Lögberg-Heimskringla - 19.04.1991, Síða 5

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 19. apríl 1991 • 5
by Paul A. Slgurdson
K. N. cametoAmericain 1878 when
he was eighteen. He never retumed to
Iceland, not because he had lost his
love and affection for his motherland,
stormed the provincial legislature in
1915 and presented Premier T. N.
Norris with a 40,000 signature petition
calling for voting rights for women. By
that time, Manitobans had a more en-
lightened attitude than eastemers to-
wards female suffrage because there
was general recognition here of the
contribution that women had made to
pioneer life. So Manitoba’s legislature
became the first to grant women the
vote in 1916 — and a great cause was
won.
Manitoba Culture and Heritage
Minister Bonnie Mitchelson says many
events are being planned this year to
mark the 75th anniversary of women’s
suffrage in Manitoba. Besides displays
but because he was always too poor to
indulge in such a long joumey. His first
few years were spent in Duluth, but in
1893 he moved to Mountain. He lived
there with the Geir family for the rest of
his life. He was the family’s hired man
andentertainmentMay 12atThe Forks,
there will be two performances of the
play “Fighting Days “ at 4 and 6 p.m. on
International Women’s Day, March 8,
at the Manitoba Legislature. The play,
presented by the Prairie Theatre Ex-
change, catalogues the struggles of the
early suffragettes. Mitchelson also
wants other communities to organize
their own celebrations and Gimli would
seem to be a natural.
“These many celebrations will serve
as ongoing reminders of the rights for
which pioneer women fought so hard, ”
says the minister. “Too often when we
are dealing with how much there is still
left to accomplish, we can forget how
far we have come.”
RogerNewman is editorof thelnterlake
Spectator.
first, but he soon became an “ex officio”
member of their home. Numerous
verses attest to his warmth and close-
ness to the Geirs, especially to the
children.
Farm chores and all farm activities
were his way of life for more than fifty
years. When he writes about his rural
experiences his verses ring with the
clear tone of authority. He was no
casual worker, his heart and soul were
in his fárm labours. Here are a few
verses inspired by his life there.
In The Bam
by K. N. Julius
One day when all was quiet,
I heard the moo-cows bawl;
I think that they were holding
A “Ladies Aid” for all.
For everyone was yapping;
— But none were understood —
They talked of all and nothing,
But most concerning food.
“Yes, we are full and chubby,
And we have lots of feed;
Like corn and grinded barley,
And stacks of hay with seed.”
“It’s not my business really,
And I don’t care, ’tis true —
But by the way, dear Spottie,
What is the date you’re due?”
“Come has the time for supper,
What will we get for treat?
Be damned! Here comes that K. N.,
And brings us straw to eat!”
At Threshing Time
Why am I writing these verses?
My readers want something to share.
So quickly I reach for my pencil,
Now let all great poets beware!
Becausewhen I’mwearyand wretched,
And tossing wom out in my bed,
I dream of the sootiest devils,
Who dance round and bum in my head.
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They’re ugly and pig-footed monsters,
Who fly ‘bout my head in a ring,
And full of devil’s own spirit
With forks that attack me and sting.
They’re scrawny and half-burned up
bodies,
All learning and shaking askew.
I saw one Good Temperance fellow,
Who took all the beer from our crew.
I jumped up then suddenly certain,
Thatsomeone was pokingme, stinging,
The bunk was aswarm with old
skessas,*
In flight. — That’s the end of my sing-
ing.
*Female trolls.
Lappi
A farmer’s dog is a noble creature
who works tirelessly to please his
master and asks only to be fed and
loved. K. N. knew the value of a dog,
and he here expresses his love for the
creature, Lappi (white paws).
Surely the Creator could have made by
far
You smarter and much prettier than
you are;
Now the smile on your snout’s spread
wide I see,
But I’ll curse you never tho’ ugly you
be.
In The Chicken
House
The cock is crowing loud and clear,
The hen proceeds to chatter;
They talk of everything and naught,
No man can grasp the matter.
He, with the ugly greenish eyes,
His keen desire showing,
Tries his best to charm the hens,
With his most clarion crowing.
The Worthless
Shepherd
Well, dogs are dogs, and sometimes
thingsgo wrong. One cannot reallyget
into the psyche ofa dog to understand
it’s nature. Apparentlyit was a bad day
for that particular dog. K. N. is frus-
trated and has lost all patience.
The sheepherder wanders o’er moun-
tain and moor
In danger of straying, pray tell;
For the rounding-up dog has forgotten
to bark,
And the flock are all going to hell!
Upcoming Events
Fri., Apr. 19
Winnipeg
Sat., Apr. 20
Winnipeg
Sat., Apr. 20
Brandon
Sun., Apr. 21
Winnipeg
Sun., Apr. 21
Edmonton
Sun, Apr. 21
Winnipeg
Thurs., Apr. 25
NewYork
Fri., May 3
Seattle
Sat, May 4
Winnipeg
Sat., June 1
Alberta
June 15 & 16
Alberta
Sun., June 16
Alberta
Sun, June 16
Winnipeg
June 27-30
Fargo-Moorhead
Sun., July 28
Alberta
First Day of Summer - 7:30 p.m., Viking Room, Scandinavian
Ctre., 764 Erin. A fun variety program!
□ □ □
25th Anniversary Spring Tea, Bake & White Elephant Sale -
lst Lutheran Church Women’s Group at Parish Hall, 580 Victor
St., 2 - 4 p.m.
□ □ □
Þorrablót - 6 pm cocktails, 7 pm Icelandic Dinner, 9 pm Dance
at Harry’s Ukrainian Kitchen. Entertainment: Baldvin Júlíusson.
Tickets $15. per person. Contact Paul & Beth Sigurdson 728-
3977 or Jeanette & Albert Holm 728-1115.
□ • □ □
Third Annual Intercultural Festival of Song -presented by the
Scandinavian Canadian Choir at 2 p.m., Winnipeg Art Gallery,
Muriel Richardson Auditorium, 300 Memorial Blvd.
□ □ □
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti - 7 p.m., McKeman Hall, 11341 - 78 Ave.
Everyone welcome!
ö □ □
Brunch -11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Scandinavian Centre,
764 Erin. Frón sponsored — Great Food!
□ □ □
Dr. Haraldur Bessason lectures at the Explorers Club - 7 p.m. -
on invitation from the American Scandinavian Society. Topic:
Viking Travels to the West.
□ □ □
Sumardagurinn Fyrsti - 7 p.m., Program at Calvary Lutheran
Church. Final event of the Ladies Club Eining.
□ □ □
Frón’s Annual Meeting-10:30 a.m., Scandinavian Centre,
764 Erin. For all Frón members.
□ □ □
Awards Presentation - for winners of the 1991 Stephansson
Parade of Poetiy competition, at Stephansson House Historic
Site, Markerville.
□ □ □
Annual Picnic - at Markerville — kids races, program, pot luck
supper, dance. Camping room on grounds.
□ □ □
Icelandic Independence Day - Featuring Icelandic heritage crafts
& entertainmentat Stephansson House Historic Site, Markerville
□ □ □
Icelandic Independence Day - aftemoon, Scandinavian Centre,
764 Erin. For all Frón members.
□ □ □
Scandinavian Hjemkomst Festival - annual enthusiastic re-
creation of Scandinavian traditions—one of America ’s premiere
□ □ □
Tombóla Festival - at Stephansson House Historic
Site, Markerville — entertainment, games & heritage crafts.
(Partofa continuingseríes ofartides
and translations by Paul Sigurdson.)
Icelanbic ííational league
©rpnizrb 1918
íntorporatrb 1930
Support Icelandic Culture and Heritage
Join your local chapter, or write to:
The lcelandic National League
Suite 308, 393 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 3H6
Telephone (204) 942-2705
lcelandic women,
continued from p. 4