May 2012

Farsælda Frón

From the President’s Desk

Things are heating up in Iceland

Icelanders elect a president June 30th!  Eight candidates have announced their candidacy but some of them still need to collect enough signatures to be eligible to be on the ticket.  This is more interest in the presidency than we have seen before. Current president, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, is running for his fifth term.  The person closest to Mr. Grímsson in the latest poles, or actually a little bit ahead of him, is a news anchor from RUV, Þóra Arnórsdóttir.  Þóra is about to give birth any day now to her third child but between she and her husband they have 6 children.  Historically, the post of the Icelandic president is a position without much power even though the constitution allows for rights such as to veto laws the Parliament has approved and send to referendum.  Mr. Grímsson is the only president who has exercised the right to veto a law, not once, but twice, which has changed the way people look at the position and, possibly, explains the interest and record number of candidates. Interesting news so make sure you stay tuned on June 30th.

In other news, our Þorrablót 2012 sold out just as it did the previous two years. This motivates us to look for a new venue that could welcome more attendees.  Most of you know by now that our Þorrafood was confiscated in Boston but our great musician, Bjössi, was able to retrieve some of it before coming to Chicago.  We did our best to make up for the loss and were lucky one member had some Hangikjöt to donate.  Plans are in place to ensure the food for 2013 Þorrablót will make it.

We are excited to celebrate the Icelandic Independence Day on the 17th of June, the actual day.  Again we will import Icelandic hot dogs and do not worry, they are pre-cooked, thus will make it through customs!  Hopefully, we will see most of you by the Lake on June 17th.  Look for more information about the event below in the newsletter.

Gleðilegt Sumar – Have a great summer. 

Einar Steinsson
President 


From the Editor

One month before the National Icelandic Independence Day (see Lena's write up about our beloved, annual hot dog festival), the Chicago Tribune's John Keilman did a write up about the IAC and its members: Tiny Icelandic Community Keeps Up Traditions. If you haven't read it already, it's a bitter-sweet article for us, as the photo that accompanies the piece is of our Swany and her and Bert's youngest son Eyjolfur. They are moving to Victorville, CA next month. We wish them the best of luck out there and we look forward to hearing about their adventures out West!

Warm up your computer design program and/or your sketchbook and get set! We want you to design our logo. See instructions below.

Iceland's Independence Day '17di Júní'– by the Lake,Sunday June 17th.  Icelandic Hot Dogs!

All members are invited to celebrate our Independence Day at Promontory Point,locally known as ‘The Point’.  Please join us for a picnic style festival and a fun afternoon by the Lake. The IAC will treat everyone to hot dogs, pylsa, from Iceland, Icelandic style – eina með öllu – which includes dried fried onion and remolade!  What makes Icelandic hot dogs unique and oh so good, is that they’re made from lamb meat.  Please note that other than the hot dogs, the event is a BYO, so please bring drinks, sides, salads, sweets, or other plates you'd like to eat or share.  Remember to bring picnic gear: blankets, lawn chairs, sunscreen, umbrellas...  And, if anyone owns flags or other 17th of June decorations, please bring it with you – takk!

We’re excited to celebrate 17di júní on the 17th of June and look forward to see you at 2 PM.  This year we’re due for sunshine and, hopefully, warm enough weather for a quick dip into the lake!  We'll have our parade with flags and balloons. A beach with life guards is close by for those who want to bring swim suits and go for a dive. Sign up by e-mailing einarandlena@ameritech.net or call 773-489-4621. If the weather is questionable we will move the celebration to Lena and Einar’s house on Rockwell. Thus, it’s important you sign up so we can alert you of a different location.

Directions and Parking:

The Point is off 55th Street, Eastof Lake Shore Drive (LSD). Use 5500 S Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 for driving directions (Mapquest.com; Google Maps, etc.). You’ll find a metered parking lot on 55th street,by Bar Loui, or you may find free street parking. The walk to the Point takes about 6 minutes through a tunnel, which passes under Lake Shore Drive at the east end of 55th street. Upon emerging from the tunnel you’ll see a statue and a fountain. Turn right and walk south until you see our flag. We’ll try to find a spot as close to the field house as possible. For more information, photos, and the history of the Promontory Point, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory_Point_(Chicago).

IAC Logo Design Contest

The IAC needs a logo and we are holding a contest. The prize is $100, but more importantly bragging rights. All entries need to be received by September 15th, 2012 and should be sent to: siggyosk@gmail.com. The winner will be chosen by the board members and revealed in the fall issue of Frón.

The fine print: The IAC will have exclusive rights to the logo and it may not be re-used without permission by the board members.


The 7th Greater Chicago Icelandic Open August 26th @ 2:00PM

The 7th Greater Chicago Icelandic Open (TGCIO) will be held at a “new” course, Hilldale Golf Club in Hoffman Estate this year.  This is one of our favorite golf courses that our Swedish friends introduced us to some years ago.  The course is one of Robert Trent Jones Sr. designs and used to be a sportsman club owned by the Marshall Field’s family.  You can read more about it on their web page> http://www.hilldalegolf.com/index.php

As before, we will max out at 32 players and we have sold out for two of the six years.  I am proud that we are able to lower the fee this year, $35, which includes 9 holes of golf, a cart, sleeve of TGCIO golf balls, and great prizes, including an airline ticket to Iceland with Icelandair for a hole in one.

Deadline to pay is August 15th as that is the day I have to confirm number of players to the Hilldale Golf Club.  First come first served – You can mail a check* or pay on our web page www.icelandchicago.org with a credit card: http://icelandchicago.org/IAC2012IceOpenPymtMethods.html. 

The TGCIO is a 9-hole Texas Scramble tournament in teams of two players, with many of the teams being a couple or a parent and a child. We give a trophy for first place, medals for 1st 2nd and 3rd places, plus various prizes for the Longest Drive men/women, Closest to the Pin, Longest Putt, and Hole in One.

For any questions, email me at einarandlena@amreitech.net

Have a great time out there,

Einar Steinsson

* If paying by check, make your check payable to the Icelandic Association of Chicago and mail to Lawrence O. Shaw, 147 N. Buckingham Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554


Vasa Park Summer Fun

Time to get your picnic blankets and head to the park to celebrate with Vikings of all ages this summer. June 23rd is the annual Midsommar Celebration. For details go to the website: http://www.vasaparkil.com/

FARSÆLDA FRÓN - THE ICELANDIC ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO NEWSLETTER. EDITOR: SIGGY JONSSON (SIGRÍÐUR ÓSK SIGURÐARDÓTTIR), WEB SITE: WWW.ICELANDCHICAGO.ORG. CORRESPONDENCE: THE ICELANDIC ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGO, EINAR STEINSSON PRESIDENT. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK.