Skip to main content

Downhome September 2020

Page 1

Vol 33 • No 04

$4.99

September 2020

2009-Cover-NL_0609-Cover-NFLD 7/31/20 5:44 PM Page 1

Songs from Fogo Island

Frightening lightning events Advice from former premier Peckford


2009_Index_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:33 PM Page 2

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 Art and Production Art Director Vince Marsh Graphic and Web Designer Cory Way Illustrator Mel D’Souza Illustrator Snowden Walters Advertising Sales Senior Account Manager Robert Saunders Account Manager Barbara Young Marketing Director Tiffany Brett Finance and Administration Junior Accountant Marlena Grant Accounting Assistant Sandra Gosse Operations Manager, Twillingate Nicole Mehaney

Warehouse Operations Warehouse / Inventory Manger Carol Howell Warehouse Operator Josephine Collins Distribution Sales & Marketing Amanda Ricks Sr. Customer Service Associate Sharon Muise Inventory Control Clerk Darlene Whiteway Retail Operations Retail Floor Manager, St. John’s Jackie Rice Retail Floor Manager, Twillingate Donna Keefe Retail Sales Associates Crystal Rose, Emma Goodyear, Jonathon Organ, Nicole French, Elizabeth Gleason, Rebecca Ford, Erin McCarthy, Mackenzie Stockley, Marlene Burt, Marissa Little, Hayley Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Gauci, Beth Colbert, Kim Tucker, Heather Stuckless, Katrina Hynes

Subscriptions Customer Service Associate Kathleen Murphy Customer Service Associate Nicola Ryan

Founding Editor Ron Young

President & Associate Publisher Todd Goodyear

Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Grant Young

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


2009_Index_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:33 PM Page 3

60

more to discover

Contents

SEPTEMBER 2020

40 Seeds of Change

50 hit the road

With the transformation of a closed fish plant in Burin into a cannabis production facility, one local entrepreneur is bringing employment, and new hope, to her home region. Linda Browne

50 Finish the Drive The restoration and return of a famous Land Rover associated with the completion of the TransCanada Highway and NL’s first premier, Joseph R. Smallwood Dennis Flynn

60 Millions of Years in the Making The newly designated Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark raises the profile of the Bonavista Peninsula’s spectacular geologic story. Linda Browne

110 High-Flying Heroine Her life was forever altered, in good ways and bad, by a deadly plane crash in Botwood. Lisa Hemeon www.downhomelife.com

September 2020

3


2009_Index_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:33 PM Page 4

Contents

SEPTEMBER 2020

homefront 10 I Dare Say A note from the editor 12 Letters From Our Readers Former premier Brian Peckford weighs in on NL’s fiscal situation, and readers share staycation adventures

20 Downhome Tours Downhome readers explore London, England

22 Why is That? Why is the ocean salty and how does it stay that way? Linda Browne

12 who dat?

24 Life’s Funny Cleanliness Next to Godliness Pat Doyle

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

26 Lil Charmers Brotherly Love 28 Pets of the Month The Cat’s Meow

30 Reviewed Denise Flint interviews author Emily Hepditch and reviews her debut novel, The Woman in the Attic.

32 What Odds Paul Warford makes a move

34 Poetic Licence A Drift of Change

28

your meow-gesty

34 challenging times

Curt Budden

features 46 Never Too Late to Launch Fogo Islander Aaron Cobb, 74, releases his debut album Amanda Stephen 4

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


2009_Index_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:33 PM Page 5

66

mini memories

explore

56 trail art

56 Paintings for Passersby Trail walkers in the Corner Brook area discover why this natural art gallery rocks. Connie Boland 66 Building on History Local retiree creates a model tribute to his hometown of Gaskiers-Point La Haye Dennis Flynn

72 get your study on

home and cabin 72 Stuff We Love Home Study Essentials Tobias Romaniuk

74 Cabin Comfort Interior designer Holly Costello walks us through this gorgeous cottage ensuite.

78 Tea in the Garden Interior designer Marie Bishop’s outdoor tea room www.downhomelife.com

September 2020

5


2009_Index_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:33 PM Page 6

Contents

SEPTEMBER 2020

82 ocean gems

82 She Sells Sea Glass This St. John’s woman turned a love of beachcombing into works of art. Ashley Miller 88 Todd’s Table All Day Smoke 92 Everyday Recipes Gone over Garlic

98 Down to Earth Gluttonous for Garlic Kim Thistle

reminiscing 104 Flashbacks Classic photos of people and places 6

September 2020

92

garlic flavours 1-888-588-6353


2009_Index_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 5:23 PM Page 7

114

surprise visitor

105 This Month in History Newfoundland becomes a Dominion

106 Frightening Lightning Dale Jarvis recounts some “striking” events in Newfoundland and Labrador involving extreme and mysterious lightning. 114 Crash Landing at St. Jones Without A small plane left a big mark About the cover Reader Shane Hiscock took this gorgeous photo of a root cellar in Elliston. It’s one of the attractions in the new Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark. Read all about it, beginning on p. 60.

Cover Index High-Flying Heroine • 110 Burin’s New Cannabis Plant • 40 This Place Rocks! • 60 Songs from Fogo Island • 46 Frightening Lightning Events • 106 Advice from Former Premier Peckford • 12 www.downhomelife.com

on a tiny outport town and the memories of its residents Lester Green

120 Newfoundlandia Movie Night Chad Bennett

126 Marketplace 128 Mail Order 132 Puzzles 144 Photo Finish September 2020

7


homefront 26-47_Homefront 2 7/30/20 5:17 PM Page 26

homefront lil charmers

Brotherly Love Keep Quiet, Brother! No complaining allowed in the stocks at Trinity, NL. Shana Mechefske London, ON

Wind Beneath My Wings Benjamin and Anthony enjoy a windy day at Pistolet Bay. Brian Twyne Victoria Harbour, ON

26

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


homefront 26-47_Homefront 2 7/31/20 1:29 PM Page 27

Bucket and Pals Chase Winsor, 2, and his older brother Luke play together at Sandy Cove Beach. Todd Winsor St. John’s, NL

Smile! We’re on Camera! The dentist left just long enough for Tyler’s brothers to make his first appointment memorable! Dawn George Grande Prairie, AB

www.downhomelife.com

September 2020

27


homefront 26-47_Homefront 2 7/31/20 2:14 PM Page 38

life is better Gillard’s Stage in the community of Harry’s Harbour, NL Dave Wheeler, Grand Falls-Windsor, NL


homefront 26-47_Homefront 2 7/31/20 2:14 PM Page 39


46_Joeys Landrover2_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 5:47 PM Page 50

features

50

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


46_Joeys Landrover2_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 8:47 PM Page 51

With a throaty rumble,

the engine purrs to life. The beautifully restored 1958 Land Rover shakes off inertia and rolls out of the garage into the sunlight on a stellar July 2020 day in Cupids, Newfoundland and Labrador. Cruising past the landmark 1875 Cupids United Church, a gigantic 7x14-metre Union Jack Flag flaps overhead against an azure sky. A number of immaculately shined antique automobiles line the waterfront to watch the rugged little vehicle roll on by in something akin to an honour guard. Everyone there realizes this is an occasion for the history books. Classic Land Rovers hold high prestige among adventure travellers and off-road enthusiasts the world over. Founder Maurice Wilks supposedly drew a sketch of his vision of a vehicle “that could tackle any terrain, weather condition or challenge” in the beach sand in Anglesey, UK. His Land Rover made its debut April 30, 1948, at the Motor Show in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and been synonymous with exploration ever since. Left: Harold Akerman with the 1958 Land Rover in Cupids, NL Above: Antique autos line the route taken by Smallwood’s Land Rover through Cupids this past July. www.downhomelife.com

September 2020

51


46_Joeys Landrover2_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 5:31 PM Page 52

Classic Land Rovers like this one are loved by vintage collectors and off-road enthusiasts the world over.

Closer to home there is a surprising Land Rover connection: it was the first vehicle to complete the new 903-kilometre TransCanada Highway from Port aux Basques to St. John’s, Newfoundland, and the province’s first premier, Joseph R. Smallwood, was behind the wheel. According to TransCanadaHighway.com, “The paving of the TransCanada across Newfoundland was completed on November 27, 1965, with the official opening ceremony at Pearson’s Peak near Grand Falls in July 1966, which was attended by Premier Joey Smallwood and Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.” The slogan for the federal-provincial project was “Yes, We’ll Finish the Drive in ’65.” Pearson’s Peak is the halfway 52

September 2020

point of the Newfoundland section of the TCH, and there was once a roughly 25-metre-high stone pillar with a bronze plaque at the site where Smallwood and Pearson met. Eventually it fell into disrepair and was removed. But this wasn’t Smallwood’s first time on this new highway. According to CBC Archives, “The first car crossed Newfoundland in 1958. In fact, five Land Rovers made the drive together, and Premier Smallwood was at the steering wheel of the head car.” Not just any car. It was this exact Land Rover that rolled out of the garage in Cupids in July 2020. The same Land Rover which returned, I am told, to the official opening ceremonies of the TCH in 1966. 1-888-588-6353


46_Joeys Landrover2_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 5:31 PM Page 53

Harold Akerman, aged 71 and a resident of Cupids, confirms that with a grin. “This is a pretty special vehicle. In 1984, the Newfoundland Antique and Classic Car Club [NLACCC] obtained this 1958 Land Rover from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was donated to the Club for restoration and preservation as a piece of the province’s transportation history,” he says. “There were actually a number of Land Rovers purchased from Adelaide Motors in St. John’s by the provincial government of the day, since the going on new roads being built was very rough. We have been able to verify this one was used by former premier Smallwood. Government officials or groups such as Mines and Resources used the others for doing survey work and such. When this particular Land Rover reached the end of useful life, it ended up in a storage facility in the

White Hills in St. John’s, where some of the NLACCC members heard about it. The government asked if NLACCC would like to have the vehicle. It was in sad shape, but they took it on and became custodians of it, and started an extensive and excellent volunteer restoration.” Harold adds, “The last time it was driven was in the year 2000, when the National Association of Antique Automobile Clubs of Canada did a coast-to-coast tour that ended in St. John’s on August 18. Premier Brian Tobin met the tour group at Paddy’s Pond on the outskirts of the city, and he drove this Land Rover and led the group of approximately 200 antique vehicles to Confederation Building...” The Land Rover remained in storage these last 20 years, requiring some fixing before it could go on another ceremonial run. Though overall, it’s in remarkable shape. “This older Land Rover has an

A sign noting the Land Rover’s history and acknowledging those who’ve worked to restore it www.downhomelife.com

September 2020

53


46_Joeys Landrover2_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 5:47 PM Page 54

Descendants of Premier Joseph R. Smallwood pose with the famed Land Rover during a special visit at Smallwood’s former home in July.

aluminum body on a steel chassis, so it held up well,” Harold says. “The springs probably have about 15 leaves in each spring, which makes it really stiff and hard to ride, but that was the way of them.” With a new radiator, carburetor, brake shoes and drums – all shipped from England – the Land Rover was ready for a 2020 outing, and this time it was more personal. Destination: home. “This was a great day for everyone, but especially for the Smallwood family and Joey’s children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren as we brought the Land Rover to the former premier’s home and the family got to enjoy the vehicle for a couple of hours,” Harold says. “It was a chance to share memories, stories, and an opportunity to take photos; and they were really, really pleased. I am sure the late premier Smallwood, if he was here, would be just as delighted to have that Land Rover come back there today. I met Joey quite a few times, and I remember he 54

September 2020

attended the unveiling of the Land Rover when the original restoration was done by the NLACCC. It was a very emotional and moving moment for him and the audience. It meant a lot then, and I think it still means a lot now, not just for people who like antique autos, but for everyone in the province. There’s a lot of history tied up in this vehicle that’s bigger than the Land Rover itself.” After an afternoon of visiting, reminiscing and children exploring the Land Rover, it was time to head out. On the way back through the property gates, the Land Rover turned onto the access road and pointed its grill towards the TransCanada Highway. It was a nod to Smallwood, Pearson and all who strived in any way to complete that ribbon of road that brought together this vast country. I went in search of a story of a classic car, but came away inspired by the doers and the dreamers, as a journey along the highway of history came full circle. The legendary Land Rover finally headed home to finish the drive. 1-888-588-6353


life is a celebration

Announcemets

46_Joeys Landrover2_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 5:47 PM Page 55


62_GaskierModel_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:14 PM Page 66

explore

Local retiree creates a model tribute to his hometown of Gaskiers-Point La Haye PHOTOS AND STORY BY DENNIS FLYNN

66

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


62_GaskierModel_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:15 PM Page 67

I tested out my new fat bike in scenic Gaskiers-Point La Haye on the Southern Shore. I was finishing up a meandering coastal route, crossing a stunning barachois and looping out the headland shouldering up to the Gulch Beach, when I was stopped in my tracks by the sight of a structure that no longer exists.

I studied the original red-andwhite 1883 iron tower lighthouse, famous for the kerosene-oil powered light that had travelled all the way from Paris, France. Cozying up to it was the cottage where Patrick Mooney, the first keeper of the light, resided. I took out my camera and crouched to get a good angle on this intricate model figure carefully set on someone’s well-manicured lawn. www.downhomelife.com

A gentleman’s voice, nearby but from a COVID-19 safe distance, greeted me. “Great day for a bike ride. If you like the models, come along and I will show you some of the other ones I have made.” Peter (Pete) St. Croix proceeded to give me a tour of about a dozen miniature structures he has built as part of his folk-art hobby documenting local homes and historic landSeptember 2020

67


62_GaskierModel_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:14 PM Page 68

Pete St. Croix wth his model buildings honouring the history of Gaskiers-Point La Haye

marks. The retired construction trades worker has a wide variety of life and career experiences behind him, including working on fishing draggers as a younger man. “Of course, all the models I have built are not here. Sometimes a person will really like a model of a house they grew up in or something that means a lot to them, and if I can do it I may try and make it for them. I don’t usually sell them, as I really like to keep them, but I may trade one for something they built themselves if it catches my eye. One gentleman wanted a specific house made, so he traded me a model ship he constructed. That

68

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


62_GaskierModel_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:14 PM Page 69

seemed fair to both of us, so that’s what we did,” he said with a smile. So for a pleasant half-hour, Pete gave me a private tour of his collection. They included replicas of the house he grew up in; his current home; several dwellings belonging to relatives; a church; the famous lighthouse; a boat shed (replete with tiny wooden punts); a barn (with a horse peeking out the open door); and a version of the St. Mary’s landmark John Gibbons Store as it looked in the days of Pete’s childhood. Pete chuckled as he pointed out a detail on one recently finished model, saying, “You come by at a good time for a photo. I just finished painting the curtains on this one this morning.” www.downhomelife.com

He said, “It takes me about a week or two to build each little house, but I really enjoy it. Another fellow who makes excellent replica ships told me that he calculated it out once, and not counting materials he figured he made about 25 cents an hour for the months it took him to make a large model. So this is not something you do for any reason other than you love it. I just think it is important to be able to show folks what was here before they came, who lived here, and maybe in some small way tell stories of people long gone.” Pete continued, “Everyone who sees them and stops, we have a chat, and they seem to love the little houses and hearing about who lived in them. In the times we are all going through in the world today, if people like to stop and look at the little houses that go back to a simpler time and it makes them happy for a few minutes, then that’s not a bad thing.” I noticed two structures that were set apart from the group and looked a little different than the rest. Pete paused for a moment and said, “That’s a good eye you have. Yes, those are special to me. I didn’t make them, but I think a lot of them. An older gentleman from the community made that second lighthouse and I wanted to give his a spot of its own, not close to the version I did, so as to not take away from his work. The other little building is a cabin that was made by my grandson, and he did such a fine job on it I wanted it to be somewhere apart as well. Nice to have something from an older generation of model builder next to a younger generation. Kind of hopeful to see something that started before me being kept going.” September 2020

69


62_GaskierModel_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:24 PM Page 70

life is better Summer sunset at Cape Bonavista Sheldon Hicks, Portugal Cove-St. Philips, NL


62_GaskierModel_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:24 PM Page 71


78_TeaHouse_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:22 PM Page 78

HOME and Cabin

78

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


78_TeaHouse_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:22 PM Page 79

Tea in the

Interior designer Marie Bishop’s outdoor tea room

Garden I think

there are two types of people in the world with regard to sleep habits: the early risers and the night owls. I don’t think you can be both, unless you belong to the handful of folks who need very little sleep. I’m a member of the early risers, always have been. For me, there’s a sense of owning the day if you’re a witness to the morning light creeping into the sky. My birthday is in early September and 20 years ago, when I started my own business, I started a new birthday tradition. I live about 20 minutes from downtown St. John’s, and I decided I’d mark my day by having my own “sunrise ceremony” on Signal Hill. It was kind of symbolic, I guess: my day, my life, a new year, a new adventure. And since then I haven’t missed one. Of course, there is never any guarantee you will actually see the sun rise, and there have been more than a few birthdays www.downhomelife.com

September 2020

79


78_TeaHouse_0609 index.qxd 7/30/20 6:22 PM Page 80

when I looked out at the mystical blue-grey fog settled over the North Atlantic knowing that somewhere beyond it, the sun was rising. But there have been numerous spectacular ones as well. During our warmer months, I watch the sunrise from the backyard. I’m such a huge fan of nonwinter that I don’t want to miss one waking moment of hearing the birds sing, being surrounded by greenery and enjoying temps above zero. So, from May to October, I have a habit of bringing my tea into the garden and watching the sky brighten over the tree line. The feeling of renewal that 80

September 2020

comes with watching the day come into being is a tonic. I used to have a little sitting area set up, a small table and two chairs – not that anyone ever joined me, but I liked the visual. This year, with so much time on my hands during the big “lockdown,” I discovered that people actually built tea houses to have their tea ceremonies. Of course they did. It just never occurred to me that I should consider a tea house of my own, for my tea at sunrise tradition. Wouldn’t that be nice! A place where the chairs wouldn’t be wet after a heavy drizzle, where the mist of the early morning wouldn’t 1-888-588-6353


78_TeaHouse_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 1:36 PM Page 81

dampen my clothes. When I casually mentioned this to Mr. B, he thought it was a great idea. He could build that – no problem – and wouldn’t that be a great Mother’s Day gift? Well, yeah! As my grandmother used to say, my husband “could put an ass in a cat”; in other words, he’s pretty handy. The only problem is, because he is handy and creative and artistic, he usually has a number of projects on the go, all at the same time. So, I knew I’d get a tea house, I just wasn’t sure when. We drew up a simple plan and he started it right away, in early May... meanwhile, I secretly started hoping it would be finished by my birthday in early September. He used two palettes for the base; the windows were ones he’d had in storage over the past few years; and the roof was a

www.downhomelife.com

sheet of plywood our neighbour was going to throw out. The only purchases were a few pieces of 2"x 2" and 2"x 4" and two quarts of exterior paint (Benjamin Moore #HC-133 Yorktowne Green and #2004-10 Deep Rose). Well, I was very pleasantly surprised when this project was finished by the first week of July! I actually volunteered to paint it just to speed things along. (I’m not usually the one holding the paint brush...) And I freshened up some existing furniture to finish it off. I’ve discovered that spray paint for metal and wicker is my new best friend. So, I’m down here just about every morning with tea in hand, sitting in the quietness, appreciating the sunrise and the wonderful surroundings of my very own tea house.

September 2020

81


98_Down_to_Earth_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:30 PM Page 102

life is better Four-legged hikers on the East Coast Trail Raymond Wang, Blaketown, NL


98_Down_to_Earth_0609 index.qxd 7/31/20 2:30 PM Page 103


110_High Flying Heroine_0609 Home Front.qxd 7/31/20 9:41 AM Page 110

reminiscing

110

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


110_High Flying Heroine_0609 Home Front.qxd 7/31/20 9:41 AM Page 111

Before the Second World War,

Botwood was already buzzing with aviation activity. This small Newfoundland town was considered the crossroads of the world for transatlantic passenger and commercial flights aboard the famous flying boats of PanAm, BOAC and AEA. When WWII broke out, Botwood became a strategic RCAF base for coastal defense and anti-submarine patrol squadrons. The population of around 1,000 people swelled with more than 10,000 Canadian troops arriving via Canadian Navy vessels or train. Some were either sent on to Gander or remained in Botwood. They came here to train for war before being shipped overseas. During WWII, Botwood flourished. It was a busy spot and work was plentiful. Among those who used Botwood as a strategic North American airstrip was American Export Airlines, and in June 1942 that company became the first in the world to employ women as crewmembers on transatlantic flights. Before that time, all transatlantic flights were crewed by men only. These pioneering first six “air hostesses� were trained nurses and highly skilled to work aboard the flights. Their duties included, but were not limited to, assuring that all passengers were comfortable, cooking and serving the meals, preparing drinks, preparing the cabins for sleeping, refuelling the plane and looking after the sick. One of those pioneering air hostesses was Adele Jenkins, a petite woman at five feet four inches tall and 115 pounds. The effects that WWII and the small town of Botwood had on her world would stay with her until the day she died. Her story is one that fell through the cracks of time, even though it has all the elements of a blockbuster movie. Pint-size Adele was born in 1911 in New York. Her early life was one of poverty and uncertainty. She told her niece that when she was a young child and times were really tough and she needed to get away, she would run to the local airport and watch the planes taking off and landing. She said that watching the planes felt very romantic to her. At around seven years old, she was adopted by a teacher. 1-888-588-6353

September 2020

111


110_High Flying Heroine_0609 Home Front.qxd 7/31/20 9:41 AM Page 112

After Adele graduated high school, she studied nursing at the Hackensack Hospital in New Jersey. She graduated in 1932. In 1933, Adele was working for Howard Hughs and flying with Trans World Airlines (TWA). She was one of only 20 girls chosen from more than 20,000 applicants to train and work at TWA, and she was of the first female crewmembers on domestic flights. In the next eight years, Adele flew several millions of miles, in North America, the Caribbean, Africa and China. She met the most famous 112

September 2020

and influential people of the time. During her career with TWA, she worked as a recruiter, a model for TWA Advertising and an air hostess instructor in San Francisco. After TWA, she joined Central Pennsylvania Airlines as chief air hostess and recruiter. By 1942, Adele had joined American Export Airlines, servicing the New York, USA to Foyles, Ireland overseas route. Flying during the war, especially the transatlantic route, was dangerous and still in its infancy. On October 2, 1942, American Export Airlines’ flying boat Excalibur crashed immediately after lift-off from Botwood harbour. There were 37 passengers and crew aboard, including Adele. When the Excalibur crashed into 1-888-588-6353


110_High Flying Heroine_0609 Home Front.qxd 7/31/20 5:35 PM Page 113

the water, its fuselage cracked at the wings. Adele, chief air hostess and one of only two females on the plane, jumped into action. She immediately began instructing the uninjured passengers to get out. Once they were outside the wreckage and holding onto something to keep themselves afloat, Adele dove back inside the plane six times as it was filling with water and slowly sinking. She rescued five injured men from the plane. She later told her neighbour that she had gone down a sixth time to help her new coworker, Quinton Moon, who was stuck. She grabbed his hand and kept trying to pull him out until she felt life leave his body. For the rest of her life, Adele suffered periods of survivor’s guilt. After she came up for air on that sixth dive, she passed out and was then rescued by two soldiers, Flight Officer Colgate Vernon Mann and Rev. Thompkins, the base chaplain. Eleven people perished in the crash, but 26 survived – in great part due to Adele’s heroic actions. Adele spent the next two days tending to her passengers at the military hospital and flew back to New York on the third day. Within a week she was back on the transatlantic flight from New York to Foynes, Ireland. A big fuss was made of Adele the heroine. She was awarded a citation from the War Department, directly from War Secretary Stimson. It stated: “Though suffering from shock and near exhaustion, you continued your efforts in the cold waters and assisted to safety several men who, without such assistance, would have perished. And throughout the night you assisted in the care of the injured who lay in hospitals.” 1-888-588-6353

The surviving passengers purchased a new watch for Adele as a thanks and to replace the one she had lost in the crash. The inscription read: “In grateful remembrance of unfailing courage, cheerfulness and kindness from the passengers on Flight No. 17, Oct. 3, 1942.” When researching Adele and her career, the one thing that stood out to me was her amazing ability to dive into that plane six times and pull out survivors. The waters would certainly have been cold and, to me, it seemed to be almost impossible for such a small woman. That is until I came across a newspaper article about Adele from 1925. That year, when she was just 14 years old, she swam the widest part of the Hudson River in four hours, breaking a previously held record. That one small article cemented how she managed to do what she did. In researching Adele’s life after the crash, I found an article about her retirement from American Export Airlines in 1943 because she was getting married. At that time, if an air hostess married, she was forced to retire or be fired. In the article, Adele said she was just about to board a flight for Botwood, Newfoundland, to marry Flight Officer Colgate Vernon Mann, one of the two men who’d rescued her after her collapse. The heroine was marrying her hero! They were married July 23, 1943, at the officer’s club on the base in Botwood. The officiant was none other than Rev. Thompkins, her other hero. Adele and Colgate went on to have a long marriage. They had no children and eventually retired to Florida. Colgate died in 1996 at age 95, and Adele died in 2006. September 2020

113


DH_subAdDPS-3_0609 Home Front.qxd 5/8/20 11:40 AM Page 126

OVER $20s in saving ! by joining

Now more than ever a Downhome membership is a great value. Not only do you save over $20 off the cover price, you receive: 1 Year (12 issues) OF DOWNHOME

Free WALL CALENDAR Free EXPLORE TRAVEL GUIDE 2 Issues INSIDE LABRADOR †

††

†††

}

All for just

$39.99*

12 issues for $39.99* or 36 issues for $99.99*

Save up to $90 when you sign up for 3 years! Delivered with December’s issue. ††Delivered with June’s issue. Canadian mailing only. ††† Delivered February and August issues. *Plus applicable taxes


Tony McGrath photo

DH_subAdDPS-3_0609 Home Front.qxd 5/8/20 11:40 AM Page 127

Sign me up for a Downhome membership Name:____________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________ Prov/State: ____ Country: _______________ Postal Code: ____________________

Phone: (

) _________________________________

E-mail: __________________________________________________________________________ ❏ Cheque Enclosed*

❏ Credit Card

❏ Invoice Me

❏ I would like to send a membership as a gift.

❏ Moving? Update address below.

Please send Downhome magazine to who I have listed below.

Card#:_______________________________________________________ Expires: ______ /______ Name:____________________________________________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________ City:______________________________________ Prov/State:_________ Country: _______________ Postal Code: ____________________

Phone: (

) _________________________________

SIGN GIFT CARD FROM: _______________________________________

* Valid in Canada on a 1-year term. 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/International $49.99. ** Valid in Canada on a 3-year term. Total inc. taxes, postage and handling: for residents in NL, NS, NB, PE $114.99; ON $112.99; QC, SK, MB, AB, BC, NU, NT, YT $104.99; US/International $140.99.

Send to Downhome, 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3 or call 1-888-588-6353

ORDER ONLINE TODAY!

visit www.downhomelife.com/membership


2009Mktplace_0609 Marketplace.qxd 7/31/20 2:45 PM Page 126

FOR  SALE • DEER LAKE • Former Birchview B&B

• $179,000 • 3 Bedroom/4 Bathroom plus separate building with loft apartment Serious Inquires Only

Call: 709-635-3116 Howley Cottage 1700 Sq. Ft. Garage 2000 Sq. Ft. On One Acre. $249,900

lorna-pike@hotmail.com 1-587-435-0587

Chapel Arm, NL $99,000 Beautiful View of Trinity Bay 3Bd/1Bath Bungalow + Basement Apartment. 90 kms from St. John’s. MLS # 1213674

Contact Tim at Royal Lepage 709-682-6609

709-726-5113 1-888-588-6353

advertising@downhomelife.com

Marketplace Book your ad in Marketplace Marketplace rates start at $50 for a 1 column x 1 inch colour ad. This size fits approximately 20 words. 709-726-5113 1-888-588-6353

126

September 2020

1-888-588-6353


2009Mktplace_0609 Marketplace.qxd 7/31/20 1:46 PM Page 127

M

Movers & Shippers Moving you from Ontario and Newfoundland... or any STOP along the way!

DOWNEAST CONNECTION 709-248-4089 905-965-4813

FIVE STAR SERVICE Without The Five Star Price! ★ Local & Long Distance Moves ★ Packing ★ Door-to-Door Service Across Canada ★ Replacement Protection Available ★ NL Owned & Operated

Hawke’s Bay, NL (collect calls accepted) downeastconnection@yahoo.ca

Call Jim or Carolyn - Peterview, NL 709-257-4223 709-486-2249 - Cell samsonsmovers@yahoo.ca www.samsonsmovers.ca

www.downhomelife.com

709-834-0070 866-834-0070 fivestarmoving@outlook.com www.fivestarmoving.ca

A&K Moving

Let our Family Move Your Family Home

Newfoundland Owned & Operated Fully Insured, Free Estimates Sales Reps. in Ontario and Alberta

MOVING INC.

Over 25 Years Experience in the Moving Industry

SAMSON’S MOVING Newfoundland, Ontario, Alberta and All Points In Between

Voted CBS Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year

A Family Moving Families Professionally and economically Coast to Coast in Canada Fully Insured

Covering all Eastern & Western Provinces and Returning Based from Toronto, Ontario Discount Prices Out of NL, NS & NB Newfoundland Owned & Operated

Newfoundland Owned & Operated

35 Years in the Moving Industry

Contact: Gary or Sharon King

Andy: 416-247-0639 Out West: 403-471-5313

Toll Free: 1-866-586-2341 www.downhomemovers.com

aandkmoving@gmail.com

September 2020

127


2009 mail order_Mail order.qxd 7/30/20 5:06 PM Page 128

GREAT GIFT IDEAS!

2021 Ed Roche Wall Calendar #79468 | $24.99

2021 Newfoundland Wall Calendar #79463 | $12.99

The Little Red Shed Adam & Jennifer Young #79408 | $14.95

NL Lullaby - Riemann, McCarron and Steuerwald #49135 | $12.95

The Treasury of Newfoundland Dishes Jill Whitaker #38322 | $19.95

Newfoundland Recipes: Recipes From the Kitchens of Newfoundland #2495 | $4.95

2021 Newfoundland Desk Calendar #79464 | $6.99

Where are you, Puffling? - A Bird Island Adventure - Erika McGann #77685 | $9.99

Downhome Household Almanac & Cookbook #2739 | $19.95

ORDER ONLINE: www.shopdownhome.com


2009 mail order_Mail order.qxd 7/30/20 5:06 PM Page 129

MORE SELECTION ONLINE www.shopdownhome.com

Plush NL Dog w/Bandanna #43618 | $19.99

8" Plush NL Dog w/Ribbon #56143 | $11.99

Plush Lobster #51795 | $13.99

7" Puffin w/Sou Wester #64669 | $14.99

Plush Puffin Hugs with Baby #40529 | $19.99

Plush Puffin 11" #56137 | $16.99

Plush Moose Buffalo Plaid #77327 | $15.99

Plush Moose w/Plaid Antlers #77673 | $19.99

Plush Moose w/Flowers #79022 | $16.99

TO ORDER CALL: 1-888-588-6353


2009 mail order_Mail order.qxd 7/30/20 5:06 PM Page 130

GREAT GIFT IDEAS!

NL Rocks T-Shirt (S - XXL)

#74946 | $19.99

Keep Calm T-Shirt

Hard Case T-Shirt (S - XXL)

#59135 | $19.99

Sayings Dropout T-Shirt

NL Map Sayings T-Shirt (S - XXL) #74855 | $19.99

No Friggin Way T-Shirt

(S - XXXL) #63201 | $19.99

(S - XXXL) #63026 | $19.99

(S - XXXL) #63132 | $19.99

Ladies’ NL Map Sayings T-Shirt (S - XXL) #74690 | $19.99 ON  SALE  $14.99

Ladies’ Hard Case T-Shirt

Ladies’ Home T-Shirt

ON  SALE  $14.99

ON  SALE  $14.99

(S - XXL)

#62297 | $19.99

ON  SALE  $14.99

(S - XXL)

#74396 | $19.99

ORDER ONLINE: www.shopdownhome.com


2009 mail order_Mail order.qxd 7/30/20 5:06 PM Page 131

MORE SELECTION ONLINE www.shopdownhome.com

NL Tartan  Scarf #79402 | $15.99

Kids’ Pleated NL Tartan Kilt-Elastic Waist (2-4-6) #58513 | $28.99

14" Old Salt Nutcracker #76002 | $29.99

A Newfoundland and Labrador Christmas Wish - Necie #57326 | $8.95

NL Map Wooden Cutting Board #75789 | $14.99

Bath  Salts • $6.99 ea

Lip Balm • $4.99 ea

Partridgeberry

#60041

Smooch Labrador Tea

#61255

NL Tartan Bib #58525 | $13.99

Blueberry

#75939

Blueberry

#60043

Partridgeberry

#60044

Bath  Bombs • $7.99 ea Bakeapple #61637 Blueberry #61639 Partridgeberry #61636

TO ORDER CALL: 1-888-588-6353


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Downhome September 2020 by Downhome Publishing Inc - Issuu