November 2012 The Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle 2012 Snorri Program

20 Pages·2012·0.86 MB·English

november 2012
November
2012
The Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle
2012 Snorri Program ~
From the Pacific Northwest to the Westfjords
(page 8)
IcelandIc club of Greater Seattle 1
november 2012
the new Geysir
november 2012
www.icelandseattle.com
IcelandIc club of Greater Seattle offIcerS
• PreSIdent Sonna Somerville Ghilarducci
•
• vIce PreSIdent Jens eysteinsson
•
• memberShIP linda russo
• Secretary
•
• recordInG david Johnson
• Secretary
•
• treaSurer chuck mulberg
•
• truSteeS henry bjornsson
• brynjar halldorsson
• laura hanson
Icelandic National League of North America • august helgason
• Geir Jonsson
proudly announces its • tota Sellars
94th INL Convention New GeySIr STaff
manaGInG edItor
April 4th through 7th, 2013 laura hanson
to be held in aSSocIate edItorS
henry bjornsson
Seattle, Washington, USA
Willard larson
(see article on page 4)
contrIbutInG WrIterS
margaret hlastala
david Johnson
emily Kristjanson
Julie Summers
contrIbuted PhotoGraPhy
amanda allen
Gummi Ibsen
angela mulberg
Julie Summers
cover Photo by amanda allen: 2012 Snorris enjoying a refreshing
and much-needed soak in remote Geothermal “Hot Pot” along their
bumpy dusty 5-hour ride through the Icelandic Highlands to Hofsoss.
layout/design by Kathleen hjørdis Knudsen
Published three times a year by
the Icelandic club of Greater Seattle
all contents © coPyrIGht 2012 the Icelandic club of Greater Seattle.
Photo courtesy of the Seattle Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
all rights reserved. any use of the contents of this publication
without the express written permission of the publisher is strictly
Happy Holidays from Seattle! Excitement is building as more prohibited. the new Geysir is the official triannual newsletter of the
pieces of this event are coming together for a fabulous 2013 Icelandic club of Greater Seattle. address changes can be sent to
membership Secretary c/o IcGS, Po box 70102, Seattle Wa 98127
INL of NA Convention. Several major guest speakers have
already been confirmed covering a diverse array of topics, as last date for submissions to next issue is Saturday, January 19, 2013
have other speakers who will present shorter topics. Others Please note our publishing team are volunteers and can not
are also lined up to weave throughout the convention short devote regular office hours to this effort.
vignettes about the deeper meaning of home to keep our therefore we need information well in advance to put all the
“There’s No Place Like Heima” theme alive. Read more about pieces together and coordinate our final publication.
this on page 4 and 17. Please email: [email protected]
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New Geysir ~ November 2012
Photo of sunset over Dýrafjörður at 3am July 7th by Amanda Allen
2013 convention .....................................4 viking days ............................................15
17th of June ..............................................6 picnic photos .........................................15
snorri experience .....................................8 golf tournament ....................................16
anna asmundson....................................12 convention registration ..........................17
oddfellows tour .....................................14 annual meeting ......................................18
uPcomInG eventS — marK your calendarS!
Follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com: Icelandic-Club-of-Greater Seattle
Icelandic Coffee Hour on Tuesday mornings at 10AM at the Nordic Heritage Museum
December 15, Annual Jólaball Children’s Christmas Party
2012 at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church.
January 12, ICGS Annual Meeting 2PM
2013 at Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard
February 16, Þorrablót at Nordic Heritage Museum
2013 in Ballard
April 4-7, INL 2013 Convention at Crowne Plaza Hotel
2013 in Seattle (more info on pg 4 & 17)
IcelandIc club of Greater Seattle 3
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Seattle to host 2013 Inl convention april 4-7, 2013
The Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle is thrilled and yellow brick road leading to the Crowne Plaza this
looking forward to welcoming nearly 200 Iceland- coming April, and make your plans now to join
loving guests from throughout Canada, the United this once in a lifetime Seattle event.
States and Iceland to our great city. This will be the
94th Annual Convention of the Icelandic National As Convention Co-Chair, David Johnson (Seattle
League of North America (INL of NA) but only Club Board Member and Recording Secretary)
the 2nd time in its history the event will be hosted is gathering all kinds of great ideas for speakers,
by a Club outside of Canada. We look forward to workshop presentations, fun activities, and
having many of you who live in and around Seattle entertainment. If you have suggestions or want to
to join us at The Seattle Crowne Plaza Hotel in the volunteer to assist in some capacity, please call him
heart of downtown for this exciting event. at 206-235-9596 or send an e-mail to Dj4Seattle@
comcast.net. We are also very thankful to the
Registration forms are available now on the INL gracious support and helping hands being offered
website and page 17 of this newsletter. The early by the Blaine, Vancouver and Victoria Icelandic
registration discounted fee of $150 is good through Clubs!
January 31, 2013. For those wishing to stay at the
convention hotel during the Convention, we’ve So who are the confirmed speakers so far?
secured a favorable contract that provides a limited Sunna Pam Furstenau (Fargo, North Dakota)
number of rooms at $139/night for standard – Providing a reprise of her beloved and
double occupancy. To reserve your room, you may enthusiastically received 2012 Summer
call the hotel at 1-888-233-9527. Be sure to ask International Visits Program 12-day tour
for the INL of NA 2013 convention rate! Or you throughout Iceland entitled “America’s Love for
can reserve on-line through this special convention Iceland.”
website link:
Dr. Fred Woods (Provo, Utah) – Brigham Young
https://resweb.passkey.com/go/IcelandicClub University Professor and research collaborator with
Kári Bjarnson in Iceland will provide a talk entitled,
Known as “The Emerald City,” Seattle “Icelandic Migration to and through Utah.”
evokes thoughts of The Wizard of Oz. Widely
acknowledged as one of the greatest movies of all Trish Baer (Victoria, British Columbia) –
time, The Wizard of Oz explores poignant themes, “Imagining and Re-imagining the Viking Gods:
including the meaning of home. Playing off this Illustrations, Details, and Agendas” will examine
Ozian connection, the theme for the Convention the pictures of these figures as they evolved over
is (drum roll please!), “There’s No Place Like the centuries.
Heima.”
Donald Gislason (Vancouver, British Columbia) –
Possibilities abound to explore the meaning of A multi-media presentation will be presented that’s
home and how it relates to the experience of tentatively entitled “Iceland Airwaves: The Hippest
Icelanders in North America. Is home really a place, Event on the Planet.”
or is it simply a matter of being with those we love?
Do we, like Dorothy, always have the power to be Nelson Gerrard (Riverton, Manitoba) – Helping
home again? Can’t we have more than one true us all learn about the real identity and family
home? So whether you come by plane, car, ferry, or connections of a famous Icelandic Canadian chess
personal bubble, get your ruby slippers on, find the champion with a talk entitled “Will the Real
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Magnus Smith Please Stand day with several speakers and Facebook Page is also a great
Up?” the INL of NA Annual General source of information… so take
Membership Meeting with a the leap, jump onto Facebook,
Alene Morris (Seattle, little time late in the day before and “friend” the INL of NA
Washington) – Will examine the big Gala Dinner event in the page. Questions and comments
the role women have played evening. And if you just want to can also be directed to David
in keeping homes tended join us for the Saturday evening Johnson (Convention Co-
historically in Iceland and the gala dinner on April 6th, Chair) at Dj4Seattle@comcast.
role they play today in modern separate tickets for that event net or via telephone at 206-235-
society. will also be available. 9596.
What does the basic framework Finally, Sunday morning will From our Seattle Club family
of the convention agenda look bring the convention to a close to yours – Happy Holidays and
like? with one last opportunity to we hope to see you in Seattle in
Thursday there may be an gather, hear a speaker, farewell April.
optional all day settlement tour remarks, and a last chance to
up to Blaine and Bellingham, exchange hugs with all your
book for sale:
Washington depending on new friends. But there may be
interest as expressed on the more -- we’re hoping to also
Registration Form. This will pull together a post-convention
be an extra fee event for those afternoon or evening extra event
interested if there is sufficient for those interested who are
interest. Thursday is also a free staying on an extra night. Stay
admission day at the Nordic tuned….
Heritage Museum in Seattle and
people who will be in Seattle Wondering what to get Aunt
that day will be encouraged Tota or Uncle Gummi for
to take self-directed trips out Christmas? Do they have
there before they close at 4PM. everything they could possibly
You’ll find excellent temporary want? Consider giving them
and permanent exhibits there, a trip to Seattle or buying
including the Icelandic Room. them their registration for the
Thursday evening will kick off convention. Generous financial
things with “Meet and Greet” donations from individuals
event in one of our hotel or businesses keep these
meeting rooms with a cash bar. conventions afloat. Registration
Shopping for holiday gifts for
fees barely cover the core basics
yourself or a friend? Consider the
Friday will include a full day of and food. So consider donating
book Icelanders On The Pacific
activities: welcoming remarks, a sum in Aunt Tota or Uncle
Coast, (in English), $20.00 Limited
speaker presentations, activity Gummi’s name to support this
sessions (including time for fine event. number of copies available. Call
some short walking tours in the or email Membership Secretary
city), and an evening Opening The latest available information Linda Russo to arrange to pick-up
Ceremonies sponsored by the about the Convention will your copy at an upcoming event
INL of NA. continue to be posted on the or to have mailed. Add $3.14 for
INL of NA website at www. first class postage or $2.47 for
Saturday will be another full inlofna.org. The INL of NA book rate.
IcelandIc club of Greater Seattle 5
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Þjóðhátíðardagurinn ~ Seattle’s 17th of June celebration
by David Johnson
Iceland’s 68th birthday was celebrated, for what was very
likely the 68th time in Seattle,at the Leif Erikson Hall
in Seattle on June 17, 2012. Since this year June 17th
also fell on Father’s Day, we made it a family affair and
honored the men in our lives. A light lunch buffet was
washed down with Dads brand (what else?) root beer
floats in cups that featured the Icelandic flag. More than
55 people joined the combo celebration of Icelandic
Independence Day and fatherhood.
The festivities included an introduction of Seattle’s new
Delicacies filled the buffet table.
Fjallkona, Karen Block, and Princess Margo Coxon.
Karen has become more active with the club upon her
Karen Block beautifully represented this year’s fjallkona
retirement as manager of Wight’s Home and Garden in
at the Icelandic Club’s 17th of June dinner. Her talk
2008. She has performed many duties for the club by
was entitled, “Fjallkona’s New Year Message”, which
helping with past Thorrablotts and Jolaballs. She has also
was given to an appreciative audience. Karen’s maternal
contributed her talents to the Nordic Heritage Museum
grandparents were born in Iceland and immigrated
when Icelandic events have occurred. Karen is a valued
to the United States in 1878. They first settled in
and very active member of the Seattle Reykjavik Sister
Minnesota and then later moved to North Dakota. Her
City Association.
mother married a young man of Swedish descent and
they came to live in Seattle in 1942. Princess Margo Coxon is 25% Icelandic. All four of her
great great grandparents immigrated to Canada between
1875 to 1887 and settled in Manitoba, mostly in the
Gimli area. Margo’s grandfather (100% Icelandic),
Sigurdur Stanley Einarson, grew up on a farm outside of
Gimli, Manitoba. Her great grandparents, also born in
Manitoba were Stanley Sigurdson Einarson and Herdis
Helgason. Finally her great great grandparents, all born
in Iceland but immigrated to Canada were Sigurdur
Einarsson, Maria Johannsdottir, Thorfinnur Helgason,
and Marsibil Stafania Jonatansdottitr.
The obligatory singing of the Icelandic national anthem
and a few Icelandic folk tunes was followed by some
Music, both vocal (above) and instrumental (below),
CD music of Benni Hemm Hemm for the younger, hip
plays an important part in any Icelandic celebration.
crowd. Today’s Icelandic music scene is really generating
some great Icelandic bands these days in case you haven’t
noticed.
One of the highlights and traditions of Seattle’s annual
June 17th celebration is honoring high school seniors
with college scholarships. Four young adults received
$500 scholarships to start off their college careers with a
little financial boost from the Club. These young people
included:
Anna Heiser, daughter of Carrie Heiser and
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2012 scholarship recipients
granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Einarson,
formerly of North Dakota. She attended Cedarcrest
High and Redmond High School. Anna plans to attend
Bellevue College, then transfer to California State
University - Northridge to enroll in the interpreting
program for sign language.
Soley Olafsson, daughter of Gisli and Agnes
Olafsson. Her extended family is in Iceland. She
attended Ballard High School. Soley plans to attend
2012 fjallkona Karen Block
the University of Washington or Pomona College.
She would like to enroll in pre-med to become a
physician.
Stefan Kubeja, son of Clara Kubeja and grandson of
Rick and Didda Wilson. He attended Tacoma School
of the Arts and Stadium High School. Stefan plans to
attend the University of Washington and work towards
a major in Biology. He would like to enter the medical
field.
Haley Monson, daughter of Dori and Suzanne Monson
and granddaughter of Orval and Sylvia Monson. She
attended Shorecrest High School. Haley plans to
attend the University of Washington and major in
communications. She was not able to attend the event
to receive her scholarship as she was at her graduation
exercises.
On exhibit was the driftwood art of Icelandic artist
Solveig Eggerz Petursdottir. She was born in Reykjavík
in 1925 and the Seattle Club is blessed to have a
number of her Icelandic driftwood pieces of art that she
donated many years ago. Some were auctioned off in a
lively bidding war and raised over $400 more to support
future Seattle Club activities. Princess Margo Coxon
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from the northwest to the Westfjords
Julie Summers shares her personal experience as a participant of the 2012 Snorri Program
Patro Marina
Every participant in the Snorri Program spends two Back in Reykjavík, I had done pretty well in our
weeks in Reykjavík and one week traveling around Icelandic classes. But it only took five minutes of
Iceland. What makes the experience unique for each attempted conversation to realize just how limited my
person is the three weeks in between, working and communication skills were. Thankfully, Hrafnhildur
living with relatives. During the first two weeks of knew a little more English than I knew Icelandic.
my trip this summer, all 16 Snorris became one big,
wacky, Iceland-loving family, and I was nervous Eventually, we arrived in Patreksfjörður. Patreks-
about saying goodbye and heading out on my fjörður, or Patró as the locals call it, is located along
own. But I couldn’t have been happier about my one of the westernmost fjords and is home to about
destination: Patreksfjörður, a small fishing village 700 people. The entire town consists of a few parallel
in the Westfjords. Although I also have roots in the streets sandwiched between the deep blue fjord and
Eastfjords, my mother’s maiden name was Westford the barren mountains.
and I have always felt a closer kinship to the wildly
beautiful Westfjords. Hrafnhildur gave me a tour, pointing out the
crumbled remains of the house where she grew up,
After a 40-minute flight in the smallest plane the homes of her three daughters, the slaughterhouse
I’ve ever seen outside of a toy store, I landed in that’s being turned into a hotel, and the grocery
Bíldudalur, where I met my frænka Hrafnhildur. (continues on next page…)
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store and fish factory where I would be working.
Finally we made it to my new home sweet home.
Hrafnhildur introduced me to her husband
Sæmundur, who speaks absolutely zero English.
Despite my excitement and the hospitality of my
relatives, I felt overwhelmed and wondered how I
would fit in to this little corner of the world.
Dinner that evening was quiet. I think we
communicated just enough to agree that we needed
to obtain an Icelandic-English dictionary as soon as
possible. Later, I strolled from one end of town to
the other, acquainting myself with my new home,
admiring the stark beauty of the landscape, trying to
get used to the isolation and solitude after two weeks
in the bustling city.
On the way back to the house, an SUV pulled up beside
me and a golden-haired girl about my age leaned out the
window. “Hi,” she said, “you must be Julie.” I realized
quickly there would be no such thing as anonymity for
the next two weeks; in a town this size, news spreads
fast and furious and outsiders can be spotted from a
Julie (left) with Brynja Rafnsdóttir
mile away. But I also realized I was not alone. The girl
was Sædís, my host mom’s granddaughter, who turned The first couple days, I just tried to get through each
out to be a wonderful friend. transaction without making any huge mistakes. By
the end of the week, I knew the Icelandic names for
The next morning I started work at Albína, a grocery all sorts of bakery goods; I could accurately, albeit
store and bakery owned by a local family. Within slowly, read numbers in Icelandic; and perhaps most
a half hour, I was stocking shelves and ringing up importantly, I had gained a new understanding
customers. Brynja, my boss, did a wonderful job of humility. When customers gave me inquisitive
of challenging me with Icelandic but switching to looks, I knew how to say, “I’m new” or “I’m learning
English when I really needed help. By the end of the Icelandic,” but I had no idea how to explain why I, an
day, I was tired but satisfied. When I got home from American with only the most elementary knowledge
work that night, there was a small red and yellow of the Icelandic language, was the one handing them
orðabók on the table. their coffee and kleinur.
I only worked at Albína for a week, but that was Just as I was getting used to my routine at Albína,
more than enough to fall into a rhythm. I got to it was time to move on to the next adventure: Oddi
know some of the regulars, including a German Fiskvinnsla.
writer who came in every morning for a cup of
coffee and two or three maple doughnuts. I also met All those years I dreamed of visiting Iceland, I never
travelers from Italy, France, Israel, and Switzerland, imagined a week of fish factory work being on the
and was pleased when my native English speaker’s ear itinerary. But Tuesday morning I woke at six (of
helped decipher their sometimes-broken attempts to snemma!), dressed in warm layers, and reported for
communicate. (continues on next page…)
IcelandIc club of Greater Seattle 9
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Oddi fish factory Patro
duty at Oddi. My boss Magnús led me to the locker next week, I would spend 8 hours a day interacting
room and showed me the stylish outfit I would be with machines and dead fish more than people.
wearing. I pulled on a pair of rubber boots and a
white smock, donned a hairnet and gloves, and tied Fortunately, things improved over the next few
a heavy-duty 66 North apron around my waist, days. I came to work armed with warmer clothes
then followed Magnús into the factory for a quick and my iPod. I got to work and chat with some
tour. of my young Icelandic coworkers, and I branched
out from the fish-skinning machine to preparing
A large door opened onto the pier and the morning’s saltfish and packing boxes of cod for export. And
catch was being hauled inside. In the next room, a as I listened to Of Monsters and Men and worked
narrow gutter ran along the floor, jammed with fish alongside the locals, my attitude improved. In fact,
heads. A hundred pairs of eyes shined up at me as I can honestly say I ended up enjoying my work at
I hopped across and followed Magnús to a large Oddi.
piece of machinery. He introduced me to his sister
Lilja, and I spent the rest of the day working with But my time in Patró wasn’t all work; I tried my
her. We stood across from each other, on either side best to take advantage of the opportunities around
of a conveyor belt, making sure each fish half was me. I went to a concert, saw presidential candidate
turned skin-side down, tail-side first before it went Þóra Arnórsdóttir at the pirate museum, walked
through the skinning machine. with Sædís and her bulldogs in the late-night sun.
I discovered Patreksfjörður’s one and only kaffihús,
To be honest, I came home from that first day at the Stúkuhúsið, and it became my home-away-
Oddi cold, slightly smelly, and discouraged. My from-my-new-home.
favorite part of working at Albína was the people,
the constant challenge of conversation. At Oddi, As I settled in and my language skills improved, I
it was usually too noisy for talking, and even if got to know my host parents better. We ate dinner
it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have known what language together every night, the three of us and our little
to speak; half the workers there are Polish or orðabók.
Portuguese. I was frustrated to realize that for the (continues on next page…)
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