The Icelandic Canadian - 01.09.2008, Blaðsíða 15

Vol. 61 #4
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
153
Stoyanowski, Amber Gulay, and Kaiha
Stoyanowski. Saturday’s events started at
11am with the dedication and blessing of
the St. Demetrius Ukrainian Catholic
(Bjarmi) Church service conducted by the
past Archbishop his honour Michael
Bezdel and Father Harry Chuckry.
Following the church service, the crowd
was entertained by an aboriginal Dance
troop called Summer Bear Dance Troupe
which was sponsored by the Riverton &
District Friendship Centre.
Then at 1pm the Grand opening cere-
monies began complete with entertain-
ment, ribbon cutting ceremonies and build-
ing tours. Entertainment included the new
Iceland Youth Choir, Brady Colins, Alpine
Singers and Bjorn Thoroddsen, one of
Iceland's foremost jazz guitarists and
Richard Gillis, renowned Manitoban musi-
cian. Seven daughters of the Sigvaldason
Home ranging between the ages of 75 to 96
came to take part in the ribbon cutting cer-
emonies. They were Anna Thorarinsson,
Gudrun Johannson, Kristjana Magnusson-
Clarke, Thordis Wilson, Margaret
Rasmunssen, Valdine Prentice, and Olaf
Sigurdson. Haddie Low along with many
grandchildren and great-grandchildren
came to cut the ribbon at the Brandson
house. The Vigfusson building ribbon cut-
ting was by Greg Palsson, Philip
Thorkelson & Ruth Christie. The Bjarmi
Church ribbon was held by the elder
parishioners of the church and the ribbon
was cut by Olga Bobbee. Ethnic food
booths were on site, races and games for
the kiddies, and Saturn Shows Rides and
Midways. The local quilting Club put on a
beautiful quilting show in the Heritage hall
with over 50 quilts on display. The week-
end was topped off with an old time dance,
in the Arborg Community Hall music by
the Telstars. A good time was had by all.
For more information about the Arborg &
District Multicultural Heritage Village go
to the web site www.arborgheritagevil-
lage.ca Hours of Operation: Tue., Thur., &
Sat, tours at 10 a.m. & 1p.m. A 22 site
campground adjacent the Village for travel-
ers. Phone Pat: (204) 376-5079.
Bjarmi Catholic Church in background and tepee.