The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1954, Qupperneq 26

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THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Spring 1954
and Vancouver, they have sung on the
radio viz, “Voices of the Northwest”,
a thirty minute program; also on tele-
vision last December, “And Give Thee
Peace”, quarter hour show. Both were
well received and highly praised.
Why is this choir so well united?
One of the reasons lies in the fact that
there are eleven married couples
among; the active members. This oh-
servation was made by our ex-pastor,
Plarald Sigmar. On the same occasion
he compared the three national
anthems sung by the choir “O Canada”
“O, Gu5 vors lands”, and “The Star
Spangled Banner”, as to which one
thrilled him the most. He and his wife
both chose “O, GhS vors lands”. Plere
we see another unifying factor, namely,
their bi-lingual ability. When the oc-
casion requires Icelandic, then it is
used, whether it be a hymn, an anthem,
or a folk song.
The expression “Work and play
don’t mix” can here be questioned.
One of the interesting and pleasant
means used by the choir to raise funds
is by sponsoring University play
productions. Money raised in this way
and others has made it possible for the
choir not only to add to the church
fund, but substantially aid in the pur-
chase of new gowns and a very fine
Wurlitzer organ. Thus, singing is not
only a pleasure under Tani’s direction,
but a profitable pleasure too.
As the wings are to the birds, so is
the choir to the church. Together they
can soar to great heights. Having
amassed such musical talents, we can
look forward to the continued success
of this Icelandic church and its choir.
Sophie Wallace, born in Piney Manitoba.
Parents: Mrs. Arndis Olafson, of Seattle, Wash-
ington, and the late Olafur Olafson. Brought
up in Selkirk, Manitoba. Graduated from the
Devonshire Collegiate Institute, Selkirk, and
the Winnipeg Normal School. Well-known as
an outstanding teacher in Selkirk and Win-
nipeg. Actively engaged in athletic, musical,
and dramatic work. Married Dr. Thomas M.
Wallace, presently practicing in Seattle, Wash-
ington. Has two sons: Michael, 4 years old,
and Garth two.
PLANNING STREET RAILWAY
SYSTEM IN BRAZIL
Sigurdur Sigmundson, transportation
manager for the B. C. Electric Co. in
Vancouver was recently sent to Rio
de Janiero, Brazil, where he will act.
on a committee to lay out the street
railway system in that city, on behalf
of the Brazilian Traction Co. He left
in February and will be about two
months away from home. President of
the Canadian Tarnsit Association, Mr.
Sigmundson recently completed a
course at Harvard University in Ad-
vanced Business Administration.
Before leaving Winnipeg several
years ago, Siggi was an active member
and president of the Icelandic Can-
adian Club, and his many friends here
Sigurdur Sigmundson note his progress with pride.