Lögberg-Heimskringla - 17.03.1995, Side 17

Lögberg-Heimskringla - 17.03.1995, Side 17
Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 17. mars 1995 • 17 PTíte cSto trtj Orf (ppt^tt ttt (ftt t'i ContinuecJ tion by Sigtryggur Jónasson, Chairman of the Colony Council, saying the reports were not complete enough and he wanted explanations. Now we come to the Gimli Chapter’s involvement with Framfari. A number of years ago people in Iceland, headed by Arni Bjarnarsson of Akureyri, gathered all the issues of Framfari, had them copied and put into book form. Two hundred books were printed and at least some of these were bound in leather. Presentations were made to the Icelandic Chair in Winnipeg and to a few others in the area. This is where our own story starts. One day over a cup of coffee, Professor Bessason and Ted and Marge Arnason bemoaned the fact that because of the language barrier, this wonderful part of history was not accessible to our English speaking population. Could it not be translat- ed? The upshot was that our Chapter agreed to sponsor the project. Professor Bessasson enlisted the ser- vices of Dr. George Houser as transla- tor. Dr. Houser was born in Pennsylvania in 1916. He served in the counter intelligence corps of the United States Army in North Africa and Italy, and then worked in New York as an insurance investigator before emigrating to Canada and becoming a Canadian citizen. He received his BA from Sir George Williams University (Montreal) and his MA from McGill University (Montreal). In 1967 he was awarded a scholarship to study Scandinavian folklore, culture and literature in Sweden. In 1978 he obtained his PhD from the University of Iceland (Reykjavík) for his work on veterinary traditions in Iceland. . Dr. Houser authored the book, Pioneer Icelandic Pastor: the life of the Reverend Paul Thorlaksson. He was the recipient of several scholar- ships and grants for his scholarly research and publications on Swedish and Icelandic subjects in Canada. In the years 1979-1982 he was part-time lecturer at the University of Manitoba in the Department of Icelandic Language and Literature; and for our Chapter, he translated into English the entire body of Framfari. Dr. Houser was fluent in six languages and could read six others. He died in Winnipeg in July 1988. To Joiu the Gimli Chapter ofm Celebrating over 50 years New Members Welcome Contact us for your copy of the Framfari caii 642-5812 or 642-8406 As well as obtaining a translator, Professor Bessason obtained a $4,000 gfant from the University of Manitoba to kick off the project. The transla- tion cost $15,000 and took two years to complete. Meanwhile the Gimli Chapter worked to raise and solicit funds. It then breathed a sigh of relief when the translation was completed and paid for. We knew that, some- time in the far, far distant future, we would likely go into publication. But for the next four to five years we tried to stave off the inevitable. However, during that time we used every opportunity to make money. At one point we had six term deposits going; this was at a time when inter- est rates were high so we can thank the banks for their contributions. The day of reckoning did come. With the R.M. of Gimli Centennial pending in 1987, late in the winter of 1986 the decision was made to go into print. Now the Gimli Chapter really became a hive of willing workers. Grant applications, meetings with various printers and always soliciting for funds. Some Chapters and individu- als responded whether with prepaid orders or, as in the case of the Esjan Chapter, an outright donation. The decision was made to hire Friesen Printers, Altona, and the cost was based on the page count arrived at by another printer and the error, an additional 160 pages, was not discov- ered until the printing was half done. This cost another $8,000 which brought the cost up to $44,000, plus the $15,000 translation cost. 1,000 copies had been ordered but an unfortunate over-run on the number increased both the cost and the num- ber. A delivery deadline for December 01/86 had been set but Friesen’s were behind schedule. Therefore when it came to proofreading by our mem- bers, a time limit also was in effect. Ten sets of two people proof read the entire volume once, and then two people rechecked the final galleys. Included in the initial costs were 1,000 brochure-order forms which were promptly mailed or distributed. A book obtained from the local library listed all libraries across Canada; therefore,.any library, librari- an or locality revealing an Icelandic connection was sent a brochure. ' Universities across North America with a Scandinavian Department received brochures as-did Icelandic consuls. The response, though mini- mal, was worth the expense and effort and brought a few interesting con- tacts as well. By now we had to order a further 1,000 brochures. The first three copies off the press were bound into special presentation cases by Friesens. It was fitting that Arni Bjarnarsson, Akureyri, who started the process, should receive one. One of our INL members promptly acquired another; at enor- mous cost, we. might add. The last one we were privileged to present to President Vigdís Finnboggadóttir on the occasion of her state visit to Canada in 1989. On receipt of the books we were required to send from two to six copies to those government departments from whom we had received grants. As well copies were given to the local high school, library, etc. Since then the Gimli Chapter has made it a practice to honour visiting Icelanders and guest speakers with a copy. We have been delighted to grant permission to those wishing to use excerpts or information from Framfari in various ways. In his book, The New Icelanders, David Arnason quoted entire passages. At a presti- gious Icelandic Festival function, Glen Sigurdson quoted from Framfari. A club in Toronto received permission to use recipes from Framfari in their cookbook. At the time of writing this article, we have réceived a request for written permis- sion from True North Productions. They are assembling Educational CD- ROMS for use in schools across Canada. These deal with immigration to Canada by ten different cultures, one of which will be the Icelanders. This winter through co-operation with Lögberg-Heimskringla we have attempted to apprise you, the reader, not only of its value, but of the plea- sure that reading Framfari will bring to you. The offer remains the same: $15.00 per copy, plus $5.00 mailing within Canada, $10.00 outside Canada. For those wanting larger quantities, the cost is ten volumes for $100.00 plus mailing costs. Gimli Chapter, INL, P.O. Box 1979, Gimli, Man. ROC 1B0 IER Take Home our Fresh Pizza Hot or Cold OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9 AM - 8 PM MONDAY - SATURDAY 10 AM - 6 PM SUNDAY HQMETQWN PRWJD QUALITY PRODUCE - TABLERITE MEATS WEDELIVER I R/l I | For Friendly Service Shop at VBOX 1578 40 CENTRE ST., GIMLI ROC 1B0 > PHONE: 642-5995 J dilbart JFrnieral Wam& iCtö. First Street, Gimli and 309 Eveline Street, Selkirk J. Roy Gilbart, J. Wes Gilbart 482-3271 Greetings from tlie Town of GIMLI 'Wcaa-e/fé^ AÁocíe, - Péaoe ofi Peaoe, ” For tourist information call 1-204-642-5210 Tip Top Foods IN GIMLI s--------------- lcelandic Foods - ■■■■■' .. .... i . Lamb Rúllupylsa Hangikjöt Lifrapylsa Mysuostur Skyr lcelandic Brown Bread Harð Fiskur + + + QUALITY • MEATS • PRODUCE • GROCERIES • FRESH FISH (in season) Brian & Ken Arnason For delivery call: 642-5418

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