APPELO ARCHIVES CENTER

Richard (Nick) Nikkila was an on again/off again resident of Deep River as a youth living with his Finnish paternal grandmother, Tillie Nikkila on her Deep River Farm. He treasured those times, and they contained his favorite childhood memories.

Returning to Deep River after his retirement in 2006, he and his wife, Dee, purchased and built their home in the Deep River valley which they refer to as the “Finnish Line.” During a previous FinnFest which was entitled, “Mumu and Me,” (Mumu being grandmother in Finnish) he and others were asked to write about their Finnish grandmothers.

A favorable reaction to his recollection about this grandmother prompted him to start writing additional recollections of life as a Deep River kid in the 50’s and early 60’s. Named “A Collection of Recollections,” it soon grew to over 40 stories viewed through a lens tinted with humor.

As the first chairman of the fledgling Appelo Archives, Nick was well aware of the funding needs of the organizations. With that in mind, he donated his booklet of recollections and any proceeds it might earn, to the Appelo Archives. It has been a consistent sales item ever since.

A Collection of Recollections

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