Christmas time in Repulse Bay
Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services
Repulse Bay (Dec 20/00) - The Arctic Circle is a pretty special place any time of year, but things seem even more magical with Christmas fast approaching.
A chat with the manager of the Northern Store in Repulse Bay proved that point.
Andrew MacLeod said he not only ordered several specialty products for the Kivalliq residents in his hamlet, he also took part in the nightly dancing 'til dawn.
"They dance their brains out," said MacLeod, of the evening festivities that run from Christmas until New Year's. Featuring the musical stylings of the popular Aivilik Band, the square dances keep people out on the dance floor until 5 a.m.
"I still have to work so I can't stay out late too often," said MacLeod, adding that he was kept pretty busy stocking the shelves with Christmas goodies.
"We have the traditional stuff like eggnog, turkey, ham, that kind of thing," said MacLeod. "But we got this special ice cream in this year with pieces of broken candy canes inside it. We also have mandarin orange ice cream."
Hands down, those little tiny oranges everybody loves so much wins the title of best-seller, but seafood -- including lobster and shrimp -- follow at a close second. MacLeod said he also went out on a limb this year and ordered a new line of baked goods.
"I tried something different. You have to experiment once in a while," he said.
For John Kaufmann over at the Naujat Co-op, Christmas seems pretty much the same at the Arctic Circle as it does in Winnipeg.
Of Danish descent, Kaufmann said when he flew down to be with his family in Manitoba at Christmas time, the kind of celebration they took part in would be similar to what he's seen and heard people planning in Repulse Bay.
"It's the same in the south and the North," said Kaufmann, who celebrates on Christmas eve, leaving Christmas morning free for a late sleep.
"It's a time when family gets together and has a big meal, a gift exchange," he said.
Kaufmann also stocks his shelves with the common Christmas goodies, but he said he offered the hamlet something a little extra.
"We have a ladies night when all the ladies come and shop for the men and one for the men as well," he said. "They come and shop and then stay after and wrap their gifts so when they go home, their spouse doesn't know what they got."
Kaufmann said he spiced up the evening with draws and discounts and made the evenings into a festive occasion for the holiday shoppers.
"The whole town turns out," he said.
