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Elders visit with Santa
Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre hosts luncheon and party

Shawn Giilck
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, December 19, 2013

INUVIK
Last week was the time for Inuvik elders to indulge themselves in a little Christmas cheer.

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Gulshan Esmail received a surprise gift from Santa Claus Dec. 9 during the elders Christmas Party at Ingamo Hall. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Somewhere between 80 and 100 seniors turned out at the Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre for the annual Christmas luncheon and party. Even Santa and Mrs. Claus dropped by, although Mrs. Claus declined to pose for photos.

"I'm enjoying this a lot," said Gulshan Esmail.

At 83, she could claim to be one of the oldest elders present.

"And Ruth Wright is taking very good care of me," she said playfully.

Wright, an elder herself, was turning heads with a bright green and red elf costume.

It was all in good fun and a way of giving something back to the community, said Ingamo Hall president Shirley Elias and board member Duane DeBastien.

Elias said the party is held every year to show support to the elders, some of whom might not have much of a chance to get out and socialize.

"We always hold a party every year for the elders, but this year it's a little bit different, because the inter-generational working group helped out."

This year, the party and luncheon wasn't just for elders. Elias said the idea was to have a more inter-generational gathering that reflected the entire community and how it's linked together.

"With the kids in school, that didn't work as well as it might have," she said.

"But we wanted something for everyone, and this year, we have a little more variety of different generations. We have some middle-aged people, but it's hard this time of day to get the kids out of school.

"We do this as an annual and traditional Christmas event. It's good to get together."

DeBastien said "we try to hold this party every year for the elders.

"It's usually a pretty good turnout like this, and I think everyone enjoys it.

"We give presents out to the elders and have a lunch for them, and provide some entertainment. They get to have some fun, have some food, and meet everyone and say Merry Christmas. All of that good stuff."

The spirit wasn't dampened much when all of the expected presents didn't materialize. Brenda Jerome, the executive director of the centre, said not all of the gifts arrived from Edmonton. They would be handed at a later date.

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