Lögberg-Heimskringla - 24.01.1997, Qupperneq 5

Lögberg-Heimskringla • Föstudagur 24, januar 1997 • 5
tfelow: Jerry Johnson with his
"eJolasveinar"pictures in the background
parents and grandparents to hear
the “Jólasveinar” story, to dance
around the Christmas tree and
have a visit from Santa Claus.
Santa led some of the singing
around the tree with the correct
Icelandic words and actions.
Interesting how Santa had such a
good command of the Icelandic
language, but then he does visit
all over the world. His helpers
made sure that faces were painted
and little boxes were crafted and
Festive Season Highlights
Continued from page 4
story on “Coleman and Company”
about a week later.
If the little children did not get
to tag along on November 29, they
sure didn’t miss out on December
14. More to their schedule a Jólatrés
Skemmtun took place between 2:00
- 4:00 p.m. About 42 children
registered to come out with their
Dancing around the
"Jolatre"
even some goodies were
available to take home as
everyone bundled up for the cold
weather outside.
The many days of severe
frost lifted just in time for New
Year’s Eve. Even the snow and
sleet of the day gave way to a
mild and calm moment at
midnight. It was a pleasant and
nostalgic moment for those who
gathered around the bonfire at
Neil and Annette Bardal’s that
evening to sing a few Icelandic
songs before Auld Lang Syne
and then see a blast of fireworks
greet the new year.
Refreshments of hangikjöt,
rúllupylsa, vínarterta and more
greeted those gathered, as well
as more singing around the
piano inside. Upon departure the
“Neil Bardal” mug used for
coffee was a gift to take home.
Now to complete the season,
that mug will have to be filled
with súkkalað for “Litlu Jólin,” a
custom from the past, as we bid
farewell to this festive season
and the departure of the last
Jólasveinn. □
D.N.
Icelandic pianist performs
Continued from page 4
acquaintance of this highly accomplished
artist, whose sweet and kind nature only
added to our delight in her performance.
Many of the large audience of nearly one
hundred club members and music lovers
were able to meet her at the reception
which followed, as well as partaking of
the marvellous spread of Icelandic and
Canadian delicacies provided by club
members. All in all, a most memorable
event, which we hope will be the first
of many. □
The King ofBig Cauchon
Continued from page 3
I thought we might hit the top. Even though
Alex had gone ahead a couple of days
before to measure it, it amazed me to see
how cool he was as he took a pinch of snuff
and, barely throttling down, guided all three
freighters and fíve skiffs through. Another
ten miles and the outfit was at the entrance
to his camp — Jonasson Bay.
After docking and landing all the boats,
unloading began — it usually takes two
days for the men to unload tubs, fuel,
groceries, etc. There are five cabins for the
men to sleep in, and a cookhouse with two
cooks and their sleeping quarters. Alex
hires between fifteen to twenty people
during the summer fishing season. All the
cabins and boats have electricity, powered
by a huge generator which goes day and
night. Fishing takes a lot of ice, the machine
in use will put out 2,000 pounds of ice in
24 hours. This year, he acquired two more
machines. In case the main one breaks
down, the other ones are ready. The last
thing a fishing outfit of this size needs is to
run our of ice. This poses a constant worry.
Once at the main camp, the fishermen
don’t go to town until the season, which
runs from August 1 to late October, is over.
It is a relatively short season but very busy
seven days a week. In the moming, it is a
msh to the cookhouse for a big breakfast.
Then the boats go to the main dock where
they load up with ice for the day’s catch.
Around one o’clock, the boats start coming
in and the físh are cleaned and quickly put
into the fish shed, iced and ready for the
joumey to the físh plant in Wabowden. Alex
and his crew usually come in around two
in the moming. All men are expected to be
on the dock to unload. Most anxiously
await mail, candy, or a Pepsi. Early the next
moming, the crew loads up and is on its
way again. In September, it gets beautiful
as the leaves change colour and then drop.
It also begins to get colder. Usually around
October 15, it gets close to freezing and
the weather can get bad, so nets are pulled
and everything but the cabins are left until
next year. There’s a joke among the men
that the seagulls and Jonasson wait each
otherout to see who goes south first. Most
of the time the seagulls lose.
I have had the opportunity to fish with
Alex and I know he is the best all around
fisherman I have ever worked with. With
his brushcut and piercing blue eyes and a
powerful body over 270 lbs., he is an
imposing figure. He can fix any machine,
fillet any fish and find pickerel where other
men cannot. Then I can only wonder: What
kind of fisherman was this Icelander in his
early years? The answer is simple. Like he
is today. He had to be the best of the best,
and today he has the largest, most modem
fishing outfit in northem Manitoba.
Alex is always looking for good
experienced freshwater fishermen and
cooks. If any are available, they can contact
Alex or the writer. □
Tue. Jan. 21 -
Mar. 25,1997
Winnipeg, MB
Thu. Jan. 30
Winnipeg, MB
Tue. Jan. 21
Toronto, ON
Thu. Feb. 13
Winnipeg, MB
Wed. Feb. 19
Gimli, MB
Sat. Feb. 22
Winnipeg, MB
T4PCOMING <SVENTS
lcelandic Class in St. Vital — lcelandic instruction (for
grades 1-8) will commence Jan. 21 - Mar. 25, 1997, every
Tuesday, 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Hastings School, 95 Pulberry
Street. Minimal registration fee. To register or get more
info, call Sandra Koblun at 255-7231.
Lestrarfélag — 7 p.m. “Confessions of an Immigrant’s
Daughter,” Nordic House of Canada, 764 Erin Street.
Icelandic Classes, ICC Toronto — Intermediate classes
start 7:30 p.m. Tue., Jan. 21 and Thur., Jan. 23.
Beginner classes start 7:30 p.m., Wed., Feb. 12.
Classes will be held every second week. Contact Gail
Einarson-McCleery at (416) 762-8627.
Lögberg-Heimskringla Annual Meeting — 7 p.m., 699
Carter Avenue. All welcome. Only paid up members of
Lögberg-Heimskringla Inc. may vote.
Gimli Chapter-INL regular meeting — 7 p.m., Betel
Conference Room. The second half of the video “lceland,
Europe’s Wild Gem” will be shown.
IC Fron Þorrablót — Open 6 p.m.; dinner 7 p.m., Nordic
House of Canada.
What’s happening in your area?V\le want to hear from you before and after the
events. Just send us a few lines — or a lot — typed, double-spaced or on a 3 1/2
-inch computer disk. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if material or
photos are to be returned. Fax copy to: 284-5686. Send photos or material to
Lögberg-Heimskringla, 699 Carter Ave., Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3M 2C3.