Icelandic Ladies’ Aid, better known as Vonin, will be participating in Christmas in Markerville on November 6-8, 2026. They’ll be selling their delicious Vínarterta and sharing a little history about the group!
You’ll be able to find them in two locations: • SGSIS Table – Kaffistofa Entrance: Stop by to purchase some Vínarterta and support Vonin. Their cakes will be cut into six pieces for individual sale, making it easy to take home a little taste of Iceland! • Lutheran Church: Visit their display showcasing Vonin’s history, learn more about the group and its long-standing traditions, and purchase more Vínarterta!
They look forward to sharing a little Icelandic heritage, celebrating Vonin’s history, and, of course, helping everyone take home a little taste of Iceland!
Today students throughout Red Deer County are heading back to school. The hamlets of Markerville and Tindastoll had their own one-room schools, but after the Markerville school closed in 1957 students were bussed to the school in Spruce View.
The Stephanssons often hosted teachers in their home during those early years. “Hola School – Class of 1922” courtesy of Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society.
Jackson Walsh from Spruce View School was the 2026 recipient of The Cook Family Scholarship. He received an award of $2,000 to aid his post-secondary studies at the University of Alberta, Augustana Faculty. He will be taking a Bachelor of Science Degree, majoring in Computing Science and Mathematics.
Jackson grew up near Markerville. His essay reflected that upbringing through the experiences he encountered in childhood and beyond. To quote Jackson: “the community has become the foundation of my childhood and the shaping of my identity today.” Jackson worked at the creamery for one season yet still continues to volunteer, help out when able. Congratulations Jackson and all the best in your future schooling and endeavours!
Jackson has also made an impact in his school community and Spruce View community as well as Markerville. He was President of the Graduation Class Committee, volunteering for things such as Community Family Halloween Dance, Cream Day, Tech Time with Seniors, and Highway clean up. He has been “ a student, a mentor, a community leader, and an advocate for positive change” says a teacher from Spruce View School.
Sandy Bexon is one of the upcoming resident artists at the Buttermaker’s House, visiting in the fall of 2026. She shared a link with the Creamery manager to her July 30th newsletter, and we love the feature article that she recently created for Historic Markerville that was attached.
Next adventure! I’m happy to be the Artist in Residence at Historic Markerville at Thanksgiving, which is the perfect place to focus on a history book since it’s a living history hamlet itself! I stopped by to donate some of my Moving Mountains books to the Markerville coffee shop as a fundraiser for all the good work these folks do to preserve and celebrate history – particularly Icelandic history. Beth [Huising], the Museum Manager, is with me in this photo and has been a wealth of information and support! Read more about the multiple historic sites of Markerville in my feature at this link.
Above: Herman Hillman farm house built by sons John and Joe.
In mid-June 2026, Don Anderson contacted us to see if we wanted digital copies of several old photos of the Hillman families, to archive at the Markerville Creamery Museum. Don’s great-grandfather was Herman Hillman, and grandmother was Lena (Hillman) Anderson.
Along with photos which include the names of the people in them, he donated a copy of “Grub-Axe To Grain”, a history of this area with pictures, that he described as “A must have.”
The timing was perfect: A Hillman Family Reunion is taking place in Markerville on the July 11th, 2026 weekend, and I’m sure they will love seeing these photos and perhaps adding some of them to their own collections! And our copy of “Grub-Axe To Grain” had been recently moved from public access to preserve it. Now that we have a like-new copy for the archives, we can bring the older one back for viewing.
The Creamery Museum is very appreciative of Don’s generosity, and thankful he reached out to share some historic photos from the Lena (Hillman) Anderson family.
Hillman family: Pete, John, and Harry. Group Photo: Lena (Hillman) Anderson and two sons Edwin and Lloyd, with Edward (husband) Edwin’s wife Marian and grandchildren: Carol, Donald, Gerry, Allan and Marlene (in Lena’s lap).
Andersons: Lena (Hillman) and Edward Anderson.
By the Car: Lena, Edward, Edwin, Marian, Carol and Jerry around 1947. Lena with sons: Edwin and Lloyd (Andy) Group Photo:Top Row R-L | Edwin Anderson, Joe Davidson, Warren Davidson, Lloyd Anderson, Harold Davidson. Middle Row | Marian Anderson, Eli Davidson, Edward Anderson, Winney and Lenora Davidson. Back Row | Carol, Allan, Donald and Marlene Anderson, Bev Davidson, Gerry Anderson.
🇨🇦 Canada Day Celebrations in Markerville kicked off with the MINI-MARKET 10:00 am – 4:00 pm! The weather cooperated with some blue sky peeking out, creating a wonderful outdoor market vibe. Diana Steer Arts, Eve’s Brush & Needle, Hanna’s Designs, and Bea’s Creations were lined up along the east side of the Creamery Courtyard in pop-up tents. SGSIS also continued their “Art & Jumble Sale”, with a tent set up in the west corner of the courtyard by the Creamery.
🇨🇦 Canada Day in Markerville – THE BBQ 12:00 – 3:00 pm The sun shone most of the day, from the Mini-Market, Canada Day cake, poetry reading, and free concert…helping to make the day a success! By 4:30 pm the clouds and mosquitos were settling in! Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy July 1st in our outdoor courtyard. And thanks to the volunteers and staff for keeping the food coming, and the day’s itinerary on course.
Icelandic Ladies Aid, better known as Vonin, have gathered twice this spring at Fensala Hall to bake their Icelandic specialties for the Kaffistofa. On April 18, they created four vinaterta cakes, which is a multi layered traditional Icelandic dessert, made with ingredients such as almond, cardamom, prunes and cinnamon.
Then on May 2, the ladies whipped up two batches of flatbread, and eight batches of pönnukökur (Icelandic style crepes). New members this year benefitted greatly, learning these traditional recipes and baking techniques from more seasoned members who have been baking them for years, since they learned from their own Icelandic relatives and friends.
Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society’s 52nd AGM was held March 13th, a day late after needing to postpone to allow for a little snow shovelling. A few people were unable to make it due to prior commitments but the revised meeting date was well attended. It was a great time to renew your membership, and then dig right into the coffee and dessert portion of the evening. Thank you to Donna, Marie, LA, Adele, Dirk, and d’Arcy. The selection of desserts was a hit with everyone!
The meeting began promptly at 7:00 with a reading of the Land Acknowledgement, and a “thank you” message to Society Members read by John McKechnie, President:
On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the members of the Stephan G. Stephansson Icelandic Society for your continued support and dedication.
Your contributions of funding, volunteer time, and committee work play an essential role in preserving and celebrating the heritage and history of our community. Because of your generosity and commitment, we can continue sharing the story and legacy of Historic Markerville with visitors and future generations.
Many of you give not only financial support, but also countless hours of your time — serving on committees, helping organize events, cleaning, hosting, and volunteering wherever needed. Your passion and willingness to step forward make a lasting impact on the success of our programs and initiatives.
Historic Markerville is stronger because of this partnership, and we deeply value the collaboration and friendship gained within this society.
With sincere appreciation, SGSIS Board of Directors
Over the hour, attendees were taken through the provided notes and reports, a bylaw amendment, and the SGSIS Strategic Plan January 2026. The meeting adjourned, and several stayed a while longer to visit and enjoy more coffee and dessert.
VISION: Enrich the culture of Alberta and Canada by honouring the legacy of Markerville’s Icelandic heritage.
MISSION: To preserve the heritage of Historic Markerville through the management and maintenance of its facilities and the provision and support of high-quality programming.
