The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Jonathon Naylor Editor While most people rung in 2013 at the stroke of midnight, it was another story at Creighton Community School. There, in the lively gymnasium, a balloon drop at 10:45 p.m. officially marked the new year's arrival. Considering many of the revellers still have a bedtime well before midnight, it was only fitting. Welcome to First Night Out, a family-friendly celebration where the strongest drink is pop and children's laughter is favoured over wild revelry. 'It went really well. There were a lot of smiling faces,' says Tiffany Ealey, a member of the organizing committee. Starting with a potluck supper, First Night Out unravelled to include a scavenger hunt, prize giveaways and dancing _ lots and lots of dancing. Dozens of prizes were awarded to the top dancers, with the background music ranging from The Twist and I'm Too Sexy to Cha-Cha Slide and YMCA. At one point Mr. Squirrel, beloved mascot of the CADAC addictions counselling centre, led the energetic kiddies in the Chicken Dance and The Loco-Motion. When the multi-coloured balloons fell from the ceiling, they were filled with small prizes for the guests to discover. Some 150 people were out for the supper, but by the time the dancing started, attendance had soared to about 220. 'We were extremely happy with the turnout,' says Ealey, adding that anything over 100 is 'awesome.' This marked the 20th anniversary of First Night Out, launched by CADAC in 1992. Once an annual event, it is now held every two years. This year (well, last year now) marked the first time CADAC partnered with Creighton Community School, which opened its doors and operated a canteen as a grad fundraiser. Ealey, a counsellor with CADAC, says the evening offers the community an important opportunity. 'It allows parents to role-model for their kids that you can have fun without the use of alcohol,' she says.
