Most famous Northerner of all helps Repulse cadets
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Repulse Bay (Jan 24/01) - When it comes to having someone help out with your program, it's good to have connections in cold places.
The 3055 Royal Canadian Army Cadets Corps Repulse Bay used just such a connection to bring Jolly Old St. Nick to the Arctic Circle this past month.
A group of the Repulse cadets were completing their Gold Star program which calls for them to host a community event.
The senior cadets decided to work with the Repulse Bay recreation committee to plan and host Santa's visit to the hamlet.
Corps commander Leonie Aissaoui says the Gold Star program is the most advanced of the four star ratings in the cadet program.
She says the main focus of the Gold Star program is to give cadets some valuable insight into how corps are organized and run.
The cadets are also expected to do some teaching as part of the program.
"The cadets helped plan the event and then did the decorating for Santa's visit and picked up the candy canes which were donated by the Northern store," says Aissaoui.
"The hamlet gave us a bag of toys and the parents brought their kids to the Tusavarik school gym to get a toy and a candy cane and have their picture taken with Santa Claus."
This year's event was another big hit in the community with the vast majority of kids in the hamlet coming out to greet Santa.
Aissaoui says the cadets put in an extra effort to have the school gym done up for the occasion.
"We had an iglu styled background and lighted Christmas trees on each side of the stage.
"We were even lucky enough for one of Santa's little elves to show up and help out."
Two pictures were taken of every child who showed up to see Santa Claus.
One picture stays at the hamlet, while the other went to the parents.
Aissaoui says a good time was had by everyone who attended.
"The cadets really seemed to enjoy the day and it was a good experience for them."
