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New music from Fortunate Ones
$4.99 March 2023
Vol 35 • No 10
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Submission of the Year Winners
St. John’s Streetcar Stories Teen tourist’s travel diary
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$
16 99
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life is better 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
Warehouse Operations Warehouse / Inventory Manager Carol Howell Warehouse Operator Josephine Collins Shipping/Receiving Clerk Jacinta Squires
Art and Production Art Director Vince Marsh Illustrator Mel D’Souza Illustrator Snowden Walters
Retail Operations Retail Floor Manager, St. John’s Jackie Rice Retail Floor Manager, Twillingate Donna Keefe Retail Sales Associates Crystal Rose, Jonathon
Advertising Sales Account Manager Barbara Young Account Manager Ashley O’Keefe Marketing Director Tiffany Brett Finance and Administration Accountant Marlena Grant Accountant Sandra Gosse
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 Lisa Tiller Founding Editor Ron Young Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Grant Young
Operations Manager, Twillingate Nicole Mehaney
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 Official onboard magazine of
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50 future of fishing
Contents 92
second time around
MARCH 2023
40 Submission of the Year Find out who won for best photo and best story of 2022.
50 Fishing, Farming and the Future Newfoundlander Bren Smith is on a mission to help protect and feed the planet, and create jobs, one piece of kelp at a time. Linda Browne
58 Deep Dive into History An underwater discovery lay in wait for decades at the bottom of Gander Lake. Nicola Ryan
92 Everyday Recipes Take your leftovers to the next level. www.downhomelife.com
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Contents
MARCH 2023
homefront 8 I Dare Say A note from the Editor 10 Letters From Our Readers Cabin party line, Homemade bread teaser, and defenders of the Ode
16 Downhome Tours Downhome readers explore the USA
18 Why is That? Where does the phrase “OK” come from? Linda Browne
20 Life’s Funny Service with a Smile Rosie Cook
16 party in the USA
21 Say What? A contest that puts words in someone else’s mouth
22 Lil Charmers Who Knit Ya? 24 Pets of the Month Furry and Festive
26 Reviewed Denise Flint reviews Derek Yetman’s The Yankee Privateer
28 What Odds Paul Warford’s takes on Toronto and baby names
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paddy’s pets
30 Fresh Tracks Wendy Rose reviews That Was You and Me by Fortunate Ones 34 Adventures Outdoors Winter Excursion to Lobstick Lake Gord Follett
34 winter wild
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66 road trip
features 44 A Gem of a Business How this fishery entrepreneur harvested success in a new, niche market. Kim Ploughman
explore 66 Touring with a Posse Dennis Flynn joins the Trepassey Posse – an epic two-day bike ride along the Irish Loop.
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72 What’s In a Name Molasses and Crackies Dale Jarvis
76 My 12 Days on the East Coast A Travel Diary Hannah Guidinger
success from the sea www.downhomelife.com
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Contents
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84
room for rugs
home and cabin 82 Stuff We Love The Hungry Month of March Nicola Ryan
84 Ask Marie Anything Interior designer Marie Bishop takes your questions
88 Todd’s Table Homemade Tomato Soup
98 Down to Earth Zones Demystified Kim Thistle
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98 zone out!
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112 back on track
reminiscing 102 Flashbacks Classic photos of people and places. 104 This Month in Downhome History 106 Visions and Vignettes Adventures of two young scallywags in an imaginary outport of days gone by. Harold N. Walters
About the cover What do you do with all that leftover mashed potato? Make fishcakes, of course! Turn to p.92 for the recipe and to see what other leftovers we remade into something new and delicious.
Cover Index New Music from Fortunate Ones • 30 Ocean of Opportunity • 50 Next Level Leftovers • 92 Submission of the Year Winner • 40 St. John’s Steetcar Stories • 112 Teen Tourist’s Travel Diary • 76 www.downhomelife.com
112 Streetcar Memories The son of a streetcar driver tells tales of public transportation in old St. John’s. Dennis Flynn 118 Apparition at Sea A skipper’s story still haunts the imagination in Conche. Kim Ploughman 124 Puzzles 136 Colouring Page 138 Classifieds 140 Mail Order 144 Photo Finish March 2023
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i dare say It’s not every day that you find yourself in the front row of history. But that’s where I was, and it was amazing. I believe I was in Grade 7 of J.M. Olds Collegiate in Twillingate. The whole school had assembled in the gym for a concert. Our class being the youngest, as I remember it, we got to sit up front. On stage was this group of musicians, whose leader was the most comical person I’d ever seen – from his rubber-faced expressions, to his wild body movements and his exaggerated impersonations, he had us all in the knots. Their music was traditional, but their act was anything but. Before that day and in all the years since, I’ve seen nothing to match the all-round entertainment of a Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers show. That was the early ’80s and we may have been one of their first gigs (fitting, perhaps, as two band members were teachers). Kevin Blackmore (Buddy), Wayne Chaulk and Ray Johnson (the Other Fellers) have since toured the country, recorded 10 albums and several DVDs, won multiple industry awards and put their stamp on Newfoundland and Labrador culture. As much as our culture influenced them, they have surely contributed to it. Over the years, Downhome proudly maintained close ties with the b’ys (we published their tour dates and they gave us a shoutout from the stage). One time we did a campaign together with Purity Products. Inside a box of their crackers you’d find a picture of Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers as the “three wise crackers” with a subscription offer to Downhome. After decades of memorable, incomparable performances, I can safely say the whole province congratulates Kevin, Wayne and Ray for being among the latest recipients of the Order of Canada, for their contribution to the entire nation. We often have good cause to complain about Ottawa, but they certainly got this one right. Thanks for reading,
Janice Stuckless, Editor-in-chief janice@downhomelife.com
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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.
Hidden somewhere in this issue is Corky Sly Conner.
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 your replies to: Corky Contest 43 James Lane St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3
mail@downhomelife.com www.downhomelife.com Deadline for replies is the 25th of each month.
Congratulations to Winnie Mahoney of Heatherton, NL who found Corky on page 74 of the January issue, and to Donald Baker of St. John’s, NL who found Corky on page 75
*No Phone Calls Please. One entry per person
www.downhomelife.com
March 2023
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Flashback Followup
Here’s a little more information on the photo I submitted that was published in the January issue. This photograph was taken in St. John’s in 1956 at Prince of Wales College summer school for teachers. Aubrey King is in the back row on the right. The tall man in the back is Donald Harvey, and David Hodder stands in front of him. The teacher, C. Rowbottom, stands next to Edna Harvey in the front row; Joan Kearley (me) stands behind Edna in the second row. I would love to hear from anyone who would like to get in touch with me. Joan (Kearley) Bursey Grand Bay-Westfield, NB
Readers are welcome to call or write to Joan. Her phone number is 506-7382215, and her email address is burseyjoan5@gmail.com. Joan’s mailing address is 3 Evergreen Dr., Grand Bay-Westfield, NB, E5K 2A5.
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Cabin Party Line Really enjoy your magazine and pass it on when I am finished. In your February 2023 issue, I really connected to the article on page 116, “Tree-Way Calling.” I immediately spotted the picture of the old phone and a flood of childhood memories came to me. My parents built a cottage on the shores of Lake Huron in the mid-’50s. My dad had a business in the city, and from Easter weekend to Thanksgiving weekend the cottage became the family getaway. No phone and hard to find, it let Dad and Mom have a peaceful couple of days. Around this same time, the telephone company was changing the rural farms over to dial-up and removing the old phones. One of the neighbours had access to these old phones, and an idea between the six families on the beach emerged. The men strung a wire between each of the cottages, rigged up the necessary battery power and installed one of the old phones in each cottage. We each had a number and ours was one long ring and four short. One long was meant
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for everyone to pick up and was perhaps the most used number – on Saturday it was often to tell everyone where the card game was being held that evening, or to inform of some event in town. At suppertime it was most often used to find us kids. The conversation was something like, “If you see Donna, send her home; supper is ready.” In the next few years, two more cottages were built and they were added to Burke’s Beach phone service. Many of us still have the old phones on the wall, but not in use. However, until recently we have sometimes wished we could still use them; because of the isolated area we are in, there are many spots that are void of cell service. Sometimes I just go over and ring the ringer for old time’s sake, and I know I am not the only one. Thanks for the memories. Donna Butson Shores of Lake Huron
Thanks for connecting and sharing those memories, Donna.
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Reaction to the Ode I am almost 89 years old and felt I must speak out about Memorial University not including the “Ode” at this year’s Convocation. Due to having asthma, I was sent to Nova Scotia Teachers College in the ’50s. I was the only student from the “new” province with our own ode as well as a whole songbook of great songs. They are about our history and hopefully will never be forgotten. Isn’t it the job of our university to keep our history alive? What better way than playing our music? Would those planning such programs please reconsider? Eileen Elms Gander, NL
Thank you for your letter of support for the “Ode to Newfoundland.” Our next letter is from another reader compelled to write about this issue, in response to a letter about it in the January issue.
Joey’s Grapevine This is Joey Taylor’s grapevine he planted going on 20-plus years now. Its vines are reaching out longer and bigger every year, covering the fences with a multitude of grapes. [This is] in CBS, where mudder takes care of them as my brother passed away in 2020. May Joey’s grapevine reach to heaven. Judy King Portugal Cove-St. Philips, NL
How many people don’t know you can grow grapes in Newfoundland? Though not everything grows where we want it to, as our gardening expert Kim Thistle explains this month. Turn to page 98 to learn about specific growing zones. 12
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Suggestion for the Ode I have read with interest the impassioned letter from Noel Daley in the January 2023 issue of Downhome and fully agree with his opinions, so eloquently expressed. I’ve never had the privilege of entering the hallowed halls of Memorial University as a student and may, therefore, be among the least qualified to express an opinion regarding the administration of its affairs. Nevertheless, I am at a loss to understand why such a world-wide recognized institution, known to vigorously promote our Newfoundland and Labrador culture and excellent university educational system, would seemingly undermine that local culture by omitting the singing of our beautiful provincial anthem from its graduation ceremonies. I am blessed with the ability (or so I’m told) to “carry a tune in a bucket,” 1-888-588-6353
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Homemade Bread
My mom in Margaree, NL, texted me this photo on January 23, 2023. I can almost smell this photo – wish there was a scratch & sniff option. Jeff Kendall Fort McMurray, AB
She knew what she was doing sending you that picture. You’re likely overdue for a visit home!
and have been invited on occasion to lead the singing of the “Ode” at public and private functions. I have always done so with pride and as much gusto as I could muster. However, I have always felt the “Ode” was lacking in its representation of the whole province and could be slightly amended to be more inclusive of both the Big Land and the island, as suggested by Mr. Daley. As you have invited input, I respectfully offer the following suggestions: Verse 1: The term “pine-clad” is more indicative of the island portion of the province and could be amended to read “forested,” for example. Verses 2 & 3: No change necessary as both verses are applicable to all regions.
Verse 4: Change the 4th line to read “God guard the native land.” Change the last line to read “Labrador and Newfoundland.” As loved our fathers, so we love Where once they stood, we stand Their prayer we raise to heav’n above God guard the native land God guard thee, God guard thee Labrador and Newfoundland I hope Sir Cavendish Boyle forgives me. Ray Pelley Springdale, NL
Thanks for the suggestion, Ray. Perhaps it will catch the eye of whomever might be looking into revision ideas.
CENTRAL NL JUST WEST OF GFW
OUTDOOR HOT TUBS • ROMANCE • DINING • SNOWMOBILING • RAFTING • ATV TRAILS
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When the Lights Go Out
When The Lights Go Out
Yesterday I saw a post on Facebook indicating the United Church at Change Islands has been dissolved as a congregation. This saddened me as an activist trying to modify certain fishery policies that I see as contributing to the demise of small fishing villages right around our beautiful province. In most smaller, though historic, fishing villages, the average age of the fishers dictates that in another few years their enterprises will have to be passed on. But the sad reality is that instead of such enterprises being taken over by new individuals, the vast majority will be combined with existing enterprises. As such occurs, the number of fishing families will dwindle from the present number – as will the economic base of coastal communities. You can’t have a fishing village with one fisher, no matter how much quota he or she has. I am constantly lobbying the provincial government to speak to this issue, as the ball is in their court, but I wonder who will know and who will care. Hence the reason for this poem.
In a little house upon a hill A feeble heart grows faint and still. As deathly silence cloaks the air, Who will know And who will care?
David Boyd Twillingate, NL
Our rural communities are the backbone of our culture, our history – and our future, with respect to our valuable fishing and tourism industries. They need government and public support, and people like you to keep reminding them of it. Here is your poem, David.
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When the golden rays of the morning sun Light the houses one by one, Will the caw of the sullen crow Be the only sound that comes to ear? Who will know And who will care? When picket fences lean and fall And unkempt grasses grow too tall. When chimneys stand stark and cold And through broken panes the wet winds blow. Who will know And who will care? Forever will there be no noise, Or will our fathers’ spirits rise. Tend to the things once so dear Soft voices once more fill the air. Who will know And who will care? On Sunday’s morn with week’s work done Will children to the chapel run? Will familiar hymns the valley flood Down to the sparkling sea below. Who will care And who will know? Will leaky roofs of stores and stage Houses tattered by wind and age Surrender to the reaper’s call Because the torch, weak hands let fall? Who will know And who will care?
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Sponsored Editorial
Right: Elizabeth Crocker on Maggie at Cache Rapids Stable in Reidville, NL
Young Pony Ambassador Recognized The Newfoundland Pony Society would like to recognize the efforts of 9-year-old Elizabeth Crocker of Corner Brook, NL for her work helping to preserve the endangered Newfoundland Pony. We first heard from Elizabeth back in 2021 when she contacted us about her love for the Pony. In December 2022, we presented Elizabeth with a Certificate of Appreciation. She raised $230 from a yard sale that she organized with the help of her grandmother, Madeline Crocker. “I still love Newfoundland Ponies. I hope this money helps the Newfoundland Pony Heritage Park,” she added. Keep up the great work Elizabeth! The future of the Newfoundland Pony depends on all of us working together to ensure it has a place in its homeland. In 2022, NPS presented another young ambassador with a Certificate of Appreciation: Luke Reid of Cavendish, NL for his efforts helping the Newfoundland Pony. We are very pleased to see children taking an interest in the Newfoundland Pony. As we build up the Newfoundland Pony Heritage Park and Pasture in Hopeall, we plan to deliver programing and events for children so they can experience why this animal is so special.
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homefront Downhome tours...
United States of America
Submitted by Norma Jones
Fabulous Las Vegas Newfoundlanders Betty Young of Deer Lake, Norma Jones of Bishop’s Cove, and Susan Vokey of Glovertown hit the strip in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.
Graphic designer Betty Willis designed the iconic 25-foot-tall roadside Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign. Built and installed in 1959 by Western Neon, the sign is located at 5100 Las Vegas Boulevard South – considered to be the official southern end of the Las Vegas strip, though it is actually outside city limits. In 2014, solar panels were installed, providing enough electricity to completely offset the energy used by the famous landmark. 16
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Submitted by Jason Tuisku
The Frozen Tundra Paul Langdon of Gander, NL, and his CFA brother-in-law, Jason Tuisku, root for the Packers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Opened in 1957, Lambeau Field is the oldest stadium with a National Football League team – the Green Bay Packers – in continuous residence. The Packers, one of the most-storied franchises in the NFL, have won more championships than any other team in the league’s history. The stadium’s nickname, Frozen Tundra, was spawned by the “Ice Bowl” game between the Packers and the Dallas Cowboys played on December 31, 1967, in -25°C (-13°F) weather.
Submitted by Lisa Cribb
The Golden City Jason Cribb waves the NL flag at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California.
Once called “the bridge that couldn’t be built,” the 2.7-kilometre (1.7-mile) long, world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge is now San Francisco’s most famous landmark. Construction began in 1933 and, despite persistent wind, fog and treacherous tides, the massive project was completed just four years later in 1937. The bridge takes its name from the Golden Gate Strait it crosses, connecting the San Francisco Peninsula to Marin County in northern California. www.downhomelife.com
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Expert answers to common life questions. By Linda Browne
Where does the phrase “OK” come from? It’s considered one of the most widely used phrases on the planet, but how did we start saying “OK”? Its origin story has caused such debate and intrigue that the late American etymologist and lexicographer, Allen Walker Read, wrote a whole series of articles about it in the journal American Speech in the 1960s (much of which is discussed by Allan Metcalf in his 2011 book, OK: The Improbable Story of America’s Greatest Word). David Wilton, a researcher in historical linguistics, etymology and slang origins, dives into Read’s findings in his book, Word Myths: Debunking Linguistic Urban Legends. While there are dozens of theories attempting to explain the origin of “OK,” Wilton says one of those that come closest to the truth involves Martin Van Buren, the eighth president of the United States (nicknamed “Old Kinderhook” for the town of his birth). But while “OK” does not in fact stand for “Old Kinderhook,” Van Buren did 18
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play a role in the term’s rise to fame. The real origin can be traced back to newspaper editors in Boston, Massachusetts, and their penchant for abbreviating, almost two centuries ago. “This practice is much the same as what we see on the internet today…,” Wilton writes (think OMG, BRB and LOL). “Often these Boston editors would deliberately misspell an abbreviation. On June 18, 1838, some nine months before OK makes its appearance, the Boston Morning Post included the following: ‘We jumped in, and were not disappointed either with the carriage, distance or price. It was O.W. – (all right),’” he goes on to explain, noting, “Clearly, the editor is abbreviating the phrase as if it were spelled oll wright.” Papers in New York, Wilton says, quickly followed suit (“using K.G. for 1-888-588-6353
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no go, K.Y. for no use, and K.K.N. for commit no nuisance”). And finally, on March 23, 1839, OK made its debut in (again) the Boston Morning Post, where an editor wrote “o.k. – all correct…” “Over the next few weeks and months, the Morning Post reused OK several times, and by September the term had travelled south. The New York Evening Tattler first used OK on the second of that month. The newspaper abbreviation fad hit New Orleans in October, and in November both the fad and OK began appearing in Philadelphia papers. The term was off and running,” Wilton writes. Enter President Van Buren. In March of 1840, one year after OK officially came on the scene, “New York Democrats formed an organization called the OK Club. The name of the club stood for Old Kinderhook, as Martin Van Buren was running for reelection that year,” Wilton says. “Since OK was in widespread use prior to the formation of the OK Club, it seems likely that the name of the club was due, at least in part, to the phrase. In choosing the name, Democrats were linking their candidate, Old Kinderhook, with the phrase that meant “all is right.” During the campaign, Wilton adds, the initials O.K. could be found all over the place. “They appeared on signs, in newspapers, in pamphlets. They were shouted at meetings and
conventions across the United States. Old Kinderhook was not the origin of the word, but it was probably what cemented the word’s place in American speech.” In a 2011 piece for the BBC, the aforementioned Allan Metcalf notes that within a decade following the campaign, “people began actually marking OK on documents and using OK on the telegraph to signal that all was well. So OK had found its niche, being easy to say or write and also distinctive enough to be clear... in the 20th century, OK moved from margin to mainstream, gradually becoming a staple of nearly everyone’s conversation…” But why did newspaper editors get such a kick out of these misspelled abbreviations all those years ago? Who knows? But humour (and language) evolves over time, and what made people LOL back then might not today. And that’s OK.
Do you have a burning life question for Linda to investigate?
Turn to page 9 for ways to contact us. www.downhomelife.com
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homefront life’s funny
Service with a Smile My grandson, Jesse Rice, was visiting Newfoundland and Labrador on his summer holidays. I took him to Keith’s Diner for their delicious fish and chips. The waitress came to our table and we both ordered a two-piece. The waitress said, “We only have frozen fish today,” meaning there was no fresh-caught fish to cook. Jesse said, “Can you please thaw mine out before you serve it to me?” Rosie Cook St. Mary’s, 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.
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e “Who let th dogs o–uDterm?”Harris
Say WHAT? Downhome recently posted this photo (submitted by Cathy Cullinan Froude) on our website and social media platforms and asked folks to imagine what this cat might be saying. Derm Harris’s response made us chuckle the most, so we’re awarding him 20 Downhome Dollars!
Here are the runners-up: “Get adopted, they said; it will be fun, they said! Pfft!” – Melissa Rice “You’re gonna pay for this.” – Hayley McGrath “What fresh hell is this?” – Sherry Stuart-McDonald
Play with us online! www.downhomelife.com/saywhat
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homefront lil charmers
Who Knit Ya? I’se the B’y Sweet baby Jack dreams of going jiggin’. Victoria Pynn Raleigh, NL
Grey Foggy Day Max is all decked out in his warm woollies. Kaitlyn Fitzgerald Adeytown, NL
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Excursion Around the Bay These cuties are picture perfect in a rattlin’ bog. Leslie Lambe St. John’s, NL
Saltwater Joys Mary Jean poses in Petty Harbour. Valerie Longpre St. John’s, NL
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homefront pets of the month
Emerald Style Pretty Sparkle wishes everyone a happy St. Patrick’s Day. Chastity Butt Forteau, NL
Furry & Festive Lucky Charm
Charlie knows you don’t have to be lucky when you’re this cute. Kelsey Handcock Gander, NL
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Shamrockin’ and Rollin’ Chihuahua Mojo is a Paddy’s Day co-pilot. Vince Hancock Slave Lake, AB
Seaside Shenanigans Joe wears his best green shirt on the beach at MacDougalls. Lisa Lafosse Via Downhomelife.com
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homefront
reviewed by Denise Flint
The Yankee Privateer Derek Yetman Breakwater Books $22.95
The Yankee Privateer
tells the story of Jonah Squibb, a loyal British subject, Newfoundlander and former Royal Navy officer, who has been asked to rejoin the service to help protect the island from hostile forces during the American War of Independence. While patrolling the waters around Newfoundland, Squibb and his crew encounter all sorts of adventures, including bad weather, rocky shorelines and, of course, enemy ships. One Yankee privateer in particular always seems to be ahead of the game, continually eluding capture. Is there more at play than meets the eye? Squibb has his suspicions. The newly commissioned captain also has to navigate his way through a sticky relationship with his beloved stepson and, when he’s ashore in St. John’s, a new romance with an American prisoner of war. Seafaring adventures don’t seem to command the attention of readers the way they once did, and that’s a shame. The Yankee Privateer is a cracking good yarn. That’s an old-fashioned phrase that’s appropriate for a book that could easily have been written many years ago. Yetman does a really good job of painting a picture of life in St. John’s and aboard ship in the 18th century. He’s obviously done a lot of research; from the cut of their frock coats to the cut of their jibs, his characters are as authentic-seeming on land as they are in the midst of battle on the high seas. It all adds up to a real treat for the reader.
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Q&A with the Author Denise Flint: There doesn’t seem to be that many men writing historical fiction these days. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be that many of this kind of military/ naval books written anymore. What draws you to this form? Derek Yetman: You’re correct. The genre ebbs and wanes. Patrick O’Brian was the last great writer in the genre. It’s a wonderful way to communicate Newfoundland history and to bring to life some of those wonderful and dramatic things in our past. You may find them in history books, but it’s very dry and doesn’t appeal to younger readers. It struck me as something worth doing. The other thing, of course, is that I have a personal history in naval affairs, and I have a great deal of knowledge and interest in it.
DF: This book has some very detailed sea battles. Was each one worked out before you wrote about it? DY: That’s a difficult question. I read quite a bit of Napoleonic history and the great battles, and so I have a fair idea of how these things transpired, and how the captain would view the enemy and the wind speed and things of that nature. The primary thing is the drama of the scene in the moment, and you want to get it correct so that sailors and historians don’t say, “Ah you got that wrong!”
DF: How much research did you have to do in general? DY: I certainly don’t know everything. I like to focus on some particular www.downhomelife.com
event or brief period and I spend a lot of time at the [provincial] archives. Right now if you went to the archives, they’d hand you something in the 30,000s [membership number]. My number is 423; I’ve been doing this a long time. Once I pick a time (in this case, 1780 – there was a lot happening in St. John’s and there was the threat of de Ternay with his massive fleet invading the island, and I thought this was a good thing to latch onto, and so I needed to learn everything I can about 1780), the novel takes five years: two years of research and three years of writing.
DF: Are you careful about historical accuracy, or are you happy to play with things for dramatic effect? DY: I don’t play fast and loose with the historical facts. I try to keep to the actual course of events. The only fiction is the meat on the bones. This is what happened; how it happened is up to me, given my research and knowledge of the period. For that reason, I put the author’s notes at the back of the novel, to let people know this is firmly based in historical fact.
DF: What’s your favourite part about writing a book? DY: Ernest Hemingway said there’s nothing to writing – just sit at your desk and open a vein. I don’t like writing. I like knowing the history of what has happened on our island. I really enjoy the research and planning, and the initial creative outflow. It’s the hard drudgery that comes after, in revisioning and editing, that’s not so great. March 2023
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homefront what odds
danger’s my middle name… By Paul Warford
Yes, I’ve become Okay b’ys, we’re on a bit of a time crunch I need to fetch Kyle and Dom from the an uncle thrice. because airport within the hour. They’re comedian budBrian and his dies, in town from Toronto for the weekend to some shows and presumably eat some fish ’n’ new wife have do chips. There’s a storm warning spanning Friday just brought into to Sunday, but I didn’t have the heart to tell so when they relayed their flight inforthe world Max them mation. Better to hear something like that in Iggy Warford. person, I figure. My original plan was to write within the aluminum belly of the airport itself as I waited for them to land. I thought I could begin my What Odds commentary with some interesting airport ambient atmosphere, allowing me to relay any comings-and-goings I witnessed while providing the opportunity to use fun descriptions like “aluminum belly.” But in the end, I didn’t want to pay the extra cost of parking for a bit of descriptive lubrication. I’m at the coffee shop instead, casting furtive glances at the time on my phone. I haven’t been to Toronto in ages, have you? Perhaps you’ve never been and you damn well like it that way, which I can understand. I remember whilst driving there with my family, up for a visit to see my middle brother, Brian, who has lived there for more than a decade, and Dad accidentally messed up a turn on a green arrow at an intersection. Picture it, okay: busy street, four lanes of traffic, cars as far as the eye can see, and there’s Dad, useless and stranded like a lame duck in the turning lane. Of course, this means everyone behind Dad also missed their green arrow, so the guy in the car immediately behind us laid on his car horn. He did this for the entire duration of the light. How long is a traffic light? 45 seconds? A minute? Imagine 28
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that amount of time punctuated with a blasting car horn while your poor father sits there in the cacophony. So if you haven’t been and don’t want to go, I get it. But Toronto’s not so bad. For me, at least, there’s the standup comedy scene, which is thriving to the point of bloat, and the family tie I just mentioned. I can see my nieces in Toronto. And now they have company. Yes, I’ve become an uncle thrice. Brian and his new wife have just brought into the world Max Iggy Warford. Please raise a glass or mug for the health and well-being of this young soul. That middle name is curious though, isn’t it? You noticed the middle name, I bet. Did you? “Iggy” causes a pause right away; I’ve been watching the reaction of others as I share the title with them. Middle initial, I. Under the I: “Iggy.” Not Ignatius; Iggy. Now, do I dislike the name? Not exactly. I’m all for a name with a little flavour; we had such an influx of Jennifers and Peters in my childhood that only a cascade of Mackenzies and Connors of the next generation could rinse those previous names from so many class registers. All fine names, but parents seem to follow naming trends. I’ve never been one for trends unless I’m desperately trying to set them myself, so an unorthodox name is right up my alley. Besides, it’s the middle name. There’s room to play with a middle name. Until they’re grown and filling out paperwork, the www.downhomelife.com
full title isn’t especially important. My dear departed friend Sarah gave her firstborn the middle name Adventure, and it suits the child perfectly. So I got no issue with Iggy. However, if you give a child an uncommon name, the appropriate parental etiquette is to explain the name immediately. Sarah (Frances) would explain where Adventure came from (she went on a bit of an adventure to get here) to cut down on the inevitable follow-up questions. Which brings us back to Iggy. We got the texts and calls, we got the photos, and then we got the name. And we all reacted the same way, “Huh… Iggy…” However, the little tyke has been alive for the better part of a week now and I still don’t know the inspiration for his quirky middle name. Giving a child a name you know your family isn’t expecting begs an explanation. Otherwise, it’s like showing up at a party wearing a wide-brimmed sombrero and acting like this is the hat you wear every day... But that’s a conversation for another day. Kyle and Dom land in the next half-hour. Gotta wrap this up. Here’s to you once again, Max Iggy! Welcome to the party. 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 March 2023
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fresh tracks
new music talk with Wendy Rose
That Was You and Me Fortunate Ones
LONG-TIME FOLK/POP MUSIC FANS, especially those on the west coast of Newfoundland, may be fortunate enough to remember Andrew James O’Brien and Catherine Allan from a previous band, Andrew James O’Brien and The Searchers. As Fortunate Ones, Andrew and Catherine released their debut album, The Bliss, in 2015, followed by a Christmas-themed EP All Will Be Well in 2016, and Hold Fast in 2018. With more than a decade of musical collaboration and many years as a romantic couple, it’s unsurprising that this duo can write wonderfully deep and meaningful love songs. On 2022’s That Was You and Me, the adoration comes through the speakers and into your ears. The album kicks off with “Day to Day,” the first single from the album released in June 2022. Soft acoustic guitar leads us into the picture Andrew paints with his lyrics about waking up and starting the day – one of those days where you seem to get lost in the monotony. “You ask me how 30
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the day has been, when the alarm clock gets me up again,” he sings, the chorus echoing sentiments of finding “meaning in the day to day.” “Heavy Heart” is a light pop song, with fun percussion keeping your toes tapping and light keys creating a dreamy vibe. “I can hear it in your breath, I can feel it when we kiss, it’s a heaviness, but you can trust in this,” Andrew sings in between choruses. “Clarity” is sung almost entirely by Catherine, with just a touch of backing vocals at points. This song reminds me of Norah Jones’ “Tragedy” – in part because of the emotion both singers push into that one word in their respective songs. The ideals behind “Day to Day” bleed through in “It’s Worth It (For Leo)” – again about how just getting through some days is difficult, but even one perfect little moment amongst all the chaos can make life 1-888-588-6353
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worth living. “You pass through the track, “That Was You and Me.” This day in your own kind of way, and you beautiful song takes the listener hope at the end of your time you can through a year of emotions, changing say it was worth it,” Andrew sings in with each passing season. One verse the opening verse. “It’ll be worth it,” seems to directly reference Andrew he repeats throughout the song. and Catherine’s pandemic summer, Soft, slow and poignant, “You’re alone together in English Harbour, Still Here” grabs you by the heart- Trinity Bay, writing and recording. strings and starts pulling hard, while simultaneously lifting your spirits. The song’s title repeats in the chorus – a reminder that “every moment you had, both the good and the bad, are just a part of your story, my dear,” Catherine sings. The next track, “85,” features light guitar, light plinky piano and swelling synths. The choruses feature echoing vocal harmonies, which fade beautifully from left to right in headphones. In “A Thousand Tiny Ways,” the pair trade off singing lyrics on each verse, creating a beautiful back-and-forth banter that tell a deeper story when they reach the chorus and harmonize. “A heart’s a Milky Way in a heavy hand, and when both of ours collided I knew we would withstand, the thousand tiny ways to break a heart,” they Adam Hefferman photo sing together. “Anchor” is up next, the longest “We spent that summer in a reverie, track on the record at just over four- in an old clapboard house on a hill by and-a-half minutes. While the album the sea, the closest we’ll come to what version is more instrumentally com- people call free, that was you and plex, the music video by Duncan me,” they sing, repeating “That’s like DeYoung offers a soft acoustic per- you and me” as the track fades out. formance of this love song. The video Whenever I finish writing my was filmed in rural Newfoundland in review of an album, I tend to poke the house where Fortunate Ones around the internet to see if Anthony wrote and recorded this album in the (Tony) Ploughman, music connoissummer of 2020. seur and the longtime face of Fred’s The album finishes with the title Records, has written his own review www.downhomelife.com
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about it. In this magical way that he has, Tony manages to perfectly sum up this album in one sentence, describing it as a “cohesive collection of poignant songs revolving around themes of isolation, introspection, re-evaluation of ‘life’s priorities’ and that which matters most simply at the end of the day.” Despite writing this nearly 800-word review about Fortunate Ones’ That Was You and Me, that one sentence from Tony really says it all. I guess I really couldn’t have said it better myself.
Q&A with the Artists
Adam Hefferman photo
Wendy Rose: The songs we hear on That Was You and Me were created during a pandemic summer, writing and recording songs in a saltbox house near the ocean. How did that creative process differ from the writing and recording process of your previous albums? Catherine Allan: …For this album, we
had more time to develop the songs and really live inside of them. We were initially supposed to record in May of 2020, but for obvious reasons that was pushed until the fall, when we felt it safe to travel. That allowed us more time with our producer, Joshua Van Tassel, to do pre-production work and really hash out the songs before we got into the studio. We recorded demos ourselves at home and in English Harbour, Trinity Bay, and sent files back and forth to Josh, which was a first for us! 32
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WR: That Was You and Me is certainly a labour of love, as are all of your wonderful works, but the creation of this record has not been without its challenges. Andrew, a recent health issue temporarily impacted your ability to play guitar. How did you overcome that challenge – mentally, emotionally and physically? Andrew James O’Brien: In 2019,
I had a tumour removed from a finger on my left hand, and the surgery left me unable to play guitar for several months. This period of time was one of significant change for us as a band. We were parting ways with our longtime manager and were suffering from some significant burnout from years of touring. I was exhausted and feeling a sense of professional 1-888-588-6353
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aimlessness; so in some ways, the surgery was the universe’s way of getting me to slow down, take some time away and refocus my energy. I was feeling uninspired, creatively drained and my love of music as a job was as low as it had ever been, so I took a job working at The Inn by Mallard Cottage. Going to a day job, making coffee, greeting guests and housekeeping gave me something else to put my time and energy into, a new sense of purpose and a welcome break from my career. Eventually, I found that ideas for new songs were starting to percolate, something that hadn’t happened for a couple years at that point. I would spend the early morning shifts at Mallard quietly playing guitar, writing many of the songs that would become That Was You and Me, all the while making sure not to wake the guests around me. In hindsight, the injury and my subsequent time at Mallard gave me the space and time to fall back in love with songwriting after years of feeling disassociated and creatively empty.
WR: In the fall of 2022, Fortunate Ones embarked on a lengthy Canadian tour, starting at home in Newfoundland and ending in British Columbia. What kind of feedback have you been hearing from audiences across the country – new fans and longtime listeners – about That Was You and Me? CA: It’s a bit tricky introducing folks
to new songs! Fans have their own favourites from our catalogue, and it might take some time for them to get to know our new songs as well. That www.downhomelife.com
being said, the feedback has been so kind and uplifting. It does feel like this album is a creative and musical step forward, and is so special to us. It feels like it tells a complete story, and I think fans can feel that.
WR: Later this year, you’re taking your act on the road – well, more like on the water – in France with Alan Doyle. This sounds like such a unique opportunity. How did this interesting tour come about? CA: The net that Alan casts is wide!
He’s like Santa! We’ve been lucky to experience so much of his magic in bringing people together. We started working officially with Alan’s manager, Louis Thomas, in the fall of 2020, but our history with Alan and his team goes back to 2011. Alan has been so generous to us over the years, from taking us on tour with GBS in our early days, extensive touring through the US and Canada, co-writing, giving us invaluable career advice and being a great friend. We’ve been fortunate to be on his list of folks to call when cool opportunities present themselves, and the river cruise this fall is no exception. France is very special to me since living there and working at Beaumont-Hamel in 2010. I can’t wait to go back and chante some chansons en français!
WR: For us local land-dwellers, where can Newfoundland and Labrador audiences catch you in 2023? AJO: Plans are in the works. You’ll
have to keep your ears peeled. More info soon!
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homefront
adventures outdoors
Winter Excursion to Lobstick Lake By Gord Follett
A “keeper” through the ice for Gord 34
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There was a time, not too many years back,
when a combo snowmobiling-ice fishing adventure was all I could think about during the winter months. I was an avid snowmobiler – by Avalon Peninsula standards, at least (please, no laughing) – but preferred just a couple hours at a time, not seven or eight hours of continuous riding. And while I loved cutting a few holes through the ice and dropping a baited hook down, doing the same thing all day was rather monotonous. You could say I liked to mix things up a bit. A trip to Lobstick Lake in western Labrador almost 20 years ago not only satisfied both my winter desires, but there was an added bonus: ptarmigan hunting! Throw in a choice to either fish through the ice or from a boat in open water, after a two-hour snowmobile cruise to camp, and this was the ultimate winter excursion in my books. We were guests of Paul Clouter and Dave Chaisson of Churchill Falls. They had a cabin below the massive dam, or control “structure” as many
refer to it, on Lobstick Lake, which became part of the Smallwood Reservoir upon the damming of Churchill River in western Labrador. Although we didn’t hook anything remotely close to the “monster” category, Lobstick does hold some 40-plus pound lake trout, along with landlocked salmon, or “ouananiche,” up to 20 pounds. I can’t recall the exact dates, but I’m pretty certain this particular trip was near the end of winter and into the first couple days of spring. I
Unpacking our gear as we arrive at the cabin www.downhomelife.com
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Gord with a lake trout, Paul on the motor learned rather quickly that in the northern part of our province, early spring does not mean warm temperatures. Far from it. A couple of mornings we woke to minus 35 degree Celsius temperatures and Dave would suggest we wait until it “warms up” to minus 29-30 before heading out from our warm, cosy cabin. And if anybody ever tells you a couple of early morning shots of Fireball whiskey help keep the chill away, don’t believe them. Dressing properly is the only way to go. Fishing from a boat with ice all around was a unique experience for me as we cast our four-to-six-inch spoons over the side and began trolling down from the structure. I baited mine with pieces of stinky squid most times, though my buddies sometimes went with a bare spoon and caught their share of lakers as well. I don’t remember either of us hooking any ouananiche, but we were quite satisfied with the challenges those four-to-eight pound lake trout provided. 36
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While the boys each had a fish aboard within a couple minutes, my first hookup came at the 10-minute mark, when – as we’ve all experienced while trout fishing – I thought I had snagged bottom. “No, I’d say that’s a fish,” Dave said without looking as he slowed our trolling speed in the moving water. Sure enough, “bottom” moved and it took a few minutes to reel in the six-pound laker. We each hooked a couple more fish, keeping one apiece, before heading back to camp for lunch and a warmup. Paul, who did most of the cooking on this trip, offered to man the motor for the afternoon troll until we each hooked another few, again retaining one apiece for the smoker. If memory serves me correctly, it was the skipper of our craft who also caught the biggest fish of the day – a sevenpound beauty. As we sat around sipping postsupper sociables, Dave asked if we wanted to fish again in the morning or hop on the snowmobiles and go 1-888-588-6353
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Ptarmigan were numerous around Lobstick Lake. (Right) Dave and Gord with a few birds for a pot of soup
hunting for partridge (ptarmigan). “Hunting all the way,” I quickly replied, not realizing that shooting the birds would be one thing; retrieving them in the waist-to-neck-deep snow would be another. Although the shortest of our party, Dave had the most retrieving experience and offered to take care of that part of the job. Ropes were on hand, just in case. And boy, did we see partridge! I’ve hunted them regularly for about 15 years on the island portion of the province, but I have never seen as many birds in a full season as I did that single day around Lobstick Lake. On the snow, in the trees, along the trail... I lost count after an hour. And where they blended in so well with the snow, Dave often stopped his machine just ahead of us and had to point them out. Three shots, five birds. One shot, two birds. Another pair down. Three more... What a morning we had! To ensure we experienced as much as we could during our short time in this winter wonderland, cutting through more than two feet of ice to
fish just below the cabin was on the agenda for Day 3. And while it may not have been quite as exciting as trolling, we did manage to catch our limit. Some of our catch would go to friends and family who had never tasted lake trout before, while a couple would be smoked and saved to have with cream cheese as a perfect snack while kicking back at home, watching the NHL playoffs and reflecting on my wonderful winter excursion in The Big Land.
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. www.downhomelife.com
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life is better Sunrise on Signal Hill, St. John’s, NL Lori Browne, Kelligrews, NL
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homefront
Congratulations to our winners!
Best Photo Submission
Kevin Power’s striking pose for a high school graduation photo was the public’s favourite in our online poll. It had a winning combination – a young musician with his future ahead of him, holding a strong symbol of our tradition and culture, on a rocky beach with the ocean at his back (“Photo Finish,” August issue). An excellent submission for this magazine from Colin Pittman of Marystown, NL. 40
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Best Written Submission
We’d be willing to bet that few other magazines have the number and calibre of storytellers among their readership that we do. Wayne LeRoux’s story of his ancestor, a 10-year-old stowaway from France who found refuge temporarily in SaintPierre and permanently in Newfoundland, was the standout written submission of 2022 (“The Runaway,” February issue). So dramatic and descriptive, we were right there with that scared, hungry, lost little boy scravelling over the beach in the dark, daring to trust the kindness of a stranger, and then finding the sweet relief of loving adoptive parents and a safe, warm home. Read the entire story again on our website: DownhomeLife.com (search “The Runaway”). Here’s an excerpt:
...There were 60 fishing families living on Dog Island. They befriended Peter and kept him busy and out of prison. For a year, the lad delivered bread to homes and ships. The next spring when the crews again returned from France, Peter found his father. That brief visit was equally happy and heartbreaking; both by then were serving hard masters and both were going separate ways. It was the last time Peter ever saw his father. Peter held onto the last bit of advice his father gave him: “Go to Newfoundland if you can get there.” After two years of beating around, Peter got his chance. He sailed on the Josephine to Bay St. George, where he planned to make his escape. As moose-boy, he wasn’t allowed ashore. When all hands left for the nets, he was given strict orders: have meals and coffee ready at a moment’s notice. The French seamen drank their coffee mixed with brandy. So Peter made a special brew with extra sugar and all the brandy he could find. When the men added their own ration to their cups, they had a very potent drink. In no time, the whole crew was drunk and never noticed Peter with his cloth bag quietly sneaking over the side and into a dory, and rowing ashore. The night was damp, cold and still, and so dark that Peter had to feel his way along the beach with his hands and feet. He didn’t know where to go or what to expect, and was so terrified that a harmless flock of sheep sent him scurrying up a tree. That’s where he spent his first night in Newfoundland…
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features
How this fishery entrepreneur harvested success in a new, niche market. By Kim Ploughman
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In biblical accounts,
the scallop shell is associated with one of Jesus’ disciples, Saint James. Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, the one person most tethered to scallops these days is Danny Dumaresque. He saw seafood potential in the mid-1990s and dove deep into the waters. Since then, he has emerged as a passionate and exemplary leader in business thanks to the success of his Labrador Gem Seafoods. In the process, one small community has reaped a harvest hard to come by these days in the outports – growth and stability. www.downhomelife.com
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Former MHA Danny Dumaresque is founder and CEO of Labrador Gem Seafoods. Before becoming CEO of a private enterprise, Danny was a politician and served as Liberal MHA for Eagle River district from 1989 to 1996. After losing a provincial election in 1996, he left politics and redirected his energies towards an independent venture that would support his family. He launched Labrador Gem Seafoods in 1997, as an international seafood marketing company with its prime socio-economic mandate to preserve an island way of life. After spending five years travelling the world, becoming familiar with international markets, marketing and resources, this entrepreneur purchased two fish plants on the Quebec south shore. “It was a sink or swim time,” Danny recalls. But the real game changer was an opportunity on Newfoundland’s south coast, in a small archipelago with a population of about 500 people. “I got a call from the Ramea Co-op, who was looking to keep the community alive by restarting the former 46
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FPI plant,” Danny explains, adding that he eventually took ownership of the asset with the commitment to operate for two consecutive seasons. Over time, he sold his Quebec plants to Barry Group Inc.; and determined to live up to his commitment to Ramea, he began focusing on scallops and, in particular, a speciality product – the half-shell scallop. “This was very much a turning point for the business model,” he remarks, pointing out that there was a significant scallop resource in the Saint-Pierre banks, which would help float his endeavour. With many of the other commercial species, including crab, in turmoil, Danny was betting that scallop fishing could help local harvesters and boost Ramea’s vitality. Twenty-five years after the Ramea plant was shuttered, the island outport was back in the fish business, with an upgraded Class-A facility. “Our first landing came in the summer of 2015, and we haven’t looked 1-888-588-6353
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back since…,” Danny proudly proclaims. His website cheers the scallop revolution: “From our shores to your table, we bring treasure to your dinner plate… Our bay and sea scallops are caught in the pristine, cold North Atlantic ocean and brought live to our factory, where they are hand cleaned and hand washed in pure brine water.” Part of the success, Danny explains, is the focus on high quality scallops. Due to the niche market, it was important for the catch to remain alive, healthy and fresh at sea after harvesting. A refrigerated recirculating-seawater system on a vessel and in the plant did the trick.
project from a refrigerated container on Logy Bay Road in St. John’s for his 12 different products convinced him that a permanent retail location just might work. In July 2022, Labrador Gem Seafoods opened its first storefront location on Elizabeth Avenue in St. John’s.
Retail Vision
Venturing into different seafoods has been a necessity in the fish business since the groundfish moratorium. By 2019, Danny added other species to his plant including sea urchins, cod, halibut and pelagics; in 2021, lobster joined the seafood party. Still, as Danny puts it, scallops remained his “baby.” Then in 2020, his operation, like so many others under public health restrictions, was suddenly shut down at the onset of the global pandemic. Danny used the downtime to “reimagine” his business model, he says, deciding, “Let’s pivot and do what I wanted to do,” which was focus on retail valued-added production. Research led him to a prized piece of equipment that would produce portion control and vacuum-pack skinned seafood. “It was a gamechanger in packaging, as 80 per cent of people buy with their eyes.” The success of a curb-side pickup (a pandemic-inspired service) pilot www.downhomelife.com
While Labrador Gem offers many different varieties of seafood, scallops remain the star attraction. At the outset of 2023, Danny is still future focused. “We are excited to build on the brand, the products, and we plan to keep expanding what we offer at the store and with other retailers, including adding more ready-to-eat seafood, a meat product and desserts including Newfoundland and Labrador berries.”
Community Support
Labrador Gem Seafoods is currently the only company in Canada producing half-shell scallops; and it is labour intensive. The plant in Ramea March 2023
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employs up to 50 people shucking these ocean beauties. According to Ramea Mayor Ian Stewart, those pucks of white flesh processed at the local plant are cause for rejoicing. “It is looking good; and the plant is putting money into the community that wasn’t there before.” He adds, “It certainly gives the workers more reliability of income and helps with retention, and allows people to stay in the Ramea-Burgeo region.”
Danny envisions Ottawa sticking to science and enforcement with the Coast Guard. He would also offer fish entrepreneurs refundable tax credits for new jobs created in rural communities. While Danny is not able to save all of rural Newfoundland and Labrador, he is convinced that his seafood processing model can work for other entrepreneurs in other
“There’s value in rural NL and its revitalization – and it’s worth fighting for!” Danny Dumaresque
For all its success, this enterprise has not come without its challenges, setbacks and glitches. But Danny is not known to shy away from a challenge – either in business or politics. When asked what he would do with the fishery had he become premier, he is quick to respond. “I would be demanding sole jurisdiction over resource allocation and licensing.” He adds, “It’s one of the province’s biggest losses. I believe fervently, as Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador can be the operator of their oil resources, we can do licences and have a much more secure fishery applying the adjacency principle.” 48
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communities. “It wasn’t all glory, but we took a plant infrastructure from ashes, rebuilt it, put the lights on – and now this community is a world-class producer of highquality seafood products.” He says it gives him great satisfaction to return to Ramea and see what has transpired. “The heartbeat of that place was always harvesting and processing seafood… it’s in their DNA.” Danny adds, “There’s value in rural Newfoundland and Labrador and its revitalization – and it’s worth fighting for!” 1-888-588-6353
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All photos courtesy of GreenWave
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As someone who can’t swim and is allergic
to shellfish, Bren Smith is an unlikely picture of a fisherman-turned ocean farmer who, by growing shellfish and seaweeds, is reimagining our food system while helping protect the ocean and tackle climate change. It’s work that’s earned him global recognition and applause. In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine named him one of “25 People Shaping the Future in Tech, Science, Medicine, Activism and More” (alongside the likes of now-US Vice President Kamala Harris and SpaceX/Tesla’s Elon Musk). Time magazine included his ocean farming model among their “25 Best Inventions of 2017.”
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Yet there’s no air of self-importance about Bren. Speaking over the phone with Downhome on a chilly December day, Bren’s salt-of-theearth nature rings clear, along with his excitement and energy for his work with GreenWave – a non-profit that aims to change how we view what we put on our plates, while helping protect the planet.
Bren Smith harvesting kelp Learning the Ropes It’s a story that begins in Newfoundland, specifically Maddox Cove, where Bren was born and raised. The fishing village just outside St. John’s helped instill in him a passion for the sea at a young age. “Like, I guess, all the kids,” he chuckles, “all I ever wanted to be was a fisherman. No astronaut or anything like that. And it’s funny, you know, as you get older, you ask yourself ‘Why?’… and I think it’s like, you wake up and you see folks go out and 52
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they got their own boats, they sort of have self-directed lives, they succeed or fail on their own terms, no boss. And you get to feed your community. That’s a great job. It’s a job you can write a song about, and people do. So that’s what I wanted.” Eventually, Bren’s parents (both Americans) moved the family back to the US east coast. In the mid-’80s, when he was 14, Bren dropped out of school and set his sights to the sea. He fished for lobster and tuna around Lynn and Gloucester in 1-888-588-6353
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Massachusetts, before heading up to Alaska to fish for cod and crab in the Bering Sea. “I loved it, working on the big fleets in the Bering Sea. What a job for a young fella,” he says.
Hoisting an oyster cage
But over time, as he witnessed the bycatch floating around him, Bren experienced what he calls a “slow wake up” to the harms of the industrialization of the commercial fishing industry. “It was like, wow, we got too good at what we do. That’s what humans do, we get too good at stuff... and there had to be a limit. And then, working for captains that kind of just didn’t care – they were trying to fish the last fish into retirement,” he says, as opposed to the younger fishers, like himself at the time, who were looking further out to sea, so to www.downhomelife.com
speak, and wondering what their futures had in store. Then the cod crash of the early ’90s, which put some 30,000 people out of work in Newfoundland and Labrador alone, brought the severity of the situation into focus. “And for me, like everybody, that was a devastating moment. And it was a cultural moment... these environmental collapses and stuff, they tear out the heart of a culture and a community that’s been built up over 100 years over fish,” Bren says. Wanting to stay on the water, Bren turned to aquaculture and working on salmon farms. But there he found more of the same, likening it to “industrial pig farms out in the sea” with the use of antibiotics and pesticides. “And the fish tasted terrible,” he adds, “so it was neither fish nor food.” (While the industry has made strides since then, he says, there’s still a ways to go.) Eventually, Bren made his way to Long Island Sound, where he “switched from a fisherman to a farmer, which wasn’t easy. I actually didn’t like it much,” he laughs. “I was like, where are the rogue waves? Where’s the adrenaline?” Spurred on by a program to reel young fishermen back into the industry, he leased a patch of water from the Town of Branford and opened Thimble Island Ocean Farm about 20 years ago off the coast of Connecticut and started growing oysters. Several years later, in 2011 and 2012, Hurricanes Irene and Sandy hit, literally washing away his livelihood and bringing the devastating effects of climate change right to his door. With his crops and gear destroyed, Bren reached a pivotal point in his March 2023
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search for sustainability and dove in head first, researching what crops could withstand the tides of change that were occurring. In aquaculture, you traditionally grow what the market demands, what people want to eat. But Bren says, “I think there’s a different way to look at it, which is, if we’re gonna farm the ocean, let’s ask the ocean what does it make sense to grow? Like, what’s unique about the ocean? And what’s unique about the ocean is you can grow things that don’t swim away and you don’t have to feed…
“The idea is to be simple, just ropes and buoys and anchors, because you want to be a willow, not an oak, in the ocean. Because when storms come through, you’re never going to fight it with big platforms and stuff like that. You want to just let the farm bend, go underwater, then pop back up,” Bren explains. The year-round 20-acre farm (the first of its kind in the US) uses the whole water column to grow approximately 130,000 pounds of kelp and 250,000 pounds of shellfish annually. The crops are zero-input – they
Bren Smith motors alongside a kelp line on Thimble Island Ocean Farm
And the other thing is, Mother Nature doesn’t like monoculture. She grows all these different things together,” he adds. “So as farmers our job is to kind of copy that.”
Small Footprint, Big Impact These days, Thimble Island Ocean Farm isn’t much to look at, but that’s by design. Essentially a vertical garden, the farm’s setup is simple: hurricane-proof anchors connect to ropes floating horizontally along the surface. Along those ropes, sugar kelp and other seaweeds grow straight down into the water alongside scallops and mussels, while below are oysters and clams in cages. 54
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require neither freshwater, nor feed, nor fertilizer to grow – making them superstars of sustainability. Besides being a versatile and nutritious food source, kelp and seaweed can be used to make a range of products, from livestock feed and organic fertilizers to biofuels and bioplastics (eg. takeout packaging and straws). And they provide valuable benefits for humans and the environment. In addition to being a source of omega3s, potassium, protein, calcium, iron and fibre, seaweed soaks up carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the excess nitrogen that can cause algal blooms leading to dead zones in the ocean. (Oysters also perform these 1-888-588-6353
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important duties. According to the US-based National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, an adult oyster can filter over 50 gallons of water a day, pulling nitrogen as it goes.) Ocean farms also act as artificial reefs, providing habitats for a diverse range of marine life and protection against storm surges.
Mussels growing on Thimble Island Ocean Farm While regenerative or restorative ocean farming is nothing new – “The first people growing clams were Indigenous folks in the Pacific Northwest thousands of years ago, doing clam walls,” Bren says – it wasn’t long before others started asking him how to start their own 3D ocean farms. www.downhomelife.com
Anchored in Hope Today, Thimble Island Ocean Farm is a floating classroom for GreenWave – a non-profit organization that Bren co-founded in 2014 with Emily Stengel. It offers training and support to new regenerative ocean farmers. Headquartered in New Haven, CT, GreenWave has also done work in Canada (specifically BC) and New Zealand. With 8,000 people from 100+ countries on their waiting list for programming, last year GreenWave launched their Regenerative Ocean Farming Hub. The free, online “seed to sale” resource helps people launch and run their farms via how-to videos, an ocean farm design tool, a community space where farmers can connect and collaborate, and more. “And we pay experienced farmers to mentor and answer questions on there, so there’s good knowledge,” Bren adds. (As of press time, the hub had more than 4,000 users around the world.) GreenWave’s Kelp Climate Fund is a subsidy that pays farmers to plant kelp, offering a dollar per foot of seed planted, up to $25,000 per farm. “What we’re doing is paying farmers for the environmental benefits of their farms, specifically removing carbon [and] nitrogen from the water and then rebuilding reefs,” Bren says. Through the My Kelp app, farmers can enter data to track their crop growth and environmental impacts, “which is great for farmers to bring to the community and policymakers,” he adds. March 2023
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Regenerative ocean farming is the polyculture model that grows seaweed and shellfish together. GreenWave also offers infrastructure support and, through the hub’s Seaweed Source, helps connect kelp growers with potential buyers. As the seaweed industry grows (a 2021 report from Global Market Insights estimates the commercial seaweed market size will surpass US$95 billion by 2027), GreenWave hopes to help put more boots on the ground – or rubber boots on the water, as it were. “As an organization, our goal is to train 10,000 farmers, 10 years, and then shut down… Our view is that if there’s 10,000 people in the industry, then we’re not needed... and then I can just fade to blue and go back to my farm,” Bren says. “The good thing is there’s plenty of folks with ocean experience along our coasts... and 56
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those folks need jobs and careers.” Considering his home province, “I think there’s a real opportunity in Newfoundland,” Bren says. “There’s already a lot of mussel farming and that works really well... you got to pick your local species that grow well. God knows the skills and infrastructure are there. So I think there’s real potential if it’s something folks want to do.” Now 50, Bren’s come a long way from that kid in Maddox Cove who gazed out at the boats all those years ago and daydreamed about being among them. He stays connected to his roots, visiting his cabin there for a couple months a year with his wife and little girl. “The really good thing for the family has been being able to spend a 1-888-588-6353
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real chunk of time up in Newfoundland. I really want her to learn the art of conversation,” he says. He considers himself neither a foodie nor an environmentalist, but a fisherman at heart. “I’m proud to spend my days helping feed my community, and if all goes well, I will die on my boat one day,” he writes in his 2019 award-winning book, Eat Like a Fish: My Adventure as a Fisherman Turned Restorative Ocean Farmer. As it becomes more challenging and expensive to grow food on land, with storms and droughts and floods and everything else that climate change brings, regenerative ocean farming presents a unique opportu-
nity. And while it comes with its own set of challenges – for one, Bren says, farmers don’t have the same control as they would over land-based crops, “and I can’t even see what I grow, and I can’t swim,” he laughs – he believes it’s an endeavour worth pursuing. With the industry in its infancy, he adds, this is a chance to do things right and make sure communities reap the benefits, rather than a handful of big companies. “The opportunity here is to join the issues of community economic development and climate solutions. That’s why I’m in this. It’s not just, sort of, to be an environmentalist,” Bren says. “What’s exciting is that we can do both of them together.”
Bren considers himself neither a foodie nor an environmentalist, but a fisherman at heart. “I’m proud to spend my days helping feed my community, and if all goes well, I will die on my boat one day.”
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An underwater discovery lay in wait for decades at the bottom of Gander Lake. BY NICOLA RYAN
FOR ALMOST 80 YEARS,
the wreck of a WWII-era RCAF B-24 Liberator bomber rested somewhere in the cold, dark, deep water of Gander Lake. It would take a team of curious researchers, expert scuba divers, sonar technicians and mariners to finally pinpoint its location. Its discovery in September 2022 finally brought closure to a sad story in Newfoundland and Labrador’s aviation history.
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Maxwel Hohn photo
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Neil Burgess is president of the Shipwreck Preservation Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (SPSNL) and was part of the team of divers who confirmed the location of the wreck. “It’s been a real team effort to do the historical research on the plane crash, the sonar work that located the wreck in the lake, and the scuba diving that confirmed the identity of the plane,” he says, and it’s a story worthy of Indiana Jones.
missile capabilities; the squadron established the RCAF record for attacks on U-boats, successfully sinking three. Unfortunately, the B-24s’ controls were stiff and heavy, making them hard to fly and earning them the nickname “flying coffins” from the crews. On the evening of September 4, 1943, Wing Commander J.M. Young took Liberator 589D for what was intended to be a routine flight.
B-24 Liberators were difficult to manoeuvre, earning the nickname “flying coffins” by their flight crews. One similar to this crashed in Gander Lake on September 4, 1943, killing all four crewmembers.
“One of the guys who is on the board of directors for the Shipwreck Society – his name is Tony Merkle and he grew up in Gander – for about the last nine years, he’s been seriously researching that crash,” Neil recounts. Tony learned that the Royal Canadian Air Force 10 BR (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron had been stationed in Gander in April 1943. Along with Westland Wapiti and Douglas Digby aircraft, the Squadron was equipped with fifteen B-24 Liberator bombers. Those were four-engine, heavy bombers used for maritime patrol – keeping watch for enemy submarines. The Liberators could carry heavy loads and had impressive long-range 60
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Squadron Leader John G. MacKenzie, Flying Officer V.E. Bill, and Leading Aircraftman G. Ward were also on board. One of the engines failed on take-off. The aircraft made a slow turn and crashed straight into the lake, killing all four men on board. In the following days, the RCAF sent in military divers on a search and salvage mission. They found the plane resting on a ledge and were successful in recovering the body of Squadron Leader MacKenzie. But while divers attempted to secure a cable to the fuselage, the wreck slipped off the ledge into a depth beyond their range. According to Neil, at the same time, the divers’ light imploded, leaving them in the frightening pitch dark, and further 1-888-588-6353
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The shape of an aircraft is clearly visible in this sonar image of the bottom of Gander Lake, taken by Kirk Regular in July 2022. Divers later confirmed it to be the wreck of the B-24. Kirk Regular photo
salvage operations were abandoned. Tony presented the findings of his research to the members of the Shipwreck Society. “We were really lucky,” says Neil. “One of the other members of the society is Kirk Regular. He works at the Marine Institute and actually teaches the students there how to use sonar.” (Sonar, from “sound navigation ranging,” is a technique for detecting and determining the distance and direction of underwater objects by acoustic means.) Last July, Kirk was contracted by a gold mining company to map the bottom of the west end of Gander Lake. “He finished
that work quite quickly and he got permission from the mining company to use half a day to zoom up to the other end of the lake near where the airport is,” Neil recounts. “We gave him the latitude and longitude from the [military] crash report, and he looked for the plane wreck with the really good sonar setup in his boat from the Marine Institute. A short time later, he gave me a phone call and he said, ‘I only had to search for 10 minutes and I found it!’ So we were all really excited.” The wreck lies at a depth of approximately 120 feet. “It’s very, very deep for scuba diving. It’s right at the limit
Divers ready to descend to the site of the sunken aircraft. The plane lies approximatly 120 feet down, the near limit where scuba divers can safely dive. Rick Stanley photo
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of what you can safely dive,” says Neil. “So me and Tony were planning to dive on it and then, as luck would have it, we heard that Rick Stanley at Ocean Quest was bringing a bunch of underwater filmmakers [from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society] into the province at the end of August. They were here to do some filming on the Truxtun and Pollux shipwrecks down at St. Lawrence. So I got in touch with Rick and invited them. So they came up and joined us on Labour Day.” In a series of six dives, the team of more than a dozen divers and researchers, led by Canadian Geographical Society explorerin-residence Jill Heinerth, descended two at a time into the dark, tannic water. “I’ll tell ya,” Neil says earnestly, “it’s a really spooky dive. The water in Gander Lake is the colour of Coca-Cola. In the ocean, we can see a long ways. We can easily see through the water in the ocean; it’s really clear. Gander Lake is a freshwater lake, and it’s got a lot of bogs feeding into it. The bog water is really brown – it’s organic matter dissolved in the water, so it looks just like tea. The challenge we had with that plane wreck is we can only see it, like, a metre-and-a-half at a time. It’s a huge plane – the wingspan was 110 feet [33.5 m] – and it’s like we’re looking through a keyhole. We can only see small parts at a time.” The wreck is upside down at the bottom of the lake and the tail section is broken off, but due to the cold temperatures and lack of oxygen it’s remarkably preserved. 1-888-588-6353
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The still-inflated tires, identifying markings on the wings, and lost ammunition and other debris are clearly visible. The team took photos and videos and were able to confirm that it was indeed the missing Liberator from 1943.
Jill Heinerth photo
“When we were diving on it, it was a big deal for us knowing that this is a war grave,” Neil says. “So we were very respectful. Tony has been in touch with the families of the crew-
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men who died, so we’ve given that bit of closure. I got in touch with the Air Force, the National Defence, and let them know that we found it, and they’ve asked me to submit a report so I’m just putting that together now.” Neil hopes more detailed research and mapping will be done in the future. The photos and videos of the wreck will be donated to the Shipwreck Society, the Gander Museum and the Virtual Museum of Canada. The team hopes the discovery will bring some comfort to the families of the crewmen and contribute to meaningful education about the war era. “We’d like to put together a presentation and go to Gander and present it to the townspeople and to the folks in the museum and to the Air Force guys on the base there,” Neil says. “It’s their brothers, right?” For now, though, the plane continues to rest on the bottom of the lake, no longer lost. Squadron Leader MacKenzie is buried in the Gander Commonwealth Graves (shown at left), and the names of Wing Commander J.M. Young, Flying Officer V.E. Bill and Leading Aircraftman G. Ward are engraved on a plaque in nearby St. Martin’s Cathedral.
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Available at NLC locations province wide
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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
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 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
www.aukislandwinery.com 1-877-639-4637
Shipping not available to Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut. Please visit your local NLC location.
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
AUK ISLAND
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Dennis Flynn joins the Trepassey Posse – an epic two-day bike ride along the Irish Loop.
The hot southwest headwind gusts to 35 km/h and the saddle creaks in protest at the steep hills ahead. The lead pack disappeared long ago, in rapid pursuit of whatever eludes them over the horizon. I’ve travelled 130 kilometres so far today, with 40 or so more to go before quitting time. I gaze to my right at the sunset spreading over the bay, just as a humpback and her calf spray a plume of water into the air. It’s feeding time on a school of capelin just off St. Vincent’s beach.
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St. John’s
The 322 km Trepassey Posse starts in St. John’s, proceeds through Conception Bay South and heads south to Trepassey via the Salmonier Line, before turning north on the Irish Loop back to St. John’s. Trepassey Feeling a bit like western movie star Randolph Scott, I mosey on, thinking that “Trepassey Posse” is an appropriate name for this two-wheeled, rather than four-legged, adventure. The Trepassey Posse is a wellorganized two-day road bicycle group ride, covering roughly 322 km (including more than 3,350 m of hill climbing). Starting and ending in St. John’s, the route traces part of Conception Bay before following the entire Irish Loop of the Avalon
Peninsula. Because of the relatively small number that can be accommodated (35-40 riders annually), the sometimes challenging nature of the terrain, and the variable wind and weather, the Trepassey Posse is on the bucket list of many avid riders. It’s one of the legendary cycling journeys of Newfoundland and Labrador, known for excellent camaraderie and top-notch hospitality. From my experience, the support crew drivers, volunteers, accommodation hosts
Riders gather in St. John’s for the 2022 Trepassey Posse 68
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and everyone involved are all excellent to deal with. It’s easy to see why it sells out every year. As slower riders roll in to Trepassey at the end of the first day, those who finished earlier greet them from the restaurant balcony with claps and cheers. Over a delicious supper provided by the Edge of Avalon Inn, I learn that The Posse is a favourite training run for competitive cyclists and triathletes. It’s inspirational to hear about the tremendous depth of competitive experiences in the room. All the organizers and participants emphasize The Posse is definitely not
a race. People of varying ages, abilities and athletic backgrounds participate for a surprisingly wide range of reasons. All of them, however, have trained extensively for and are comfortable with the rigours of this type of ride over two days. Miki Lee of St. John’s is an avid cyclist who has completed the Trepassey Posse a number of times. “It may be very tough going at any given point of a ride, but you trained for it and are well prepared, so you find a way to do it. Of course, when you are done it just feels great and you are tired, but happy,” she says.
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Riders relax at the end of the first day at the Edge of Avalon Inn in Trepassey. www.downhomelife.com
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Dennis arrives at the Edge of Avalon Inn in Trepassey
“This is not a race against anyone else. For me it’s all about the journey, isn’t it?” I could not agree more. Watching riders zip by during warmup, I spot that almost all have modern-materials lightweight road bikes that aid tremendously in the overall speed and the climbing of serious hills. I can’t tell you how much easier this ride is by having such a bike. I can’t tell you because, unfortunately, I don’t have one. I know going in that with my 15-yearold, heavy touring bike, my version of The Posse will be a lot slower, more solitary and mainly a joyful revisiting of a route I enjoyed in 2005. That summer I completed a 1,000-kilometre solo biking/camping adventure across Newfoundland. While many finish ahead of me, I doubt fewer had more fun. Despite the heat, the headwind and the hills, I loved it all. The Trepassey Posse is a family affair for John Deveraux, owner and operator of the Edge of Avalon Inn. The inn has been in his family for almost 50 years and previously belonged to his father and his grandparents. “Even my mother, who you 70
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spoke to at breakfast in the dining room, came out of retirement to give us a hand, and all the guests enjoy her energy and humour. She jokingly says she moved back to help us out for three years, and that was eight years ago now and she is still loving it,” he says. The inn has played host to The Posse for about 15 years, John says. “While I haven’t personally done the official Posse trip, I have actually ridden the route a few times on pedal bike back in the day when I was a young man and in good shape. So at the inn we know the challenges that the athletes have. It is a difficult ride with the wind, the hills, the weather and everything else, so we want to do whatever we can to make things as comfortable and enjoyable for the cyclists as we can.” The Trepassey Posse debuted in July 2007, with seven riders – Glenn Smith, Jenny Harris, Ann Chafe, Caroline McIlroy, Jeff Glynn, David Cooper and Randy Knight – along with support personnel Tim Turner and Edna Burge. It’s the brainchild of David Cooper from the Nautilus Running Club; The Posse started as a 1-888-588-6353
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training ride for that year’s “Tour de Shore” bicycle race. Even if you are not prepared for or interested in cycling the official route, the Irish Loop is a rewarding destination regardless how you choose to travel it. St. John’s has all the touristy trappings of a city – museums, restaurants, entertainment etc. Conception Bay South has bike and foot friendly trails and water sports galore, and George Cove Mountain is worth a hike up to the cross overlooking Holyrood. Crossing over the TCH on Salmonier Line, recommended stops are Father Duffy’s Well (historic curiosity) and Salmonier Nature Park (wild animals in their natural environment). Further along the route, the beach at St. Vincent’s provides perhaps the best shore-based whale watching in the entire province. If the conditions are right and the capelin are rolling, whales come as close as 15-20 feet
Some sights you can see along the route of the Trepassey Posse
from the land. Cape Race lighthouse, with the Titanic connections, and Mistaken Point UNESCO World Heritage Site are key attractions, as is the Colony of Avalon archeological dig site at Ferryland. For those who have the time and inclination to hike, the world-class East Coast Trail runs some 336 km past stunning seascapes and coastal communities, starting at the southern terminus in Cappahayden and ending at Topsail Beach in Conception Bay. Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, home to thousands of seabirds, is easily accessed by boat tours that might also encounter whales, icebergs and puffins. Above all else, you will discover deep history, remarkable natural beauty just off the beaten paths, and friendly people proud of where they come from and happy to share a story or two along the way. Enjoy the ride, wherever your posse takes you.
Cappahayden
Dennis Flynn photos
Ferryland
St. Vincent’s
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what’s in a name?
By Dale Jarvis
Local tradition says that Spaniard’s Bay was frequented
by Basque and Portuguese fishermen in the 1500s and 1600s, whom the English referred to as “Spaniards.” There is little evidence of early permanent settlement, though colonist John Guy of Cupid’s noted a path leading from Spaniard’s Bay to Trinity Bay, suggesting at least seasonal occupation in the early 1600s. By 1705, there was some English settlement in the bay, with most people gathering around what is now Bishop’s Cove.
Within Spaniard’s Bay itself are a couple great local place names. My favourite is the Lassy Wall, which you can see today below the Holy Redeemer Church. This is an impressive dry-stacked stone wall, built in 1830 as a retaining wall to shore up the hill from the main road. In addition to being a necessity, it provided employment for locals. Rather than cash, the people who built the wall were paid in molasses, so the wall became known as the Lassy Wall.
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Do you know someone as saucy as a cracky? In Newfoundland English, a cracky is a small, noisy, mixed-breed dog. If someone is said to be as saucy as one, this refers to someone who usually has a sharp tongue, or who might be quick to answer back. While you won’t find it on any official maps, there was a spot in Spaniard’s Bay around Anthony’s Road that was locally known as Crackie Road. Older community members said the road was called Crackie Road because the people who lived there were saucy as you-know-whats. Maybe they just needed some lassy to sweeten them up. Do you know a story or local legend explaining your favourite Newfoundland and Labrador place name? Send it to dale@dalejarvis.ca. Dale Jarvis is the author of Place Names of Newfoundland and Labrador, published by Flanker Press.
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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.
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explore travel diary
By Hannah Guidinger, age 12 Lethbridge, AB
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My dad announced from upstairs. It was August of 2022; my family and I got up bright and early and drove to Calgary to catch our flight to Montreal. We took one more long, dark flight from Montreal and landed in Deer Lake, Newfoundland! It was about 12:30 a.m. in Alberta. That was a crazy long day! In the morning, we joined our friends and travelled to their hometown of Baie Verte, where we were going to spend the next couple of days. Baie Verte was a small town with a population of about 1,000 people, but it still had so many activities to do, and it was fantastic. My favourite part was being at sea in Seal Cove. I loved the calming sound of the waves splashing against the bright red fishing boat. There were various sizes of puffy coral-coloured jellyfish floating as the boat skirted past them. Diving into the freezing sea repeatedly was enjoyable. There was a salty taste left in my mouth as I made a loud splash into the deep water. The reel of the fishing rod made a clicking noise as my brother and his friends brought large cod into the boat. I was able to catch my own cod, too, but it stressed me out every time! There was a tug on the rod whenever a fish was on the line, and I started to freak out. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I think I have one. Someone take the rod!” My family and I spent our nights in Baie Verte eating the best food ever created in human history. My friend’s grandma can make tasty food! We ate warm seafood chowder, crispy cod fish and chips, flavourful lobster, crab and bacon-covered scallops! Our next location (which was a six-hour drive) took us to St. John’s. The capital city was gigantic compared to all the other towns that we travelled through. The harbour was full of humongous boats. This is the first place in Newfoundland where I had seen large buildings. My family stayed in a fantastic hotel called The Jag. It was named after Mick Jagger, and there were different bright and artistic music-related paintings everywhere you looked. www.downhomelife.com
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I noticed how different the homes are in this city. They are narrow and tiny. All the houses are squished together so they almost look like one building. The only difference between the houses are their colours – all different shades such as neon blue or pastel pink. The streets in St. John’s were loaded with people. All the restaurants were full of people chatting and munching on their meals. This area was so busy that it looked like a huge parade. We visited many sites in St. John’s like Cabot Tower, named for John Cabot because he discovered Newfoundland. Cabot Tower was built on Signal Hill, a steep hill used as a lookout for ships, and the military used it many times for the safety of St. John’s. I got to go inside a lighthouse at Cape Spear. It was remarkably interesting to see how lighthouse keepers and their families used to live because these lighthouses are in the middle of nowhere. Visiting this site made me wonder what they would do in their free time. Do the kids play different games outside, or do they spend their time doing work inside of the lighthouse? What do they do during a huge storm? Once we left St. John’s, we headed to our next location. We stayed the night in a tiny hotel, and then we were going to wake up early in the morning to catch our ferry to a little island beside Newfoundland, except it is owned by France. My friend Olivia looked out at sea and 78
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announced, “Look! I see birds. I think it is a puffin!” She was right. There were hundreds of miniature little birds surrounding the boat. Puffins are the provincial bird of Newfoundland and may be hard to see because they spend most of their lives at sea. It was a magnificent and memorable moment. I was incredibly surprised once we arrived at our destination. There were barely any people roaming the streets. We were hoping to go into some small shops, but all the buildings were closed. Apparently, everything is open around 7:00 a.m. and then closed around 11:00 a.m. We took a bus tour and got some treats at the café, and then we headed back to Newfoundland. My family and I also visited Gros Morne National Park when we spent three days in Humber Valley. We 1-888-588-6353
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went onto a tour boat that led us through a winding lake. I was surrounded by mountains that were gigantic. These mountains were so tall that the waterfalls turned to steam before they reached the ground. The boat slowly cut through the water that looked like glass. There were millions of large trees, but they looked like little fleas compared to the skyscrapers of rock that they grew on. The lake seemed to cut through the mountains forever. It was the most beautiful boat tour I had ever been aboard.
was surrounded by towering coniferous trees. Once the hole was finished, the golf carts would have to go through a thin and winding path in the trees to find the next hole. "This is the best golf course I have ever played at," I announced happily. The course was gigantic and luxurious compared to the ones in Alberta. I am not sure that I will ever play on a course better than the Humber Valley Golf Course. We were having so much fun playing games at the beach and exploring the area in Humber Valley that the
It was remarkably interesting to see how lighthouse keepers and their families used to live because these lighthouses are in the middle of nowhere. Visiting this site made me wonder what they would do in their free time. Do the kids play different games outside, or do they spend their time doing work inside of the lighthouse? My family and I were headed to our cabin in Humber Valley once we got back from Gros Morne. We were going to spend three days at the cabin, and then we were headed to the airport to go home. This cabin was huge! It had five large bedrooms, and each one had a bathroom. My family and I spent this trip with three close family friends, and everyone was able to have their own room. I got to sleep in a room that had two twin sized beds. The backyard had a large wooden deck and a view of the enormous green golf course that we got to play at the next day. It was beautiful and breathtaking! The backyard was right along the edge of hole seven. It was a par five hole, which means that it was quite large. The course www.downhomelife.com
time flew by. Before I knew it, we were at the airport to go home. This trip was full of adventure, and I gained so much knowledge. In the end, I experienced the beauty of the East Coast and now better understand how astonishing and special the different towns are. My perspective of Canada had changed drastically once I returned to Alberta because all the places that I visited in Newfoundland was more than I had ever seen in Alberta, and that allowed me to see a diverse and gorgeous side of Canada. (Ed. note: This article has been edited for space. To see Hannah’s complete story of her vacation, you can find it under “Travel Diaries” on www.downhomelife.com.) March 2023
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life is better Frozen day in Hillgrade, NL Jenna Oxford, Carter’s Cove, NL
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HOME and Cabin
stuff we love by Nicola Ryan
The Hungry Month of March Per capita food bank usage in Newfoundland and Labrador continues to be among the highest in Canada. Here are some organizations that could use your support.
COMMUNITY FOOD SHARING ASSOCIATION This registered charity manages the collection and distribution of food at 54 food banks in the province. With the help of staff, volunteers and community-minded businesses, they strive to feed hungry people and ease the struggles of the poorest in the province. CFSA.nf.net
THE GATHERING PLACE The Gathering Place in St. John’s supports those dealing with homelessness, mental illness, addiction and poverty. Hundreds of people seek much needed services – food, clothing, shelter and social supports – every day, and The Gathering Place provides more than 3,000 meals in an average week. KindnessWanted.ca
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SINGLE PARENT ASSOCIATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND The Single Parent Association of Newfoundland (SPAN) has been around since 1987. According to their estimates, food insecurity affects 1 in 4 children in our province. SPAN operates a food bank that provides single-parent families – more than 600 children – with a food hamper every month. SPANL.ca
SCHOOL LUNCH ASSOCIATION, INC. This registered charity provides a hot, nutritious lunch for school children, regardless of a family’s financial situation. The program serves more than 6,500 meals each day in 41 schools across Newfoundland. SchoolLunch.ca
BRIDGES TO HOPE In 2021, Bridges to Hope’s Food Pantry provided assistance to more than 10,000 clients in the Northeast Avalon region. Bridges to Hope also runs several outreach initiatives including the Smart Snack and Bag to School programs for school-aged children, and partners with community groups to distribute food hampers to those who otherwise cannot access food banks. BridgesToHope.ca www.downhomelife.com
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HOME and Cabin
Ask Marie Anything Interior designer Marie Bishop takes your questions
Q. I’m replacing my family room rug and coffee table, and possibly adding a new window treatment. How big should the rug be, what size coffee table should I look for, and how long should the drapery panels be?
A. The short answer to all these questions is “size does matter.” Rug size can be a real point of confusion, and shopping for one can be frustrating, not to mention physically challenging – large rugs are heavy and cumbersome. So, unless there’s free delivery involved, you want to make sure your choice is solid. Here are some guidelines to help make your search easier. Your rug should extend roughly 6"-8" beyond both ends of your sofa and tuck under the front of it about the same amount. It generally runs lengthwise, parallel to the sofa. If you have end tables, or just one end table, it’s best to incorporate those into the equation. Make sure you get at least one set of end table legs on the rug. Other occasional tables and chairs in the room should have at least their front legs on the rug, otherwise they tend to look abandoned. A good rule of thumb is about one-third of the furniture piece should be on the rug. 84
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Your rug should extend roughly 6"-8" beyond both ends of your sofa Round and square coffee tables are the most universal and great for larger spaces.
Keep the rug at least 10" from the wall, or more if you have the space. The best way to get a good visual for size is to measure out the space and mark it off with painters tape. An 8'x10' or 9'x12' rug is the norm for an average living room. Even if your room isn’t huge, a larger rug will actually make it look bigger. Another reason you will want a larger rug is to accommodate your coffee table. Have you noticed that coffee tables have grown over the past number of years? They’ve become a serving space for pizza, a games table, a spot for books and magazines, not to mention a foot rest. Keeping all that in mind, as well as the surroundings – the size and scale of your sofa and the size of your room – your search for a coffee table should be less of a challenge. Use the painters tape guide here, too, to help you visualize not only the table, but also the clearance space around it. Realistically, you need at least 16"-18" between the coffee table and the sofa. It will get www.downhomelife.com
Other occasional tables and chairs in the room should have at least their front legs on the rug.
pulled in closer for pizza night or huddling over a good game of Scrabble; but generally speaking, you’ll need to keep a comfortable clearance. Other considerations for coffee tables are shape and material. Round and square shapes are the most universal and great for larger spaces. No one gets the short side, and the room looks balanced even if the seating isn’t. Rectangular and oval tables are probably a more common option. An added bonus are tables with builtin storage. Choosing glass, wood or metal for your coffee table will depend on your taste and lifestyle. Glass is contemporary, sleek, polished and clearly higher maintenance, but looks amazing in a modern condo setting. Wood offers an endless array of finishes and colours, all adding to the warmth and style of the decor. Metal, or a combination of wood and metal, creates a more casual, sometimes industrial look. Go with the one that makes you happy. March 2023
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If you plan to close your drapes be sure to get panels that cover 1.5-2 times the width of the window, and as long as possible.
And last on the agenda, the window treatment. For the most part, blinds have become the go-to for window dressing: usually a tidy inside-mount roller blind, pleated cellular blind or the beautiful Silhouette blinds that offer light filtration and privacy. However, while blinds alone are fine for some rooms, our main living spaces cry out for a little more warmth, which can easily be added with drapery panels. A wide array of beautiful fabrics in different textures and luxurious colours are available in readymade panels just about everywhere you shop these days. The most common sizes are 50" wide x 84" or 96" long. One panel per side is plenty unless you are planning to close them, in which case you will want roughly 1.5-2 times the width of your window.
If your window is 100" wide you will need four panels. You want some fullness even when they are closed; otherwise they will look like bed sheets – not a great look. As for length, get them as long as possible. Usually the heater is under the middle section of the window, so panels hanging to the side can go to the floor. However, if the heater does extend beyond the window or if you’re planning to close them at night, the panels should hang an inch or two above the heater; otherwise they will scorch and could potentially cause a fire. Install the rod as high above the frame as possible. The longer the panels, the more elegant they look. What better way to start the season than with a fresh new look? What better way to love your space!
Ask Marie Anything! Got a design question for Marie? Email editorial@downhomelife.com, and watch for your question and her answer to appear here! 86
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Todd’s table
Homemade Tomato Soup 88
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Todd’s Table By Todd Goodyear
When he’s not dreaming up or cooking up great food, Todd Goodyear is president and associate publisher of Downhome. todd@downhomelife.com
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I certainly hope you’re not tired of reading my soup recipes. I’m not tired of sharing a great soup with you – and I will never be tired of eating soup. Like many of my go-to recipes, soup is just one that changes my whole day, always in the right direction. In my opinion, if there is a dish that can, it’s soup! Winter is drawing closer to an end and we’ll soon be enjoying spring and the long awaited summer, my favourite season. Soup, of course, has no season really, but there is just something about soup in the winter that makes a difference. It gets right down in your soul, as I often say, not really knowing for sure if our souls are down, up or just inside. Wherever it is, it just feels better with soup. Soup is one of the dishes that I often bottle the leftovers, to save me on a day when I don’t have time to cook or need that pick-me-up. In minutes, I can be enjoying a quick meal or a delicious starter course. My arm needs no twisting when it comes to soup. I simply love it. One of my family’s favourites is homemade tomato soup. It’s hearty, rich and just plain delicious. It can also be a great way to secretly serve some vegetables to those who may turn their nose up at them. This soup is puréed in the end, so all the flavours blend together into simple goodness.
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Tomato Soup 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large carrot, diced 3 small celery sticks, chopped 1 med. onion, diced (yellow, red or 1 small of each) 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped or pressed 2 tsp dried oregano or marjoram
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste 1 (28 oz) can fire roasted tomatoes, diced or whole 1 (14 oz) can stewed tomatoes 2 cups chicken stock 1 cup fresh broccoli, cut into small pieces 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
In a medium pot (I prefer heavy bottom pots to hold heat) over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add carrot, celery, onion, garlic and oregano. Give it a good stir and add a dash of kosher salt and some fresh ground black pepper. Cover the pot and cook for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften. Add the 2 cans of tomatoes along with the chicken stock, and bring to a simmer. Continue to cook, covered, stirring until the vegetables are tender. This will vary in time, but will likely be finished in 20-30 minutes. No rush, just let it simmer away and enjoy the aroma. Bring water to a boil in a medium pot and add the broccoli. (Or steam it, if you prefer.) Once the broccoli is crisp tender, remove from heat and drain. The soup veggies should be tender by now. Remove from heat and purée the soup using an immersion blender. You can also blend, in batches, in a blender or food processor, but that can be a little tricky as well as messy. The hand-held immersion blender is a great tool to have in your bag of tricks and is not expensive at all. Pour soup into serving bowls, add the broccoli and grated cheese, and season to taste with salt and pepper. You will be very pleased with the rich taste and get-down-inyour-soul feel of this soup. Serves 4. 90
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Todd’s Tips Spice it up if you wish. Add, according to your taste, such flavours as curry powder, chili flakes, fennel seeds etc. Try offering a bowl to someone who claims they don’t like carrot or celery, for instance. They won’t even notice! Always cook with confidence. If I can do it, so can you. 1-888-588-6353
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life is better Boats at the ready in Bonavista, NL Mark Gray, Bonavista, NL
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HOME and Cabin
everyday recipes
Leftover Love As hard as it might be to believe, there are folks who despise leftovers. But these recipes take leftovers to a new level and will have everyone saving their “couldens” (as in “couldn’t eat it all”) for another day.
Fish Cakes 2 cups codfish (salt or fresh) 3 cups leftover mashed potatoes 2 tsp onion, finely chopped 1 beaten egg
Salt to taste Savoury to taste Flour for dredging Vegetable oil for frying
If salt fish is used, soak it overnight first. Cover salt or fresh fish with fresh cold water and bring to a boil for 20 minutes. Flake the cooked fish. Mix the flaked fish, mashed potatoes, onion and egg together. Add salt if necessary, and a sprinkle of savoury. Form into palm-sized patties and dredge them in flour. Heat oil in large frying pan. Fry fishcakes until they are golden brown on both sides. Serve with mustard pickles (optional). Makes 3-4 servings.
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Chicken Noodle Casserole 2 cups dry egg noodles, or pasta of your choice 2 cups leftover cooked chicken (white and/or dark), diced 1 can cream of chicken or cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup milk
1 cup frozen or canned peas (or peas and carrots, or mixed veg) 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (or leftover dressing/stuffing) 1 tbsp butter melted
Preheat oven to 425°F. Cook egg noodles or pasta al dente (slightly firm); drain. In a large casserole dish, mix together noodles, chicken, soup, milk and vegetables. Top with shredded cheese. Combine breadcrumbs/dressing with melted butter and sprinkle over top. Bake for 20 minutes, until topping is browned a little and sauce is bubbly. Makes 4 servings.
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Grilled Cheesy Sloppy Joes 2 cups leftover bolognese sauce (pasta sauce with meat) 1/4 cup bell peppers, diced 2 slices mozzarella or Monterey Jack slices (or your favourite cheese) 4 thick slices of bread (eg. Texas toast) Butter
Add leftover bolognese sauce and diced bell peppers to a pot. Slowly reheat the sauce and let it simmer until peppers have softened. Butter both sides of the bread slices and fry in a hot pan, flipping them once, until both sides are golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat. Lay one slice of bread on a plate. Top with a thick layer of sauce, then a slice of cheese, and put a second slice of bread on top. Press down lightly for a moment to help melt cheese. Repeat for second sandwich. Serve hot. Makes 2 servings.
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Roasted Stuffed Potatoes 4 large baking potatoes 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 cup butter, melted 1/2 cup leftover gravy 1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 tsp each of salt & pepper 1 1/2 cups leftover dressing/stuffing 2 green onions, thinly sliced 1 1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 400° F. Clean potato skins, pat dry and rub with vegetable oil. Stab holes in each with a fork. Bake on a sheet for about 1 hour, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and lower temperature to 350°F. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out potato flesh, careful not to tear the skins and leaving a skim of potato inside. In a mixing bowl, beat together the potato flesh, butter, gravy, cream cheese, salt & pepper. Stir in 1 cup cheddar cheese, then the dressing/stuffing and green onions. Fill the skins with potato mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese over top. Bake in the oven for about 15 minutes, until warmed through and cheese is melted. Makes 4 servings (or 8 as a side dish).
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Ham and Egg Muffins 12 large eggs 3/4 cup milk 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup leftover ham, diced
1/2 cup onion, minced 1/2 cup red bell pepper (or any colour), diced 1/2 cup spinach, finely chopped 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 18 muffin cups or use silicone liners. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and salt. Stir in ham, onion, bell pepper, spinach and 1 cup of the cheese. Evenly fill 18 muffin cups with egg mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheese over top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until egg is fully cooked (muffin should be puffy and set when touched on top) and cheese is golden brown. Remove from oven and let muffins cool for about 10 minutes before removing from cups. Serve warm and store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge (up to 3 days) or freezer (3-4 weeks). Makes 18 muffins.
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Mac and Cheese Balls 3 cups leftover mac and cheese (homemade or KD), chilled 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella or your favourite)
2 large eggs, beaten 1 1/2 cups seasoned breadcrumbs Marinara sauce for dipping (opt)
Whisk eggs in one bowl; measure breadcrumbs into another. Preheat oil in a deep fryer set to 375°F. For baking instead, preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Combine leftover mac and cheese with 1 cup shredded cheese. Use a cookie scoop to roll 1 1/2" balls. Dip each ball into the eggs; let excess drip off; then dredge it in breadcrumbs, pressing to coat. Repeat with each ball. Deep fry at 375°F in small batches for 2-3 minutes, until balls are nicely browned. Drain on paper towel. Or bake at 350°F for 20-30 minutes, turning them once or twice during baking until they are brown and crispy on all sides. Or in an air fryer, set the temperature to 400°F. Spritz the balls lightly with oil (so the breadcrumbs don’t fly off in cooking). Cook in batches; don’t crowd the basket and make sure they aren’t touching so they’ll crisp evenly. Cook for about 10 minutes, until they are brown and crispy all over. Serve as is or with dipping sauce. Makes about 12 balls.
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down to earth
Zones Demystified BY KIM THISTLE
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Would you consider planting an orange tree in Newfoundland and Labrador? Probably not. Why not? You would probably say, “Because it won’t grow here... Duh.” Well, there are lots of things that do not grow here that we think should because we see them in a plant catalogue, pick them up while we are travelling or see them at a garden centre. Our garden centre in Little Rapids services customers as far south of us as Port aux Basques to way north of us along the coast of Labrador. We carry lots of plant material that would not grow farther north than our location because we appeal to a large geographic region. Like anything, it is buyer beware.
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A Plant Hardiness Map for Canada. Newfoundland is mostly in the range of 3b-6a, while Labrador does not get above 3a.
National Resources Canada
So how do you know what to buy? There is a handy dandy Plant Hardiness Zone Map that was developed by the United States Department of Agriculture as a rough guide for gardening and landscaping. Other countries, Canada included, quickly jumped on board, and this map is now used worldwide for choosing what to plant and where. This map combines information about climactic conditions in different geographic regions and is mapped by their annual minimum temperature extreme. There are 13 zones, the warmest being No. 13 and the coldest being No. 1. Each zone can be split into two parts where there are only slight variances in temperature. These are labelled as “a” (slightly cooler) and “b” (a tad warmer than “a”). For example, the Humber Valley, where I live, is considered a zone 4b, but I have grown plants that are labelled as high as zone 6a. That said, I know that I am taking a chance with any plant 100
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higher than a zone 4b. The Codroy Valley is listed as Zone 5b, but there are gardeners there who are growing plants up to zone 6b. St. Anthony is a zone 3b, but it is not unusual to see gardens with zone 4b plants. Back to that orange tree. Citrus normally grows in zones 9-11, although there are exceptions. The takeaway from this is that the lower the zone, the colder the temperature and the hardier the plant. Plant labels include the zone. Sometimes these labels are missing, but if you are doing your purchasing at a reputable garden centre, staff there can give you the information you need. Heed their advice. Once you become an experienced gardener, you may choose to take chances on less hardy plants, but it can be costly if they don’t overwinter. Perhaps you live on the coast of Labrador and feel that your summers are just as hot as they are on the island of Newfoundland. They probably are, but consider your winters. 1-888-588-6353
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How low do your temperatures dip? Remember it is the minimum temperature that you must look at. Let’s look at some popular plants and where they should be planted.
Burning Bush Zone 4-8. Lots of gardeners in zones 3a and 3b are growing them successfully, but they are probably planted in less exposed areas.
Bloodgood Japanese Maple Zone 5-8. I have seen these growing in zone 4, but they would need to be well protected when young and certainly not planted in an area with harsh winter winds. Azaleas Be careful here. There is a wide range of zones for these types of plants. The Northern Lights series of azaleas are listed as zone 4, but seem to be reliable in zone 3 areas. Most varieties of azaleas, however, are hardy only to zones 6-9. This is where “buyer beware” comes into effect. Rhododendron Same as the Azaleas. These plants are typically a zone 5-8 plant, but the PJM is listed as growing in 4 – 8 and I have seen it growing well in zone 3. Again, know the variety that you are buying.
Roses Do your research. There are so many varieties of this plant that it is hard to know what will grow in your garden. Rugosa roses are the old-fashioned, highly fragrant type that will grow well in zone 2a – 7a. Then there are those beautiful hybrid tea roses that most often grow in zones 5-9. Be sure to do your research on your chosen variety, as many of these will not make it through a Newfoundland winter without some protection. Hydrangeas Everybody wants a hydrangea and the blue ones are especially coveted. Many of these will overwinter in a lower zone but be careful – the flower buds may not survive our early spring freezes and you will end up with a beautiful green shrub that never or rarely flowers. If you’re an amateur gardener, stick with the panicle hydrangea to avoid disappointment. The football shaped flowers on these start out as white but turn to shades of pink and red as the days get shorter and the nights cooler. These shrubs are nothing short of spectacular.
The Coles notes here are: Don’t be fooled by the pretty pictures. Read the label. Do your research. Support your local garden centre; they may have the same product as your local box store, but having access to a horticultural professional who asks you about winter exposure and has local and region plant knowledge is the key to successful landscaping. Kim is a horticultural consultant, a retired garden centre owner and a dedicated garden enthusiast!
www.downhomelife.com
Got a question for Kim? Email downtoearth@downhomelife.com.
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reminiscing flashbacks
Sweet Sisters “This photo was taken by our dear mother, Queenie Prince, in 1953 in Princeton,” writes the submitter. “Mom took many photos using a camera she purchased in the early 1940s.” On the right is Linda (Prince) Fry and on the left is the submitter. Marjorie (Prince) Yetman Princeton, NL
Good Sports Kevin, Pat and Gordon Walsh pose in their backyard on Prince of Wales Street in St. John’s before Sports Day at St. Patrick’s Hall School. This photo was taken by their mom, Frances, in June 1956. Patrick Walsh Mount Pearl, NL 102
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Family Ties Martin & Julia (Marks) Billard pose with their great-grandson Shawn Herritt in this undated photo. Karen Simon Margaree, NL
Feild Day
Do you recognize the young men in this photo taken at Feild Hall in St. John’s around 1925? See page 9 for ways to contact Downhome and let us know. Roland Spurrell St. John’s, NL
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reminiscing
The Downhomer March 1989
Double Daylight Savings Time Scrapped by Ron Young
The double daylight
experiment tried for the first time last summer has been filed away. When the rest of the country sprang ahead one hour last spring, Newfoundland moved ahead two full hours, putting the province 1.5 hours ahead of Nova Scotia and 2.5 hours ahead of Ontario. This allowed daylight up until after 11 p.m. in the summer. But because of Newfoundland’s latitude, the summer days are longer than they are in the more populated parts of Canada, so daylight still came early in the morning even though dusk didn’t settle in until nearly midnight. The Honourable John Butt, whose department was responsible for the experiment, was loved by half the province and hated by the other half. The businessmen, whose business day was put another hour out of whack with the rest of Canada, and mothers who couldn’t get the school kids to bed at a decent hour disliked the idea. Vacationers and the working class, who still had more daylight hours left after their working day ended, loved it. But true to his word, Butt did not implement the idea without seeking the opinion of the population. One hundred sixty-five thousand questionnaires were mailed out, and over half were filled out and returned. The result: a stalemate with many “no” votes accompanied by qualifying comments, and an equal number of “yes” votes also having qualifiers added. Faced with this situation, Butt did what all true politicians do. He returned to the status quo. Double daylight savings time is now in a time vault to be opened at another time, when another visionary will find the time to look into the matter. 104
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reminiscing visions & vignettes
Gnat, do you mind…
Snow Bombs? By Harold N. Walters
Harry chewed his breakfast baloney while gazing out the kitchen window at the falling snow. A foot of clammy snow – perfect for snowman-making – already covered the ground, the rooftops and the boughs of every tree in Brookwater. Chasing his mouthful of baloney with a yomp of inch-thick toast, Harry watched a glob of wet snow fall from an overreaching branch onto the roof of Pa’s woodshed. The snow rolled down the steep pitch of the roof, increasing its circumference with every rotation. By the time it fell off the woodshed’s eave it was the size of Harry’s noggin. Harry glutched his bread and baloney and thought of revenge. He’d been thinking of revenge for a week, 106
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ever since the ambush… He was dodging through the Rockcut, all alone oddly enough, when Slab Elliot and his cohort of hard tickets from Bun Town ambushed him from up among the rocks. Like those Assyrians – whatever they were – in that poem Miss Britt had made Harry memorize, Slab and his yahoos swarmed down from the rocks and pounced on Harry’s back, driving him face and eyes into a bank of crusty snow. “Yaaaaaaah!” they 1-888-588-6353
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yelled as they struck. Two hooligans straddled Harry’s back while Slab sat on his shoulders and, holding Harry by the scruff of the neck, ground his face into the snow. The crystalized snow scratched Harry’s chops so much that, later on, Gnat ‘lowed Harry’s face looked like a tomcat had clawed him half to death. “Got you this time, buddy,” Slab said before giving Harry’s face a final scuff, jumping off him and high tailing it back to Bun Town. His cackling cronies laughed like the hyenas Harry’d seen pictures of in The Great Big Book of Exotic Animals. Blood streeling down his cheeks like crimson crayon wax melting on the cast iron of a stove’s firebox, Harry shook a fist whose mitt had been lost in the scuffle, and brandished its raw knuckles in Slab’s direction. “I’ll get yous back!” he bellowed. Now, at the breakfast table, Harry picked at the scabs on his face and watched the wet snow add another couple of inches to what had already fallen. He slurped sweet, milky tea and pondered vengeance. Knowing Gnat would join him, Harry smeared baloney grease off his mouth with his shirt sleeve, grabbed his jacket off its hook in the porch, jumped into his logans and slammed out the door. “Be back by and by,” Mammy heard as the storm door clapped shut behind him. A snowball smacking him between the shoulder blades stopped Harry before he could open the gate to Gnat’s lane. “Shagger!” said Harry. Laughing, Gnat stepped from behind the giant black spruce guarding the lane. 1-888-588-6353
“You’m nearly as bad as Slab Elliot,” Harry grumbled. “Why, what did Slab do?” Gnat clapped clinker-balls of wet snow from his mitts. “You knows what he did. I told you about the ambush.” “Oh, that,” Gnat said. “I’m getting him back today,” Harry announced. “I needs you to give me a hand.” “Doing what?” Gnat asked as he gnawed the last tenacious clinkerballs off his mitts’ woolly palms. “You’ll see,” said Harry. “What makes you think you’ll find Slab today?” Despite the snow’s freshness, Gnat decided the final clinker-ball wasn’t tasty, so he spat it out. “He and his buddies comes to Brookwater nearly every Saturday to see what devilment they can get into,” said Harry. “I’ll take my chances up in the Rockcut. That’s where they tackled me.” Harry scooped up a glob of snow and pitched it at Gnat, who now was picking at the cuff of his mitt. “Come on with me.” Twenty minutes later, Harry and Gnat stood nearly up to their arses in the soggy snow piled in the Rockcut’s notch. Panting like a pup after the hard slog up the road, Harry sized up the sloping terrain reaching uphill from the top of the Rockcut. Except for a few small firs poking up randomly like cloves in a Christmas ham, an unbroken expanse of snow ran from the Rockcut’s rim half a gunshot uphill to the tree line. “We got to climb up there,” said Harry, jigging his chin at the top of the Rockcut. “You’m breaking the path then,” March 2023
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said Gnat, getting behind Harry and shuffing him forward. “Fine.” Harry pushed through waist-high snow like a swimmer wading into a line of breakers. Gnat easily followed, now and then giving Harry a helpful prod. Eventually me buck-oes stood at the top of the Rockcut… at the foot of the snowy slope. “Now we got to make snowballs and roll them up to the trees.”
Harry and Gnat were beat to snots by the time they’d manhandled two more snowballs up to the top of the slope. After steadying the third one, they flopped on their backs in the flattened snow, like snow angels – well, maybe not angels. “Now we waits for Slab,” said Harry. “Then what?” said Gnat. “Mind that movie Dam Busters?”
Soon the snowball swelled so big that it took both Harry and Gnat to keep it moving. Harry fancied he and Gnat would look like that Sisyphus buddy he’d read about in The Great Big Book of Myths and Legends, scoating his guts out rolling a boulder uphill in Hades. “That’s some job,” said Gnat, looking hungrily at the fresh clusters of clinker-balls accumulated on his mitts. Harry shaped a snowball, lodged it in the snow and commenced rolling it up the grade. The snowball quickly grew larger, picking up more clammy snow with each turn. Soon the snowball swelled so big that it took both Harry and Gnat to keep it moving. Before they reached the trees the boys were digging in their heels and pushing with their backs against the snowball. Finally at the top, while Gnat strained to hold the snowball in place, Harry packed snow in front of it so it wouldn’t immediately roll back downhill. Harry stepped back, satisfied he’d stabilized the snowball. “Now what?” asked Gnat. “Now we goes down and makes another one,” said Harry. “Frig sake,” said Gnat. 108
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Gnat nodded. “Mind how the big bombs skipped on the water before they struck up the dam?” Another nod. “When Slab and his crowd enters the Rockcut, we’m going to release the snowballs. They’ll pick up more snow as they roll downhill, kinda like them skipping bombs, and crash on the Bun Towners’ heads and smother them.” Harry seemed bemused by the thought of Slab and his thugs buried beneath heaps of pulverized snowballs. “Might work,” said Gnat. The bushwhackers waited and waited. Eventually, as Harry had expected, Slab Elliot and his henchmen walked around the turn in the road from Bun Town, and into the Rockcut’s craggy notch. Harry managed to wait until his targets had advanced halfway through the Rockcut, their hands jauntily stuffed in the pockets of their winter coats, their whistling a brazen taunt. “One, two, three…,” said Harry. On three, he booted the wedge of snow holding the closest snowball in place, like kicking away the keystone to 1-888-588-6353
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start a landslide. Gnat booted another snow wedge to pieces. Two snowballs began to roll towards the unsuspecting boys boxed in the canyon. Harry scravelled to start the third snowball moving. The toe of his logan splattered the wedge and the snowball, twice the size of a snowman’s belly, rolled a foot forward. But before Harry could hoot triumphally, an accident happened. A crooked stick the snowball had picked up during its uphill grind hooked the loose lace of Harry’s logan. Harry tripped and fell flat in front of the snowball! The snowball crunched over Harry and plastered him into its belly and held him fast as it barreled over and over during its increasingly speedy descent. Gnat gaped. Harry’s head, its stocking cap still jammed in place, stuck out of the snowball. An arm, bent oddly at the elbow, flapped in the air. Two feet, one of which lost its logan during a bouncing revolution, projected from the snow bomb. Gnat galloped after the snow bomb that had gobbled up Harry, but he was helpless to prevent the snowball – sorta like a skipping bomb, eh b’ys? – from maintaining its course. Over the Rockcut’s edge 1-888-588-6353
it tumbled, into the gorge where, hot on the heels of the previously released snowy explosives, it bombarded the Bun Town villyens. Scraped and scrobbed, Slab Elliot and his buddies crawled from the snowy rubble and headed back home. Like a St. Bernard – albeit without a cask of whiskey strapped to its collar – Gnat dug Harry out. Harry’s old scratches were hidden among new colourful contusions. Muttering bad words, Harry leaned on Gnat and allowed himself to be lugged home. Mind that ambush, Gnat? Unfortunately, it was the middle of May before Harry’s broken arm mended. Harold Walters lives in Dunville, NL, doing his damnedest to live Happily Ever After. Reach him at ghwalters663@gmail.com March 2023
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life is better Evening glow at Brimstone Head in Fogo Bailey Parsons, Stephenville, NL
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reminiscing
Lloyd Walker of St. John’s, NL, does not look or act 90 years old. He has a full head of silver hair, and his eyes have a youthful sparkle behind his stylish glasses. Beside him is an ornately decorated photo album with images dating back a hundred years, and a stack of neatly handwritten notes.
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“I have written 54 stories so far, which are just for my family at this point, since I am the only one alive who would remember most of these things as they were so long ago,” he says of the notes. “But who knows? I may put my memoirs together someday in articles or a book.” Something else catches my eye off to the side of the room. It’s a small set of Henry Taylor handcarving chisels astride a blue wooden toolbox. This manufacturer of edge tools in Sheffield, England, dating back to 1834, is synonymous with craftsmanship and fine woodworking, so it’s instantly recognizable to even a layman like me. “You do some woodcarving as well?” I ask. Lloyd obliges me. “Well, I have been carving since I was in Grade 3, back in elementary school. I’ve been a woodworker most of my life, and I trained as a furniture maker in the 1940s with a little one-man shop, and we made everything – chairs, showcases, did upholstery and the like. When we came into Confederation in 1949, the little shops all went by the wayside as new furniture came in from Canada by the trainload and all the old things locally made got tossed out.” He adds, “Of course, I kept at it a bit and ran a business and did contracting and taught woodworking and did some other things, but I am still carving for fun. I carved a bird out of some pin cherry from the wood pile, and a skier and snowboarder out of Honduras mahogany, which 114
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(Above) Lloyd Walker shares some memories from his photo album. (Below & right) Lloyd’s passion for both woodcarving and streetcars was passed down from his father, Edgar, who was a conductor in St. John’s.
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was a split leftover end piece from a project I was working on. I actually made the dining room suite, the six side chairs plus two end chairs, the table and the corner cabinet as well, all out of mahogany and hand-carved the legs, and did all the lathe turnings and so on. It was a very satisfying thing to do.”
Streetcars of St. John’s
Lloyd tells me he inherited his woodworking skills from his father, from whom he also gained a passion for the city’s streetcars. Back in the day, his father was a conductor. For those surprised to learn of this chapter in St. John’s public transportation history, I got a brief timeline from a learned expert on it – Kenneth G. Pieroway, author of Streetcars of St. John’s. “In 1898, a contract in the amount of $140,000 was awarded to Robert G. Reid to build the street railway, pave Water Street with cobblestones and build a 1-888-588-6353
power plant to run it. The streetcar system went into operation on May 1, 1900, at 12:45 p.m.,” he explains. “Interestingly enough, little St. John’s built a transportation system at the same time as the other great North American cities such as San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Boston, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Besides being the most easterly street railway in North America with operations on the oldest street on the continent, St. John’s streetcars were unique from their mainland counterparts in that, for one, our streetcars ran on narrow-gauge tracks, same as the Newfoundland Railway. Secondly, the entrance and exit doors were on the same side of our streetcars, regardless of the direction they were travelling. You could literally get off in the middle of the street. Interesting enough, as well, the fare when the service started was five cents a ride, and this did not increase for the entire 48 years the system ran.” The streetcar stopped running for good on September 15, 1948. Lloyd, as mentioned, has very personal recollections of these streetcars, those of his own and through the eyes of his father. “My dad, Edgar Walker, was driving street cars since back in 1926. He went to New York City when he was about 20 years old and used to drive a street car from the Bronx into New York and back,” he says. After four March 2023
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Lloyd has a few items from the days when his father Edgar (right) was a conductor on the St. John’s streetcars, including this transfer punch.
years away, he returned home and got a job as a conductor on the St. John’s route. Lloyd continues, “…the family still has some of the items he used, such as his coin changer, his transfer punch, and a button off his uniform and so on.” Edgar even taught Lloyd everything about driving the cars when he was 15 or 16, though the service ended before Lloyd could get hired at it. “I would help change the seats around and pull down the poles and help him out. These rigs were double-ended, so when the streetcar would get up to what we called the crossroads, where Topsail Road and Waterford Bridge Road met, the track ended there. Then you had to switch ends on the streetcar to go back.” (They drove from both ends of the car.) He explains, “You had two poles on top, so you had to pull down 116
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one and put the other one up so that you could energize the vehicle [they were powered by electricity], and you would take your controls as well. [The controls] were cranks that fitted down over a square hub, and when you pushed them one way or the other the doors would open or close and the motors would start… “I would go with my dad lots of times after school, and sometimes Dad would let me drive on Water Street West, where it was pretty flat and not many turns. They were not very hard to operate once you got used to it; and although they could go much faster, I don’t think the operators went much above 10 miles an hour or so, from what I can recall. “The way the tracks were laid out, the streetcars used to have to be set up and ready to go at 7:00, so Dad had to be up at what they called 1-888-588-6353
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the car barn by 6:15 a.m. [near the present day dockyard on the west end of Water Street], so it was an early rise for him and my mother – who always got up to fix him breakfast and see him off. They would spread the trams out over the city for starting time. For instance, they used
would always take a pease pudding bag full of salt with him. When the windshield of the streetcar, which was only one layer of glass, would start to freeze over, Dad would rub the bag of salt over the glass on the inside to kill the frost. It was a pretty smart trick and worked well.”
“Streetcar conductors were like a bunch of reporters in the newsroom. They were in touch with everybody in St. John’s.” to place three streetcars at Adelaide Street, two streetcars at the old Hotel Newfoundland, two streetcars at the Colonial Building and some other places, and they were timed to leave starting at 7 a.m. so they would cross each other on the proper schedule.” By Lloyd’s recollection, there were about 18 streetcars and one sweeper car in the fleet. The sweeper car deployed two big brushes to clean any dirt and debris off the track. Sometimes it was used to tow broken-down streetcars back to the barn. “One thing that was kind of unique [about the St. John’s streetcars] was that they had no big amount, if any, heat in them; so in the winter, Dad 1-888-588-6353
One of the most interesting aspects of the streetcar conductor’s job was the access it provided to local goingson. As Lloyd puts it, “Streetcar conductors were like a bunch of reporters in the newsroom. They were in touch with everybody in St. John’s. There was no buses and only a few taxis, so everybody travelling around St. John’s at that time went by streetcar. Dad knew judges, clergy, all of the store owners. The conductors had a wealth of information among them, and they had stories galore that you wouldn’t believe.” Some of those stories, Lloyd hints, might make it into his book someday. March 2023
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reminiscing
The folklore around the French Shore is a colourful one, but one story is especially riveting. It involves a skipper, his worried wife, a sea trunk, a mystifying visitation and a riveting wake. In his 1986 book, Sea Stories from Newfoundland, Michael Harrington shares this strange story, which is still talked about today in Conche.
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The French Shore was an area of coastal Newfoundland and Labrador where French fishermen were granted seasonal fishing rights by Britain from 1713 to 1904. During this time, Conche, on the eastern side of the Great Northern Peninsula, became a thriving French fishing station. English settlers were often hired as “guardians” to protect their premises when the fishermen returned to France in the winter. In the late 1800s, brothers John and Ned, descendants of English guardians, were business partners. Ned went to sea as skipper of their fishing schooner, Elsie, while John took care of the business on land. On Christmas Eve, 1871, the Elsie was placed in quarters against “the long winter seize,” Harrington wrote, meaning she was stripped of canvas and fittings. That same day, Conche was visited by a huge patch of seals. The folks put out all their seal nets and hauled in more than 1,000 seals. As Harrington explained, “for the people of Conche, it was a welcome Christmas box.” Skipper Ned brought home his sea chest from the schooner while the rest of the men were off sealing. He
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and his wife looked over the important effects and papers in the trunk, but were soon called away by Christmas festivities. On March 10, 1872, the Elsie was outfitted to set sail on the first sealing trip of the season. Ned’s chest was taken aboard and stowed under his bunk. A week later, the Elsie had “struck the fat.” In just seven days, the crew had more than 6,000 seal pelts stowed away. They could head for home – if the vessel wasn’t jammed in heavy ice about 70 miles from Conche. As he laid in his bunk that night, things started to get a little strange for Ned. First, he heard the distinct sound on the stairway “like the rustle of silk and satin.” A woman then entered his cabin – to his shock and dismay, it was his wife, Ellen. With a look of concern, Ellen knelt down and hauled the sea chest out from under the bunk and opened it. As Ned watched, she took out each article and placed it all back, then exited up the stairs. Ned was devastated – he took the apparition to mean his dear wife had passed away. Back in Conche, Ellen Dower, 42 at the time, had worked herself up over
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the legal papers she and her husband had looked at on Christmas Eve. She didn’t know if her husband had these with him or if they were missing. As several weeks passed, her anxiety increased and she became ill from the stress. As her daughter read to her one evening, Ellen appeared to fall asleep. When her daughter couldn’t wake her, she called for help. Neighbours arrived to find Ellen’s skin had a deathly pallor and they could find no pulse. This story was also featured in the book, Ghost Stories of Newfoundland, by Edward Butts, who commented on the wake. “The whole community went into mourning. Ellen Dower had been loved and respected by everyone because of her gentle nature and acts of charity.” Everyone remarked on the peaceful look as she lay in her coffin. “It was as though she were awake and the hands of death had not touched her.” Then something strange occurred on day two of her wake. Ellen’s cheeks flushed red and her cold, clammy body became warm with life. She let out a sigh, opened her eyes and uttered, “Oh, I am so tired. I have been far. I have been with Ned.”
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She recounted how she had travelled out to the ice and then “out on the bosom of the Atlantic,” Harrington described. “Pushed on by some invisible power, I continued on the long, the pathless, the dreary road,” until she reached the schooner. She climbed up and went aboard. Meanwhile, back on the Elsie, the men had heard of Skipper Ned’s eerie visitation. They all prayed for wind to set the schooner free so they could be home for the funeral. Less than 24 hours later, their prayers were answered and the Elsie sailed into Conche within a day. The crew, especially the captain, rejoiced when they tied up to the wharf and learned that Ellen Dower was, in fact, alive and well. The Conche cemetery records that Ellen Dower, “Beloved Wife of Edward Dower,” died on November 28, 1883, at the age of 52. Ned passed away on December 7, 1896. According to Harrington, the tale “remains to the day, one of the most compelling among the true tales of Newfoundland.” And as Butts explained, “Part of the story’s appeal is that besides being a ghost story, it is a tale of undying love.”
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puzzles
The Beaten Path
William Saunders photo
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.
M
C
K
E
B S
T
d
c L L
T p n H V U x Q A L n E X Q d T E B K J x M L T Q V A O L S U C p B M I d p H n T E
F
E
K S E
F
F n
T
V
S
V E Q H K H
J c
M L
F
E
T
T E E B U p x A C
C
d
Last Month’s Community: Robert’s Arm 124
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Sudoku
from websudoku.com
Last month’s answers
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Need Help
Puzzle answers can be found online at DownhomeLife.com/puzzles
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Gordon Winsor photo
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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.
Use these 5 clues to identify where Ragged Rick is now: • NL traditional song shares its name • Closely tied to Rose Blanche • Dates back to the French migratory fishery era (1700s) • Part of the name is French for “the neck” • British Newman Co. had an outpost here mid-1800s to 1904
Last Month’s Answer: Tors Cove
Picturesque Place NameS of Newfoundland and Labrador
by Mel D’Souza Last Month’s Answer: Main Point 126
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In Other Words Guess the well-known expression written here in other words.
Last Month’s Clue: Obliviousness is ecstasy In Other Words: Ignorance is bliss
This Month’s Clue: Walloping a deceased equine In Other Words: _______ _ ____ _____
Rhyme Time
TING BE A EA
the bush
BEATIN NG
G
A rhyming word game by Ron Young
Last Month’s Answer: Beating around the bush
NG BEATI TI
TING BEA B
A Way With Words
1. The incorrect melody is the _____ ____ 2. A “red eye” to a traveller is an _____ _____
This Month’s Clue
WALKING
AIR
3. To keep your distance is to ____ ____
Answer: _______ __ ___
Last Month’s Answers 1. Grapple with an apple, 2. Bake a cake, 3. Mild child
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.
’
-
’
A E A C A N G E L D K H A M A D A C L D A I D O G C A O L O O I O N D O I R E D N E M L L K E C T M P O R S R W T N R E I S S S N O N W W U K R
Last month’s answer: People who get involved with the success of something have to be given at least some share of that success. www.downhomelife.com
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Rhymes 5 Times Each answer rhymes with the other four
1. drill
____________
2. ripped
____________
3. sported
____________
4. quartet
____________
5. achy
____________
STUCK? Don’t get your knickers in a knot! Puzzle answers can be found online at DownhomeLife.com/puzzles
Last Month’s Answers: 1. coast, 2. most, 3. toast, 4. boast, 5. roast
Tangled Towns by Lolene Young Condon and Ron Young
Unscramble each of the five groups of letters below to get 5 Newfoundland and Labrador place names.
Sound out the groups of words below to get a familiar expression.
1. GROUBE
For best results sound the clue words out loud!
2. MAREA
Weak Hood You Sail Pier __ _____ ___ ____ ____
3. REGY VIRER
My Teepee Cue Leer ______ _______
5. TRIAGEHEM
Last Month’s 1st Clue: Nope Arrive Us He. Answer: No privacy. Last Month’s 2nd Clue: Hole Kitten Cup Poodle. Answer: Whole kit and caboodle.
4. CRANOFIS
Last Month’s Answers: 1. Belleoram, 2. Saint Jacques, 3. Coombs Cove, 4. Chapel Island, 5. Pool’s Cove
A nalogical A nagrams Unscramble the capitalized words to get one word that matches the subtle clue. 1. SEMI PORT ~ Clue: he’ll say one thing to be another 2. MAT TREE PURE ~ Clue: the heat of the moment 3. RED SETS ~ Clue: the one course you don’t want to pass 4. LUMP IVIES ~ Clue: no pause for thought 5. GET ERRS ~ Clue: the wishes that never came true Last Month’s Answers: 1. electrician, 2. costume, 3. warranty, 4. gossip, 5. orchestra 128
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Four-Way Crossword F o re Wo rd s • B a c k Wo rd s • U p Wo rd s • D o w n Wo rd s 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 2 3 4 1-10: native 1-21: astern 11 12 13 14 1-91: later 2-32: lure 3-10: new 21 22 23 24 4-2: steal 4-6: getup 31 32 33 34 6-8: hard liquor 6-46: grind together 41 42 43 44 10-100: train engine 12-15: assist 51 52 53 54 13-53: penniless 17-37: wonderment 61 62 63 64 18-15: rave 19-39: ace 30-27: black bird 71 72 73 74 30-60: singer Perry 32-62: adolescent 81 82 83 84 34-31: memo 34-37: proboscis 91 92 93 94 36-66: fired gun 44-74: first man 45-15: trench 45-42: create 64-94: so let it be 45-95: anchored 66-63: amphibian 46-86: inn 68-66: consume 47-97: church 70-50: male cat 47-77: fellow 70-66: goody 48-50: beret 71-51: uncooked 48-8: prickly plant part 71-74: wander 48-68: foot digit 75-45: space 50-41: Cupid 77-74: hairdo 50-46: pair 77-79: soft drink 50-100: reason 79-76: pontif 51-54: cannabis 83-63: evil 51-91: hospital areas 83-81: tender 54-4: peril 83-85: flying insect 54-84: lady 84-86: long fish 57-54: thug 90-87: grape grower 57-59: pig 91-94: glance over
www.downhomelife.com
5
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91-100: offend 97-95: boy 97-99: Ms. Taylor 99-79: zilch Last Month’s Answer
D I S T RAC T E D E DGE ARO S E E S OAR S B L I MP COL R P I DRYA E F F O R T OWE R N E ARAR E AC T D E T A B A L S AM A E S P A T RO P E N L E I S O I L S N T E ND E R F OOT March 2023
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The Bayman’s
Crossword Puzzle 1
2
3
by Ron Young
4
5
6
7
8 9
10
11
12
13
19
15
16
20
22 26
14
24
25
28
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30 32
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34 36
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43
130
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35 37
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42 44
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18
21 23
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45 47
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ACROSS 1. Robin Hood ____ 4. “You can only get one shot __ _ shell bird” (2 words) 5. Trout Trap Fiord (abbrev) 6. pool stick 8. Deaf __ a haddock 9. Newfoundland in Latin (2 words) 16. chimpanzee 19. debtor’s note 20. As __ As Ever the Puffin Flew 21. hands 22. obligation 23. scoff 25. Trinity East (abbrev) 26. “___ __ evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” 28. shoe tacks, so named because they resemble a sparrow’s bill (colloq) 30. sibling, for short 31. “He don’t know if he’s punched __ bored” 32. Really? 33. Member of Parliament (abbrev) 35. “Go __ wit’ ya!” 36. and more (abbrev) 38. juniper-based alcohol 40. Goose Bay, Newfoundland, community 43. ocean 44. tuckamore 46. Screech 47. settler (colloq) DOWN 1. ice ridge (colloq) 2. “Whaddaya __?” 3. armful (colloq) 7. employ 10. car trip 11. Newfoundland traditional ball game www.downhomelife.com
12. prefix meaning “oneself” 13. Rock __ Ages 14. short woollen socks (colloq) 15. region 16. “How can I do __ t’ing when I got nar t’ing to do ar t’ing wit’?” 17. _____ Francis Quinlan – NL singer-songwriter 18. female sheep (pl.) 21. Church Lads Brigade (abbrev) 24. “Get any?” (colloq) 27. Dig up 28. Mouthful 29. “He’s a ____ ___ away a young man in summer” 30. sting 34. “He could take a ball of ____ wool and knit you a bicycle” 36. Tibb’s ___ 37. court (abbrev) 39. “Any mummers ’lowed __?” 41. United Arab Republic (abbrev) 42. Noah’s vessel 43. Opposite of NW 45. Eagle River (abbrev) C O D H O ANSWERS U G TO LAST M O B MONTH’S M E CROSSWORD Y R J A R I Y O U N G S T E R S A G A N S R E A T O M G E T C R A V E D A X E E R R S O P E N A I R N R O A D W N N O T E D W E P G S T K E L P F L O E C E S E A W A R D H E E T I T E M O M E N L O N G E R R I P T I D E March 2023
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DIAL-A-SMILE © 2023 Ron Young
Pick the right letters from the old style phone to match the numbers grouped below and uncover a quote which will bring a smile to your face.
__ 69
______ 238423
_____ _ 54783 6 ___ 668
__ 47
__ 86
__ 86
___ 269
____ 3836
_____ 63837
______ 238423
____ 8447
’
___ 663
Last Month’s Answer: A horse is dangerous at both ends, and uncomfortable in the middle.
CRACK THE CODE
©2023 Ron Young
2
Each symbol represents a letter of the alphabet, for instance =S Try to guess the smaller, more obvious words to come up with the letters for the longer ones. The code changes each month.
S _ _ _ _ _ _
2A zA Z yt _ _
pm
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
Q A Hx A Zy
S _ _ _ _ S S
2B x x A 22
_ S
L2
_ _
_ _ _ _
LZ b L m A
S _ _ _ _ _ _ 2 ; p\ Z 7 L
_ _
BQ
Last Month’s Answer: Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be. 132
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Food For Thought
© 2023 Ron Young
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.”
fellow = _
_ _
nabbed = _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_
hosted = _ _ _ _ _ _
_
recently = _
_
qak b t v w w
ltv
swabs = _ _ _ _ `[kx imbibe = _ _ _ _
qtayv w w
_
wv yhe _ _ _ _ _ _ _
xt qqwxx _
_ _ _ _
s[tx v _ _
yb
_ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
b twv
.
b waqtwv
xwwt qwx
kw[ksw
_
yx a
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _
sab ws v
_ _ _ _
yhb [ _ _ _ _
qahb
_
_ _ _ _
x `av b _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
b tyheyhl _
_ _ _
s[xw
Last Month’s Answer: If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments. www.downhomelife.com
March 2023
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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 CROSS COUNTRY SKI IN TRINITY
Last Month’s Answers: 1. Picture Frame, 2. Glass, 3. Couch, 4. Guitar, 5. Leg, 6. Accordion, 7. Boy’s head, 8. Braces, 9. Ceiling light, 10. Ugly stick, 11. Hair, 12. Drapes “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.
134
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HIDE & SEEK GREEN
The words can be across, up, down, backward or at an angle, but always in a line.
ALGAE BROCCOLI CAMOUFLAGE EMERALD EYES FROG GRASSHOPPER GRINCH GUACAMOLE JADE LEAF LEPRECHAUN LETTUCE MARTIANS MOSS MINT
MONEY PARROT PEAS PICKLE SEAWEED
Last Month’s Answers
SHAMROCK TURTLE WASABI ZUCCHINI
I M Q U Y E L L O W K T D G N L U F S S I L B R H K U I N A H X R N D V O X O M M T Z S R G P J X O M N P O L L A G X E N N L O C T P Y T E I R A V U Y C O F R I C X N F C O I N G C H E E U K A T O I U X Z C C W D Z H I O I X V E N U I N O Z R O H T Q C K I K T T F E N P T Y Q S R A P G B K K H X R U L C Y Q O R S J I A S K C U Q X R A H X X U G X W L E A C R U Z D T T E L T O A R K B T W U O T C E J C H D C K T Y I H U X E H Z E M S E I A J X M M E A N I N G W N O W Q E B L O T T U V Z O Y A L X N U Y C X R J A N A K R A E B C S B Z N X N T L C G F O R G E T M Q Y E O H E K A L S Y D K Q O G L Q E L C Y C I R T E U X P H B R M T B R M G H Z B J S F N I G H T F A L L L W J A S I A E B J S V A O A L L E R B M U B L G A X U H X T A A Z W R Z E K A F R L A M E N T T K Z T F C A U U S F S A H W E O N L O S D H K N R C T A B J L T R O X K E G P R I T U U T B A V L A S R K C T M E A N P J Q V
S T T H N R R M J J V X G D U E D A J Q A R Z X U O O S Z S P E M E R A L D S R C A M O U F L A G E D R H J Q E R H O H J I G D D X B M G G A P R G K F R W Y X V A S N A I T R A M G S L V C K T L W Q Z A A T M H B W G Z Y D X G R A S S H O P P E R I U P O X S Y D G E E E Z N Y I W K P R T L X U E N C F N D E E L P H E G O E J X C F S A Q D S C O Q C E Z Y Y H H C E E D N G Y J J O F M Z I U O F Z H L B M E G N E Z A O N B J H O B N K F T H N N W I T U U Q I D Y P M S U E L K C I P R T B O X F A N R P G R G F C X T D A R D M I I O E R S Z B B S I U H G L P E N Q L S H B R R U G L O T N K Y K A M T H A E H S W S Q R C O D K O K C O R M A H S B I M G U A C A M O L E E K E E R C I Y I O H C Y I N X Y S F R T G C C S R D K S O X D U G N P J K M T A L G A E U U D R A P H O L X A V G I E L Q O Y M P I V N N R F B W S E G I Y I R F B V P D S A M R P B P Z A F O F A J L F B O W E H M V Z S P Z Q www.downhomelife.com
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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.” 136
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www.downhomelife.com
March 2023
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Not intended to solicit properties currently under contract
%$#"! $% $# $ %! $
709-726-5113 1-888-588-6353 advertising@downhomelife.com
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY • GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR
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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. 138
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Movers & Shippers DISCOUNT STORAGE 8' x 20' unheated storage units St. John's, NL
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Movers & Shippers Rates start at $175 for a 1 col. x 2" ad.
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A Family Moving Families Professionally and economically Coast to Coast in Canada Fully Insured Newfoundland Owned & Operated
Contact: Gary or Sharon King
Toll Free: 1-866-586-2341 www.downhomemovers.com
March 2023
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GREAT EASTER GIFTS!
Newfoundland’s Best Breakfasts and Brunch:
Chirp’s Large Day
Recipes from the Rock’s B&B’s Jennifer Leigh Hill
#83394 | $19.99
- Rebecca Gladney
- Ron Young
#34047 | $19.95
#83409 | $24.95
Downhome Memories
Dictionary of Newfoundland & Labrador
#32671 | $14.95
Downhome Memories Vol. 2 - Ron Young #46853 | $17.95
Downhome Four-Way Crosswords - Ron Young
Downhome Laughing Matters - Ron Young
More Downhome Laughing Matters - Ron Young
Differences by the Dozen - Mel D’Souza
- Ron Young
#46852 | $14.95
#57231 | $14.95
#54058 | $6.99
#49315 | $8.95
ORDER ONLINE: www.shopdownhome.com
Prices subject to change without notice. Prices listed do not include taxes and shipping. While quantities last.
2303_Mailorder_Mail order.qxd 1/26/23 3:06 PM Page 141
MORE SELECTION ONLINE www.shopdownhome.com
Numbers in Newfoundland - Bonnie Jean Hicks -
Rhymes from the Rock
Find Scruncheon & Touton - Nancy Keating
#75941 | $9.95
#58304 | $9.95
#43105 | $10.95
Newfoundland and Labrador Colouring Book
Salt Water Classics
- Necie
#77729 | $29.95
Illustrated by Leanna Carbage
Find Scruncheon & Touton 2 - Nancy Keating & Laurel Keating
#47033 | $10.95
- Bonnie Jean Hicks Illustrated by Leanna Carbage
#48710 | $8.95
& Laurel Keating
- LeGrow & Scott
Saltwater Gifts: More than
Saltwater Mittens:
Saltwater Socks:
25 Fashion and Home Styles to Knit - LeGrow & Scott
More that 20 heritage designs to knit - LeGrow & Scott
More than 25 Favourite Designs to Knit - LeGrow & Scott
#79505 | $29.95
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TO ORDER CALL: 1-888-588-6353
Prices subject to change without notice. Prices listed do not include taxes and shipping. While quantities last.
2303_Mailorder_Mail order.qxd 1/25/23 3:21 PM Page 142
GREAT GIFT IDEAS!
Assorted Kisses
Peanut Butter Kisses
Spearmint Lumps
Spearmint Nobs
#3997 | $4.99
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Purity Jam Jams 2 Pack #79557 | $1.65
Rum & Butter Kisses #16805 | $4.99
Peppermint Lumps #4239 | $4.99
Purity Jam Jams #18709 | $6.99
Bull’s Eyes
#1085 | $4.99
Peppermint Nobs #4238 | $4.99
Purity Hard Bread #78947 | $8.50
ORDER ONLINE: www.shopdownhome.com
Prices subject to change without notice. Prices listed do not include taxes and shipping. While quantities last.
2303_Mailorder_Mail order.qxd 1/25/23 3:21 PM Page 143
MORE SELECTION ONLINE www.shopdownhome.com
Frig Off T-Shirt
Keep Calm T-Shirt
S-XXL
S-XXL
S-XXL
#83378 | $19.99
#63201 | $19.99
#63132 | $19.99
NL Sayings T-Shirt
Yes B’y Says It All T-Shirt
Hard Case T-Shirt
S-XXL
S-XXL
S-XXL
#63026 | $19.99
#80202 | $19.99
#59135 | $19.99
Moose Armour T-Shirt
NL Grand Slam Hoodie
NL Coin Anchor Hoodie
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S-XXL
S-XXL
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#58878 | $61.99
#76748 | $39.99
TO ORDER CALL: 1-888-588-6353
No Friggin Way T-Shirt
Prices subject to change without notice. Prices listed do not include taxes and shipping. While quantities last.
2303_photo Finish_0609 Photo Finish 1/26/23 3:07 PM Page 144
photo finish
Rainbow
Bright
Sunny Signal Hill in St. John’s, NL, is the treasure at the end of this spectacular rainbow. Cathy McCullough Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Do you have an amazing or funny photo to share? Turn to page 9 to find out how to submit. 144
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