The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.1979, Page 11

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
9
IN THE EDITOR'S CONFIDENCE
THE PAST
As one looks back upon the thirty-seven
years that have elapsed since the Icelandic
Canadian came into existence, one’s mind
conjures up the names of a few people with-
out whose dedication our quarterly would in
all likelihood not have continued to exist,
Laura Goodman Salverson, Holmfridur and
Hjalmur Danielson, Walter Lindal, and
Will Kristjanson. But there are many others,
contributors, supporters, and well-wishers
who have played an important part in our
progress throughout the passing years. Suf-
fice it for the time being to name three of
them, Gwen (Magnusson) Lindal, Mildred
Storsater, and Jona Kristjanson. These are
people who have received no recognition,
no plaudits, no headlines, none of which
they ever sought.
Judge Lindal, as is well known, had a
multiplicity of interests and activities.
Without Gwen’s support, moral and other-
wise, how well would he have functioned?
The Icelandic Canadian owes a debt of grati-
tude to Gwen.
A lady of Norwegian descent, Mildred
Storsater, our business secretary and for-
merly long-time secretary for Viking Printers,
has been associated directly or indirectly
with the Icelandic Canadian since its in-
ception in 1942. In her efficient, self-
effacing manner she is still giving guidance
to neophytes whose understanding of the
complexities of distributing a publication
has hitherto been limited. Their contribution
will be of great value in the future.
We all know how well Will Kristjanson
performed in his exacting duties as editor-
in-chief. It may be that only the members of
the Magazine Board realize how much of
the credit for his success was due to Jona’s
unflagging interest, enthusiasm, and pride
in her Icelandic heritage, which matched
Will’s. Brought up in a home in Winnipeg’s
West End noted for its hospitality and with
parents who were held in high regard by the
community, she kept herself abreast of the
changing pattern of life in Winnipeg’s Ice-
landic community. Her musical talents are
well known. She was honored in 1966 by
being chosen Fjallkona (Maid of the Moun-
tains) at the Islendingadagurinn at Gimli.
It can be said with conviction that her
contribution to the Icelandic Canadian, and
to the community as a whole, was substan-
tial. The loss of both Jona and Will within
seven months leaves a gaping void in our
ranks.
THE PRESENT
Due to the escalating costs of printing and
mailing, we have for some time been be-
devilled with financial problems. But there
has been some improvement lately. As a
result of a campaign initiated by Nelson
Gerrard and Paul Sigurdson, there has been
an increase of nearly 10% in our sub-
scribers. The Canada-Iceland Foundation
has subsidized us this year in the amount of
$1000. We need more subscribers, how-
ever, to meet the ever increasing costs of
publication.
In Minneapolis Valdimar Bjornson, for-
mer State Treasurer of Minnesota, has
launched an intensive campaign to substan-
tially increase the number of our sub-
scribers. This has, indeed, been a sizable
project. He has sent letters to 300-400 indi-
viduals. AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH
LETTER HE WROTE PERSONALIZED
NOTES! The following is a replica of ex-
cerpts from his letter:
Dear Friend:
The Icelandic Canadian is a cultural
medium, presenting in good English varied
aspects of the Icelandic heritage and news
about descendants of the country on both