The Mail-Journal, Volume 19, Number 51, Milford, Kosciusko County, 5 January 1983 — Page 10

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed.. January 5,1983

North Webster News LEEWILLMAN

Country of Iceland 'misnamed'

The country of Iceland was according to Mrs? Bob Kimmel of Knapp Lake. Mrs. Kimmel known as “Mikey” to her friends was born and raised in what is often called a “Land of ice and fire.” According to her. "Iceland is very green. It has four seasons but is not as humid as the States. There is swimming in the summer and hard winds blow in the winter. People fish all year, around.” Mikey met her husband. Bob, when he was stationed with the US Marine Corps at a military base near her home in Reykjavik. She has been in the States since 1956 and is studying for citizenship The Kimmels have three children; Robbie, who is 16, Sonja is 15 and Matthew who is five. All three youngsters are students at Beacon Baptist Academy in Kendallville. Mikey can trace her ancestors back to the seventh century. Her family was among the first wave of Lesser Norwegian Kings to settle in Iceland. In one generation, from about 874 to 930, Iceland was settled by people from Norway. Western Sweden, Scotland, Ireland and the Scottish Islands. Prompted by e reports brought by sea raiders of a wonderful land they came by sea bringing everything including; their families, cattle and fire. Settlement of the country was prompted, as was the settlement of the United States, by centralization of governments in Europe. As a result Iceland established the first democratic society in European history Mikey s sister and father still live in Iceland Another sister lives in Michigan; Mikey’s father tills to come to the States for about a month’s visit every year.

It happened in — King Arthur's Town

DR. AND Mrs. Ernest Lawshe, formerly of Epworth Forest, observed their golden wedding anniversary on December 28. The Lawshes now reside at Wesley Manor, Frankfort. HARRELL PARR has been re’eased from KCH and is now recuperating at home. -o- “ ■ CAN’T FIND last year's list of New Year's resolutions so don’t know if they were,kept. Decided not to bother with resolutions this year. Will just take things as they

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"The day my father discovered yard sales in this country he got quite excited” said Mikey "He couldn’t understand why those people had their clothing and belongings out iir the front yard and were trying to sell them. ” "I never heard swearing until I came to the States” said Mikey. "In Iceland when some one gets angry they curse the Devil.” About the year 1000 Christianity was accepted as law in Iceland. Anyone who wished to continue heathen practices could do so provided it was done in private. Mikey noted that Iceland has a Socialistic form of Government and churches are controlled by the state. She said ‘ It wasn’t until I was in the States and we thought my husband was facing a serious illness that religion became more than something to do on Sunday. About 10 years ago my husband and I accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior. We are now born again Christians and raising our children to know the Lord.” Icelanders celebrate Christmas over a period of three days. On December 23 food is prepared, the Christmas tree decorated and gifts exchanged in the evening. On December 24 the day is spent visiting friends and family members and evening churchx services are attended. On December 25 everyone rests and spend time enjoying the family . Easter is strictly a religious jobservance. There are no decorated or candy eggs, Easter Bunny, etc. There is : no observance of Halloween but in the spring children celebrate, "Ash Day.” Mikey wasn't sure how "Ash Day” originated. She just knows that "It’s a day when children make bags and try to hang them on the back of some

come and hope to surprise myself. MR. AND Mrs. Mark Minear are the parents of a son. Craig Ryan arrived on December 23 at KCH. IN THE hospital — Elizabeth Walker, KCH. THE CAT made it -thfough Christmas in fair shape. She did decide to take a nap in the cardboard box where we were tossing discarded wrapping paper. She was nearly put out with the trash. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to: Lester Stabler, Gertrude Kiser and Vernon Zurcher, Jan. 2; Jim Likens, Jim Clayton and Tony Miller, Jan. 3; Brent Rose, Jan.

unsuspecting adult. ” Iceland was created from hardened lava built up from the ocean floor by volcanic activity. Thermal water from the many still active volcanos is used to heat all homes and buildings in the country. There is a flourishing tourist business made up of people coming to the big hotels to soak in thermal pools. Os course the thermal water provides indoor swimming year around and many families have their own sauna During the middle ages people in Europe believed that the entrance to Hell was through a volcanic crater in Iceland. Fish and fish projects make up about 90 per cent of all export trade from Iceland There is a bottled gas industry and local farmers raise cattle, sheep, chickens, potatoes, carrots and peas. There is a lot of cheese and other dairy products available and a fairly good woolen industry is provided by the sheep. "Everyone knits", laughed Mikey. "Warm knitted clothing is needed during the winter. I used , to cry when it was time for school and I had to put on the thick woolen socks. They were warm but they were also scratchy.” Fruits and vegetables, inxcluding tomatoes and bananas are grown year around in hot houses. Citrus fruits are imported from all over the world. Corn and green beans are not grown in Iceland Families are very close and tea with crepes is served every day promptly at 3 p.m. There is little TV. children are taught to respect their parents and everyone works Children are expected to take summer jobs and there is plenty of work, especially in the fishing industry’.

4; Meghan Boggs and Kent Butcher. Jan 5; Marlene Black. Jan. 6; Harold Leach. Jan. 7: Harriet White. Lisa White, Mary Ellen Haney, Emily Katsanis, Todd Reiff and Sue Meek. Jan. 9. Tonya Kuhn, Barb Bowser, Jan. 10: Terry McCray. Joe Reynolds. Sr. and Pam Walgamuth, Jan. 12: Dave Spencer. Jani 13; Jason Mickley, Tag Huffman and Zermah Wright, Jan. 14; Huong Tran, Yen Tran, Roberta Ferverda, Monetta Gray, Deb Carey. Dave Matz. Stacy Towriss. Darlene Scott and Carol Baugher. Jan 15; CathyBaugher, Jan 16: Bill McNeal, Jan. 17; Don Kjnney and Robin Rose, Jan. 18; Jessica Likens. Jan. 19; Billy Heckaman. Chris Lung, Jan. 20; Nancy Corbin. Ruth Hamman and Lois Blaugh. Jan. 21; Chuck Dye, Jan 22; Jimmy Adams, Jan. 23; Dave Waldrop, Mark Wagoner and Michelle White. Jan. 26; Chris Baugher. Jan. 27: Cinda Culver. Sue White. Betty Lou Shock, and Evelyn Kimmel. Jan. 28; Luke Matz. Sally Johnson and JerrySlaven, Jan. 30; Ronda Black. Jan. 31. —opsenior CITIZENS will meet January 12 at North Webster Church of God. A FREE safety seminar is being sponsored by the Lakeland Snowmobile Club on January 14 at 7 p.m. in the North Webster School cafeteria. It will be of interest to adults, teens and children. The seminar will be taught by a qualified instructor. The seminar will deal with all phases of snowmobile safety and maintenance. The public is welcomed. Refreshments will be served. TILL NEXT week....

Most of the clothing is homemade. Automobiles are not a necessity because of the ex cellent public transportation system. Families often go walking or bike riding together They also go together to attend the theater, concerts and plays Icelandic women retain their father’s name after marriage and do not take the name of their husband. Sons are named after their fathers. Older houses are built from native stone but more recently built structures are made of cement blocks. Many homes have sod roofs that are built up in a sloping manner from the ground over the top of the house and down the other side. Sod roofs have to be mowed during the summer months and some are planted with colorful flower gardens. ’ Icelandic is the oldest spoken language in the world. It contains no slang. Sagas written 800 years ago can be easily read today without explanatory notes. Education is of the utmost importance to the patriotic, independent people of Iceland. The country has one of the most

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advanced educational systems m the world There is compirisory education for all youngsters seven to 15 years of age. This is supplemented by higi schools, universities, technical art and Seamen's school. AH schooling is free. Sometimes a school facility with complete teaching staff, swimming pool and gymnasium will be built to accommodate 10 or 12 students. Iceland claims the largest book publishing business and most book reading per person of any country in the world. There are 500 to 600 books published each year with first editions selling 6.000 to 7.000 copies. , During the 18th century Iceland was nearly destroyed by volcanic eruptions, polar ice. poor summer weather, plagues and smallpox. A huge volcanic eruption that lasted for seven months poured out poison gas that killed 70 per cent of all the livestock and 20 per cent of the people. At the same time the Danish King was ruling with an iron fist and heavy taxes. There was much political and religious unrest. Poets and writers began to produce material with a strong

historic and patriotic theme. The population rallied and Iceland gained independence. The "Land of ice and fire" is beautiful daring the summer months. Tourist come from around the world to see the lovely water falls, clay springs that bubble in shades of red. pink and jade green, mirages caused by rising air near the glaciers or to soak in thermal pools. The great geyser in Southern Iceland shoots boiling water and steam 180 feet in the air as regularly as Old Faithful. The sun's rays reflect so powerfully off the snow covered volcanic domes that on one summer's day it’s possible to acquire a deeper tan than can be acquired during a whole summer in the States. Many tourist like to fish for trout and salmon in the lakes and streams or watch the great variety of sea birds that roost in the volcanic rock formations along the ocean. The last living speciman of the Great Auk was found in Iceland Mikey laughed. "Iceland certainly isn’t a quiet, isolated place like many people think. There is year around boat service •

to and from Copenhagen. B is a busy refueling station for planes and ships and there are daily flights to places all over the world, especially the Scandinavian Capitols. ” Iceland is growing. Volcanic eruptions keep creating new islands and several of them are now inhabitated. ) Asked if she ever gets homesick Mikey replied. “Oh yes. but I consider the States my home now I would like to visit Iceland more often and especially show my children where I was raised and have them learn about some of their heritage. But. I am an American now and hope to have my citizenship before long. ‘' -NWFire at Vylaclos Syracuse fire men were called to Brown Vylactos. SR 13 Syracuse, at 7:04 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 30. when feed in a cyclone caught fire. No damage amount was available.

Webster board finalizes year's business North Webster Town Board members met Wednesday evening. Dec. 29. to finalize the town’s business for 1982 During the special meeting claims were signed and letters from local newspapers and radjo station were read The board voted to keep the 1983 town board meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the town hall, unless otherwise notified Sonja Creighton. Kosciusko County Civil Devense director asked that the town of North Webster consider appointing a civil defense director for that town and to notify her of the appointment. In other business the board met with the Tippecanoe Township Trustee and advisory board concerning the dispatching Following the meeting the board met in an emergency executive session.