Lögberg-Heimskringla - 05.11.2004, Page 4

4 • Lögberg-Heimskringla • Friday 5 November 2004
The importance of the walk to the rock
Steinþór Guðbjartsson
Managing Editor
October 21, 1875 is a his-
torical date in the Icelandic
and Canadian history. That
was the day when over 200
Icelanders landed at Willow
Point just south of Gimli, Man-
itoba, after having travelled on
scows from Winnipeg. Scows
that were towed by the Hud-
son's Bay Company steamer
Colville. The following days
the settlers transported their
belongings to what soon
became Gimli. New Iceland
was founded.
One hundred years later
Connie Magnusson, her mother
Sigríður Benediktson and her
aunt Herdís Einarson decided
to walk from Gimli to the rock
where the settlers landed to pay
'tribute to their forefathers. It
started as a walk for members
of the family and some friends
and has become a tradition.
The annual walk starts
from another historical site, the
New Iceland Heritage Muse-
um, which is one of six Mani-
toba special theme museums.
Among other things it tells the
story of New Iceland and it
was officially launched in the
Waterfront Centre October 21,
2000.
The walk to the rock keeps
the history alive and combines
the past, the landing at Willow
Point, to the present, to the
New Iceland Heritage Muse-
um. It is a constant reminder of
the difficulties that the Ice-
landic settlers were confronted
with. It symbols an important
part in the Icelandic and Cana-
dian history.
Letters to the Editor
PHOTO: WALTER SOPHER
From left: Steini Sigvaldason, Stan Snidal, Fran Benediktson,
Gilbert Benediktson, Brynjolfur Gudmundson, Julianna
Bjornson, Connie Sigvaldason Clarke and Ashley Clarke.
Dear Editor:
I am enclosing an invita-
tion to persons that are inter-
ested in attending our
school/town lOOth celebra-
tion. This would include any-
one that went to school at the
Logberg and Thingvalla
Schools or any relationship to
the town or school or church in
the area. The date of the cele-
bration is July 15, 16 and 17.
For more information contact
Lillian Sveinbjomson at Box
524, Churchbridge, SK, S0A.
0M0 or call (306) 896-2562.
Please include this in your
paper or newsletters.
Thank-you.
Lillian Sveinbjornson
Churchbridge, SK
New e-mail
addresses
Logberg-Heimskringla:
L-H@mts.net
Steinþór Guðbjartsson:
steinthor.L-H@mts.net
David Jón Fuller:
david.L-H @ mts.net
Catherine Lambertsen
McConnell: catherine.L-
H@mts.net
Audrey Juve Kwasnica:
audrey.L-H@mts.net
Krave’s Candy Co.
45 Durand Road Wpg, MB R2J 3T1
Phone: (204) 654-1361
Ton. Fref.: 1 (800) 357-6867
Larry Finnson
Chris Emery
Dear Editor:
Well, it has been always
been said that Icelandic folks
are friendly. This past summer
I have experienced this won-
derful Icelandic hospitality
across the western provinces
from Saskatchewan to British
Columbia. My mother, Vir-
ginia Bjornson, and my god-
mother, Audrey Moloney,
accompanied me on this per-
ilous journey to a new land
(okay, okay, it’s just BC — I
just wanted to give it a pio-
neering feel). Anyway, in
every province we were pleas-
antly overwhelmed by the
welcoming and wonderful
ways of the people.
In both Edmonton and
Calgary, the clubs had
arranged wonderful bmnches
for us, with many people giv-
ing their welcome wishes and
kind words. We also, of
course, had to visit the area
known as Markerville, a very
picturesque Icelandic commu-,
nity. We even had time to take
in a tour of the Markerville
Creamery, a key historical
treasure of the area.
I have now settled into my
new apartment in Vancouver,
where it is, predictably, rain-
ing. Regardless, here too,
there are many welcoming
Rentcash Incr>
Gordon J. Reykdal
President & CEO
17703 - 103 Avenue
Edmonton, AlbertaTSS IN8
Canada
Tel: (780) 408-5118
Fax: (780) 408-5122
E-mail: gord@rentcash.ca
people, some possibly even
thinking about adding new
blood to their Board, I am
sure. Whatever the case, their
warmth and hospitality has
made me feel at home here,
even if it is so far away from
the home in Manitoba that I
have known for so many
years. In closing, I want to
thank you all who attended the
lunches, and who have wel-
comed me so very warmly
here in Vancouver. You have
all touched me deeply by rec-
ognizing that the Icelandic
bond of friendship is still alive
and well. Please keep in touch
and thank you again.
Julianna Bjornson
Vancouver, BC
Correction
In the October 8 issue of L-H, a paragraph was missing
from the end of the article on Gordon Reykdal. The missing
text was:
“... that is being worked on in Edmonton.
‘I don’t want to wait for things to happen but try to
make them happen,’ Gordon says.”
We apologize for this oversight.
"*0Í too,
November 12 & 13
10 am -4 pm
at the New lceland Heritage Museum
imþjort'ed lcelandic goods
^ iiÉpÉ!
94-1 st Ave. Gimli, Manitoba
Ammas teAROom
lcelandic Pizza
Vinarterta Muffins
Ponnukokur
Viking Beer
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