Old Time Family Night continues to impress

Kevin Laliberte
Smoky River Express

Smoky River FCSS (Family & Community Support Services) community development coordinator Jean Moore is using two words this week to describe the response to the Oct. 19 Old Time Family Night event in McLennan. Blown away! “I was completely blown away by the turnout. It was truly amazing,” says Moore, who acknowledged the involvement of musician Marcel Laliberte. “Marcel has done an exceptional job of helping coordinate this event by rounding up musicians and getting the word out. We’re really thankful for his ongoing efforts.” The recent event attracted a crowd of 162 people (including 18 musicians) who converged at the Legion Hall for a special evening supper complete with socializing, music and dance. It’s a number which greatly exceeds the average response of approximately 65 people to the event, launched in January of last year as an effective way of promoting family values in a fun and refreshing social atmosphere. Also in attendance was Girouxville Mayor, Carmen Ewing, McLennan Mayor Don Regier and councillors Catherine Dunne, Dwayne Stout and Lawrence McNeil, as well as special guest Chris Warkentin, Member of Parliament for the Peace River constituency. “Ol’ Time Family Night was an excellent opportunity for me to see the benefits of our policies on the ground in the Peace Country,” Warkentin tells the Express. “Communities don’t just happen, they are built by dedicated people who care and are committed to influencing positive community values. I commend the Smoky River Family and Community Support Services staff for all the great work in making this project a reality.” Moore, meanwhile says the event provides a unique and refreshing opportunity for people to take a break from their everyday lives and the barriers they face. “Sometimes we need to take a step back and forget about everything going on in our lives. That’s what this event is all about.” “We don’t have any labels on Friday night. Everyone is treated as an equal.” Penny Fox, FCSS directory, says the program is a great example of the benefits which can be achieved through a spirit of true community involvement. “The idea came from a community member; the partnerships came together to make it happen and a location was provided,” she says adding that it’s the people who attend the event which deserve full credit in making the event the overwhelming success it has become. “FCSS is only the mechanism for getting it rolling. The rest was a result of the combined work of everyone else involved.” Moore takes those comments one step farther by making reference to the age-old adage that “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” “You can give people an idea, but it has to be something they buy into as a whole. “Old Time Family Night is a success because of the people who come out on a regular basis to support it,” she says. “Their regular attendance and commitment is what makes this event happen.” FCSS plans to take the program one step farther by introducing two special events to coincide with the upcoming Christmas holiday season. Upcoming events They include an Old Time Family Night dinner and concert in Girouxville Dec. 2 (beginning at 12 noon at the community hall) as well as a similar function in McLennan Dec. 14 at the Elks Hall starting at 6 p.m. One of the defining characteristics of the non-alcohol based social is its uncompromising entertainment value, highlighted by dancing and live music . Each night also consists of several circle dances and concludes with a good night song.