Ruby St. Amand
Northern News Services
Thursday, July 12, 2007

INUVIK - Happy belated 50th birthday to Herman Kaglik for June 1, as well as Scott Alexander Kaglik for the same day.

Well here is one that deserves a huge applause... Sarah Ann Gardlund who turned 92 on June 6.

How do they do it?

Another elder that still gets around is Madeline Smith. Always a gentle smile. How many of us will be like them when we turn 90? For many of us that is a long way off yet. Imagine the changes that will eventually take place. They never grew up with e-mail, cell phones, and so much more, yet they still survived the changes. God bless them.

On May 24, Xavier turned four. Just last week he picked up for his aunt Boo Boo some snails as he thought it was cute, crawly and it might make her scream and run away when he gave it to her. She did back off a bit but coming from her nephew, it had to be what boys give girls - spiders, caterpillars, bugs and frogs, since the only worms we have up here are on fish. Husky Lakes is too far to get worms, big worms that is. Here too in our lakes, such as Airport Lake, the trout has a lot of worms. Now wouldn't little boys would love to go fishing just for the worms?

All those that were out at their camps for spring breakup - what a relaxing time, huh? I flew out with Canadian Helicopters and those pilots are sure kept busy. Thank you, though, for always making the time to take us out to our camps. It's such a short trip compared to the ones they go out to for the whole day.

Congratulations to Sammy Lennie Jr. and his bride and family. Everyone looked so good and you couldn't have picked a more prettier church than the Our Lady of Victory - a beautiful church with stained glass windows and hand paintings on the wall. That church is so connected with the community that you feel so at peace when you walk through the doors. It definitely is an open church which bears much fruit. Father Matthew is always open to listening to anything you have on your heart.

Speaking of churches, I like the way the Anglican Church of the Ascension let the community know what's happening in their church through the rolling channel. Another open church that gets a positive message out to the community. Thanks to Mabel Brown for taking the time to minister to the elders at LTC on Sundays.

Congratulations to Ben and Debbie on the safe arrival of their daughter Sarah. Sarah has been out to visit with her grandparents in Yk already. First grandchild for James and Sheila Anderson.

David and Leanne have a new arrival as well. Tyrell's sister was born in May. Mom, baby and dad are doing fine.

To our readers in Sachs and Holman, Tuk, Aklavik, and surrounding communities, whatever you do this summer, be careful and have a safe and happy summer.

To those who have lost a loved one this year, our sincere condolences go out to you and your families. The community has kept you in their prayers and we wish you will be comforted in knowing that your friends and family are praying that our heavenly Father will embrace you with His peace.

Oh yeah, this is for Sig... I enjoyed your article about how you started off your newspaper business. I read it in Up Here magazine in January. Nothing like being rough like a diamond until you're polished up. Congrats to you for not giving up. I often think about the articles I use to write and the best one I remember was a birthday wish to my best friend Agnes Jones. Agnes was my mentor, prayer partner, friend. It's hard to find a friend that has the same interests as you. When she prayed, she prayed with such compassion and she meant every word she said. She didn't water anything down, you had to take it as it was and believe.

The other one was around Christmas time when I wrote about going to all the different communities.

A big thank you goes out to Hunters and Trappers for always being ready to go out searching for anyone missing from our community. Noel and L. Dub, make sure you bring along extra gas. Next year we hope Santa brings you a cell phone.

Well folks/readers, tourists are here once again. Let's show them the best of what the North has to offer. If they need directions, give them directions. If they ask questions, give them the best answers.

So long for now and I enjoyed writing this for you. Those that love garage sales, moving sales, see you around on the weekends.