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The Finnish American Folk Festival is a recent recipient of a $500 Quick Grant from Humanities Washington.

This financial support will enable the Cultural Programing Series of the 2008 FAFF to offer presentations and discussions led by Wayne Beals of Puyallup about the Civil War in Finland and about the role Finland played during World War II.

Beals will also display and discuss his collection of Finnish war memorabilia on Friday and Saturday of the festival.

Beals has been independently studying the history of Finland for 22 years. He has traveled to Finland five times to pursue these studies and to interview Finnish war veterans. He is currently developing a website at http://www.finni-shmilitaryguns.com. When asked if he is Finnish, he replied, "No, I'm Scottish and my ancestors fought in skirts!"

The 14th biennial FAFF will be held July 25-27, at the Naselle school complex, 793 SR 4 in Naselle.

More information can be found at http://finnam.naselle.net. Questions can be directed to Anita Raistakka, 360/484-3376, phil@naselle.net.