Sophie Celebrates Saint Urho

WAITSBURG – Now that Marilyn Johnson is no longer operating Etcetera's gift shop on Waitsburg's Main Street, she has decided to have a bit of fun with the display window flanking the Plaza Theater. "Sophie," a mannequin Johnson received from her mother, is the vehicle for her amusements. Currently, Sophie is dressed to celebrate St. Urho's Day on March 16.

According to sainturho.com, the legend of St. Urho originated in northern Minnesota in the 1950s and has grown among North Americans of Finnish descent to the point where it is now celebrated throughout the U.S., Canada and Finland. "St. Urho's Day is celebrated on March 16," the day prior to the better known feast of some minor saint from Ireland, who was alleged to have driven the snakes from that island," according to the website.

St. Urho is credited with saving Finland's grape crops by chasing grasshoppers from the country. He is said to have used the phrase "Heinäsirkka, heinäsirkka, mene täältä hiiteen!" which translates roughly to: "Grasshopper, grasshopper, go to H***!" St. Urho's day is celebrated by wearing green and purple and grapes, and grasshoppers are always part of the celebration.

Johnson says she still has some finishing touches to add to Sophie's outfit before the big day, following which, Sophie will transform overnight to appropriate St. Patrick's Day attire. "I started this when I received feedback from community members that they enjoy seeing the window change so I'm just trying to bring some joy to others," said Johnson.