Contributed Photo/Tammy Goetsch
CELEBRATION — Bayleigh Rowe, left, and Haley Flewelling were among the estimated 100 teens who rang in the new year with about 25 parents and chaperones at the annual youth event coordinated by several local ministries and staged at the Rec Center in Houlton.
By Tammy Goetsch
Special to the Houlton Pioneer Times
HOULTON — New Year’s Eve turned the Houlton Rec Center into “celebration central” for about 100 local youth who converged on the town’s popular athletic and game facility for the fourth annual New Year’s Eve Youth Event.
Parents and teens had high praise for the hugely successful affair that started four years ago to create a secure place for teens to have fun instead of going out to potentially unsafe parties. Local youth ministries pull together an event that is open to all young people from seventh grade through college.
Comments from local youth were extremely positive about the festivities that rang in 2010. Noah Holmes said: “I look forward to this every year, it’s lots of fun.” Since membership in a local youth group is not required, another teen, Daniel Swallow expressed his insight on what it means to the broader community. He said it was a safe place “where kids come together that might not come to church, so it was nice to all be together.” And, Isaac Cone had just one word to describe the event — “awesome.”
In addition to the teens, approximately 25 parents and chaperones attended as well. Remarks by parents this year were equally enthusiastic. Greg Mills said: “This is a wonderful event that keeps our kids out of trouble.” Tammy Carver commented that “it’s a secure place to go. It keeps our youth involved in good healthy activities with a group of people that really care about them.”
There were several activities for the teens to test their skills from games like Wii, pool, ping pong and volleyball to a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
Refreshments like pizza and soda along with plenty of desserts were available thanks to local merchants, volunteers, parents, students and their sponsors. Admission was $3 plus a two-liter bottle of soda, so we ended up with more soda than they could drink.
A special picture taking area for souvenir photos, door prizes and random drawings for other prizes throughout the night added to the festive atmosphere.
This year’s special guest was Irene Wise from Baltimore. She shared with the teens just before midnight the importance of making every minute count and how she had lost her best friend on New Year’s Eve. Wise stated that since we don’t know what tomorrow might bring, we should live each day to its fullest and with purpose. She shared a passage from the Biblical book of Esther and how God may call us “for such a time as this.”
Gene Collins, youth pastor of Bethel Pentecostal Church, added that there was no better place for young people to be than a safe place with adults who are called to impact a generation.
Many individuals and businesses contributed to the success of the new year’s eve event. A very special thank you is extended to: Dow’s Market, MyStik, Food Trend, Cameron’s Market, Andy’s IGA, County Yankee, Pizza Hut, Covenant Sons, JEI Sports, Bethel Pentecostal Church, Houlton Full Gospel Church and Military Street Baptist Church for their support in making the night a safe and winning one for the youth of our area and getting 2010 off to a good start.
