Our January 2026 Newsletter

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From Norway to Canada 1939

 

ANNE, ALBERT, BJORN OSWALD, AND BABY PHYLLIS

TRIP ON THE OSLOFJORD FROM OSLO, NORWAY TO

NEW YORK CITY IN AUGUST 1939: 

The “Oslofjord,” flagship of the Norwegian-America line, was completed in Bremen in Northwest Germany in 1938 and operated in the New York-Norway trade and the West Indies cruise service. The vessel was equipped to carry 800 passengers and was noted for her Finnish baths and decorating by leading Norwegian artists. According to the Oslofjord manifest, my mom Phyllis, (4 months old); her brother Bjorn Oswald, (8 years old); mother Anne and father Albert, (surnames Gjerdalen); set out from Oslo, Norway on August 8, 1939, and headed for New York City. From there, the family took a train up to Canada and there settled in North Vancouver, B.C.

Anne Brenden and Albert Gjerdalen were married in 1929 in Birch Hills Saskatchewan where they homesteaded. Bjorn Oswald, (Uncle Ozzie), was born on August 1, 1931, two years after Anne and Albert were married. Times were tough during the Great Depression; they longed for home! With Uncle Ozzie in tow, they sailed back to Norway and settled in Torpa, Norway. Baby Phyllis was born on April 3, 1939. When the war broke out and the Nazis invaded Norway, Anne, Albert, Uncle Ozzie, and baby Phyllis boarded the Oslofjord bound for New York City. The ship was laid up in New York City on January 2, 1940, and was headed to Bayonne, New Jersey in October 1940. It was decided to put the ship into service as a troopship and departed New Jersey on October 26, 1940. It arrived in Halifax, Nfld on October 28, 1940, armed with guns, machine guns, etc. On November 21, 1940, she left Halifax, for the United Kingdom where she would be outfitted further for troop transport and sailed across alone. Arriving in Gourock Bay, the troops disembarked. On November 29, she was ordered by the Admiralty to go to Newcastle-on -Tyne, escorted by the destroyer Vimy. She departed that afternoon. The Oslofjord followed about two ship lengths behind the destroyer, when she struck a mine about two miles east of the entrance to the River Tyne approximately 08:20 on December 1^st. The vessel was so irreparably damaged that the captain and crew decided to beach it south of Tynemouth South Pier. The Oslofjord finally broke apart and capsized in harsh weather on January 21/22- 1941. After an in-depth inquiry, it was discovered that the Oslofjord was only supposed to go to Glasgow, Scotland. Despite rumours going around, including the Germans in Norway who took full advantage of the situation convincing Norwegian sailors how silly and useless it was to sail for Great Britain, the captain of the Oslofjord defended his decisions since they were at a very difficult stage of WW2.

In 1956, Anne and Phyllis decided to take a trip to New York City aboard the Oslofjord 2.Albert passed away in 1975. Anne passed away in 1983. Uncle Ozzie passed away in 2009. Sadly, we lost our mom, Phyllis in 2023.

It’s a sobering thought to look back and be extremely grateful that Grandma Anne and Grandpa Albert decided to come to Canada and give their children a better life when the Nazis invaded Norway.  - submitted by Leslie Eriksson

Authentic Hoito Pancake Mix Fundraiser

Canadian Friends of Finland Vancouver Fundraising: Authentic Hoito Pancake Mix

We are excited to offer a delicious and meaningful fundraiser: 

the Authentic Hoito Pancake Mix (Aito Hoito-Lettutaikina Jauhosekoitus)  

—a true taste of Finnish-Canadian heritage!

Founded in 1918, the Hoito Restaurant in Thunder Bay, Ontario became famous for its hearty meals and iconic Finnish pancakes. Sadly, in December 2021, a fire ravaged the historic Finnish Labour Temple—the home of the Hoito—causing the beloved restaurant to close its doors. 

Yet, the spirit of Hoito remains alive through recipes, memories, and efforts like this fundraiser, which helps to preserve and celebrate its legacy.

Why try Authentic Hoito Pancakes?

·         With the help of a small local company, Big Lake Pasta, the Finlandia co-op recreated the original Hoito recipe while staying true to the taste and texture of the ones the restaurant was serving. We had the Hoito Pancake mix shipped to Vancouver from Thunder Bay. 

 

• Amazingly thin, soft, and tasty for breakfast, brunch, or dessert
• Available in regular and gluten-free options

 

Fundraiser Details:

• One Off: $14 per bag (regular or gluten free)
• Multi: Enjoy 3 bags for $38 (includes 2 regular and 1 gluten free)
• Gift Pack: CFF membership, a small print ready to hang, and one Hoito bag for $30.00
• Pick-up: Various locations including Dec 6 at the Centre; Kitsilano (Cypress and 14^th). And additional pick-up points, once confirmed.  
• How to order: Send a text to 778-288-5494, or email finnfriend@gmail.com or select your One Off ($14), Multi ($35) or Gift Pack ($30) via e-transfer to finnfriend@gmail.com or pay cash at pick-up locations. 

Your purchase helps us and supports the ongoing effort to preserve the traditions of the Finlandia Co-Op and Hoito in Thunder Bay.  This makes a great housewarming gift or a nice gift to yourself. 

Celebrating Leena Sisko Lambert: 1939-2025

 

More details can be found here.

 

 

Our weekly newsletter for early October

 Enjoy

Join us on Sunday Sept 28th for our AGM

 

Join us: Nordic Folk Music Wed Sept 24, 2025

Marianne Maans is a professional and versatile folk musician from
Finland who performs both solo and with various ensembles as a singer
and fiddler. Her specialty is Finnish-Swedish folk music, but her
musical interests range from contemporary music styles to Argentinian
tango to improvisation. Marianne holds a Master of Music degree from the
Folk Music Department of the Sibelius Academy.

Pekka Pentikäinen: Finnish accordionist, composer and accordion teacher,
has a Master´s degree in Music from the Sibelius Music Academy. He
performs with various music groups representing the diverse styles of
music in Finland, Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia. Currently Pekka
works with the 2-row accordion band Accrowbatics and the folk music big
band Espoon Pelimannit.

In previous years, Marianne and Pekka played together with others in the
Finnish folk band Pirnales. Below are several links to videos of
Marianne and Pekka playing, together and in separate performances.

You can visit Marianne's Facebook profile here - you might have to copy and paste: 

https://www.facebook.com/marianne.maans

Pekka's link is here: 

https://www.facebook.com/pekka.pentikainen


Here is a beautiful song performed by Marianne, who sings and plays the
fiddle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfL518eEFU