I like to take the opportunity to thank my predecessor Einar Steinsson for his dedication and hard work as the former President of the Icelandic Association of Chicago. For the past nine years Einar has been a great advocate for the Association and has shown a tremendous patience and support in his leadership. We are thankful that Einar will continue to be an active board member of the Association as well as the director of the Greater Chicago Icelandic Open, the annual golf tournament open to all members and their guests.
I will do my best to continue to fulfill the Icelandic Association’s mission ensuring the legacy of the Icelandic heritage through cultural events, social gatherings and educational opportunities.
Speaking of which, we have the Þorrablót coming up February 3rd 2007. Please help us make this a successful and fun night. It is only by our members support and their guests, that the Þorrablót can continue. I look forward seeing you all there as we come together to meet friends, enjoy Icelandic delicacy and last but not least dance under the music of our very own Icelandic band “Mömmustrákar” or Mama´s Boys. Details regarding the Þorrablót can be seen in Farsælda Frón and remember last year we sold out so make sure to purchase tickets before its to late!
I also wish to thank Steinar Gudmundsson for his great work and dedicaton as the editor of our newsletter, Farsælda Frón, for the past six years. Steinar gave the newsletter a new name and look, which were welcoming improvements. We welcome Svanfríður Arnardóttir-Gretchell as the new editor of Farsælda Frón.
Thank you again for supporting the IAC and please renew your membership before January 10th 2007.
I wish you all love and happiness and please take time to enjoy family and friends this hectic time of the year.
Gleðilega Hátíð or Happy Holidays to you all!
Sincerely,
Katrin HeidarAssociation Affairs
The Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting was held on November 12th at Piccalo Mondo in Hyde Park and attendees were Einar Steinsson, Lena Hallgrimsdottir, Svanfríður and Bert Getchell, Sonja and Marc Johnson, Katrín Heiðar, Steinar Guðmundsson, Leifur Björnsson, and Andrea Ösp Karlsdóttir.
A new Board was elected and the results are the following:
President: Katrín Heiðar
Secretary: Lena Hallgrímsdóttir
Treasurer: Larry Shaw
Editor of Farsælda Frón: Svanfríður Arnardóttir-Getchell
VP of Membership & Marketing: John Hofteig
VP of Þorrablót: Stella Solis
VP of Greater Chicago Icelandic Open: Einar Steinsson
VP of Scandinavian & Leif Eirikson Day: Joni Shaw
Web Master: Marc Johnson
Our Christmas tree at the Museum of Science and Industry
Our traditionally decorated Christmas tree is among fifty other trees now on display at the Museum of Science and Industry. We will take the tree down on January 7 at 2 pm. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Katrin. This is a good opportunity to visit the Museum and look at its many interesting exhibitions for free. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Membership in the Icelandic Association of Chicago:
Annual membership fees are due January 10, 2007. Please write a check to The Icelandic Association of Chicago and send it to Dr. John Hofteig, 1942 Lehigh Centre - Unit C Glenview, IL 60025.
Thank you!
The fees are the same as for previous year: $15 for an individual and $25 for a family. We are actively soliciting new and renewed memberships in our group. If you want to join, re-join, or know people in the Chicago area of Icelandic descent or other interested in Iceland, please contact John H. Hofteig, VP, Membership, [Phone: 847 + 493 – 9065] or our President, Katrín Heiðar, or any of the other Board Members listed on our website: www.IcelandChicago.org
Þorrablót
Annual Icelandic Winter Celebration
Annual Icelandic Winter Celebration
Next Þorrablót will be held February, 3, 2007 at Cheshire Clubhouse, 15 Winthrop New Road in Prestbury, the same place as two years ago. We will have Mama´s Boys, the same musicians from Iceland that rocked the Þorrablót last year. Mama´s Boys are well known in Iceland for their talent and lively performance. The band members are Símon Hjaltalín from Stykkishólmur and Stefán Örn Gunnlaugsson from Hafnarfjörður and we all felt they did a very good job last year.
Otherwise the format will be same as before, dinner, our now famous raffle, (among prizes are two airplane tickets to Iceland ) sing-along with the Þorra choir, under the leadership of Svanfríður Arnardóttir-Getchell and dancing in to the night. We will have imported Icelandic þorrafood but members will bring in other food coordinated by the Þorra committee which Stella presides over. Attendees are responsible for bringing their own drinks. A welcome drink, Brennivín, soft drinks and Icelandic water are complimentary.
We will need to know as soon as possible if you plan to attend, so please return the census form ASAP. The price of the entrance ticket purchased in advance will be $35 for members, $40 for guests, $25 for students, $15 for ages 13-16, and $10 for ages 7-9. Admission for children 6 years and younger is free of charge. Please note that we will add a $5 fee on each ticket purchased at the door. The deadline for purchasing advance tickets is January 15, 2006. Please write check to the Icelandic Association of Chicago and mail to Dr. John Hofteig 1942 Lehigh Centre, Unit C, Glenview, IL 60025, tel., 847-493-9065. Remember to visit our web page www.IcelandChicago.org for any new information about the Þorrablót.
Directions: From I-88 west take the Sugar Grove exit (Rte 56 to Rtes 30-47). Once you take that exit you'll turn right on Golfview (Bliss Creek Golf Course). Don't miss this turn - it's soon after you go under the Hankes Road bridge. Golfview dead ends at Hankes. Right on Hankes Road and left on Winthrop New Road. It's just a block away with the clubhouse on the left and tennis courts on the right.
