The Icelandic Canadian - 01.12.2001, Blaðsíða 22

148
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Vol. 56 #3
likely an isolation ward!
The hospital was supported by volun-
teers - they had their own vegetable garden
- the women's hospital auxiliary canned the
vegetables, ran the laundry, and assisted
with patient care under Emily's direction.
The hospital Board Secretary was a
pleasant young man named Mr. MacLean,
who handled the admitting office and
patient billing. He became married soon
after the hospital startup, and, with charac-
teristic humour, Emily dubbed him "The
Western Producer" because of the rapid
production of a very large family!
Mr. MacLean would often drive Emily
from Wadena to the Arngrimson farm at
Elfros, where he would stay for dinner
before returning. He was not the only one
who would do this favour for Emily, and
many good friends from Wadena made the
week-end drive to Elfros, sometimes to
leave Emily for a day or two, sometimes
taking her back after a good Sunday dinner
and visit. A drive of twenty miles was not
undertaken lightly in those days, as the
1920's roads were of mud, with limited