Lögberg-Heimskringla - 08.04.2005, Blaðsíða 2

Lögberg-Heimskringla - 08.04.2005, Blaðsíða 2
2 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Friday 8 April 2005 the call ofduty Recently the Prime Minister’s office in lceland in- vited Neil Bardal to lceland in appreciation for his service as honorary Consul General in Manitoba that went above and beyond the call of duty. David Gislason of Arborg, Manitoba was with Neil in lceland. To be invited into the for- eign service of the land of your ancestors is a singu- lar honour. Thus it was for Neil Bardal, who served as Honorary Consul General for Iceland in Manitoba from 1995 until he re- of serviee, he has welcomed the challenges, and risen to ev- ery occasion, even to the extent of rescuing a client from the clutches of the law. An enthusiastic, though perhaps somewhat naive, Ice- tired from his post in 2003. Along with the distinction and honour, though, inevitably comes a significant commit- ment of time and money. Na- tionals living abroad look to the nearest consular official for help when problems arise, such as lost passports or other essential documents. Visiting nationals look to their country’s consul for advice and help in any num- ber of situations which travellers frequently encounter on foreign soil. Neil Bardal is no stranger to the challenges inherent in the life of an Honorary Consul General. Along with the pride lander became immersed in what began as a friendly poker game. Game to the end, this young man played on through the night until his money was gone. Gone too were his hopes of an enjoyable visit to “friendly Manitoba.” In the light of so- ber second thought, he realized that the cards had been stacked against him, and that he had been cheated out of his holiday fund. His berserker blood hit boiling point, and he bashed a couple of heads. together, at which point the police were called. It was at this point that Neil was called upon to resolve what had become a rather seri- SUPPORT A VITAL PART OF YOUR ICELANDIC HERITAGE. BE a sponsor at Five different levels of sponsorship make it easy to promote your business and support Uigberg-Heimskringla. The Icelandic Open Pri/.e Donation Hole Sponsorship — $300 • Sponsorship of one of the 18 holes • Company sign at one of the holes • Ability to send representatives from • Company recognition on large sign at your company to the outing to distrib- the golf registration, at supper and in ute promotional material Lögberg-Heimskringla Silver Sponsorship — $1000 • Ability to send representatives from ($150 value) your company to the outing to distrib- • Dinner ticket for one ute promotional material • Large sign at golf registration, at sup- • Includes registration fee for one golfer per and in Lögberg-Heimskringla Gold Sponsorship — $2500 1 Ability to send representatives from ers ($300 value) your company to the outing to distrib- • Dinner tickets for two ute promotiona! material • Large sign at golf registration, at sup- * Includes registration fees for two golf- per and in Lögberg-Heimskringla Platinum Sponsorship — $5000 1 Ability to send representatives from your company to the outing to distrib- ute promotional material 1 Includes registration fees for four golf- ers ($600 value) ■ Dinner tickets for four 1 Your companyjogo on Tournament fleece garment > Signage at supper, at the kiosk at first hole, and in Lögberg-Heimskringla FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Johnson, Chair, husavik@shaw.ca or Don Lindal, Co-Chair, lindal@gatewest.net PHOTO: GUNNAR GEIR VIGFÚSSON Prime Minister of Iceland Halldór Ásgrímsson (left) with Neil Bardal in Iceland. ous problem. It has often been a short trip from the Leland Ho- tel to a Salvation Army Shelter. That was where Neil took this young unfortunate into his care and custody. Given his faith in Iceland and its people, he did not hesitate to put his own repu- tation at stake in taking respon- sibility for an individual he had never seen before. For Neil, though, as those who know him will agree, the job went far beyond respond- ing to the situations and calls as they arose. He saw his posilion as a unique opportunity to pro- mote the homeland of his ances- tors, to lift to new heights the culture, history, art and indeed the people of Iceland which he loves so well. Many fine meals have been enjoyed, and many miles travelled at the personal expense of the Canadian, Neil Bardal, Consul General for Ice- land. All this was freely and gladly given, with no thought of recompense. Neil’s commitment and suc- cessful execution of the duties of office did not go unnoticed by the Icelandic govemment. In February, 2005 in a fine ges- ture of appreciation, the Prime Minister’s office invited Neil to Iceland and showed him the hospitality for which Iceland is renowned. This was their way of saying thank you for service that went far above and beyond the call of duty. During a week’s stay, he would receive the per- sonal thanks of Prime Minister Halldór Ásgrímsson and For- eign Minister Davíð Oddsson, as well as the Minister of Finance, Geir Haarde and Industry and Commerce Minister, Valgerður Sverrisdóttir. Neil also received the accolades of countless other people whose lives he had en- riched during his time of office. Ever the goodwill ambassa- dor, Neil found many opportuni- ties to expound on his ideas and dreams for further interchange and cooperation between Ice- land and North America. This did not end with his release from the formalities of his con- sullar position. It is an ongoing passion. The position has been evolving, and has been greatly strengthened in recent years with the establishment of a formal, career diplomat’s posi- tion in Winnipeg. This was a most welcome development, and welcomed by Neil Bardal more than anyone. The future of relationships between Iceland and its family of descendants in Western Canada has never looked brighter. a m Lc.ckiníi for self-catedng atcoínffiodation tn fieykjavíé;? Stayat UteOídPostOffioe e-mail: gisting@zarnik.is phone: +3548686745 located on Brúnavegur 8 In the Laugardalur area of Reykjavík Situated on one of the largest private properties in Reykjavík g........I"W"'.5'MI THE ICELANDiCS have arnved m che Gimlt area lcclandíc shecp that is! They will be producing wonderfully coloured fleece alongside their Alpaca friends at 99North Farms. Piea.se call the farm for availability. We also sell Alpaca feed and breeding stock and coming soon... spring lambs! Visits to the farm by appointmenl only 1,204.389.38?! Visit us on the web at http://www.lh-inc.ca

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