Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 18/05) - He's a personable guy with a personal ad. Dennis Shappa isn't just the guy in the tie at DJ Sensations in Iqaluit, he also holds the distinction of having the only personal ad in Nunavut News/North.

Dennis Shappa checks out his personal ad, the only one in Nunavut News/North. He enjoys his job at DJ Sensations in Iqaluit, because he is "fascinated by the human race."

Shappa likes people, that's why he took the ad in the first place. "I've had a few dates from it, some better than others. I don't know why more people don't do it," Shappa said.

The 32-year-old - whose family is from Arctic Bay - is in no hurry to share his space in the classified section; being the only one makes him stand out.

Shappa wears a tie to work every day, but the rest of the sales associates at DJ Sensations aren't so formal. He has worked as a sales associate there for four years. For Shappa, the tie is a tribute to his father.

"It's the way I was brought up. My Dad, Akikluk Shappa, wore a tie to work every day and that was instilled in me," Shappa said.

His job brings him into contact with people from the globe. "I've met people from the Maritimes, from Australia, today I met some people from New Zealand. I'm fascinated by the human race, so I think this is a great job for me," said Shappa.

People may be his passion, but cribbage is his pastime. Last April, Shappa travelled to the Royal Canadian Legion in Truro, NS., for a cribbage tournament.

He once had a rare 28 playing the game, missing the elusive 29 because "the jack wasn't right."

He scored the much sought-after hand in 1989 in Arctic Bay. "It was probably the first and last time that I'll have one."

After living in Arctic Bay from 1980 to 1991, Shappa has travelled throughout Canada. He has spent time in Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver, Resolute Bay and Pond Inlet.

Yellowknife is his favourite Northern town, because "it feels like a city."

"There are people with cellphones, business suits and there are traffic lights."

Meeting his fellow Northerners while visiting southern cities is always fun for Shappa. He has met people from home on the street in Ottawa and asks them, "about the family and the weather back home."

His next trip is to the Dominican Republic in November, at the recommendation of his sister. There, he hopes to enjoy "baseball and margaritas."