Esko Fun Days honors Liupakka

Residents turned out in large numbers for many of this year’s Esko Fun Days events, according to Community Ed director Michele Carlson.

“I think people were excited to get back together,” she said. “We had a great turnout — I think there were close to 500 people at the park and a hundred at the street dance.”

A very meaningful part of the annual celebration in Thomson Township is the Davis Helberg award, recognizing volunteers in Esko.

The winner of the 2021 Davis Helberg Community Impact Award is Frank Liupakka. “Frank is a pillar of the community,” Carlson said.

Liupakka served Thomson Township in many ways: as a business owner, a Carlton County commissioner, and an Esko’s Corner history book committee member. He was a member of the Esko Fire Department for 33 years, serving as chief for 26 of those years. He has also filled time as the cemetery sexton for Apostolic Lutheran Church for 56 years. He was a member of the Esko Education Foundation.

“I’ve always loved Esko,” he said of the award.