Hobbies
This hobbies section briefly describes and discusses my most beloved and important hobbies, but in addition to these hobbies, I have been involved in many more everyday hobbies, including cycling, boating, sailing, tennis and car racing in the summer and skiing, downhill skiing, Lapland tourism and snowmobiling in the winter. I have also been involved in many different associations and organizations from my youth to adulthood. For example, chess and reading have remained among my hobbies for decades. I have had many hobbies, but these six have been the most important and beloved:
1. SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES AND WORK
Involved in the background activities of several Christian organizations since 1988. I came to faith in the Pentecostal movement in 1988.
I was involved in the Greater Helsinki Congregation from 1995 to 1997, then in 2003 I joined the Finnish Revival Association and moved to the revivalist movement.
I moved to the Finnish Lutheran Evangelical Association (SLEY) in 2016. I feel like I am Lutheran, but in my soul and heart I also feel like I am a charismatic.
2. FIRE DEPARTMENT (VPK) AND OLD MUSEUM FIRE ENGINES FROM 1972
Fire department youth activities and then crew. I joined the boys’ section (now the youth section) of the Ruovesi Fire Brigade in 1972 at the age of 7, and then joined the crew in 1982, and in 1986 I left the active activities of the Fire Brigade. Through the companies I represent, I have also been able to collect museum fire engines, of which there are currently about a dozen stored in different places. We are looking for a common permanent location for them in Ruovesi or elsewhere in the surrounding area.
3. OLD STEAMSHIPS
I am a member of the Finnish Steamship Society. As a “legacy” from my grandfather Lauri, I am a passionate steamship man. Lauri Merisalo, my grandfather, worked for decades as the manager and board member of the Steamship Cooperative Tarjanne, which owned the steamships S/S Pohjola and S/S Tarjanne. He was also involved in founding Oy Runoilijan tie, the company that still owns the S/S Tarjanne today, in 1967. Through the companies I represent, I have actively supported and used the Näsijärvi steamer S/S Tarjanne, the steamships of Päijänne, and especially the steamships of Saimaa, in connection with various summer events and by organizing my own cruises.
4. OLD MANORS and OLD BUILDINGS AND INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTS
In addition to our former home, Vääräkoski Manor, which we renovated in 1987-89 in Ähtäri and where we lived from 1987-1993, I have become familiar with almost all the books written about Finnish manors (including the Finnish Manors and Large Estates book series) and through them the history of Finnish manors and have traveled around during the last 45 years, viewing and photographing hundreds of Finnish manors.
I have also been able to act as a consultant in real estate transactions related to manors several times and I have had the pleasure and privilege of getting to know dozens of different manor owners.
5. MARSHAL OF FINLAND MANNERHEIM AND HIS LIFE’S WORK and COLLECTING A MANNERHEIM THEME COLLECTION
I am a member of the Mikkeli Club, which cherishes the traditions of the Marshal of Finland, and the Finnish Marshal Mannerheim Heritage Society. I have also collected, through the companies I represent, a large collection of sculptures, paintings, photographs, daily orders and other memorabilia about Marshal Mannerheim of Finland. In addition, our private library has a large collection of Mannerheim-themed books written in Finnish. I have also supported several private Mannerheim-themed collections and various events through the companies I represent. The Marshal of Finland saved his homeland several times and gave his all for Finland as a soldier and friend of the homeland, and finally also led our country to peace after becoming President of the Republic on 04.08.1944.
6. URHO KEKKONEN AND HIS LIFE’S WORK
I am also a member of the UKK Society. Nurturing Urho Kekkonen’s life’s work has been and is an important thing for me. Urho Kekkonen’s long and valuable career as a statesman is unparalleled.
