From the President’s Desk
The “dog days” of summer or are they over? It is quite puzzling to Icelanders, or at least resent immigrants from Iceland, that the summer ends at the beginning of September when the weather is almost perfect, 75F and sunny. A nice summer day in Iceland is 60F. Anyhow, I hope you are having a great SUMMER.
Let us talk about the association of active, unique, and special Icelanders! We had a great open board meeting at our house in early August; 15 people showed. We had a good meeting and then I cooked up some burgers and hotdogs. It was a very nice day and everyone had a good time. At that meeting we decided not to participate in the Scandinavian Day this year. There was no interest in going to Vasa Park no one was willing to work there for a day. We need to rethink this before next year – maybe, we should form a committee; let me know if you are interested in participating. Secondly, we are working on Þorrablót 2004; the date is 28th of February. We have found a great band in Iceland to entertain us and there is more information about them in this newsletter. Thirdly, we are participating in a Leif Eriksson weekend on the 11th and 12th of October and there is more info elsewhere in this newsletter but we all know he was Icelandic, right. Lastly, we are going to have the General Meeting on the 26th of October at 5 o’clock at a very nice restaurant called Satay. It is BYOB and very good food for only $15 per person, half off for children and the youngest eat for free. I hope to see y’all there.
Einar Steinsson, President
Nói Albínói -An Icelandic Movie
Contrasting in the usual climate, but very promising, Dagur Kári's International Critic's Award-winner, Nói Albínói (Iceland), follows a gifted teen rebel whose youthful wanderlust is frostbitten by dead-end small-fjord life. This debut combines melancholic Kaurismaki-like humor with lyrical romanticism, while delivering its own audacious twists of fate.
This is an excellent movie according to Einar and Lena who saw it in Iceland last June. It’ll be showing in Chicago soon as a part of the Chicago International Film Festival. Form more info visit http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org
From the Association
From the Editor
Due to unusual circumstances and reasons that are beyond my control, the newsletter is now in a slightly different format. It is my hope that after the “slight technical difficulties” that I am facing as an editor of a newsletter have resolved, the newsletter can take back its old form. But we will see, maybe major changes are at hand…
General Meeting
The General Meeting will be held on October 26 at 5 PM at a very nice restaurant Satay.
“Head past the unappetizing sample plates arranged on a table just inside the door and through the bottleneck hallway and you'll find a spacious, stylish back room where chartreuse walls, recessed lights, nicely spaced tables, and soft music create an inviting place to eat. A range of Asian influences shows up in every category on the menu. To drink, there's a range of freshly squeezed juices (orange, carrot, or apple), smoothies, and dairy-free freezes (with or without tapioca "bubbles") in flavors like watermelon, lychee, and green tea.” From Chicago Reader.
It is BYOB and only $15 per person, ½ for children and the youngest eat for free. It is at 936 W Diversey in Chicago, next to the Brown Line Ell stop but parking is a challenge. RVSP to Einar and Lena if you wish to attend. Email einarandlena@ameritech.net or call 773.489.4621 (VM). We hope you can all make it. We will have elections so think about joining the board for next year.
New Secretary
Gunnar and Suzanne have left for Canada. Sóri and Lóa went back home to Iceland. Lena Hallgrímsdóttir is our new secretary. We will encourage new members to join the board.
Þorrablót 2004
A date and place for the Þorrablót was confirmed: February 28, 2004 at the Swedish Museum. Musicians this year are seasoned players from Iceland, Júlíus Ólafsson and Lárus Grímsson, who have played in various bands through the years. Júlíus, an elementary teacher and a soccer guru, played guitar in Silfurtónar which released a much played rock’a’billie record in the 90’s. Lárus is probably best known for his Led Zeppelin like band “Eik”. He is also a music teacher, sings and plays a wide variety of instruments, including the keyboard. We look forward to welcome Júlíus and Lárus to our Þorrablót – Mark your calendar…
Cristmas Tree at the Museum of Science and Industry
Our annual decoration of the Icelandic Christmas Tree at the Museum of Science and Industry will be Saturday November 15, at 1:00 PM. Please confirm your participation with Lena (773-489-4621). We will take the tree down Sunday January 11, at 3:00 PM. We are still looking for ideas for a square for the large ethnic tree skirt.
Letters to the Association
Icelandic Lessons!
I will start a beginner class in Icelandic by the end of September. This will be a two-hour class one night a week for 10 weeks at my house 1218 North Rockwell - limited number of students. The fee is $150 + cost of book (Colloquial Icelandic: The Complete Course for Beginners available at Amazon.com or selected book stores). I will also offer tutoring for more advanced Icelandic speakers. Please call me for further information 773-489-4621.
Icelandic Bibles Wanted
I'm looking for two Icelandic Bibles: an inexpensive Protestant Bible and (preferably) a leather-bound Catholic Bible (containing the Deutero-canonical books such as Tobit, Judith, Maccabees, etc.). The Bibles don't need to be new. I might even prefer used Bibles if it would save some money.
The Protestant Bible probably won't be too expensive. As for the Catholic Bible, I'm willing to pay as much as $50 to $100, but I'm not looking for one of those giant-sized family Bibles that barely fits on a coffee table just an ordinary-sized leather-bound edition.
I'd appreciate any advice you can give me. Perhaps you can put me in touch with a used book dealer who has what I'm looking for.
All good wishes,
Andy
Let Einar (einarandlena@ameritech.net) know if you can help this gentleman – he has his contact information
Leif Eiriksson Day
"For a number of years, a hardy group of true-blue Scandinavians in the greater Chicago area have been observing Leif Eriksson Day on the weekend nearest Columbus Day (the explorer, who visited the New World approximately 492 years AFTER Leif and friends made the FIRST discovery and briefly maintained settlements in and around New-Foundland and other Northeastern Atlantic sea coast locations).
This year, being the 1,000 the anniversary of Leif's original discovery and following the success of the Smithsonian VIKINGS exhibit which toured North America in recent years, the Leif Eriksson Festival Committee, with the financial underwriting of the Norwegian National League and assistance from North Park University's Scandinavian Center, is planning a more extensive program on Saturday, October 11, 2003 and Sunday, October 12, 2003.
Saturday, October 11,2003: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friendship Park Conservatory Phone: 847 + 676 - 1237
395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL
(Algonquin Road a few blocks West of Route 83, Elmhurst Road)
The Program on Saturday will feature arts and crafts for children, story-telling, Scandinavian music & dancing entertainment, Scandinavian food for sale, and two formal historical presentations:
11:00 a.m.: Charles Peterson, North Park University: Leif Eriksson
2:30 p.m.: John H. Hofteig, Icelandic Association of Chicago: Early Viking Settlements in North America
Rain or shine, there will be activities inside and outside the Mt. Prospect Park District Friendship Park Conservatory all day long for the whole family!
Sunday, October 12, 2003:
11:00 a.m.: Norwegian Church Service, Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, 2614 N. Kedzie Boulevard, Chicago. IL Phone: 773 + 252 - 7335
12:30 p.m.: Wreath Laying Ceremony Leif Eriksson Statue in nearby Humboldt Park
Reception immediately following at The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church.
Except for food purchased on Saturday from local Scandinavian vendors, all programs are free.
Additional information: Please call John H. Hofteig (847 + 551 - 4400 Ext 132) or E-Mail: Jhofteig@Firstambank.com"
We look forward to having ICELANDERS represent their early relatives, Leif and Friends!
