Tuesday, December 23, 2008 • Page 15 EYC holds Christmas LAN were BY MARC ROCHELEAU

Although everyone cele- not always white brates the holidays, one local organization is doing it BY ANDY COMBER Queen's daughters also went made of a practical colour a bit differently. on to be married in white, that could be worn again as A snowstorm and can- Many people who view a setting the precedent made their 'best '. celled school buses weren’t 19th-century by Queen Victoria. Royal Furthermore, at afternoon enough to keep Essex Youth preserved at the John R. have always weddings many brides Centre members from Park Homestead are sur- influenced the wedding cer- chose to get married in their attending their Christmas prised to find it is not a emonies of non-royals," going-away dresses, which party on Friday, Dec. 19. white wedding dress. said Ives. were often practical travel- Although they cooked a "You can see by looking "It was the socially ing . You can see that turkey for lunch and served at this dress that women's prominent brides who often this dress is a practical dress leftovers that night, it was wedding dresses from that wore white, while the work- made of brown striped far from ordinary. era often followed the fash- ing class would choose one material," Ives said. Members also took part ionable silhouettes and in a LAN party – where they colours of the day," said play games together from Kris Ives, assistant curator separate computers. It’s EYC members Jasmine Wood, left, and Amanda at the Homestead, speaking popular but the centre can’t Stefishen enjoy the EYC Christmas party. of the wedding dress worn host the event often. by Susan Ann Wigle when “We try and do those Van’s Warped tour. being organized for next she married John D. Iler, on about two or three times a Larivee’s favourite event year. March 23, 1830. year,” said EYC Executive was their Summer Teen “This was the first year "If brides chose white Director Sandy Larivee. Drop-In and Program. we did the Running of the they would choose an ivory “We have to pay for staff to “I think the installation of Balls fundraiser and it was a or cream as it is more flat- be in there so it’s costly – our summer program was successful event,” said tering to the complexion," we try to do them when the one of our exciting things Larivee. “Actually next year she said. kids are off school.” this year,” she said. “For a we hope to maybe try and Susan Wigle was born on Members also had an all- lot of years we’ve done day run it possibly independent- Nov. 18, 1813 and worked night Batman movie camps and brought kids in – ly and also have a small car- as a midwife between 1836 marathon, watching every teenagers and college and nival – a youth and 1876. John Iler was film from 1966’s motion university students were where the kids can work at born on Aug. 15, 1806. picture to 2008’sThe Dark able to find jobs through the the carnival.” "They went on to have 12 Knight. day camp system. This year In 2009 EYC will cele- children together," said EYC’s Christmas party we really got back to our brate its 25th anniversary as Ives. capped off an active year. main focus, which is provid- an officially recognized It is believed that Queen Their fundraisers included ing service to teens – pro- charitable organization. It Victoria started the tradition the first annual Running of viding a safe, caring place will also be the centre’s 10th of the white wedding dress, the Balls in the summer and for teens.” year at its current location in said Ives. the seventh annual Trivia Plans are underway for the basement of the Essex "Queen Victoria's mar- Night in November. Events 2008’s last event. Members Recreation Complex at riage in February 1840 is for members included are hoping to have a day- Essex District High School. often cited as the marker Kris Ives, assistant curator at the John R. Park Guitar Hero tournaments, time party to ring in 2009 on which began the white wed- Homestead, displays a 19th-century wedding dress made of a brown striped fabric, worn by Susan Ann trips to Cedar Point and Dec. 30. Events are also ding dress tradition. The Wigle who married John. D. Iler on March 23, 1830.

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