Lögberg-Heimskringla - 09.04.2004, Blaðsíða 6

6 ♦ Lögberg-Heimskringla ♦ Friday 9 April 2004
Young people take the
spotlight in Vatnabyggð
Joan Eyolfson Cadham
Foam Lake, SK
“The Icelandic Government
sends its regards to this gather-
ing, with gratitude for your
interest and effort regarding our
common culture and history,”
said Icelandic Consul General
Atli Admundsson, addressing
the 165 participants at
Vatnabyggð Icelandic Club
Þorrablót 2004 on March 27.
“Neither one would be the same
without your contribution. Our
history and culture would be
incomplete and different with-
out the part you and your ances-
tors have played.”
The Vatnabyggð Club con-
tinues a new tradition of alter-
nating þorrablót between Wyn-
yard and Foam Lake. This year,
the event had a special emphasis
on the young Vatnabyggð Ice-
landic Canadians.
Celise and Stephan
Kowalchuk, Trisha Paulson and
Kruz Halyk served hors d’oeu-
vres of rullupylsa on Icelandic
brown bread during cocktail
hour. Stephan and Kruz and Ian
Paulson were featured perform-
ers during the þorrablót concert.
Krista Bergsveinson Houk
described the “Fire and Ice”
Reykjavík Marathon she will
run to raise money for diabetes.
Lori Sveinbjornson, the first
Vatnabyggð member to take
advantage of the Snorri pro-
gram, explained the workings of
the program.
Liv Vors, Stella Stephan-
son’s granddaughter, was
acknowledged on her accept-
ance at Trent University for a
fully-funded Masters position.
Her project is funded by the
Ministry of Natural Resources,
as well as the National Geo-
graphic Society. She will be
examining the link between the
extirpation of woodland caribou
and human activity.
Both Krista and Marea
Olafson accepted the opportuni-
ty provided by the Vatnabyggð
Club to fund-raise towards the
$5500 that marathon partici-
pants need to raise before the
Run. Marea was acting as host-
ess to 10 exchange students at
the school where she teaches, so
her parents sold tjckets on one
of Marea’s quilts. Lori was pre-
sented with a cheque by Club
Vice President, Shirley-Ann
Laxdal.
Beginning a new tradition,
the Club served the Icelandic
food with the roast beef buffet
provided by Joan Malinowski.
The Icelandic menu — rullupyl-
sa, lifrarpylsa, sœtsúpa, mysu-
ostur on white bread, pön-
nukökur, skyr and vinarterta —
were available for snacking
throughout the evening, and the
event concluded with an Ice-
landic food sale. The Icelandic
food is provided by Club mem-
bers.
The formal program opened
with the Vatnabyggð Choir,
enhanced by Gunni Goodman’s
Icelandic Language students,
Good times
at the old
Geysir Hall
PHOTO: STEINÞÓR GUÐBJARTSSON
Morgan Palsson, 11, Jasmyn Johnson, 11, and Jessa Laine
Johnson, 9, had a good time at the þorrablót in Arborg and
entertained other guests with the New Iceland Youth Choir.
Evelyn K. Thorvaldson
WlNNIPEG, MB
The Esjan Chapter of the
INL (Arborg) hosted yet anoth-
er successful þorrablót on Sat-
urday, March 20.
We entered the doors of the
old Geysir Hall, just east of
Arborg, to the aroma of the
wonderful meal.
It was evident that the
þorrablót had been sold out
two weeks prior. People
entered, expecting to get a tick-
et, but had to leave, disappoint-
ed. Arborg þorrablót is so pop-
ular. Last-minute ticket pick-
up arrangements cannot be
bought.
To be in the old Geysir
Hall was an experience. No
doubt, if those walls could talk,
there would be many interest-
ing tales. Old romances —
some kept, others just a memo-
ry-
Music, presented by many
local and area talents, allowed
dancing and favourite tunes
that are remembered to this
day.
The meal was not a disap-
pointment. Esjan Chapter
knows how to please an Ice-
landic palate. A highlight this
year was a table filled with
many desserts — and skyr —
right from Iceland. A variety of
flávours — the best in the
world!
Entertainment followed the
meal, featuring a brief history
of the Geysir District shown by
computerized equipment on a
large screen. It was most inter-
esting. The Soley Singers,
comprising several local
Arborg gentlemen, accompa-
nied and directed by Kristin
Johnson, presented beautiful
song and harmony. Then came
the New Iceland Youth Choir,
directed by Rosalind Vig-
fusson. This group of young
people sing with zest and per-
fect Icelandic. They are a joy to
listen to, and have become the
pride of the Interlake.
Atli Ásmundsson, Consul
General of Iceland in Win-
nipeg, addressed the guests and
brought greetings from the
Government of Iceland.
A singing “Toast to the
Ladies” was presented by sev-
eral Soley Singers and friends
followed by a “Toast to the
Men” sung by many ladies —
among whom were Þrúður
Helgadóttir (wife of Atli) and
Birna Bjarnadóttir, Head of the
Icelandic Department at the
University of Manitoba.
We hope that Þorri has now
received the message that he is
not needed here any more.
leading the þorrablót crowd
through “O Canada” and “Ó,
guð vors lands,” and concluding
with “Ó blessuð vertu
sumarsól.”
Entertainment included
Generations, the vocal trio of
Bina Keyser, Audrey Shepherd
and honourary Icelander Fran
Blyth. Stephan and Kruz teamed
up for a piano duet and Stephan
added a piano solo. Ian Paulson,
accompanied by Donna Paul-
son, played “The Gimli Waltz.”
In his remarks, the Icelandic
Consul of Saskatchewan, Jón
Örn Jónsson, looked forward to
next year. “The last Club
newsletter paints a picture of a
vibrant club with numerous
activities and accomplishments
to its credit,” he said. “The next
big challenge will be Vatnabyg-
gð’s hosting of the annual con-
vention of the Icelandic Nation-
al League during Saskat-
chewan’s lOOth anniversary. By
coming to Saskatchewan, the
League is returning to its rural
roots. The Icelandic immigrants
settled in largest numbers in
rural Canada, and I daresay that
the Vatnabyggð chapter of the
National League is a true rural
chapter. I know that by all of us
pulling together, <ve will make
the convention a resounding
success.”
He also introduced the new
Consul General and his wife,
Þrúður. In Club tradition,
Shirley-Ann Laxdal presented
them with their honorary
Vatnabyggð Club memberships.
As the Fiddling Farmers
were introduced, Club President
Joaa Eyolfson Cadham con-
ferred on Blaine Hanson the title
of Honorary Icelander, a privi-
lege reserved for people of non-
Icelandic descent who have
given dedicated service to the
Club. Hanson, who is Norwe-
gian, has volunteered his talents
for þorrablót dances for several
years.
The evening concluded with
food, visiting, and dancing to
the Fiddling Farmers — Ian
Paulson, Bill and Edna Paulson,
Blaine Hanson and Donna Paul-
son and Eric Beale who drive
from Saskatoon to play for the
event.
“I look forward to attending
and celebrating with you at the
2005 Icelandic National League
Conference,” said Foam Lake
Mayor Bob Johnson, who was
unable to attend, in a prepared
text read on his behalf. The INL
conference which is slated for
April 28 to May 1, 2005, will be
hosted by the Vatnabyggð Club
with events held in Wynyard
and Foam Lake.
PHOTOS: JOE LAXDAL
Top: Lori Sveinbjornson
speaks about the Snorri Pro-
gram.
Above: “Generations” per-
form.
<hi \y unn* Rin* im mv wmn m u rnw .NiirrRihm # rim h nn 'm'HWHHh