What a year – hurray for us – hurray for the Association.
The year is over for us as it ends at the Annual General Meeting in October. Thus, time to review. We had one of the best years in resent history starting with a beautiful Christmas Tree at the Museum of Science and Industry, followed by a great Þorrablót, which was with a little different format than before. Next came the 17th of June celebration, then the first ever Greater Chicago Icelandic Open, then the Scandinavian Day, a big success, followed by Leif Eriksson Day and, finally, a fruitful ending, the AGM at the Ikea store in Schaumburg. In between all of these activities we had several smaller gatherings and board meetings. I also heard through the grapevine that the Desperate Housewives Club – founded at last Þorrablót – is having a lot of fun, and so are, indeed, all of us, keeping in touch and holding up great communications over the web by emails. Talking about the web, we have a new webpage IcelandChicago.org and a new web-master so make sure to check it out. All in all this was a great year thanks to our members who worked hard and unselfishly and who it would take to long to thank individually plus knowing myself I might forget someone. Instead I will list what the future, or next year, holds for us.
Once the Christmas tree is up we will have a Christmas party at Sonja’s on the 29th of December. We take the tree down at the museum on the 15th of January at 3 PM and everyone is invited. The Þorrablót is our highlight as all of you know and this time it will be at the Swedish American Museum on Clark at the 4th of February 2006. We are again flying in a band from Iceland and it will be a BYO event similar to last Þorrablót. Then we plan to celebrate 17th of June in style as next year’s Independence Day finally falls on a Saturday. The 2nd Great Chicago Icelandic Open will be in July/August with the same format but at a different golf course. Then we will participate in the Scandinavian and Leif Eriksson day. I hope you will have a chance to participate in all or most of our events helping us make 2006 an even greater year than this one.
Another headline would be that the economy is growing at a very fast pace, in part, because of the electrical plant that is being built at Kárahnjúkar but also because of the aluminum plant in Reyðarfjörður. This summer many protesters have camped out there to protest what they claim is ruining unspoiled nature.
Lastly, one more topic I have to cover. The board decided to start a Scholarship fund of $300 dollars. We are in the process of setting up a committee that will evaluate applications and, hopefully, we can give out the first check in 2006. Let me know if you are interested in sitting on the committee writing the rules and regulations and helping us make a little difference for several students in the future. Also, donations are welcome. Have a great and a peaceful Christmas.
Einar Steinsson, President
Association Affairs
The Annual General Meeting at Ikea Cafeteria on October 22, 2005
The board for 2006 is as follows:
- Larry Shaw - Treasurer
- Lena Hallgrímsdottir - Secretary
- Steinar Guðmundsson - Editor of Frón
- Katrín Heiðar - Co-Editor of Frón
- John Hofteig - VP of Marketing & Membership
- Joni Shaw - VP of Scandinavian & Leif Eiriksson Day
- Sonja Johnson - VP of Christmas Party
- Stella Solis - VP of Þorrablót Committee*
- Marc Johnson - Webmaster
The association had a profit of $1070.62 which brings the current balance to $4537.60. The approved accounts are pending for Larry Shaw’s audit.
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 15 at 3 pm. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Lena.
Þorrablót
Next year's Þorrablót will be held at the Swedish American Museum in Andersonville, 5211 N. Clark, Chicago, IL 60640, February 4, 2006 at 6:30 PM. The format will be similar to past years' Blót, we will have musicians from Iceland, Mæðrasynir (Mamas' Boys)*, our famous raffle, sing-along with the Þorra choir, and imported Icelandic þorrafood but members would bring in other food items, which the Þorra committee will coordinate. We tried this at last Þorrablót, with excellent results. Furthermore, attendees would be responsible for bringing their drinks, except for Brennivín! And the Association would offer soft drinks and welcome punch. As always, we need to know as soon as possible if you plan to attend or not, so kindly return the census form in a timely manner. If we do not hear from you we will be calling you :-) 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 make checks payable to the Icelandic Association 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 Blót.
We are looking forward to seeing ya all at the Þorrablót. Holding out this event needs your participation.
Skál!
*We are especially excited over our musicians this year, Mæðrasynir, but they are well known in Iceland for their talent and lively performance. Their names are Símon Hjaltalín from Stykkishólmur and Stefán Örn Gunnlaugsson from Hafnarfjörður and they both play the guitar and piano and, of course, sing. Stefán is currently the official piano player in Hemmi Gunn’s popular TV show in Iceland, Guess the Song, where musicians of all ages come together and try their luck reckognizing tunes from couple of notes played by Stefán
Membership in the Icelandic Association of Chicago:
Annual membership fees are due January 10, 2006. Please, send to Dr. John Hofteig, 1942 Lehigh Centre - Unit C Glenview, IL 60025, a check made payable to Icelandic Association of Chicago.
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 who want to know more about Iceland, please contact John H. Hofteig, VP, Membership, [Phone: 847 + 493 – 9065] our President, Einar Steinsson, or any of the other Board Members listed on our website: www.IcelandChicago.org
Web Page
www.IcelandChicago.org is now the association’s official web page. Our new web-master is Marc Johnson who replaces Orri Hallgrimsson.
Jólabarnaball 2005 (Yulefest 2005)
Sonja Johnson will have the Jólabarnaball at her house on the 29th of December. Please R.S.V.P by the 27th if you would like to attend with your young ones. It will be from 1-4 and those would like to come need to contribute a dessert or appetizer for the table. Please e-mail or call Sonja.
News You Can Use
Extra, extra, read all about it
Iceland wins Miss World again and again
This is something you definitely can use: Iceland’s beauty queen Unnur Birna Vilhjálmsdóttir won the Miss World contest that was held in China on December 10th. This does probably not mean anything to you if you did not reside in Iceland in the 1980´s but that is when Iceland really made history in this contest. Naturally we are all very proud of our Unnur. Just as Meastro Megas ones said in a bad translation of an english quote: “Ef þú smælar framan í heiminn þá smælar heimurinn framan í þig” or “smile and the world smiles with you”. (It looses the sarcasm when you translate it back to English).
Letters to the Association
The Snorri Program –The Adventure of a Lifetime –
Would you like to...
...travel and learn something new?
...experience something completely different?
...meet new people and make friends?
...stay with Icelandic relatives?
...learn about Icelandic culture and language?
...travel around Iceland’s most exotic spots?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, prepare yourself for the biggest adventure of your life – The Snorri Program!
Anyone of Icelandic descent between the ages of 18 and 25+ living in North America can apply for this exciting adventure. The Snorri Program is a unique opportunity for young people to discover the country, culture, nature and language of their ancestors, and to create or strengthen bonds with relatives living in Iceland. The program is six weeks long, running from mid-June to the end of July.
The Snorri program is a cooperative assignment between the Nordic Association and INL Iceland. It has been running since 1999 and all 75 participants highly recommend the program. The Government of Iceland, Icelandair and various municipalities and companies sponsor the program.
For more information, an application form and information on grants, please write to us at info@snorri.is or visit our website at www.snorri.is 15 applicants will be selected to participate in the 2006-program. Deadline: January 16, 2006If you are over 30 years old please visit our website at www.snorri.is and read about The Snorri Plus Program.
Farsælda Frón- The Icelandic Association of Chicago’s Newsletter. Editor: G. Steinar Guðmundsson, E-mail: steinargud@yahoo.com &Associate editor: Katrin Heidar. (Lena and Einar were the editors of this issue as Steinar and Katrín are in Iceland). Website: www.IcelandChicago.org. Correspondence: The Icelandic Association of Chicago, Einar Steinsson, President, 1218 N Rockwell St. Chicago, IL 60647-3004. Tel. 773 – 489 - 4621.
