The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1967, Page 73

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
71
While Charles used his great talents
in creating and drawing animated ani-
mal characters his greatest achieve-
ment was the writing and illustrating
of a children’s story-hook called
“Keeko”. Here he was both a poet and
an artist. The story is that of a little
Indian boy who wanted to be like an
Indian “brave” and have a head-dress
of eagle feathers. The story is simply
told and beautifully illustrated. Over
60,000 copies of it were sold in its first
year and an abbreviated edition of it
is still on the market. Unfortunately
for the author, an improvident con-
tract iby him brought him little in the
way of royalties for his work.
Charles loved children. He had plans
for other children’s books like “Keeko”
and names for them, “Oogie”, the story
of an Eskimo boy, and “Zookie”, the
story of a little Zulu. But an occupa-
tional ailment caused by intense strain
over the drawing board for long hours
at a time prevented him from com-
pleting his plans.
After 14 years in the United States
Charles returned to Canada and re-
sided for several years m Toronto.
About 8 years ago he retired to
Haney, B.C. in order to be near his
son, Dr. Stephen Charles Thorson, to
whom he was devoted and of whom
he was intensely proud. At Haney he
lived a quiet and tranquil life.
The personal charm that always
graced him won him new friends. He
delighted in recollections of his child-
hood days. The trials of a complex life
were over. The fact that he was near
his beloved son was sufficient.
Recently, a back injury destroyed
his great physical strength and made
him an invalid. Then cancer caused
his death.
A great personality has gone.
WINS ROSE BOWL AWARD
Mrs. Eve Allen of Winnipeg was
awarded the Rose Bowl at the close of
the Manitoba Music Competition
Festival in April after being judged
the most oustanding singer. Mrs. Allen,
the former Evelyn Thorvaldson, had
previously in the festival won in the
Grade A Women’s Bach sacred solo
class and Grade A women’s operatic
class, and was one of nine finalists in
the Rose Bowl conetst in which she
sang For Love My Saviour Now Is
Dying, from Bach’s St. Matthew Pas-
sion, and Plus Grand Dans Son Ob-
scurite, from Charles Gounod’s opera
The Queen of Sheba to capture the
coveted trophy. The festival ran for
two weeks.
Mrs. Allen is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. T. Thorvaldson, of 5 May-
fair Place, Winnipeg.
Mrs. Eve Allen