The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1955, Page 35

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
33
“This settlement was founded by
sixteen Icelandic pioneers who came to
Utah in the years 1855-56-57.
“The celebration will begin with a
religious service June 15th, and will
continue on the evening of June 16,
and with a full day’s program June 17.
“We are very desirous of represent-
ation of all Icelandic groups through-
out the United Sates and Canada.”
The writer has had close contact
with the Utah Icelanders for the last
ten years and 7-8 articles have been
published about them in the Icelandic
Canadian*. Their history is most in-
triguing and all their cultural activ-
ities are of a high standard. The fact
that, in spite of isolation, they have
retained their interest in Icelandic
cultural tradition for a hundred years,
is noteworthy and enhances our
admiration for this small contingent
of Icelanders who pioneered in Utah
and who, by their courage, intell-
igence, energy and faith helped to
make the desert blossom into a land of
beauty and of plenty.
No doubt there will be a large influx
of Icelandic descendants from all
parts of America to enjoy the festiv-
ities June 15-17 in Spanish Fork, and
to help the Utah pioneers celebrate
this unique event.
Holmfridur Danielson
*See Icel. Can. vol. 2, No. 2; Vol. 5 No. 4;
Vol. 6 Nos. 3 and 4; Vol. 9 No. 1; Vol. 11,
No. 3 (two articles).
Wins Two Scholarships
Miss Mary White
Miss Mary' White, the youngest
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. P. White,
1288 Dominion St., Winnipeg, has
been awarded two scholarships: one
by the Red River Chapter (I.O.D.E.),
and the other by the William E.
Gladstone Chapter (I.O.D.E.). The
award was based on Mary’s outstand-
ing scholastic achievement at Daniel
McIntyre Collegiate Institute and at
the Manitoba Normal School. Mary
will graduate from the latter institu-
tion in June.
Mary’s mother, SigriSur (SigurSar-
dottir) White emigrated as a child
from EyjafjorSur, Iceland, in 1910.
Three of her older children have
graduated from the University of
Manitoba with excellent scholastic
records.
Mary’s sister, Betty, as many will
recall, achieved the distinction and
honor of receiving an invitation to
attend a pre-wedding party for Princess
Elizabeth (now Oueen Elizabeth) and
Prince Philip. An account of her ex-
periences at that historic occasion may
be found in the Winter Issue of The
Icelandic Canadian, 1947.