Downhome January 2023

Published monthly in St. John’s by Downhome Publishing Inc.

43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3

Tel: 709-726-5113 • Fax: 709-726-2135 • Toll Free: 1-888-588-6353

E-mail: mail@downhomelife.com Website: www.downhomelife.com

Editorial

Editor-in-Chief Janice Stuckless

Assistant Editor Nicola Ryan

Editor Lila Young

Art and Production

Art Director Vince Marsh

Illustrator Mel D’Souza

Illustrator Snowden Walters

Advertising Sales

Account Manager Barbara Young

Account Manager Ashley O’Keefe

Marketing Director Tiffany Brett

Finance and Administration

Accountant Marlena Grant

Accountant Sandra Gosse

Operations Manager, Twillingate Nicole Mehaney

Warehouse Operations

Warehouse / Inventory Manager Carol Howell

Warehouse Operator Josephine Collins

Shipping/Receiving Clerk Jacinta Squires

Retail Operations

Retail Floor Manager, St. John’s Jackie Rice

Retail Floor Manager, Twillingate Donna Keefe

Retail Sales Associates Crystal Rose, Jonathon

Organ, Erin McCarthy, Marissa Little, Kim Tucker, Heather Stuckless, Katrina Hynes, Destinee Rogers, Amy Young, Emily Snelgrove, Brandy Rideout, Alexandria Skinner, Emily Power, Ella Coggins, Colleen Giovannini

Subscriptions

Customer Service Associate Cathy Blundon

Customer Service Associate Lisa Tiller

Founding Editor Ron Young

Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Grant Young

President & Associate Publisher Todd Goodyear

General Manager/Assistant Publisher Tina Bromley

To subscribe, renew or change address use the contact information above. Subscriptions total inc. taxes, postage and handling: for residents in NL, NS, NB, PE $45.99; ON $45.19; QC, SK, MB, AB, BC, NU, NT, YT $41.99. US and International mailing price for a 1-year term is $49.99.

Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement #40062919

The advertiser agrees that the publisher shall not be liable for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the portion of the advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such error is due to the negligence of the servants or otherwise, and there shall be no liability beyond the amount of such advertisement. The Letters to the Editor section is open to all letter writers providing the letters are in good taste, not libelous, and can be verified as true, correct and written by the person signing the letter. Pen names and anonymous letters will not be published. The publisher reserves the right to edit, revise, classify, or reject any advertisement or letter.© Downhome Publishing Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.

Printed in Canada

homefront

8 I Dare Say A note from the Editor

10 Letters From Our Readers Old Downhomers, Out with the Ode, and calendar correction

16 Downhome Tours Downhome readers explore the Bahamas

18 Why is That? Why do tailcoats have tails? Linda Browne

20 Life’s Funny Funny Medicine Vera Mullins

21 Say What? A contest that puts words in someone else’s mouth

22 Lil Charmers Fun in the Snow

24 Pets of the Month Best in Snow

26 Reviewed Denise Flint reviews Love Will Out: A Newfoundland Story by David Michael

28 What Odds Paul Warford has something to ink about.

30 Fresh Tracks Wendy Rose reviews Rachel Cousins’ latest album, AURA.

34 Adventures Outdoors Alex’s Happy Place Gord Follett

16 island life

18 a tale of tails

24 cool characters

About the cover

Stir fry is a simple, delicious way to add immune boosting foods to your diet. Find this recipe and more beginning on p. 98.

Cover Index

Strongest Nan in NL • 54

Tour This Time Capsule • 72

Feed a Cold • 98

Ask the Designer • 90

Submission of the Year Nominees • 40

Wolf Moon Mischief • 112

108 way back when

reminiscing

108 Flashbacks Classic photos of people and places.

110 This Month in Downhome History

112 Visions and Vignettes

Adventures of two young scallywags in an imaginary outport of days gone by. Harold N. Walters

116 A Chance Worth Taking

How determined parents and a skilled surgeon beat the odds of early 20th-century medicine. Doris Collins and Mary (Collins) Walsh

124 Puzzles

136 Colouring Page

138 Classifieds

140 Mail Order

144 Photo Finish

Really, though, where does the time go?

As we begin another year, I find myself asking where did the last year go? And I know I’m not alone in this. It’s a regular topic of conversation among my peers. Turns out it’s a real phenomenon, even though it’s all in our minds. Objective time, measured in seconds, minutes and hours, does not change. But subjective time, how we perceive the passage of time, does. When we are younger, our brains are taking snapshots and notes of so many new things that it fills up time, making it seem long. As we age, we settle into routines and our brains aren’t cataloguing as much new information, so time just sort of slips by. Think about a day on vacation when you got up early, saw new sights, tried new things, met new people and had a jam-packed adventure. Now compare that to a day spent on the couch in front of the TV. Which day seems like two days, and which one was just lost?

So can we slow time down by feeding our brains new information each day? I don’t know, but it’s worth giving it a try. For inspiration, I suggest looking at the reader submissions in Downhome (and check out the 2022 Submission of the Year finalists on p. 40). You folks are always at something – travelling to interesting places, exploring nature, introducing your kids to new adventures, learning new skills and creating beautiful things. May the coming year be blessed with novel experiences, memorable moments and time to enjoy it all.

Thanks for reading,

Janice Stuckless, Editor-in-chief janice@downhomelife.com

Submission Guidelines and Prize Rules

You could WIN$100!

Every reader whose PHOTO, STORY, JOKE or POEM appears next to this yellow “from our readers” stamp in a current issue receives $10 and a chance at being drawn for the monthly prize: $100 for one photo submission and $100 for one written submission. Prizes are awarded in Downhome Dollars certificates, which can be spent like cash in our retail stores and online at shopDownhome.com.*

Submit Today!

Send your photo, story, joke or poem to Downhome, 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3 or submit online at: www.downhomelife.com

*Only 1 prize per submitter per month. To receive their prize, submitters must provide with their submission COMPLETE contact information: full name, mailing address, phone number and email address (if you have one). Mailed submissions will only be returned to those who include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Downhome Inc. reserves the right to publish submissions in future print and/or electronic media campaigns. Downhome Inc. is not responsible for unsolicited material.

Can you find him?

Look carefully at all the photographs and in the text of the stories. If you spot Corky, send us your name, address and phone number, along with a note telling us where he’s located. Your name will be entered in a draw and the winner will receive a coupon worth 25 Downhome Dollars redeemable at our store, or through our website.

Send

43 James Lane St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3

mail@downhomelife.com

www.downhomelife.com

Deadline for replies is the 25th of each month.

Oldest Downhome Issue

My mother, Irene Keating (originally from Bonavista, NL, but living in Toronto, ON) asked me if I could send you her oldest edition of the Downhome paper from 1989. The first article in the newspaper is actually really funny, about Downhomers with car phones... lol!

Tammy Via email

Wow! That’s an oldie, for sure. There was so much Downhome news in that issue – the new cover price, the launch of “The Downhome Show” on CHIN Radio, and the founding of the Newfoundland Association for expatriates. Thanks for staying with us all this time, Irene!

Whoa!

I must write you all again and say from the bottom of my heart, what an awesome magazine, and all I can say is “Whoa” when it comes. The stories and the puzzles are priceless. I can’t find the king of the crop – I’m referring to lovable Corky. Keep up with those recipes, too. When I see Newfoundland molasses raisin bread it

Downhome 1996

This is from my mother, who is currently 98, Anne Flanagan. I hope she wins a prize! She reads Downhome cover to cover.

Maureen Flanagan

Via email

Partridgeberries in a piggin, a classic September image taken by Gander photographer Charlie Falk. We featured his work often in the earlier years. Thanks for bringing back good memories, Anne.

brings tears to my eyes, as it reminds me of my darling mom, Ellen Mary Peddle, who passed away. Keep happy, keep writing.

Veronica Lunn

Grand

Prairie, AB

Thank you, as always, for your kind words, Veronica. All the best in the new year ahead.

Out with the Ode?

The letter below has already been sent to the president of Memorial University, Vianne Timmons, and the other seven individuals with her administration who were involved with President Timmons in making the decision to cancel the singing of The Ode at graduation ceremonies.

Dear President Timmons:

I am sending this communication to you and copying your Vice Presidents et al. I write to express, without compunction, my condemnation of the arbitrary decision of the administration of Memorial University to do

scripts/books so methodically catalogued in Memorial’s library since its birth on Parade Street in 1925, because they refer exclusively to Newfoundland? Will this mean the names of such fine scholars as George Story, Patrick O’Flaherty and Dora Russell will not even qualify as a footnote in academic research? Your unilateral decision epitomises the pointlessness of Cancel Culture. Rather than trumpet the whims and fancies of political populism, so enslaving our neighbours to the south, why not revise certain wording and add yet another stanza to The Ode?

Rather than trumpet the whims and fancies of political populism, so enslaving our neighbours to the south, why not revise certain wording and add yet another stanza to The Ode?

away with singing “The Ode to Newfoundland” at its graduation ceremonies. This punitive treatment of our treasured history mocks the very idea of a university: to shape and cultivate the person, intellectually, socially and spiritually; and yes, remember and honour our history and culture, as the title Memorial University suggests. It is culpable and blameworthy to repress the memory of those Newfoundlanders who laid down their lives on the blood-stained fields of Europe and elsewhere, or those who are buried in unmarked graves at the bottom of our ocean deep.

As a proud graduate of Memorial, I wonder what lies ahead for our venerable institution. Will this mean the shredding of documents/manu-

My father had the privilege of working in Labrador for 25 years. He always remarked upon the wonder and marvel of its landscape and of the rich legacy of the survival and endurance of the Labrador people as far north as Saglek. My father always said to his four sons, who are all graduates of Memorial, that the legacy of the Labrador people must not be disregarded or forgotten. In fact, my father became a very good friend of Memorial professor James Tuck during the time that Prof. Tuck spent in Labrador exploring its archaeological history, and both of these men shared a passion for the Big Land.

Instead of erasing The Ode from our history and practice, add to it. There are enough poets and songwriters

gracing the halls of Memorial and elsewhere in our province to bring their literary gifts to enrich our aweinspiring anthem. A few small changes will not alter its intent and purpose; it will only acknowledge the transforming face and circumstances of our distinctive history, society and culture.

The people of our province are a kind and tough people. We are not a small people. As Wayne Johnston wrote, “we are a people in whose bodies old sea-seeking rivers roar with blood.” In the same work, The Colony of Unrequited Dreams, wherein he wrote the above, Johnston

Kevin Kennedy, and the other piece on my home turf in St Mary’s Bay that is a memorial garden to that 20-yearold hero. And sometimes, yes sometimes, I – who has confirmed and demonstrated on many occasions and in many places, cannot carry a tune in a bucket – if I am feeling a tad audacious, sing to those enquiring CFAs The Ode. And I feel large. And so do they. And they feel included.

And a vast majority of those who choose to listen to my story, and song, of Newfoundland and Labrador, and whose ears are so egregiously assaulted by my inelegant and less

Instead of erasing The Ode from our history and practice, add to it. There are enough poets and songwriters gracing the halls of Memorial and elsewhere in our province to bring their literary gifts to enrich our awe-inspiring anthem.

also describes our alchemy of toughness and kindness when he heartbreakingly, but with transcendent poignancy, captures how the men who in 1914 died on the ice treated each other in their final moments in extremis. When asked by genuinely curious individuals, proverbial CFAs, as to what Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are like, I proudly and eagerly first give them that passage from Colony; and I tell them about the Blue Puttees of October 1914; and about July 1, 1916; and about the Caribou in October 1942; and about February 14, 1982; and about September 11, 2001; and about two sacred pieces of earth – one piece in Afghanistan that contains the uncollected and decayed remains of Private

than dulcet tones, in one form or another tell me that their souls are not at all assaulted or excluded, but rather enlarged – and sometimes not just fleetingly, but stay that way long after the song is heard no more.

Moses Morgan, former president of Memorial from 1973-1981, mentored me for 30 months. I had the privilege of getting to know him very well. Perhaps I should not presume to know what he would say about the decision by his beloved Memorial to now cancel The Ode being sung at graduation ceremonies. But perhaps it is a time for boldness. I would like to think that this great man would have said something along the lines that should it come to pass that The Ode is actually cancelled at graduation ceremonies,

that nevertheless in Wordsworthesque fashion its magic and message will remain, and Moses Morgan would surely say:

“The music in my heart I bore Long after it was heard no more.”

Sincerely and respectfully, Noel Daley, Counsel, Noel Daley Law Practicing member of the Bar of Newfoundland (1981) and the Bar of Ontario (1989) St. Joseph’s, NL

Thank you for sharing your impassioned letter to Memorial University. The institution’s decision to drop the singing of “The Ode to Newfoundland” from its fall 2022 convocation program was met with public outcry. We updated “O Canada” to make it gender neutral, so why can’t we update the ode to make it more inclusive? You are right that there’s no shortage of writers and musicians in this province who could be up to the challenge. What about Downhome readers? What verse would you add to the Ode to bring the whole province together? Send us your stanzas and we’ll publish them in an upcoming issue. Email your suggestion to editorial@downhomelife.com (subject: Ode to Newfoundland and Labrador), or write a letter to Downhome, 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3.

RECENT TWEETS

CORRECTION

The photo submission chosen for the August page of the 2023 Downhome Calendar was mislabelled. The image of the red stage was taken in Tilting, not Joe Batt’s Arm. Downhome regrets the error.

Living large in the Grand Canyon on October 30, 2022. Betty Young, @normareesjones and Susan Vokey!

Dear readers,

Would you like to comment on something you’ve read in Downhome? Do you have a question for the editors or for other readers? Submit your letter to the editor at DownhomeLife.com/letters or write to us at 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3.

UPDATE

The release date for Chris Picco’s new album, Split Down the Middle, the subject of Fresh Tracks in the December issue, has been pushed back to early 2023.

There’s no Treat as Sweet as a Chocolate Chipper!

Growing up in southwestern Ontario, Mickeala (Mickey) Collins developed a passion for horses and ponies at a young age. When she was 7, her parents Lynn and Barry bought a farm in Kincardine, on the shores of Lake Huron and the family’s life-long passion for horses and ponies began.

Shortly after acquiring their first horse, a quarter horse, Lynn read about rare pony breeds and the efforts to preserve them. The family’s love of ponies began when they brought home a New Forest Pony named Twinkie. It didn’t take long for Mickey and her sister, Kinsey, to get involved in local Pony Club events and fall fairs. A neighbour’s friend owned a Newfoundland Pony and the family was inspired to find their own Newfoundland Pony. When Mickey was 13, the family brought home the rarest of Newfoundland Ponies, a radical changer named Chocolate Chipper (NPS #360). ‘Chipper’, as he’s known around the farm, quickly became Mickey’s best friend.

Over the past 15 years Chipper has been a constant source of companionship for Mickey. From riding events, to her wedding day, Chipper has been a steady mount and loyal friend. From managing juvenile arthritis throughout her childhood, to overcoming some anxiety issues in her teens, Chipper was a source of support and comfort to boost her confidence. “He’s been a real gift from the universe. He’s always there for me, no matter the issue. He’s a steady Eddie.”

When asked what makes Chipper so special, Mickey says “he’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me!” Noting he’s more like a teddy bear or a golden retriever, she says that anyone can ride him, from adults to kids. “He’s really intuitive - he knows what people need, and he’s like that with everyone.” Mickey also speaks to the strong bond her parents have with Chipper. “My mom just loves him, she has a strong bond with him and so does my dad. Chipper is the pony he connects with the most.” When Chipper became ill with colic last summer, the family brought him to the University of Guelph for treatment. Thankfully he made a full recovery, while acquiring a fan club among the staff there during his stay. “Of course they all fell in love with him!”

Mickey encourages anyone interested in getting a Newfoundland Pony to get involved with the breed. “They are so versatile and sturdy. They are the ideal equine, pony-sized but with the steady temperament you’d expect from larger draught horses.

“If I could have Newfoundland Ponies for the rest of my life, I would.”

The Bahamas homefront

Downhome tours...

Castaway Cay

Gracie Burden of St. Lunaire-Griquet, NL, visits Disney’s Castaway Cay. In 1997, Disney took out a 99-year lease on Gorda Cay – a Bahamian island long associated with pirates, drug barons and smugglers. The transformation to Castaway Cay, a Disney private island where large cruise ships could easily dock and guests could spend the day in paradise, took about 18 months and $25 million to complete. These days, the only pirate making regular visits to this island is the fictional Captain Jack Sparrow. The famous ship from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies – the ghostly Flying Dutchman – was once anchored there.

Exuma Island

Ken Miller, originally of Stephenville Crossing, NL, poses at Sandals Resort Emerald Bay on Exuma Island.

In late January 1698, Scottish privateer-turned pirate Captain William Kidd and his crewattacked and took the Quedah Merchant, a cargo ship loaded with a fortune’s worth of silk, muslin, sugar and opium. Kidd was eventually arrested and hung for his crimes, but part of his lasting legacy are rumours of him leaving behind buried treasure – some say it’s on Exuma Island.

Grand Bahama Island

Neil, Linda and Taylor Higdon of Lloydminster, AB, explore beautiful Gold Rock Beach on Grand Bahama Island.

The Bahamas consists of 700 tropical islands, but only about 30 of them are inhabited. Back in the 1600s, the area around Grand Bahama Island – first claimed by the Spanish in 1492 and then the British in 1670 –drew pirates such as Blackbeard, Calico Jack, Anne Bonny and Captain Kidd, who looted ships sailing along trade routes that circled the islands.

Expert answers to common life questions.

By Linda Browne

Why do tailcoats have tails?

Fashion is an interesting thing, and so is watching styles and trends evolve over time. From hoop skirts, corsets, top hats and fascinators to platform shoes, bell bottoms and ripped jeans, what we wear places us at a particular period in time, and trends (as they come and go and, oftentimes, come back ’round again) help give insight into where we are as a society.

One thing that never seems to go out of style is a nice suit, and an even nicer one for fancy events. The white-tie dress code, also known as “tails,” for example, requires that male attendees sport a black coat with the aforementioned tails. A more stylized version of the tuxedo, tailcoats are short in the front and long at the back (you might say they’re like the mullets of formal wear). To learn more about this interesting item of fashion, we consulted renowned British Columbia-based fashion historian, collector and curator Ivan Sayers (who specializes in the study of fashions from 1700 to present day). The tailcoat, he says, is essentially a European concept and a byproduct of the tailoring process.

“In the 18th century, and probably earlier for that matter, a coat for both men or women would have frequently

been made in long panels; so in other words, without a waist seam. And women’s gowns or dresses were made the same way often,” says Sayers.

Around this time, he adds, the value of the garment was in the fabric, especially for women’s clothes. “The fabric was so expensive, they tried to keep the pieces as large as possible, so that the fabric would retain its monetary value. And as you get through the 18th century, women’s clothing tends to get remade, and every time you remake your garment, you have to cut it down,” he says, which translates to more tightly fitted dresses. (“The same thing happens with men’s clothing because, again, the fabric was so valuable, they tried to keep the pieces as large as possible,” Sayers adds.)

One of the pieces that was left intact, Sayers says, was the centre back piece,

which created a panel in the coat or gown that went from the back of the neck down to the hem of the garment, “which for a coat would have been about the level of your calf… So that panel becomes the tail. And the more conspicuous concept of a tailcoat is in men’s clothing.”

These coats, Sayers says, were designed with horse riding in mind – a common form of transportation at the time. They had an open seam, from the hips to hem, he adds, “so that when you were on the horse, the tails would hang on either side… What happens, though, is when you’re not on the horse, the front corners of the coat can get in your way, especially in military uniforms. Gradually what happens is the part that gets folded back, they just cut it off. And that’s why you end up with that swallowtail coat, or a real, true cutaway kind of coat. So it’s sort of an evolutionary thing.”

If you see a tailcoat, you might notice two buttons at the small of the back, which, Sayers says, is a leftover relic from a time before tailors would cut the front edges of the skirts away.

“So when you were fighting in a battle or riding your horse and you

didn’t want your coattails to flap around you, you would take the front corners of the coat at the hem... and drape them back into the small of your back and button them to the buttons that were there. Those two buttons still exist, but they don’t have any function anymore. They’re just ornamental.”

Usually, he says, tailcoats are black, a colour which exuded not only dignity, but also prestige.

“On a slightly more mundane level, black was the most expensive dye. So if you wore a black coat, it meant that you could afford a more expensive fabric... a lot of old tailcoats, if they’re very old, they will fade, and oftentimes they will appear to be brown or dark green. That’s because the actual dye was those colours – it wasn’t truly black, but they used such heavy concentrations of the dye that it appeared to be black… that was where the status was,” Sayers says.

“So there are various influences that helped to create the image of the black formal tailcoat.”

Do you have a burning life question for Linda to investigate? Turn to page 9 for ways to contact us.

Funny Medicine

My husband had a sore throat and cough for three whole days. He woke up one night, 3:45 in the morning actually, coughing so hard he almost threw up. He said, “You gotta give me something for this cough.” So, half asleep, I got up, went to the fridge and got him some Mason’s ’49 cough syrup. Well, it did the job. It stopped his cough and he slept until 8:00. When I got up, I went to put the cough medicine back in the fridge. Marked on the bottle was Vanilla Extract. I gave him the wrong bottle by mistake, but it worked!

Vera Mullins Harbour Breton, NL

Do you have any funny or embarrassing true stories?

Share them with us. If your story is selected, you’ll win a prize! See page 9 for details.

Say WHAT?

Downhome recently posted this photo (submitted by Pam Goodfleisch) on our website and social media platforms and asked folks to imagine what this dog might be saying. Terry Hoddinott’s response made us chuckle the most, so we’re awarding him 20 Downhome Dollars!

Here are the runners-up:

“Dad said he wants a hot dog. I’m getting pretty close, maybe if I sit nearer...”

– Tee Georgia

“Watching the Great NL Cooking Show, waiting for my feed of moose.”

– Edna Walsh

“Are you kidding me? Another bun in the oven!” – Curt N Jo-ann Thorne

Play with us online!

www.downhomelife.com/saywhat

“No matter what it is, I want it.”

– Terry Hoddinott

Fun in the Snow

Freeze the Day

Eight-year-old Jesse makes a great catch while ice fishing in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Nicole Clannon

Happy Valley-Goose Bay, NL

Cold Comfort

While the rest of the family sits around the fire, 11-yearold Clifford builds a winter survival camp.

Jamie and Christine Murphy Westport, NL

Winter Wonderland

Victoria takes a break from snowshoeing up through the woods path in Mary’s Harbour.

Annette Tatchell Mary’s Harbour, NL

Snow Much Fun!

Twins Lennon and Olivia pose with their impressive snow fort in Corner Brook, NL. Calvin Perry Oshawa, ON

Best in Snow

Double Dog

Max and Molly are twice the fun to have at the cabin in Duley Lake, Labrador City.

Alana Newhook

Labrador City, NL

Something Blue

Seymour, a six-year-old Russian blue kitty, is snow darn cute.

Kayla Decker

Labrador City, NL

Moose on the Loose

Moose thinks winter walkies are a real treat.

Andrea Collins Fort McMurray, AB

Licence to Chill

This beautiful boxer shows off her cool side. Cole Anstey Newville, NL

reviewed by Denise Flint

Love Will Out

A Newfoundland Story

David Michael

Inglewood Press

$27.95

When imagining St. John’s in the first half of the 20th century, one generally pictures it having a pretty homogeneous, English/Irish population. But that’s not entirely true. Love Will Out: A Newfoundland Story tells the tale of Ali and Ruth. He’s the son of Christian Lebanese immigrants, and she’s the daughter of a Polish Jew who came to Newfoundland via New York. They live next door to each other, and their backgrounds are as different from each other as they are from the people around them. Nonetheless, from an early age they are in love and that never changes no matter what else goes on in their world. That’s the basic story behind first time author David Michael’s fictionalized account of the life of his parents.

It’s an interesting story in more ways than one. The backgrounds of the two protagonists alone are different enough to engender some interest on the part of the reader. But their story goes beyond their somewhat unusual – by Newfoundland standards –cultural heritage. How they live their lives is also outside the norm. Even today their lifestyle would be considered unusual. Back then it must have been shocking. If this story were fiction it would probably be dismissed as too unbelievable. But it isn’t. At least it mostly isn’t.

Beyond the personal story there’s plenty here to give readers a glimpse of life in downtown St. John’s between the two world wars, giving the book historic interest beyond the romance at its heart.

Q&A with the Author

Denise Flint: How long have you known this story about your parents? (*spoiler alert)

David Michael: I didn’t find out about it until after my mom and dad had passed away. I had no idea my mom had been married to another man. My mom got married to this other guy for more or less the reasons given in the book. She had three children with my father while she was married to this other man. There was a picture in our family photo album and we had no idea who this guy was. It was my aunt who sat me down one day and said, “Dave, I have something to tell you.”

DF: What are your sources?

DM: Everybody knew about it; all my Lebanese relatives, of whom there are many. My family is a family of gossipers. I found out in the ’80s or ’90s, and I was amazed that none of my family had even hinted about it. My family had a lot of respect for my mom and dad. I think they were trying to protect us. They didn’t want to talk about it. They found it difficult to get into the story. I didn’t research it in that kind of detail. I got some facts from family members, but I didn’t go around and interview everybody because that would be too difficult for them.

DF: How much of this story is true and how much did you make up?

DM: Ninety-five per cent is true. I just added in some things to tie the story together. It’s a novel; it’s not a history book. Two people sitting around the kitchen table talking

about the weather is not interesting. I added details, but everything is true. It’s a pretty amazing story, such a dramatic story. All the stuff about my Jewish grandfather is true...

DF: What did you discover when researching this story that surprised you the most?

DM: The fact that my mom was married to another man other than my father, and that Dad was the father of my siblings but Dad wasn’t married to Mom at the same time. He [her husband] was a merchant marine. He used to go off doing merchant marine stuff and Dad would move in with Mom. They were in love with each other, but Dad did what he did in the book and that’s a hard thing to forgive. Dad used to take me down to the Southern Shore and we used to visit my half-brother. I just thought he was a friend of my dad’s, but he was actually my brother. They never told me that my father was his father as well.

DF: Do you feel differently about your parents since researching and writing this book?

DM: I really felt for them. I felt for the difficulty they must have gone through besides raising six kids and they had to try to protect us. In the eyes of the church they were sinful. The difficulties they would have faced, the animosity and the pointing of fingers and the denigration. It was a happy relationship between Mom and her first husband. I don’t think less of them. I just feel for them. I wish they’d told me.

something to ink about…

By Paul Warford

I’m getting a tattoo in a couple of days. Shhh! Don’t tell Mom! I haven’t asked for her opinion these past few years, but historically Mom has always hated tattoos, and the mere mention of them seems to sour her mood. She had to organize the Warford finances (e.g. motorhome on vacation, kilometres and litres of gas and their cost laid out in a chart and recorded in an exercise book kept solely for this purpose), and these garish, painful adornments were likely never intended to be a factor in the family budget. Put simply: she probably just thinks they’re a waste of money. However, much like dogs on the bed, the masses seem to disagree with my mother on what is fashionable. Speaking just of my own experiences, the attitude towards tattooing has evolved at a shocking rate in the past 20 years. For example, during those heady days when I was living in Banff, AB, I got three tattoos at a place called Spin Drift Studios in Canmore. I had three pieces put on my torso over the span of two years, each about four or five inches high, and each costing about $100, maybe $150. Combined with the type-font word, “Writer?” that I’d been marked with at Acadia, this brought me to a total of four, each about the same size: Not Very Big. However, when I’d be at a party in years to follow and the topic of tattoos – or The Simpsons and tattoos – came up, I might find myself raising my shirt to shocked gasps.

In 2007, having four tattoos, even small ones, was a statement of some kind. Unless you were a biker, a sailor or in some other outlier group, you didn’t have tattoos. If you were just out of university and in your early 20s, you didn’t have a tattoo unless you listened to a lot of punk

In 2007, having four tattoos, even small ones, was a statement of some kind. Unless you were a biker, a sailor or in some other outlier group, you didn’t have tattoos.

What would the Hell’s Angels of yesteryear have to say about all this? Perhaps they’d roll their eyes and spit on the dirt. Perhaps they’d just shake their head with a bemused chuckle.

music, did a lot of drugs, or made the leap with a group of friends some night while drunk and vacationing in Cancun. In my case, I was a saucy kid with a rebellious nature, but I lacked the casual anarchy of those who vandalize or pierce their lobes with double-aught-gauged needles, so I guess I got tattoos instead.

But now? Well, let’s just say a young Paul never would have predicted our culture would become so blasé about going under the needle. Now you can wander onto the MUN campus any day of the week and find first-year nursing students sporting $1,000 pieces of blueberry bushes and alder branches. Employees of the Geek Squad might have shoulder-to-wrist arm jobs depicting their favourite cartoon characters – another development Young Paul wasn’t expecting. When I got my Simpsons tattoo of Mr. Burns on the small of my back, I didn’t know a single person with a tattoo like that – which was, of course, a key motivation for getting it in the first place. In 2006, getting a Simpsons character tattoo was just a shade or two off insanity. Now my older brother, who does not enjoy drawing attention to himself in the least, has Star Wars lore emblazoned up and down his bicep and forearm. Meanwhile, my sister-in-law has Harry Potter on her skin, and she works in early childhood education. What would the Hell’s Angels of

yesteryear have to say about all this? Perhaps they’d roll their eyes and spit on the dirt. Perhaps they’d just shake their head with a bemused chuckle.

My piece this week (done by Pedro Cuoto at Studio Maxx) will feature a pin-up-style woman wearing boxing gloves, ready to spar, and she herself has tattoos: a spider web on her elbow, an anchor on her thigh. Why am I getting it? I have no idea, I simply saw the image, fell in love, and the rest will soon be history. However, I had always planned to get a tattoo of an anchor because I spent two months at sea on the oil tanker Alsterstern, and though I was more an unsteady observer than a sailor, I still did the hitch and no one can take that away from me. Sailors get tattoos of anchors; so, too, am I and shall I. After Thursday, I’ll be able to take note of the kind geezer behind me in line at the gas station, and when I see the anchor and rope imprinted on the flesh just beside the base of his thumb, once black and now faded to a blueish-green like a weathered copper roof, I’ll think to myself, “Me, too, buddy. I was out there, too.”

Paul Warford began writing for Downhome to impress his mom and her friends. He writes and performs comedy in Eastern Canada. Follow him on Twitter @paulwarford

fresh tracks

new music talk with Wendy Rose

AURA Rachel Cousins

THE GOOD VIBES are simply emanating from Rachel Cousins’ latest album, AURA, released May 2022. She came onto the local music scene years ago as an eager tween. Today, Rachel has firmly established herself as a popstar on the rise, with three MusicNL Pop Artist of the Year Awards to back it up.

While her earlier works lean more into the folk/rock genre, Rachel’s recent creations are rooted in pop, with a dash of R&B and fun dance music. This shift is undeniably a great move for the still young singer/songwriter. After one listen through AURA, it’s clear that fans of pop icons like Lorde, Taylor Swift, Rita Ora, Carly Rae Jepsen, Charlie XCX and Tove Lo will greatly appreciate Rachel’s new album.

AURA kicks off with “For Myself.” A few seconds of a party soundscape leads us into the first verse, which drops in and immediately hooks the listener. With catchy added vocal harmonies, a fun, funky background track and a consistent beat, you can’t help but bop your head along. “In case you couldn’t tell, I do it for

myself,” she sings on the chorus, exuding female empowerment.

In the breakdown, Rachel speaks of dancing on her own, a line that hearkens to Swedish popstar Robyn’s mega hit “Dancing on My Own.” This kind of “girl power” pop is right up my alley, and I love the energy.

The lyrics in “Love Language” reflect the same kind of vibe – or aura, I should say – about a young person who knows her worth and demands it, explaining that while she’s totally fine on her own, she’s open to finding that perfect match if they can speak her love language. And if not, that’s OK, because she’s all booked up and “got no time to be sitting around drying my eyes,” she sings with self-confidence and a dash of defiance.

“Hands on Me” grabbed me from the get-go, with a fun and sexy back-

ing track. The lyrical content shows her growth from young girl to empowered woman. This track could do well on a “sexy time” playlist of sorts.

Rachel collaborates with Torontobased indie electronic trio Bon Villan in “Summer Lovin’,” a somewhat slower jam that’s still suitable for the dance floor. The lyrics about “breaking all the rules,” late-night dips and hangover-curing brunches bring me right back to my early 20s and those carefree summers filled with fun, laughter, love – and a bit of mild debauchery. With this song, Rachel manages to make me yearn for those long, warm nights and the crazy shenanigans, knowing that I could no longer get away with it now. It’s been a while since I’ve thought fondly of my formerly wild ways, and I thank you, Rachel, for creating these feelings in this moment.

We slow down a little more on “This Way,” a heartfelt love song comparing and contrasting new and old relationships, and the lessons we learn and take with us as we continue to define our self-worth.

“Here” is another ethereal dreamy pop song. Written during pandemic

lockdowns, the longing comes through in the lyrics: “To spend weeks apart, sitting in parking lots, I just want you here,” she sings, echoing how many folks felt as COVID-19 protocols enforced distance between us and our loved ones.

On “If You Stay,” Rachel implores her love interest to show her that “love is not a battleground,” and that if you manage to stick through both the good times and the not so good, you’ll get to know the real, deepdown version of the woman behind the music.

On the album’s next track, “Aftermath,” Rachel sings about the struggle that complex, deep emotions can create, and how sometimes once things change, they can never go back to the way they once were. “Can we go back before the aftermath?” she asks. The second last song, “Don’t Look at Me,” hits hard for anyone who has experienced dating in a small city like St. John’s, where you’re sometimes forced into close proximity with old flames. “When you pass me on the sidewalk, you can keep your shoulders square, I’ll step out of your way, and you’ll barely know I’m

there,” she sings, the raw emotion coming through the speakers with ease.

AURA ends with a gorgeous, simplistic acoustic version of “Aftermath,” throwing it back to Rachel’s earlier folk stylings while showcasing the maturity in her skill and approach.

At just 21 years old, it’s incredible to hear the personal growth that this artist has experienced since releasing her debut album, This Fire, in 2017. Considering what Rachel has already accomplished in her short time on Earth thus far, and based on her current trajectory, we can anticipate a lot more amazing work from her.

Q&A with the Artist

Wendy Rose: You were nominated a whopping five times and won two awards in 2022 – Solo Artist of the Year, and Pop Artist of the Year for the THIRD year in a row! What was going through your mind when the winners were being announced at the MusicNL Awards in Corner Brook?

Rachel Cousins: Thank you so much! This year’s music celebration week was exactly what I needed after the past two years, so to say that bringing home two awards had me over the moon would be an understatement. My overall feeling was absolute gratitude for the people that got me here, as well as being so proud of myself and my peers for not only getting here after COVID-19, but being recognized for the projects that we’ve worked so hard on.

WR: Your third full-length album, AURA, just came out in May 2022, and you’ve been getting a lot of media attention and airplay, with “For Myself” playing during “Hockey Night in Canada”! Wow! What kind of feedback have you been hearing about your latest release from fans and folks in the industry?

RC: I honestly believe that “For Myself” is my new “Let Go” single, in

the best way. It’s just the song that clicked as the single for the album, and everyone loves a good upbeat self-love song lately, which is amazing. For it to be recognized by the media as widely as it did, is an amazing feeling as an artist. It just makes me realize how capable I am. People from home hear my music on a big game like that and it’s a big deal, which makes me feel super supported. My publisher CYMBA is also the absolute best, and they’re constantly working to get placements for me, such as “Hockey Night in Canada.”

WR: This album has been a long time comin’, having started working on AURA in 2020. What did that writing/recording process look like, as pandemic restrictions altered artists’ approach to creating music?

RC: A lot of the writing was done over Zoom. Sometimes just myself and my producer, Daniel Adams, sometimes adding other artists and writers such as J.E.M., who is a Torontobased R&B artist who wrote “For Myself” with us this way. We did that for multiple songs on the album, some of them I wrote some of myself and then brought to Dan to make it even better. It was all a learning

process and none of us had lived through a pandemic before, so we all just learned together. When we could meet in person again it was always masks and distancing. Music is something that will always adapt; the industry is forever changing.

WR: On top of launching your most recent solo works, you’ve also been on tour with Kellie Loder, and performed with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Can you tell us more about those experiences?

RC: Kellie and I have known each other since I was about 16. We had co-written together and I had opened for them years ago as well, but now I would say they are one of my closest friends in the industry, as well as a mentor. Touring with Kellie taught me so much about what I had already been doing for years, but with a different position on the stage. I had been on a hiatus for a few months, taking time to heal and rest, and I really think touring as a backup vocalist for them helped me find my love for music again. As soon as they asked me to be a part of

the NSO show, of course I agreed, as I truly love to share the stage with them and the band. It was a beautiful show, and I’m so lucky to be a part of their team.

WR: Throughout the past couple of years, you’ve been open and honest on social media about personal struggles with mental health, and based on the comment sections, your fans have been so supportive and thankful for your transparency. In an industry where “time off” is minimal, how do you make sure you prioritize yourself and your well-being?

RC: I’m honestly still figuring it out myself! I really listen to myself over everyone, in a way. My mom, who is also my manager, raised me to have boundaries for myself and my light always in my career. Saying no doesn’t mean you will fail, either. Time off is important when art is a part of your business because you’re baring your heart on your sleeve even realizing a project. I’ll always talk about mental health in music because the conversation always needs to be open.

Alex’s Happy Place

By Gord Follett

Trout and salmon fishing. Small game and target shooting. Boilups. Plenty of boilups.

These are some of the things that 12-year-old Alex Rogers of Port Rexton, NL, loves about the outdoors, just like thousands of other kids his age across the province. The only difference is that Alex, a Grade 7 student at Holy Cross in Eastport, has cerebral palsy, a condition marked by muscle weakness and impaired coordination of the limbs. He requires the aid of a wheelchair, walker or his devoted father, Grant Sheppard, to get around. But other than this mobility issue, he’s quick to point out in a recent interview, “nothing is gonna stop me from enjoying the outdoors.”

Alex was just five or six years old when his dad began taking him on duck hunting trips. “He would show me how to call in ducks and it was really fun,” Alex says. “Our trips would always end with a boilup of tea, toast, turkey bacon and wieners. I quickly found out that everything tastes better in the woods over a fire – especially the tea!” Even when not hunting, “Dad and me would make a special trip to our favourite place, just to boil the kettle and have a lunch...”

He adds, “I even like the outdoors in winter, getting out for snowball fights and sliding. I’ve tried skating on the pond with help from Dad holding me up, but I would rather be in the woods with a fire going.”

The father-son combo eventually expanded their outdoor activities to include snowshoe hare hunting. “We would go on woods roads in my wheelchair with my .22, searching for rabbits,” Alex explains. “Those trips are a lot of fun, even when we don’t see any rabbits.”

I asked Grant how his boy was doing with target shooting. “He started out shooting at two-litre Pepsi bottles filled with water, then he moved to one-litre bottles, then on to Pepsi tins, and his latest target was an empty 12-gauge shell case –about 180 feet away,” he says.

There’s a very special bond between Alex and his father, Grant.

While it was Dad who introduced him to the outdoors, Alex says the Newfoundland Sportsman magazine and television show really piqued his interest. “I would watch the Sportsman show – the best hunting show on TV – and liked what I saw. [The hosts] showed different hunts and there was always a few laughs. They liked what they were doing. I would also read the Sportsman magazine; Dad never missed getting a copy. Then one day I said to Dad, ‘I want to do what they are doing. I’m not gonna let my cerebral palsy stop me. I’m going to give it my best.’”

This past summer, Grant got his son involved in the challenging sport of salmon fishing.

“I loved it,” Alex declares. “It was exciting not knowing when you might hook a salmon. We did some fishing on Trouty River and Terra Nova River. Dad surprised me with my own fly rod, so now we can salmon fish together.”

Their next “big hunt” will be when Grant goes back into the moose licence draw after a 20plus year hiatus. He plans on doing that for the 2023 season.

“That’s gonna be lots of fun,” Alex expects.

But Grant had better practise his shooting because his boy already seems quite familiar with friendly ribbing common among anglers and hunters in this province. “Dad and me started coyote hunting about four years ago. He got me my own caller and I practised using the calls. On a

couple of trips, I managed to call coyotes in close enough for a shot, but Dad missed them somehow,” he digs, laughing.

Another time they were fishing Tom Jones Pond in Port Rexton. Dad caught two trout and Alex had seven.

“Each time he’d haul in another,” Grant recalls, “he’d say, ‘Now, that’s how many for me, Dad, and how many for you?’ He enjoyed rubbing it in that day... in a friendly way, of course. He’s all there for the sportsmanship that comes with our great outdoors.”

While other kids might be looking

On the hunt for some rabbits

forward to their hockey and soccer games, Alex can’t wait to get outdoors again.

“When I mention going hunting or for a boilup, it’s like he comes alive,” Grant says. “You can see a different side of him. He gets this glow in his eyes, like it’s his very first hunt all over again. The excitement and smile on his face when we’re out there says it all. Even at 12 years of age, he’s already developing a lifetime passion for the outdoors. It’s his happy place.”

Although he has yet to meet him, Alex also gleans some of his inspiration from a friend of his father, who lives just 45 kilometres away along

the Bonavista Highway. “Dad told me about his friend, Corey Whiffen, who has a disability like me, but he doesn’t let it stop him from hunting and fishing. Dad says Corey is a very determined guy and an inspiration to other hunters...

“I guess Corey is gonna have to share the outdoors with me now,” Alex adds with a chuckle. “And who knows, someday we may be able to go hunting with Corey. I’d like to meet him.”

“Your son seems like a really good kid,” I say to Grant in winding up our interview.

“Gord,” he says with pride, “he’s an awesome kid.”

Gord Follett was editor of the Newfoundland Sportsman magazine for more than 30 years and co-hosted the Newfoundland Sportsman TV show for 15 years. Email gordfollett@gordfollettoutdoors.com.

life

is better

Winter sentinel at Cape Spear

Connie Boland, Corner Brook, NL

With 200-300 reader submitted photos published in any given year, choosing one above all others to win $500 in Downhome coupons and the title Submission of the Year is a task too big for just a few people. That’s why, after the editorial staff narrow them down to 12 submissions from across a range of categories and issues, we hand the final decision over to the largest, most qualified group we know –our readers.

Study all the finalists on the following pages, then go to our website from January 13-20 and vote for your favourite of these submissions. We’ll announce the winner with the most votes in the March 2023 issue. Good luck, everyone!

Jenn

Karen & Keith Tilley

Recipe for Success

A Dog’s Life

Judy King

Andrea (Farrell)

Legaarden

Colourful St. John’s Bailey Parsons

All Aboard

Alana Doucette

One Fine Day

The Kid Can Play

Daniel Rumbolt

Colin Pittman

Cat Walk

Squeeze Box

Julie Baggs

Alexandrea Rose

Smiling Sailors

Santa Baby

Vera Sheppard

Colin Lane

Submit your favourite photos of scenery, activities and icons that best illustrate the down-home lifestyle. We’re looking for a variety of colourful subjects – outports, wildlife, laundry lines, historic sites, seascapes, hilltop views, and so much more – and photos from all four seasons.

This is your chance to get in on our most popular reader contest and try to woo the judges into choosing your photo for the 2024 Downhome Calendar. These calendars are seen by tens of thousands of subscribers and displayed all year long.

What are you waiting for?

Submit today, using one of these ways: by mail: Downhome Calendar Contest

43 James Lane St. John’s, NL A1E 3H3 online:

www.downhomelife.com/calendar

Must be original photos or high quality copies. Digital photos must be at least 300 dpi, files sizes of about 1MB.We can’t accept photocopies or photos that are blurry, too dark or washed out. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want your photos returned.

By Dillon Collins

IT’S A NEW YEAR,

and with it comes further distance from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. For some, those fretful virgin months of 2020 may feel like a fever dream. For others, the realities of what we lost cling to us still.

The sports world – temporarily in a state of pandemicinduced limbo – has rebounded in fine style, with fans the world over flocking to their arena, pitch or field of choice to take part in the fellowship of sport. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, champions were crowned and history was made in the year that was 2022. You might say we were due.

The Royal St. John’s Regatta welcomed a slew of historic firsts, while also ushering throngs of eager spectators back pondside. St. John’s native Alex Newhook became the latest Newfoundlander and Labradorian to hoist Lord Stanley’s Cup. Team Gushue rose again with their fourth Brier win and bronze medal performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Unsung prospects and established veterans alike provided trend-worthy content for a populace in dire need of distraction.

But perhaps it was the game-changing heat from a 16-yearold’s fastball that made the biggest impression of the year. Already one to watch on the provincial playing field, Jaida Lee made Canadian sports history as the first female to pitch in a men’s baseball competition at the 2022 Canada Summer Games in Niagara, Ontario. The ball from Jaida’s first pitch in the game – a strike no less – was selected for preservation at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.

“It was definitely an awesome experience,” says the teenage baseball sensation during a sitdown with Downhome in late 2022. “Going up knowing you’re playing against the best in the country and knowing that you’re going to have to play to your best ability to be able to compete is definitely an awesome feeling,” Jaida shares proudly of the game in which she’d retire the side before being pulled in the following inning.

“Being on the mound in front of that many people, you know everyone’s watching. You know you’re going up against these people, that they’re looking at you as the best and you’re looking at them as the best.”

All photos courtesy Jaida Lee

As for the historical ramifications, Jaida did her best to stifle those thoughts, though she admits that the weight of the moment did lead to some excess nerves.

“I definitely tried to forget about it, but I’m not sure how well I actually did with that,” she laughs. “Before going up I had a lot of people telling me the historical part… so going into the game, my first time on the field I was definitely very nervous. It was like a whole thing. I didn’t want to do bad and then have it be said like, ‘See, this is why girls shouldn’t play.’”

The life-altering week in August would continue to peak, as Jaida was invited to throw the first pitch at a Toronto Blue Jays game, “throwing heat” to centrefielder Bradley Zimmer before a sold-out crowd at the Rogers Centre.

wasn’t even just baseball. I just started wanting to compete. I’ve always had that drive in me.”

Growing up in an athletically inclined family, Jaida developed a tongue-in-cheek sibling rivalry with her brothers and was coaxed along by supportive parents. She discov-

kind of did more competitively. It wasn’t even just baseball. I just started wanting to compete. I’ve always had that drive in me.”

“He [Zimmer] came up to me after and said that they told him I was going to lob it, but everyone was telling me to throw a pitch. There’s like 40,000 people there – I’m not going to lob a ball. If I went out and lobbed it, then you’d get all the people comment and be like, ‘She throws like a girl’ or whatever.”

A NATURAL COMPETITOR

Jaida has always had that competitive drive. Some love a challenge, others love to win. Some have winning in their blood.

“Everything I did, I kind of did more competitively,” she says. “It

ered early that desire and drive were naturally ingrained traits that would carry her well beyond the field.

In baseball, Jaida quickly rose through the local ranks, becoming a can’t miss prospect with a natural aptitude for pitching.

“I’m always trying to improve,” she shares, explaining that her pitching power truly began to ramp up at the age of 13. “As I got older, we started training different mechanics in different ways, because not everyone

“Everything I did, I

pitches the same.”

Thriving in tight situations, Jaida has welcomed the pressure of the pitcher’s mound that has been known to break athletes twice her age. “I’ve always liked playing under pressure more,” she admits, while cautioning that finding that mental sweet spot isn’t an exact science.

“Obviously if I have a bad inning then I’m not happy about it, but I kind of use the anger or whatever to do better the next inning. I don’t really dwell on it.”

Now between seasons, the 11th grader of Gonzaga High in St. John’s, NL, still has baseball on the brain, training, practising and coaching while also managing her full-time studies and, naturally, just being a teenager. There seems to be no sitting on the bench for her.

Jaida’s ambitions are as boundless as her talent. She aims to suit up for Team Canada in the not-so-distant future, while also prudently planning to study sports medicine in her postsecondary education. Whatever 2023 and beyond brings, Jaida will always have the experiences of 2022 in her back pocket.

“One word would be unforgettable, of course. I’ll never forget this year,” Jaida says. “But it’s also been very… I can’t even think of a word… insightful. This year taught me a lot, especially mentally. I think I’ve grown mentally from the Canada Games and the Blue Jays on just how I had to carry myself, knowing everyone was watching.

“I think I grew a lot from that experience. Yeah, this year definitely taught me a lot.”

This record-breaking champion can teach lessons in strength of spirit and the power of hard work.

BY DENNIS FLYNN

AS THE NOVEMBER DUSK CLOSES IN,

I stand on the front step of a home in Mount Pearl, NL, ring the doorbell and wait for the approach of an unlikely superhero of sorts, one who has the coolest nickname I’ve heard in a very long time: “The Rubinator.”

When the door opens, I’m greeted not by a deadly serious cyborg from a fictional universe, but by a smiling woman in an official Team Canada jacket. Ruby Koritarov shuns my proffered hand in greeting and good-naturedly chides, “Don’t be silly. I want a hug!” I can tell this is going to be a fun chat already.

Ruby is a young-at-heart 74-year-old grandmother who grew up in Conception Bay North. She is also a two-time world powerlifting champion. In October 2022, she won two World Masters titles at the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Masters Classic & Equipped Powerlifting World Championships held in St. John’s. You’d think as an athlete in her 70s that this is the twilight of her career, but Ruby is just getting started.

“Oh no, I only came to working out and powerlifting around 2017,” Ruby says. “I started going to Heavyweights Gym with my husband that year in order to take part in weight-loss programs, and they were successful for both of us. During that time, Tyler Kearney, one of the coaches, introduced me to deadlifting, squats and bench press, and I really enjoyed those exercises. I used to push 415 pounds on a sled in one particular exercise, and I would see all the young people in the gym and joked with the coach and told him my age, asking if I was the oldest one there. When he

heard that he said, ‘Good Lord, Ruby, I knew you were very strong, but I didn’t realize you were that old. Let me check on something.’”

That led to another coach, Rob King, suggesting Ruby enter an upcoming competition in September 2017, where she’d be the oldest participant. “So I decided to really train for it and give it my best shot, and I won.” That first win was extra special

others who are in similar categories based on gender, age and your body weight class, so it is always a fair competition.”

Who crowned her The Rubinator? She smiles. “The younger people in the gym and some of the coaches started calling me that since I am very upbeat and fun around the gym, but all business when I train for competition and do my lifts in contests.

for Ruby because she went from a broken ankle and crutches in February to “winning an event in a new sport by that September,” she says. Since then she’s competed at 15 powerlifting events, including three provincials, two nationals, the Commonwealths, and the Worlds in Master IV category. And now she’s a two-time world champion.

“Powerlifting is a very welcoming and inclusive sport for people of all ages, abilities, shapes and sizes,” says Ruby. “You have to train hard and you must learn the correct ways to do the lifts, but you compete against

They meant it as a compliment and they tell me all the time I inspire them to do their best, which makes me very happy to hear. The way I look at it, and I always say to anyone starting off, if I can do this at my age, so can anyone. The main things are get good coaching, train safely, be smart and realistic about your goals, don’t get discouraged by a setback now and then – and above all, never give up.”

“One thing about Ruby is that she always shows up and gives her best no matter what. She is a very hard worker and hard work pays off,” says

coach King via email, adding, “Ruby is a two-time world champion because she is very coachable, shows up, works hard, takes constructive criticism and is always open to learning and improving. She also brings up all those around her, which makes her such an important part of our team. Ruby is one of the hardest working people I have ever coached, and I couldn’t be more proud of her!”

“I never would have believed it when I started out that such a thing was even possible [being a world champion]. But I am not stopping there,” Ruby says. In her category,

Ruby says she’s set “eight provincial records, eight national records and 10 Commonwealth records during the last Worlds, and I amazed myself. I really hope to keep training and get back to the Worlds again in a year or two, and [I] have a goal to someday set a world record in at least one of my lifts. It is a hard task, but we all need something to keep shooting for at any age.”

Ruby holds side-by-side photos of herself with a broken ankle and of her first powerlifting competition win later that year.

Dennis Flynn photo

Dennis Flynn photo

ON THE HGTV PROGRAM “Making It Home with

Kortney and Kenny,” you could say Kenny is the one who helps make it ’ome. The contractor from central Newfoundland and his co-star, Kortney Wilson, transform homes, and people’s lives, one glorious episode at a time.

Kortney is an actress, singer and designer. She’s well-known to HGTV audiences for her earlier show “Masters of Flip,” which she co-hosted with her then husband Dave Wilson. She teamed up with Kenny in 2021.

Meanwhile, Kenny’s popularity on the reality series “Big Brother Canada” in 2014 shone a bright spotlight on his East Coast good nature and sense of humour. Intelligent and handy, Kenny was a nobrainer pick to co-host with Kortney when she was ready to launch her new series for HGTV, “Making it Home.” When we sat down to chat with the pair via Zoom in the fall of 2022, Kenny talked of home and the spectacular summer he missed due to filming, and commented on the fact that calling his mom regularly is always the best way to keep up with the weather back home.

Though Kenny obviously feels at home – and at ease – with Kortney, too. The banter between the two that’s portrayed on “Making it Home with Kortney and Kenny” is genuine, and that warmth shines through on the video call. Experiencing the ebbs and flows of their fun, yet tender, teasing is uplifting. These two are the real deal – displaying and sharing the good and the bad of a life spent in what can be the very hectic world of home renovations and reality TV. “We’re both emotional and so the two of us together on set, it can be like, ‘okay, we got to stop...,’” begins Kortney.

“...Stop looking at me in the eyes. You’re going to make me cry,” adds Kenny.

“Yeah, exactly,” finishes Kortney.

As evident on the show, the two have huge hearts and are always raw and honest. When asked why she picked Kenny to be her co-star, Kortney admits it was – at least in part – because he didn’t seem all that much into her.

“I don’t agree with everything she does... I don’t think you should pump people up if you don’t feel that they need to be pumped up. And there’s some things that I didn’t agree with [design-wise], and I think that’s why we work together so well,” Kenny reflects.

Kortney says she’s long appreciated Kenny’s honesty. “I knew that I needed somebody that was not afraid of me in any way and wasn’t intimidated, and that can sometimes

happen when you’ve seen somebody on TV. I didn’t want somebody in the background. I wanted somebody to be my partner.”

Kenny turned out to be more than a business partner and co-host, he’s turned into a true friend, she adds. “I

asked him to be our flower man,” Kortney says with a warm smile.

Flower man? Oh yes! Kortney is getting married and Kenny will be right there with her.

One particularly endearing aspect of the show – particularly for those from Newfoundland and Labrador –is when Kenny unintentionally

Kortney Wilson and Kenny Brain co-host “Making It Home with Kortney and Kenny” on HGTV

speaks like he’s ‘ome. Kortney says, “It happens all the time. Like he’ll say something… we’ll be in an interview, when we chat between things that we’re doing... and he’ll say something and I’ll be like, ‘What is that?’”

Kenny laughs. “Like when a picture was off, I’d be like, ‘Oh, yeah, it’s squish.’”

He adds, “Seeing how happy I am and how passionate I am about what I do, my parents are extremely proud of me. I mean, they call me regularly to ask about Kortney. They feel like they know Kortney and she’s a part of the family now, and especially since Dad has actually met her – he’s like, so in love with her.”

“Squish? What do you mean? Like it’s squish? I don’t know ‘squish’!” laughs Kortney, who grew up in Ontario.

“I’m like, ‘It’s crooked. Squish,’” says Kenny, with a what-are-yagonna-do shrug.

Among the show’s fans are (naturally) Kenny’s parents, and his dad is getting right into it. “Both of my parents are extremely proud,” Kenny says. “My dad’s actually going to be in this season. He comes to Nashville with me on his Harley... I won’t give away too much, but he’s going to be in the episode on his Harley.”

Any plans for the two to visit Newfoundland and Labrador? Not yet, Kenny says, but they’ve talked about it. “I want to bring her back because I know she would absolutely adore it, as anyone who visits does.”

It’s on her bucket list, Kortney adds. She needs to have a Jiggs dinner and get Screeched-in, Kenny teases. “Oh my God, yes, we got to get her Screeched-in. She got to be an honorary Newfoundlander.”

Season 3 of “Making It Home With Kortney and Kenny” is airing now on HGTV.

life is better

Dodge is ready for a walk along the Ashuanipi River

Lorilea Edwards, Wabush, NL

is a long time to be separated, but when destiny insists, nothing can stop the forces that bind. Patrick Noel Daly knows all about those strong connections, especially as they relate to places and people, and the pull of reconnecting to his heritage – geographically, historically and culturally. Originally from the seaside town of Garryvoe in county Cork, Ireland, Patrick has made Newfoundland and Labrador his home for the past year. In some ways, it feels like he never left his native country. Not surprising, given that the Emerald Isle and The Rock go quite a ways back.

Ancient and Recent Ties

It is theorised that 250 million years ago the islands of Newfoundland and Ireland both occupied the central portion of a supercontinent called Pangaea. This extraordinary landmass splintered, leaving the two separated by the modern Atlantic Ocean. Sometime in the past 500 or so years, that connection was reformed. Fishermen from ports such as Cork were lured to Newfoundland by the legendary cod fishery from 1675 to 1850. Those migratory workers, and later immigrants, brought not just their bloodlines to Newfoundland, but also their language, stories, music and traditions, which have endured to modern day, especially on the Southern and Cape Shores. The connectivity is so deep and intrinsic that Newfoundland has been nicknamed “the most Irish island in the world.” Indeed, it is the only Irish place outside of Ireland tagged with an Irish name: Newfoundland, in Irish/Gaelic, is Talamh an Eisc (Land of the Fish).

Patrick follows a long line of Irish folks who drifted to the island. He explains that in July 2021, a weekend trip to the province changed his globetrotting trajectory. “For a reason which I could not understand back then, I immediately felt at home.” It began right at the airport. “The airport taxi driver said to me, ‘How’s it going b’y?’” It’s the exact same greeting they use back in Cork.

While Patrick didn’t come for the fish, his background as an inventor, founder, investor, mentor and world traveller are all trailblazing characteristics of his hardy ancestors, including Saint Brendan, an Irish monk and seafarer who is thought to have crossed the Atlantic to Newfoundland in the 6th century – in a hide-sewn vessel. Patrick credits drive, tenacity and hard work for his own business successes; and these same traits forged the new world here in “the Land of the Fish.”

“Gobsmacked by the Irishness”

After landing in this Irish subculture, the familiarity and comfort continued to provide balm for Patrick’s soul. He recalls his first night’s stay at a B& B, still under COVID quarantine, where the owner offered to deliver him Mary Brown’s and beer.

“I couldn’t believe the generosity of that lady. I had never met this woman before, yet she specifically

went out to get me some food and drink. That kindness and generosity is a stand-out trait,” he says.

Similarly he was affected by his experience at the Caplin Inn in Calvert. “I was gobsmacked by the Irishness of the Newfoundland-born and raised owner, Kevin Walsh,

who is as proud of his Irish heritage as I’ve ever seen in all of my global travels,” Patrick says, adding the way and the accents of Southern Shore residents are virtually the same as folks born and raised in Ireland, particularly the Cork inflections.

After living here for over a year, this Come From Away who stayed observes, “When I take what I have read, heard, seen and learned, I believe that there is

very little difference, or distinction, between the place I was born and raised, and Newfoundland.”

He’s also impressed with the work that societies here have been doing to encourage and foster the IrelandNewfoundland linkage. “The Benevolent Irish Society, for example, was founded over 200 years ago, and they have made significant charitable contributions, both at home and abroad over those years.”

Another thing his old and new homes have in common? Work ethic. “Sure, we party hard, sing, dance and tell stories until all hours, but even if the party goes on until late, we go to work and work hard. The work ethic is clear and bred in us… it’s a large part of the Irish gene.”

Mannion Collection –Tracing the Irish

A self-confessed storyteller and the 1999 Entrepreneur of the Year in Ireland, Patrick has published a book, Just Start Up: A Guide to Building Startups, sharing his entrepreneurial experience so others can sidestep the pitfalls he fell into over the past 20 years. He also plans to start entrepreneurship academies. It stems from one of his prime motivations, that more Irelanders and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians should be serving in leadership roles. “We have the smarts, we have the brains, so why not go up and take the lead? We can talk. We can articulate. We can write, so why don’t we lead?” he poses.

Not surprisingly, Patrick was in the audience for a recent lecture on the Irish-Newfoundland genealogical connection held in Torbay, NL. It was a celebration of the Mannion Collection: Irish Immigration and Settlement in Newfoundland, 17501850. This unique archival information was collected over a span of 40 years on approximately 87,000 handwritten index cards by retired historical geographer, Dr. John Mannion, and his wife and research partner, Maura. The work traced Irish immigrants, including merchants, ships and sea captains, from the southeast of Ireland around Waterford city and a 30-kilometre radius. By 1800, Irish settlers had made up half of Newfoundland’s population.

John is a native of Galway, Ireland, and one of Canada’s leading cultural geographers. In a recent phone call, he explains that even before coming to Newfoundland in 1969, as part of his work at the University of Toronto he traced Irish family history of first settlers to Newfoundland in places such as Logy Bay, Middle Cove and Outer Cove. After arriving at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, he engaged his students in gathering data on family trees, as a way for the university to connect with communities.

Ireland native Patrick Noel Daly (left) was gobsmacked by the Irishness of Newfoundland and Labrador. One thing he noticed is the work ethic. “Sure, we party hard, sing, dance and tell stories until all hours, but even if the party goes on until late, we go to work and work hard. The work ethic is clear and bred in us… it’s a large part of the Irish gene.”

Torbay History House and Museum recently adopted the Mannions’ massive collection, as well as the digitized version of over 160,000 scanned images. John is quick to stress that “a big team” created the project through the decades, including students and dedicated typists. He also credits expert technical staff at the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency, including Alton Hollett and Terry Quinlan, as well as Eamonn Murphy with the Ireland Newfoundland Connections (INC) and MUN advisor, Dr. Sean Cadigan, with superb work. “Torbay House has also been very supportive and we are very impressed with them,” he says.

John admits that while he and Maura gathered the data, they never envisioned where, and how, it would all unfold. “We’re very, very lucky and pleased to have it present-

ed, cited and read,” he says, noting that academic data can sometimes disappear in Robin Hood Bay. Calling it “a happy circumstance” for the collection to be online, digitalized and in circulation, John says he and his wife are “over the moon.”

From many angles, the collection is quite significant, notes John. For one thing, there is “nothing quite like it for any other ethnic group in 19th-century English Canada,” he says, adding, “From a provincial historical and heritage side, this is perhaps the most notable event of the past year.”

For the Town of Torbay, John points out that the preservation for future generations is a valuable asset, making the community a destination for cultural research and “genealogical tourism” between Ireland and Newfoundland. “It’s a

Dr. John Mannion (right), and his wife Maura, have researched the history of Irish immigration in Newfoundland. Their work has been gathered to become the Mannion Collection, recently acquired by the Torbay History House and Museum. (above)

revolution,” he remarks, adding that “it is a free shortcut to one’s family history at the click of a mouse, anywhere in the world.”

The Mannion project (with more than 450,000 names now searchable at Mannioncollection.ca) is indeed a testimony to innovation, where a lifelong scholarly labour of love has been transformed into a public good. In time, this work is envisioned to also serve genetic research related to the Irish-NL population, parlaying into medical benefits for both.

voyages in the 1750s, titled Waterford’s Maritime World: The Ledger of Walter Butler, 1750-1757.

“To see, hear, read, and somewhat feel, the thoughts of those Irish people who initially started travelling as fishermen from Southern Ireland aboard the ships from the English West country was thought-provoking, to say the least,” says Patrick about the Mannion collection.

As Patrick continues to embrace the kinship he has been blessed with since arriving, his wish is see more of the

In addition to the event at Torbay House this past summer, the collection was also celebrated and launched by Newfoundland-Labrador Irish Connection’s (NLIC) sister board, INC, in Cork, Ireland on September 5. There, the Taoiseach of Ireland, Mayor of Cork, Patrick Mannion (the Mannions’ son), Eamonn Murphy, Alton Hollett and Torbay councillor Ralph Tapper (also of the NLIC) all spoke at the event.

Canadian Ambassador Nancy Smyth also attended the Ireland event and acknowledged that “there is simply no denying that Newfoundland’s connection to Ireland is unrivalled within Canada.” The Ambassador also congratulated Dr. Mannion on his recently published book, chronicling a Waterford sea captain’s

Irish diaspora and culture acknowledged and celebrated to strengthen his country’s connection to these shores. “This is a great part of the world, and when it comes to having a good time, with good people, in a shared culture and heritage, both Ireland and Newfoundland are two places I enjoy to my core,” he confesses.

The two Irishmen’s experiences and ties to this province prove that not even volatile geological forces back 250 million years ago can obstruct the pull between Ireland and Newfoundland. Already bonded in geology and a wild and rugged landscape, the two have reunited through a shared intangible culture, with stories, songs, sayings, accents, humour and lifestyle – all well preserved by the salty Atlantic air.

“This is a great part of the world, and when it comes to having a good time, with good people, in a shared culture and heritage, both Ireland and Newfoundland are two places I enjoy to my core…”

Patrick Noel Daly

Three Sheets to the Wind Red

Blueberry-Blackberry

This full-bodied dry red wine combines the Newfoundland wild blueberry with the grape-like qualities of the Newfoundland wild blackberry in a delightful table wine that pairs well with cheese, steak, wild game, beef and chocolate.

Medium

Three Sheets to the Wind White

Rhubarb

A name that brings to mind a sparkling sea whipped up by fresh, cool breezes. This subtle wine is crafted from locally grown rhubarb, lending it a refreshing, crisp flavour with a hint of tartness. Pairs finely with traditional Newfoundland dishes, poultry and pork. Medium

Moose Joose

Blueberry-Partridgeberry

A blend of blueberry and partridgeberry, two of Newfoundland's most popular berries. Full of antioxidants and flavonoids, this wine could be called a health juice - but it contains alcohol, so we'll just say it's berry good for you!

Medium-Sweet

Dandy

Rhubarb-Dandelion

With its delicious blend of local rhubarb and wild dandelion, this medium white wine is, well, just Dandy, especially when paired with chicken or fish.

Semi-Sweet

Funky Puffin

Blueberry-Rhubarb

A blend of Newfoundland and Labrador blueberries and rhubarb creates a wine that is fun, delightful and well balanced. It is a great sipping wine and goes well with cheese and crackers. Semi-Sweet

Frig-Off

Strawberry-Raspberry

A refreshing strawberryraspberry wine is just what you need. And it makes a delicious way to tell someone else to chill out, or even Frig-Off!

Semi-Sweet

Inside the newly reopened international departures lounge in Gander, a national treasure.

QUICK, WITHOUT GOOGLING IT,what Newfoundland and Labrador connection do Queen Elizabeth II, Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe, Muhammed Ali, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley and Fidel Castro all have in common?

If you guessed they spent time at the international departures lounge in Gander International Airport during the golden age of air travel, then you are absolutely correct. For extra points, do you know what else this lounge is famous for?

Its aesthetic. The airport was just about 20 years old when it underwent a major renovation and upgrade to fit its status as the “Crossroads of the World” for transatlantic travel. Queen Elizabeth II herself was on hand for the grand reopening on June 19, 1959. The international departures lounge was the star attraction, with a stunning 22-metre mural entitled “Flight and its Allegories” that was painted on-site by renowned artist Kenneth Lochhead. There were also avant-garde furniture pieces by famous Canadian and international designers such as Robin Bush, Jacques Guillon and Arne Jacobsen, to name a few. Other stylish elements included the signature geometric terrazzo floors; the iconic clocks showing time zones in Gander, London, Montreal, New York and Moscow near the woodpanelled escalator; the gates 20-32 lit sign; and the 1958 bronze and aluminum statue by Arthur Price called “Birds of Welcome.”

Of course, as jet technology advanced, traffic patterns changed and the need for transatlantic flights to refuel at Gander diminished, the international departures lounge sat largely unused much of the time and was at one point at risk of being lost. Thanks to valiant efforts and forward thinking by many groups and individuals, and the Gander International Airport Authority, it has been saved, restored and reopened to the public as a museum. Even without a plane ticket, you can visit what the National Trust of Canada website rightly called “the most important modernist room in Canada.”

When I visited in September 2022, I spoke with fellow visitor Brenda Power of Mount Pearl, NL. “It is all so beautiful and tastefully done,” she said. “My uncle worked as a commissioner at the Gander Airport, so I spent some time here as a child and this was always a very special place. It feels like I stepped into a time

Continued on page 76

The main floor of the departures lounge displays the classic styles from the golden age of flight, such as a wood-panelled escalator, vintage wall clocks, furniture designed by the era’s prominent designers and a sculpture by artist Arthur Price. A bar in the lounge adds an extra touch of class.

capsule. And to get to be able to stand on those stairs and look out over the departure lounge, and to really get to see the huge mural and imagine all the famous people who have done exactly the same thing – gave me goosebumps. I loved it all, and all the information in the second floor panels about the unique airplanes and celebrities that have stopped here over the years was fascinating.”

She added, “But the item that touched me the most was the open guest book signed by Queen Elizabeth II. She just passed away on the 8th of September, and it was very moving to see her actual writing from when she was a very young woman, standing in this building, on the page. Somehow it made me feel more of connection to her and this special place.”

The historical exhibits detail the airport’s rich history, from the sombre notes to the unexpected and even humorous, such as the photo of a certain dictator sliding gleefully in the snow. It was taken on Christmas Eve 1976, when a blizzard diverted a

The upper level of the lounge displays exhibits of when Gander had some famous visitors, such as Queen Elizabeth II, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis. There is even a sled that Fidel Castro used on a snowy layover.

flight to Gander (it had originally been enroute from Moscow to Montreal and then Havana, Cuba). It was carrying Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who used his unexpected layover to go sliding on a toboggan borrowed from some local children.

Other installations evoke fond memories, such as the coin-operated helicopter flying and landing game, which was the nemesis of many a teenager (and even professional pilots) who visited the airport in the latter 20th century. It has been professionally restored to working order and is on permanent loan from Cougar Helicopters, I am told.

For me the most powerful exhibits were those related to the “Come From Away” story, when Gander and surrounding towns once again played host to the world, in housing and caring for nearly 7,000 passengers from more than 90 nations aboard 38 planes suddenly diverted to Gander after the 9/11 attacks closed North American airspace. At the back of the second floor, near the exterior windows overlooking the

Continued on page 79

The events of 9/11 are remembered, when residents of Gander hosted 7,000 stranded passengers for a number of days. A piece of steel from the World Trade Center South Tower (right) was presented to the town by the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

runways, stands a very unique gift. It is a piece of a steel I-beam from the destroyed World Trade Center South Tower. The caption reads, “Here at Gander International Airport, the symbolic steel was presented to the people of Gander from the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation as a thank you for opening their arms to thousands of stranded passengers during 9/11.” Looking closely at the fastener plates, I spot nuts and bolts that once joined to adjacent beams to make the internal structure of the huge building. I notice that even though buckled and bent in places,

many of the connections still firmly hold fast. Time and tremendous trials have not diminished them.

As I prepared to depart the tour, I realized that such unexpected connections are at the heart of this place. Despite being in the hub of a working airport, the new international departures lounge exhibits maintain a welcoming, accessible feeling of casually lived-in elegance of a bygone era. Take some time on your next trip to Gander to visit this well-travelled and beautifully appointed room, where history truly takes flight.

what’s in a name?

By Dale Jarvis

Do you know which town in Newfoundland is named after a failed tobacco smuggler? That dubious distinction falls upon Belleoram, in Fortune Bay.

It is named (possibly) after French sailor and merchant captain JacquesSimon de Belorme. A resident of Saint-Malo, France, he commanded the ship La Marie. On his return from Santo Domingo, in today’s Dominican Republic, he was taken to court for smuggling tobacco. After that, Belorme

settled in Saint-Pierre et Miquelon and became one of the main operators of the archipelago’s fisheries. In 1705, he employed more than 80 men for the cod fishery and had adorned himself with the title “Commander for the King in the isles of Saint-Pierre or adjacent places.”

Belorme was said to have wintered at Belleoram for many years. Under

French rule, the spot had many names: Bande de Laurier, Bande de I’Arier, Bande de I’Arriere, Bande de la Rier and Bandalore. After the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, the French said au revoir and the English moved in, naming it Belorme’s Place.

Gerald Soper photo

Geoffrey Strong photo

Story and photos by G. Tod Slone Barnstable, MA, USA

in 2016, while he was picking blueberries up by the trail to the Friar in Francois, NL. He kindly showed me the way to the top. Then I told a Cape Cod friend, Peter, about the amazing beauty of Francois. Then he told Teresa, his girlfriend at the time. Then both of them travelled there and, to my surprise, Teresa bought a house there. They stayed for a couple of years, then came back to the States during the pandemic. Teresa most kindly allowed me to stay in the house while I was in Francois this past summer and she was still in the States.

And so in Burgeo, I parked my car and walked on to the MV Marine Voyager . Four hours of amazing scenery later, I met George on the wharf in Francois. “Hop on the back!” he told me, and off we zoomed down the boardwalk on his quad, over to the other side of the outport and Teresa’s house.

A few days later, I asked George if he could take me to Rencontre West, a resettled outport not far away. As a photographer, I’m mesmerized by such places, quite unique to Newfoundland. George suggested 9:00 the next morning. “Rouncounter [as it’s pronounced] is all blue!” he said, meaning blueberries all over the place.

Next morning, I walked down the long boardwalk, under a couple of clotheslines full of drying cod and past George’s colourful house, to the wharf. I hopped into his 50-year-old boat with his grandson, 15-year-old

Christian, at the helm as the skipper. George sat in the back outside the cabin with me and pointed out Lance Cove, the new salmon operation, then Parsons Harbour. Farther on, he pointed to a solitary beach and the old piling remnants, where the old Rencontre store used to be. Finally we entered the harbour. Quite a beautiful place, with bald mountains and vast expanses.

George and Christian anchored the boat, then detached the punt. One by one, we stepped into it and each of us

George’s boat in Rencontre

George finds some blueberries.

put on a life jacket. Christian did the rowing to the wharf. Then up the ladder of the small dock we climbed.

True to George’s word, there were blueberries all over! George and Christian began picking and I went exploring.

There were only about five or six houses/cabins there, one of which was 100 years old, according to George. I examined each cabin and the small overgrown graveyard. Paths here and there; marshy here and there. I took plenty of photos and viscerally felt for those now long gone. I waded into the refreshingly cool water up to my knees to get to the last cabin, but still couldn’t quite get to it.

George and Christian had smartly sprayed themselves with bug spray. Black flies and mosquitoes were rampant. Eventually, I finished exploring and ended up picking berries with them. Not much at all was left of old Rencontre.

At noon, George declared, “Time for lunch!” Christian rowed our punt back to the boat, where George cooked mackerel in the boat cabin (not a fan, Christian opted for a heavy baloney sandwich). George handed me a fork and a piece of toast, buttered and with molasses, and a couple of pieces of mackerel. Very, very tasty! Then he brought out some molasses blueberry cake he’d made earlier. Delicious! Then he made tea, and I sipped in the sunshine. Marvelous!

Bellies filled, we returned to shore to pick more blueberries. It was almost 4:00 before we sailed away. Such amazing scenery as we left the cove!

As yet another treat on this wonderful day, George told the skipper to swing into Parsons Harbour. And so finally, after years of it being on my bucket list, there it was before my eyes. The old dock was all that remained. Now a new little white shed was on it. George said two guys from Hermitage store their stuff in it and have a stove in it. He told me he brought a woman to Parsons Harbour a while ago to see her father’s grave, but it was very rough to walk around there now. He

showed me where all the houses and the church once stood. Now, it was completely empty. His wife, who was born there, didn’t want to return for that reason.

Back at the dock in Francois, we unloaded the boat. I carried some stuff up to George’s house and we loaded some onto the back of Christian’s quad. George gave me the last of his homemade cake for a snack later at Teresa’s. I thanked him royally and walked off alone on the boardwalk, another day done, two more resettled outports in the log books.

George and his grandson, Christian

HOME and Cabin

stuff we love by Nicola Ryan

Games Night

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE

The ominous sounds of beating drums greets you when you open Jumanji Deluxe, the newest version of the legendary board game. Your goal is to reach Jumanji deep in the jungle by solving riddles, surviving perilous events and completing challenges while trying not to lose your life tokens. Beware the game’s eerie advice: do not begin unless you intend to finish! MastermindToys.com

ON THE TILES

Kick off winter game nights with a round of Azul – a strategy game where artisans compete to build the most complete and beautiful square of Moorish decorative tilesfor the Portuguese royal palace. You must plan ahead and carefully draft the correct quantity and style of tile to maximize the beauty of your work –and your score. DowntownComics.ca

UNLEASH THE BEASTS

For families with little kids aged five and up, what’s better than a combination of dinosaurs and smashing squishy things? In Jurassic World Dominion Stomp n’ Smash, players create dinosaur clones with the included Kinetic Sand and try to be the first to collect five Jurassic tokens – and not get stomped on by the T-Rex! Chapters.indigo.ca

COVERT OPERATIONS

Come in from the cold with a game of Codenames – a spy-themed word game where two teams compete to locate all their secret agents in the field. Each team’sspymaster gives clues, and players must attempt to guess their team’s words while avoiding the words of the other team and the treacherous assassin. Amazon.ca

FOLLOW SUIT

Local artist Graham Blair has designed a deck of Newfoundlandthemed playing cards with style in spades. Each suit represents a seasonal livyer activity – fishing, hunting, sealing and shearing – and the backs of the cards are decked out with blueberries. You can find them in shops across the province and at GrahamBlairWoodcuts.com.

HOME and Cabin Ask Marie Anything

By Marie Bishop

My job as a decorator is to answer the questions my clients have and solve the challenges involved in creating spaces for their needs. Over the years, the same questions come up over and over. And while each job is unique and everyone’s tastes are individual, the answers to many of these questions can be given in general terms. Starting with this issue, I’m going to be sharing some of those questions and answers, and I’m welcoming your questions about renovating, updating or building a new space. To start off, I have this question from someone I recently met.

Q: My furniture is from all over, pieces given to me or randomly bought as I needed them. How can I affordably make eclectic furniture seem more cohesive in my space? Part B of this question: are there any clever ways to create a headboard?

A: Great questions! There are a few key elements that help pull a space together aside from matching furniture, but the first step is to assess the room. Look at it with fresh eyes, as if you’re seeing it for the first time.

Ask yourself if the pieces are functional, do they add a level of interest or bring you joy? Our lifestyles change over time, just as fashion trends and furniture styles do. And while it isn’t practical to change your furniture with every passing trend, it does make us feel good when our space feels more current than outdated. So, if there are pieces that no longer serve their purpose or have merely become surfaces that collect stuff, it’s probably time for them to move on.

You may also consider painting one or more of the pieces you own. I know some would cringe at the thought of painting a mahogany table or china cabinet; if it’s an heirloom piece that has value beyond the money that once purchased it, then by all means let it be. However, painting can give a much loved piece a new life. It’s not difficult, but it is a process. If you don’t feel brave enough to tackle it yourself, or have a relative or friend who is, there are local businesses, such as The Mill Shoppe in Mount Pearl, NL, that can do the work.

To give some context to these solutions, I recently tackled a mini makeover. This sweet little house in the Battery area boasts spectacular views, of course. However, the square footage is minimal and the living space very compact. There’s a small kitchen, tiny bathroom and this room, which serves as a sitting room, dining room and bedroom. The challenges: space, mismatched pieces, a bed that looks a little lost, and drapery panels that don’t completely cover the windows or provide light filtration… and there is a lot of light, sometimes too much.

What I love about this room: the natural wood elements; the beautiful, healthy plants; and the fabulous windows that display the view of St. John’s Harbour, the waterfront and the skyline of Old St John’s, including The Rooms. So, keeping in mind we had a limited budget, here goes.

The challenges: space, mismatched pieces, a bed that looks a little lost, and drapery panels that don’t completely cover the windows…

The tri-panel pine room divider was repositioned flat against the wall behind the bed, creating an instant focal point and a stunning headboard.

The walls had already been painted a lovely, light, welcoming yellow. In such a small space there was no way and no need to rearrange the furniture. The solution for the headboard was simple in this case. The tri-panel pine room divider that had been used to hide a wi-fi hub and unused ethernet cable was repositioned flat against the wall behind the bed, creating an instant focal point and a stunning headboard. The hub was neatly placed on the bottom shelf of the small corner unit next to the bed. This freed up wall space and extra floor space for a grouping of plants.

A little trick in creating a cohesive look for any space is to group similar objects together, whether it’s old books, glass bottles, figurines or plants. It makes a statement and tells a story.

The bed was looking a little naked, so we dressed it up with a quilted bedspread and shams donated by a friend who was downsizing and distributing things she no longer needed. Bonus! (Budget friendly tip: you might find similar deals for free stuff at Marketplace NL on Facebook.)

The warm yellow tones of the wood dictated the yellow accents for the bed. The abundance of houseplants provided the second accent colour. A green plaid throw on the small trunk, a solid green throw on the loveseat and the graphics on one of the toss cushions all served to create connection and cohesiveness.

The toss cushions were a bargain. The covers came from Pipers at $6.99 each and, slipped over existing cushions in the home, added a touch of colour and whimsy.

The drapery panels were replaced. In order to provide some light filtration and a little privacy, four heavy lace panels were purchased –another Pipers bargain at $15 per panel. The homeowner had two lovely linen panels that were purchased in France by a relative, but they were only 24” wide and clearly not big enough for those huge windows. However, they were the perfect fit to cover the wall space between the windows and give the appearance of wall-to-wall windows. Now the whole length of that wall has an airy, vintage vibe.

The loveseat toss cushions in the before picture were oversized and the knitted texture gave them a frumpy look. Smaller ones are more tailored, fit better and add understated pattern and colour. Other purchases included

throws, bed pillows, pillowcases and fresh cut flowers.

The key to choosing accent items is to work with what you have. The warm yellow tones of the wood dictated the yellow accents for the bed. The abundance of houseplants provided the second accent colour: a green plaid throw on the small trunk, a solid green throw on the loveseat and the graphics on one of the toss cushions all served to create connection and cohesiveness.

This small space was amazing to start with, but rearranging a few things, making some inexpensive purchases and pulling it all together, stepped it up a notch and gave it more style. The total amount spent was less than $150. It was such a fun project and she cried when she saw the end result – always the best thank you ever!

As always, the intent is to create a room where the sole purpose is to help someone love their space. Mission accomplished!

Ask Marie Anything!

Got a design question for Marie? Email editorial@downhomelife.com, and watch for your question and her answer to appear here!

Todd’s Table

By Todd Goodyear

I loves me some chili, I do.

I often cook this delicious meal, and there is never a time when I do that someone in the house (maybe even me) will comment on the aroma. The house – or more often than not, the shed, man cave or cookhouse – will be filled with the wonderful smells and promise of a great meal that cooking chili brings.

We always end up bottling the leftovers for down the road. Nothing like reliving that chili experience on those days when you just can’t decide what to have for a meal. And do you agree that the longer chili is in the bottle, the better it tastes?

Have you noticed that many of the chili recipes found online and in cookbooks often have “Texas” somewhere in the name or description? I’ve read that immigrants to Texas from the Canary Islands arrived with a chili recipe back in the early 1700s when they settled San Antonio. I am certainly happy that someone started it, and now it’s a part of our history of enjoying this soul-satisfying meal.

When you look at the list of ingredients here you might feel a little daunted at first. But apart from the kidney beans and/or chili beans, the items needed are pretty common and most will likely have it all on hand. This recipe will easily feed at least six adults, and there may be enough left over for bottling or to enjoy the next day.

When he’s not dreaming up or cooking up great food, Todd Goodyear is president and associate publisher of Downhome.

Todd’s Chili

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork (or 2 lbs all beef or pork, your choice)

1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes

1 green pepper diced

1 red pepper diced

1 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and diced

1 onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2 stalks celery, diced

1 cup beef broth

1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

2 tbsp chili powder

Todd’s Tips

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp dried chili flakes

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground black pepper, divided

2 1/2 tsp kosher salt, divided

1 (15 oz.) can red kidney beans, rinsed

1 (15 oz) can chili beans

1 tbsp olive oil

Shredded cheese and sour cream for garnish (opt)

Tortilla chips for dipping (opt)

In a frying pan, add beef, pork, 1 tsp of the black pepper and 1 1/2 tsp of the salt; fry until browned. Drain the fat. Add olive oil to a large pot over medium heat. Add celery, onion, and red, green and jalapeño peppers. Sauté for about 5 minutes. Add the meat mixture, tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, brown sugar, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well, then add remaining dry spices, rest of the salt and pepper, and the beans. Give all this a good stir, set the pot back to the lowest heat, cover and cook for at least two-and-a-half hours. Stir the chili at least every 20 minutes to ensure that nothing is sticking on the bottom of the pot. Taste for seasoning after about 2 hours and adjust if necessary to suit your taste. Once cooked, ladle into bowls, top with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream and enjoy! Also goes great with tortilla chips for dipping.

Meat choice is purely a personal taste preference. Italian sausage removed from the casing is also a nice addition.

The longer you simmer, the better the development of flavour. Add more beef broth if it starts to dry out. If it is too wet in the end, simmer for a little while with the cover off to reduce the liquid. Always cook with confidence!

Immune Boosters

At the height of cold and flu season, give your body a fighting chance by adding these immune boosting foods to your diet: kale, berries, red peppers, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, onions, cayenne pepper, garlic and cinnamon. To help, here are some recipes that use them.

Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, chopped

2 tbsp vegetable oil

3 cups broccoli florets

1 1/2 cups carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

1 cup sugar snap peas

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp soy sauce

1/8 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp cornstarch

For sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together water, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic powder, ground ginger and cornstarch. Set aside. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat. Cook broccoli and carrots in oil for 1 minute. Add peas; cook for 3-4 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Remove and set aside. Add remaining oil to the same skillet and cook chicken until no longer pink. Stir sauce and pour into pan with chicken. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Return cooked vegetables to pan. Stir and cook until heated through. Serve over cooked brown rice. Serves 6.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

4 large bell peppers, red or any colour

2 cups cauliflower florets (or frozen riced cauliflower)

2 tbsp olive oil, divided

Pinch salt plus 1/2 tsp, divided

Pinch ground pepper plus 1/4 tsp, divided

1 small onion, chopped

1 lb lean ground beef

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

1/2 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella, cheddar or marble)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice off stem ends of bell peppers; discard stems, chop the flesh around them and set aside. Cut seeds out of peppers and place peppers in a glass, microwave-safe dish. Cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes in it to vent steam. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes, until peppers are slightly softened. Pulse cauliflower in a food processor until broken down into rice-size pieces. (Or skip this step and use riced cauliflower often sold with other frozen vegetables.) Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until softened and starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Wipe out pan. Add remaining 1 tbsp oil, chopped bell pepper and onion. Cook, stirring, until starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Add beef, garlic, oregano and final 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook, stirring until beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and cauliflower rice; stir to coat. Place the peppers upright in an 8-inch square baking dish (shave just enough off the bottoms to make them stand up if needed). Fill each pepper with a generous cup of cauliflower rice mixture and top with 2 tbsp shredded cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until filling is heated through and cheese is melted. Serves 4.

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

3 medium to large sweet potatoes

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

Pinch cayenne

1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 425°F. Peel potatoes and cut into 1/4" matchsticks. Let them soak in water for 5 minutes, then drain and pat dry. Whisk all spices together. Put potatoes, oil and spices into a large resealable bag and shake well to coat. Spread fries in a single layer on a parchmentlined baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway, until they are crispy on the outside. (In an air fryer, cook at 375°F for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway.) If desired, sprinkle with a little more salt before serving. These are delicious on their own or dipped in mayo or other dip of choice. Serves 4.

Chicken Soup

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 onion, diced

1 lb white and/or dark skinless chicken meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 medium turnip, peeled and chopped

1 medium potato, peeled and chopped

4 cups chicken stock

1 tsp savoury

1 bunch of kale, ribs removed and leaves chopped Salt and pepper to taste

In medium stock pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, until no longer pink. Add vegetables. Stir and cook for a minute or two, then pour in chicken stock. Add savoury. Turn heat to high and bring soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer soup for about 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Add kale and cook for 2-3 minutes until kale becomes tender. Taste, and add salt and pepper as needed. Serves 6.

Spicy Hot Chocolate

5 tbsp dark cocoa powder

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper

1/8 tsp ground nutmeg

1 3/4 cups whole milk

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp honey

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Sweetened whipped cream (to top)

Shaved chocolate (garnish)

Sift together cocoa and spices. In a saucepot, heat milk, sugar and honey to near boiling (don’t let milk burn). Whisk dry ingredients into hot milk and simmer for 2 min. Stir in vanilla. Pour into 2 mugs and top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serves 2.

Blueberry Crumble

1 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1 tsp cinnamon

3/4 cup butter

2 cups blueberries

Combine flour, brown sugar, oats and cinnamon. Cut in butter. Press 1/2 of mixture into greased 8-inch pan. Cover with the blueberries. Cover with remaining crumbs. Pat smooth. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or Greek yogurt (extra immune boost!). Serves 6.

Mustard

If you like the heat of wasabi or horseradish, you will love mustard greens. Although it is not nearly as intense, it still has that bite that will tingle your taste buds. Mustard can be sown outdoors before the last frost. It tolerates the cold and will survive a frosty night, which sweetens the flavour. Mustards tend to bolt (see sidebar for definition) in the summer heat, so they should be grown early in the season or planted again in early to mid-August for late-season harvest. These greens can be harvested and eaten as “baby greens” within about 20 days from planting or grown to maturity, but be sure to harvest before they go to seed. Young greens are delicious in salads, whereas older greens are best cooked in stir fries or added to soups. A large bag of mustard greens dwindles to only a few servings when cooked, so be sure to grow plenty.

There are so many things that grow here on the Rock that are not well known but so easy to grow. Spinach, lettuce and turnip tops seem to be our go-to greens, but there are many other options that thrive in the cold, in the heat of summer, or inside under lights during the winter months. Let’s look at a few.

Mizuna

This Asian green is part of the brassica (broccoli) family, like mustard. It tastes a bit like broccoli with an edge and is slightly pungent. Mizuna has a fast turnaround time, ready for salads in about 20 days. A full head will form in about 40 days. It is delicious as a salad green, but can be grown to maturity and eaten like mustard. Branch out and try it on pizzas or pasta. This green is ridiculously easy to grow and packed full of nutrients and antioxidants, so why wouldn’t you try it?

Tatsoi

The closest comparison I can make is that this green is similar to bok choy, but tastier. Instead of growing as a head, it looks more like a flattened rosette. It is another brassica that can be harvested in as little as 20 days. This green is similar to spinach and is excellent in salads. Leave it to grow on for another 20 days and you’ll be treated with an attractive head of delicious, crisp greens that can be eaten raw or cooked. Like mustard, this vegetable likes cool weather and should be seeded early in the season or after the summer heat.

Bolting will occur when the weather turns hot.

What Does Bolt Mean?

Bolt is a term widely used by gardeners to describe when a plant produces flowers that develop into seed. When a plant bolts, the green becomes bitter, but the flowers and seed are often edible. The seed can also be saved for future plantings. Mizuna withstands cold and heat, so it can be planted every two to three weeks to have a continuous harvest all summer.

Mache

A delicious tender green, mache (or corn salad) is very similar to butterhead lettuce. If you have been to France, you have most certainly enjoyed the delicate green in a salad, as it is a food staple in that country. Like the others in this article, this seed is directly sown in early spring or late summer. Soil temperature should be about 10 degrees for best germination. That is tricky in Newfoundland, so you can try warming soil with a black landscape fabric early in the season, giving you the warmer soil temperature but cooler growing conditions this crop needs. It can also be sown early in August for a fall harvest. If the summer is like this past 2022 season, with unusually warm soil, consider placing a board or reflective material over the planting area for a few days to cool the soil. Mache takes about 40-70 days to harvest, so it is more like lettuce than the other greens mentioned above. Unlike other Asian greens, I do not find it desirable as a cooked green, but it makes a delicious salad additive. It can also be wilted and served as a side dish.

These greens are all packed with nutrients and antioxidants. They are easy to grow, and you can harvest several crops throughout the season, making good use of your plot if space is at a premium. These greens are also ideal if you want to grow during winter under grow lights. Since we live in a harsh climate where food is challenging to grow, let’s work with what we have and try some varieties that are new to us.

Kim is a horticultural consultant, a retired garden centre owner and a dedicated garden enthusiast!

Corner Brook Beauties

“April 30, 1956, [on the] steps of Glynmill Inn, Corner Brook. I think this was the Beta Sigma Phi chapter of Corner Brook,” writes the submitter. “Can anyone identify the ladies in this photo?”

Susan Herdman

Lincolnton, GA, USA

PWC Class of 1956

This photo was taken in St. John’s in 1956 at Prince of Wales College Summer School for teachers. Do you recognize anyone here?

Joan Bursey Grand Bay-Westfield, NB

Fit to Print

This photo, courtesy of theCentre for Newfoundland Studies

Archivesat Memorial University, shows workers and a Linotype typesetting machine at The Evening Telegram in St. John’s, in April 1929.

The Gander Forge

“This is my father in the white shirt, Frances (Frank) Bowe,” writes the submitter. “The picture was taken in Gander around 1944-49. I remember there was a movie house (The Globe Theatre) right next to the forge. My two brothers and I would drop in to see our father every Saturday afternoon, and he would give each of us a nickel for the movie.”

Helen (Bowe) Curwin via DownhomeLife.com

1-888-588-6353

The Downhomer January 1989

The Way I See It

by Dave Ennis

Where did 4.3 million Newfoundlanders go?

Contrary to popular belief, the principal export of Newfoundland is not its fish, but its people. Without exception, every census indicates a Negative Net Migration. Simply put: more people have left the province than have come to live there. How long has this migration been going on? How many Newfoundlanders have left the province? Where have they gone? Since the government didn’t put tags on us like they do on salmon or moose before they turned us loose, these questions are not easy to answer.

The figures our governments give us I find hard to believe. I would not expect a true figure from that source anyway because to admit the truth would be an admission of their own incompetence in failing to find work for so many. According to the 1981 census of Canada (Table 1A – Population born in Canada by Sex, showing the province of birth), there are 69,600 Newfoundland-born people living in Ontario. If that is the case, then brother, I know them all.

Not believing those figures, I have recently spent many long hours researching this subject. I have scoured books, documents and newspapers to attempt to answer these questions truthfully.

How long have Newfoundlanders been leaving The Rock? I have uncovered evidence of migration that

dates back to the early settlers. One interesting fact I uncovered was that a Newfoundlander witnessed “The Boston Tea Party” and later gave evidence in court on what he saw.

How many have left over the years? At the turn of the century there were more Newfies living in the city of Boston than in the city of St. John’s. And that’s just Boston. What about New York, London, Montreal, Toronto and all the other places Newfoundlanders found work and settled?

In 1901, there were 220,000 residents in the province. The Canadian average birth rate at the time was 35 per 1,000 population. And everyone knows that the Nfld average was much higher. Using this percentage in my projection I came up with a figure of 4.3 million. That’s 4.3 million people that would be in the province if none had left. That figure does not include any that immigrated to Nfld during that time. Nor does this figure include the thousands who left prior to 1901, or their children.

There are approximately 600,000 residents now in the province. Even if we were to take off a million to allow for any errors, that still leaves 2.7 million unaccounted for. Where did they all go? Judging from the letters to the editor of The Downhomer, they went everywhere. Judging from the popularity of the paper, even at these early stages, a goodly number are in southern Ontario. In my research I learned that 46 per cent of all migrants from the province went to Ontario. If that be the case, then our original estimate of 500,000 living in southern Ontario was a conservative one.

Mr. W.J. Chafe from his book, I’ve

Been Working on the Railroad, stated, “It seemed that every man from Grates Cove to Carbonear was on that steamer on his way to the Cape Breton coal mines, milling around to catch the No. 1 express to Port aux Basques, each man with his box and his bag.” He was talking about the year 1912. The Exodus was apparent to this railroader, even then.

To further emphasize the migration of Newfoundlanders, let me quote Sir John Chadwick: “more improved communication with the mainland enabled Newfoundlanders to cross the Cabot Strait in their thousands to seek lucrative employment in Canada and the US.” This quote was made just before the First World War.

Are you starting to get the picture?

Why have Newfoundlanders left in such great numbers? Why has there never been enough employment to sustain the population? They tell us it’s because we’re an island. Japan is an island. Need I say more on that? They quote “climate.” Iceland is an island, much farther north than Newfoundland. Iceland is self-sustaining. Let me quote from the Royal Commission Report of 1933: “The difficulties with which the Country [Nfld.] is faced while accentuated by the effects of the world depression are in reality the result of persistent extravagance and neglect of proper financial principles on the part of successive governments prior to 1931.”

Nothing has changed has it? Newfoundlanders are still leaving home in large numbers. And nothing will change either, unless we unite and do something about it ourselves. Or at least that’s the way I see it.

Gnat, do you mind…

the Wolf Moon

By Harold N. Walters

“’Tis a gibbous moon tonight,” Uncle Rube Ginn announced as he sipped his after supper tea and looked out the kitchen window.

“What do that mean?” asked Gnat, who sat with Harry across the table from Uncle Rube. The snow they hadn’t stomped off their logans in the porch melted on the floor mat.

Setting his cup back into its saucer, Uncle Rube said, “Fancy word I learned in the Farmer’s Almanac. It means ’twill be a full moon in a few more nights.”

Harry twisted in his seat to see out the same window. “Looks like the moon is lodged right on top of the fence,” he said.

“It do,” said Uncle Rube. “’Twill be the wolf moon when its full.”

“Wolf moon?” Gnat asked, also turning for a look.

“Yes, b’ys, that’s what January’s full moon is called,” said Uncle Rube. “Every wolf in Newfoundland will be howling at it.”

Harry looked surprised. “There idden no wolves in Newfoundland. Is there?”

“That’s what they say.” Uncle Rube hoisted his cup again to hide his amused grin. “But you never knows.

P’raps we’ll find out if there’s either one in Brookwater when the wolf moon shines.”

While Uncle Rube chatted with the boys, Aunt Mary said diddley squat. She sat in her rocking chair knitting a grey worsted vamp, her needles snick-ticking to beat the band. As the conversation continued, though, Aunt Mary’s needles gained speed and began to click-clack like rapiers crossing. When she finally spoke, Aunt Mary’s voice trembled a smidgen. “Rube, knock off telling them boys lies.”

“Not lies, maid,” said Uncle Rube. “Feller said he seen wolf tracks in the woods behind Horse Cove.”

Clickity-clack, clickity-clack. Aunt Mary’s knitting needles no longer sounded like rapiers, but more like a train picking up speed.

Harry nudged Gnat and nodded toward Aunt Mary, whose slippers now propelled her rocker like driving wheels. His eyes stuck on Aunt Mary, Harry said, “Might even be a werewolf.”

Aunt Mary’s needles went off the rails. She muttered something about old foolishness and commenced to ravel out yarn to mend the derailed stitches.

Realizing Aunt Mary’s agitation, Uncle Rube stood up from the table. “You b’ys watch for the wolf moon,” he said, laying his cup and saucer in the sink, a signal for Harry and Gnat to leave before Aunt Mary followed her needles off the track.

Outside in the frosty moonlight, Harry and Gnat scrutinized the –what was it? – gibbous moon. They watched its broad, pale face climb up the sky until it appeared no bigger than a Purity Milk Lunch biscuit.

Across the cove a dog barked. “Sounds like Harve Hinker’s dog,” said Harry.

“I ’low,” said Gnat. “P’raps he’s practising for the wolf moon.”

“He might be,” said Harry.

Snow squeaked underfoot as Harry and Gnat dodged down the road toward the light shining from Uncle Pell’s shop window. Harve’s retriever, Ranger, barked half a dozen more times before the boys reached Uncle Pell’s.

Kicking snow off his boots on Uncle Pell’s step, Harry paused and touched Gnat’s shoulder. Gnat dropped his hand from the doorknob. The moon –that ol’ gibbous moon – hovered, as if teasing the dog.

“You hears Harve’s dog,” said Harry.

“I do,” said Gnat.

“Well, let’s go see him.”

Treading through moonbeams, Harry and Gnat walked away from Uncle Pell’s shop and followed the silvery, snow-packed road to Harve’s house. Ranger barked in the middle of the yard, his neck stretched skyward. When he heard me buck-oes, he knocked off barking and trotted to meet them at the gate.

“What’s you making all the racket about?” Harry asked, reaching through the gate to pat Ranger’s upturned snout.

“The moon driving you crazy?” Gnat offered, reeving his arm through the gate and smoothing Ranger’s fur.

“Yip,” replied Ranger.

“Hope you don’t turn into a werewolf when the wolf moon comes,” said Gnat.

“Now, there’s a thought,” said Harry.

A thought that grew. Sprouted likea

dandelion and, overnight, bloomed.

Next day, after some searching, Gnat found Harry in Old Man Farley’s shed, buried headfirst in an ancient glad-rags barrel with the shreds of a faded Boston shipping label pasted to its staves. Rubbish flew from the barrel like jetsam hove overboard from a sinking ship.

“What’s you up to?”

Harry hauled himself out of the barrel and brushed dust and streels of cobwebs off his hair and shoulders. “I’m looking for something I seen Old Man Farley toss in here last summer.”

Gnat shrugged a question.

“It was a fur hood. Part of an old coat, prob’ly.”

“You sure it’s in that barrel?”

“Yes, I seen Old Man Farley chuck it in there.”

“Well, let’s empt it out,” said Gnat, and grabbed the barrel and shuffed. The barrel capsized and spilled its guts like a cornucopia, like a litterstogged horn of plenty.

Resembling frantic searchers dismantling a haystack in search of the proverbial needle, Harry and Gnat separated the crushed and dusty items dumped from the barrel: women’s leather boots with hooks and laces, battered books, crusty sweaters, mysterious rusty devices once used as tools…

“This it?” Gnat held up a tangle of fur that looked like something a truck had run over.

“I think it is,” said Harry, reaching for the furry lump.

Gnat grinned. “Might be made from wolf fur.”

After sizing up the frowsy black hood, Harry said, “Cut the crown out of it and stick your head through it,

and it would hang around your neck like a lion’s mane.”

“Or the last timber wolf’s scruff,” said Gnat, knowing the difference.

Harry folded the hood as best he could and bundled it under his arm. “Let’s go before Old Man Farley catches us.”

Early evening on the night of the wolf moon, Harry met Gnat on the road. His fist and forearm stuck out through the hole cut in its crown, Harry held up the hood from Old Man Farley’s barrel.

Chuckling, the scheming young villyens set out for Harve Hinker’s house, where they found Ranger waiting at the gate as if he knew cohorts were approaching. Gnat eased the gate ajar and Ranger slipped out though the narrow gap.

“Good dog,” said Harry. “Now, bide still a minute.” Harry slipped the altered hood over Ranger’s head and fiddled with it until it settled on the dog’s neck and shoulders like a thick, shaggy collar. Accepting his disguise, Ranger trotted between Harry and Gnat, as any companionable canine would do.

The trio followed the road around the cove until they reached Uncle Rube’s bungalow. Its kitchen window allowed a clear view of the steep rise in the back garden. A rail fence with a stile in its middle rimmed the top of the rise like a parapet.

Through the fence rails, the wolf moon’s forehead could be seen hanging on the Crow Cliff’s brow. It reminded Harry of the “Kilroy was Here” cartoon image he’d once seen in an issue of Life magazine.

With little effort, Harry coaxed Ranger to jump up and sit on the stile’s top step, to sit side on to the rising

moon’s face. “Stay,” said Harry.

Gnat, in the meantime, scravelled down the rise. He sidled along the bungalow’s clapboard and stood sentry just to the win’ard of the kitchen window. He studied the moon’s position. He studied the dog’s position. “Jim dandy,” he declared with a thumbs up signal.

Inside the house was Aunt Mary Ginn, up to her elbows in Sunlight suds, washing dishes at the kitchen sink. Perhaps remembering what Uncle Rube had told Harry and Gnat about the wolf moon, she scrubbed her knuckles raw on a greasy pan. A curtain covered the bottom half of the windowpane, allowing Aunt Mary to peep over it and see out through the window’s top half.

Outside the window, Gnat watched until the full moon – gibbous no more – shucked off its Kilroy look and rose fully into the sky.

Ranger’s silhouette appeared like a shadow in the moon’s face. Gnat waved a “Now!” signal to Harry. Hoping Ranger would follow suit, Harry stretched his neck and howled.

Smart dog, Ranger stretched his neck, shook his weird mangy mane, and howled at the wolf moon. “Owwwoooooooooooooo!”

Aunt Mary’s heart froze solid in her breast. Above the half curtain she saw a beast, a great shaggy-haired brute, outlined on the moon’s fat flapjack face.

Again, the horrid creature howled. “Owwwoooooooooooooo!”

Aunt Mary – legendary in Brookwater for fainting and flopping at the least sign of terror – swooned, toppled backwards and floundered on the kitchen canvas as if pole-axed.

Mind that night of the wolf moon, Gnat? If Uncle Rube hadn’t skirred a daybed cushion across the floor behind her, Aunt Mary would have brained herself when she struck the floor.

Harold Walters lives in Dunville, NL, doing his damnedest to live Happily Ever After. Reach him at ghwalters663@gmail.com

By Doris Collins and Mary (Collins) Walsh

How determined parents and a skilled surgeon beat the odds of early 20th-century medicine

On July 24, 1911, our father Cyril Collins became the seventh child born to Thomas Collins and Hannah Furlong Collins of South East Arm, Placentia, NL.

He was born with clubfoot, and their expectation was that he would grow up to be considered “a cripple,” as was the term then. Apparently, from what is known from stories handed down through our family, every different procedure available at the time was performed, even strapping his feet with boards (barrel staves) to try to straighten them, but all to no avail.

Back in 1911 in Newfoundland, with six other children to raise (a daughter, Isabella, had died at the age of two in 1900), and medical care what it was in those days, it would not have been unprecedented for parents to just accept their child’s fate as God’s will and raise him as best they could. However, that would be without taking into consideration an intelligent, well-read and determined mother, a supportive father and a very skilled surgeon.

Our grandmother, Hannah, read of a Dr. Herbert Smith across Placentia Bay in Burin. She wrote to him about taking on her child’s case. He responded that he would let her know when to come to Burin, as he had to send away for surgical instruments. When the time came, Grandmother went, probably on a coastal boat, with her little boy of about five to an unknown place, to board with unknown people, leaving at home her husband and six other children aged two (born since Dad), seven, 10, 12, 14 and 17. We can only imagine the trepidation felt by our grandparents looking into the unknown and the risks involved. It can only be guessed how long Grandmother had to stay in Burin with their son for his post-operative care, how she had the stamina to deal with his pain and with missing her husband and other children.

Fortunately, the sacrifices and the faith in Dr. Smith were rewarded. The surgery was successful and Dad grew to be a strong, healthy man without even a limp. He worked physical labour jobs all his life –highway construction, bridge building and many years on the Argentia Naval Base. He married Carmel Greene from Point Verde, Placentia, and they spent their lives together (until mom’s death in 1965) in Bond’s Path, Placentia. They raised four children: Raymond, Doris, Tom and Mary. He often praised his parents, saying his mother made sure he wasn’t crippled and his father made a man of him because he treated him the same as the other children, having him perform anything that he was capable of that was expected of his siblings. Dad had a great respect and love for both of his parents. Besides working a full-time job, Dad kept a family-sustaining farm where he and Mom grew vegetables, and kept a horse, cows, sheep, chickens, geese, pigs, ducks etc. He spent Saturdays in the woods cutting down trees with his axe and bringing the wood home using his horse and bobsled, and proceeding to saw and split his firewood. He mowed the hay fields with a scythe and got the hay into the barn for winter. He rode a bicycle everywhere until finally, in his late 40s, he got his first car – a 1954 Pontiac – and learned to drive.

Dad was a kind, loving and gentle man, a good husband, and a generous and caring father and grandfather. He was well loved by everyone and sorely missed by many upon his death at age 71. He was proud to say he never raised his hand to anyone in his life.

He never spoke of pain in his feet, but we knew he had pain. His feet had hollows where his ankles had been before the surgery. He mostly wore lace-up work and dress boots for support. When he’d come home at the end of the day, Mom would tell one of us to “get your father his slippers because his poor feet are killing him.” Her words, never his. He was a man and a father of whom to be proud, and we certainly remember him with much love and much pride.

Dr. Smith is also fondly remembered and was honoured by his peers. In an address given by Dr. L. Keegan, president of the Newfoundland Medical Society, at the opening of its second annual convention on July 13, 1925, Dr. Keegan spoke of the progress of medicine and surgery in Newfoundland. He specifically

Despite having a rough start as an infant, Cyril Collins grew up to lead an active, hardworking life.

mentioned Dr. Herbert Smith, whom he described as “a graduate of Harvard, a man of exceptional ability, of sterling character and devoted to his profession.” He said he had the pleasure of meeting him at Burin, where together they performed a trephining operation for depressed fracture of the skull. He praised Dr. Smith, who he said “spent his life relieving the suffering humanity” in the “quiet little village of Burin and its surrounding rugged hills,” and that “he passed away without any signal honours, but his name will be remembered by the medical profession of this country for many generations to come.”

Our family has a postcard sent to Grandmother, dated April 10, 1916, from William Smith advising that his father, Dr. Smith, had retired and

thanking her for payment of $25, and further stating that he was “glad to hear the little boy is doing so well.”

Dr. Smith died months later, not too long after his surgery gave our dad a new life.

It would be very interesting to learn if any of Dr. Smith’s family are alive today because it would be a great pleasure if this story could be handed on to them with huge thanks and appreciation from the Collins family. To this day, Dr. Smith’s name, his skill and apparent humanity are often talked about by our family, and hopefully he will be remembered in storytelling for generations to come.

(Doris and Mary would like to note that this is submitted in memory of their dearly departed brothers, Ray and Tom.)

life is better

Sunset in Glovertown

Francine Embanks, Glovertown, NL

Tony McGrath photo

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The Beaten Path

By Ron Young

Block out all the letters that are like other letters in every way, including shape and size. The letters that are left over, when unscrambled, will spell out the name of the above community.

Last Month’s Community: Musgravetown

Gordon Winsor photo

Downhomer Detective Needs You

After more than two decades on the Urban City Police Force, Downhomer Detective has come home to rid Newfoundland and Labrador of a new threat – cunning thief Ragged Rick. A real braggart, the slimy criminal sends DD a blurry photo of his surroundings plus clues to his whereabouts just to prove he’s always a step ahead. DD needs your help to identify where in Newfoundland and Labrador Ragged Rick is hiding out this month.

Last Month’s Answer: Grand Bank

Picturesque Place NameS of Newfoundland and Labrador

by Mel D’Souza

Use these 5 clues to identify where Ragged Rick is now:

• Located in the Coast of Bays region

• First merchant was Newman and Co. in the 1800s

• Only accessible by water or air

• Before Fortune, this was the official gateway to St. Pierre et Miquelon

• Edging towards resettlement

Last Month’s Answer: Broad Cove

Suzanne Tanguay

photo

In Other Words

Guess the well-known expression written here in other words.

Last Month’s Clue: Happy holidays to the masses and to the masses a pleasant evening

In Other Words: Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night

This Month’s Clue: Akin to a youngling in a sweet shoppe

In Other Words: ___ _ __ __ _ _____ _____

A Way With Words

Last Month’s Answer: Snow on the Trees

This Month’s Clue

Rhyme Time

A rhyming word game by Ron Young

1. A library corner is a ____ ____

2. It’s cold when it’s ___ ___

3. Witches’ suitcases are ____ ____

Last Month’s Answers 1. sooky cookie, 2. wrap a cap, 3. single jingle

Scrambled Sayings by Ron Young

Place each of the letters in the rectangular box below into one of the white square boxes above them to discover a quotation. Incomplete words that begin on the right side of the diagram continue one line down on the left. The letters may or may not go in the box in the same order that they are in the column. Once a letter is used, cross it off and do not use it again.

Last month’s answer: Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence.

Rhymes 5 Times

Each answer rhymes with the other four

1. might____________

2. remain____________

3. rot____________

4. venture____________

5. now____________

Last Month’s Answers: 1. wire, 2. higher, 3. dire, 4. sire, 5. fire

Don’t get your knickers in a knot!

Puzzle answers can be found online at

Tangled Towns

by Lolene Young Condon and Ron Young

Sound out the groups of words below to get a familiar expression.

For best results sound the clue words out loud!

Pine This Guy ___ __ ___ ___

Thin Hey Muff Thick Aim ___ ____ __ ___ ____

Last Month’s 1st Clue: You Shore New Dull. Answer: Use your noodle. Last Month’s 2nd Clue: Beep Hack Kin Amen Hit. Answer: Be back in a minute.

A

nalogical A nagrams

Unscramble each of the five groups of letters below to get 5 Newfoundland and Labrador place names.

1. IDEAPARS

2. LEBL SNDLAI

3. NONCETOPIC YBA TOUSH

4. POLARTUG VCOE

5. NOTUM RALPE

Last Month’s Answers:

1. Botwood, 2. Bulley’s Cove,

3. Pleasantview, 4. Porterville,

5. Fleury Bight

Unscramble the capitalized words to get one word that matches the subtle clue.

1. NICE IF NOT ~ Clue: it’s enough to make you sick

2. SAT WAY OW ~ Clue: he doesn’t ask to be taken for a ride

3. HEY HALT ~ Clue: it always means well

4. ORDAIN CITY ~ Clue: it’s never at a loss for words

5. JAM CURB ELK ~ Clue: most likely to have an axe to grind

Last Month’s Answers: 1. stockings, 2. chimney, 3. ornament, 4. nutcracker, 5. mistletoe

Four-Way Crossword

ForeWords • BackWords • UpWords • DownWords

By Ron Young

Unlike regular crosswords, in Four-Way Crossword each letter is not necessarily related to the letter in the adjacent row or column, but is part of one or more words in some direction.

1-3: sick

1-10: exemplify

1-91: irrelevant

2-42: gain knowledge

3-6: lecherousness

7-47: regal

8-10: devoured

8-28: exist

9-6: floozie

11-14: nasty

12-32: auricle

18-15: shout

18-48: Nevada city

20-17: zilch

21-25 syrup tree

21-51: partner

23-26: implored

23-53: wharf

27-29: yearning

27-57: US university

34-54: hotshot

35-5: belongs to the lady

35-32: fuzz

36-40: committee

38-36: snooze

41-21: Scottish hat

40-20: Ms. Taylor

44-41: copper

45-41: aroma

45-95: more unhappy

49-45: rations

49-79: fine dirt

50-41: teenager

50-70: Mr. Linkletter

52-56: extraordinary

54-56: dine

56-86: exam

58-56: lease

62-65: pitch

60-57: govern

65-5: sprinters

65-35: sprint

67-70: huge

68-28: solitary

69-66: conserve

72-76: repairs

83-53: small jet

86-83: say

88-58: recover

88-90: garden tool

93-53: transparent

97-47: take a trip

91-61: den

91-94: intertwine

91-100: gash

92-72: limb

95-100: dole out

97-94: counterweight

100-10: nullify

100-40: nonaligned

Last Month’s Answer

The Bayman’s Crossword Puzzle

by Ron Young

ACROSS

1. Mother ___ I – children’s game

4. “Busy __ _ bayman with two wood stoves” (2 words)

5. “Good ____ on clothes”

7. Joe Batt’s ___

9. wind direction

10. crossbar behind a horse

14. cold strong wind from the north

18. “___ fit to be tied”

19. Labrador West export

20. “Like a birch broom __ the fits”

21. “snowing by the ______” (colloq)

23. sealer’s berth (colloq)

25. tree

26. “Where old Neptune calls the numbers _____ the broad Atlantic combers”

28. fairy

29. canal

31. “Give __ a kiss”

33. “Arn?” response

34. “___ Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary’s”

35. “Don’t suppose you fine mummers would turn down a ____”

38. mouth (colloq)

40. his boat was painted green

42. Old St. John’s family merchant company (3 words)

45. island (abbrev)

46. Robert’s Arm (abbrev)

47. fish stringer

48. aft

DOWN

1. young, unwed woman (colloq)

2. “nervous __ the cats”

3. cunning (colloq)

6. cold and bracing (colloq)

8. short for Margaret

10. hunting birds (colloq)

11. colonial representative of the Crown

12. region

13. birdie bed

14. pinch

15. single

16. teepee-shaped dried grass piles (colloq, 2 words)

17. thin (colloq)

22. vigor

24. ocean waves (colloq, 2 words)

27. colour

30. Toogood Arm (abbrev)

32. wall support

36. gallop

37. Path End (abbrev)

39. “Let me __ a man and take it when my dory fails to make it”

41. cuffer

42. question

43. “What __ you after doing now?”

44. neither (colloq)

45. “Lukey’s boat __ painted green”

Last

CRACK THE CODE

© 2023 Ron Young

Food For Thought

Each food symbol represents a letter of the alphabet. Find the meanings to the words then match the letters with the food symbols below to get a little “food for thought.”

Last Month’s Answer: I think the way to keep a friendship is to respect that everybody is different.

Different Strokes

Our artist’s pen made the two seemingly identical pictures below different in 12 places. See if you can find all 12.

ERN AND COAL BIN BRING IN THE NEW YEAR

Last Month’s Answers: 1. Snowmobile, 2. Santa’s cap, 3. Santa’s leg, 4. Log, 5. Sleigh; 6. Bag, 7. Kettle, 8. Tree, 9. Hood, 10. Coal Bin, 11. Reindeer, 12. Moose.

“Differences by the Dozen”- A compilation of Different Strokes from 2002 to 2014 (autographed by Mel) can be ordered by sending $9.95 (postage incl.; $13.98 for U.S. mailing) to Mel D’Souza, 21 Brentwood Dr., Brampton, ON, L6T 1P8.

HIDE & SEEK NL WORDS

The words can be across, up, down, backward or at an angle, but always in a line.

M G I A

U O S U D M V F A K U E G G K A R E F L Y G C J C

Z X Q K G D O D A Q B G O D H E Y L Z A R B C L I

Y O O O E E E U S Z I G N R D V R K B U U G I F L

E F Z B E E I R A J T D L D I S B N B V X M L L L

H R X J H F T N Y L T F U L O W R T D B U H Y A A

K B Y L L T I M W O O M K E X M X E J M E E F K B

Q G J U F C M N U O V V R A B L H P M R O J R E M

Q Q M R G U X T Z E T S B X Q E C E J T J U P Q B

Q M N O H M O X M U Y Z D H E R R S U M J A P S P

Y L Q C Z N J N I S H N F E R E I Z N E P K B S N

Colourful Culture

The drawing on the opposite page is the work of Newfoundland Mi’kmaq artist Marcus Gosse, a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band. His grandmother, Alice Maude Gosse (nee Benoit) is a Mi’kmaq Elder from Red Brook (Welbooktoojech) on the Port au Port Peninsula.

Marcus’ work has been exhibited in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax; The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery in St. John’s, NL; and the Canada 150 Art Show at the Macaya Gallery in Miami, FL; and his work is in private collections around the world.

He has generously offered a series of colouring pages that run monthly in Downhome. Each image depicts a NL nature scene and teaches us a little about Mi’kmaq culture and language. Each colouring page includes the Mi’kmaq word for the subject, the phonetic pronunciation of the word, and the English translation. And you’ll notice a design that Marcus incorporates into most of his pieces – the eight-point Mi’kmaq Star. This symbol dates back hundreds of years and is very important in Mi’kmaq culture. Marcus’ Mi’kmaq Stars are often seen painted with four colours: red, black, white and yellow, which together represent unity and harmony between all peoples. Many Mi’kmaq artists use the star, and various Mi’kmaq double curve designs, to decorate their blankets, baskets, drums, clothing and paintings.

To download and print this colouring page at home, visit DownhomeLife.com. To learn more about Marcus and find more of his colouring pages, look him up on Facebook at “Mi’kmaq Art by Marcus Gosse.”

HOTEL ROBIN HOOD

Owners are retiring. Sale features an opportunity for revenue from the 18 room hotel, plus the added bonus of 3 self-contained apartments.

Hot spot location for local tourism adventures! Close to shopping, playgrounds, splash pad, stadium, Salmon Interpretation Centre, Grand Falls House, river rafting, Demasduit Regional Museum, Gorge Park with boat launches, zip-line adventures and the upcoming suspension bridge across the Exploits River.

Serious inquiries only.

Please contact: Graham at 709-486-1368

Real Estate Rates

Prices start at $50 for a 1 column x 1 inch colour advertisement. This size fits approx. 20 words.

Then...Everything Changed: The Transformation of Rural NL - Bill Kennedy #82943 | $22.95

What Happened to Maggie Dalton: A Novel

- Christopher Tobin #82830 | $22.00

The Raw Light of Morning

- Shelly Kawaja #82776 | $22.95

Hard Ticket: New Writing Made in Newfoundland

- Edited by Lisa Moore #82831 | $22.95

The Chronicles of Fair Island

- Eric Colbourne #83008 | $20.00

Where the Crooked Lighthouse Shines

- Joshua Goudie #82832 | $19.95

Tombstories

- Kelley Power #83015 | $19.99

Operation Masonic

- Helen C. Escott #82736 | $22.00

The Art of Adam Young #82737 | $39.95

Trains of Newfoundland

Christmas in

A

Trench Warfare: The Royal NL Regiment in Gallipoli, France, and Flanders - James G. Lynch #83284 | $22.95

Terror Nova: An Anthology of NL Inspired Horror Featuring the Work of Twelve of NL's Top Talents #83014 | $29.99

Chapter III: Miawpukek - The Middle River Towards an Encyclopedia of Local Knowledge - Pam Hall & Jerry Evans #83110 | $79.95

- Kenneth G. Pieroway #83077 | $24.95

Hard Aground: Untold Stories from the Pollux and Truxtun Disaster - Bett Fitzpatrick #83277 | $21.95

Jellies in the Belly: A Sea Turtle's Atlantic Adventure - Carol McDougall #83276 | $22.95

Baby Whale Ventures North - Samantha Baker #82745 | $16.95

Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries Volume 2 - Mike Martin #83078 | $19.95

Murder at Lover’s Leap - Patrick J. Collins #82744 | $21.00

GREAT GIFT IDEAS!

Kiss the Cod Artisan Soap #80831 | $7.99

Big Land Artisan Soap #80936 | $7.99

Atlantic Puffin Artisan Soap #63364 | $7.99

Foggy Island Candles $12.99 each

Bakeapple Jam #81452

Blueberry Crisp #81454

Mudder’s Cherry Cake#81455

Partridgeberry Squares#81453

Pineapple Pop#81451

Saltwater Taffy#81456

NL Bakeapple Artisan Soap #63366 | $7.99

NL Partridgeberry Artisan Soap #63372 | $7.99

NL Blueberry Artisan Soap #63368 | $7.99

Toque - NL Flag Crest #73309 | $12.99

Any Mummers ’Lowd In Fleece Throw #75515 | $44.99

NL Sayings Fleece Throw #77814 | $44.99

Newfoundland ToqueFaux Fur Trapper Hat #79287 | $27.99

Adult ToqueNL Flag Patch #57039 | $13.99

Adult Toque - NL FlagSnowboard Style #63390 | $12.99

NL Pictorial Map Fleece Throw #75516 | $44.99

NL Town Names Fleece Throw #75518 | $44.99

NL Tartan Fleece Throw #75517 | $44.99

Gather ’Round

A warming boil-up is the welcome reward for a day’s work in the woods.

Lori Browne Kelligrews, NL

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