here - Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle

November 2012Magnus Smith Please StandUp?”Alene Morris (Seattle,Washington) – Will examinethe role women have playedin keeping homes tendedhistorically in Iceland and therole they play today in modernsociety.What does the basic frameworkof the convention agenda looklike?Thursday there may be anoptional all day settlement tourup to Blaine and Bellingham,Washington depending oninterest as expressed on theRegistration Form. This willbe an extra fee event for thoseinterested if there is sufficientinterest. Thursday is also a freeadmission day at the NordicHeritage Museum in Seattle andpeople who will be in Seattlethat day will be encouragedto take self-directed trips outthere before they close at 4PM.You’ll find excellent temporaryand permanent exhibits there,including the Icelandic Room.Thursday evening will kick offthings with “Meet and Greet”event in one of our hotelmeeting rooms with a cash bar.Friday will include a full day ofactivities: welcoming remarks,speaker presentations, activitysessions (including time forsome short walking tours in thecity), and an evening OpeningCeremonies sponsored by theINL of NA.Saturday will be another fullday with several speakers andthe INL of NA Annual GeneralMembership Meeting with alittle time late in the day beforethe big Gala Dinner event in theevening. And if you just want tojoin us for the Saturday eveninggala dinner on April 6th,separate tickets for that eventwill also be available.Finally, Sunday morning willbring the convention to a closewith one last opportunity togather, hear a speaker, farewellremarks, and a last chance toexchange hugs with all yournew friends. But there may bemore -- we’re hoping to alsopull together a post-conventionafternoon or evening extra eventfor those interested who arestaying on an extra night. Staytuned….Wondering what to get AuntTota or Uncle Gummi forChristmas? Do they haveeverything they could possiblywant? Consider giving thema trip to Seattle or buyingthem their registration for theconvention. Generous financialdonations from individualsor businesses keep theseconventions afloat. Registrationfees barely cover the core basicsand food. So consider donatinga sum in Aunt Tota or UncleGummi’s name to support thisfine event.The latest available informationabout the Convention willcontinue to be posted on theINL of NA website at www.inlofna.org. The INL of NAFacebook Page is also a greatsource of information… so takethe leap, jump onto Facebook,and “friend” the INL of NApage. Questions and commentscan also be directed to DavidJohnson (Convention Co-Chair) at Dj4Seattle@comcast.net or via telephone at 206-235-9596.From our Seattle Club familyto yours – Happy Holidays andwe hope to see you in Seattle inApril.Book for sale:Shopping for holiday gifts foryourself or a friend? Consider thebook Icelanders On The PacificCoast, (in English), $20.00 Limitednumber of copies available. Callor email Membership SecretaryLinda Russo to arrange to pick-upyour copy at an upcoming eventor to have mailed. Add $3.14 forfirst class postage or $2.47 forbook rate.Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle5

November 2012duty at Oddi. My boss Magnús led me to the lockerroom and showed me the stylish outfit I would bewearing. I pulled on a pair of rubber boots and awhite smock, donned a hairnet and gloves, and tieda heavy-duty 66 North apron around my waist,then followed Magnús into the factory for a quicktour.A large door opened onto the pier and the morning’scatch was being hauled inside. In the next room, anarrow gutter ran along the floor, jammed with fishheads. A hundred pairs of eyes shined up at me asI hopped across and followed Magnús to a largepiece of machinery. He introduced me to his sisterLilja, and I spent the rest of the day working withher. We stood across from each other, on either sideof a conveyor belt, making sure each fish half wasturned skin-side down, tail-side first before it wentthrough the skinning machine.To be honest, I came home from that first day atOddi cold, slightly smelly, and discouraged. Myfavorite part of working at Albína was the people,the constant challenge of conversation. At Oddi,it was usually too noisy for talking, and even ifit wasn’t, I wouldn’t have known what languageto speak; half the workers there are Polish orPortuguese. I was frustrated to realize that for theOddi fish factory Patronext week, I would spend 8 hours a day interactingwith machines and dead fish more than people.Fortunately, things improved over the next fewdays. I came to work armed with warmer clothesand my iPod. I got to work and chat with someof my young Icelandic coworkers, and I branchedout from the fish-skinning machine to preparingsaltfish and packing boxes of cod for export. Andas I listened to Of Monsters and Men and workedalongside the locals, my attitude improved. In fact,I can honestly say I ended up enjoying my work atOddi.But my time in Patró wasn’t all work; I tried mybest to take advantage of the opportunities aroundme. I went to a concert, saw presidential candidateÞóra Arnórsdóttir at the pirate museum, walkedwith Sædís and her bulldogs in the late-night sun.I discovered Patreksfjörður’s one and only kaffihús,the Stúkuhúsið, and it became my home-awayfrom-my-new-home.As I settled in and my language skills improved, Igot to know my host parents better. We ate dinnertogether every night, the three of us and our littleorðabók.(continues on next page…)10IslendingafélagiĐ í Stór-SeattlesvÆĐi

November 2012On the weekends, I explored the Westfjords withmy family. The first Saturday, we took the ferryto Flatey, the largest island in Breiðafjörður. Wewandered around the quaint þorpið, listened tochoir practice at Flateyarkirkja, enjoyed kaffi atthe hotel, and tried to avoid kría attacks. It was thekind of perfectly clear day I’ve never seen anywherebut Iceland, and the view of Snæfellsnes across thewater was breathtaking.The next day, we went to Látrabjarg, the westernmostpoint in Europe. The tall, sheer cliffs of Látrabjargare a haven for all sorts of sea birds, and the sightand sound are impressive. It was cloudy, but on aclear day you can see all the way to Greenland.On our way back east, we stopped at Rauðisandur,a sprawling red-sand beach, and I started walkingout toward the water. There was no one else insight; it was just me and the glacier looming onthe horizon. I walked and walked and for awhileI couldn’t even see the water; take away thesurrounding mountains and it would have lookedjust like a desert. But finally I heard the sound ofwaves lapping the red shore, and I waded into theAtlantic.When it was time to return to Reykjavík, I wassad to say goodbye. I think I could have easilycontinued my Patró routine, fish factory and all,for another week or month or year. I was of coursethrilled to see my fellow Snorris again, and we hada memorable last week together, traveling aroundthe country in a tiny van. But it was my time inPatreksfjörður that really forced me to grow andhelped me discover who I am and who I want tobe.Takk fyrir mig to the Snorri Foundation, IcelandicClub of Greater Seattle, Lopez Island Lions Club,and many friends and relatives who supported mytrip. To see photos and read more about my time inIceland, visit my blog at:www.juliesicelandblog.wordpress.comAlbina bakeri landscapeIcelandic Club of Greater Seattle11

November 2012Anna Kristine Asmundson Dopp, 1902~2012Ann Cristine Dopp, or to call her by her Icelandicname, Anna Kristine Asmundson, was, simply, aremarkable woman. She passed away peacefully onMay 4, 2012 at the amazing and remarkable ageof 109 years old. She was a beloved daughter, wife,mother and aunt.She was born in a sod house in Upham, NorthDakota on September 1, 1902. She was the firstof ten children of Bjorn Asmundson and LukkaThoranna Benson.She came from good Icelandic stock. Her father,Bjorn, was born in Dallandspartur, near HusavikEystri, on September 20, 1874. He and his mother,Kristin Saebjarnsdottir, emigrated to the UnitedStates in the early 1890s. Ann’s mother, Lukka,was born in North Dakota on December 16, 1883.Her father, Thordur Benedicton and mother,Maria Sveinsdottir, were both from the area nearSeydisfyordur.Ann’s parents were of modest means. They livedin Upham, a tight-knit Icelandic community,where one could easily believe the entire townwas somehow related to one another. Anngrew up listening to Icelandic and English, andlearning to love Icelandic treats (rulla pylsa,kleinurs, brown bread, vineterta), and learningto say the Lord's Prayer in her parent's nativetongue.Good hard-working people, proud to be Icelandic;equally proud, and grateful, to be Americans aswell. Her father was highly respected, a master ofall trades and many professions, including beingelected Mayor of Upham.Her siblings came, one about every two years,Asmundur Leonard, Thordur Bjorgvin, MariaSigerlaug, Einar Sveinn, Lilja Emily, StanleySigurdur, Guthrun Athalbjorg, Mattias and ViolaMargaret or as they were more commonly known,Leonard, Tut, Mary (Steele), Swain, Lily (Gannon),Stan, Bertie (Polley), Matt and Vi (Goldsmith).Ann attended school near Upham, in McHenryCounty, North Dakota. As stories from some ofher siblings told, Ann was fashion-conscious froma very early age. All the girls wore heavy hand-knitsocks to school but Ann was not too crazy aboutthem, and as the stories go, as soon as Ann wasout of sight of her parents, she rolled the socksway down to her ankle, or even took them offaltogether, sporting a chic bare legged look. Thisfashion-consciousness would continue throughouther long life.(continues on next page…)12IslendingafélagiĐ í Stór-SeattlesvÆĐi

November 2012As a young adult woman, while her mother andfather and young siblings moved from NorthDakota to Washington State (to Blaine, Bellingham,and Seattle) to cope with the hardships of theGreat Depression, she travelled to San Franciscowith her sister, Mary, to sell educational materialsto California school districts. Eventually theyreturned to Seattle to be near their family, and thetwo of them worked in downtown Seattle in retail,selling hats and gloves in a number of the veryfancy department stores of the 1930s.In 1940 she met Vernon Carl Dopp and they fellin love. They were married in a double weddingceremony with her sister Mary, and her beau,Milton Steele, on September 5, 1940.Ann and Vern had a wonderful marriage. Vernadored her. They were blessed with a son, JohnFredrick (Rick) Dopp, who was born on December26, 1948. Their wonderful marriage lasted for 56years, until Vern’s death in 1996.Ann was an incredible homemaker, always up onthe latest recipes, foods, conveniences. She was anextraordinarily modern woman. Even on a modestincome, her house was always exquisitely furnished.She loved beautiful things and it showed in herdecorating, her clothing and jewelry, which wasnever expensive but always extraordinarily tasteful.She and Vern loved to entertain and play bridgelate into the night.Ann had an innate and quite amazing card sense,and she always played extremely well. She onlyceased to play bridge in the last few months of herlife, when holding 13 cards became too difficult,then she transitioned to gin rummy and consistentlybeat her nieces and nephews, playing it expertly.She was an avid bowler, and continued to bowlweekly in her bowling league until she was 99! Yes!99 years old! And then only stopping because shefelt she was bringing her team’s average down. Evenin her last month at the Cristwood nursing facilityshe went to “wheelchair bowling” and got a strikeon the first roll. She complained that she “couldn’thit the broad side of a barn” and when someonesaid, “but you got a strike on the first roll” shereplied “Well. Yes, but only one, though.”Throughout her long life she was engaged incharitable organizations working on behalfof disabled kids. There were endless hours ofcandlemaking and preparations for cocktail parties,and spaghetti dinners as she participated with hersisters and sisters-in-law in fundraising. She servedas Vice President of Marcella Nelson Unit of theChildren’s Clinic from 1969 to 1974. She heldthe post of Vice President for the entire city’s AllAuxiliary from 1970 to 1972 and was on the Boardof Directors from 1970 to 1974.Her church community was a big part of her life,and her church, Faith Lutheran, meant a greatdeal to her. Being part of a church community wasvery important to both Ann and Vern and theyappreciated and loved being part of God’s familythere.As anyone who knew her knows, Ann was an avidand lifelong sports fan. She loved and followed herSeattle teams, Huskies, Sonics, Mariners, Seahawks,and Storm. She knew every player, spoke of themoften, celebrated their successes, commiseratedwith their struggles. Her last Mariners game, at,102 with niece Susie Roberts and grand-nieceKristen Saarloos, was a delight for her.She was preceded in death by her parents, her ninesiblings, and her husband, Vern. To lose parents,all of her siblings, and husband was, as one canonly imagine, extremely difficult, particularly so inbeing the eldest of her brothers and sisters. Still,Ann had an indomitable spirit. She was beloved byall, friends, family, and was a particularly specialaunt to her many nieces and nephews.Rest in peace, Anna Kristine Asmundson Dopp.Gotha nott, elskan, eg elska thig.Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle13

Seattle Club Hosts Icelandic OddfellowsA group of 35 Oddfellows from Iceland, led by formerPresident of the Icelandic National League, AlmarGrimsson, arrived in Seattle on August 27 th to start theirtwo week bus tour visiting the Icelandic settlement sitesthroughout the Pacific Northwest and across Canada.Starting in Seattle, their route includes Blaine, PointRoberts, Victoria, Vancouver, across the CanadianRockies to Banff and Lake Louise, Markerville (home offamed Icelandic poet Stephan G. Stephansson), Calgaryand then finishing up in Toronto.November 2012On Tuesday, August 28 th , long-time Seattle Icelandichistorian, Ted Beck, accompanied by Club SecretaryDavid Johnson showed them around town on a 4hour bus tour that included a drive by where the firstIcelanders lived in the 1880s (the “Dalurinn”), a visitto the Nordic Heritage Museum, a stop at the formerhome of Icelandic poet Jakobina Johnson near themuseum, and a stop at the Ballard locks and fish ladderswhich intrigued them greatly.The stop at Jakobina’s former home was a special moment.As the Icelanders left the bus and started looking at thehome, they encountered a woman working in the yardwho was a bit taken back by all these folks looking ather house. Come to find out, the home is still ownedby descendents of Jakobina and the woman was partof Jakobina’s extended family. When she realized allthese Icelanders knew about Jakobina’s work and hadbothered to stop by to see the old grand house in whichshe lived, the woman became very emotional. Howmany strangers from Iceland would you expect to knowAlmar Grimsson (center) with Amanda Allen (left) andJulie Summers (right).Ted Beck served as tour guide for the Oddfellow’s Group.about a person who has been deceased for 35 years? Itwas all very touching. Evidently, many of Jakobina’spapers and photos still are in the family’s possession andthey intend to take them to Iceland in the near futureto donate them to the National Museum in Reykjavik.This is the kind of person-to-person connections thesekinds of heritage tours are all about.At about 6PM, the tour group was met at the SwedishCultural Center by about 15 Seattle Icelandic folksincluding Seattle Consul General Jón Marvin Jónsson,Margaret Hlastala and others from the Seattle-ReykjavikSister City Association, members of the Board ofDirectors of the Seattle Icelandic Club, the two recent2012 Snorri Program graduates who are from Seattle,and many other great folks. All were treated to anAmerican style dinner of BBQ pork sandwiches, potatosalad and corn-on-the-cob.A film crew was traveling with this tour groupdocumenting all the many activities and humanconnections along the way. We hope to get a copy ofthis film here in Seattle after it’s completed. Almarnoted in his remarks after dinner the importance ofthese kinds of interactions between those who live inIceland and those who live in North America who are ofIcelandic descent. He said that as beautiful as the placesand sites are that we visit here in Seattle and elsewhere,it’s the connection with the people that keeps the strongconnection between our people alive and vibrant. Isn’tthat what we as a Club should be about – strengtheningthe human connections with one another and keepingour connections with Iceland and its people alive?14IslendingafélagiĐ í Stór-SeattlesvÆĐi

November 2012Many thanks to the following people that generouslydonated baked goods for the Icelandic booth at theNordic Heritage Museum’s Viking Days in August.Margaret WrightMaria CrayLinda & Jenny BjarnasonAxel BjornssonHenry BjornssonJens EysteinssonEmily KristjansonTota SellarsViking Days 20122012 ICGS picnic singers2012 ICGS picnic hot dog chef2012 ICGS picnic water baloons 2012 ICGS picnic table2012 ICGS picnic groupIcelandic Club of Greater Seattle15

11 th Annual Icelandic Golf TournamentOur Golf Tournament was held on a beautifulsunny September day in Seattle. Forty golfersturned out and had a great time.The Icelandic Princess Margo Coxon was presentto greet the guys and gals.The winning women’s team members were: PhyllisKristjanson, Tricia Boerger, Brook Burbank andCorky Burr.November 2012The winning men’s team members were: DaveOlsen, Pat Walsh, Mike Ravenscroft and MarkOsterhout.The Scholarship Fund has an increase of $2,700+as a result of the Hole Sponsorship. We are sograteful to those who choose to support our Fundwith $100 or more on each hole. We invite othersPrincess Margo Coxonwas on hand to meet and greet participants.to join in this fun event and profitable for ourScholarship program.Thank you to Greg Kristjanson for organizing thetournament again this year. Good job, Greg.2012 SPONSORS FOR THIS YEAR’S GOLF TOURNAMENT:Ballard Hardware & SupplyJim & Anna FreybergIcelandic Construction (Stan & Greg Kristjanson)Pump IndustriesVine Dahlen Co. PLLC-Certified Public AccountantsLoyal Realty, Co - Jim ColemanIn memory of Marlene & Jeanie - Sibbie & Emily KristjansonPaul & Henry BjornssonKeyport SeaFoods - Darryl, Kurt & Mark PedersenDavid Johnson - INL Chairman for Seattle ConventionMariner Boats, Kaldestad Mgmt. LLCIn memory of Olofa Thorkelsdottir - AnonymousIn memory of Sigga Finnson Anderson - by The Anderson FamilyIn honor of Sibbie & Emily Kristjanson - AnonymousIn memory of Bill & Evie Kristjanson - by Jim, Phyllis, Eloise & MaryIn memory of Ron Kristjanson - by Karin KristjansonIn memory of David Tarbox - by Gordon & Linda KristjansonLoyal Realty Brokers - Emily & Irene KristjansonAutumn Dawn & Crabby Icelanders Boats - Gudjon GudjonssonZ-Stop Zinc Roof Moss Inhibitor - by Rick & Diana Thordarson16IslendingafélagiĐ í Stór-SeattlesvÆĐi

November 20122013 INL Convention Registration FormFIRST AND LAST NAMEPREFERRED NAME ON YOUR NAME TAGCLUB AFFILIATION AND POSITION (if any)STREET ADDRESSCITY; STATE or PROVINCE; ZIP or POSTAL CODETELEPHONE NUMBEREMAIL ADDRESSSPECIAL SETTLEMENT TOUR:Interested in a tour leaving early Thursday morning to Bellingham and Blaine with a stop at the Nordic Heritage Museum?If sufficient interest is expressed, an extra fee tour may be arranged. Are you interested? Yes No (please circle one)SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS (we will try to accommodate your needs as best we can with the hotel):A list of convention attendees may be provided to those who attend. Would you like us to include your name and contactinformation in such a listing? Yes No (please circle one)Conference registration includes the Thursday evening meet & greet social event, the Friday evening INL of NA OpeningCeremonies, several meals including light breakfasts, the Saturday evening Gala Dinner, coffee breaks, our meeting roomspace, and speaker fees. Registration does not include your hotel room. Hotel reservations are made by calling 1-888-233-9527 and requesting the Icelandic Convention rate or via the internet at https://resweb.passkey.com/go/IcelandicClub.REGISTRATION FEE:•1 Early (Postmarked before 1/31/2013)•2 Regular (Postmarked 2/1/2013 thru 3/15/2013•3 Late (Postmarked after 3/15/2013 or at the door)Early: $150Reg.: $170Late: $190Amount Paid: $(USD or CAD)ADDITIONAL SATURDAY GALA DINNER TICKETS:•1 # of tickets requested$65 each Amount Paid: $PRE-PURCHASED RAFFLE TICKETS$5 each or 5•2 # of tickets requested (given to you when you arrive):for $20Amount Paid: $DONATIONS:Registration fees cover only part of a convention’s costs. Corporate andindividual donations truly make these events possible and your donation Amount Given: $will be put to good use. Would you like us to put your name in ourprogram as a donor? Yes No (please circle one)Thank you very much.We look forward to welcoming you to Seattle!!(USD or CAD are OK)Total Amount Enclosed: $Please make checks payable to The Icelandic Club of Greater SeattlePlease mail this form and your payment to David Johnson; 2129 NE 55 th St., Seattle, WA 98105.For information about registration, contact David at Dj4Seattle@comcast.net or call 206-235-9596.For information about the conference or travel to Seattle, please look to our 2013 Convention Page at www.inlofna.org.Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle17

November 2012Annual meeting of The Icelandic Club of Greater SeattleSaturday afternoon, January 12, 2013 at 2 PMat the Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard3014 NW 67 th StreetSeattle, WA 98117Our 2012 Icelandic Club President Sonna Sommerville-Ghilarducci has had a challenging year with serioushealth issues. We are most thankful for her good news ofrecently having successful surgery for a liver transplantafter many months of being on a waiting list for theright match. Regardless of her health challenges, Sonnahas remained positive and determined to return to herduties as our club president in the new year of 2013. Sherequested that we extend her gratitude for all the cardsand best wishes for her recovery. She is most grateful forall your support and prayers.During her first term, Sonna proudly announced amost exciting development to have ever happened inthe history of the Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle. TheICGS will be hosting the Icelandic National League ofNorth America (INL) annual convention next year! TheINL has had 93 conventions and the 94 th conventionin 2013 will be held here in Seattle for the first time,hosted by our club. The excitement of this event hascertainly put wind in our sails and we can thank Sonnafor her perseverance for putting this in motion. Ourclub secretary, David Johnson is to be commendedfor his non-stop dedication and efforts to carry on theorganizing of the event. More info about the conventioncan be found on page 4. Please be sure to fill out theregistration form on page 17 and get it sent in soon ifyou plan to attend this historical gathering of Icelandersvisiting from all over North America and yes, of course,Iceland, as well.We are looking forward to starting out the new yearwith our annual meeting on Saturday, the 12 th ofJanuary at the Nordic Heritage Museum at 2PM. It hasbeen a wonderful club tradition that members bring aplate of goodies to add to the refreshment table that day.We hope you will attend the meeting and help supportthe endeavors of the new board of officers and trustees.The success of the club depends on you payingmembership dues and participating in club activities.Who is in our Icelandic Club? Descendants of earlyimmigrants from Iceland, first generation immigrantsand their families, Icelandic students or otherstemporarily staying in the U.S., or friends of Icelandwith no direct ties. All are welcome. We are a colorful,varied and interesting group of people of all ages, withdifferent backgrounds and living different daily lives.Our goal is to keep all these groups together to maintaina strong club offering interesting programs and socialevents encouraging participation.The 2013 membership drive started in November. Welook forward to you joining us. Please complete themembership application found on the following pagewith your current information so we can have the mostup-to-date information to get exciting news to youthroughout the year.Thank you for your generous donations recently sentfrom …Beverly Forbes, Leslie & Henry Romer, George Hanson,Will Larson, Sigrun Susan Lane, James & Anna Freyberg,Laura Hanson, Audrey Steinberg, James Keller, AleneMoris, Kristine & Wayne Porter, David E. Johnson, ZoeBartosh, Eleanor Biliske, and Steven Hallgrimson.2012 Nominating Committee Chairman MargaretHlastala and her committee members Karen Block andHrefna Milner have coordinated the following slate ofofficers and trustees for the 2013 board of the ICGS:President:Vice President:Secretary:Treasurer:Membership:New Trustees:Sonna Sommerville-GhilarducciHenry BjornsonDavid JohnsonChuck MulbergAmanda AllenJon PalmasonJanice Sigurdson18IslendingafélagiĐ í Stór-SeattlesvÆĐi

November 2012JólaballSaturday, December 15 at 2:00 PMOur Redeemer’s Lutheran Church2400 NW 85th StreetSeattle, WashingtonThe Icelandic Club of Greater Seattle invites you to a JólaballPlease join us in your holiday festive wear for an IcelandicChristmas party. There will be wonderful goodies, dancingaround the Christmas tree, and a surprise visit by jólasveinarto delight the children. There is always joyful holiday fun,so bring one and all. Adults - $10, Children under 12 years are free.20IslendingafélagiĐ í Stór-SeattlesvÆĐi