37th Year, Number 5
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING / A TASTE OF NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS
8:00 p.m. Tuesday,
May 20 Unitarian Hall,
175 St. Clair Ave. W. (near Avenue Rd.)
It's that time of year again, when we hold our annual
meeting and election of officers. A proposed slate is enclosed, and of
course you're invited to attend and nominate other people from the floor.
A good time for you to get involved!
In addition, we will be giving you 'a taste of NORTHERN ENCOUNTERS,
the month long festival of music, visual arts, film, writers and much more
taking place in Toronto in June. Over 120 Icelanders will be here for this
exciting event, along with performers from all the other circumpolar nations,
in this first celebration of our "northerness". (see enclosed
calendar for dates)
To whet your appetite, we'll have a preview for you of some of the music,
film and writings, along with an overview from those responsible for pulling
it all together - Northern Encounters, the Harbourfront Reading Series,
and Cinematheque Ontario.
THAT'S TUESDAY, MAY 20 8:00 P.M.
UNITARIAN HALL, 175 ST. CLAIR AVE. W.
Members $4; Non-Members $5
KAREN RAYNER
Our Scholarship Committee this year selected Karen Rayner as the
winner of our $500 award. Karen has already made contributions to our club,
as our past Youth Co-ordinator. She is a young woman who has shown a great
deal of interest in her heritage. Karen graduated from Northern Secondary
School last June, with a very impressive scholastic record. She is currently
attending Nipissing University in North Bay, where she is studying Environmental
Sciences and Geography.
Karen recently learned that she has been selected out of 50 candidates
for a summer job as an environmental laboratory assistant, with Stone Consolidated
Corp. at their Kenora facility. Good luck, Karen. We look forward to your
return to activities with us.
DAGBJORT ARTHURSDOTTIR
Dagbjort is the first recipient of our $500 grant to attend the
Icelandic Language and Cultural Camp on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, just
outside Gimli, Manitoba.
Dagbjort will be turning 12 this summer, and this will be her first visit
to the area - North America's largest Icelandic settlement.
Dagbjort's parents, Arthur and Briet Wendover, are not Icelandic, but had
been living in Iceland for several years already when they adopted Dagbjort
from her native Sri Lanka. She was only two months old, and she and her
parents continued to live in Iceland until she was 8 years of age. The
family is fluent in the Icelandic language, so maybe Dagbjort will teach
as much as she will learn at the camp, but that will be just fine!
Dagbjort, have a great time.
TWO NEW HONORARY MEMBERS NAMED!! DOROTHY (OLIVER) GISLASON
(by Don Gislason)
Dorothy was born and raised in Winnipeg. She married Guy Gislason
there in 1942 and had 3 children, all of them baptized in the Icelandic
Lutheran Church. In 1947 the couple moved to Toronto where they raised
their family. Later, Dorothy took up a career with Canada Manpower &
Immigration as an immigration officer, which evolved into her own business.
Over the years Dorothy has been a constant and faithful member of the Icelandic
Canadian Club of Toronto, and during the 1960's, her husband acted as President
of the Club. During this time, he adapted the Falcon symbol to the ICCT
letterhead.
She comes from a long line of energetic people, including Canadian pioneer
folk who first settled in Kinmount, Ontario, the Muskoka district and Nova
Scotia, before heading west - a family which has known struggle and success.
When she was born, her father, Stefan Olafson Oliver, was old enough to
be her grandfather. He made his mark on Canadian history by serving in
the Riel Rebellion. Clearly, Dorothy and her family are proud of their
vigorous Viking roots as well as their pioneer heritage.
As a family, they have been involved with the Icelandic-Canadian community
in this area for many years. This interest in heritage and community has
been carried on through her young grand-daughter, Leah Salt, who is currently
serving on the executive of the club. We are pleased to bestow Honorary
Membership upon Dorothy, for her ongoing dedication and remarkable strength
of character.
BERNARD (BEN) EINARSON
(by Garry Oddleifson)
Ben is a member whom we don't see at all our functions, but who
is a major contributor to our club, even though he lives so far from Toronto.
His beautiful blanket boxes have been a major highlight of our past several
Thorrablot celebrations, and we wish to recognize the big effort.
Ben is a true "upper" Canadian Icelandic-Canadian. His grandfather
on his father's side, Jakob Einarsson, arrived in the Muskoka settlement
back in the 1870's. Ben's father, Einar, was born there, and so was Ben.
The beautiful blanket boxes that Ben makes for us are truly to be treasured.
When he decides to make one of these, he doesn't just write a "work
order"! In fact, he doesn't go to Home Depot or a lumber yard to buy
his material. Ben has local wood - oak, ash, cherry, that he has had sawn
from local logs. He takes the "green" lumber to his heated shop,
and stacks it in the spaces above the joists. He turns and restacks it
until it is seasoned, not kiln-dried, as per today's technology, but dry
and seasoned, as per old tried and true methods.
It's a pleasure to bestow ICCT Honorary Membership on Ben.
The Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto Newsletter
FÁLKINN -THE FALCON
- Editor: Gail Einarson-McCleery
- Assisting Editors: Marilyn Ragna (Hurst) White, J. Baldur Steen
ICCT EXECUTIVE
- President: Garry Oddleifson
Editorial
Since the beginning of April, Iceland has been in the grip of labour troubles
involving workers in the banking, food industry, seafood and airline industries.
Fortunately, agreement was reached in the banking, food industry and airline
industry, the latter only on April 19 after a one-day strike. The pilots'
contract is for three years, over which their wages will increase 13.4%.
But on April 20th at midnight, fish processing workers in the West Fjords began a
strike which has stopped production lines in the area. Their main demand has
been a minimum wage of USD$1,430, which would be accomplished by turning the
incentive bonus system into part of the wage base. Employers object to this and
the strike could be difficult to resolve.
Icelanders Ahead Of Their Time, Again!
They have been eating fish for years. Nothing new to the people of Iceland,
this wasn't for reasons other than it was a regular and viable food source.
It may interest you to know that what was often called "Brain" food, is
actually good for the heart. American studies have proven the value of fish in
cardiac health. Remember that the next time you enjoy a nice fish dinner!
COMING EVENTS:
- Tuesday, May 20th - 8:00 p.m. Annual General Meeting /Election
"A Taste of" Northern Encounters (See Page 1)
Whole month of June Northern Encounters features a range of events with artists from Iceland as
well as other northern countries(calendar enclosed) Sometime in June (date tba) Meet the Icelanders
Join us at the Unitarian Hall, 175 St. Clair Ave. W. to meet some of our Icelandic performers, musicians and writers.
OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST:
- Sunday, May 4 Scandinavian Club Spring Fashion Show
2:30 p.m. Tri Congregational Church, 1080 Finch Ave. E.
Featuring knitted fashions by Kriss (made in Sweden) and other handmade
clothing, accessories and jewelry.
$5 incl. coffee/cake.
- Mid May Good Morning America originates in the five Nordic countries (including Iceland) for 5 days (2 hours each a day).
- May 23-25 The Icelandic Presence in Canada Symposium
Hosted by the Department of Icelandic at the University of Manitoba, and
held at Gimli Country Resort.
Includes a banquet ($45) and tour of New Iceland ($25)
Speakers from Canada, Denmark and Iceland.
Tel. (204) 474-8487;
Fax (204) 474-5764;
e-mail: neijman@cc.umanitoba.ca
THANKS TO...
Vince & Ruth Eastman, Marion Johnson and Blair & Kathy Laxdal for their donations to the club.
Minty and Mamie Larusson, who had to relinquish their tickets to Iceland due
to ill health, for making up the difference in the reselling price.
Pearl Palmason (violin), Carol Burtch (piano), Chris Morden, Sigga Moore,
Kathleen McDermott, Alys and Laura Richards, Adelyn Sapera, Marilyn & Paul
White, Eric & Gail Einarson-McCleery, Katrin Jonsdottir for their parts in
the excellent mixed program of music, poetry, theatre and prose on March 19th.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS:
Elaine Drury of Barrie, whose interest in Iceland stems from a Rotary
student exchange program she went on.
David and Johanna Diplock, and their sons Michael (who will be 3 on
April 24th) and Alex (16 months).
Margaret Kjartanson Rusnak of Thunder Bay.
Don & Judy Strang and son James of Niagara Falls (Don's mom Ethel is a
former Executive member).
David Ireland (David's mother is Heather Ireland, Honorary Icelandic
Consul in Vancouver).
Gillian Johnson (Gillian's father was Dr. George Johnson of Gimli, former Lt.
Gov. of Manitoba).
Douglas Goodman and Frederica von Briesen of Waterloo.
Doug's people
come from the Wynyard settlement, and he found us on the World Wide Web!
Conor Begley of Hillsdale
Otmar Fueth of Clear Lake Farm at Magnetawan, which features trekking
with Icelandic horses.
BIRTHS:
John Baldwin weighed in at 8 lbs. 9 oz. on February 13th, to join twins
Hanna and Thomas, who were two on January 15th (they only weighed 3 lbs. each on
arrival!) His parents are Sheri Arnason and David McNeil; proud grandparents
are Joan and Gerald Arnason of Gimli. Sheri tells us he was named for his
great-grandfather Baldwin of Gimli, and that they both snore!
An even newer arrival in the club is Skylar James, born at 12:37 a.m. on
March 20th, weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz. Son of Karen Bancroft and Daniel Soper, he
is a first grandchild for Bonnie Bancroft. Her mother Freda Myrdal originally
came from Akureyri and settled in Winnipeg.
And the next day, March 21st, Jacob (Jake) Anthony Wayne, made his debut
to join 2 1/2 year old Emily Marie. They represent the 5th living generation
- parents are Alexandra and Rocco Trentadue of Cambridge; grandparents are
Janis and Wayne Cadieux of Burlington, home of great-grandmother Irene Anderson
Sonmor. Her father Barney Anderson was from Selkirk; his parents from Iceland.
Her mother and husband, Zahlea and George St. James, live in Nanticoke, Ontario.
I'm sure you all heard about the horrendous April snowstorm in Manitoba - well,
it hastened the arrival of Ford Bruce Thordur, who was born on April 8, just
after his parents, Douglas Laxdal and Nancy Campbell, arrived back from visiting
the family in Winnipeg. Weighing 6 lbs. 2 oz., he was 5 weeks early.
CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS:
Happy 65th birthday to our Librarian, Kathleen McDermott, who was surprised
by her daughter, Alice McDermott, with a party on the special day, March 29.
Others celebrating their 65th birthdays are Marjorie Swanson on March 5, Jean
Davis on June 6, both of Mississauga , Alda (Narfason) Mackenzie of Sarnia
on April 6, and Webb Charette of Guelph on June 30.
Jack Peter Tatton of Mount Forest will turn 70 on September 2; Isabel
(Einarson) Gordon of Sudbury is 80 on August 3, and Johanna Snydal reaches the ripe
old age of 95 on August 5!
PASSINGS:
Irene Frederickson Barnes
(Baldur, MB Feb. 2, 1915 - Cobourg, ON May 22, 1996)
Irene was one of ten children; she and her husband and daughter Louise came
east in the late 1930's. She is survived by her daughter Louise and husband Dan
Fernane, two grandchildren, Terry and Jason and two great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by four sisters - Ann of Winnipeg, Winona and husband George
Ramage of Baldur, Man., Kristine and husband John Ralston of Bowmanville
and Carol and husband John Bunner of Lindsay. Her two surviving brothers are
Chris of Winnipeg and Irvin and wife Beatrice of Peterborough. (Editor's note: this
corrects errors in the original announcement)
VERNA RUTH (ROGERS) EINARSON
Verna passed away in her 77th year, at Barrie, on February 9th. She was
predeceased by her husband Einar and son Edward, and is survived by her
children Beaulah (husband Ronald Cook) of B.C., Betty (husband Bob Ellwood) of St.
Catharines, sons Denny (wife Donna) of Barrie, Linda (husband Ron Neil) of
Alberta, and Jim (wife Donna) of Newmarket. She also leaves twelve
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as her sister Eleanor
of B.C.
SYLVIA J. (BILDFELL) HOUGH 1908-1997
Sylvia Hough died on January 7, 1997, at Oakville Trafalgar Hospital at the
age of 89. She formerly lived in Windsor. Sylvia was predeceased by her
husband Harold (1973). She was the beloved mother of Franklin and his wife
Catherine, Brampton; and Jon Hough of Oakville, dearest grandmother of Stuart, Eric
and Amanda. Mrs. Hough was a graduate of the Henry Ford Hospital School of
Nursing. She was a member of the Windsor Art Gallery, a member of Maycourt, a
founding member of the Windsor Curling Club, and a member of the Windsor Association
of Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Sylvia was the daughter of Jon and Soffia Bildfell
and the sister of Hrefna and Jon.
Our condolences to Katrin Jonsdottir, on the passing of her grandfather,
Jon Halldorsson, in Reykjavik.
A NEW MURAL BY TOM BJARNASON OF PORT HOPE
Tom has just completed an exciting new work created especially for
NavCanada Corp. in Ottawa. It represents the net-work of air traffic controllers
across Canada, and is approximately 50 feet wide and 10 feet high. It hangs in
the atrium, 14 feet above the floor, and had to be screwed to the wall. It must
have been quite heavy, considering all the interesting artifacts Tom attaches to
his art! Tom had to miss Thorrablot, as he was in Ottawa to discuss the lighting installation for his new work.
STURLA GUNNARSSON'S NEW FILM PREVIEWS IN ICELAND
Award-winning director and producer Sturla Gunnarsson's latest film is a feature
documentary entitled Gerrie & Louise. It's an "almost love story" set during
South Africa's Commission on Truth and Reconciliation. It tells the story of
Gerrie Hugo, a Colonel in the South African Defense Force, and Louise Flanagan,
a journalist who reported on men like Gerrie, and risked her life doing it.
Just before becoming the Commission's Chief Investigator, Louise married Gerrie!
The film will be telecast in Iceland on April 27th, before being shown on the
CBC and the BBC in the fall. Incidentally, Sturla's made-for-TV movie Diana
Kilmury: Teamster recently won a Gemini award for best actress Barbara Williams.
LINDA LUNDSTRÖM AWARDED DOCTORATE
At their spring convocation, Ryerson Polytechnic University handed out eight
honorary doctorates, including one to Linda Lundström, retailer and manufacturer
of Canadian fashions. Club members will remember Linda's very popular fashion
show a few years ago. Maybe we can organize another one!!
WE GET LETTERS:
I am presently engaged in pre-production for a one hour documentary about a
unique event taking place in Iceland this summer; however, as an independent
film-maker, I am unable to finance this venture, so I am seeking investors from
the Icelandic community. The subject matter is not only fascinating but also
entertaining. The project is called ...
SO YOU WANT TO BE A VIKING
A committed band of people from Europe, Canada and the Nordic diaspora are
travelling back in history to make the journey from the mundane to the mythic -
to be Viking again - at the International Viking Festival, July 9 - 13, 1997.
For more information about this project, please contact me:
Grimur Ardal Ph/Fax (416) 693-9103
278 1/2 Lee Ave. Toronto M4E 2P5
Editor's Note: Club member Grimur Ardal was inspired by Thorsteinn Helf's story
in our February issue on an earlier Viking Festival in Iceland.
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