Lögberg-Heimskringla - 30.10.1992, Side 12

12 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 30. október 1992
Frón wears many shoes
By Norma Kristjansson
Frón wears many shoes. ICF meet-
ings were held the first Thursday of
each month. These are open meetings
and all are welcome.
The Frón Chapter was well repre-
sented at Folklorama (Scandinavian
Pavilion), and the week was very suc-
cessful.
The first event of the season in
early November was the Haustfagn-
aður. Frón also participated in the Leif
Eiríksson Ball held October 8th, 1991.
Two sessions (fall and winter) of
Icelandic classes held at the Scandi-
navian Centre were very well attended
and popular. “Margir að læra tala
íslensku.”
The Christmas Party in December
held at the First Lutheran Church fol-
lowed the annual Icelandic Worship
Service. There was a musical program,
local talent and dancing around the
Christmas tree, with (Jólasveinar)
Santa Clauses and treats for the chil-
dren.
Heritage Day was held at the end of
January. Displays of history, books,
the Icelandic Canadian Magazine and
Lögberg-Heimskringla plus entertain-
ment was of interest to all.
February saw the Annual Þorrablót.
Local women prepared Icelandic food
and delicacies, altogether a most
enjoyable evening.
April 23, 1992 was our First Day of
Summer party. The New Iceland
Choir, along with the audience, sang
Icelandic songs, a general sing-a-long;
the Nordic Nerds of Folklorama fame
also entertained with three hilarious
selections. Two very young pianists
performed. The Frón ladies, as usual,
supplied an excellent lunch.
Icelandic Independence Day this
year followed a similar format as in
1991. On June 14 we had a gathering
at the statue of Jón Sigurðsson on the
grounds of the Manitoba Legislative
Building, with a concert following at
Oxford United Church in Winnipeg.
A Golf Tournament was held
September 12, 1992. An Arts and
Crafts group is in the making. Some of
us feel that with all the talent in our
midst it is a shame not to share and
pass it on.
Bridge and Whist nights are held
every second Tuesday evening at the
Scandinavian Centre. These are espe-
cially enjoyed by our seniors. I initiat-
ed these in 1976 as the older people
enjoyed them so much. They have
proved to be a good source of revenue
towards the Scandinavian Cultural
Centre. The Centre has been a bless-
To Join Frón
Call or write to:
Hallthor Bjornson
216 Mapleglen Dr., Wpg., MB R2P
0H5 (204)832-0444
or Shlrley McCreedy
31 Caravan Rd., Wpg.( M8 R3j 0X4
(204) 832-3091
Vatnabyggð
Report
by E. B. Stephanson, Presldent
OUR MAIN ACTTVmES:
• A successful Tenth Annual
Þorrablót held in Wynyard.
• Third Annual June 17th Icelandic
Independance Day celebration held
at Fishing Lake.
• Provided Icelandic displays at two
Multicultural events in Humboldt
and Canora. Our Icelandic Choir
performed at Humboldt.
• Icelandic Food Sale at Wynyard a
financial success.
• Involved in International Day For
The Elimination Of Discrimination.
• Letter sent supporting the transla-
tion of Johann Magnus Bjarnason’s
literature.
A soggy picnic
The annual Alberta Icelandic
Picnic was held at Markerville on
June 13, 1992. Attendance was good
but a picnic it was not! Although we
saw none of it in Edmonton,
Markerville was experiencing its
third day of rain. A few hardy souls
managed to camp on the soaked pic-
nic grounds. Thank goodness for
Fensala Hall! The program went on
rather long with an abundance of
singing and story telling, but we were
all happy — we had nowhere else to
go and we were dry!
Freda Abrahamson of Calgary was
crowned Fjallkona for 1992/93 by
retiring Fjallkona Dolly Stephenson.
Freda’s young grandniece and
princess bravely greeted the crowd in
Icelandic.
Participation from the Edmonton
contingent was good once again. A1
Arnason, Icelandic Consul, escorted
the Fjallkona in for her ceremonial
crowning. Gloria Krenbrenk acted as
M.C.
In spite of the damp day it was a
fine opportunity to see everyone, do
some visiting, and enjoy the historic
sites in the Markerville area.
ing for our club, being able to hold
our meetings and functions there.
Frón also participated (taking their
turn) at working the ever popular
. Sunday Brunches.
Many Frón volunteers deserve very
special thanks; I have purposely not
named names lest someone be left
out.
★ ★ ★
Independence Day observed
By Shirley McCreedy
The 48th Anniversary of Iceland’s
Independence was observed in
Winnipeg with a program held on
June 14, 1992, sponsored jointly by
the Jón Sigurðsson Chapter IODE and
the Icelandic Canadian Frón Chapter.
The Jón Sigurðsson Chapter IODE
reinstituted the wreath-laying ceremo-
ny at the Jón Sigurðsson statue on the
grounds of the Manitoba Legisíative
Building, Broadway Avenue, Winni-
peg in 1983. Just after the monument
was first erected in 1921, for a number
of years it was usual that a ceremony
be held on June 17th to commemorate
Iceland’s Independence Day and to
pay tribute to Jón Sigurðsson as the
leader of the movement for indepen-
dence from Denmark. But this cere-
mony had long been neglected. This
year of 1992 is the Tenth Annual
Wreath Laying since it was reinstated.
1984 saw the 40th Anniversary of
Iceland’s Independence, and the Frón
Chapter, the Jón Sigurðsson IODE
and the Icelandic National League
jointly sponsored the celebration that
year. Frón and the Jón Sigurðsson
Chapter have continued to sponsor
the program annually.
The wreath-laying ceremony began
at 1:30 p.m. with a procession from
the steps of the Legislative Building to
the Jón Sigurðsson statue. Greetings
were brought to those assembled from
Hon. Dr. George Johnson, Lieuten-
ant-Governor of Manitoba, the Jón
Sigurðsson Chapter IODE Vice
Regent, the President of Manitoba
Provincial Chapter IODE and Birgir
Brynjolfsson, local Consulate General
of Iceland. Representatives from
Icelandic organizations in Winnipeg
were then introduced, and the 1992
íslendingadagurinn Fjallkona laid the
wreath.
A musical program followed at 2:30
p.m. at Oxford United Church, with a
superb array of talented Icelandic
Canadian soloists performing. The
singing of the Scandinavian Canadian
Choir and a recitation by Magnus
Eliason rounded out the program.
Neil Bardal was M.C.
Profits were shared by Frón and
the Jón Sigurðsson IODE.
Edmonton report
• Plans for Icelandic dance instruc-
tion.
• Newsletter continues.
• Icelandic Heritage Calendar sale.
• Assessing a new model for our
Heritage Project.
• President, secretary and youth dele-
gate attended I.N.L.Convention in
Vancouver.
• President and secretary attended
President’s Meeting in Winnipeg.
• Purchased Icelandic books for
Library.
• Committment of $3000 to H.I.P.
Program concluded.
• Continue to subsidize first time sub-
scribers to L-H and Icelandic
Canadian, and send memorial
donations to L-H
• Membership in our Club has
increased every year.
One of our most valuable assets -
our volunteers, continue to excel.
By S. Sigurdson,
President and H. Vigfusson, Secretary.
Activities can be briefly summarized
chronologically as follows:
Social and Cultural:
Mar. 2/91 - Þorrablót - Another
much enjoy affair in spite of a loss in
revenue due to our having overlooked
the existence of our brand new G.S.T.
tax. We probably had our best atten-
dance ever -about200 people.
Apr. 21/91 - Summardagurinn
Fyrsti - A coffee party with 5 speakers
who were much enjoyed. The atten-
dance,however, was very low - we
need to find an improvement here.
June 15/91 - Markerville picnic.
This occassion was given a new name
this year-“íslendingamót” and will
probably be referred to thusly from
now on. This event is always popular
and is jointly planned by the Calgary,
Edmonton and Markerville Chapters.
The weekend activities consist of thc
enjoyment of Icelandic food, lore,
clothes, and games etc.
June /91 - Poet’s Day was held at
Stephanson House. Our Chapter
donated 3 prizes again to the Alberta
Cultural Society for this competition.
July /51 - A Tombóla was held at
Stephanson House-again. Our June
Parker was there and sold some
sweaters for us.
SAGA SINGERS:
The Saga Singers sang at the
Markerville Picnic as well as at the
lOOth anniversary of the Markerville
group “Vonin”. They have been strug-
gling without an ‘accompanist’ and
would love to hear from someone who
could offer their services in this way or
vocally.
FUND RAISING: •
The usual fund raising activities
were conducted throughout the year -
namely the sales of memberships, T-
shirts, buttons, Icelandic food such as
rúllupylsa, hangikjöt, skýr, etc. We
also sold Entertainment Books and
starting this year we also sold I.N.L.
Calendars. We sell these items at all
our social functions or wherever we
have a gathering where these sales
could be worthwhile.
Vatnabyggð
Chapter of INL
Call or write to:
Mr. & Mrs. Eric B. Stephanson
Box 5, Elfros, Sask. S0A 0V0
(306) 328-2077
To Join the Norðurljós
Chapter of INL
Call or write to:
Dr. Solli Sigurdson
5107-154 St., Edmonton, AB T6H
5P1 (403) 437-2923

To Join the Esjan
Chapter of INL
Call or write to:
Svava Simundsson
Box 396, Arborg, MB ROC 0A0
(204) 376-5662
or Gudrun Gisiason
Box 578, Arborg, MB R0C 0A0
(204) 376-5523