1985              The ICELANDIC-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION of HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA, Inc.         2008

C/O  Vice Consulate of ICELAND - 185 Commodore Drive - Norfolk VA 23503-4802

 INTERNET WEBSITE:   HTTP:// WWW.ICELANDICASSOCIATIONVIRGINIA.ORG

TEL/FAX (757) 587-1068                                   NEWSLETTER       ICEAMERNORF@AOL.COM MEMBERSHIP YEAR 07-08                          VOLUME 23, ISSUE # 1 – Winter & Spring 2008                                              March 21, 2008

 President Sella´s Report (Fréttablað)

Góðir Íslendingar, Members and Friends,                                                                       

        2008 ÞORRABLÓT BANQUET  ´Beginning at the beginning,‘ I really can´t say that our Association´s February 2008 22^nd Annual Þorrablót Banquet was the best ever.  But, if that´s what the 250 or so folks that attended wish to say ... who am I to contradict them?  They were/are virtually unanimous in their opinion   From my point of view, it went so much more ‘smoothly‘ than any of the other 21 Þorrablóts that I recall – acquisition of VA ABC license(s) & authentic Þorramatur; preparation & cooking of all menu items; the move to the V.F.W  Hall on Friday evening (with our Viking ship); Hall decoration & table set-up; buffet set-up on Saturday morning; and a host of other important details: band booking; hotel negotiations; diplomatic protocols; invitations; program arrangements & acknowledgements, etc.  In all of these, and rather than risk overlooking someone, I am extremely grateful for the help I received  from so many of the Members.  We introduced Ólafur Sigurðsson, the D.C.M. [Deputy Chief of Mission -  #2] of the Icelandic Embassy and his wife, Svala, and the ‘Royal Iceland Princess‘ of the 55^th International Azalea Festival, Ms. Isabel Sif Leitsch.  As it happened, we were able to present six former ‘Iceland Princesses‘: Rakel Ævarsdóttir; Magnea Björnsson; Elva Hreinsdóttir; Kristin Jónsdóttir; Sandra Leitsch; and Helga Þórsdóttir.

    READ MORE ABOUT OUR 2009  ANNUAL ÞORRABLÓT ON NEWSLETTER P.4

       55^th ANNUAL AZALEA FESTIVAL APRIL 14 to 19: For the 21^st year, our Association represented the Republic of Iceland by participating in NORFOLK´S  INTERNATIONAL AZALEA FESTIVAL honoring NATO in the U.S.A.   The  Kingdom  of Netherlands is 2008’s ‘Most Honoured Nation’ and their ‘Royal Queen Azalea’ is 27-year old Netherlands Army Captain Mariola Kasemeir, - an active-duty officer and Bosnia and Afghanistan NATO service veteran, and a first for this event!  On the morning of Friday, April 18^th, at Norfolk´s Botanical Garden Coronation Ceremony (before the Luncheon & Fashion Show at the SHERATON WATERSIDE), I had the honor of crowning your Association´s ‘Royal Iceland Azalea Princess’ Miss Isabel Sif Leitsch,  daughter of Mrs. Ella Magnúsdóttir-Wanros – Ella’s 3^rd (last?} Azalea Princess daughter.  Later, before dark on Friday, we decorated the ‘Iceland’ Float ’TÝR’ in my driveway.  On Saturday, April 19^th, as we have for the past 20 years, we paraded TÝR at the Festival Grande Parade of Nations in downtown Norfolk – last year, TÝR was awarded the ‘Governor’s Cup’ Trophy (for Best Representation of Theme)– and, this year, it was awarded the ‘Mayor´s Cup’ Trophy (for Best Overall Design) – this trophy will join the 20-plus trophies awarded to TÝR for this and other parades.  Óli Miolla, Steve Olzinski, and John Wanros repeated their roles as duty Vikings. – and, as almost always, ‘TÝR’ was towed by Harry Biela.  The Award Banner was carried along the mile & ½ parade route by (small, but determined) Girl Scout Brownies;  the Iceland Banner was carried by Sonja Carlson and Sandra Leitsch; and the Iceland Flag was carried by Elva Hreinsdóttir Bane.  I want to  thank all the Members that helped us with their labor and who made cash donations for float maintenance, etc   That money is in its own account. Now, at 21 years, ‘TYR’ is the oldest continuous performer in the Azalea Festival Grande Parade – and is still hanging in there, thanks to Capt. Bob Jones (a Member) who arranged inside storage at Lamberts Point Docks.  Nevertheless, there is some dry-rot from earlier exposures to weather, and a rebuild is not very far off.  Problem is that all the rebuilders have grown old !!

April 19^th was also a wonderfully warm day in downtown Norfolk and the NATOFest was very well attended by folks from when the Grande Parade ended until mid-afternoon, the ‘Iceland Booth’ was very popular.  Along with informative brochures, we dispensed Noi Sirius mini chocolate Gold Shells and 500ml bottles of imported Icelandic natural minrral water donated by Icelandic Glacial (Kristján Kristjánsson)  The (free) water was extremely popular with the older folks – they drank us dry!  Many people remarked that they had seen the water for sale at Target and other stores (7/11?).  We had great Member help with setting up and manning the booth … Thanks to all who helped!  The evening of April 19^th ended a very long day with the Queen´s Dinner and Ball.  19 of us (2 tables) were booked and 17 attended.  Gylfi Sigfússon (EIMSKIP USA) donated 2 tickets ($250.00) – we thank EIMSKIP for that!

2008-2009 DUES ARE DUE  About this time every year I need to remind the Membership about the matter of MEMBERSHIP and the need for annual Membership dues – and the timely payment thereof, which is the cornerstone of our Association’s success.  The current Membership Year (2007-2008) will end June 13^th and next year (2008-2009) will begin  June 14^th – the date of our 24^th Annual ‘17^th of June‘ Picnic.  Your Association Board of Directors/Executive Board again voted that dues will remain as they have since 1985: $10.00 for a Family Membership; $8.00 for an Individual Memberhip. These fees may well be the lowest of any/all Icelancic organizaions in North America.  Take time now to complete the accompanying ‘Membership Application/Renewal Form‘ and mail it.. On the back of the Form, please list all family children, as well as the Members and guests that will be coming to the Picnic – full names and children´s ages are required!  And, PLEASE, don´t fret about completing and returning this Form – we know from experience that: names change from marriage, divorce and death; street addresses, city, state and ZIPs change; occupations change from new jobs, retirements and promotions, citizenships change; children happen and grow up; telephone numbers and Internet addresses (and ISPs) change – and we will never know about it unless you tell us.  The Secretary, Bob Seifert, maintains the Association´s ‘central’ files.  John Wanros, who is an Association Drector and Executive Board Membership/Publicity Chair will follow through on this.  PLEASE cooperate, complete and submit the Form and remittance.  This new style Form was created by Tony Ciotta and will, in future, be posted and submitted thru the Association web site – that will make things a lot easier for everyone.  Also, the Association Membership Directory will be posted on our web site.  Unless otherwise requested, Directory information will be limited to: familiar & family names; residence TEL &  street and/or P.O.Box address and city, state & Zip.  Please advise if you want office/business, FAX, ond cellular information included.  This is an attempt to facilitate communications between/among members and their friends as well as to save some print/post expenses.  Paper copies will, of course, be available to those who request them.

PICNIC: Our Association’s 24^TH ANNUAL ‘17^TH of June’ PICNIC‘ celebrating Iceland’s Independence Day (June 17^TH) will again be a Beach Party hosted by Steve Olzinski at his Ocean View home at 748-B W. Ocean View Ave. on Norfolk’s  Willoughby Spit  on SATURDAY, JUNE 14^TH (Rain Date: June 15^TH), from 2 ‘til ? PM.  This is a FREE event for 08-09 dues-paid Memberships and $7.50 p.p. for their adult guests / $5.00 p.p. each for guests´ children 12-years old or less.  THIS IS A PRIVATE EVENT FOR 08-09 DUES-PAID MEMBERS & THEIR GUESTS ONLY – NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (AT ANY PRICE)!  About 130 people attended this event last year.  We will have all-you-can-eat authentic ‘heitar pylsur’ (Icelandic lamb hot dogs) – ‘eina með öllu’ (one with the works!): genuine Icelandic pylsusinnep, remoulaðisosa og steiktur laukur); and the usual sides of potato & tortilla chips, dips & salsa, popcorn & pretzels, and Steve’s famous ‘Killer Baked Beans’  Draft beer, soda and Icelandic water are included.  No surprise ‘covered dishes’ please – talk to me (Sella) about what you might like to bring!  PLEASE do not bring strong spirits or any beverages.  Bring the usual ‘beach ‘stuff’ - bathing suits and a good sunscreen.  Call me anytime at my home now (or on June 14^th at 757/439-0355 between 11.00 AM and 1:00 PM) if you need any advice or more info.  There will likely be no parking in Steve’s parking lot!  On-street parking permits will be obtained if such is permitted (sewer and water main work in progress) and we will ‘rent’ the Willoughby Chapel parking lot across the street from Steve’s.  I (and our insurance company) need to know beforehand how many, who, and what guests are coming.  Please submit all Forms, dues, names and guest fees well before the Picnic.  And, remember, ‘A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID.’  Other than for ‘Sella’s Shop’ purchases, no money or forms will be accepted at the Picnic – no exceptions!  Even with the great help I expect, We can’t handle the Picnic, ‘Sella´s Shop’ and Memberships all at once.  Bring some real money for ‘Sella´s Shop – and,, checks will be accepted.

OKTÓBERFEST:  Our Association’s 24^TH ANNUAL OKTÓBERFEST and SILENT AUCTION will be (after Labor Day) on Saturday, September 6^TH from 5:00 ´til 9:00 PM. THIS IS AN INVITATION EVENT ^FOR MEMBERS & THEIR GUESTS.  The event will again be in the garden of my home – ‘The Captain’s Cabin’ at 185 Commodore Drive in Norfolk’s Commodore Park enclave, just west of the 8800 block of  N..Granby St.  Pray for good weather and no mosquitos!  My Grand Bavarian Buffet will feature a classic ‘wurst mit bröchen’ (a tasty sausage and a bun); flavorful (non-gassy) sauerkraut;; my inimitable (once a year) German (warm and spicy) potato salad; my Þorrablót signature cucumber, tomato and onion salad with an imported dressing (both specialties of mine); a variety of snacks and typically German veggies (including scallions & radishes) along with draft beer, white wine, sodas and water (and Rollaids on request) – no strong  spirits, please!.  All you can eat and drink for a low Member/Member´s Adult Guest price of $10.00 per person.  And, a discount  of $2.50 p.p. Members (only) for ‘quality junque’ contributions to the Silent Auction.  Contributions must, therefore, be attractive enough to warrant a $2.50 starting bid and will be tagged as such!  ‘Leftovers’ will go to ‘a’ Thrift Shop straightaway.   I would appreciate receiving them before the event if possible.  Remember, ‘A RESERVATION MADE IS A RESERVATION PAID,’  PLEASE, let us not forget that this event is offered as an Association fund raiser – not a thrift shop.  We usually break even on the food and beverages,

but, because food acquisition & preparation is involved, l must know who is coming by NLT Wednesday, September. 3^rd.  FYI – ‘NLT’ stands for ‘not later than.’

ADVANCE NOTICE 23^rd ANNUAL ÞORRABLÓT BANQUET

2009 ÞORRABLÓT BANQUET:  SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7^TH! The 2008 Þorrablót was sold out (actually, oversold) before mid-August, the same for 2007 and 2006 - which makes it very difficult for me to invent seats for later reservation requests.  Regrettably, in 2005, some sixteen (16) Members and guests could not be accommodated.  I will NOW welcome reservations for 2008 on a first-come, first-served  basis.  A self-explanatory ‘ADVANCE NOTICE’ Form accompanies this Newsletter - use it to request reservations!  Be sure that you understand the ‘Rules of the House’ (See our web site.)  Reservation requests must be complete and accompanied with the correct fee(s) or they will be ignored.   I seriously intend to limit attendance to not (too many) more than 220..  FYI, thirty (30) seats have already been reserved (with remittance).  Reservations will be non-refundable after January 25^th – and non-transferable at any time without my permission.  I will do what I can to negotiate reasonable hotel/motel accommodations with the Holiday Sands Best Western  – so be sure to tell me (soon – and on your request).  I will get the best rate that I can - numbers help me bargain!  However, accommodation arrangements and reservations are your responsibility.  The Best Western will only block in as many rooms as we tell them are needed.  Considering the enormous  demand for seats at our annual Þorrablót, and the frustration of being  on  a “waiting list,” your Board of Directors/Executive Board again decided  to publish the date, and fee schedule for next year´s Þorrablót.

       HAMPTON ROADS: What´s in a name?  This is often an ‘FAQ‘ (Frequently Asked Question) by members and friends alike.  As a geographic locale, ‘Hampton Roads‘ (or, ‘road-stead‘) is, according to early colonial nautical usage, and Webster, a ‘partley sheltered area of water near a shore (Hampton, VA in this instance) in which vessels may ride at anchor.‘  Actually, it´s a ‘spot‘ in the water located at the confluence of the James and Elizabeth Rivers – but, more significantly, it was the site of the epic 1862 Civil War ‘battle of the ironclads‘ – between the Union USS Monitor and the Confederate CSS Virginia (formerly the USS Merrimac). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, ‘Hampton Roads‘ is comprised of some 16 localities: VA Cities: Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg; VA Counties: Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Matthews, Surry, and York, :and North Carolina County: Currituck.  Other regional surveys incorporate the VA Eastern Shore counties: Accomac and Northampton.

The term ‘Tidewater‘ is sometimes evoked in attempts to clarify the matter, but come up short when one considers, for instance, that the James River is ‘tidal‘ to Richmond and the Potomac River is ‘tidal‘ to Washington, DC. An interesting matter!  One, I think will not be resolved in my lifetime.

       REMEMEMBRANCE: This being our Association‘s traditional memorial time of year when we try to recall all the Members of our Association who are no longer with us . I would like to invite your attention to the Association web site where so many of our deceased Members are listed.  And, it is with profound regret that I must add yet another of our Members – Captain Herbert Melendy, U.S. Navy (retired), who died on April 10^th..  Herb and his wife, Marilyn, have been strong supporters of our Association for many years,  He served with Bob at Keflavik in the early seventies. .  May God be with him!  And, our profound sympathy to his family ...