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.
The first week was a success in the eyes of the Flin Flon and Creighton in motion committee. With nearly 70 teams on the docket, the challenge was on. Fran Labarre, a member of the committee, said she was pleased with the numbers that hit her desk for the first week. "I'm impressed with how close it's going to be," said Labarre. "It's going to be a very close race." Last year, the challenge saw roughly 35 teams. This year, 65 have been entered. "There are a lot of (returning) teams, but there are a lot of new ones as well," she said. New this year, the challenge was open to anyone, instead of being limited to the workplace, like last year. "I was happy to see a lot of families join and friends join to make up the teams." Of the 65 playing, 17 of those teams are made of up either friends or families. Between the countless phone calls and e-mails, Labarre says there have been some common questions and statements. "They are having fun...and they like the challenge," she said. "Getting healthy is now competitive." She also says there have been some common challenges. She said she hears 'drinking water is really hard' from a number of people. "That's the one thing I hear the most." But she said she has also got a lot of good questions as well. "People are really wanting to do it correctly," she said. On the list of questions, she said using things like Crystal Light have been mentioned. This year, the committee is allowing the use of Crystal Light, but next year Ð it's gone. As well, questions have come in about using a Nintendo Wii for the Olympic Sports on the BINGO sheet. "We decided that we were really advocating they go outside and try to ski, skate or curl," Labarre said. When checking off points for the day, she says it's important to remember that only two marks can be earned each week for the consumption of fish Ð even if it is eaten three times a week. To date, Labarre says everyone is doing really well. "People are really into the extra point challenges," she says, making note that the points have to be submitted for the end of week two. As another reminder, teams must enter their registration fee by Friday, January 29 or they will be disqualified.
