Kaleva, Michigan

News

Welcome Signs. Have you seen Kaleva's new welcome signs? The beautiful signs were a project of the Kaleva Beautification Team. Team members earned money selling hot dogs and other refreshments at Kaleva Days for this village improvement. The Village of Kaleva, Maple Grove Township, and Kaleva Telephone Company also provided needed funds.

Master Plan Development. Kaleva's Planning Commission has been hard at work developing the a new Master Plan for the Village. Recently the Master Plan was approved by the Village Council and the Manistee County Planning Commission. Maple Grove Township has also recently approved their new Master Plan. Residents of the township or the village may stop at the Maple Grove Township office or Village Office if they would like to obtain a copy of a Master Plan.

Maple Grove and Kaleva Planning Commissions are currently working on a joint Recreation Plan for the township and Village. Watch for notices of meetings to have public input.

Euchre Party- April 27! On Saturday, April 27, the Kaleva Historical Society is sponsoring a Euchre Party at the Kaleva Tavern for the benefit of the Kaleva Beautification Team. The KBT has raised funds for community clean-up, demolition of condemned property (later donated to Habitat for Humanity), new Kaleva welcome signs, and holiday decorations. The money raised from this event will be used to continue the improvement of Village signs and parks.

Finlandia Grant supports new sculpture along Kaleva Walkway!

The Finlandia Foundation provided a grant to The Kaleva Historical Society to support the construction of a sculpture honoring Robert Rengo, long serving mayor and promoter of Kaleva. Andy Priest is the metal artist who is designing the sculpture in the shape of an airplane Robert flew over the hump in China during WWII. The sculpture will be installed at the south end of the Kaleva Centennial Walkway Park near 9 MIle Rd.

Mr. Rengo was one of the longest serving mayors in our nation! The Kaleva Historical Society and the Village of Kaleva wish to honor this great example of community service. Hopefully in the future, other sculptures can be constructed along the walkway honoring the traditions and people that have made Kaleva a great place to live!

The KHS is in the process of raising additional funds to match the Finlandia Grant that will enable the sculpture to be installed. If you would like to support this effort, please contact Cindy Asiala 231-362-3519. The KHS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization (donations are tax deductible).

SATTUMA COMING!!!

On July 3- the Kaleva Historical Society will be holding a celebration of a new sculpture on the Kaleva Walkway honoring Robert Rengo, Kaleva's long serving mayor and business person! We were fortunate to be able to secure the Popular Finnish Folk Band to entertain us. Watch website for more details! See more details about Sattuma below.

Sattuma has been engaging audiences, both Finnish and non-Finnish, in songs and tunes from the Finnish and Karelian traditions since 2003. Sattuma is a family folk music group from Petrozavodsk, the republic of Karelia, NW Russia and has performed in festivals, clubs, concert halls, private parties and schools. The band performs traditional music from Karelia and Finland. Their program includes instrumental music such as polkas, waltzes, shottish and songs. Songs are traditional from Karelia, Ingria, Finland, and performed in local dialects. Sattuma also composes its own songs in folk style. Their arrangements use traditional elements but are also open to more modern rhythms. Sattuma performs with 20 different instruments including violins, clarinet, accordion, bouzuki, 10-string kantele, jouhikko (bowed lyre), traditional flutes, bag pipe, and didgeridoo.