Rankin Inlet (Oct 01/03) - Smiling faces were the order of the day at the 11th annual Kataujaq Society family picnic in Rankin Inlet this past month.

The Kataujaq Society runs both a women's shelter and a day care in the community.

Executive director Evelyn Thordarson said those who attended the gathering brought their appetites, with more than 500 hotdogs being consumed.

Society board members volunteered to help with the day's activities, including a barbecue, numerous games and a bicycle rodeo.

Thordarson said it was nice to see so many of the new people who have moved to Rankin during the past year attend the event.

"We had a lot of prizes donated this year," said Thordarson.

"Our business community really came through and were very generous to us

"In fact, when all our games and activities were complete, we still had some prizes left over, so we held draws to award them."

First Air Ltd. is the major contributor to the annual picnic, while the Department of Community Government and Transportation also lends financial support.

Thordarson said one of the great things about the picnic is that it's mostly all families who turnout for the opportunity to share a few laughs and spend some quality time together.

She said the 2003 picnic was made extra special when Mother Nature finally decided to co-operate.

"It usually rains every year on the day we have the picnic and the temperatures are on the cool side.

"That can be pretty chilly when you get wet playing games like the balloon toss.

"But this year was so hot we had a lot of people who actually got sunburned."

The next big event for the Kataujaq Society is its annual charity auction, which is its main fundraiser of the year.

This year's event will be held Nov. 8 at the Leo Ussak elementary school gym from 1 -- 3:30 p.m.

"This will be our fifth year for the auction and we're amassing an impressive list of items up for bid, including free airline tickets.

"We hope to see lots of people out from the community."