The Edmonton Latvian Society Imanta ends another year of activities and events with heartfelt thanks to the members and volunteers who continue to support and encourage us. Our organization has been successfully active for 65 years and we look forward to maintaining this tradition of community involvement. Merry Christmas and best wishes to all for 2013!

Dedziet gaišu uguntiņu
Ziemassvētku vakarā,
Lai dieniņas baltas nāca
Visa gada garumā!

Priecīgus Ziemassvētkus un laimīgu jauno gadu visiem!

Our November event at the Lithuanian Hall was another very enjoyable evening, highlighted by an outstanding performance from the University of Alberta Madrigal Singers, who had just returned from singing with Latvia’s Radio Choir at a festival in Toronto. We also celebrated Imanta’s 65^th anniversary. A good time was had by all!

Eglītes Pēcpusdiena: There will be a children’s Christmas program on Sunday, December 23^rd. All families with children have been contacted but if someone was inadvertently missed, please let us know.

Ice on Whyte: The 10^th annual Ice on Whyte Festival will take place in Old Strathcona from January 25-February 3, 2013. A new feature this year will be the cultural pavilion. Sandis Kondrats, the Latvian artist who participated last year, is returning to the festival. In conjunction with his visit, Imanta will be hosting a Latvian day at the pavilion on Thursday, January 31, from 2-8 pm. Volunteers are always needed! Anyone interested in helping out with preparations or at the festival on January 31, contact us at imantaedmonton@gmail.com.                                                                                                   

Casino: the dates for our next casino are February 4/5, 2013, at the Palace Casino in WEM.Once again, volunteers are needed! If you forget to volunteer, don’t be surprised if someone contacts you. If you are available to work shifts on either February 4th or 5th, please contact us at imantaedmonton@gmail.com.                                                       

NAIT Scholarship: The next deadline for application for our scholarship at NAIT is January 31, 2013. Please go to www.nait.ca and search The Edmonton Latvian Society for more information.   

Five years ago, I had no insight as to my Latvian heritage (I am half- Latvian). I had very little to work with, and indeed in 2012 I still do not know about any relatives in Latvia.  What I do know, and what I cherish, is that I now have many wonderful Latvian friends who may indeed prove to be my “Latvian family!”  My family research initially led me to the Edmonton, Alberta, area, where my father was born.  From conversations with Latvians in that area, I now have many wonderful friends there, many of whom I see each summer at Ligo – the Summer Solstice Festival.

As luck would have it, I learned from my Edmonton friends that a group of ten women, some of whom had participated in the World Masters’ Games in Edmonton in 2005, were travelling from Riga to Utah, where they would participate in the Huntsman World Senior Games (www.seniorgames.net).  They play Competitive 3 on 3 Women’s Basketball.  They had also planned three days sightseeing in San Francisco before the Games.  Although I now live in Portland, Oregon, I decided to fly to San Francisco to act as a “tour guide” for these ladies because I had grown up in the SF Bay Area. Thus began one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I spent Wednesday, October 3, through Saturday, October 6, with the “tall girls,” as they were self- described. We laughed, we talked, we saw sights all over San Francisco, and – to prove they really were ladies – they SHOPPED!  I observed a keen interest from all of them about US culture and society, and I saw in them a great deal of pride in both Latvia and what they personally were achieving.  It was, to say the least, very, very refreshing to me.  I wanted our visit to go on and on – and now that they are back in Latvia, I miss them a great deal.  Hugs, kisses, gifts along with honest, heartfelt emotions were flowing freely in both directions during their stay, as well as invitations from both myself and them to visit as guests in our respective countries. Those three days added a whole new facet of richness to my life.

After departing San Francisco, the team went on to Saint George, Utah, where the games are held.  Many of these ladies had been at the games in 2008, where they won both gold and silver medals for their teams.  Competing this year against some 10 teams from all around the United States and Canada, it would be hard to imagine them repeating their earlier victories.  Indeed, they did not do a repeat of 2008.  This year they won one gold and two silver medals in their respective age groups!  Gracious and lovely as they are, they destroyed their competition in eight competitive games on two separate days. If you visit the Senior Games website, there is a gallery of photos including the 3 on 3 Women’s Basketball. There are pictures of several of the ladies scattered throughout the gallery – and you can clearly see the grace, determination and agility of these “tall girls.”  They wear gold around their necks, but more importantly, they have “Hearts of Gold!”

 Phil Lapin, October 17, 2012

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Martin is offering some furniture and household items to newcomers who might need help in getting settled. Please contact him at martin@cris-se.com 

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IMANTA’s transportation program for seniors through Yellow Cab is ongoing and well-used. It is made possible thanks to our casino funds. Seniors may use these vouchers for transportation to doctors’ appointments, church services, shopping or social events in the city area.

The old vouchers will not be valid after November 1, 2012, because Yellow Cab is changing their system. New vouchers will be sent to our regular users but if anyone else would like to start using this program, please call Ena at 780-468-2728.

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Thanks to an initiative by Rasma in Calgary, a small bakery in that city has started baking Latvian bread, better known as saldskābmaize. The baker is from Slovakia. He is enthusiastic and the results are authentic. For now, they are baking this bread on Fridays only.

For information or to order, please contact:

Watermill Bakery  #114, 5403 Crowchild Trail NW, Calgary, Alberta

Phone (403) 450-4995   or  watermillbakery@yahoo.ca

 The baker has also shown interest in other Latvian recipes such as pīrāgi, Aleksandra kūkas andklinģeris.Does anyone have contacts with a bakery in Edmonton for something similar? Let us know!

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Information about Imanta’s self-administered scholarships was posted online on October 9th.

The deadline for application is November 9, 2012.

Stay in touch with IMANTA at http://www.imanta.ca or on  Facebook.

Any comments, complaints or suggestions are always welcome.

 NOVEMBER CELEBRATION 

 Our November celebration will be held on November 17th. This is one of our main events and a good opportunity to meet and visit. Last year’s celebration at the Lithuanian Hall was enjoyed by all and we will return there this year. There is an elevator at the hall.  Please reply on time if you are attending because we need to let the caterer know how many guests to expect for dinner! You can also reply by email to imantaedmonton@gmail.com

Jūs laipni ielūdz uz

Latvijas valsts neatkarības pasludināšanas

18. novembra

94 gadu atceres svinībām

 Sestdien, 2012. gada 17. novembrī

Edmontonas Lietuviešu namā

11629—83 ielā, Edmontonā

 Viesu sagaidīšana                   plkst. 16:00

Programmas atklāšana             plkst. 16:45

Vakariņas                                plkst. 17:00

 Uzstāsies

Madrigal Singers Koris

Sekos saviesīgais vakars

Ar dziedāšanu

 Ieejas maksa

   Biedriem        $20.00    

Pārejiem           $25.00

Bērniem  6-11 g.v.    $10.00

 Lūdzu pieteikties līdz 10. novembrim pie

Helenas Richards  (780) 483-5692

Enas Rudovicas  (780) 468-2728

rudovics@telus.net

 Transports senioriem piedāvāts ar Yellow Cab

IMANTA cordially invites you to the commemoration of the 94th anniversary of Latvian independence

on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at:

Edmonton Lithuanian Hall

11629—83 Street, Edmonton

 Reception                               4:00 pm

Opening                                   4:45 pm

Dinner                                     5:00pm

 Program featuring

Madrigal Singers

Followed by

Social evening

 Tickets

Members                                $20.00

Non-members                        $25.00

Children 6-11                         $10.00                       

 RSVP by November 10, 2012

Helen Richards                       (780) 483-5692

Ena Rudovics                           (780) 468-2728

                                                 rudovics@telus.net

 

Transportation for seniors available through Yellow Cab.

 

IMANTA

        Edmontonas Latviešu Biedrība      Edmonton Latvian Society

                     Annual memberships will be available at the door on Saturday, November 17th, 2012.

                     Please fill out this form and bring it with you, or mail to

                    Edmonton Latvian Society Imanta

                    10314 – 173A Avenue  Edmonton  T5X 3X2

 

 

Biedru maksa                          2012-2013                annual membership

 

 

Vārds/Name ______________________________________________

 

Adrese/Address ___________________________________________

 

                              ____________________________________________

 

Telefons/Telephone ________________________________________

 

E-pasts/E-mail ____________________________________________

 

 

$20.00 /person                       $15/senior                        $40.00/family

    (children to age 18)

                                                                                                   

 

Paid: cash ___________ cheque # __________

 

 

Čeki rakstāmi :                                                  Please make cheques payable to :

 

The Edmonton Latvian Society IMANTA

 

Paldies par Jūsu atbalstu                                   Thank you for your support 

 

 

Kalnā kāpu lūkoties
Vai dzeltēja bērzu lapas;
Ja dzeltēja bērzu lapas,
Tad rudens sētiņā.

As we enjoy this in-between season, it’s also time to look back on community events since our last newsletter.

The Līgo celebration was another successful event with over 75 participants including guests from Oregon, Calgary and Three Hills, plus new arrivals from New Brunswick. It was a true family event. Many thanks to everyone who helped make it a great afternoon and evening, with a special thank you to Phil for designing, building and transporting the roasting spit all the way from Oregon.

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Our next casino is scheduled for February 4 & 5, 2013. Our volunteer efforts on these two days
make it possible for us to offer programs, scholarships and sponsorships. Volunteers are needed!  Contact imantaedmonton@gmail.com.

The Edmonton Latvian Society IMANTA is pleased to announce our self-administered scholarship program for 2012/2013, funded by our ongoing casino program and governed by the regulations of the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.
Available Funding to December 2013: $25,000

DOWNLOAD the Scholarship Application form HERE.

The IMANTA ‘Lāčplēsis’ Scholarship
Full Time Post-Secondary Scholarship up to $2,500

The IMANTA ‘Staburags’ Scholarship
Part-Time Post-Secondary Scholarship up to $1,000

The IMANTA ‘Draugi’ Scholarship
Part-Time Continuing Education Scholarship up to $500

Scholarship Eligibility
-Alberta residents who are Canadian citizens, landed immigrants, or foreign students on visa
-Full or part-time registered students as defined by the accredited post-secondary educational institution

Eligible Institutions
All accredited post-secondary educational institutions in Canada such as universities, colleges, polytechnics and trades training institutions that the Adjudication Committee is satisfied are duly accredited or licensed.

Scholarship Award Criteria
An independent adjudication committee will evaluate all applications. Awards will be made on the basis of a completed Scholarship Application, academic achievement (overall average), community involvement in the past year and a completed 1000 word essay relating to the identified subject.

Application Process
Applicants must submit the following:
-Completed Scholarship Application Form
-1,000 word essay on the following topic:
The Edmonton Latvian Society IMANTA is celebrating its 65^th anniversary this year. How do you think it has contributed to the Latvian community in Alberta and how would you define its role and importance now and for the future?
-Course marks and overall average for most recent school year completed
-Documentation relating to any community involvement (correspondence or a description of activities in the past year).  Please identify if there has been no community involvement.

Applications to be received by the adjudication committee no later than November 9/2012.  Funding will be announced by December 15^th, 2012.

Payment will be made directly to the individual upon submission of proof of attendance (i.e. official tuition receipt) at the recognized educational institution.

Please submit applications by mail to:
The Edmonton Latvian Society “Imanta”
Attn: Adjudication Committee
1209 Wershof Road
Edmonton, Alberta T6M 2M2

For those curious about applying for IMANTA’s Scholarship program, we would like to announce that the application deadline for the program (and the award notifications) has been postponed for administrative reasons until further notice. Updates will be posted once the competition reopens.

Happy June, everyone!

Our Annual General Meeting was held in March. The members of your executive for the coming year are Anita Clark & John Grunde (auditors), Nelda Kononova, Jim McDonald, Fawnda Mithrush, Liesma Mithrush, Linda Payne, Helen Richards, Ena Rudovics, and Ed Rudzitis. Sincere thanks to Martin Osis and Ruta Vitins for their contributions over the years. We look forward to working with them in other capacities.

Anyone of Latvian heritage studying at NAIT is encouraged to apply for a scholarship sponsored by IMANTA. Information is available at www.nait.ca. The deadline for application is August 30, 2012.

If you love mushrooms and mushroom-picking, the Alberta Mycological Society has many summer events planned.  (www.wildmushrooms.ws)

If you haven’t seen Latvietis on youtube, take a look at the 9-minute long animated history of Latvia. We also have a few Latvian movies on loan from the Latvian Embassy in Ottawa. These can be viewed using a PAL system or via computer. If you’re interested, please contact Ena at 780-468-2728 or rudovics@telus.net.

Our society operates only through the efforts of our volunteers. Get involved in one of the events listed below and meet more interesting people!

IMANTA is once again a sponsor of the Freewill Shakespeare Festival. You will see our logo in the Festival program if you attend from June 26-July 22 at Hawrelak Park Heritage Amphitheatre. The plays this year are The Tempest and Julius Caesar. There is free admission on Sundays for students with ID. The festival is looking for volunteers and Fawnda Mithrush, the Festival’s General Manager, always takes good care of our members.

The Lithuanian community needs volunteers to help with their next Casino on July 3 &4 at Century Casino. We always support their casino and they help by working at our casino. It’s also a good way to get to know your cultural neighbours.

January is many months away but the Ice on Whyte Festival is already in the planning stages. Sandis Kondrats, an ice sculptor from Latvia, will be participating in the festival, possibly with another Baltic artist. IMANTA has been asked to organize a Latvian cultural exhibit. We need volunteers and ideas to help make this a success!

The Edmonton Latvian Lutheran Church has members willing to help but needs someone to coordinate and organize 4 services a year. If no one volunteers, the congregation will be officially and unfortunately dissolved.

To volunteer for any of the above, or if you have any questions, please reply to imantaedmonton@gmail.com.

Look for IMANTA on facebook!

Other links:
www.latviansonline.com
www.lnak.org
www.lnjak.org
www.latviancentre.org
www.am.gov.lv

 The Latvian Song Festival in Milwaukee begins in a few weeks, from July 4-8^th. Tickets to concerts are still available. Consular services will also be available for anyone renewing or applying for a Latvian passport. All information is on the song festival website. www.latviansongfest2012.com

AND NOW, ONTO THE LIGO CELEBRATION!

Visu gadu dziesmas krāju, Jāņu dienas gaidīdama
Nu atnāca Jāņu diena, nu dziesmiņas jaizdziedā.

It’s time once again to celebrate Jāņi, a Latvian tradition that dates back centuries. Jāņi is the  celebration of the longest day and shortest night of the year. Jāņu activities include traditional customs that are believed to bring the aid of good spirits into the home, field and forest. It’s a night of much singing and merriment. Some of the rituals said to bring luck and prosperity in the coming year include leaping over the fire and burning last Midsummer’s wreaths.

IMANTA invites you to its annual Līgo celebration being held once again west of the city, at Lake Isle, on Saturday, June 23rd, anytime after 2pm.

This year’s meal will be potluck, as it was last year. We will cook roast pork and some vegetarian options, also serve coffee/tea/water/juice. We ask that you bring a dish, ready to eat and to share with others: potatoes, salads, breads, sauerkraut, cheese, pickles, desserts. Please do not bring anything that requires much work in the kitchen.

SCHEDULE:
2 – 4 pm: Wreath-making – please bring your own flowers and oak branches. If nature cooperates, there might be wildflowers in the field.
4pm: Pīrāgi-tasting contest – bring your best!
5pm: Buffet begins
Dinner is planned for 6pm. Please arrive in time to have your food included in the buffet!

There will be a bonfire later in the evening, weather permitting.

• Remember to bring your old wreaths to throw on the fire.
• Please bring lawn chairs for your own use.
• Bring musical instruments! Song sheets will be available.
• You will be in the countryside: come prepared for typically unpredictable Alberta weather and mosquitoes.

There will also be a loterija, the kind usually held at many Latvian events in Canada. Tickets will be $10 for 10 and $20 for 25.

Please note: This event is being held on private property. We ask that you act responsibly and respectfully so that all guests can enjoy the celebrations. Please remember to recycle all beverage containers.

Much work goes into preparing for Jāņi and it is one of our main celebrations. We make changes every year as we learn from our community. This event is for Imanta members and the cost to members is $10. Children under 18 are free. Cost to non-members $30 and will include an Imanta membership. You can download a membership form HERE.

You must RSVP to attend to help us plan correct food amounts. Please let us know what other dish you will bring. Directions and a map will be supplied when you reply. To RSVP or for further information, please contact imantaedmonton@gmail.com or Ena at rudovics@telus.net or 780-468-2728.

Kalgarijas latviesu draudzes nakamais dievkalpojums, ar dievgaldu, notiks so svetdien, 15. aprili, plkst 1os pecpusdiena St. Edmund’s baznica, 8340 – 34 Ave.
Dievkalpojumu vadis Mac. Rasma Caune.
Sekos saviesiga pecpusdiena pie kafejas galda.

The Latvian Lutheran Congregation of Calgary will hold a service, with Holy Communion, on Sunday, April 15th, at 1pm at St Edmund’s Anglican Church, 8340 – 34 Ave.
The service will be conducted by Rev. Rasma Caune.
After the service, all are invited to stay for a social afternoon with refreshments.

Happy New Year!             Happy Spring!

IMANTA is 65! It was founded on March 4, 1947 by Viola Baker, Konrads Dobele, Alfreds Janitens, John Jones and Juris Toms, and was registered as a society on March 8th of that year. Its goal of connecting and helping Latvians in Edmonton has been true all these years. We are the oldest, still-active Latvian organisation in Canada, thanks to the enthusiasm, dedication and efforts of all members, volunteers, friends and Board members, past and present. We are planning to celebrate this anniversary in November. Congratulations to founding member Viola Baker, who celebrated a wonderful 90th birthday in February.

Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, March 31st, at 3pm at the Lithuanian Hall at  11629 83 Street. We have a selection of Latvian movies on loan from the Latvian Embassy and will show one after the meeting while refreshments are served. After our November event, there were many positive comments about using this Hall.

Please remember that seniors can phone Yellow Cab and use taxi vouchers for transportation to meetings, doctors’ appointments or any other event. Our transportation program is well-used and we are able to offer it through our casino funding. If you need vouchers, please phone Ena at 780-468-2728 .

During the cold days of the international Ice on Whyte Festival in January, some of our members met Sandis Kondrats, a participating ice-sculptor from Latvia. From Edmonton Sandis travelled to Lake Louise to take part in the next ice-sculpture festival. His amazing work can be seen at http://www.sand-is.com and http://www.sandissue.com

Fun fact: In their February report, TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) listed Riga as number 2 of the top 15 new destinations to explore.

Imanta has supported several local organizations over the years. We review donation requests twice a year, in May and in November. If you are involved with a non-profit group,  please contact us at imantaedmonton@gmail.com for an application form.

 The Lithuanian community needs volunteers to help with their next Casino in early July 2012. As we support their casino, they also help by working at our casino and it’s a good way to get to know your cultural neighbours. Please consider signing up for one shift and contact Jim McDonald at jrmcdonald@gmail.com

We were saddened by the passing of  Antons (Tony) Sondors in January 2012. His family is in Latvia and he is mourned by friends here.

 Looking ahead:

• Next Latvian church service in Calgary at 1pm on April 15th at St. Edmund’s Anglican Church, 8340  34 Ave NW, with Rev. Rasma Caune from Hamilton, followed by social afternoon.
• Ligo in June, details to be announced
• Latvian Song Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 4-8, 2012. For info visit www.latviansongfest2012.com
•  A big thank you to our online contributors! Remember to follow us on Facebook or at http://www.imanta.ca

Other links:
www.latviansonline.com
www.lnak.org

Today marks 65 years since IMANTA declared its incorporation as a society in Alberta! Here’s to recognizing the hard work and dedication of all our our past and present Board members, volunteers, members and friends that have helped in our efforts to connect Latvians in Edmonton, and continued to pursue the goals of Imanta’s founders: John Jones, Konrads Dobele, Alfred Janitens, Viola Baker, and Jury (Juris) Thoms.

(Thanks to Athabasca University for supplying the photos. These images are part of the Latvian History Project now in development at Athabasca University.)