The Icelandic Canadian - 01.11.2006, Qupperneq 16

102
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 60 #3
discussion Judith Jonsson and June Parker
developed the idea of a language camp - a
weekend immersion of Icelandic for chil-
dren accompanied by an adult. It would be
held at June’s lakefront cottage, less than an
hour northwest of Edmonton and with
Judith’s bolo trailer and tents, a maximum
of 20-25 participants could be accommo-
dated.
Participants came from near and far—a
mother and adult daughter from
Saskatoon, grandparents with grandson
from Dawson Creek, three generations
from Fort St. John, and a linguist from Ft.
McMurray. He went home happy because,
although he could read and write in
Icelandic, he finally heard the language and
now he could enjoy reading it aloud. No
one became bilingual but everyone
absorbed something from the experience if
only the enjoyment of meeting new
friends, having lots of laughs and great eat-
ing! Interest in heritage was sparked!
Having been charged with intrigue and
manned with a few basic language learning,
a few ventured to Iceland ‘to see for them-
selves’ and to extend their knowledge of
language and culture. Two of these have
participated in the Snorri program.
During the restoration of Stephansson
House, Jane W. McCracken wrote Stephan
G. Stephansson: The Poet of the Rocky
Mountains. The hard cover edition is avail-
able from the Edmonton Public Library.
Banquets and Receptions
Banquets are often organized for dig-
nitaries from Iceland and smaller recep-
tions for tour bus groups and others.
Banquet 1961
In 1961, the Icelandic Canadian Club
of Edmonton hosted the President of
Iceland at a gala banquet at the Hotel
MacDonald. It was held on Wednesday,
September 20th. The event had been
announced in the media and there was a
large turnout.
Seated at the head table were the guest
of honour, Asgeir Asgeirsson and his wife,
Dora Thorhallsdottir; Mr and Mrs L.C.
Halmrast, representing the provincial gov-
ernment; Mayor and Mrs Roper, represent-
ing the city of Edmonton; Mr and Mrs
Haraldur Kroyer, secretary to the presi-
dent; Bill and Thora Halldorson; and Mr
and Mrs Glen Eyford.
Other noted guests included Grettir
Leo Johannson of Winnipeg, Consul for
the three western provinces; Dr. and Mrs
Finnbogi Gudmundsson from Iceland; Mr
and Mrs Eric Stefanson of Gimli, acting as
official escort from the Federal
Government; and the two daughters of the
poet, Stephan G Stephansson - Jenny
Sigurdson and Rosa Benediktsson.
Banquet 1964
In 1964, Friday, August 7th, a banquet
was held for the Prime Minister of Iceland
at the new Scandinavian Centre
Twenty people waited at the airport to
meet the Prime Minister of Iceland, Dr
Bjarni Benediktsson, his wife, Sigrldur
Bjornsdottir and son Bjorn. When they
arrived, they were ushered into the room
by President Leifur Oddson and little
Arlene Valgardson presented Sigrldur
Bjornsdottir with a bouquet of flowers and
curtsied. Everyone had an opportunity to
chat with the visitors and to take pictures.
The sumptuous dinner was catered by
the House of Hanratty and the tickets cost
four dollars per person.
Before the dinner commenced Della
Roland played ‘God Save the Queen’ fol-
lowed by the Icelandic National Anthem,
sung by Margret Decosse. Ruth
MacNaughton, Fjallkona for 1964, gave the
blessing.
Following the dinner, President Leif
Oddson gave an interesting speech wel-
coming our visitors and presented them
with a wooden fruit bowl hand-crafted in
Edmonton. Dr. Benediktsson replied, first
briefly in Icelandic, then in English. He
gave an outline of the first Icelandic settlers
to come to Canada and commented on how
well they had done. He also said these peo-
ple had opened the window to the world
for the people who remained in Iceland.
Dr. Benediktsson remarked that he was
surprised to find the number of people who
still spoke Icelandic or understood the lan-
guage.