The Icelandic Canadian - 01.11.2006, Side 10

96
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 60 #3
1981-82 Solli Sigurdson
1983-84 Brian Sveinbjornson
1985 Dennis Eyolfson
1986-87 Brian Sveinbjornson
1988-89 Sam Thorkelson
1990-92 Solli Sigurdson
1993-96 Joanne Olafson
1997 Lillian McPherson
1998-99 Gloria Krenbrenk
Helga and Bob Rennie
2000-03 Bob Rennie
2004 Walter Sopher
2005-06 Del Sveinsson
Saga Singers
The Saga Singers is a group of non-
professional singers who are interested in
learning and preserving the Icelandic cul-
ture and traditions. They do this through
the English explanation of their choral
singing. The ladies’ costumes are the
authentic or faithful copies of the 18th cen-
tury costumes known as the Upphlutur.
The Saga Singers have had five direc-
tors since its beginning. In 1968 it was for-
mally organized and affiliated with
NorSurljos under the directorship of Lil
Sumarlidason and adopted the name Saga
Singers. Years 1969-1979 - directed by
Della Roland, 1979-1989 - directed by
GuSbjorg (Burky) Letourneau, 1989-2002
- directed by Gloria Krenbrenk and 2002-
to present - directed by Calvin Krenbrenk.
They have entertained at many func-
tions of the NorSurljos Club, including
Porrablot, Christmas Party, Edmonton
Heritage Days, Scandinavian Showcase, K-
Days, the crowning of the Fjallkona at
Islendingamot in Markerville, Markerville
Centennial, Centennial of Vonin, for visit-
ing dignitaries including the Icelandic
President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, Past
President Vigdfs Finnbogadottir and Pope
John Paul II. They also entertained at the
Provincial Museum, Stephansson House,
Senior Lodges, Nursing Homes, multicul-
tural programs at St. Albert and Stony
Plain, and have participated in the
Celebrations of Life and a marriage.
The Saga Singers have been great
ambassadors for Edmonton. Their partici-
pation and presentations in all these activi-
ties were applauded when they presented
concerts in Ottawa, Gimli (twice); Lundar,
Wynyard and more recently in Alberta:
The Icelandic Connection in Red Deer, the
INL Conference in Calgary, the Stefan &
Olla Stefanson Traveling Exhibit in
Calgary, and the Viking Night at Viking.
Financial
Nordurljos membership fees contin-
ued to be low. The bank balance was small,
generally about $30, until Walter Arason
became active in the club in the 1960’s.
One of his many good ideas for increasing
revenue was to sell Grey Cup Pool tickets.
For several years the club sold 2500 tickets
for $1. The prizes were generous and took
up about one third of the revenue. The
resulting windfall allowed the club to pur-
chase investment bonds, make large dona-
tions to: the Betel homes, Logberg-
Heimskringla, Scandinavian Centre News
and Beulah and Walter Arason
Stephansson House to name a few.
Today much of the money raised goes
to support L-H subscriptions, the Snorri
Program and development of the Dutch
Canadian Club, a Centre that is shared by