Page 17 - Southern Exposure - June '21

Southern Exposure, Page 17

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The Faroe Islands, Rugged Unspoiled Beauty

By Don Kiselewski, MCC, D.S., Palm Beach Gardens Travel Leaders
Although it is believed kilometers (372 miles) ancient deities. Havn means “harbor” and the combination
that St. Brendan and a group westward of Norway and of these two words translates to “Thor’s Port.” Tinganes,
of Irish monks first spotted 300 kilometers (186 miles) a name given to a small peninsula that juts out from the
the Faroe Islands some northeast of Scotland, and island, is where Tórshavn began a thousand years ago. The
1,400 years ago, there is about the same distance first Norwegian settlers established the Alting (parliament)
no unequivocal proof of to Iceland, further to the on this site, which makes the town the oldest continuing
their presence. The group northwest. national capital in Europe at more than a thousand years
was known to have sailed Some 49,000* residents old. The oldest construction in the city dates from the 14th
in these waters, and there live on 17 of the 18 islands century and provides a unique insight into the Faroese
is proof that they landed on – only Lítla Dimun is lifestyle, characterized with sod roofs for insulation.
other islands in the area; unoccupied. The town of Although the Danes believe that the Faroes are as much
however, it is quite possible Tórshavn on the island of a part of Denmark as Copenhagen, the Faroese believe
that they missed the Faroe Islands completely. After all, the Streymoy, at approximately that they are an independent nation under the protection of
prevailing rain, fog and mist normally form a concealing 13,000* residents, is the Denmark. The Faroe Islands were granted home rule in 1946
shroud around the islands. These weather conditions average capital and by far the and function as an independently functioning government
280 days a year. The only argument for the prior visits largest community in the under the Kingdom of Denmark. They have refused to join
from the outside world was the wild sheep that roamed the Faroes. What it lacks in the “motherland” and the European Union. The Faroese
island when Landsmenn, the first Norse settlers, arrived in pubs and clubs, it makes up have their own flag, postage stamps, and print their own
the ninth century. Someone must have left them when they for in picturesque charm. The Faroese wear traditional money.
departed the island. These Landsmenn were gentle farmers Tórshavn was named for attire for Olavsoka, a national An old Faroese legend says, “When the earth was created,
who feared the Viking hordes that terrorized the mainland the Norse god Thor, one holiday of the Faroe Islands. the foreman on the job cleaned his fingernails and what
of Europe. of the most powerful of the Photo by Don Kiselewski plopped into the Atlantic Ocean became the Faroe Islands.”
Unfortunately, the Unlike other groups of islands in the world, the Faroes are
treeless Faroe Islands are made up of long, narrow strips of land next to each other,
not prime farmland, so for separated with fjords and narrow waterways. The land itself
more than a millennium the has been laid in layers, much like a cake, which produce
people of the Faroe Islands steep walls right at the water’s edge. Being treeless, except
have relied on the sea for for a few that have been nurtured in Tórshavn’s city park,
their sustenance. Likewise, the barren landscape defines the true ruggedness that shines
their economy has risen through.
and fallen based upon the The Faroese pride themselves on having the cleanest
waters surrounding the 18 marine environment in the North Atlantic. There are,
islands that make up this however, a number of fish farms that raise trout and other
independent nation located fish crops that, because of their confined nature, have
in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The Faroes are located 600 Bryggjubakki Street at night, central Tórshavn. Photo by Vincent van Zeijst Travel on page 18
Pet Matters

by Pat Deshong, President of Furry Friends Featured Adoptables
Adoption, Clinic & Ranch, June 2021
Luna
“For the Love of Animals” Lovely Luna is a 3 year old
features real stories happening tabby cat in need of a loving
at Furry Friends in Jupiter. We home. She is a gentle cat who
are The Humane Society of is shy at first but will warm
Greater Jupiter/Tequesta and the up to you with just a little bit
only no-kill shelter open to the of love and patience. She is
public in northern Palm Beach mostly white with big beautiful
County. We’ve been rescuing, yellow eyes full of love and the
rehabilitating, and re-homing floofiest gray tail you’ve ever
the homeless animals in our seen! Luna is the loving, soft, fluffy companion missing from your
community for more than 30 home. Please submit an application to come in and meet Luna,
years. Our not for profit 501c3 she is located at our Ranch in Palm City.
organization consists of our
Jupiter based Adoption Center, Charlie
Veterinary Clinic (open to the
public), Thrift Boutique, and Charlie is a 5 year old
Palm City Ranch. Shepherd/Belgian Malinois
mix who is seeking an adult
I am honored and proud to be the President of an organization only home for his retirement
years. No children please.
that touches the lives of people and animals every single day.
As an essential business, we never closed our doors during the His ideal home would be with
challenges we all faced during the pandemic. Our staff remained someone who has prior breed
on the front lines with our clinic doors open to serve our clients experience and understands
in need of care for their sick animals. Our shelter never wavered how smart Charlie is. Charlie
from providing a safe harbor for the abandoned and abused. has hip dysplasia. He can
We simply can not accomplish our life saving mission without enjoy walks and anything
your support. Every dollar enables us to make miracles happen that is not high impact or too
for the many animals in desperate need. Please consider monthly rigorous, like swimming (good thing we live in Florida)! Charlie
giving - a donation of just $.83/day which would feed a dog or cat is an amazing dog and will make a great companion.
in our care for an entire month! We need your continued support
now more than ever. Here are a few figures to demonstrate just
how far your donation can go:
● Your donation of $20 can provide flea/tick & heartworm
prevention for a shelter dog or cat for one month.
● Your donation of $40 can provide food for 10 shelter dogs for
about a week.
● Your donation of $60 can provide medical exams for a shelter
dog and cat.
● Your donation of $100 can provide rescue for animals in an
emergency.
May 29, 2021 will mark our 40th anniversary as the Humane
Society of Greater Jupiter/Tequesta, Inc. We share this milestone
with you as we have accomplished this together.
Please reach out to me directly if you would like to tour our
facility or if you have any questions. My door is always open and
I can be reached at (561) 935-1678.
Blessings to you for your support and faith in us… all for the
LOVE of animals!

Patricia Deshong, President Paid Advertisement