Lögberg-Heimskringla - 15.12.1995, Side 10

10 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 15. desember 1995
Hlstory book bullds brídge at Botol
by Kevin Jón Johnson
Members from the Betel Home
Foundation and the Icelandic
National League gathered on
Thursday, 23 November 1995 at Gimli
Betel Home to commemorate the publi-
cation of a history book which traces 80
years of success.
The idea for a seniors’ home named
Betel, the House of God, arose from the
Women’s Organization of the First
Lutheran Church in Winnipeg. They felt
concem for elderly people of Icelandic
descent, isolated by language, who
needed and deserved attention.
Stemming from the best of Christian
values, the Betel Foundation now pro-
vides high quality care for the elderiy in
Gimli and Selkirk. The extension of ser-
vices to Winnipeg, beside Betelstadur,
will soon follow.
Commenting on the pleasure of
receiving Icelandic dignitaries in the
past to Betel, and hoping that the
Honourary Consul General of Iceland
would ensure the continuation of this
tradition, Mr. Emest Stefanson offered
a copy of the new book to Mr. Neil
Bardal. He also left with Mr. Bardal
copies for President Vigdís Finnboga-
dóttir, the Prime Minister of Iceland,
Ambassador Einar Benediktsson and
other consuls.
In receiving the books, the Consul
General confirmed his intent to extend
the tradition. For two days, earlier that
month, Neil enjoyed the company of
the Consul for Iceland and Norway,
Frangois A. Mathys. President Finn-
bogadóttir encouraged Mr. Mathys to
visit New Iceland, and her persuasive-
ness proved instrumental once again. As
part of a trip to New Iceland, Mr. Bardal
took the Consul to Gimli Betel Home on
Sunday, 5 November. Monday found
them in Winnipeg.
The Icelandic Canadian community,
the Consul General added, showed
remarkable foresight in developing the
Betel homes; the idea germinated from
the women of First Lutheran Church in
1915 — well before such an idea found a
fertile basis among other Canadians. The
homes provide quality environments for
many elders, and represent another facet
of our overall contribution to Manitoba
society.
Afterwards, Mr. Roy Gilbart,
President of the Betel Home Found-
ation, presented a pledge to the Icelandic
National League in recognitiori of the
efforts of Mrs. Evelyn Thorvaldson in
compiling and editing Betel Home
Foundation 1915-1995.
The President of the League, Mr.
Laurence Johnson, accepted the $2,000
cheque with graciousness and thanks.
He confirmed that co-operation in our
community, shown so strongly in this
enterprise and in the evening’s reception,
illustrates a partnership which ought to
occur more often, and which he hopes
to provide a basis for in the future. Mr.
Johnson found the dinner so exceptional
that he planned to sign up for a future
spot at Betel on his way home!
Dr. Irvin Olafson, a member of the
history book committee, then offered the
President of the Icelandic National
League a complimentary copy of the
<1>
CIBC
Gleöileg Jól
°S
Farsælt Komandi Ar
From the Management and Staff
of
Canadian Imperial
Bank of Commerce
Jim Sexton Manager Box 70 Gimli, Mb. R0C 1B0 Tel. 642-8521 Larry Hewlko Manager Box 490 Arborg, Mb. R0C 0A0 Tel. 376-5218
Joanne Millar Solrun Reiner Lorne Ross
Manager Manager Manager
Box 70 Box 270 Box 10
Ashern, Mb. Lundar, Mb. Stonewall, Mb.
R0C 0E0 R0C 1Y0 R0C 2Z0
Tel. 768-2727 Tel. 762-5471 Tel. 467-5551
book for himself and his chapters.
In presenting a copy of the history
and a gift to Mrs. Evelyn Thorvaldson,
Mrs. Johanna Wilson began by citing
the motto of the Jón Sigurdsson IODE:
United we stand. The partnership
shown in the compilation and editing of
this history illustrates the high achieve-
ment attainable when we choose to
bridge differences.
Mrs. Evelyn Thorvaldson accepted
the proposal to edit the history as a duty
driven by more altruistic aims; the gen-
erous pledge and gift, while gratefully
appreciated, came without her asking
and to her surprise. The $2,000 pledge
to the Icelandic National League, to
which Mrs. Thorvaldson has con-
tributed countless hours, will help
defray the cost of the commemorative
book they hope to put into print.
The presentations ended when Mr.
Don Bjornson offered complimentary
books to Mrs. Clara Steffenson, who
served as Director of Care from 1976 to
1984, and to Mr. and Mrs. Stefanson.
The Stefansons supplied slide shows
and colourful stories, based on travels to
Iceland and abroad, to residents at
Betel.
Mr. Stefan Stefanson commented on
the time he was approached to work for
three days at Betel Home Gimli. The
task he set upon ended only 18 months
later! After his labour, he had measured
and recorded every clock and chair in
the facility.
The foundation of all true ethical
behaviour resides in the freedom from
self-centredness, and the willingness to
avoid self-interest in the service of oth-
ers. The Betel homes arose from this
basic ethical foundation, as did the
efforts of Mrs. Evelyn Thorvaldson and
her committee. Selflessness often looks
for reward in Heaven, but that compen-
sation sometimes occurs on earth
should confirm the quality of that com-
munity which provides it.
Elíason honored by
Nordic House of Canada
by Kevin Jón Johnson
Ma g n ú s
E1 í a s o n
received
the Markmann Aw-
ard, for exceptional
contribution to the
Scandinavian
Centre, on 14 Oct-
ober 1995. This
annual award found
a worthy recipient Magnús Elíason
in Magnús, whose generosity has
expressed itself in every way towards
the maintenance of a home for Nordic
peoples in Winnipeg.
Magnús has also succeeded in regis-
tering the Nordic House of Canada as
an operating name for our Winnipeg
home, after telephone consultations
with corporate lawyer Tim Samson,
thus fulfilling a decade old dream. This
name, unique in Canada, reflects the
changes in language adopted in the
Nordic countries themselves. The
building remains incorporated as the
Scandinavian Centre.
The term Nordic includes Iceland,
whereas Scandinavia includes only
Norway, Sweden and Denmark.
Ambassador Einar Benediktsson has
encouraged the name change which
Magnús has now realized, and the
change should please the Icelandic and
Finnish Canadians who also enjoy the
privileges of the Nordic House in
Winnipeg.
Wishins vjovi AMb vfovirs jovf
&- hAppÍness
throughout the
holi&Aq scasom
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