May 2011

Icelandic Association of Chicago Volume No. 13 Issue No. 2 May 2011


From the President’s Desk

We continue to flourish.

On the first Saturday in May we had a wellattended and productive board meeting at our house on Rockwell. We looked over official numbers from our 2011 Þorrablót and got aconfirmation of what we already knew; the Þorrablót was a bigsuccess and sold out as it did in previous years. Wemade plans to have the 2012 Þorrablót at the same place with a similar format – why mess with a good thing if not needed. We now have new bylaws approved and filed. We are in the midst of finishing setting upthe scholarship fund and plan to give out the first donations at the GeneralMeeting this fall. Our goal is to get a"Not for Profit" status approved after the first donations. We planned our 17th of June celebration atPromotory Point, and festivities in Vasa Park with our Nordic relatives at MidsummerFestival and Scandinavian Day. You willfind more information on these events in the newsletter. We have yet to set a date for The IcelandicOpen but are looking at September and will keep you updated via email and on facebook. In short, we have a flourishing community,which is more active in the association’s affairs every year. Please spread the word and let everyIcelander, Icelandic-American, or anyone interested in Iceland, know about us, and,better yet, invite them to join us.

Gleðilegt Sumar!

Einar Steinsson
President

From the Editor

Hello everyone! I hope you are all ready for the summer festivities that are coming up. To keep you even more up-to-date on IAC current events, we invite you (if you haven't already) to "like" our new Icelandic Association of Chicago facebook page. Simply click on the Like button once you're on the page next to the title and you will automatically receive the latest information in your news feed. Building this community also means that we encourage members to post pictures and updates on the wall. We will be posting a facebook fan button on our web site shortly as well.

Iceland's Independence Day '17di Júní'– by the Lake, Saturday June 11th.Icelandic Hot Dogs!

All members are invited to celebrate our Independence Day at the same location as two years ago in Burnham Park around PromontoryPoint, locally known as "The Point." Please join us for a picnic-style festival and a fun afternoon by the Lake.The IAC will offer hot dogs from Iceland, Icelandic style. Last year, despite the cold weather, we still had close to 40 people show up at the alternate location despite the rain. This year we are in for sunshine and hope to see all of you at the lake for a 'pylsa (pulsa) með öllu’!

Please note that other than hot dogs, the event is a BYO, so please bring drinks, sides, salads and other food or plates and cups you'd like to share. Also, make sure to bring other picnic gear: blankets, lawn chairs, sunscreen, umbrellas...

The festivities start at 3 PM, Saturday June 11th and, of course, we'll have a parade with flags and balloons. A beach with a life guard 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 questionabl ewe will, just as we did last year, move the celebration to Lena and Einar’s house on Rockwell. Thus, it is important you sign up so we can alert you of a different location.

Directions andParking:
The Point is off 55th Street, East of Lake Shore Drive (LSD). Use 5500 S Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637 for driving directions (mapquest.com; google, 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 thePromontory Point, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promontory_Point_(Chicago).


Surge - Art Installation by one of our members, Anna Jóelsdóttir, in NY

If you find yourself in New York City this summer, stop by the Clocktower gallery, presenting Surge, by Anna Joelsdottir, a site specific installation that examines the process by which the human mind creates and deconstructs personal narratives.

For more information: http://artonair.org/exhibition/surge


Class on Norse Mythology at Loyala starting May 18th

Dr Seigfried still has two more spots in his class (starting today, the 18th at Loyola University). Register now at https://perseus.luc.edu/continuum/getCourse?classnbr=2509&term=1114 before it's too late!

Sixth Annual Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration on Saturday, June 18th at Vasa Park

Come out to the NW suburbs to enjoy a wonderful day in the park. Bring a picnic basket and your own beverages for this all day fare. There will also be food for sale by various Scandinavian organizations and Icelandic water from 2:00 until 6:00 PM. For directions to Vasa Park, click here.

All upcoming Scandinavian Park events to put in your calendar:

Saturday, June 18, 2011 – The 6th Annual Scandinavian Midsommar Celebration –

Vasa Park, Route 31, South Elgin from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Adults $5.00, Children 12 & Under FREE

Saturday, August 13, 2011 - Steak Fry with Crayfish Sampling -- 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. -- Vasa Park

Sunday, September 11, 2011 - The 32nd Annual Scandinavian Day Festival at

Vasa Park, South Elgin from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. featuring Traditional Food, Crafts, Games, Gifts & Entertainment * Adults $10.00, Children 12 & Under FREE * FREE PARKING * Rain or Shine * Come celebrate the culture & traditions of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden!!

Saturday, October 15, 2011 – The 10th Annual Fish Boil & Harvest Festival at Vasa Park, Route 31, South Elgin, IL, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. with Boil at 2 p.m., serving immediately. A great time is planned with music & entertainment. Adults: $15, Children under 12: $5.00. Reservations please by Oct. 10 to 847-695-6720 or vasaparkil@yahoo.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.