Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.12.1995, Blaðsíða 4

4 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 1. desember 1995
Smooth Sailing at Winnipeg’s Leif Eiríksson Banquet
by Kevln Jón Johnson
Over 100 men and women gath-
ered at the Nordic House of
Canada on Saturday, 14 Oct-
ober 1995 by seven o’clock in the eve-
ning, standing for the flag ceremony
and singing the Canadian national
anthem. With the entertainment, dining
pleasure and acquaintanceship the
atmosphere within was warm.
Master of Ceremonies Karl Sorensen
greeted the audience and recited his
fírst joke of the evening. One time, he
recalled, an Icelander was giving a
speech. Half an hour into the oration,
he asked if the microphone was func-
tioning, and if he could be heard by all
present. When it was faithfully reported
that no one at the back could hear,
those in the front stood up and moved
to the rear.
President of the Nordic House,
Chris Christensen, commented on the
new name of the building, which had
only recently been confirmed, and
which included Iceland and Finland in
a reflection of contemporary usage in
the Nordic community.
He drew attention to the unveiiing
of the Patricia (Guttormson) Peacock
painting, which took place at the
Museum of Man and Nature in
Winnipeg that Thursday. Patricia, com-
ing from Gimli, was an Icelander who
captured elements of all Nordic coun-
tries in her work, which will be distrib-
uted as a poster to teachers across
Canada. Leif Eiriksson, himself, plays
prominently in the composition. Chris
announced that Helene Anne Fortin,
an instrumental force behind approach-
ing Heritage Day festivities, was present
as a guest for the Leif Eiriksson ban-
quet, and that Monday, 19 February
1996, highlighting the contribution of
Canadians of Nordic Descent, should
be of especial interest to Icelanders.
With Rose Marley accompanying her
on piano, Darryl Gill sang her first two
solos of the evening, both delicate
songs elucidating the nature of love:
The Rose and Moments to Remember.
Darryl has Icelandic roots that stretch
to the Selkirk area; her parents are
Jeane and John Nordal.
Kevin Johnson read L’Anse aux
Meadows, a suitable poem exploring
the metaphor of joumey and based on
the first Norse expeditions to North
America. This poem, first published in
this paper, has an engagement to sound
and sense akin to Tennyson’s lyrical
work.
After Susan Hjalmarson gave grace,
the dining experience began with a
salmon mousse and liver páté which
were served with melba toast and
Norwegian flat-bread. Consomme
celestial soup was followed by prime rib
with potatoes au gratin, asparagus and
carrots. After the chocolate mousse
coupes dessert, which was cast in the
form of a Viking ship, Karl Sorensen
invited chef Steve Hetherington and the
kitchen staff for some deserved recogni-
tion in a task which matched delicious-
ness with colour, texture and presenta-
tion.
In giving the toast to the immortal
Viking spirit, Erik Aasland, the young
president of the Norwegian Club chose
to speak about the greatest Scandi-
navian settlement in mainland Europe
during the Viking Age at Normandy. In
911 Rollo was ceded lands around the
Seine River by French Monarch Charles
“the Simple”. This Norse community
soon adopted local language and cus-
toms and with William the Conqueror
in 1066 they established stability in
Great Britain with the foundation of a
capable monarchial system. Erik then
encouraged those present to salute the
Viking spirit with the champagne with
which all were fumished.
Ellen Boryen, another young club
president, responded to the toast. She
had phoned her father in Sweden, ask-
ing his advice on what to say. “It does
not matter what you say,” he added,
“because the Vikings are all dead.”
Ellen spoke of the preoccupations of
the women who grew in independence
because of the absence of their men.
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Lesley Hughes, a local Winnipeg cel-
ebrity from CBC radio, opened her
speech by mentioning that inviting
someone from outside the community
to speak often offers a valuable per-
spective. In a recent visit to Denmark,
the quality of life and joyful participa-
tion in experience impressed her. She
pointed to a banner which she hung
from the lectern: it carried a design
from a one thousand year old rock
painting at Roskilde, which showed
Vikings aboard a dragon ship, bran-
dishing swords.
Lesley, who had first come to 764
Erin Street upon her own initiative in
the past, was pleased to have been
invited back on this occasion as a guest
speaker. The media, by which she
makes her life and of which she sur-
rounds herself, often concentrates on
violence, evil, scandal and inhumanity,
seeming to point to impending apoca-
lypse. Despite this, she always main-
tains a cheerful disposition and sees
promise in the future.
Two symbols which she chose to
draw upon, which reflect the Nordic
experience, are the sword and the chal-
ice. The sword represents courage, a
characteristic not uncommon in the
Vikings or their descendants. The chal-
ice, akin to the holy grail which sur-
faces in occidental art and literature as
a symbol of perfection and bounty,
represents love. Together, the sword
and chalice represent the two key
facets needed for success in life: the
love and courage exemplified in the
past and present Nordic heritage.
We are living at a pivotal moment in
world history, and despite the vigorous
problems in the world, Lesley hopes
for a growth in community and com-
passion which may foster positive
change.
Chris Christensen next directed
attention towards the presentation of
the Markmann Award; the worthy
recipient this year was Magnús
Elíason, born 84 years ago in Arnes.
Magnús homesteaded with his brothers
Helgi and Frank in Peace River, British
Columbia; he began his political
career, in this last pioneering region for
Westem Icelanders, in the hungry thir-
ties. Magnús dedicated much of his
spare time to political interest later in
Vancouver, working with political
giants in the Co-operative Com-
monwealth Federation and gaining
crucial political experience. Alberta,
Saskatchewan and finally Manitoba
would draw upon his organizational
skills; his political career culminated in
five, three-year terms on the Winnipeg
City Council.
With his love of politics, Chris
added, Magnús continues to deeply
cherish his Icelandic heritage. Magnús
acted as first president of the
Scandinavian Cultural Centre when it
came to 764 Erin Street; he is the dri-
ving force behind the naming of the
Nordic House and its financial stability,
through continuing efforts on the annu-
al lottery. The time, effort and leader-
ship which Magnús directs towards the
Nordic House dwarfs that of most oth-
ers, and he remains an elder statesman
of the entire Nordic community in
Winnipeg.
Upon receiving the award, Cath-
erine Joan Elíason commented that
nothing other than politics could have
kept Magnús from appearing in person
for this recognition. She expressed her
pride and joy in the Markmann Award,
which sentiments she knew her hus-
band would share. Magnús was attend-
ing the New Democratic Party conven-
tion in Ottawa.
Darryl Gill, showing the full range of
her expressive voice, concluded the
program with two more solos: Memory,
from Cats; and A Sailor’s Greeting. The
floor then became open for dancing,
and the gathering began to dissipate.
Many stayed late into the evening.
Sat„ Dec. 2
Vancouver
Sat„ Dec. 2
Vcincouver
Sun„ Dec. 3
Toronto
Sun„ Dec.10
Wínnipeg
Chrístmas Craft Faír & Bake Sale- 10a.m.-4 p.m. at Iceland House, 939-6th
St„ New Westminster, B.C. Crafts & baked goods available. Don't forget to
visit the Hardfish Cafe in the basement. Come do your Christmas shopping!.
o o a
Luncheon & Bake Sale- 1 la.m.-l p.m. by Women's Auxiiiary of the
Oakridge Lutheran Church, 585 West 41st Ave„ Vancouver.
o o o
I.C.C.T. Jólatrésskemmun (2nd Annual Christmas Party - Joín us 2 - 5 p.m.
at the Unitarian Hall, 175 St. Clair Ave. W. (near Avenue Rd.) There will be
Icelandic & Canadian Christmas Carols, Christmas cooking demonstrations and
games for the children.
o o o
Annual Icelandic Service- 1:30 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor
St. The Icelandic Cdn. Frón Christmas Party will take place immediatelY fol-
lowing the service in the lower hall (approx. 2:30 p.m.) AU are invíted.
o o o
Thurs., Dec.14 Sólskin Annual Christmas Party- 2 p.m. at Hofn Icelandic Care
Vancouver Home. Entertainment by the Kielhoms.
Sun„ Dec. 17
Wínnípeg
Sun„ Dec. 17
Edmonton
o o o
Christmas Pageant- 7 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 580 Víctor
St. AU are invited.
o o o
Norðurljós Christmas Party- 2 - 5 p.m. at McKeman Community
League, 11341-78 Ave. Icelanders of all ages welcome.
o o o
Sun„ Dec. 17 Jólaball & Jólamessa - Jólamessa at All Saints Episcopal Church in
Florida Winter Park & Jólaball immediately following the mass at The Langford Resort
Hotel, 300 E. New England Ave. ín Winter Park just across the street from the
church. (Leifur Briksson Assoc. of C-Florida)
o o o
Sun„ Dec. 17 ICCBC Chíldren’s Chrístmas Party- 2-4 p.m. at Bumaby Lake Pavilion.
Vancouver Registration with Jana (604) 590-3898. ($5./child.)
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