Riutta Remembered

The White House Inn in Mohawk was bursting at the seams yesterday, as friends of the late musician David Riutta turned out to honor his memory. Hundreds of fans and dozens of musicians enjoyed a more than three-hour jam session and dance. Riutta may be best-remembered for creating the Finnish snow god Heikki Lunta, but longtime friend and fellow musician and broadcaster Dick Storm said he was also the finest country lead guitar player in the area. Riutta started the Heikki Lunta legend with his recording of the Heikki Lunta Snow Dance in 1970. He died May 23rd at age 77. Heikki Lunta lives on. (See related story here.)