The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1961, Page 19

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
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of the poet, President Asgeirsson placed
a wreath on the grave. Following a visit
to the Stephansson home, he also
placed a wreath at the poet’s memorial
erected near the village of Markerville,
by the Historical Sites and Monu-
ment Board of Canada.
Refreshments were served in the
Markerville community hall by the
local Good Neighbours’ Club, a wo-
men’s organization whose members are
of non-Icelandic origin. Here President
Asgeirsson was presented with a silver
tray from the people of Icelandic des-
cent in the district. S. J. Stephansson,
a son of the poet, presented a gift from
the family, a gavel and a sounding
board, made of Aliberta diamond wil-
low by Kerry Wood. President Asgeirs-
son spoke of the greatness of the poetry
of Stephan G. Stephansson.
The occasion was favoured with
beautiful weather and the landscape
presented its fairest autumn hues.
At Edmonton, that evening, a ban-
quet was held in honor of the presiden-
tial party, at the Macdonald Hotel.
About 120 guests attended. The chair-
man was William Halldorson, pres-
ident of the Icelandic Society in Ed-
monton. Honorable L. C. Halmrast
brought greetings from the Alberta
Government and Mayor Elmer Roper,
of Edmonton, brought greetings from
the city. Mrs. Roland Decosse (nee
Margaret Helgason) sang “O GuS vors
lands” and “O Canada”. Glen Eyford
delivered an address, and the chair-
President Asgeir Asgeirsson, shaking hands with William Halldorson, who presided at
the dinner in Edmonton