Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.07.1994, Blaðsíða 6

6 • Lðgberg-Heimskringla » Föstudagur 15. júlí 1994
During the early part of the
century, the only aircraft in
the sky were biplanes which
appeared at exhibitions and charged
a princely sum for joyride circular
tours within visible range of the exhi-
bition.
The weather had to be nigh onto
perfect or they would not take off. It
generally had two cockpits, one for
the pilot and another for the passen-
ger in tandem. They were strapped
into the seat and wore goggles
including a tight fitting leather hel-
met lined with insulation. They never
ventured beyond eyesight range and
never higher than ground visability.
Only young single men patronized
these adventurous scenic flights and
were considered somewhat irrespon-
sible wastrels with money buming a
hole in their pocket.
It was some time after the first
automobiles appeared locally,
before our people could afford to
buy one. There is an admirable
photo taken of a group of prominent
Icelanders sitting in an expensive
Touring Car, with leather uphol-
stered seats. All arranged through
the auspices of a prominent local
photographer.
» »
At one time the street railway
sported open air streetcars.
They were fitted with two
rows of two-passenger seats with an
aisle down the centre so the conduc-
tor could collect the fare. These
were put into operation during good
weather in the summer.
Most of them operated on
Osbome Street to Red River
Park, a carnival jungle. The
other popular run was west
on Portage Avenue to the
foot bridge entrance to City
Park.
A family friend and his
wife were visiting our par-
ents and the guest was rubbing his
legs frequently to ease arthritic pain.
“Serves you right his wife comment-
ed, for being a smart alec and jump-
ing off the open air street cars
before they came to a stop.
This was during our granfather’s
era. They also had foolish habits.
**
lcelandic Place-
Names of Manitoba
Árbakka; P.O., Icelandic name
meaning “river bank”.
Árborg; village, earlier Ardal; both
names are Icelandic; arborg
meaning “river town” and ardal
“river dale”.
Árnes; Icelandic name meaning
“river point”; set Icelanders in
1876 when Indians lived in huts
on the river bank.
Baldur; village, 5-14-1 (1888) an
Icelandic settlement; after Baldur
son of Odin, who typified the
nobler qualities of human nature.
Bifröst; P.O., 22-3-1 (opened
1913,closed 1928); also munici-
pality (1908); the name is taken
from the Norse mythology and
means the rainbow or
the bridge that every
warrior had to cross
from this life to the com-
ing life — only those
who met their death by
.... arms in war had the
privilege of walking
Amaaon | “bifrost»_
Bjarnason; island, 23-10—
1, Lake Maniboba; after a settler
who cuts hay on the island.
Boundaiy; creek, 3 1/2 miles south
of Husavik; part of the boundary
between the municipalities of
Gimli and St.Andrews.
Brú; P.O., 6-13-1; Icelandic name
meaning “bridge”; referring to a
bridge built across Oak Creek
which runs through the settle-
ment; the P.O. was near the
bridge, now closed.
Framnes; P.O. 22-2-E; Icelandic set-
tlement, formed 1902; ancient
Norse for a point of headland jut-
ting out into the water; name of
the home of Thorstein the Viking
on Sognfjord in Norway.
Geysir; 22-3-E an Icelandic settle-
ment name given in memory of
the geysirs of Iceland.
Gimli; 19-4-E; named 1875; The first
Icelandic Settlement in Manitoba;
after the residents of Odin, the
father of Gods and men; all good
and brave men go to Gimli after
death and stay there with alfaðir
Odin.
Grund; P.O., 6-14-1 (P.O. 1883),
after Grund in Iceland. So named
by Kristoferson first postmaster.
Hnausa; village, 22-4-E (P.0.1890)
Icelandic name meaning uneven
land; C.P.R. station name Jellicoe
till 1915.
Icelandic River, Lake Winnipeg, 24-
4-E by an Icelandic deputation
from Ontario which examined the
region in that year as a prelimi-
nary to Icelandic settlement.
White river on Arrowsmith map,
1821, White Mud river on Palliser
Expedition map, 1865.
Lundar; village, 19-5-1 (P.O. 1891);
mistake for Lundi; named by
Henrick Johnson an Icelander
after the farm in Iceland from
which his bride came.
Nes; P.O. 20-4-E (1904); Icelandic
for point shortened from
Dagverðarnes or “breakfast
point”.
Otto; P.O. 19-3-1 (1894); after Otto
Watne, Danish merchant at
Seydisfjord Iceland; never resided
here. Name suggested by Nikulás
Snædal, an Icelandic settler.
Reykjavík; P.O. 26-11-1 (1911) after
the capital city of Iceland.
Siglunes; P.O. 22-10-1 (1900); and
municipality, east of Lake
Manitoba (1917); Icelandic mean-
ing, “point to sail round.”
Dalberg; P.O. 16-8-E (1907); Ice-
landic name meaning “downhill”,
from dal “valley” and berg “hill”.
Vidir P.O., 23-2-E (1906); Icelandic
for “willows”.
Vogar P.O., 22-9-1 (1919); Icelandic
for “small bay”; earlier Dog Creek.
Information from
“Place Names in Manitoba”.
***<.....
Frá Borgamesi
Borgarnes is first mentioned in the saga
of the viking poet Egil, who lived there
in the 10th century.
Borgarnes today is a town of 1700
inhabitants. It invites you to hotel
accomodation, regional folk museum,
sports centre, car hire, swimming pool
and golf course in beautiful surroundings.
The town is served by regular bus
services to all parts of lceland.
For information please contact: Borgarnes Marketing Board
Bjarnarbraut 8
310 Borgarnes/lceland
tel.: 354-3-72025, fax.: 354-3-71048
Dreki (Dragon) - $65.
Þingvellir - $95.
Stekkjastaur - $75.
Mocha Spoon - $37.
by (iiill Sl
s i I l'n rwiiii ðjaii
Enrn h.f.
FACTURE SHOP
Skipholti 3, 105 Reykjavík
Iceland
Phone 354 1 20775
Fax 354 1 620429
Tax Free Shop 15% Discount