Lögberg-Heimskringla - 22.07.1994, Blaðsíða 20

20 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 22. júlí 1994
Big Point Dedication Service
1894 -1994
by Ola Czeranko
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Attendance was so wonderful that it took four hours to feed everyone!
this building. After the prayer of dedi-
cation given by Rev. Phyllis Thordar-
son and the hymn and the Queen were
sung, all the crowd made their way
back to Langruth Hall for an ethnic
supper.
At 7 p.m. Ola (Egilson) Czeranko
introduced the evening program. Oli
Narfason, past president of the I.N.L.,
led in a sing song of a variety of
Icelandic and English songs. Helping
him on guitar was Linda (Hanneson)
Hochbaum, daughter of Margaret and
the late Hall Hanneson.
Peter Eyvindson, well known author
and entertainer of Clavet, Saskatchewan,
kept the crowd absorbed with his enter-
taining stories. He is the son of Mary
and the late Kjartan Eyvindson.
Teresa and Heather Thordarson,
daughters of Philip and Phyllis
Thordarson and granddaughters of the
late Gordon and Jean Thordarson, each
sang some nice ballads. Their grand-
father Gordon played for many years
with the Seranaders, a local orchestra.
Patty Johnson, daughter of Jonas
and Lydia and granddaughter of Archie
and Sveina Johnson and great-grand-
daughter of Bodvar and Gudrun
Johnson sang and played the piano.
Laura McLeod, wife of Morley
McLeod who is the grandson of the
late Ami and Hilda Johannson, sang a
lovely Icelandic ballad.
Dale Lasson, son of Helga and
Edward Lasson and grandson of Fina
and the late Joe Lasson and great-
grandson of the Iate Karl and Freda
Lindal, sang 2 very enjoyable songs. A
big treat followed with the musical
talent of Arthur Hanneson of
Waterdown, Ontario and Marjorie
Johnson of Calgary. Arthur and
Marjorie’s parents were Mary and
Hall Hanneson of Big Point. They
played in the 40’s and 50’s for dances
along with other family members and
friends. They brought everyone to
their feet clapping.
Robin Thordarson on flute and
brother Phillip on piano played a
number ending the entertainment. An
old time dance was then held.
The next day the Lutheran Church
which had its roots in the early settle-
ment of Big Point held a pancake
breakfast, special church service and
pot luck supper to close off the great
weekend.
The happiness this whole event
brought to everyone can’t be mea-
sured. A few days later I strolled in
the Big Point cemetery. A lot of tears
were in my eyes as I read the familiar
names but a lot of thankfulness was
there also for all these lives that were
so important to the heartbeat of this
district, Big Point.
God bless these 100 years but
mostly God bless these wonderful
folks who preceded us. We’ll always
remember them.
Over 500 people gathered
to dedicate a plaque to
the founding of the Big
Point settlement by the
Icelanders a hundred
years ago.
At 3 p.m. on July 2nd with a brisk
south wind blowing the Icelandic and
Canadian flags, the National and
Icelandic anthems were sung. One felt
a great pride for our ancestors who
had come before us. We wished they
could be there now even though we
were sure, they were in spirit.
Ted Jonasson, chairman, greeted
everyone and introduced all the
speakers, Inez (Bjamason) Rinn read
part of the history that Sigga
(Johannson) Moore of Toronto had
written for the occasion.
Speeches were given by Isaac
Wiebe, councillor in the Lakeview
municipality; Glen Cummings, M.L.A.
for St. Rose constituency; Oli Narfason
representing the Icelandic National
League; Karen Nicholson of the
Department of Culture, Heritage &
Citizenship; Gary Hill of the Grace
Lutheran Church; Neil Bardal of L-H.
and Archie Johnson who is the son of
the late Bodvar and Gudmn Johnson
original pioneers of 1894.
Archie Johnson, Helga Jackson,
Sigga Moore and Fina Cronk and
youngest resident still living in Big
Point of Icelandic descent, Jayme
Egilson unveiled the plaque designat-
ing it as a Heritage site. The monument
which the plaque was placed on, had
been built in the early 50’s to replace
the old Big Point hall. The old hall was
tom down in the early 50’s after serv-
ing the community since 1903. Dances,
tombolas and even church was held in
Jayme tgilson,
the youngest
descendent
still living in
Big Point.
Tom Johnson,
the oldest resident
in Big Point.
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