being with my dad while he was still healthy before his passing in spring 2004…after his last Remembrance Day service out at waverly cenotaph we went to the hoito for some wonderfully warming mojakka. Good memories, good Finnish food enjoyed with my dadand others throughout the years!”
Elma-“Six Generations of my Family went to the Hoito A great place .Sure will miss it.”
Kelly-“My son Drew sang his first Christmas concert with the Thunder Bay Legends as “Little Billy Gilman” at the Finlandia when he was 9 years old. He is 28 now and got married this summer. 1 of many great memories there ”
Pam-“I remember when the Hoito was featured on the TV show “You Gotta Eatt Here”…and of course the the Host helped make their famous fin pancakes”
Bobbi-“Not to mention the bar upstairs. I worked there for 2-3 years, so many memories, from all the fights that broke out, me hiding in the cooler until they were done, then getting all the drunks to clean up the mess. Lol