Lögberg-Heimskringla - 22.07.1994, Blaðsíða 9

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 22. júlí 1994 • 9
The powerhouse
behind the lcelandic American
Society in New York is
Edda Magnusson
By Inga Hersteinsdóttir
he is one of those people
who radiate energy all the
time and you can’t help but
be drawn by it. Edda
Magnusson has been the
President of the Icelandic-American
Society in New York for the last four
years. When offering to resign from the
post at the last Annual General
Meeting in early February to make
room for new blood, the motion was
unanimously opposed and she gra-
ciously agreed to cany on. During her
presidency membership has almost
doubled and the society has flourished.
Who is this person, this tireless flag-
bearer of the Icelandic-American
Society in New York? Edda Magnus-
son was bom in Reykjavík in 1933. She
attended the local schools, such as
Miðbæjarskólinn and Melaskólinn and
got her baccalaureat or “stúdentspróf ’
from Menntaskólinn í Reykjavík,. After
studying at the University of Iceland for
a year she did office work for a major
fish manufacturer. In 1955 she married
John Magnusson, a “Vestur-íslendin-
gur” from New Jersey. He had come to
Iceland with the U.S. Navy, but later
worked as an engineer with an
American constmction company at the
NATO base in Keflavik. They have two
sons, John born 1956 and Stefan in
1960.
Edda and John moved to Montclair,
John’s hometown, in 1959. In 1971
Edda started what she saw at the time
as a temporaiy job as a teacher’s assis-
tant at the local elementary school and
is about to retire from that post after 23
years. She has been doing social work,
represented Iceland at the American
Scandinavian Foundation, taught
Sunday school at her church and done
volunteer work for the local chapter of
the Red Cross.
The variety of functions sponsored
or organized by the society is getting
more extensive every year, and being
the “leader” is a very demanding task.
But like a good leader and organizer,
Edda has gradually delegated more jobs
to other members of her very large
committee while firmly in control at the
same time.
The society organizes a “jólaball”, a
Christmas party for the children and
their parents in December each year
with the appropriate “jólasveinar” and
Christmas songs in Icelandic and
English, not to mention cakes and hot
chocolate. In Febmary/March there is
the annual “Þorrablót” with anything
from harðfiskur to hangikjöt, sheep’s
heads to rotten shark and, of course,
the Icelandic brennivín. An Icelandic
hand plays old and new hits and
singing is a very popular and important
part of the evening’s program. In June
“Þjóðhátíðardagurinn” is celebrated
with a picnic on or around June 17th at
a park veiy conveniently located in Rye,
just outside of the city limits.
Attendance at these events is rising
every year, a fact that Edda modestly
attributes to her committee. “We have a
laige committe of very dedicated indi-
viduals, who not only attend our func-
tions but also bring their friends, who
in turn bring their friends etc., and
that’s how we can personally reach a
much larger part of the Icelandic popu-
lation in the New York area,” Edda
says.
“The society has slowly been build-
ing up a sound financial base over the
last decade, which means that we can
afford to take a loss should that hap-
pen, and at the same time we can spon-
sor cultural events to a certain extent.
Up to that point the society’s existence
was entirely dependent on the generosi-
ty and support of Flugleiðir and other
Icelandic corporations. And we must
not forget that these corporations are
still very generous and without their
support our functions would not be the
same.”
“In the past years we have co-spon-
sored with the American Scandinavian
Society as well as the American
Scandinavian Foundation various art
exhibits and concerts and in fact we
have just recently co-sponsored an
exhibit by the artist Jóhanna Bogadóttir
at the Unibank Gallery in New York
and a performance of the Reykjavík
Wind Quintet at Carnegie Hall. We
hope to make at least one art event per
year part of our regular program and
now have an art committee in charge of
organizing those functions. There are
several Icelandic artists studying and
working here in New York and we
would like to feature them as well as
artists from Iceland and artists of
Icelandic origin from Canada for that
matter.”
“Last year we organized an Icelandic
film festival. Six recent Icelandic films
were shown at the Angelica Theater in
Manhattan and three of the film direc-
tors honored us with their presence.
The film festival was a great success and
even made a profit! We have taken part
in the procession at the World Trade
Center on International Childrens’ Day.
Gambling Problems?
Let me help you!
If seriously wanting to quit, let me
share the plan that worked for me.
R.G J. Enterprises
P.O. Box 28024,
1453 Henderson Hwy.,
Wlnnipeg, R2G 4E9
Send $30.
for complete
plan to:
^ ALL REPUES STRICTLY CONFIDENTJAL ^
Our Newsletter is now in its fourth
year and is an excellent way of reach-
ing the people. It has become a very
important part of our operation. And
by the way, we are looking forward to
the visit of the Icelandic Symphony
Orchestra in 1996, so as you can see
we do plan ahead.”
Edda does not limit her activities
only to the benefit of Iceland. She has
been on the Board of Directors of the
American Scandinavian Society since
1982 and she has been instrumental in
organizing Scandinavian Festivals in
New Jersey to name a few.
Edda and John have visited Iceland
frequently over the years. Recently
they bought a small dream house in
Siglufjörður in the north of Iceland
where they hope to spend a lot of time
in the future. “We enjoy the beauty of
the landscape and the town and we
are close to relatives” Edda says.
But why all this work for the
tszssnzBi
^Sat., Julv 24 flnnual Icelandic Day I
Icelandic American Society? “Taking
part in anything conceming Icelandic
culture and people has always been
extremely important to me, and that
means being constantly prepared to
spend time and accept responsibility in
order to spread the word about
Iceland.”
After talking to Edda, I couldn’t
help but ponder. “If one individual can
achieve so much, think what we can all
do together!”
Sat., July 24 Annual Icelandic Day Picnic - 12 noon Peace Arch Park (Canadian
British Columbia side) Bring the whole family.
ö □ □
Tombola Festibal - 1-5 pm, NW of Markerville at Stephansson
House Tours, Heritage Craft Displays, Children's Games, Animals,
Entertainment, Tombola Table, ice cream, fun for the whole family.
□ □ □
Íslendíngadagurinn — in Gimii, Manitoba
Great fún for everyone!
□ □ □
Herítage Days — in Hawrelak Park, Edmonton — Cultural Displays
& Food at the Scandínavian pavillion. Contact Gloria Krenbrenk
458-5896, 423-7321 orjudithjonsson 459-2291.
□ □ □
Dedication Guttormur J. Guttormsson Memorial - at 2pm in the
Riverton Centennial Park.
□ □ □
Folklorama at the Scandinavian Pavilion (lst Week) - Join in the
festivities! 764 Erin Street - Passports: Adults $12., Seniors and
Youths $8.
□ □ □
Icelandic Language Camp — at Sandy Lake. A great weekend
family affair. Children are welcome wíth a famílY member or friend.
Modest fee covering meals & supplies. Contact June Parker 459-
8624 orjudithjonsson 459-2291.
□ □ □
Cream Day - l-5pm at the Historic Markerville Creamery,
Markerville, Alberta - Celebrate “Year of the Family". Tours, pettíng
zoo, children’s games, entertainment, making butter and ice cream,
Icelandic food, dairy displays. Fun for the whole family
□ □ □
Sólskin Hawaiian Party - at 2 p.m. at the Icelandic Care Home Hö&i
2020 Harrison Drive in Vancouver, B.C.
□ □ □
Viking Golf Classic - Frón’s Annual Golf Toumament $25.
at Tuxedo Golf Course followed by potluck supper at the
Scandinavian Centre, 764 Erin St. Everyone Welcome (if not for
golf, come for the supper). For more information call Stephen
Hjalmarson at 467-8398 or Hallthor at 955-9806.
□ □ □
IODE Fall Luncheon at Betelstaður - ll:30am - 2 p.m., 1061
Sargent Ave. ★ Home baking sale. Jón Sigurðsson Chapter IODE
Sun., July 24
Alberba
Sat. to Mon.
July30-Aug. 1
Sat. to Mon.
July 30-Aug. 1
Sat., July 30
Manitoba
july 31-Aug. 6
Manitoba
Late August
Alberta
Sun., Aug.
Alberta
14
Thurs., Sept. 15
B.C.
Sat., Sept. 10
Winnípeg
Sat., Sept.
Winnipeg
17
Be sure to send your notices in early to Lögberg-Htimskríngla. We all want to
know what’s happening in your area. We would also like to hear from you after
they're over... just send us a few iines telling everyone how they tumed out. All
photos wili be retumed if requested. Please send to:
tor, 699 Carter Ave., Wpg., Maa„ Canada R3M 2C3