On Saturday June 25, approximately 100 people of Estonian descent gathered at the historic Linda Hall, near Stettler, Alberta to celebrate Jaanipäev, or Midsummer Day. This was the first event organized by the newly formed Alberta Estonian Heritage Society. Opening ceremonies got underway with the song “Eesti lipp” broadcast via loudspeakers as Otto Nicklom raised the Estonian flag.
The location of the three flagpoles just outside the entrance to Linda Hall looked especially attractive as a cement patio had been added a few weeks earlier, thanks to several of the Hennel brothers whose farms are located immediately next to the Hall property. Flowering pots further graced the area. The president of the new Society, Bob Tipman, gave the welcome, reminding all that this event honoured the local Kerbes pioneer family of Estonian descent, as well as the ancient Midsummer traditions of Estonians.
Participants at the Jaanipäev event came from Toronto and Estonia, as well as Edmonton, Calgary, Eckville, Barons and other parts of Alberta. Advance articles in local Stettler and Red Deer newspapers brought additional attendees who otherwise would not have been aware of it. A local radio station and newspaper interviewed and photographed the first part of Jaanipäev. This resulted in a very positive article occupying most of a page in the Red Deer Advocate where the year 2000 visit by former Estonian president L. Meri was prominently discussed.
The registration table was busy. Society members picked up their summer issue of the newsletter Ajakaja, made donations toward the restoration of the Estonian cabin at the Stettler outdoor museum, and looked at a display of Kerbes family photos.
Over approximately five decades, the Kerbes family had been a social and musical focus of the central Alberta Estonian community. Among other activities, they formed a very popular band, “The 4K’s”, hosted many social events and organized various friendly competitions including log-sawing, nail pounding and the “Queen of 4:00 AM” contests. Despite a drizzle of rain, these same traditional games got underway with enthusiastic cheering and laughter as part of Jaanipäev, with several “pound offs” and “saw downs” needed to determine winners. It all happened under the watchful eye of games director Ferdie Nicklom. By the time the rolling pin contest took place, the rain had increased sufficiently that this event was held partly indoors and partly outdoors. The ladies throwing the rolling pin stood inside a wide doorway, aiming at a stuffed male dummy some 35 feet/over 10 meters away on the grass. The winner of this contest is traditionally crowned by the previous winner of the “Queen of 4:00 AM” contest. This year, Marguarite Kerbes crowned Helgi Leesment. Ron Hennel and Irene Kerbes were the winners of the men’s and women’s nail pounding contests. The ladies log-sawing contest was won by Evi Valge and her 12 year-old daughter Ella Valge-Saar; the men’s log sawing champions are Larry Klaus and Bob Tipman.
As the rain pelted down, Jaanipäev celebrants ate their picnic meals at the tables, snug inside Linda Hall. The organizers of the Linda Hall event brought two huge, locally baked, blue-black-white cakes, one vanilla, one chocolate, honouring the 4K’s Band as well as their ethnic heritage - a wonderful dessert for all. Musical entertainment was provided by Marlene Kuutan of Toronto (formerly Marlene Tipman of the Linda Hall area) and Larry Klaus, also from the Linda Hall area and now living in Edmonton. Evi Valge of Calgary charmed all with her lilting voice, singing Estonian as well as English language songs, accompanied by the band. Other well appreciated soloists were Evelyn Shursen and Roy Klaus.
After dinner, the crowd honoured Rudolph Hennel with applause, recognizing him as the oldest Estonian pioneer descendant still living in the area; his family has farmed the same land for 100 years. Strains of “Happy Birthday” honoured long-time member of the Calgary Estonian Society, Arne Matiisen and Hannah Kerbes, 14-year-old member of the “Special K’s” band.
The “Special K’s” band played later in the evening. These members are all different generation descendants or spouses of the original Kerbes members of the “4K’s” Band. The band name reflects the members’ last names, either Kerbes or Klaus, thus all starting with the letter “K”. This particular day the musicians chose mostly the tunes played and sung by their husband/father/grandfather/great-grandfather. When the notes of “Perekonna valss” sounded, most of the people in the Hall joined in the traditional circle dance. At one point, members of the extended Kerbes family and band gathered in the middle of the Hall; and a circle with crossed arms formed around them - another tradition set by the Kerbes family mostly at weddings where they used to play. There was great sincerity in the voices as everyone honoured this family and their late pioneer members by singing “For they are jolly good fellows”.
A rousing sing-song (indoors, minus the bonfire because of driving rain) led by the Kerbes family band, cheerfully rounded out the day’s event.
