May 2020 Newsletter

AS IMANTA MOVES FORWARD:

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PAST PRESIDENT
Change is good and necessary, and it’s a bonus when it happens in a positive manner. After twelve years as IMANTA’s president, I would like to thank the executive, all board members and community members for the wonderful experience of working together and creating memories. It has been a privilege, and now I’m delighted to announce that IMANTA has a dynamic and creative new leader.
Many of you already know Nelda Kononova – please welcome her as IMANTA’s  new President. Elections were held at our AGM in March. The Board is happy to be working with Nelda, and our Latvian community is lucky to have her commitment and leadership, along with the commitment of other Board members continuing or assuming their positions:

Edgars Rudzitis: Vice-president
Linda Payne: Secretary
Liesma Mithrush: Treasurer
Anita Clark and Jon Goor: Auditors
Zane Vendelina: Children’s group coordinator
Inta London, Uldis and Ann Delveris, Ena Rudovics: Members at large

We also thank Inga Else for her contributions to the executive over the years and look forward to working with her in other capacities.

I’ve mentioned often that IMANTA is the oldest, still active, Latvian organization in Canada, founded in 1947. This is a remarkable achievement, considering our location and distance from other large centers as well as our relatively small population. It speaks to the talents and volunteer spirit we have in our community, and to the fact that we still enjoy a cultural social connection. I hope your support for IMANTA will continue, because our 75^th anniversary will be here before you know it!

Keep well and stay safe as you enjoy summer activities,
Ena

IN OTHER NEWS:

IMANTA was fortunate to have had a pre-pandemic casino date in January, as group events have been cancelled for the past few months. Our funding for the next two years will be reduced but we will continue special programs for our seniors, students and children as much as possible.

Our annual LIGO celebration, scheduled for Partridge Hill Hall, has been postponed to next year because a decision had to be made at a time when serious health regulations and tight social restrictions were still in place. With all the changes in our lives since March, any future planned activities also will follow official health guidelines.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Ilda Lubane and Mara Skribis, who passed away recently. Both ladies were strong and active members of IMANTA in decades past.

Ilda was an artist and art instructor who lived a full and interesting 102 years, trailblazing at a time when women artists were not the norm. Her life and work were the subject of a Master’s of Art thesis and can be accessed online at:  Ilda Lubane Thesis

Mara arrived in Edmonton as a young adult during IMANTA’s early years. She finished her schooling and was active in many sports, crafts, and all things Latvian. Her husband, Zigurds, was IMANTA’s president in the 1990s when Latvia regained its independence. Together with him, she helped organize many shipping containers of medical supplies, sports equipment and other necessities which were sent to Latvia at a time of transition and need. Those who participated in that project were proud that they were able to secure and send more donations than any other LV centre in Canada.

Lai viņām vieglas smiltis.

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Our website also has new additions about the history of some Latvians in our area. These are in the Gallery, found under Programs.