Tiina Mäki is a native of Jämsä and a devoted enthusiast of orienteering. She lives with her common-law husband in her childhood home at Mäkikuja in Kaipola. – My father built the house in the 1950s in the shadow of the factory. I bought the house for myself 20 years ago.

For the past 27 years, Tiina has worked during the winters as a teacher of textiles at the Jämsän työväenopisto adult education center where she teaches mainly weaving and felting. Tiina sincerely believes that “Everything has its time and things have a way of working out”. So a few years ago, she fulfilled her dream and made the bold decision of becoming a full-time entrepreneur. – Nowadays I am an artisan and a seller of yarn. I founded my enterprise Mäen Huopaa ja Lankaa in 2010. At the craft shop, which is located in the center of Jämsä, I sell, besides yarn, also handicrafts and gift items. In addition, I organize courses and workshops there. Earlier I was involved in workshop activities for altogether 22 years. Firstly, I was an instructor at a work center for handicapped people and then I acted as a head of offices at the Work Training Foundation Avitus, tells Tiina.

In addition to orienteering, Tiina does walking and during the winter she does skiing as well as goes to Zumba, fitness classes and yoga. As the long-time head of Kaipola’s women’s gymnastics, she still occasionally finds time to participate in gymnastics lessons. Handicrafts are not only work for her, but also a hobby and she is especially fond of felting. – My work has been displayed at the Finnish Felt Association’s joint exhibition at the yearly Jämsä Felt Summer as well as in different of parts of Finland and in international invitation exhibitions, amongst other places, in Italy, England, and the Netherlands. At the moment, a few of my works are being displayed at the Verkaranta Arts & Crafts Centre in Tampere and in Vaasa, lists Tiina.

– I am a member of board of the Finnish Felt Association Filtti. After Jämsä Jukola, I am involved in building the Jämsä Felt Summer exhibition. This year will be the 15th anniversary exhibition.

Got involved in club activities through orienteering hobby

Tiina admits that she got into orienteering only in adulthood, in 1985. – After I had finished my studies, I decided to start getting into shape as my physical condition had deteriorated. Conveniently, there were orienteering events held in Kaipola. I had been walking in nearby forests before, but not with a map. The experience was so nice that I got hooked right away.

Her orienteering hobby has also gotten her involved in club activities. – During the first few years, I acted, amongst other things, as an instructor for ‘oravapolku’ orienteering for children and young people while practicing orienteering myself. I was also a reporter for the Jämsän Retki-Veikot club magazine, before the computer age. In addition, after some years, I am again in charge of ordering the club uniforms, which I used to do for many years in the past. Through being involved in club activities, I have made many friends and had nice memories of trips to competitions. For many years, I have roamed around the forests of the Jämsä region during orienteering events, but still every summer there are new paths and sceneries to be found.

What fascinates me about orienteering, besides moving in the forest, is when you get the relation between the map and the terrain and you know where you are going. Although sometimes it has happened that I have realized only at home after the competition where I have been moving. So I have been lost a few times, but I have always found my way out of the forest.

Orienteering suits all age groups and people of all physical conditions. You can never say you are too old. Especially not if you are living next door to Sole, who is a many times world veteran champion, laughs Tiina. – In the forest you can go according to your physical condition, even walk. I cannot run on the road because of my back, but in the forest I can run just fine. Exercising is also a good balance to work and the forest is a source of inspiration for my handicrafts.

Fitness orienteering her thing

Tiina ran her first Jukola Venla relay already in 1989. – I have not missed a year so I have taken part 24 times, and, apart part from the first few times, I have run the first leg. The start of the Venla relay is always a rousing experience and the highlight of the summer. Over the years, I have competed in a few national competitions every summer and have taken part in the Orienteering Week approximately five times. Even though competitions have their own appeal, fitness orienteering is more of my thing, assures Tiina.

Tiina has already volunteered in other previous national competitions organized by the Jämsän Retki-Veikot orienteering club. For example, the Fin5 Orienteering Week in 1992 she spent at the information stand and at the Youth Jukola Relay in Kaipola in 2001 she was in charge of the food services and accommodation.

Also local products at the Jukola store

As a many-time participant in the Jukola relay, Tiina absolutely wanted to be part of the “own” competition. – I offered to be the person responsible for the Jukola store because I felt it was my thing due to the work I do.

The Jukola store sells traditional Jukola event products and also acts as the Jukola post office. – There has been a wish to have local products for sale at the Jukola store so the visibility of local know-how and felt products is my goal. We have already agreed to sell products by the Lahtinen and Alho felt factories and I am planning the selection of other products together with local artisans. Jämsän Äijäs will no doubt be seen in the products, believes Tiina. Although the main Jukola event products come through larger contracts, the storekeeper of the Jukola store is quite independently responsible for the procurement of other products.

The detailed reports of the procurement and sales of products from previous years have been a big help. I have taken a look at them and I have also asked for the opinion of the members of the club. I also observed the operations of the Jukola-store as a volunteer at the Valio-Jukola last year. During the night shift, there was a chance to ask about the wishes of the customers and I have visited the Jukola-store in previous years as well. The arrangements for the Jukola store are right on schedule. The procurement of products is on its way, the special post stamp has been ordered, and the stamps and post cards are being designed. Tiina wants to make the Jukola store an interesting place as part of the event. A couple of students from the Jämsä College are taking part in designing the interior of the store. Many people have already signed up to volunteer at the store, but more are still needed, since the store is open for the whole weekend.

In Jämsä, there are many different events being offered throughout the summer. Jämsä-Jukola is, however, a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the biggest sports event in Finland. To participate in the event as a volunteer is no doubt a memorable experience. – I welcome all to make and experience together an amazing Finnish orienteering competition, Tiina encourages people to take part in the Jukola event.

« Back