 |
|
|
|
|
Subscriber pages
 News Desk
Columnists
Editorial
Readers comment
Tenders
Demo pages Here's a sample of what only subscribers see Subscribe now Subscribe to both hardcopy or internet editions of NNSL publications Advertising Our print and online advertising information, including contact detail. |
Big hearts and soggy dogs Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Front and centre of the soggy activities was the annual hotdog barbecue sponsored by the Keewatin Branch 169 of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion members who volunteered their time to run the barbecue stand near the hamlet office put on a brave face throughout the afternoon. Branch president Kyle Sheppard, who has lived in Rankin for almost eight years and been a Legion member for seven, said the weather is always hit or miss on Canada Day in Rankin. He said on a good year, the Legion will go through about 1,200 tasty dogs and a large amount of juice. "Juice was donated by Nunavut Tourism this year and we appreciated it chipping in and getting involved with our event," said Sheppard. "The Canada Day barbecue is one of our biggest events of the year, behind only Remembrance Day, and it's a small way of giving back to the community." The Legion has been making a concerted effort to be more visible in the community during the past few years. Sheppard said those efforts have been going well and the Legion hopes to expand upon them throughout the rest of the year. "Last year we provided the beer gardens for the Calm Air Cup and did some more donations to minor hockey throughout the year. "We've run into some challenges with the number of events we're allowed to host with alcohol sales, but there's some things coming up that should give us the chance to prove ourselves a bit more. "We're looking at hosting a large scale beer dance in August. "It's been approved by hamlet council, so now we have to get our special occasion permit." Sheppard said the Legion sponsors annual awards at the three Rankin schools and is the prime sponsor of the local cadet movement. He said the Legion will continue to sponsor as many community activities as it can going forward. "The cadets are our main focus, and we help them significantly, and we've also donated to the Nunavut Sivuniksavut year-end trip in the past. "We don't have a blanket policy to give money to everyone, so we review each request on a case-by-case basis. "Our main focus is primarily on youth activities."
|
