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Thursday, July 3, 2014 Summerland Review
Committee organized Dry Grad celebration by Carla McLeod Special to the Review
A couple of generations ago, dry grad parties were unheard of. Today they are an essential part of graduation celebrations. In Summerland, the dry grad party this year was attended by the majority of the graduating class, with only a handful of graduates choosing not to attend. “There was a time in many communities across the country when there weren’t any dry grad activities and students went out and partied and there were accidents and people died,” said Julie Planiden, who chairs the Dry Grad Committee. “That’s why I think dry grad happens, so that we can prevent that and hopefully provide
Dry grad organizers
Some of the members of the Dry Grad Committee include, from left, Jacquie Foley, Misty McDonald, Treasurer, Hayley Fisher, Chair, Julie Planiden and Collette Shanner. Members not pictured are secretary Deirdre McDowell, Kim Kohan, Tanya Campbell, Roland Baron, fundraising chair, Della Brown, Colleen Harlton and Diane Henderson. Many other parents were also involved with fundraising and projects to support the grad class.
them with a safe celebration. They need to know that they can have a great time without drinking.”
DAN CASSIDY
WHAT TO DRINK TO BEAT THE HEAT! I love blended coffee drinks. I have definitely classified it as a vice for me. Frappucinos, Mochachillos, Bean Blasts, Kikkers, Coffee Frappes, Iced Capps and many other names for blended coffee drinks have been uttered by me when my turn came at the ordering counter at a number of cafes. What better way to stay cool on a warm day than with a blended (or sometimes just iced) coffee drink? All of this does come into conflict with my education, however. While the above are cold, they are not the best way to stay cool when the summer heat stays for a spell and this is why: 1. Fat - Many blended coffee drinks are made with milk or yogurt or ice cream. Your body temperature will rise when digesting fat (or protein) and this process also uses a lot of your body’s water which could leave you dehydrated. That can be dangerous when it gets really hot. 2. Sugar - These drinks can be pretty sweet which will cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Your poor little pancreas will have to crank out insulin to deal with it and either feed the sugar to cells to make energy, which raises body temp and uses water for digestion, or it will just store the sugar in fat cells (unhealthy weight gain). 3. Caffeine - A stimulant. It will act as a diuretic, ridding your body of much needed valuable water (dehydration again!). It will cause your body temperature to increase as it is thermogenic. Thermogenisis has been marketed as a positive thing for weight loss, but much of that weight can be water rather than fat, again because of the stimulant/diuretic effect (which can also lead to increased heart rate/blood pressure). That’s quite the hat trick of bad news there. The upshot of all this is as a method of staying cool in extreme heat, blended coffee drinks are better poured down your shirt rather than your throat. Cold water will hydrate you without any stimulant or diuretic effect. Drinking enough water prevents water retention as well (speak to your doctor if you have kidney issues). Not to mention we avoid the absorption of fat and sugar stored as fat. To that end you’ll probably still see me ordering a blended coffee drink during the warm months as a treat, but not a means of staying hydrated. If dehydration is an issue or risk, I also recommend using a product like Hydralyte with your water to keep your electrolytes at a healthy level without taking in a lot of sugar. Many sports drinks contain electrolytes but also a not-so-healthy dose of sugar. Talk to your doctor or a member of the Live Well team at Pharmasave about how you can beat the heat and stay hydrated. ~ Dan Cassidy, Nutritional Product Advisor
Summerland 9515 Main 250-494-7088 Mon - Fri 9am - 7pm Sat 9am - 5:30pm Sun & Holidays 10am - 4pm
“We want them to have a memorable evening with their friends,” added Collette Shanner, who plans the entertainment for the party. The Dry Grad Committee is made up of parents as well as students. They have met once a month throughout the school year. Much of their time and energy has gone into the substantial number of fundraising events they
D RY
have held. Some of these included bottle drives, manure sales, the delivery of InfoTel directories, coffee sales, teas, bake sales and face painting. “The grads stepped up and have given their time as well as the parents,” Planiden said. Committee member Misty McDonald made requests for donations from local businesses and purchased prize items with the cash dona-
tions. Serving as treasurer, Hayley Fisher looked after all of the money raised, cashing and depositing cheques. These efforts combined with those of other committee members, resulted in the dry grad party that was held at the high school last Friday night. The party lasted until the wee hours of Saturday morning. Once the doors
Summerland Secondary School 2014 Grads and their parents would like to sincerely thank the following businesses and individuals for their generous donations for Dry Grad.
Thank-You!
• Sumac Ridge • Summerland Soleil Tanning • Peaches Lingerie Penticton • Dr. Zagrodney • Get Bent Yoga • Summerland Review • Salon 1919 • Coles Books Penticton • Shoppers Drug Mart Summerland • Summerland Sweets • BCAA • Donna Service Design • Silver Star • Grant King Men’s Wear • Chatters Salon Penticton • Country Corner • Summerland Optometry • Benjamin Moore Penticton • Summerland Fire Dept. and Rob Robinson
• Russel and Sandra Reeve • Spokes Clinical Naturopathy • Penticton Golf & Country Club • Dr. Davis Orthodontist • Johnston Meier Insurance • Wise Guys Developments • Robert and Darleen Fisher • Dr. Abougoush • Four Winds Auto Services • Kelly O’Bryan’s Kelowna • Creekside Physiotherapy • Erics Photo Lab • Summerland Aquatic Center • Suburban Princess • Summerland Golf Club • CUPE #1136 District of Summerland Employees • Bank of Montreal • Tight Lines Contracting • Summerland Kinsmen Club
• Zias Stonehouse Restaurant • Summerland Animal Clinic • Sunoka Veterinary Clinic • Summerland Credit Union • Bell, Jacoe & Co. • Dr. Melashenko Dentist • BC Liquor Stores Summerland • Lynn Sauer • Whole Foods Market Penticton • Info Tel and Summerland Directory ~ Hugh Cairns and Ian Boudreau • Mission Bottle Washing and Maged Said • Summerland Rotary Club and Paul Barber • McBain Insurance • Andrew Sheret Limited
were opened students were let in, with parents acting as security, making sure the event would remain alcohol free. If students chose to leave the party, they were not allowed back in. Entertainment and activities for the evening included a hypnotist, laser tag and other games handled by a party company out of Vancouver. All of the points that customers had donated at their local grocery store, went towards the cost of having fruit, vegetable and cheese platters for students to snack on. Pizza was also donated and delivered to the party and non-alcoholic beverages were provided. Prizes were given out at the end of the night, so that everyone went home with something. “The event was a huge success and the kids had a great time,” said Planiden. “This couldn’t have happened without all of the support of the businesses in Summerland. How very, very generous they have been in terms of donations, prizes, and cash and with letting us use their venues. They
have just been so supportive.” As for all the hard work that goes into organizing fundraisers and planning the party, Jacquie Foley said, “It’s been fun watching them grow up. They’ve evolved. I see this as that last gift we can give our kids before we send them out the door.” Planiden said she felt like she got to know everyone a little better through it all. “It’s an amazing group of parents and an amazing group of kids,” she said. She also believes that the quote “It takes a village to raise a child” is true. “Summerland is that village and better than many many other places. It’s a phenomenal environment for kids to grow up in,” she said. It is her hope, that in communicating about the work done by this year’s Dry Grad Committee, that it will help future grad classes to have and enjoy similar celebrations. If you know a positive story about someone in our community, contact Carla McLeod at carlamcleod@shaw.ca or contact the Summerland Review newsroom at 250-494-5406.
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