The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.1981, Side 15

THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
13
they borrowed a book for him — a very rare
book — from the United States Library of
Congress, which he was allowed to read and
study at the library — but he could not take
it out.
Hjalmur was methodical and patient — I
was inclined to procrastinate and put off till
tomorrow the work that had to be done.
When I was slow getting started on my
writing Hjalmur pushed me and prodded
me. It has been said that he who procrasti-
nates does his work fifty times before he
gets started; but perhaps my sleepless nights
and endless note-taking paid off occasional-
ly, for when I finally buckled down and got
going on the writing, the material had,
through gradual osmosis, and mulling over,
become somewhat polished and I could
proceed without too much painful revision.
That the magazine has been widely read
and appreciated may be shown by the many
reprints that have been made from it by other
papers and magazines. As examples I might
site: the Vopni article on the Swan River
Pioneers was reprinted by the Tribune; The
Thordarson article (and many others) was
translated, in part and published in “Les-
bok,” Morgunbladsins, In Iceland. I was
quite intrigued for I had translated from Ice-
landic to English, a letter from one of the
pioneers, and in “Lesbok” it had been
translated back to Icelandic. I would have
given much to have had in my hands the
original letter to compare how it fared in the
process.
To me, the most interesting use made of
material from the magazine was when the
comic strip magazine Superman published a
two-page story — “Boys Who Never Give
Up” in their June - July issue, 1950, taken
from my article on Joseph Olafson, “The
Enchanted Coach”. I don’t remember who
sent me a copy of Superman, and I don't
know how they got the story but I was ‘ ‘tickled
pink” as they say.
The members of the Club used to refer to
the Icelandic Canadian as “Hjalmur’s
Baby”. Perhaps I may be forgiven if I fancy
myself as a sort of Foster Mother who lent a
helping hand in nurturing this sturdy infant
in its formative years.
After twenty-six years of service Hjalmur
gave up his work with the magazine in the
fall of 1968. Johnny Samson of Viking
Printers took on the job of Business Man-
ager and his very capable secretary, Mildred
Storsater, did the bookkeeping, looked after
subscriptions, addressed the envelopes, etc.
She has been an efficient worker and since
Viking Printers closed up their operation,
she has handled this part of the work at her
home, doing all the banking as well.
The magazine has become a veritable
treasure trove of historical and literary
material and will be invaluable to future
generations who would like to delve into
their past.
Practically all the work for the magazine
has been voluntary (naturally the adver-
tising solicitors receive a regular fee); and
the legion of fine contributors have given
their services as well. We owe much to all
these people, but we feel sure that in giving
so generously to others they have also
GAINED much — they have grown in
mental stature and gained wider horizons.
Their ever-increasing mental exercises have
expanded the mind, stimulated it and de-
veloped talents — perhaps hidden before.
They have tasted the pure draughts of the
mythical Mimis brunnur** that perpetually
renewed itself the more it was used.
And the good work continues: our present
business manager, Harold Johnson, is affable
and efficient; the business secretary, Mil-
dred, is tireless in doing her best for us; our
Editor-in-Chief, since 1978, Axel Vopnfjord,
works with an excellent staff and under his
intelligent and artistic guidance the maga-
zine is flourishing.
Amoong the many who have given such
long and able service two men must be
** The mythical Fountain of Mimir.