The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1977, Qupperneq 33

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
31
Solskin member, Laura Johnson, who
loved to sing and entertain guests at
Hofn;
A little lady you would find
Bringing joy to all mankind.
Her sunshine glowed in many places,
Reflected back in smiling faces.
Her natural wit and humour came,
As subtly as the morning rain;
It washed away doubts, tears, and
sadness,
Replaced with confidence and
gladness.
One of Solskin’s brightest stars has
been our sole surviving Charter member,
Emily Thorson. She has the distinction
also of having the longest record of
service on the Executive of any member.
She was the first Secretary of the club,
then served as Treasurer for 43 years . . .
a great record indeed. She served on in-
numerable committees, held many
meetings at her home, as well as Annual
Picnics in her garden, and was involved
in most of Solskin’s earlier purchasing
and business transactions.
Another member who deserves special
tribute is Chrissie Anderson, who has
been a member for 50 years. She too has
served on numerous committees, and
devoted hours of time to working for
Solskin as correspondent and advertiser.
Rita Mooney has been a member for
over 40 years, serving as Secretary, and
for many years on the Sunshine Com-
mittee, visiting the sick and cheering
them up with her winsome ways. Thora
Orr, who was President at one time, has
also been a shining star with a long
record as a member. Dora Bjarnason,
who was President once, is another
member of long standing, as well as Nan
Dali, who was in charge of Raffles for
innumerable years.
All these women, and so many more,
45 members in all, too numerous to
name, have worked so well together and
contributed so greatly towards the
fellowship, the friendship, and the
goodwill of Solskin through the years.
FROM HERE AND THERE
Guttormur J. Guttormsson
Translated by Thorvaldur Johnson
The house of a farmer caught fire
In the settlement’s early days,
Before he had had a glimpse of
Prosperity’s happy face.
Within were stores for the winter
For the body to consume;
A stove, a lamp, and tinder
The spirit to illume.
He made up his mind to hazard
His health and life to bring
Out from the blazing fire
Each necessary thing.
Through the heat and smoke
he ventured
And brought back every time
In overflowing armfuls
Some books of prose and rhyme.
In the time it took to do this
It seems to be almost sure
That he could have saved from
the fire
All his household furniture.
But he glowed with satisfaction,
And thanks to the Lord gave he,
With nothing left in the world
Except his library.