Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 16, 2008

ARVIAT - Calm Air staged its largest Christmas dinner event to date by serving more than 900 people in Arviat this past month.

The airline has been bringing Christmas dinner to students and staff members at schools across the Kivalliq for the past six years.

Calm Air staff and family members pitched in to make Calm Air's Christmas dinner a big hit in Arviat this past month. Back row, from left: Lionel Janzen, Monica Morberg, Dianne Stefanko, John Friess and Sandra RossHitch. Middle row, from left: Tanya Dnistransky and Karen Yip. Front row, from left: Tracy Sass, Dawn Bindle, Rebecca Condon, Brayden RossHitch and Treston Bindle. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

Rankin Inlet will host the 2008 Christmas dinner in December of this year.

Calm Air marketing manager John Friess said the Arviat dinner was an astounding success.

He said Qitiqliq middle school principal Bob Wells and his volunteers made hosting the dinner easier than he could have ever imagined.

"As it turns out, Bob (Wells) was a buffet chef in a former life," said Friess.

"That made cooking the turkeys in advance a custom-made order for him and all 50 were cooked perfectly.

"He even gave us a great tip for preparing the turkeys.

"You forget the stuffing and put half an orange and an onion in the bird."

In addition to preparing the turkeys, Wells and his volunteers also found time to make dinner for the entire Calm Air crew.

The Christmas meal was served in two sittings, with the elementary students served at 11 a.m., and the junior and senior students seated at 1 p.m.

The students were treated to a performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, courtesy of Gord Billard and the John Arnalukjuak high school drama department between meals.

Friess said students and staff members from Levi Angmak elementary, Qitiqliq junior high and John Arnalukjuak high school all enjoyed their turkey dinner.

"We also had a number of prize draws for Calm Air items, which went over quite well with the kids.

"We owe a special thanks to principals Grace Main and Jay Thomas for their support and facilities, and for rallying their staff members to aid in the effort.

"We couldn't have put the meal on without the support of Don and Ryan St. John at the Eskimo Point Lumber Co., who generously provided transportation and accommodation for our staff.

"Steve England from the Padlei Coop also helped with accommodation and we must also thank him for the hospitality."