Niilo came home for a several-hour visit Saturday evening, enjoying family and fish, garden greens, ice cream, and his traditional place at the dining table.

Though he was alert and communicated interest, yes, and no, he spoke only a few words, and was ready to be wheeled back up the ramps to the car and to the Pioneers Home by 8pm.

Other events at the Koponen homestead include replacing an original portion of roofing and insulating Joan’s bathroom. Both projects have grown and grown, as old wiring, failing plumbing, and other problems have been exposed and needed to be fixed along the way. Carpenter Ken, with direction from project manager Gary have been doing a great job.

It seems that over the course of 58 years most buildings need very major overhauls…

It has been a warm summer so far and with attention from Joan, Chena, and Heather, the flower beds and garden are doing well…

Heather

2010/06/18 at 6:48 pm

I remember one night back in around 1980 when Niilo read me some of the poems he had written, and I recall thinking this man was a real poet — the poems were very good! I know Niilo is in a safe place now at the Pioneers home. I read the newsletter and understand Niilo doesn’t walk and rarely speaks. I found a book in my stock of old Finnish tales. Would this be something that he could listen to, if read aloud? Apologies for not being up to date on things, from down here in Oregon. Received one newsletter and would like to receive more. And Joan, how are you? Chena, Gary, Heather (Dane, whom I’ve never met) and everyone else, life down in Oregon is good. I just turned 60 and had a two-week celebration. My wife Lisa is a Shakespearian/Zen Buddhist/Marathoner, and me, I’m a bookseller, poet, husband and father who loves to walk, bicycle, read, eat breakfast out, and navigate the seas of quiet and not-so quiet joy and suffering as they present themselves. My son Charles, who lives in Seattle and works at an Apple Store, is 27, an avowed introvert, a loving son. You Koponens made my two stints in Fairbanks — 1975-1976, and 1980-1981 very rich and family-feeling. It was good to know you all, as little or as much as I did – the books the sauna the fellowship all touched me deeply. I wish you all strength and patience and humor, for you are living out the edict once written of by Lawrence Durrell in The Alexandria Quartet: “The young climb up the old, and then the old climb down the young. Don’t take guff from anyone who isn’t there to walk the walk, your love and bravery are evident, even 2500 miles away! Onward. from Ezra (Art) Tishman

We read of Nels Hitchcock’s passing in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner and we are saddened.
Jim (his brother) is the guy the kids remember, but his mother and father were very important in Dad’s 1950’s years in Fairbanks:
From “The Alaskan: America’s Farthest North Political Newspaper:” Lead photo is of Ben Hitchcock–“late homesteader at Caribou Creek was one of the founders of the Alaska Party:”
“FOUNDERS WIFE VIES FOR HOUSE: Kay Hitchcock is a candidate for the House of Representatives from the 3rd Division on the Alaska Party ticket…..Mrs. Hitchcock has two sons, Nels 14, who is attending school in Fairbanks and Jim, who is continuing the family cabin-building business at Caribou Creek.”
There is much more to this article and the newsletter, including a “party history” article (pre-statehood).
It is part of Dad’s and Mom’s history in 1950s Fairbanks. We think of the Hitchcock family very fondly.
Much warmth and love, Chena

In connection with the usual Saturday evening Ice Cream Social, there was a Sr. Ball at the Pioneers Home this evening.

Smiling widely, Mom recognized a couple of tunes I don’t remember ever hearing before. She danced a couple of dances with a young gentleman, then joined Dad and me in a dance, Dad in his wheelchair, as were several others there.

Dad tried to rise to dance on his feet…

Heather

So glad to hear grandpa is home again! I hope he gets to stay there and I hope you guys are getting lots of help. I send big hugs to all of you.

Love,
Kotty

–K: D
Chena responds: Dad (Grandpa) is NOT home. He came home for his birthday but went back to the Pioneers’ Home. It is good to have him home occasionally….but reality for his day to day life is that taking care of him at home is a massive undertaking which people were happy to do for quite a while….but he really is getting better physical care at the Pioneers’ Home and in many ways it is more stimulating for him there. He does not walk anymore and rarely talks. The Pioneers’ Home has equipment (some of which the family had also purchased at home to help him) to give him the best physical care. For instance, now he can stand up with their modern things which previously the family had tried to simulate with people holding him as we were trained to do, but yikes he is a big guy and it wasn’t always easy.
The feeling that people should live at home in their latter days is honored and respected. Yet these days it might mean a (female) relation loses her own life respecting “family values.”
This family has two parents requiring almost around the clock care and several of the children have spent many years honoring and helping them.
Niilo is well cared for at the Pioneers’ Home and the family visits quite often. There are musical and other events there, and he comes home from time to time.
It is a very long journey.
We love Dad very much. Thanks Kottie for loving him too.
Thanks, Chena

Terve, Koposen perhe: Give my congrats to Niilo on his 82nd! He looks more like a Scotsman than a Finn with his plaid cap in the photo. I guess you should have substituted bagpipes for a Finn accordion (or “hanuri”)for his birthday “musiikki”. He seems quite content in his daily life, especially with the love and care that surrounds him from all you folks.
I turn 84 on this Thu., Mar. 18. I had signed up for a bus trip to Reno by the North Berkeley Senior Center for March 18 and 19th, but the stinkers decided to postpone it until late April. So I’ll spend my “syntymäpäivä here in Dullsville, but will ride “over the hill” tp Reno next month. Not a gambling man, but the trip will give us $5 in cash so maybe I’ll blow it on the nickle slots. Maybe I’ll even win a $10 jackpot. Hot dawg! My best to you all, Harry