The Icelandic Canadian - 01.06.1984, Qupperneq 8

6
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
SUMMER, 1984
folk dances. Of course, the children stole
the show.
Within the last two years, I.C.F. has
instituted several successful new programs.
For the first time on the seventeenth of
June, 1983, I.C.F. joined the Jon Sigurds-
son Chapter of the I.O.D.E. in a program
celebrating the thirty-ninth anniversary of
Icelandic Independence Day. The I.O.D.E.
organized a program of speeches at the Jon
Sigurdsson statue on the legislative grounds.
After the speeches, I.C.F. sponsored a
heritage program and social at the First
Lutheran Church. This proved to be a very
enjoyable evening, with all ages in atten-
dance. I.C.F. hopes this event will con-
tinue next year.
Another new idea I.C.F. has instituted is
the Memorial Fund which has been set up
for people to make contributions in the
memory of dear friends and relatives. This
money will be used to increase the aware-
ness of our Icelandic heritage through
I.C.F. activities.
Our two kaffihus’ have been tremendous
successes. They attracted some of the
younger set — that elusive twentyish
crowd that we have tried to attract before
and have failed. People enjoyed the friendly,
informal atmosphere of poetry readings,
plays and folk music entertainment.
I.C.F. has also been a driving force
behind the Scandinavian Centre. It has
taken out thousands of dollars in deben-
tures, has held socials for fund raising
purposes and has sponsored programs at
the centre for its financial support. I.C.F. is
in the process of furnishing and decorating
the library and reading room. This job
includes arranging all the volumes of books
in order and selling the many duplicates.
All I.C.F. programs and projects require
willing, dedicated volunteers.
As is the case in all organizations, I.C.F.
has a rather small core of eager volunteers
who, simply, do everything. They seem to
do all the baking, all the planning, all the
table setting and all the cleaning up. These
overworked people need help. They need
help to make I.C.F. grow. They need help
to organize and work at various events.
They need help so that I.C.F. will be a
viable entity for their children; for those
children interested as children in their
heritage will be the enthusiastic I.C.F.
executive of the future. Only in this way,
will I.C.F. survive.
Being Icelandic is special. We all know
this. There are not too many of us in this
world. Could we not band together and
work together for the continuation of our
rich heritage so that our children will be
brought up to know their ancestral roots
and to be proud of them, just as we were?
My call for help in this editorial is
directed, mainly, to the thirty to forty age
group. I.C.F.’s deepest thanks must go out
to the many people who have tirelessly
supported I.C.F. and who have worked
very hard, over the years, with very little
recognition. I could name names but hesi-
tate to do so, because one name would,
invariably, be missed.
It is time for this younger age group to
say thank you to their parents and to
assume more of the workload than has been
done in the past. It is time to follow our
parents’ fine example and to make our
contributions to our heritage.
LUNDAR MEAT & GROCERY
A Full Line of Groceries
NOTED FOR ITS GOOD ME A T
K. VIGFUSSON JR. & FAMILY
Lundar, Man. ROC 1Y0
Ph. 762-5261 Ph. 762-5368
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