Lögberg-Heimskringla - 07.07.2000, Blaðsíða 1

Week at a glance
The Search for Vínland
A new exhibit at the Cultural House in
Reykjavík highlights lceland’s history
Guest instructors for ILCC
Guðrún Ágústsdóttir and Svavar
Gestsson to teach at lcelandic Camp
Friday 7 July 2000 • Number 23 / Föstudagur 7. júlí 2000 • Númer 23
Lögberg
Lögberg stofnað 14. janúar 1888
Heimskringla stofnað 9. september 1886
Sameinuð 20. ágúst 1959
Heimskringla
ThE ICELANDIC WEEKLY
Registration no. 08000 Agreement no. 1402161
114th year/114. Árgangur
“The oldest ethnic periodical still publishing in Canada”
News
Exhibits from
Manitoba and Utah
Many curious events are on the
agenda of the Westfarers’
Museum at Hofsós this summer. In
early June a travelling exhibit from
Gimli. Manitoba was brought to the
museum, which opened on June 10.
There the history of the Icelandic set-
llement in Manitoba is shown from
its beginning. The history of what led
to the migration West and the reasons
for them have already been dealt with
at the Westfarers’ Museum itself—
and thus the history is now complete.
A new building is being erected
by the museum and it will house,
besides the aforementioned exhibit,
an exhibit on Icelandic emigration to
Utah, USA. That exhibit opened on
July 3 this summer.
“This will be a particularly
unusual show, including various pre-
cious pictures from Utah, cast in
bronze and marble, for example a
sacred picture of Christ,” said Valgeir
Þorvaldsson, manager of the rnuse-
urn. “This is a piece of art by the
sculptor Bertil Thorvaldsen, and the
show will include ntany others linked
to the emigration West. At this show
we will first and foremost focus on
the emigration of Icelanders to
Utah.” According to Valgeir the new
building will also have a suite for a
scholar, a library, and a genealogy
facility.
Translated from Morgunblaðið
News continues on page 5
Young team to train at Waterloo
Lauren Flynn and Leifur Gislason,
Canadian National Novice Ice Dance
Historical painting showing settle-
ment in Utah. Phoio: MorgunbUtðið
Gold Medalists, acted as flag-bearers
for the Icelandic Independence Day cel-
ebrations on 17 June, 2000, at the
Grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.
Earlier in the week Elva Jónasson
had the opportunity to meet with them
and talk to them xibout their skating
accomplishments, training program,
sponsorships, and future goals and
aspirations.
Lauren and Leifur began their
skating individually, becoming a
team approximately five years
ago. Lauren started figure skating at the
early age of three with additional train-
ing in ballet for several years. Leifur
was involved primarily with hockey
until he attended a power skating semi-
nar where it was suggested to him that
his level of skill might be better applied
to figure skating. Both Lauren and
Leifur, skating as singles, were winners
at various competitions and meets in
their levels. They paired up in Ice
Dance at ages 10 and 11 respectively,
and have successfully skated and com-
peted as a team since. They both partic-
ipate in additional off-ice training in
ballet and ballroom dancing to enhance
their Ice Dance skills. Joanne Tokaryk
has been assisting them with jazz dance
training also.
A major breakthrough for this
young team is about to occur this
month. Here in Winnipeg, Lauren and
Leifur have worked with their coach
Erin Zuk-Meyers, developing their
skills within the rather limited ice time
available at the Dakota Community
Club. This past year, they consider
themselves fortunate that they have
been able to work with Paul Mclntosh,
coach, and Susan Killing, choreogra-
pher, from Kitchener-Waterloo. They
would travel east to spend a couple of
weeks with them and then return to
work pretty well on their own during
their allotted time at the Dakota
Community Club. With support of fam-
ily and friends, a very successful social
evening was held last month to raise a
portion of the funds needed, for their
move to Kitchener-Waterloo, 22 June,
2000.
Stefan, Leifur’s father, informed
me that the cost of training for figure
skaters is in the range of $42,000 to
$45,000 per year. Several individuals
have ntade generous conffibutions to
aid them and there is a possible corpo-
rate sponsorship pending. If anyone is
so inclined, he suggests that enquiries
be made through the Canada-Iceland
Foundation in regard to contributions or
donations.
Words just tumble out with their
excitement over the advantages they
will have working out of the Kitchener-
Waterloo facility. Most importantly, the
facilities are much better, and the coach-
ing staff is first rate. There is a compre-
hensive gym available as well as off-ice
classes and lectures and seminars for the
National team. During the extended
practice time (approximately six hours
per day) there will be twelve dance
teams of various levels on the ice, all
practicing at the same time so the oppor-
tunity for comparison, exchange of
ideas, and interaction between teams
and levels is priceless. As well, there
will be three Ice Dance champions on
the ice every day, giving all of the
skaters invaluable experience as they
work towards their individual goals. To
be able to work and train at Kitchener-
Waterloo until after the Canadian
Please see Waterloo on page 6
Lauren Flynn and Leifur Gislason.
Pholo: Wesi Side Photography
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