Inuvik (Jan 03/05) - The hope for better things to come in the New Year is as traditional as the season itself.

Asked what would make their communities better places in which to live, Northerners had a lot of different ideas.

Doris Tyler of Inuvik enjoys collecting holiday-themed items. She wants vandalism to stop in the community.

Stephanie Wannamaker of Inuvik runs a daycare for children. She spends many hours teaching the children craft-making, colouring or fingerpainting.

For her, Inuvik would be better if there were more activities available for children.

"Kids do things through their schools, but it would be nice to see community-based things," Wannamaker said.

The new swimming pool opening next year will be a big addition, she said.

"But even just an open rec hall or centre where they can go and romp around," she said would be an improvement.

And for children under five-years-old, Wannamaker said, "There's not a lot for kids from two to five to do unless you organize it yourself."

Doris Tyler is an Inuvik resident who likes collecting interesting holiday paraphernalia.

At Christmas she brings out her reindeer antler headband; Easter is the occasion to wear bunny ears.

Her cheery outlook on life brings smiles to many faces.

But Tyler says less vandalism in Inuvik would make her even happier.

"I would like to see the community come together and stop all the vandalism," Tyler said.

"Last year I had my new Skidoo stolen and totally trashed and it cost more than $5,000 to fix it, so I wasn't impressed." An attempt to steal another of her Skidoos was thwarted recently, and Tyler said it is an ongoing problem.

"I would like to see more enforcement from people in our community and the police to stop the vandalism and also to make it a safer, cleaner and happier place for all of us to live."

Otherwise, Tyler said Inuvik is a "great community," which supports its youth and their endeavours.

Inuvik's King of Clean, AKA Joe Wolfe, thought it would be nice to see more family-based recreation activities, but he decided he would rather see one of the necessities of life come to Inuvik.

"A doughnut shop," he said with a laugh.

"There's nothing better than a good quality cup of coffee and a nice doughnut."