Heikinp��iv�� Sm��rg��sbord and Dance Tickets on Sale Now During the Heikinp��iv�� 2000 parade, Cheryl Faller, carrying the flag of Finland, was the bear that rolled over  (karhu k����nt���� kylke��). HANCOCK ��� While tables and tables laden with sumptuous Finnish dishes and desserts might be the last thing many people will want to think about with memories of weeks of holiday eating ��� and over-eating ��� still fresh on the mind, those who don���t want to miss out on the third annual Heikinp��iv�� Sm��rg��sbord and Dance must think about it in advance to reserve dinner tickets ��� on sale through Thursday, Jan. 11, for the Jan. 19 event. The dinner is the only Heikinp��iv�� event requiring advance reservations and ticket purchase. Tickets are on sale in Hancock at the Community Arts Center, 399 Quincy Street; North Wind Books, next to the Finnish-American Cultural Center of Finlandia University; and the City of Hancock offices in the City Hall on Quincy Street. The $12 dinner ticket includes the dance. Dance tickets may be purchased at the door for $2 per person. In a change from previous years, this year the Sm��rg��sbord and Dance at Finlandia University will kick off the annual mid-winter���s day celebration at 6:30 p.m. on Friday evening instead of rounding out a full day of activities on Saturday. By moving the dinner and dance out of the Saturday night line-up, the Finnish Theme Committee, which sponsors and organizes the celebration, hopes to improve both that venue and the Saturday evening concert. Last year���s Heikinp��iv�� Tori Market in the Finnish-American Heritage Center will be repeated this year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20. Saturday���s activities also include a tori market at the Finnish-American Heritage Center; a reindeer camp, snow sculpture and vipukelkka rides in front of the Hancock Middle School; a parade in Hancock; a ski race at Maasto Hiihto trails; and a polar bear dive at the Ramada Inn waterfront. "Last year we held all three things together; the dinner, the concert and then the dancing. It felt like one long event," said committee member Jim Kurtti. "This is the first year we���re trying this. We don���t know what to expect." Kurtti estimated about 150 people attended last year���s dinner. This year, seating for dinner is limited to 200. The site has also changed from last year. This year, the meal will be served in Finlandia Hall at Finlandia University instead of at the Hancock Middle School. Tony Munch, head of food services at Finlandia University, will be the chef for the meal. As in years past, the dinner will feature an assortment of traditional Finnish sm��rg��sbord dishes. People who attended last year���s dinner will recognize some of the dishes, but they will also find some new things to try. In keeping with the mid-winter theme, dishes more often served at wintertime or Yuletide smorg��sbords were chosen to be included. As tradition dictates, the Finnish sm��rg��sbord is divided into three tables. The first will contain an assortment of cold foods. This year guests will be able to choose from baked pepper salmon, dill potatoes, smoked fish, beet salad and cucumber dill salad as well as an assortment of cheeses and breads, seasonal mixed fruits and mixed canap��s. During Heikinp��iv�� 2000 Hancock Middle School was the scene of a Saame reindeer camp, as it will be on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001. The reindeer are from the Dancing Reindeer Farm in Milltown, Wisconsin. Their web page is: http://www.win.bright.net/~tascheib/DRFindex.html(Photos courtesy Jim Kurtti) At the second table a variety of substantial and warming hot dishes await diners. The meat entrees include: Poronk��ristys, "Reindeer" ragout ��� made from venison in this case; Joulukinkku, Christmas ham; or lihapullia, Finnish meatballs. These will be complemented by porkkanalaatikko, carrot casserole; lanttulaatikko, rutabaga casserole; and pottusose, mashed potatoes Everyone will want to be sure to leave room for dessert. Two Finnish dessert favorites, leip��juustoa lakkahillon kanssa, or squeaky cheese �� la cloudberries, and kermakakku, or cream cake, await guests at the third and final table. Beverages include strong, flavorful Finnish coffee and spiced cranberry juice. After dinner, attendees can dance the night away to the sounds of two Finn Hall-style bands. Like last year, Keskil����nin Pelimannit, from Minnesota, and the Upper Peninsula group Wilho Kilpela & Friends will play a variety of Finnish dance music ranging from waltzes to polkas to mazurkas. For more information call 482-2333 or 487-7302. Click here for the schedule of Heikinp��iv�� events. Click here for the Heikinp��iv�� Web site at Pasty Central. -Karin Emond January 8, 2001 Editor���s note: Karin Emond, of Green  Bay, Wis., is a guest writer for Keweenaw Today. A former reporter and photographer for The Daily Mining Gazette, Karin  enjoys returning to the Copper Country to visit her old  haunts.