History of the Club
The History of the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto
This history was originally written by Rósa Hermannsson Vernon. It has since been updated by Gígí Friðriksson and Gail Einarson-McCleery and other volunteers from the Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto
Inception
In the spring of 1959, friends of mine, Steina and Kobbi Kristjanson of Winnipeg, called to say that they were in town. I invited them to come for afternoon coffee. I also invited Steina’s sister, Rikka Bailey, her daughter, Billy Bailey, Alda Palson and Ásta Palson Lunney.
During our conversation, Ásta suggested that we form a group to entertain Icelanders when they visited Toronto. All agreed that it was a good idea, and to this end we met again at Alda’s home, at which time twelve ladies attended.
Shortly thereafter, we were invited to Franney Peacock’s home where a group of ladies from Iceland living in the Toronto area were getting together. It was decided to have their next meeting at Erla Macaulay’s home where a slate of officers was elected for the Club’s inaugural 1959/60 year and Franney Peacock named its inaugural President. The name Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto was chosen. The meetings were to be in English and men invited.
To build up our membership, I spent many hours looking up names in the telephone directory. I then gave the names and numbers to Fanney and she contacted these people.
An Oct. 27, 1960 list shows a membership of 57 and that a hall had been rented.
Þorrablót
The first year we decided to hold a Þorrablót (Icelandic Food Night) in February, treating our friends and relatives to delicious Icelandic foods. We also served Canadian foods for those who preferred it. This has become a tradition and has been the highlight of every year both socially and financially. Entertainment at þorrablót has been varied throughout the years. A silent auction was added in the 1990’s and we have had many children’s plays as well. It is our major event of the year, a time when everyone can get together and enjoy the old time Icelandic food. We still self-cater it, with most participants contributing.
Entertainment at þorrablót has been varied throughout the years. A silent auction was added in the 1990’s and we have had many children’s plays as well. It is our major event of the year, a time when everyone can get together and enjoy the old time Icelandic food. For many years the event was self-catered, with most participants contributing something. For many year the incomparable Arden Jackson coordinated and catered the event with the help of volunteers.
Fund-Raising and Philantropy
To raise money for our Club, we held raffles, tombolas, handicraft fairs, dances, film and slide presentations, musical offerings and speeches on Iceland and our heritage.
Donations made by the Club have included the Betel Home in Selkirk, the Icelandic Canadian, Logberg Heimskringla, the INL, avalanche relief in Iceland, visiting choirs and many more.
Iceland Independence Day Celebration & Picnic
Cam and Erla Macaulay kindly invited us to their farm near Erin, Ontario for a picnic in June on the Sunday closest to the 17th (Iceland’s Independence Day). In 1981, a choir from Skagafjörður, Iceland visiting Toronto attended the event and entertained as did the Reykjavík Band in 1987. The picnic was held at Erla and Cam’s place for 25 years. In recent years, it has been hosted amongst Lynda and Gunnar Helgason’s Icelandic horses near Colborne, at Thorstein and Hildegarde Helf’s Viking retreat at Shelburne, at Stefania Sveinbjarnardottir’s Icelandic sheep farm at Parham, at the OnIce Horse Farm in Caledon and in Kinmount at the memorial site.
In addition to these out-of-town locations, the picnic has been hosted locally in Toronto parks, most notably High Park and Dufferin Grove park, on numerous occasions.
Christmas
In December 1978, we initiated an annual Christmas dance that included a bar and buffet. After two years, we discontinued it as the numbers of people attending were not as great as we had hoped. In December 1994, the Christmas event was reinstated, featuring Icelandic Christmas carols, demonstrations of food preparation and crafts. It returned in 1995 as an afternoon affair with more emphasis on the children and traditional dancing and singing around the Christmas tree. It has become a very popular annual event and has evolved in more recent years into a Christmas Fair – expanded to include a bazaar of Icelandic and Christmas goods, games, presentations and other entertainment.
Starting in the mid 2000s the venue for the Picnic was moved to Riverdale Farm in Toronto where members start with brunch at the Pear Tree restaurant and then tour the farm and animals while the Jólasveinarnir story was recounted by Grýla and her Yule Lads thanks to Brenda Bjarnason.
In 2017-2019 the Christmas event was once again moved indoors to Morningside Church where Christmas carols, crafts, a Jólabókaflóð, the Jólasveinarnir story and Santa were all brought together.
During the pandemic, the Club’s Christmas event was hosted online in 2020 and 2021 featuring food, crafts, music, Grýla and the Yule lads, and, of course, Santa.
Canada’s Centennial Year
About twenty-five club members went to Ottawa during Centennial year to attend the unveiling of a trilingual plaque (English, Icelandic, and French) donated by the Canadian Icelandic descendants on April 14, 1967 and placed in the new Library and Archives Building on Wellington St., Ottawa. The title, “A Chapter in Canadian History,” depicted the discovery of America by the Vikings in the year 1000.
Presidential Visits
In 1961, we entertained the President of Iceland at a cocktail party at the Granite Club. Then, in 1967, the club was again honoured by the visit of the president of Iceland, the Honourable Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, who attended a gathering at the Albany Club. In 1972 Guðmundur I. Guðmundsson, Ambassador of Iceland, paid us a visit. Another president, the popular Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, visited in August of 1989, and a reception was held at the King Edward Hotel. Vigdís visited again in June of 1998, when the University of Guelph awarded her an honorary doctorate, and the ICCT hosted a luncheon in her honour.
Scholarships
In 1977, at the urging of Fanney Peacock, a scholarship fund was set up – It continues to this day. In 2001, we decided to offer a grant to a child of Icelandic descent to attend the Icelandic Language and Culture Camp (near Gimli, MB), and a grant for ICCT members participating in the Snorri program. We feel it is important to invest in our future in this way. In 2003, Consul General Jon Johnson and his wife Pat established an additional scholarship in memory of Jon’s parents, Ragnar and Marion Johnson. All of these grants continue.
The Club currently offers scholarships annually to young people pursuing post-secondary education, a Snorri travel grant and an Icelandic Camp grant all self funded through donations and the annual auction event.
Icelandic Language Classes
Icelandic classes were offered sporadically during the early years of the club; but have been running continuously now since February of 1966. Those who have taught Icelandic language lessons for the club include: Brandur Olafsson, Katrin Jonsdottir, Oli, Sigrun Stella Haraldsdottir, Halla Gunnarsdóttir, Tómas Gunnarsson, Margret Bjorgvinsdottir, Haraldur Bessasson, Richard “Junior” Chang and Einar Johannesson.
Music and Entertainment
Magnús Paulson entertained by playing the piano for singsongs on numerous occasions. Alda Palson, pianist and Music Director at Havergal College, gave recitals and accompanied soloists at club affairs. Rósa Hermansson Vernon not only entertained at our club, but at the Scandinavian Club where she, dressed in Icelandic costume, performed a recital of Norwegian and Icelandic songs in 1975. She started a mixed voice choir of members of the club with Begga Robson as accompanist in 1977. With Rósa singing solos and conducting, the choir performed at several gatherings. This included a “Lucia” put on by the Scandinavian Club at the Ontario Science Centre. All five Scandinavian groups performed and decorated a tree depicting their national heritage. For several years the Valhalla Inn displayed Christmas trees around their swimming pool and invited the various ethnic groups to decorate them ethnic style. The Icelandic decorations won awards on more than one occasion. Icelandic dolls (decorated by some of the ladies) and Icelandic flags of all sizes were included. Jenny Drummond and Ethel Hair were always there when piano accompaniment was needed for the choir or soloists that entertained at our meetings or special occasions. In 1968, Ragnar Bjarnason, a celebrated singer, recording star, radio and TV personality from Iceland was in town on his way to New York, and an informal gathering was held at the home of Hannes and Begga Petursson.
In 1980, Sigfús Halldórsson, composer and artist, Guðmundur Guðjónsson, soloist, and Bill Holm, pianist, gave an entertaining program. Guðmundur sang a number of Sigfús’ songs with the composer at the piano. In 1982, the late Haukur Morthens was on tour and played at a dance in the Valhalla Inn. In 1987, the Canadian Opera Company offered a performance of “Rigoletto” featuring Kristján Jóhannsson as the Duke of Mantua. Members of the club who attended were thrilled by his glorious tenor voice. On June 18, 1987, Pearl Palmason, violinist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for forty years, gave a recital at the Unitarian Church, and all receipts were donated to the Club.
In November 1993, Sigrún Eðvaldsdóttir, acclaimed Icelandic violinist, performed for us, accompanied by Þorsteinn Sigurðsson, pianist. Nina-Margret Grímsdóttir gave a piano recital on November 17, 1996. In 1997, the Northern Encounters Festival of the Arts brought us the Hamrahlid Choir (and a chance for many of us to welcome these delightful young people into our homes), Icelandic films, writers, musicians, actors, and the children’s choir Skolakor Karsness. Our club hosted a reception for the visiting artists. In March 1999, young Icelandic Canadians Tristin Tergesen, Iain Stuart and Lindsey Innes sang, played and danced for us.
In 2001, the Motet Choir from Hállgrimskirkja entertained us at the St. James Cathedral. Ingveldur Yr Jónsdóttir (mezzo soprano) and Guðriður St. Sigurðardóttir (pianist), entertained us in October of 2002 with a program of Icelandic, Canadian and international music. Two concerts in June of 2005 gave us the opportunity to be treated once again to the magic voices of the Hamrahlið Choir from Reykjavik – in performance with the Northern Voices Choral Festival in Toronto, and a concert specially for us in Hamilton.
In the year 2000, Brenda Bjarnason formed a children’s choir singing in Icelandic – this evolved into a theatre troupe. Icelandic Canadian singer Lindy entertained us at many Thorrablóts and was joined by his parents at one of our annual picnics. Maja Ardal, Sigga Friðriksdóttir and Ann Helga Denny also entertained us at Christmas parties and Thorrablóts.
In addition to this, the club has sponsored and contributed to numerous other events.
Writers and Film Makers
Betty Jane Wylie, W.D. Valgardson, and David Arnason all came and read to us through the years. David’s film ‘Tied by Blood’ was shown in 2000 and Juliann Blackmore’s film ‘Saga of Hope‘ has been shown twice.
Film Screening
In 2003, the Icelandic Consulate partnered with ICCT and the National Film Board of Canada in starting a monthly screening series of films from Iceland with English subtitles on the last Thursday of each month at the NFB’s downtown theatre.
Eventually, this presentation was expanded to include the Consulate of Finland and Ryerson University’s School of Image Arts into a film screening program branded as Nordic Nights. Six or more films are screened each year alternating Icelandic and Finnish films. A short film is also screened at each event from a Ryerson student who participated in the Iceland or Finland annual film workshop hosted by the school. Nordic Nights screenings were hosted at Ryerson. During the pandemic, all films were screened online.
Some Examples of Speakers and Entertainment at Meetings:
| Year | Event |
| 1961… | Laura Goodman Salverson, author of The Viking Heart and many other books, spoke to us |
| 1962 | Travel documentary on Iceland by Icelandair, plus Oli Gislason conducted his first session of conversational Icelandic. |
| 1964 | Jon Ragnar Johnson, Icelandic Consul, spoke on “Iceland Today” |
| 1965 | Kay Sigurjonsson, co-host of “Weekend” on CBC-TV, paid us a visit |
| 1966 | Architect G. Beekenkamp showed slides of European architecture |
| 1967 | The 15 man Icelandic Expo team visited, and demonstrated Glima and Viki-Vaka Dancing |
| 1968 | At the end of May, a wind-up party, with dancing, raffle and food, was held at the home of Begga and Hannes Petursson |
| 1969 | Icelandic Food Night featured Jona Hammer with guitar and Alda Palson accompanying a sing song |
| 1970 | Dr. Finnbogi Gudmundsson showed us a film made by him and Kjartan Bjarnason on Icelandic settlements in North America |
| 1971 | Icelandic Food Night featured Sigridur and Manlio Candi with a selection of Icelandic songs |
| 1972 | There was a group flight to Iceland July 19 – August 2nd for $256 |
| 1974 | An Art and Craft display included batiks by Ruth Bjarnason; paintings by Sigridur Candi and Icelandic tapestries by Unnur Dora Hagan |
| 1976 | The Annual Picnic was held as usual at the Macaulay farm |
| 1977 | Jón Ásgeirsson, editor of Lögberg-Heimskringla, spoke about his stay in Canada |
| 1980 | Hugo Furney entertained with his acts of magic |
| 1981 | Joseph E. Martin spoke on Icelandic settlements throughout Canada |
| 1982 | Carol McGirr recited stories from Laxdæla |
| 1983 | Thorrablót cost $12 for non-members; $10 for members; the door prize was dinner at the Mermaid |
| 1984 | Don Gislason spoke on how and why Icelanders emigrated to Canada |
| 1985 | Betty Jane Wylie talked about her experiences in becoming a writer |
| 1986 | Rick and Lynda Senior showed “The Volcano Show” – video on their return trip to Iceland |
| 1987 | Icelandic Arts & Handicrafts show featuring Folk Songs by Lilja (Eylands) Day |
| 1988 | Kristjanna Gunnars with readings and slides about Stephan G. Stephansson |
| 1989 | W.D. Valgardson brought us slides and stories from the Interlake |
| 1989 | Nelson Gerrard showed us how to trace our Genealogy |
| 1990 | We saw the film documentary on five Icelandic women married to U.S. Servicemen, “Love & War” |
| 1991 | Guy Scott, Kinmount historian, recounted the story of the failed settlement at Kinmount in 1874 |
| 1991 | Evelyn Thorvaldson on Vinland Revisited |
| 1991 | The Fashion Show put on by Linda Lundström was one of the most popular events we’ve had |
| 1992 | Tom Bjarnason, graphic designer, shared insights on art and stamp design |
| 1992 | Maja Ardal spoke on her involvement with Young People’s Theatre and about Laufa Bread making |
| 1993 | Shortwave Radio with staff from Atlantic Ham Radio |
| 1994 | Hiking in Iceland with Holly and Jim Garrett (slide show) |
| 1995 | “Tales from the Gimli Hospital” by Guy Maddin, screening, with comments from brother Ross |
| 1995 | The Icelandic National League Convention was held in Toronto for the first time – highlights included: TV film “Iceland: Coastal Wings” with film-makers John Wilson and Denice Wilkins; Danish Folk Dancers; Brenda Bjarnason’s Banana Skins Kidswear fashion show; story of the failed Kinmount settlement by historian Guy Scott; George Johnson reading from his translations of the sagas. |
| 1995 | Icelandic horses at Gimli Farm, wiener roast/pot luck lunch |
| 1996 | Iceland via the Internet and demonstration of new club Website . |
| 1997 | Northern Encounters Festival of the Arts – Hamrahlid & Skolakor Karsness choirs. Our club billetted choir members and hosted a reception for the visiting artists. Icelandic art critic Aðalsteinn Ingólfsson lectured on Icelandic art in Oakville and Toronto (first of our International Visits series). First annual Icelandic travel information event held in February – videos & slides presentations, brochures and print materials. . |
| 1998 | Darryl Markiewitz showed us Viking artifacts from Vinland. Participation in Fall Fair Parade at Kinmount and picnic on fair grounds. Steven Cronshaw of University of Guelph informed us about the Iceland-Guelph exchange program. . |
| 1999 | INL Convention in Toronto – highlights: day trip to original settlement area in Kinmount, introduction of new Consul General Svavar Gestsson, Sturla Gunnarsson speech, adaptation of the book “Thor” by its author W.D. Valgardson, starring Thorsteinn Helf; our Thorrablot featuring a Linda Lundstrom fashion show; Brenda Bjarnason’s “Ode to the Vinarterta.” Photographer Páll Stefansson from ‘Iceland Review’ showed us his beautiful pictures of Iceland, in two shows partnered with the Toronto Camera Club. . |
| 2000 | Millennium celebration year of the Vikings arrival in North America. Kinmount memorial erected and dedicated, sculptor Guðrun Sigursteinsdóttir Girgis. “Vikings in Canada Gala” at the Glenn Gould studio, featuring North American Icelanders in the areas of visual art, film, writing and film-making, as well as astronaut Bjarni Tryggvason – in all 65 artists took the stage. Both these events were attended by Foreign Minister Halldor Ásgrimsson, Consul General Svavar Gestsson, and soon-to-be Ambassador Hjálmar Hannesson. INL President Sigrid Johnson received the first of 500 sets of the Icelandic Sagas from Halldór, to be distributed to the Canadian people. Next door at Metro Hall, there was a display of The Vikings. In London, Ontario, Prof. Anne Brydon curated an exhibition of Icelandic photographer Arni Haraldsson‘s work. Puppeteer Hallveig Thorlacius entertained in area schools. Icelandic Canadian art by Joan Albert, Leslie Cochrane, Gudrun Girgis, Katrina Koven and Tom Bjarnason were shown at Tom’s studio in Port Hope on September 16 and 17, 2000. On November 5th, writer W.D. Valgardson introduced us to his latest book, “Frances” and in December we held our 7th annual Christmas party. . |
| 2001 | Our first annual Travel to Iceland show was held In February, which included presentations by members of their adventures. This event is still an annual one, as of 2022. In May we hosted National Costume expert Fríður Ólafsdóttir on her INL N.A International Visits tour. June brought us the Motet Choir, and then we celebrated Iceland´s National Day with the Icelandic horses at the Helgason’s Farm near Colborne. The first Icelandic Ambassador to Canada, Hjálmar Hannesson, was in Toronto October 9, to help us present gift sets of the Icelandic Sagas to universities and libraries in Ontario. The event included music by violinist Sig Martin, the songs of Lindy, and art by Katrina Koven, Tom Bjarnason and Thorsteinn Helf, as well as an amusing rendition of the Vínarterta song, written by choir director Brenda Bjarnason and performed by her children´s choir. In November, we were introduced to the Snorri program for young people to go to Iceland by Tricia Signy McKay . |
| 2002 | Artist Tom Bjarnason of Port Hope discussed his successful career as an artist at our AGM in May, and in June we organized a bus tour to Ottawa to attend a celebration of the Summer Solstice at the Nordic Midsummer Fest at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, a smorgasbord of music and family fun. Brian Johannesson, son of Konrad Johannesson, of Winnipeg Falcons championship team, who had donated his father’s gold medal to the Hockey Hall of Fame, attended Thorrablót to speak about this event. The International Visits Program of the Icelandic National League of North America presented an Icelandic concert featuring Ingveldur Ýr Jónsdóttir, mezzo soprano, and Guðríður St Sigurðardóttir, pianist, on October 20, 2002, in downtown Toronto, part of a cross North American INL tour which also included appearances in Ottawa and Guelph. Our Christmas party took the form of a Christmas Fair on December 15 and included the Bífrost Children’s Choir directed by Brenda Bjarnason. In addition we had storytelling by Carol McGirr and a presentation by Kara Schuster about her 6 week Snorri Program in Iceland. . |
| 2003 | Our annual presentations of the Iceland Travel Show and Thorrablót, took place on February 23 and March 22. Brenda Bjarnason’s Elfinfolk Players were the highlight of Thorrablót with a play How Thor Got His Hammer. On December 10th, Ambassador Hjálmar W. Hannesson presented Honorary Consul General Jón Ragnar Johnson with his papers, and welcomed Gail Einarson-McCleery as Honorary Consul of Iceland in Toronto. Keri-Lynn Wilson was in Toronto to conduct the T.S.O. on February 26 and 27. We congratulated Guy Maddin on his International Emmy and also when TIFF honored him for his direction of Dracula: Pages from a Virgin’s Diary. Our National Day Picnic on June 14 took place at a new location, the Yeoman Farm, home to one of the largest flocks of Icelandic sheep in N.A. Owners Stefania Sveinbjarnardottir and Ray Dignum also breed Icelandic sheep dogs. Thorsteinn Helf had an enthusiastic audience when he read the runestones. We invited clubs from Montreal and Ottawa to join us. Enthusiastic Ottawa member Mabel Dorsett at 86 years of age was just one of the Ottawa members who came. Beth Abbott showed her original Icelandic woolen work and her book The Icelandic Fleece: A Fibre for all Reasons, and Ambassador Hannesson read a poem from Arora by poet Guttormur J. Guttormsson of Riverton, Manitoba. Ellen Denny was our choice to attend the Icelandic Camp in Gimli that summer, and wrote a delightful account of her adventures there. We met the Vínarterta ladies (paintings by Fontana Swing, aka Katrina Anderson Koven) in September. This was a collection more than 70 acrylic paintings of stylized female figures expressing a diverse range of moods, most of whom displayed vínaterta-like stripes somewhere! A Taste of Iceland Naturally gourmet dinner took place Sept. 13, 2003 at the Delta Chelsea Hotel and Icelandic dishes were featured at the hotel Sept. 3 to 22. World famous Master Chef and TV star Siggi Hall worked with Master Chef Ragnar Pederson and staff. There was a presentation by Valgerður Sverrisdóttir, Minister for Industry and Commerce, plus a farewell speech by outgoing Ambassador Hjálmar W Hannesson and music by the Sigurðar Flosason Trio. On Sept. 12th, the Icelandic Canadian Chamber of Commerce was established. To add to the festivities, sculptor Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir opened a show of her beautiful sculptures at the Goethe Institute Gallery and gave two lectures. On September 25th, ICCT started our Icelandic movie screening series at the National Film Board of Canada, with ´Cold Fever´ (as at this writing in February, 2022, this movie series, now called Nordic Nights, was still running). A New Member open house was graciously hosted by Ragnheiður Hlýnsdóttir and her husband Georg Bjarnason over the Thanksgiving weekend, an opportunity for new member to mix and mingle. Our November newsletter contained a “Vertu Sæll og Blessaður“ message from one of our longest serving and valuable members, Garry Oddleifson, who had decided to return to Winnipeg. There was also some good news. The announcement of a second $1,000 scholarship the ´Ragnar and Marion Johnson Memorial Scholarship´to be funded by their son, Consul General Jon Johnson. We featured ´The Se´as our Icelandic movie on November 7th, followed by ´Angels of the Universe January 29th and ´Children of Nature ´February 26th, both screened at the theatre of the National Film Board. Brian Eyolfson reported on his participation in Team Diabetes Reykjavik Marathon entitled ´Fire and Ice´and raised $5,500 for diabetes research and education in Canada. Our Christmas Party featured Sigga Fridriksdóttir and Maja Ardal singing traditional Icelandic songs, as well as the Elfinfolk Theatre and Bifrost Children´s Choir led by Brenda Bjarnason. We welcomed His Excllency Guðmundur Eiríksson as our new Ambassador for Iceland. . |
| 2004 | March 27 was the date for our annual Thorrablót at the North York Community Hall, which had been our venue almost since the club was first established. Cookbook writer and caterer Kristin Olafson-Jenkyns co-ordinated the food. Sigga Friðriksdóttir and Maja Ardal sang Icelandic songs and troubadour Lindy Vopnfjörð sang to us at our tables. Nancy Morgan coordinated the silent auction. The perennial favorite, ´Children of Nature played at the NFB on Feb. 26. Writer Bettyjane Wylie received the Order of Canada! Conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson returned to Toronto to conduct a 12 member cello ensemble – Shauna Rolston & Friends on March 20. More copies of the Complete Sagas of Icelanders were presented to Mississauga Central Library April 6 and to the Lillian H. Smith Branch March 29, Ambassador Eiríksson, story tellers Sigga Friðrikdóttir and Maja Ardel, storytellers Carol McGirr and Hildy Stollery took part in the ceremony. Works in glass by Ione Thorkelson, sister of ICCT member Lynne Thorkelson, were shown in Waterloo March 6 to June 20, 2004. Our AGM in 2004 took place May 18 and featured 5 Rotarians from Iceland. ´Devil’s Island´ screened April 29 and ´The Seagull’s Laughter on May 27. Thorrablót March 27, with 180 in attendance included singers Sigga Friðriksdóttir and Maja Ardal, Lindy, as well as the band ´Mere Mortals. A scholarship was presented to Meghan Gilmore, grandchild of former president Ellen Gilmore and treasurer John Gilmore. One of our original members, Birgitta (Guttormson) Russell turned 90 on February 20th. Once again the ICCT Icelandic National Day Picnic took place at the farm of founding member Erla Macaulay June 13th, including kids games and race, swimming in the pond, a representative from the Government of Iceland and the presentation of an Honorary Membership to Katriín Arnasson Morgan. This year, we added a Kvennahlaup to our events, on June 19th in High Park. All enjoyed this event! Movies and documentaries included Sódóma Reykjavík on June 24, ´The Importance of Being Icelandic on July 29, and ´Arctic Dreamer (Vilhjalmur Stefansson) August 26. Also in the film world, it was announced that Sturla Gunnarsson was to film Beowulf in Iceland, and Leif Bristow´s film ´Blizzard garnered three Genie Award nominations. ´Taste of Iceland returned to the Delta Chelsea Hotel with an Icelandic chef, on September 10, 2004, the beginning of an ´Icelandic Naturally promotion, with Ambassador Eiriksson in attendance. Icelandic Canadian designer Linda Lundström showed off her fall collection in Iceland on September 27th. ´Agnes screened at the NFB October 28. At the age of 78, Tom Bjarnason returned to Toronto with a major art show October 23rd in Hazelton Lanes. Aðalstein Ingolfsson came from Iceland for the opening. Icelandic lessons with Margret Bjorgvinsdóttir and Haraldur Bessasson started again. Entertainer Lindy Vopnfjörð issued a new Album and performed in London, Toronto, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Kitchener and Hamilton in October and November. Sculptor Gudrun Girgis, who created the sculpture ´In the Presence of a Soul in Kinmount, had an exhibition Nov. 3 to Jan. 3 in Detroit. Sturla Gunnarsson was awarded the Best Direction — Television Series Award ´by the Directors Guild of Canada. In the fall we screened ´Small Mall´ November 25 and ´Ikingút Dec. 30th. The Finnish Consulate joined our film screening program November 24th with ´Hajyt. ICCT held a Christmas Fair and Bake Sale on November 28, with entertainment by Lindy and Ann Helga Denny, storytelling by Carol McGirr and rune reading by our Viking, Thorsteinn Helf. . |
| 2005 | Andri Snær Magnason brought his play ´Blue Planet to Toronto January 29 to March 30, 2005, with great success. He also spoke at a Wine and Cheese event January 23rd at the Scandinavian-Canadian Club about his new novel ´Love Star and recited Rímur! In January 2005, we screened Sturla Gunnarsson´s ´Rare Birds ´and had a preview of ´Beowulf and Grendel´, and on February 24th we featured Friðrik Þór Fridriksson´s newest movie, ´Niceland´. On Feb. 20 we opened the ICCT Lending Library, and featured author Kathy Arnason´s ´Falcon Gold´ as well as ´Dropped Threads: What We Aren’t Told”, edited by Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson. We continued presenting sets of the Complete Sagas of the Icelanders to another two libraries, this time to Belleville and Cobourg Public Libraries, by Evelyn Trites Jan. 24 and 25, followed by Donald and Norma Young to Nipissing University Library in North Bay. March 13 was the date for our Annual Iceland Travel Show, this time featuring Margaret and Doug Van Hamme, as well as Kathy Hannesson. On March 31 we screened ´One Point O´ by Martin Þorsson, and on April 28, ‘Cold Light‘ by Friðrik þor Friðriksson. Thorrablot was on April 2nd, and even awful weather didn´t keep people from attending, from Kingston, Guelph, London, Barrie, Hamilton and Burlington. It featured ‘Thor’s Hammer and the Giant Thief´, another play by Brenda Bjarnason. The play went on despite Brenda Bjarnason breaking her leg skiing and being stranded in Alberta! Scholarships were pesented to Emma Ardal and Jennica Gilmore. We were pleased to hear that Donald K. Johnson was receiving the Order of Canada for his endless philanthropy. At this time we also started the ICCT Book Club, with ´Dropped Threads ´the first choice. Cover illustration was by Katrina Koven. May 14th, our AGM featured director Juliann Blackmore who brought us ´Saga of Hope, an Icelandic Odyssey´, which had been shown as part of the series ´A Scattering of Seeds´ on History TV. Our May film on the 26th was ´NOI by Dagur Kuri. June 3 to 12 were the dates for Soundstreams Festival, which included the outstanding Hamrahlið. Choir from Reykjavik. We added an appearance on June 14 in Hamilton. We also hosted the singers. Don Gislason´s charming story about his encounter with the ghost of artist Ólafur Túbals was included on Strondin Internet Radio. Kvennahlaup took place in High Park June 11th. The Friends of Iceland in Ottawa invited us to join them to mark National Day, on June 11 at the home of members Volundur Thorbjornsson and Daja Kjartansdottir in Perth, Ontario, with water slides, boat rides, Unnur Einarsson reading from the Icelandic sagas and much more!. On July 16 ICE FEST during Moonlight Mania in Kinmount featured the start of THE PATH TO GIMLI: a pilgrimage by a small group of Icelandic horse riders tracing the trek of their ancestors to Gimli, Manitoba. Tom Bjarnason´’s art was on display, Hildegard and Thorstein Helf recreated a replica of a small Nordic camp, Don Gislason presented his book ´Icelanders of Kinmount´ detailing the first (failed) settlement of Icelanders at Kinmount in 1874, Sara Benediktson, Lindy Vopnfjörð, and Ann Helga Denny entertained with their songs, Carol McGirr told stories of Iceland court poets, Rick Lindal displayed sculptures inspired by Norse mythology, Bettyjane Wylie told stories with hand puppets. July 17th saw Nordic Day at historic Sunnyside Pavilion on the lakeshore, with food and entertainment from all five Nordic countries. Our contributions included singing by Lindy Vopnfjörð and Ann Helga Denny and readings by Bettyjane Wylie. On September 11th, 2005, ICCT hosted an Icelandic Gala Dinner at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, with a delicious 3 course meal including smoked salmon, monkfish, lamb and skyr, cooked by Sigurrós Pálsdottir and was the last event attended by Icelandic Ambassador Guðmundur Eiríksson before leaving his post in Ottawa. The Icelandic band ´Cold Front entertained. TIFF featured four Icelandic films in September, including our own Sturla Gunnarsson´s ´Beowulf and Grendel´, a short film ´My Dad is 100 Years old´ by Guy Madden, written by and featuring Isabella Rossellini, ´Eleven Men Out´ and ´A Little Trip to Heaven´. Our movie series played ´Dis´ Sept. 29 and ´Honour of the House´ Oct. 27. We were invited to present Icelandic Christmas at Spadina House Museum Sundays Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11 and 18. A large team, headed by Margret Björgvinsdóttir, worked on this project. We were given a room which we furnished and decorated as a baðstofa of Edwardian times. Erla Macaulay loaned us her Icelandic costume, Darryl Hogg built the bed, many people loaned artifacts. The public were invited to a reception November 23rd; our new Icelandic Ambassador, Markús Örn Antonsson gave a fine speech and guests were treated to Brennivin and Icelandic treats. The three Sundays were filled with entertainment, Grýla and the Yule lads put on a play, Icelandic music played, laufabrauð was baked, Icelandic carols sung and of course there was entertainment and dancing around the Christmas tree, Maja Adal and Sigga Friðriksdóttir and Ann Helga Denny sang, Brenda Bjarnason told the story of the 13 Christmas Jólasveinar, children danced around the Christmas tree, Ingunn Benediktsson played cello, Carol McGirr told the Saga of Odin and the Bear. . |
| 2006 | On January 22nd, at the Gladstone Hotel, we heard all about the adventurous Icelandic horse trek, The Path to Gimli, the previous summer, accompanied by slides. A Man Like Me by Robert Douglas was screened Jan 26, followed by the Iceland Travel Show February 12. The film on Feb. 23 was 101 Reykjavik by Baltasar Kormakur, and Sturla Gunnarsson´s epic, Beowulf and Grendel had its Canadian premiere on March 1st at the Varsity Theatre. Our Thorrablót on April 8th included brennivin and rotten shark. Other delicious food was as usual supplied by talented cooks amongst our members, and our scholarship winners were Unnur Fjóla Evans and Brian Hansen Colley. Grants for the Snorri program in Iceland were given to Kristin and Erica Graholme and Megan Williams. The film In Tune with Time by Águst Guðmundsson played May 25. We made an attempt to start a choir for our Thorrablót, not successful! We did manage to start an Icelandic language class on February 6. Sunday May 28 was the date for our AGM, and this year we showed short films, including The Last Farm by Rúnar Rúnarsson and The Magician by Reynir Lyngdal. This year we combined our 17th of June celebrations with Hvennahlaup in High Park, with a picnic/pot luck, games for both kids and adults, and vintage ICCT photos brought by Stella Hansen. September 9th was the date for our Icelandic Gala Dinner at the Chelsea Hotel. The menu included langoustine with Jerusalem artichokes and foam of saffron, rosemary fillet of lamb, served with blueberry-chocolate sauce, and for dessert warm chocolate cake with a hint of nuts, crunchy vanilla ice cream and vanilla foam. Icelandic chef Sigurrós Pálsdóttir worked with Delta Executive Chef Ragnar Pedersen on this delicious meal. On September 21 Steinunn Þórarinsdóttir´s sculpture show Inner Light opened at Odon Wagner Contemporary Gallery by Icelandic Ambassador Markús Orn Antonsson. On September 28 Finnbogi Pétursson’s show Sphere which combines sculpture and architecture with sound, opened at Prefix Institute of Contemporary Art, followed by his residency at the Institute. Lost in War, the brave life and mysterious death of a Canadian Airman Hinrik Guttormson, was presented Oct. 15 by historian James T. Watt. Our September newsletter featured an article on Gregory Colbert, a photographer whose show Ashes and Snow, a travelling exhibit of humans and animals in exotic locales, opened in 2002 in Venice. It contained 130 images up to 10 ft. in length and a one hour film, a multimedia solo exhibition featuring moving and still images of animals and humans communicating. Gail Einarson-McCleery had met his mom Joan Bergman Waterous, on the Snorri program, found out their great grandmothers were sisters and subsequently visited her in Brantford and wrote about this very talented son. We also published a story about Ione Thorkelsson, a very talented glass artist, whose sister Lynn was our Treasurer. Ione had a major body of work on show in Toronto at two galleries in November. October 25th marked a change in our movie schedule, with Icelandic and Finnish films alternating each month, starting with the Danish-Icelandic film Dark Horse by Dagur Kári, with a reception at 6.30 preceding the film at the National Film Board screening theatre. On November 29th the Finnish film Kuka ja Sidonta was featured. Grace Church on the Hill was the site of our Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale on November 26. Our newsletter featured an article on Vilhjalmur Stefansson, Canada’s great Arctic explorer, born in Arnes, Manitoba. . |
| 2007 | |
| 2008 | We started off 2008 with a presentation by Dr. Jack D. Ives about his book on Skaftafell entitled “A Thousand Years of Change” on January 27th at our usual venue, the Scandinavian Canadian Club at 91 Stormont. The annual Iceland Travel Show took place at Swansea Town Hall February 24; the first of many events taking place at this location, as the Scandinavian Centre was now closing. It featured Frida Ardal and her partner Allan on their trip to Kerlingafjöll, Arden Jackson and her mother who explored their family ancestry and new member Karen Wallington’s video of her 12 trips! Joe Martin wrote in our newsletter about Lögberg cemetary getting a facelift. Our former president, Garry Oddleifson who had since retired to his hometown Winnipeg wrote about his life there, as he was now President of the INL. We were happy to congratulate Donald K. Johnson on being named the Globe and Mail’s Nation Builder of the Year. Our newsletter announced that Icelandair would start direct flights to Iceland on May 2nd. We also reminded our members of available scholarships, including one to study Icelandic at University of Iceland, the ICCT scholarship of $1,000, and the Ragnar and Marion Johnson Memorial Scholarship, also $1,000, as well as grants to attend the Snorri Program in Iceland (To raise fund for this one, we held a Gala at the Gladstone Hotel on March 27. Our newly formed London Chapter featured Bettyjane Wylie reading from her books. Our January 30 film was “Cold Trail” directed by Björn Br. Björnsson, followed by the Finnish film ´Private Eye´on Feb. 27. Icelandair announced service starting from Toronto May 2, 2008. On March 26 we screened a series of recent Icelandic short films at the NFB, and on April 30th, the Finnish film´ Frozen Land´ was shown. On April 15th, fashion icon Linda Lundström announced that her business would continue under the name Eleventh Floor Apparel. On May 13, Ambassador Markús Örn Antonsson hosted a reception for recent recipients of the Order of Canada, included Donald K. Johnson, Clara Holmfreður Stefanson (Will), Bettyjane Wylie and Tom Cochrane. At Thorrablót, scholarships were presented to Ellen Rose Denny, Christina Johnson and Alys Richards. On June 4, we held a Snorri fundraising Gala Concert at the Mod Club, featuring Lindy Vopnfjörð, Sigrun Stella Bessason, Mackenzie Kristjon and Simeon Ross. Our AGM took place June 8 and we screened ´Ancestors in the Attic II Icelandic Horsemen.´ In our newsletter, we learned the story of Cheryl Powder, leader of ´Road Rash´band of Elko Nevada, daughter of ICCT member John Briem. Our National Day picnic on June 21 took place at the beautiful home of Rick Lindal in Grafton, a pot luck. We took part in a large Nordic Fair June 27, 28 and 29 at Mel Lastman Square. Entertainers Lindy, Sigrun Stella, Mackenzie Jenkyns, Solveg and Stefan (straight from Iceland), storyteller Hildy Stollery and Saga singer Iris Krizmanic gave great peformances. On July 27th, the Kinmount United Church held an Open Air service at the Kinmount Fair and focused on the Icelandic cairn ´In the memory of a soul´ which we had erected there in memory of the Icelandic settlers of 1874. Donald K. Johnson C.M. made a moving speech with his Toast to Iceland at Islendingadagurinnin Gimli on August 4, 2008 in which he focused on his pride of his Icelandic heritage. On September 7, Doors Open Ontario 2008 featured our Icelandic memorial in Kinmount, saying ´Situated on a provincial heritage site, adjacent to the Kinmount railway staton and near the blacksmith shop, this stunning sculpted-stone monument is dedicated to Canada´s first Icelandic settlers, who arrived in the area in 1874, and commemorates the hardships and suffering they experienced (Kinmount was the first large Icelandic group settlement). The sculptor, Gudrun Sigursteinsdottir Girgis and historian, Don Gislason were on hand.´ The Hafnarfjordur Opera Choir, 65 voices, performed on September 28th at the the Royal Conservatory of Music, a marvelous event. October 3rd was the date of another gourmet dinner at the Delta Chelsea Hotel, a veritable Icelandic feast. Sigrun Stella sang and the menu inclded Icelandic cod with rutabaga, carrots, glazed pearl onions, rifle potatoes and shrimp sauce. Delicous! Our Icelandic movie at NFB October 23rd was ´Jar City´, based on the novel Mýrin ´by Arnaldur Indridason. In his introduction, Steve Gravestock, Nordic film programmer at the Toronto International Film Festival, told us that this was the most popular film ever shown in Iceland! The Finnish movie Sept. 23rd was ´Colorado Avenue´ by Claes Olsson, followed by ´Keisarikunta ´on December 3rd. November 30th saw Yrsa Sigurðardóttir (often called ´the queen of crime stories in Scandinavia´) speaking to us about her book ´Last Rituals ´and her writing career, as part of the the tour of North America organized by Gail Einarson-McCleery in her International Visits Program for INL NA. On Nov. 23rd, Christmas at Riverdale Farm started a new tradition: Grýla (Brenda Bjarnason) invited children to tour Riverdale Farm and its animals with her, while she read one stanza of the Jólasveinar poem at stops along the way, climaxing with a visit from Santa Claus. Some of us also enjoyed lunch first at a nearby restaurant. . |
| 2009 | On Jan. 28, we enjoyed the Icelandic movie ´Heima´, featuring Sigur Rós playing a series of summer concerts in Iceland. February 4th saw a group of ICCT members enjoy the play ´You Fancy Yourself´, written and produced by Maja Ardal at Theatre Passe Muraille. INL NA calendars in 2008 and 2009 featured artistic ICCT members, including paintings by Katrina Anderson, quilts by Erla Macaulay, sculpture by Gudrun Girgis, Glass Art from Ione Thorkelson, sister of our Treasurer Lynn Thorkelson, and sculpture of a Viking ship by Merill Albert. Our Travel Show on Feb. 15th featured well known photographers Lori Labatt and Mary Ellen McQuay ´Falling in Love with Iceland´, as well as Sara Benediktson telling us about Snorri Plus, the Trip of a Lifetime, and Charlotte Day and Courtney Mitchell showing us the highlights of their trip. On Feb. 23, Ambassador Sigriður Anna Þorðadottir provided opening remarks on ´Fish, Oil and Beyond´at a program in Toronto to promote the Canada-EFTA Free Trade Agreement. Our Þorrablót on March 26th moved to a new location, the Estonian House. Fun included songs led by our Icelandic class, live jazz music, a presentation by 2008 Snorri participants and the usual silent auction, presentation of scholarships, to Stefan George Jackson Snow and Paul Aidan Tomasson Goodwin, and crafts for the kids. Attaché Ólaf Sigvaldadóttir attended the event representing Ambassador Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir. Our newsletter introduced members to Icelandic River coffee, a fund raiser in Riverton to create a sculpture as well as interpretive plaques and a walking and cycling path. It also introduced us to the new book which Prof. Joseph E. Martin was about to publish, ´Relentless Change, A casebook for the Study of Canadian Business History´, and featured an article on the art show ´Sko´by Svava Thordis Juliusson in March. ´My Winnipeg´ by Guy Maddin, in his usual idiosyncratic style, was screened in Toronto March 25 and in London March 26. We noted that The Toronto Film Critics Assocation chose it as the winner of the inaugural Rogers Best Canadian Feature Award. We met our new Ambassador, Sigriður Anna Þorðadóttir for a ´fireside chat´at Grace Church on the Hill on May 12. Our AGM on May 24 took a ´different twist´… a competition to see who could make the ponnukokur! We had a visit from rare book dealer Jim Anderson May 1 to 5 in his continuing search for rare Icelandic books. On May 24 at our AGM, we included a ponnukokur Cook-off! In May we paid tribute to the passing of Haraldur Bessasson, well loved former head of the Icelandic Dept. at the University of Manitoba and former president of the University of Akureyri. Memorial services also took place in Winnipeg, Reykjavik and Akureyri. On May 15 to 18 ´The Duncombe Rebellion 1837,´a play by London member, Marion Johnson, was presented at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. She had previously won ´Best of Fringe´ at the London Fringe Festival in 2006 and 2008. We returned to the Macaulay Farm on June 14 for our Independence Day Picnic. On September 25th, Ann Helga Denny (aka Anna Danova) rocked her home town of London, with a musical comedy sketch, ‘Anna Danova to the Rescue’. “White Night Wedding” by Baltasar Kormakur screened at NFB Sept.30th, followed by “Country Wedding” by Valdis Oskarsdottir on Nov 25. November 29 saw us continuing our tradition of a Brunch and a visit with the Jolaveinar Yuletide lads and animals at Riverdale Farm. We were invited to “Buy a Window to Your Past” at Kinmount’s Austin Sawmill to honour our ancestors who were part of the 351 Icelandic immigrants who came to the failed settlement in Kinmount in 1874. . |
| 2010 | Our major event this year was hosting the INL NA Annual Convention April 22 to 25 at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in downtown Toronto. This took a huge commitment from all our members, spearheaded by Kara Schuster and Gail Einarson-McCleery. The convention featured many activities including: Gourmet dinner of Salmon or Cornish Hen or Vegetarian or Kids Menu; Ambassador Sigríður Anna Þórðardóttir brings greetings from Iceland; Icelandic-Canadian Tenor P.J. Buchan entertains in Icelandic and English; Art Show featuring Icelandic-N.A. Artists from around the continent; Presentation of Scholarship, Snorri grants & Icelandic Heritage Camp grant; Vendors and displays from across North America and Iceland; Silent Auction featuring Icelandair Tickets, vacations and much more; and Special Children´s Corner with games and crafts. Our Thorrablót was presented in conjunction with the Gala Dinner at the INL National Convention. At that time also, Gail Einarson-McCleery became President of INL NA. Our Nordic Nights movie at NFB on Feb. 24 was Quiet Storm by Guðný Halldórsdóttir. The Iceland Travel show happened on Feb. 28 at Swansea Town Hall. Our AGM May 18th was held at Spring Garden Baptist Church, and featured Prof. Jon Danielson of the London School of Economics, to give us an update on the financial situation in Iceland. Our chapter in London met at Nancy Johnson´s home June 25 for a pot luck dinner, an epicurean delight. On June 26th, in co-operation with the Danish, Swedish and Iceland consulates, there was a Nordic Singers concert at the Danish Lutheran Church. At Thorrablót, it was announced that several members of our club were to be made Honorary Life Members of the INL of NA, including Gigi Grímsdóttir Fridriksson, Jim and Irene Gibson, Ellen Sigurdson Gilmore, and John Gilmore. Our National Day Picnic was held June 17 at Dufferin Grove Park, by the campfire. Activities included Make your own Viking Helmet, play capture the sheep and a sing song. Our scholarship recipient was Maja Sullivan. We shared that Iceland Express would start flying between Iceland and Winnipeg in June. Marshall Burgess from Nova Scotia wrote about their history with us in the June newsletter. Three scholarships were handed out to Jodi Amy, Jesse Beatson and Teal Johannson-Knox. Graham Smith was the recipient of the ICCT Camp Scholarship in Gimli. We announced plans to expand the film program via INL of NA clubs. Kvennahlaup took place on June 19th, and the same day we were invited to join the Ottawa Group Annual Picnic. The London chapter celebrated National day with a picnic on June 26th at the home of Nancy Johnson. As part of the INL NA International Visits Program, we (along with Andy Orchard of Trinity College) hosted Icelandic geologist Kristinn Gudjónsson (a former member of our club). He presented “Eruption of Eyjafjallajokull” on October 3rd. Nordic Nights screened From Turf Cottage to the Cover of Time: The Dramatic Life Story of Holger Cahill October 27, and also displayed art by Fontana Swing (Katrina Anderson). On December 8, we saw the delightful “Seagull’s Laughter” by Águst Gudmundsson. Jesse Beatson wrote in our newsletter about his experiences on the Snorri Program in Iceland. Laurie Bertram presented her doctoral thesis on Icelandic Canadian cultural symbols, including vinarterta, ghost stories and relations with the native people, on Oct. 21 at Spring Garden Church. On Nov. 3, Phyllis Pollard hosted a group of beginning knitters at her home. On the music scene, Snorri Helgason from Sprengjuhöllin and our own Lindy toured in Waterloo, London, Toronto (Nov5 at The Wilson) and Lindy was at Gallery Fontana Swing Nov. 14th We saw Maja Ardal’s new play The Cure for Everything on Nov. 17th, including a talk by Maja. Prof. David Arnason was in town and read from his latest novel, Baldur’s Song: A Saga Nov. 27 Our Yuletide Brunch and jólaskemmtun on Nov. 28th, once again included Gryla’s tour at Riverdale Farm of the animals and the telling of the Jólasveinar stories. . |
| 2011 | Icelandic classes continued, Margret Björgvinsdóttir took a break, and we welcomed Andri Elvar and Edda Kristinsson. We have since had many people teaching our classes. We included an article on the support which INL clubs including ours have been giving Mæðrastyrksnefnd at Xmas. This charity supports poor families through the year. INL NA sent $11,125 at Christmas 2010. Garry Oddleifson, former President and long time Toronto member, wrote from his new home in Winnipeg to report on INL NA activities. On January 30th, the London chapter held a potluck Midwinter Brunch at the home of Heidi and Garry Williams. Our Icelandic classes resumed February 7th. February 23rd was the date for screening ´Dreamland´by Andri Snær Magnason. The Travel Show followed on February 27th. Alberta musician Bill Bourne included Oakville, London and Toronto on his cross Canada tour in May. We included book reviews of a number of recent books on Icelandic topics in our newsletter. The INL of NA Convention this year in Edmonton April 28 to May 1 was jam packed with interesting people and topics. Hvennahlaup (women´s run) took place in High Park on June 4th. Fashion icon Linda Lundstrom invited us to join her on her trip to Iceland June 16 to 24. ´The Johnson Twins of Lonely Lake´, Olivia and Fjola Adelsteinsdottir were born in the Interlake area of Manitoba, and film maker Jon Einarson Gustafsson was commissioned on their 80th birthday to create a film about them, which we screened April 27 at the NFB. We also presenteed ´Horizons´, a documentary film on world renowned sculptor Steinunn Þorarinsdóttir´s work. REFRAMED on April 30 gave us a chance to screen Guy Maddin´s cult hit ´Tales from the Gimli Hospital´, paired with a live performance of a newly commissioned work by Winnipeg composer Matthew Patton, featuring ethereal music performed by Iceland´s amiina and mum, live narration and a ground-beaking visual-soundscape created by the Aono Jiken Ensemble. Kara Schuster featured her photographs of Djúpavik in a show entitled ´And Once We Were´as part of the Scotiabank Contact Photography Show during the month of May. Also in May, Dan Bjarnason, formerly with CBC TV News, read from his book ´Triumph at Kapyong´ at the Gladstone Library. That same issue of our newsletter contained an article entitled ´My Endless Love for Iceland´in which Karen Wallington told of her 15 year obsession with Iceland. Garry Oddleifson updated us on the news from INL of NA. Our Þorrablót was very fun and festive this year, including Viking Challenges where members could test their strength (and stomachs) by eating svid (sheep´s head), hakarl (rotten shark) and Hrútspungar (Ram´s testicles). In attendance was Ólöf Sigvaldadóttir, attache to the Icelandic Ambassador, who gave a poignant speech about the current economic climate in Iceland. Rick Lindal invited us to join him at his charming home in Grafton on June 19th to celebrate National day and enjoy the food and entertainment by Sverrir Guðjónsson, counter tenor, and Kristin Mjoll Jakobsdóttir, bassoon performed Lífsins Tré and Hibýli Vindanna. We also had a picnic in Toronto June 17th. Linda Lundstrom invited us to join her on a unique fashion trip to Iceland June 16 to 24. Joan Albert held an art show of her beautiful watercolour landscapes on September 18. Her artwork began with quilting and then moved into self design of contemporary wall hangings. Her works can be found in collections across Canada, the USA, the Caribbean andE Europe. Our AGM was held Sept. 20, and on Sept. 26, we welcomed Icelandic photographer Mats Wibe Lund, whose specialty is aerial photos of Icelandic Farms, on his North American tour. He flies all over the country to capture the natural beauty surrounding them. He has over 300,000 of them and many of us were very pleased to be able to buy copies of our ancestral farm. . |
| 2012 | October 6th 2012 saw an event in Kinmount, the dedication of a large window (A Window to Your Past), installed in the restored Austin Sawmill in the presence of our Ambassador Thordur Aegir Oskarsson and his wife and ICCT members. Harbourfront Centre was the venue for two appearances of one of Iceland’s best authors, Andri Snær Magnason read from 3 of his books Oct. 26th, and then he was part of a panel of writers entitled ´The Roads Taken ´Oct. 27th. On November 23rd, we had a pub night at Bier Market Esplanade, where Snorris and Snorri Plus reconnected to reminisce. Sat. Dec. 8 we had our usual brunch at the Pear Tree Restaurant, and then a Visit from Gryla (Brenda Bjarnason) at Riverdale Farm. She led us around the farm, stopping at sheep, pig and cow stalls to tell us about her mischievous sons, the Christmas Lads, and then Santa appeared! The movie “Gnarr” played Nov. 27 at a new location, Ryerson University. The November newsletter invited us to Language classes, beginning January 28th at Morningside-High Park Presbyterian Church. Donations for the Mæðrastyrksnefnd Christmas Appeal, co-ordinated by INL, were solicited. Macleans.ca wrote a fantastic online article Dec. 24 entitled ´Don´t ask Icelanders How to Make Their Traditional Cake…Ask a Canadian!´ featuring our own Arden Jackson and her wonderful vinertarta. We also advertised that ´The Icelanders of Kinmount´by Donald E. Gislason, which tells the story of the first Icelandic settlement in Canada in 1874, was now available for download on our website. . |
| 2013 | Sigur Rós played at the Air Canada Centre Sat. March 30th. April 8 to May 2, 2013 the play ´Blue Planet´ by Andri Snær Magnason was presented at 165 Front St. E. We noted that ´The Icelanders of Kinmount´ by Donald E. Gislason was available for download on our website. At Thorrablót on April 13, we had our very own Kolaport market, inspired by the famous weekend market in downtown Reykjavik. In June, Linda Lundstrom wrote about ´Swimming Back to Iceland´, her theory about why Icelandic immigrants kept speaking the language, making vinarterta, to protect the memories of their lives in Iceland. ´Once a Snorri, Always a Snorri´ was the title of Sacha Gudmundson´s article about why those who went to Iceland on the Snorri program could not stop talking about it! We noted in our newsletter that INL of NA had a beautiful new carved logo. Gail Einarson-McCleery wrote about how those who attended the INL Convention in Seattle were very impressed by it. ´Best convention yet´, said more than one! People also enjoyed our Þorrablót. Treasurer Lynn Thorkelson said ´many people told her what a great event it was. One member said that he had rejoined because of the great food at the event, another said he came to try out the fermented shark! Sacha Gudmundsson in her article ´Growing Up with Ponnukokur´ pledged to make 100 of them, and delivered on her promise! During Iceland Naturally´s ´Taste of Iceland´in March, much music was offered. Apparat Organ Quartet, Sóley, Ásgeir Trausti, and Can. groups Revelstoke and Cairo among them. We noted that more was coming up such as Of Monsters and Men at CBC Music Festival May 25, Árstiðir, Epic Rain and Svavar Knutur at NXNE in June, Björk July 16 and Stereo Hypnosis at Musideum, July 25. Eric Armstrong, who taught speech at York U. gathered samples of Icelandic accents for his ´International Dialects of English” archive site. Independence Day featured iconic singer/songwriter Svavar Knutur in what was probably the first of his many appearances specifically for us, in Toronto. We all met in Dufferin Park and participated in face painting, tattoos, icing a cupcake for dad, and sports. ‘A Anan Veg” was our film selection. November 19th saw Iceland Airwaves Toronto Showcase at the Horseshoe Tavern, Dec. 3rd, the documentary “Blueberry Soup” played at the Ryerson Theatre, November 28th. Linda Lundstrom’s Pop Up shop was at the One of a Kind show until Dec. 5th. Christmas time brought our annual visit to Riverdale Farm with Gryla on Dec. 1 with brunch at the Pear Tree Restaurant preceding it as usual, and Santa arriving. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without vinarterta, and Arden Jackson said “vinarterta is a refined and storied cake, practical and beautiful in its execution. I think of it as embodying the pure love and pioneering spirit of many an Amma”. She also introduced a new Chocolate Lava Shortbread. . |
| 2014 | On March 5, Icelander Daniel Bjarnason’s award winning “Bow to String” was performed as part of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s New Creations Festival. It had been commissioned by feature cellist Sæunn Þorsteinsdóttir and was played by her with stunning dynamic sensitivity. March 18th we screened ´Sanlitun´ by Róbert Douglas, a comedy set in China. Eliza Reid reported that the first Iceland Writers Retreat April 9-13 was successful, with 52 delegates. Thorrablot April 12 – Something a little different this year was a recitation by Bjarni Fagri from Parks Canada’s L’Anse aux Meadows from Egil’s Saga. Lindy and Sigrun Stella provided the music, we had 75 kg of imported Icelandic Lamb, little girls in party dresses on stage made crafts happily amidst the room of 300 people, 63 of whom were on Team Thorrablot! Linda Lundstrom devoted her column to the event, saying “we created an event that left us with the warm feeling that we had officially sent winter packing”. Scholarships were awarded to Madeline Pekary, Jon Ackerly and David Sigmundson. Our Snorri grant went to Natalie Guttormsson, and the Norman family received a grant for 3 of their children to attend Icelandic Summer Camp in Gimli. Nancy Morgan wrote about the Monument Project which saw Gudrun Sigursteinn Girgis sculpt a statue dedicated to the Icelandic settlement at Kinmount Ontario. Our last movie of this season on May 20 was a documentary entitled “The Store” by Arni Gunnarsson, a nostalgic look at a general store in Sauðarkrókur, screened at a new location at Ryerson University, after the NFB closed its screening room. Lindy Vopnfjord and Sigrun Stella toured Iceland May 28th to June 12th, performing with Svavar Knutur and Snorri Helgason. Snorri West participants Signy Káradóttir, Kristján Sævald Pétursson, Anna Guðrún Ragnarsdóttir and Hilmar Páll Hannesson were in Toronto Jun 19 to 26, and Kara Schuster hosted them at a BBQ June 20th. June 22nd we celebrated Iceland´s Independence Day picnic at Dufferin Grove Park with a picnic. August 9 -17 Arden Jackson hosted a small tour group to Iceland. Don Gislason issued a call for donations for the historic Icelandic church at Hekkla to cover the costs of maintaining it and the cemetery next door, in which are interred many of the pioneers who settled there in 1873, east of the village of Rosseau. We advised members of the Heritage Tour to Iceland by Icelandic Roots, which focused on the migration from Iceland to N.A. during 1870-1914. Gerdur Gautsdóttir, Snorri West 2013 participant, wrote about her ´Fantastic Summer in N.A.,along with four other girls in that INL NA program. They travelled in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as well as going to Mountain in North Dakota, and stayed with six different families. She says ´everyone was so delighted with us´ and said ´organization of the program was examplary and realization of the plan was also´. Our AGM took place on September 16. Very popular Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson performed two Toronto solo recitals, the first Oct 27 at the Remenyi House of Music to a very enthusiastic crowd. His second concert was part of the Canadian Opera Company´s lunchtime series, Oct. 28 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Linda Lundstrom wrote about Wabi Sabi, a key aspect of her approach to design. Snorri West brought four young Icelanders to eastern Canada Anna, Signy, Hilmar and Kristján arrived June 18. Their whirlwind tour included a tour of Niagara Falls led by Peter Norman and Richard Eriksson, exploring the city (and catching one of Iceland’s games at the World Cup at a local bar), joining us for our national day picnic, and then touring Kinmount and Hekkla before relaxing at Marilyn and Paul White´s beautiful cottage on Lake Rosseau. The Hekkla group, including Edith Smith in her beautiful Icelandic costume, hosted them for lunch, and then they toured Sainte-Marie among the Huron, before returning to Toronto to see all of its important sites. On October 14, Gail Einarson-McCleery, Honorary Consul of Iceland in Toronto, hosted a workshop and lecture on the ancient Icelandic arts of rimur and tvösungur led by Guðrun Ingimarsdóttir, Icelandic ethnomusicologist, composer, teacher and practitioner of Iceland folk music. Natalie Guttormsson wrote charmingly about her Snorri Program adventure in Iceland. Nordic Nights showed “Hvellur” by Grimur Hakonarson, preceded by a short student film shot in Iceland this summer during the Image Arts Dept. of Ryerson University workshop. The final screening of the 2014 Nordic Nights season featured “The Store” by Arni Gunnarsson. Karen Helena and Sigrun Stella were interviewed on July 13 on Iceland Sound at McMaster University in Hamilton. The Toronto World Pride Human Rights Conference featured former Icelandic PM Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her partner. On November 2nd, fourty people turned out to welcome Kristinn Guðjónsson and his wife Helga back to Toronto for a visit and to see his presentation about Barðabunga Volcano. Linda Lundstrom wrote about fur, leather and suede in her collection at the One of a Kind Show Nov. 27 to Dec. 7 at the CNE in Toronto. The Taste of Iceland returned to Toronto for the 4th year in a row Nov. 13 to Nov.16, with an Icelandic Menu at Luma, Reykjavik Calling Concert Nov. 15 and Icelandic films at the Royal. November 30 we once again had brunch at the Pear Tree Restaurant and visited Riverdale Farm to hear Gryla telling adventure stories of the Icelandic Lads. . |
| 2015 | We announced that Vesturfarar DVD´s (ten episodes about the N.A. Icelandic settlements, hosted by TV host Egill Helgason, very popular in Iceland) was now available subtitled in English. Also, the Norman family, who all went in 2014, wrote in support of the Icelandic Camp near Gimli, this year happening July 24 to 31. One very important (at least for our sweet teeth!) day was March 14, when Icelandic baker Birgir Robertsson opened his bakery on the Danfoth. He was mobbed, to the extent that Gail Einarson-McCleery had to get behind the counter to assist! Apparat Organ Quartet performed April 16 at the Drake Hotel, as an extension of Winnipeg´s Núna Festival. Ione Thorkelsson, sister of treasurer Lynn, returned to Ottawa with a glass sculpture installation called ´Synthia´s Closet´ April 9 to May 17. Spring Icelandic classes ran from April 13 to June 8. In her column, Linda Lundstom wrote that she was a ´Settler Ally´ to First Nations people and that she supported the´Idle NoMore´ movement and the call for a national inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, inspired by her mother´s stories. It is worth noting also that one of our past Presidents, lawyer Brian Eyolfson, took part in that inquiry. Arden Jackson was a featured writer in two issues of the ´Icelandic Connection´ magazine, with articles on Vestur Islendingar and Vinarterta. Talented young actor, Ellen Denny, performed in the Mirvish production of ´Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike´alongside well known stars Jennifer Dale and Fiona Reid, first in Winnipeg and then in Toronto March 14 to April 5. On April 28, Lindy kicked off his N.A. tour in Minneaplis..later he performed at Massey Hall, London, Kingston, and Ottawa at the National Arts Centre. We checked in with scholarship winnner Fjóla Evans to find she was performing in Gimli, Winnipeg and Toronto and was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts as an emerging artist and spent two months in Iceland on a field study of folk songs and rímur. Thorrablót this year saw Honorary Memberships being presented to Bruce Crawford, Doreen Shortt Nowak and Edith Olsen Smith of the Hekkla area settlement. Arden wrote about the event of 300 people and how important it was to honour our pioneers. Kimberlee Trainor and Angie Payne travelled from Newfoundland with a green screen to allow pictures to be taken with L´Anse aux Meadows, the reconstructed Viking Village in Newfoundland. Scholarships were presented to Jem Cuthbert, Megan Sigmundson and David Jackson Snow. Audrey Findlay and Francis Mori were awarded Snorri grants to go to Iceland. June 6th Katrina Koven showed her ´Vinarterta Critters´paintings at Viking Bakery. Our picnic June 14th took place at Amos Waites Park in the west end. On the 24th Árstíðir were in town from Reykavík played at Church of St. Stephen in the Field. August 16th, Jennifer Campbell did a presentation on how to collec the memories of the older generation. On June 12, for the first time since the early 1990´s, a sitting President of Iceland was in town, and what a day it was. It started out with Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, at the Munk School of Global Affairs, with his speech ´The Arctic and the Himalayas: New Models of Cooperation´. Next came a gourmet luncheon in his honour at the National Club in the heart of the business district, with 95 people in attendance. He delivered a speech which included references to the ties between our two Icelandic communities. We honoured four Honorary Members for their much appreciated work for the comunity. Stella Hansen, IreneHelgason Gibson, Arngerður (Gigi) Grímsdóttir Fridriksson, and Erla Pálina Palmason Macaulay, who were presented with plaques by the President, before specially decorated vinartertas were given to the, to the accompaniment of Happy Birthday in Icelandic and English. Following this Þorður Hilmarsson, Director of Invest in Iceland, outlined investment opportunities in Iceland. A marvelous event! We celebrated Independence Day on June 14th at Amos Waite Park, and were privileged to host Valur Gunnarsson, one of the founders of Reykjavik Graevine, who read to us from his book ´Síðasti Elskhuginn´, in which he wrote a chapter about Western Icelanders. Rain did not stop us! July 18, we screened ´Seagull´s Laughter´ outside in President Kara Schusters yard! Nordic Nights screened ´Cold Fever´July 24th. July 25 and 26 in Caledon saw us at BizBaz, a fair which featured fashion from Linda Lundstrom, food from Arden Jackson and photography by Kara Schuster. We held a library event with writer Bettyjane Wylie, featuring conversations about Icelandic books, on August 16 at Kara Schuster´s house, and August 20 featured a Saumaklub meeting. Sunna Furstenau of Icelandic Roots was in town to show us how to search our genealogy on September 26th. The Westward Viking Festival July 21 to 31 at L´Anse aux Meadows in Nfld included the music of Lindy, storytelling, appearances from Viking re-enactors, Viking naal binding and much more! On July 24, we played ´Cold Fever´, by Fridrik Thor Fridriksson, at Innis Town Hall U. Of T. Lindy played the Bloor and Ossington Folk Festival on Septeme 19. The AGM was held Sept. 26th, following which Sunna Furstenau was on hand to talk about family and help people explore their genealogy. . |
| 2016 | January 19 was the Finnish Film ´Armi Alive´. Sigrun Stella Bessason sang at the Rivoli January 21. On January 28th, ´Canada and Iceland Relations: an Evening with Canadian Ambassador to Iceland, The Hon. Stewart Wheeler,´ was presented at Trent University in Peterborough. The film ´Grandma Lo-Fi the Basement Tapes of Sigriður Nielsdottir´, a documentary directed by Ingibjörg Birgisdóttir, Ori Johnson and Kristín Björk Kristjánsdóttir was featured February 9, along with a short at the School of Image Arts at Ryerson University. On March 6 the Travel Show made its annual appearance at Morningside High Park Presbyterian Church. The Book Club was reading ´Independent People´ and met March 10. Our second book was ´Burial Rites´ by Hannah Kent with a discussion on May 12. Icelandic classes , both beginner and intermediate began March 21. A new venue hosted Þorrablót April 8, Revival on College St. with the theme ´Gaman Saman´, with Karen Helena back as MC, music by Sigrun Stella and Lindy Vopnfjord. We celebrated our Icelandic ancestors with the most scrumptious and innovative food creations yet from chef Arden Jackson, featuring edible landscapes of open face sandwiches and individualized servings of appetizers, main courses and ´to die for´ desserts including all the traditional foods, as well as Viking costumes and a photobooth. Iceland´s Ambassador Sturla Sigurjónsson and his wife Elin Jónsdóttir joined us, as well as Vikings from Vinland, and we fundraised for our Youth Scholarships and grants. We congratulated Sigrun Stella for her song ´Break of Day, featured in ´The Saver´, a 2016 film nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay by Screen Awards. Linda´s Lore featured ´A 20 Step Recipe for a Wedding in Iceland´ which included a mother and daughter trip to Iceland, in our March newsletter. We spotlighted singer Charlotte Day Wilson, when she released her first solo track ´After All´, We also spotlighted Dr. Kristján Ahronson, scholarship winner in 1999. He is now a serious academic, teaching in Wales, and has just published a new book titled ´Into the Ocean. Vikings, Irish, and Environmental Change in Iceland and the North´, which gave evidence that Viking settlement was preceded by Irish monks by nearly 80 years. Steve Bright announced that he was looking for families which had a link to Canadians who were asked by the British to send troops to Iceland in June 1940. The Finnish movie March 8 was ´Song´, A Finnish documentary. When our newsletter in February had a casting call for ´Downsizing´, Ardath Finnbogason Hill responded and was chosen! She donned her costume, descended the stairs, and fell flat, a grand entrance indeed! She said ´The crew, the actors, the set, the meals, the care given, the networking, the learning, the wonderful people I met and host Holly´s hospitality. The total experience was absolutely and wonderfully surreal. I would do it again in a flash. Perhaps without ´the entrance´! Our May newsletter, introduced ´White Settler Reserve´ by Ryan Eyford, Associate Professor in the Dept. of History at the University of Winnipeg, highlighting the settlement in 1875 at Gimli, expanding our understanding of the creation of Western Canada, tracing the connections between Icelandic colonists, the indigenous people they displaced, and other settler groups. It also introduced Núna (now) Iceland Canada Convergence May 26 to July 23rd, 2016, a series which ran in Manitoba through art. Toronto based cellist and composer Fjóla Evans presented her original music for cello and electronics at the tenth edition of the nuna (now) festival in Winnipeg on June 5th. We also noted in this edition, that ICCT was as usual sending delegates to the Annual INL Convention in April, this year in Vancouver, including Gail Einarson-McCleery, Kathleen Murray, Karen Helena, Arden Jackson and Jón Thordarson. OnIce Horse Farm in Caledon hosted us for our Independence Day Picnic on June 18th. We particularly enjoyed seeing 22 year old Sydney Horas demonstrate the gaits of their Icelandic horses. We cheered Iceland vs England on June 27, after they had previously beat Austria and continued on to the top 16 in Euro 2016. Viking ship ´Draken Harald Harfagre´visited Toronto. We sent Matthew McCurdy from London, and Anders Gudmundson from Burlington on the Snorri program to Iceland this year. On the occasion of International Women´s Day, the Globe and Mail reported that Icelandic women were #1 on the Gender Gap Index. The best place to be a woman, the safest country to have a baby and the country with most female board members. We also announced a memorial project to repair the grave near Riverton of Friðrika Björnsdóttir, who was the great granddaughter of King Friðrik VI of Denmark, therefore Icelandic royalty. We heard from Austin Larusson, baritone, who let us know that he would be returning to appear in Summer Opera Lyric Theatre for his fourth season. July 9 the ICCT Book Club had an afternoon with Icelandic writer Alda Sigmundsdottir, author of ´The Little Book of Icelandic´and other books in the series, at the Annette Public Library. We announced that the ´Silent Flashes´exhibit by Nelson Gerrard of Manitoba, which featured a great collection photographs of Icelandic immigrants from 1870 to 1914, previously housed at Hofsós, was at Harpa Concert Hall for the summer. We profiled Sunna Furstenau, new President of INL, from North Dakota, a quite amazing woman, and founder of the great database, Icelandic Roots. On July 31, we were invited to Hekkla Community Church for the dedication of the new window in memory of Jacob Einarson and family; this church has the only cemetery in existence with two languages, English and Icelandic on the tombstones. Sporið, the Icelandic dance troupe from Borgarfjorður and area, came to show us their fancy steps on October 2nd. The next day, we of course took them to Kinmount and to St. Marie Among the Huron. Quite an exciting bus trip with not a few problems along the way. We advised readers that ´The Royal Grave – Friðrika Project´ dedication had been delayed until July of 2017 to coincide with Riverton Reunion celebrations. Massey Hall October 3rd was the venue of the legendary Sigur Rós. In October, we also bid farewell to Ólöf Indriðadóttir, Kyle Gudmundsson and their famly and thanked them for their many contributions to our cultural life, on their departure to Minnesota. Ardath Finnbogason-Hill wrote about her experiences as an extra in the film ´Downsizing´, she said ´it was quite fun, despite the fall down the stairs!´ A very special occasion occurred at our AGM on October 16th, when Eliza Reid, Canadian writer, and co-founder of Iceland Writer´s Retreat as well as being the wife of the President of Iceland, was skilfully interviewed via Skype by retired CBC broadcaster Lorna Jackson. November 10th brought us an Iceland Business Seminar and Taste of Iceland with cuisine, music, film and literature featuring First Lady of Iceland Eliza Reid and presentations by Deloitt, Invest in Iceland and the Embassy of Iceland in Ottawa, with musicians Axel Flóvent and Ceasetone. November 22, we screened ´Bjarnfredarson´starring Jón Gnarr at his best and directed by Ragnar Bragason. Lindy Vopnfjörd´s new album ´Frozen in Time´came out and was featured durng his fall tour. Matthew McCurdy wrote about his Snorri program in the summer of 2016. The National Ballet´s 2016-2017 season was dedicated to Sandra and Jim Pitblado (both of whom have Icelandic roots), widely known as generous sponsors of the arts in Canada. December 11th was the date for our annual brunch and walk through Riverdale Farm with Gryla. Always fun for the children! We featured a full page of pictures by Peter Norman in our newsletter. . |
| 2017 | The first Finnish movie of the year on Jan.24 was ´Cheer Up´, followed by Icelandic movie ´Virgin Mountain´ by Dagur Kari Feb. 28. We noted that the Snorri Plus deadline this year was Jan.20th. Our London chapter had a social event Jan. 29. The Travel Show February 12 featured Stewart Wheeler, formerly Canada´s Ambassador to Iceland. He did a lot of travelling while there, and we enjoyed seeing Iceland through Canadian eyes. Our January newsletter featured an article on Icelandic Canadians Sandra and Jim Pitblado, generous donors to the National Ballet, Tarragon Theatre, Stratford Festival and other cultural institutions. Karen Kain dedicated the Ballet´s 65th anniversary to honour them. Thorrablót 2017 on April 8th took place at a new venue, the Latvian Centre in the east end. Chef Arden Jackson provided a tasty buffet. Due to the generosity of our ICCT members at last year´s live and silent auction we were able to give one ICCT scholarship to Kaj Sullivan and two Snorri grants to Lauren McSkimming and Caitlin Oleson. ´Connecting the Pieces´, 2017 INL of NA Convention, took place in Grand Forks, North Dakota May 4 to 7 and Gail Einarson-McCleery was awarded the Laurence S. G. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award for her ongoing work in the Icelandic community. We found the presentation from the Icelandic Memorial Society of Nova Scotia about the settlement of Markland very informative. Ryan Eyford, Assoc. Professor in the Department of History at the University of Winnipeg was here May 27 to discuss his book ´White Settler Reserve: New Iceland and the Colonization of the Canadian West’, focusing on the story of the Reserve of land set aside on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg, which included Gimli, for Icelandic settlement in 1875. Around this time, we said “goodbye and thanks” to Honorary Consul Gail Einarson-McCleery and Honorary Consul General Jon Johnson (who, along with his father before him, had served many years in this role) and welcomed Honorary Consul General Adam Kalbfleisch to the post, with a very special informal party at the home of Meredith MacFarquhar. The National Day Picnic June 17th took place at Dufferin Grove Park once again, with games and lots of food! Our AGM September 24th featured guest speaker Steven Bright, who returned to speak about what he had discovered about the Canadian Army’s deployment to Iceland in 1940. At that time, we thanked Lynne Thorkelsson for her ten successful years as Treasurer, and welcomed Peter Newman to this post. Peter noted that he had been involved off and on over his whole life of five decades, first attending Thorrablót as a toddler with his parents Jack and Val Norman. We scheduled the movie ´Spooks and Spirits´ by Ágúst Guðmondsson for September 26, but it did not arrive in time! We played something else and played ´Spooks´ November 28th. Reynir Sæmundsson´s art show featuring a rising moon (aided by Karen and Einar´s son Eyvindur) at the opening reception September 14th and showcased his many works. On September 10th, the London chapter gathered in Gibbons Park for a Potluck. Matthew McCurdy, recently returned from an amazing summer working at the Icelandic Emigration Centre in Hofsós, joined and hung an authentic Icelandic flag to welcome the guests. In Toronto, Icelandic classes were offered October 2nd to Dec 4th for the fall session. We noted that Vikings, the Exhibition, was at the ROM Nov. 4 to April 2, 2018. Our September newsletter reminded us all that we were part of the INL of NA, with its many programs, calendars and annual Conventions. Taste of Iceland returned to Toronto Nov. 9 to 12 with a literature event with Eliza Reid, ´Reykjavik Calling´ at the Horseshoe Tavern (Mammut, Fufanu, ice cream and DJ Mar Sellars, Iceland´s Visual Art Scene Discussion, Icelandic Short Film Festival at the Royal Cinema and An Evening in Iceland at Lena. We posted the deadline for the 2018-19 Scholarship for Icelandic as a Second Language at U. of Iceland as Nov. 16. Our Christmas party on Nov. 26th this year was indoors, at Morningside High Park Presbyterian Church, with craft activities and gift bags for the kids. We also had a book exchange in honour of the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóðið (the book flood of Christmas). Arden Jackson offered a chance to order many flavours of vinarterta, as well as Rúllupylsa and Hangikjöt! ICCT member Eileen Aldis and partner Marc Whiteway´s travel vlog, called Travelling the World and Living the Dream, was chosen by Insight Guides as one of the TOP 10 travel vlogs to follow in 2017. They had met on the Snorri program and continue to be modern day Vikings exploring the world. We announced that the VIKING BAKERY LIVES AGAIN! Birgir Róbertsson had recreated it, in Simcoe, Ontario. Once again we have access to his kleinur, oatmeal cakes, piparkökur. We congratulated INL NA President Sunna Furstenau for being awarded the Order of the Falcon! The Hamilton Spectator wrote about why the Icelandic Men’s Soccer Team was so unique “Size Doesn’t Always Matter” . |
| 2018 | Former Canadian ambassador to Iceland Stewart Wheeler spoke to the Club during the annual Iceland Travel Show. The Club hosted four young people from Iceland (aged 18 to 29) as part of the Sorri West program. Lögberg-Heimskringla editor Stefan Jonasson addressed the Club at the annual Thorrablót. Donald E. Gislason was awarded the Laurence S. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award at the INL of NA convention. . |
| 2019 | Ambassador Pétur Ásgeirsson spoke to the Club at Thorrablót and presented a toast. The ICCT along with The Embassy of Iceland and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church hosted two wonderful musicians from Iceland in an intimate concert of favourite Icelandic songs and popular opera arias. This “Musical Treat from Iceland” featured renowned Icelandic mezzo-soprano Hanna Dóra Sturludóttir accompanied by noted pianist and composer Snorri Sigfús Birgisson. . |
| 2020 | 2020 saw the onset of the pandemic and a cessation of our in-person events. The Club quickly pivoted with several online events including the spring ‘picnic’ (featuring a performance by Svavar Knútur) a great fall gathering and a Christmas review. A new program of online seminars was introduced called Saga Connections spearheaded by Gwen Morgan. The inaugural seminar provided a panel including Don Gislason, Gail Einarson-McCleery and Guy Scott reviewing the saga of the 1874 failed Kinmount settlement. . |
| 2021 | Saga Connections speakers included W.D. Valgardson, Donald K. Johnson, Joe Martin, Linda Lundstrom and many others. Most club events continued to be online. In October the Club hosted an inperson “afternoon with Icelandic authors” in the back yard of Club President Gwen Morgan featuring Icelandic writer/director Andri Snær Magnason, Icelandic writer and poet Thora Hjörleifsdóttir, and Icelandic writer Einar Kárason . |
| 2022 | |
The above is, of course, just a brief, summary listing of some of the many events held over the years. For more detailed information, browse the newsletter archives or use the search function.
Other Accomplishments
Kinmount Icelandic Settlement Research and Erection of a Memorial:
We took over the leadership on this INL project. Don Gislason devoted innumerable hours to researching every facet of the settlement story, including their arrival in 1874, departure in 1875 and arrival at Willow Point to establish New Iceland. A 25-page illustrated booklet was produced. Under the chairmanship of Fran Moscall, we also organized the commissioning, and erection of a memorial at Kinmount to commemorate these people. The memorial consisted of an original statue by Gudrun Sigursteinsdóttir Girgis with a base containing plaques in English, Icelandic and French and a map of Iceland. This was dedicated in the year 2000 as part of the Millennium Celebrations.
In 2010, the Club organized ICE FEST at the Kinmount memorial site.
Publications:
We publish the official Icelandic Canadian Club of Toronto newsletter called The Fálkinn approximately six times a year. This newsletter is the mail communication to our members, detailing upcoming events, news stories from Iceland, and articles about our members.
In 1996, we became the first Icelandic-Canadian club to set up a website. In 1998 we added a youth website, entitled “Vikings”. The website contains the latest news of club activities, newsletters, a list of our library books, information about our club shop, and links to other clubs and websites pertaining to Iceland and things Icelandic.
An illustrated booklet containing the entire Kinmount story was produced in 1998, based on extensive research by Don Gislason, and written by him.
Presidents in Chronological Order from Past to Present:
- YEAR – PRESIDENT
- 1959/60 – Fanney Peacock
- 1960/61 – Magnus T. Paulson
- 1961/62 – Guy Gislason
- 1962/63 – Art Marteinsson
- 1963/64 – Oli Gislason
- 1964/65 – Magnus T. Paulson
- 1965/66, 1966/67 – Vilberg R. ‘Kris’ Kristjansson
- 1967/68, l968/69 – Hannes Pétursson
- 1969/70, 1970/71 – Harold Broughton
- 1971/72, 1972/73 – Óli Teitsson
- 1973/74, 1974/75 – Gordon Rögnvaldson
- 1975/76, 1976/77 – Cam Macaulay
- 1977/78 – Bob Miller
- 1978/79 – Rósa Hermannsson Vernon
- 1979/80 – Gigi Friðriksson
- 1980/81 – Birgitta Gillis
- 1981/82 – Stefán Guðmundsson
- 1982/83, 1983/84 – Oli Teitsson
- 1984/85 – Brian Pétersson
- 1985/86 – Eric Hagan
- 1986/87, 1987/88 – Don Gislason
- 1988/89, 1989/90 – Tom Einarson
- 1990/91, 1991/92 – David Scarth
- 1992/93, 1993/94 – William Hurst
- 1994/95 – Patricia (Einarson) Stephens
- 1995/96, 1996/97 – Garry Oddleifson
- 1997/98, 1998/99 – Gail Einarson-McCleery
- 1999/00, 2000/01 – Ellen Gilmore
- 2001/02, 2002/03 – Darla E. McKay
- 2003/04, 2004/05 – Leah Salt
- May/June 2005 – Holly Garrett
- 2006 2007/08 2015 – Kara Schuster
- 1997/98 1998/99 2016 – Gail Einarson-McCleery
- 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 Kathleen Murray
- 2021/22 – Gwen Sigrid Morgan
Through the years the Club has really grown and prospered. It is difficult to believe that it was once just an idea discussed among three founding members, Ásta Lunney, Alda Palson and myself.