Go back
Features


CDs

NNSL Logo .
 Email this articleE-mail this story  Discuss this articleOrder a classified ad Print window Print this page

What's your interest?

Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Thursday, September 27, 2007

Inuvik - It's always nice to feel wanted, and that's what people got on Sept. 24 at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex.

It was the night for community group registrations, which means everyone from the speed skating group to the quilting guild were seeking members.

NNSL photo

Danae Tilley and Robin Beveridge represented Inuvik's quilting guild. They also sold bright swaths of fabric to raise funds. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photos

Some groups - like minor hockey, overseen by a laughing Les Skinner and Susie Driscoll - had no trouble at all.

The league usually gets about 100 participants a year and is, after all, a Canadian staple.

Other groups, like a branch of the international group Toastmasters, had a bit more difficulty.

Larry Peckford said the pubic speaking and leadership group had six members last year.

"To have a good club, you need at least 15," he said, whilst giving away free magazines on public speaking.

Two tables over, Inuvik's North of Normal theatre players were seeking talent.

Group president Sandy Turner said the group was planning a buffet dinner-dance and theatre show, which of course requires a lot of volunteer hours.

"We need anyone who's interested in theatre, on stage or back stage" said local actor and jack-of-all-trades-volunteer Mike Millen.

Other groups looking for members included the Girl Guides, Ski Club, Community Band, a fiddle club, Squash league, Akido (a type of defensive martial art) and Tai Chi, overseen by Valerie Tomlinson.

She displayed a book called "the Tao of Tai-Chi Chuan: Way to Rejuvenation" and displayed a few of the art's smooth, pensive motions.

It was an interesting contrast to the Cadets table, which had uniformed teens Billy Rogers and Jordan Stewart showing a video of people whitewater rafting and rappelling down cliff sides.

As winter approaches, Pat Dunn of the Ski Club seemed to garner an enthusiastic response.

She said the group had a core membership of about 65 last year, and is always looking for more.

"We already have a strong program for children, so we would like to see more adults sign on," she said.

One of the most inspiring examples was Robin Beveridge of the quilting guild.

While she didn't know how to quilt last year, she joined the group and completed her first quilt in March.

Local jazzman Bob Mumford said similar results might be possible with the Community Band, though in this case people might learn a first song. (Think simple, like Queen's "We Will Rock You.")

All it takes is effort, and the interest to join a group.

"We're looking for people who want to learn from scratch. Just looking for people who are interested in music," he said.