Downhome August 2025

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Vol 38 • No 03

$4.99

August 2025

Eat Well on a Budget

Fish and Brewis Breakdown

Mercer’s Mission The Food Fishery Fighters

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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 Dillon Collins Assistant Editor Nicola Ryan Editor Lila Young Art and Production Art Director Vince Marsh Illustrator Mel D’Souza Illustrator Snowden Walters Advertising Sales Account Manager Ashley O’Keefe Marketing Director Tiffany Brett Finance and Administration Accountant Marlena Grant Accountant Sandra Gosse Operations Manager, Twillingate Nicole Mehaney

Warehouse Operations Warehouse / Inventory Manager Carol Howell Warehouse Operator Josephine Collins Retail Operations Retail Manager, St. John’s Jackie Rice Retail Floor Manager, Water Steet Crystal Rose Retail Floor Manager, Avalon Mall Jonathon Organ Retail Floor Manager, Twillingate Donna Keefe Retail Sales Associates Kim Tucker, Destinee Rogers, Emily Snelgrove, Alexandria Skinner, Colleen Giovannini, Emma Luscombe, Rebecca Pevie, Morgan Powless, Adriana Hann, Keith Lamkin, Martina Rogers, Hayley Warren, Annie Woelfel, Makenzie Aylward

Subscriptions Customer Service Associate Jennifer Kane Founding Editor Ron Young Chief Executive Officer/Publisher Grant Young General Manager/Assistant Publisher Tina Bromley

To subscribe, renew or change address use the contact information above.

Subscriptions 1-Year term total inc. taxes, postage and handling: for residents in NL, NB, PE $49.44; NS $49.01; ON $48.58; QC, SK, MB, AB, BC, NU, NT, YT $45.14. US $54.99; International $59.99

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

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around the bay

Contents

AUGUST 2025

34 Let the Games Begin The biggest Canada Games in history touch down in NL Dillon Collins

50 Baccalieu Bound Falling in love with Heart’s Delight-Islington Wayne Parsons

90 From Our Readers

34 it’s on!

www.downhomelife.com

Fish and Brewis and Fisherman’s Brewis: Two Different Meals Lloyd Walker

106 Catching Gulls An age-old method for collecting ‘summer pets’ Lester Green August 2025

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Contents homefront 8 Between the Lines A note from the Editor

10 Letters From Our Readers A trip

AUGUST 2025

10 cruisin’

to Newfoundland, Chocolate chip muffins, and NL’s ugliest dish

14 Downhome Tours The British Isles 16 Then & There Recent news, notes, events, anniversaries and more from across NL and beyond.

18 Why is That? Why does our skin freckle in the sun? Linda Browne

20 Life’s Funny Dino Days Linda R. Hart

20 dino-mite!

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

22 Lil Charmers Summer Lovin’ 24 Pets of the Month Ruffin’ It 26 Book Nook Downhome dives into the latest and greatest in Newfoundland literature

28 Fresh Tracks Wendy Rose reviews Rube & Rake’s Good Time After Bad 4

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Contents

AUGUST 2025

58 local colour

features 40 Mercer’s Mission One woman’s path to help vulnerable creatures Pam Pardy

44 Fish Fight Barry Fordham’s pledge to overhaul the food fishery Kim Ploughman

explore 58 Hung Out to Dry Is the

66 stops along the way

clothesline prose or poetry?

Cassandra Filice

64 What’s in a Name? Chain Rock Dale Jarvis

66 Route 380: A Tourist’s Paradise The history and attractions of Robert’s Arm Fred Parsons

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Contents

AUGUST 2025

82

dinner on a dime

home and cabin 72 Stuff We Love Canada, Games Nicola Ryan 74 Ask Marie Anything Interior designer Marie Bishop takes your questions.

78 Everyday Gourmet Southeast Asian Style Noodle Salad Andrea Maunder

82 Downhome Recipes Dine on a Dime: Six Tips to Eat Well on a Budget

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72 let’s play, eh!

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94 a look back

reminiscing 94 Flashbacks Classic photos of people and places.

95 This Month in History The first known letter mailed from the new world

96 This Month in Downhome History 100 A Boy from St. Lunaire Part Three: My Journey Lorne Compton

112 Puzzles 124 Colouring Page 126 Classifieds 128 Mail Order About the cover Clothesline conversations are the subject of this month’s cover. Kingston, Ontario’s Harold Feiertag captures a piece of our province’s colourful history near Spillars Cove, NL. Elsewhere, tourism hot spots and the return of the Canada Games highlight our final issue of summer 2025.

Cover Index Eat Well on a Budget • 82 Canada Games Returns to NL • 34 Baccalieu Bound • 50 Hung Out to Dry • 58 Fish and Brewis Breakdown • 90 Mercer’s Mission • 40 The Food Fishery Fighters • 44 www.downhomelife.com

the back porch 132 The Labrador Current To End and Begin Nathan Freake 134 What Odds Paul Warford’s hardly a Nintendo novice.

136 Ties to Home Going Home Dianna Brown

140 A Fisherman’s Legacy In tribute to Rendell Clarke, Lobster Fisherman Paul Clarke 144 Photo Finish August 2025

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between the lines

I often wonder what it would be like to see our island through new eyes.

In advance of what promised to be a very step-heavy trip overseas, my wife and I began a more proactive approach to fitness: hiking when the weather agrees to let up, knocking down various trails across the metro Avalon region. Some of these excursions could be described as majestically scenic tourist magnets. I’m embarrassed to say that I hit the Signal Hill walking trail for the first time in, must be, five to six years, and I see what the hype is about. City slickers and prairie home companions must marvel at what so many of us have and take for granted on our doorstep. The 2025 Canada Summer Games in St. John’s and the surrounding region bring the nation’s best athletes to our shores, in what will surely be a flood of adrenaline and provincial pride. And while the sports stars of today and tomorrow will be on full display, so too will Newfoundland and Labrador. Many, I’m sure, will be visiting us for the first time, taking in our scenery, food, culture and history. This issue is all about tapping into the blocks that make up our province, from our rich and colourful history to our natural landscapes, and the good natured people that serve as its lifeblood.

Dillon Collins Editor-in-chief

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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 Ann Russell of Clarenville, NL who found Corky on page 83 of the June issue!

*No Phone Calls Please. One entry per person

www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

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Front row (l-r): Phil and Judy Craig, Isabelle Power, Jeanette Clark, Calvin Power.

Back row (l-r): Howard Power, Tom Clark, Sheila Power, Elaine Power, Mary Power, Bob Power.

Bell Island Reunion

Hi fellow Newfoundlanders. A reunion photo, which was posted in Downhome (March 2025), created a lot of interest. We had phone calls and emails which lead to a brunch at the Rise and Shine restaurant in Morriston, Ontario. I took my Newfoundland flag and my Downhome magazine (I never leave home without it). They were overjoyed when I asked if they would like a photo taken to send down to Downhome. All of these people are originally from Bell Island, Newfoundland. We have not seen these people for over 60 years.

We were not fortunate enough to stay home and work because the mines closed down in the 60s, leaving over 12,000 people without work and forced them to move to another province. I always tell people I was an immigrant in my own country. My mother bought me a train ticket on a red letter day for $18.00 to travel by train to Toronto, Ontario. The government gave me no money to move. Then I had to work for three months before I had medical insurance. It is a lot different now! Time really changed! A little humour: the train was so slow they called it the Newfie Bullet. The only train you could get six meals a day.

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I love the people from Bell Island.

We did not feel sorry for ourselves, we picked ourselves up and moved on.

The rest of Canada were the real winners, getting all these special people from Bell Island.

Phil and Judy Craig via downhomelife.com

Great story guys! We’re very glad your reunion could spark such great conversations and memories.

Trip to NL On a hot day in August 2024, we left our home on the south shore of Nova Scotia to venture to Newfoundland for the first time. As we sailed into Port aux Basques, we were treated to a wonderful sunrise.

I’d like to tell you a few places, foods and things we enjoyed on the Rock.

First of all, a thank you to the tourist bureau in Port aux Basques, who told

us about Myrtles Restaurant in Lark Harbour. We enjoyed sitting on the deck on a hot day, where I had the best fish cakes in Newfoundland (I tried to stay true to Newfoundland cuisine).

In Twillingate, the best Jiggs Dinner at the Cozy Tea Room, where the cook gave me her pumpkin pickle recipe, which I have made, and it is delicious.

My husband had the best salmon dinner at Earls in Rocky Harbour, and the Anchor Cafe in Port au Choix had the best fish (halibut) and chips.

The places we stayed at were wonderful. A special shout-out to Harbourview B&B in Bonavista and Abbie’s Garden B&B in Grand Bank for the nighttime snacks.

We visited the Nurse Myra Bennett Heritage House in Daniel’s Harbour, which was one of the highlights of our trip for me. This is a place where everyone should visit to get a feel for Newfoundland’s history.

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August 2025

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In Botwood, we spent several hours going through the amazing Botwood Heritage Centre and driving around the town, looking at the beautiful murals on the buildings that celebrate the history of Botwood. Another place we visited was the Beaches, an outport community on the northwest coast, as we wanted to see where the famous Newfoundland writer Donna Morrissey was from. Donna is an extraordinary writer, and we were lucky to hear her read from her book Rage the Night at the Woody Point Writers Festival. All in all, this was a trip to remember. We enjoyed it so much, we have already booked some reservations for this year, in which we want to explore the Avalon Peninsula.

Brenda Munro Hubbards, NS

Sounds like you had a fantastic trip, Brenda. Glad to hear you’re planning a return visit. We always love submissions of visitors to Newfoundland and Labrador. Send yours to editorial@downhomelife.com

Asks Downhome routinely takes to social media to pose questions to our followers. Here are some of our favourite responses.

What is the ugliest, but also the tastiest, Newfoundland and Labrador dish?

Rabbit stew with the heads.

Whiteway Jules Blood pudding.

Athelie Herman Cod’s heads. I can’t look at ‘em, but I hear that they are delicious.

Cynthia Walsh

Lobster is pretty darn ugly.

Lori Hynes

Re: From Old to New We enjoy reading our Downhome magazine. I especially liked the recent article in the March issue on the stove in “From Old to New.” I grew up in Gander Bay with a stove like the one described. In the late 40’s and early 50’s, I used the warming oven to rejuvenate flashlight batteries, which I then used for a light on my bicycle. I usually left the batteries in the warming oven for a couple of days.

Frank Saunders via downhomelife.com

Thanks for sharing, Frank! Very interesting comment on the batteries!

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Squid! Fried squid heads, yum.

Cheryl Young Roy Stewed beans, aka boiled beans. So pale looking. Baked beans are good!

Ann Heath Colbourne Boiled whelk, in the shell.

Quenton Lessard

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Muffin Magic

Old Car Buddy in Quebec While visiting my daughter in Chateauguay, PQ this spring, I finally got to see my friend Bill's Grand Prix Pontiac. Each time my wife and I had visited before, Bill's baby was always in storage. So this was the first time I had actually seen this classic. We actually went to an old car event in Bill's Pontiac, where I met Mike Hall of Rust Valley Restorers fame. I had a great visit with my daughter and family, made extra special by a trip in Bill's Pontiac.

Thank you for the Downhome magazine. I have a friend who receives it and then passes it on to me. I am a New Brunswicker, not a Newfoundlander, but I appreciate the articles and stories in it – and the recipes. This week I made the zucchini chocolate chip muffins. Yesterday we had a work day at our church to clean up the cemetery and I took the muffins. They were a hit. So thank you for sharing this recipe and for all the work you do to put this magazine together. Keep up the good work Donna Myers Kingston, NB

Thanks Donna! Glad to hear that you’re enjoying your little slice of the island and that the muffins were a hit!

Dave Bailie via downhomelife.com

Sounds like a great visit, Dave. Bill’s Pontiac is a beauty!

Dear readers,

Would you like to comment on something you’ve read in Downhome?

Do you have a question for the editors or for other readers? Submit your letter to the editor at DownhomeLife.com or write to us at 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3. www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

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homefront Downhome tours...

The British Isles

Scotland “A dream came true in July 2024 for myself and my two sons, Steven and David, when we travelled to the home of golf, St. Andrews, Scotland, to golf and walk on the world famous 700-year-old Swilcan Bridge,” writes submitter Ron Wagg, originally of Pasadena, NL. “Our trip took us to five Championship courses; the new course at St. Andrews, Crail, Kingsbarns, Gleneagles and Carnoustie. The last day of our trip included watching the final round of the Open Championship at Royal Troon.”

St. Andrews Links in the town of St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland, is regarded as the home of golf. Backed by beautiful vistas and breathtaking scenery, players have been teeing up here since the 15th century. The Swilcan Bridge, a small stone crossing, takes golfers across the Swilcan Burn to play the final hole of the historic Old Course.

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Ireland Laurie (Aylward) Murray, originally of Bonavista Bay, and her mother-in-law, Joan Murray of Summerside, PEI, pose at Killary Harbour, located in Connemara, County Galway.

The mountains around Killary Fjord are said to “whisper” to those who listen carefully. According to local legend, the whispers are voices of the past – ancient warriors, fishermen lost at sea, or long-gone inhabitants reaching out across time.

Some visitors swear they’ve heard eerie sounds or soft voices carried by the wind.

England Daniel Dober’s travels took him to Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England in May of 2022.

Stonehenge is a prehistoric stone monument on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, England, dating back about 4,500 years. It’s made up of around 100 large upright stones arranged in a circular pattern. The smaller stones, known as bluestones, each weigh about 3,600 kilograms and were transported from Wales — roughly 225 kilometers away. The larger sarsen stones are even heavier, coming in at around 22 tonnes each. www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

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homefront

Then&There

Downhome catches readers up on major recent news, notes, events, anniversaries and acknowledgements across Newfoundland and Labrador and beyond.

From NL to Netflix A major Hollywood star is set to lead the production of a new Netflix series shot in Newfoundland and Labrador. Josh Hartnett (Oppenheimer, Halloween H20) will star in and serve as executive producer of a new sixpart series from creator Jesse McKeown (The Umbrella Academy) and EP Jessica Rhoades (Black Mirror). In the series, when a mysterious sea creature terrorizes a remote Newfoundland town, a hard-bitten fisherman (Hartnett) must fight to protect his family, his community, and his vanishing way of life. Notable Newfoundlanders Perry Chafe and Stephen Dunn are among the creatives attached to the project.

Crummey’s Big Win Newfoundland’s own Michael Crummey has taken home a major literary achievement. The celebrated author has won the prestigious Dublin Literary Award for his novel The Adversary, with a prize purse of over 150,000 Canadian dollars. “I’ve always said a writer’s best friend is low expectations,” Crummey joked with NTV News following the win.

“Something like this, which is so far beyond the realm of good news… it just seems unbelievable.” The Buchans native has received acclaim for his past works, The Innocents, River Thieves and Sweetland, among others.

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Shingles Vaccine Expansion Beginning this September, the shingles vaccine will be available for no cost to all individuals aged 50 years or over.

This comes after the Provincial Government offered the vaccine to residents aged 65 and over and immunocompromised residents between 50-64, beginning June 1. Premier Hogan shared that “Our government remains committed to investing in the health and wellbeing of the people of our province, with a focus on seniors and older adults.”

Mark Critch Honoured Newfoundland’s own funnyman and creative Mark Critch has been honoured with the ACTRA Award of Excellence in recognition of over three decades in the entertainment business.

“Honoured to receive the @actranational award of excellence,” the Son of a Critch creator shared on social media. “Big thanks to the unstoppable @ruthlesslawless for nominating me and @allanhawco for presenting it with such kind words. So many wonderful people came out to help celebrate.

Can’t thank you enough!”

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Expert answers to common life questions.

By Linda Browne

Why does our skin freckle in the sun?

As they say, “suns out, guns out.” And if you’re puttering around the backyard a little more scantily clad than usual so you don’t transform into a puddle when the heat hits, you might spot some new additions on your sun-kissed skin.

Freckles are a fact of life for many folks. Some kids may find that their freckles become less apparent as they mature or disappear entirely. If this is your experience and you miss your youthful, freckly-faced appearance, just go outside and catch some rays.

Have you ever wondered why you freckle in the sun? And should these freckles ever cause concern? We connected with the Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA), hot on the heels of their annual Sun Awareness Month campaign, to uncover the facts.

Freckles frequently appear after sun exposure and represent an increase in melanin production, which is how your skin protects itself from sun damage, explains Dr. Leïla Reguigui, a certified dermatologist based in Moncton, New Brunswick and a volunteer on the CDA’s Sun Awareness Working Group.

“I like to think of skin cells as wearing the melanin as a hat to protect 18

August 2025

themselves,” she says.

As for why some folks have more freckles than others, it mostly boils down to genetics, she adds.

“It can occur in different skin types, but it is in fact most commonly seen in individuals with lighter skin, especially those with red hair and light eyes that don’t tan very easily or at all (traditionally those of Celtic heritage).”

Freckles usually appear in the summer, fade away in the winter, and are generally nothing to worry about, Reguigui continues, noting that they’re sometimes confused with lentigines (plural of “lentigo”), “which are often larger, slightly darker and don’t fade over time,” and also nothing to fret over.

However, she adds, both of these types of spots can sometimes look like moles, which “do have the potential to evolve into skin cancer, specifically melanoma.”

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She suggests giving your skin a careful look-over, minding your ABCs (and Ds and Es) as you go.

“The ABCDE criteria for melanoma can be a helpful screening tool to differentiate possibly harmful lesions from normal ones, with ‘A’ representing asymmetry of the lesion, ‘B’ for irregular or jagged borders, ‘C’ for colours (think multiple, with black, red, and blue being more concerning), ‘D’ for diameter more than 6mm, and ‘E’ for evolution of the lesion over time (changing size, colour, or bleeding for example),” Reguigui says.

She also points to the “ugly duckling sign,” meaning that if any one spot stands out from the others, you should keep a close eye on it, or get it checked by a doctor or dermatologist. “None of these signs are absolute, however, with some very funny-looking spots being benign, and some spots that look reasonably normal turning out to be more worrisome. The important thing is to stay vigilant.”

While Canada may not typically be viewed as a sunny destination, the CDA states, UV exposure adds up – and that includes cool, cloudy and foggy days too, like we often experience during Newfoundland and Labrador summers. It’s important to protect your skin whatever the weather, “especially during peak sun hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) or when the

UV index is high,” Reguigui notes.

She suggests avoiding the sun altogether if you can, or seeking out shade. And never underestimate the protective power of a long-sleeve shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. And of course, as the voice in that famous Baz Luhrmann song strongly suggests, “wear sunscreen.”

When choosing a sunscreen, Reguigui says, important things to look for include “broad-spectrum coverage (UVA and UVB protection), water-resistance if you’ll be sweating or swimming, and an SPF of at least 30 (though I do often recommend higher for the face in particular).”

She suggests incorporating sunscreen into your daily skincare regimen (so you won’t forget to apply it) and reapplying it every two hours, or sooner if necessary.

“Mineral sunscreens that are tinted also provide additional protection against visible light and hyperpigmentation, especially useful in individuals with richer skin tones,” she adds.

Ultimately, when it comes to sun protection, Reguigui says, more is best. “I personally wear my sunscreen all year round, on sunny days and rainy days alike, because in my opinion, being more careful is better than not enough when it comes to your skin!”

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

Dino Days When I was about five years old our family lived in a house up a long lane. Several poles were needed to connect the power to the house, so we didn’t have power for a few years. This was not uncommon in rural Nova Scotia in the early 1950s.

When my grandson, Adam, was about five or six year old, I told him that, when I was his age, we didn’t have electricity yet, to which he asked me, “Were there dinosaurs on the earth then?” I quickly replied, “Yes, I had some for pets!”

He is now 35 and from time to time I remind him that I am so old that dinosaurs were around when I was young.

Linda R. Hart Lakeville, NS

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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Mark t o N ! o “Oh n with that Gray a again” cameMrark Gray –

Say WHAT? Downhome recently posted this photo (submitted by Mark Gray) on our website and social media platforms and asked folks to imagine what this puffin might be saying. Mark’s response made us chuckle the most, so we’re awarding him 20 Downhome Dollars!

Here are the runners-up: By the sweet, whistlin’ jay-sus, get your little puffling feet back to this nest!

- Kelly Anderson-Lessard MUDDER!!!!! - Tracy Lush-Shawnoo Incoming…Stud Puffin! Luh! - Veronica N Jason Barter

Play with us online! www.downhomelife.com/saywhat

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homefront lil charmers

Berry Tasty Berry picking? More like berry tasting!

Jessica Butt Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

Summer Lovin’ Salt Beef Junkie Adorable Maxx cools off in the pool.

Megan Payne Irishtown, NL

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Adventure Afloat These two cuties are best paddle pals.

Carly Stacey via Downhomelife.com

Some Shockin’ Good

Loves a drop of Vienna sausage juice.

Victoria Squires Musgravetown, NL

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homefront pets of the month

Camping Season!

Phil’s a happy camper at Barachois Pond Park.

Ashley Wright Triton, NL

Ruffin’ It Safari Adventure Wilson: wiener on the wild side.

Brandon Kenny Lewin’s Cove, NL

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Trail Buddy This pup is always up for the climb!

Frances Petersen Point Lance, NL

Sunny Side

Cheeto’s sun-drenched and sweet.

Tanya Ward Rocky Harbour, NL

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homefront book nook

Downhome dives into the latest and greatest in Newfoundland literature, running down must-reads and offering recommendations for your next book binge!

We Were In It: Stories about Energy Transition Edited by Lisa Moore and Sheena Wilson Memorial University Press $35

Bringing together academics, scientists, creative writers, visual artists, lawyers, and policy makers, We Were In It: Stories about Energy Transition, is a collaborative effort to attack the problem of climate crisis from very different backgrounds and perspectives, through fiction. The fusion of scholarship, literary writing, research, and creativity allows the strengths of many forms of writing to address the unfolding issues of our modern petrocultures. Relying on the brevity of flash fiction to reflect the ticking clock of the climate crisis, the stories contained in this collection are slick as oil but against oil. They are speculations about the future, taking notes from the present and the past as a portal to a better world.

We Were In It is edited by Lisa Moore and Sheena Wilson, with artwork from Kamei Lim. 26

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Downhome Recommends The Forager’s Dinner Shawn Dawson

Join professional forager Shawn Dawson on a guided tour of the forests, fields, bogs, barrens, cliffsides and shorelines of Newfoundland.

Along the way, you’ll learn to identify more than 50 edible plants – including trees, weeds, berries, and fruit – and how and when to harvest them sustainably. Includes recipes from Newfoundland and Labrador’s best-known chefs.

Sun, Seed & Soil: Tips & Techniques for a Northern Garden Dan Rubin

Sun, Seed & Soil is a collection of practical tips and techniques for gardening in northern, colder climates. This book offers valuable advice for Canadian gardeners, particularly in Atlantic Canada, as well as those in the northern United States, or anyone facing similar challenging growing conditions.

Hidden Newfoundland Scott Osmond

Our province is filled with geologic wonders, mysterious histories, curious structures, and offthe-beaten-path destinations. From unexplored cave systems to deteriorating churches in long resettled communities, to abandoned air force bases, Hidden Newfoundland describes over 120 of these marvellous, sometimes mysterious places. Each site description includes historical context, information about the area and, of course, insider’s directions for how to get there.

Visit shopdownhome.com for these and other great titles. www.downhomelife.com

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fresh tracks

new music talk with Wendy Rose

Good Time After Bad Rube & Rake

RUBE & RAKE have always been a folk band to me. But with Good Time After Bad, the duo can hold their own in the country and western section at your favourite local record store. While that might seem like a slight genre shift when explained in print, the difference is unmistakable in sound.

With country music topping mainstream charts, there has never been a better time to introduce the duo of Josh Sandu and Andrew Laite to an entirely new audience. Press play and get ready to ride into the sunset with Good Time After Bad – Giddy up!

The album kicks off with “New Coat of Paint,” a joyful tune that sets the tone with spirited rhythms, layered harmonies, and a warm energy that draws listeners in from the first note.

Next is “Pocket Picker,” the first single released from the record. This piece was inspired by Josh’s father’s escape from Romania – written with poetic license, the artist clarified.

Josh gave us the historically accurate details: “He escaped Romania in 78 or 79, got hit with a bit of shrapnel from a bullet, spent some time in a Yugoslavian prison, was finally released into Italy, lived there for a year in a 28

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refugee camp, and then finally found his way to Canada. I’m glossing over it, but he had a pretty wild journey to Canada,” Josh explains.

“As wild as the details are, I feel like this song is more about how the West was portrayed to someone living in an underdeveloped or repressive state.

He risked his life for Canada, with the prospect of never seeing his family again. He heard about all our freedoms and material wealth, but never gave much thought about the cost … I wanted to touch on the naive optimism that he had about his future in Canada, without ever considering what he was leaving behind.”

Storytelling aside, the instrumentation is exceptionally dreamy, with light percussion and haunting pedal steel leaving the spotlight to soft guitar and peaceful piano.

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rousing piece that reflects the band’s East Coast influences. A pleading love song, the song’s chorus speaks of life not being worth living “if it’s not with you.”

The duo slow things down on “Waitin’ on Your Cue.” Twangy pedal steel, strong acoustic guitar, and sleek riffs give a classic country and western sound, with a seriously outstanding guitar solo. The East Coast influence comes through again, with lyrics referencing NL musical icon Ron Hynes.

Andrew takes on lead vocals for www.downhomelife.com

“Friend Of A Friend,” a ruminative piece about the crossroads of life – the weight of tough decisions, and the endless “what ifs” that linger on our minds.

“Some of Mine” again delivers the gorgeous vocal harmonies that Rube & Rake are known for. The same can be said of “Spirit Wrestler,” which also showcases the duo’s compelling storytelling capabilities.

Fiddle and banjo take centre stage on “Rockwell,” an upbeat number sure to get your toes tapping, with the acoustic guitar keeping time.

The tempo changes for “Linestepper,” which feels more akin to the group’s early work – simple and effective, again with harmonies that could make even the coldest heart melt.

The record closes with “Wilder Than Me,” a sparse acappella piece that serves as a poignant finale.

When writing his review about the new record, Fred’s Records’ Anthony Ploughman recounted a funny memory from four years ago. He had suggested Rube & Rake to another local band looking for an opening act, and received the following response: “Tone, they’re too good! We can’t have an opening act better than us!”

Good Time After Bad continues to prove that Rube & Rake are – and always have been – worthy of the headlining slot.

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Q&A with the Artists Wendy Rose: Downhome last spoke to Rube & Rake in 2021 to discuss the release of Leaving With Nothing (2020).

Five years later, we’re back to chat about your new record, Good Time After Bad. What have you been up to since our previous convo?

Josh Sandu: Oh wow. There’s been five

years between albums, so it’s hard to recollect all of it … Last time I talked to you, I had a girlfriend, and now I have an unwed wife. (laughs)

WR: While Rube & Rake perform as a duo, you had a little extra help on this record. Who did you work with, and what was the vibe in the studio?

Andrew Laite: We will forever be grate-

ful to Jake Nicoll for being so patient with us throughout the lengthy process of this record. His attention to detail, low-stress energy, and calming demeanour were truly monumental in keeping us from some harsh moments.

JS: We didn’t have a full record written when we started, so it took a long time. The recording stage was kind of 30

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the pre-production stage. There was a lot of auxiliary instrumentation recorded at my place, and Dan Ledwell (who mixed it) helped us cross the finish line.

AL: As for the cast who played on the album, the list speaks for itself. A St. John’s A-Team came to play for us: Adam Hogan, Amy Collyer-Holmes, Brian Cherwick, Dan Ledwell (NS), Jake Nicoll, John Moran, Josh Ward, Lucas Rose, Mara Pellerin, Maria Cherwick, Matthew Hender and Nico Paulo. As for the vibe in the studio, it truly depended on whether or not Josh’s eggs were a perfect soft poach that morning.

WR: The single “Pocket Picker” was released in late January on the same day as your final tour date in the United Kingdom. Tell us a little about that tour – the venues, the audience, and the atmosphere!

AL: The morning that “Pocket Picker”

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north towards the Cumbria region of the UK. We were roughly halfway through a relatively short tour of the UK, our first trip through those parts.

It was a memorable and successful first experience, and the beginning of some strong relationships that we have continued to foster. Audiences were very receptive! To put it into perspective, if a touring folk band from the UK was travelling through Newfoundland, our strong music listening community would take the time out of their schedule to support them, which is what happened to us when we travelled through.

many tracks on this record to be a departure from what people would usually expect from Rube & Rake. Many different influences shine through on this group of songs, so much so that we would have a hard time pigeonholing this record in just one genre.

JS: Feedback has been mostly good, but it’s hard to say. Putting an album out is like having a party and hoping everyone shows up.

AL: Usually, when I host a party, it’s a great time!

WR: At the time of writing, your new record has been out in the world for just a couple of weeks. What kind of feedback are you hearing so far?

AL: Many observations so far from my

for the rest of 2025, including some premiere venues and festivals in Ontario and an extensive tour of western Canada in the fall. Come check it out!

JS: I just want to play more shows and quit my job.

pals and peers are that they consider

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WR: What’s the plan for Good Time After Bad in 2025?

AL: We have a nice schedule of shows

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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 2026 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, file 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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Ashley Northcotte photo Kent

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Anitta Martignago photo

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The biggest Canada Games in history touch down in NL this August By Dillon Collins

For the first time in nearly five decades, the Canada Summer Games are coming to Newfoundland and Labrador. The province first played host to the games in 1977 in St. John’s, with Corner Brook hosting the winter games 22 years later in 1999. Overall, it has been 26 years since the historic national sporting event touched down in Canada’s easternmost province. www.downhomelife.com

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Under the saltwater spray and summer sun, St. John’s and surrounding municipalities will host the Canada Summer Games from August 8-25, featuring some 4,600 athletes and coaches in over 17 sports from all 13 provinces and territories, with a projected economic benefit exceeding $100 million. A massive way to celebrate the Year of Sport in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Sitting with Karen Sherriffs, CEO of the Board of Directors for the 2025 Canada Games Host Society, it’s immediately apparent that it takes a village to build one of the country’s largest sporting events.

“We moved in here with five staff, and now we’re over 75 staff and 400 planning volunteers actively involved.

So you really go from zero to 100 in no time,” Karen explains from their headquarters off Waterfordbridge Road, outlining the journey from bid to build. “We have 40 different functional areas, everything from food, marketing, brand, merchandise, ticketing, transportation, where we’re going to have them all sleep. It’s a pretty significant journey, and you do some learning from past games, but then it is also very unique to the province or territory that the games are being hosted in, that you bring your own flair and culture and flavour to what 2025 will be.”

From the branding, which juxtaposes athletes and activities with elements of traditional and contemporary Newfoundland and Labrador culture, to a specially designed logo mirroring the island’s jagged coastline, to 2025’s official mascot Gusty, Newfoundland’s unique flavour is embedded in every major facet of the games.

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“2025 will be my 10th Canada Games, so I’ve seen it in various communities and municipalities across our country, provinces and territories.

And I think one of the biggest things that stands out to me is we have definitely the smallest footprint of the games that I’ve ever been to. So it will

“I think you’re really going to feel that the games are here … I just think people are going to arrive here and never want to leave.”

Karen Sherriffs CEO 2025 Canada Games Host Society create this buzz here,” Karen shares, adding that, aside from St. John’s, the Games have partnered with Mount Pearl, Paradise, Conception Bay South, Logy Bay, Middle Cove, and Outer Cove for events.

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Official games mascot, Gusty, will welcome visitors to the 2025 Canada Games. it’s going to be so exciting. I’ve seen it firsthand in past games, and to have it here with our culture, our food, our music, our art scene, the scenery, the trails, I just think people are going to arrive here and never want to leave.

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You’re going to get that feel.

“We have an artistic festival program that will go on for two weeks of the games. We will have an opening ceremony that will set the stage for the start of the games and give the big

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Gold, silver and bronze medals for the 2025 Canada Games hurrah that those athletes have trained for for so long. The elements that go into the opening and closing ceremonies that touch on our culture, but also we are hosting the country, and it is the Canada Games, and how that is interspersed, from a Canadian feel as well. I think this is great timing to host the Canada Games.”

An already busy summer tourist season on the Avalon will be thrust into hyperdrive when the biggest ever Canada Games on record touch down on the island. Boasting the highest amount of coaches, trainers and athletes as well as some 4,500 volunteers and counting (not to mention the sea of expected spectators), the 2025 Games is an entity unto itself.

“We have 19 sports that will happen over the 18 days of the games. They’re split between week one and week two, which is an interesting concept in that 38

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week one leaves, and then the same 24-hour clock, week two crowd comes in. We turn everything over in a 24hour period,” Karen says, joking that there will be some 2,600 beds to make on turnaround day.

And while the games themselves are a key draw from a fan standpoint, the millions of dollars in arena upgrades and project venues are a massive selling point for host regions.

“We are driven by the fact that we look at what impact and legacy it has on the community. So our decisionmaking really gets made around that piece of it. What do we leave behind in the community? You know, you look at the Aquarena, built for the 1977 games, now getting a whole new revamp. It’s another great legacy that will hopefully serve the community for another 30, 40 years, as the Aquarena has done,” Karen says, adding “We 1-888-588-6353

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have 25 capital projects valued at 80 million dollars, and so every single venue being used for the games is either new or has significant improvements done to be able to welcome the country here, but then also for our community to benefit from well after the games, which is really great.”

As for the games themselves, the festivities truly have something for every sporting fan. From baseball to basketball, to emerging events like canoe kayak, to golf, cycling, diving, wrestling and lacrosse, the Games are chinched with high-energy excitement with the nation’s finest vying for gold and glory.

“I always tell people, go and see all the sports. Check out sports that you don’t traditionally see here. Canoe kayak is a new sport. Quidi Vidi Lake is going to be just amazing to see this course in action.The double ice rink in

Martin Lunkenbein photo

www.downhomelife.com

Paradise will turn into two turf rinks for box lacrosse. It’s just an energetic, fun sport to watch. Beach volleyball is a complete vibe, music is going. Go out and really take in the experience of a multi-sport event. We host lots of nationals and one-off different sporting events, and we’re really renowned for doing that, but to see a multi-sport event in action is pretty special,” Karen shares.

“The last time it was here was 1977, and the West Coast for the winter games in 1999. So it only comes around every so often. Get out there and enjoy it.”

For more information on the Canada Games, including how to volunteer, a complete schedule of events, the torch relay, opening and closing ceremonies and much more, visit 2025canadagames.ca or download the official app.

Amy Haskin photo

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With the help of a local resident, Alais, Tonia was able to continue feeding animals after she returned to Canada

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it mattered to me, and it mattered to Alais. And we are making a difference, even if it’s a small one.”

One particular animal which captured Tonia’s heart was a dog named Luca, whom she rescued last year.

Tonia shares that Luca is now “living the life,” despite some health issues.

“Luca now travels with me because I couldn’t bear to be without her,” she

Top: Luca the dog gets spayed by a volunteer vet. Luca was adopted by Tonia and now lives her best life in Canada

www.downhomelife.com

says. “Luca’s journey from frightened Dominican street dog to beloved family member is the most heartwarming tale of resilience and the power of compassion.”

Tonia took notice of Luca and her five newborn pups. The puppies grew from helpless infants into frisky youngsters under the watchful eyes of Tonia and Alais. Then, a golden opportunity arose – a visiting vet was offering free spay and neuter services for as many local dogs as could be rounded up, and Luca was first on the list.

The dogs were all spayed and neutered, and the puppies were rehomed. Luca, however, began following Tonia everywhere.

“Every move I would make, she was at my heels, and she would whine if I went up the stairs. She was tugging at my heartstrings. I had imagined myself adopting a blind, three-legged, old, unadoptable dog, you know, not this perfect little, cute, adorable dog who was maybe a year and a half at that point.”

Tonia’s thoughts were constantly on little Luca, she continued. “I knew then that I wanted to bring her home to Canada,” she explains, expressing gratitude to be in a position in her life where she can give back.

“I feel a lot of gratitude because I’m in a position in my life where I can do this. Being able to have a business that allows me to contribute some of my income and to share the altruistic side of me and be authentic to myself, and work in a way that allows me to give, is very gratifying. I feel as if I’m improving the world a little tiny bit, leaving the world better than I found it.”

Follow Mercer’s Mission on Facebook or check out The Mortgage Missus Inc. August 2025

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features

One man’s pledge to overhaul the food fishery

By Kim Ploughman Wanda Barry photo

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A GOOD MANY

FISH FIGHTS

have coloured our province’s history and impacted our economy. Countries have been battling it out for centuries for cod, while harvesters continue to struggle for better prices.

Barry Fordham (above) is the head of the Food Fishery Fighters (FFF). Now, with the 32-year-old moratorium lifted last year, amid some degree of controversy, Barry is especially keen to secure a “safer and fairer system.”

As of press time, the recreational food fishery allows for the fishing of groundfish during summer weekends until Labour Day weekend and again for a brief fall season in late September, with a daily bag limit of five fish per person, and a boat limit of 15 fish if three or more persons are present in the boat, according to regulations. The FFF seeks to boost the personal daily limit from 5 to 10 groundfish and increase fishing time to a full week.

“I’m restarting this year with a higher hope,” Barry says.

“If quotas are extended to commercial fishers and even foreign countries, our people should get extra time and extra fish. The lifting of the moratorium is now the gateway to the food fishery expansion. If DFO maintains the cod stock cannot support the extra fish requested, then the moratorium should not be lifted.”

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Barry makes his case for the return of the food fishery in front of the Department of Fisheries offices in St. John’s

As a fish-proud culture, Newfoundlanders were raised on the back of fish. In July 1992, the cod moratorium hit and nearly wiped out the livelihoods of many. By 1994, the traditional food fishery would survive, but down to the bones from its original form, whereby food fishers could harvest fish with no bag limit from June through to November.

Aside from the fairness factor, Barry roots his push in securing better safety practices on the water.

“It’s well known we get a lot of rough seas and high winds,” he says. “St. John’s is known as the third windiest city in the world, which prevents participation in the food fishery on restrictive days.”

Retired coastguard and fishery advocate Merv Wiseman couldn’t agree more: “People should not have to fish in questionable weather out of fear that a timeline to catch is running out.

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It’s like DFO fish management is playing games with people’s traditional rights and privileges.”

Barry points out that there’s also a food security crisis across the province, which should compel Ottawa to act decisively.

“This is a golden opportunity to fix a wrong and feed people at the same time,” he says.

Wiseman agrees, adding, “There’s no scientific evidence to suggest an open season that is being sought for our province will have any adverse effects on fish. For some, it is a recreational activity, but it also adds the dimension of food accessibility in coastal communities of Newfoundland.”

Barry figures that the amount of fish caught during the food fishery is probably less than one full net bag of cod by a factory freezer trawler. As a founding member of the “Sharing the 1-888-588-6353

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Harvest” group, he plans to share more fish if the feds expand the sustenance fishery. His idea is to organize a provincial donation day, whereby fishers can share their harvest in their neck of the woods with seniors and food banks.

“This will help address the province’s ever-increasing food insecurity,” he shares, explaining that his vision does not stop there. “I will also encourage fishers to take their kids with them when they make the donation. I guarantee that this will have a profound effect on them.”

Barry has been gung-ho with his fight, appearing on numerous local media outlets and kick-starting a petition on Change.org for enhanced limits within the recreational fishery. He held a lone protest on Parliament Hill in Ottawa this past spring, calling for the government to revisit the recreational fishery.

“I’m trying to get our food fishery turned into a safer and fairer system for our people. We have foreign fishers coming in to catch cod, but we are treated like second-class citizens,” he says, explaining that yet another point of contention is the expatriates who were forced to leave their families to find work. “They also have a narrow

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window to participate because of restrictive dates, due to us being relegated three days a week for a measly five fish a day.”

Wiseman is more direct in his comments. “Everything now points to a very unreasonable and even blatant discriminatory actions towards our province.”

In the song “The Thing about Fish,” Rum Ragged sings that fish runs so deep in our blood that it has “shaped our destiny.” For Barry and the FFF, the food fishery is an economic generator for local and rural economies. For others, this complex relationship runs much deeper.

“There are tourists who want to experience catching a cod. Plus, with fewer people owning boats, this impacts fishers’ opportunities to harvest fish,” he says, adding that he also fears that if the current system remains in place, there will be more drowning fatalities, though he remains optimistic that changes are coming down the line.

“All we are asking is to stop the unfairness and give us back some decency and dignity as seafaring folks.

They have the power and the ability to change the food fishery now. This is the right time!”

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life is better Manuals, Newfoundland’s West Coast William Russell Newfoundland Drone Productions

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explore

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All photos by Wayne Parsons

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Islington

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Mad Rocks Trail in Bay Roberts

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Brigus

Hawaii, Vancouver, Italy, or anywhere I’ve travelled.

We quarantined for the next two weeks, so we got busy painting and remodelling. Although accessing the items was a challenge, to our surprise, the hardware store in Cavendish delivered all the supplies we needed. During this whole time, we befriended our lovely neighbours from across the fence, who would shout from their deck, “Wine run?”

And sure enough, they would buy us wine and we’d send them the money.

After our two-week probation was finished, with great anticipation, we went for a drive up the Baccalieu Trail Highway. We stopped to visit quaint little communities like New Perlican and Winterton, witnessing historic Heart’s Content, and the sheer natural beauty of Salmon Cove made us glad we moved to the Bay de Verde Peninsula.

Over the next few months, we immersed ourselves in this region

and explored every nook and cranny.

We hiked local trails like the Spectacle Head and Burnt Head Trails in Cupids and took in the awe-inspiring views in the area known as Mad Rocks. We explored easy-to-moderate hikes up and down the Baccalieu, which allowed me to write about our adventures for Tourism Newfoundland and Labrador.

When I was growing up in the eighties, there were hardly any manicured trails like the ones today. But now, volunteers and trail organizations are erecting networks of walkable pathways all over the province.

Fortunately for my wife and me, we have well-maintained trails in our backyard in Heart’s Delight-Islington. The Western and Northern Point trails hug the shoreline overlooking Trinity Bay, where it’s not uncommon to see whales and dolphins just offshore.

As weeks turned into months, the love for our little community grew.

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Brigus

Burnt Head Trail in Cupids

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Shag Rocks near Whiteway

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Among our iconic

Newfoundland and Labrador commercials, few scenes are as memorable as colourful laundry blowing in the saltwater breeze.

Clotheslines are a quintessential element of our provincial brand. Sure, we love a cute goat crossing a finish line, and the quality of our fiddle music can’t be denied, but clotheslines have been in dozens of print and out-of-home ads, with appearances in several video and television campaigns over the years. You’d be hard pressed to find a year where they weren’t featured in provincial promotion.

Clotheslines are such an intrinsic part of our culture that replication through art can be seen in many of the local shops along Water Street and Duckworth Street. From stained glass and sea glass creations, to driftwood and knitted wool, little clothesline tchotchkes abound.

Harold Feiertag photo

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Kimberly Ropson’s landscapes often feature clotheslines What is art, if not a story? Our province loves a good story, and every clothesline tells one. In decades past, a glance at the drying laundry during an evening stroll provided a wealth of information: the ages and occupations of the residents, their economic status, and whether the housewife was tidy or slovenly. Just a generation ago, the clothesline was the unofficial telephone line. Neighbours met to exchange gossip, recipes, and remedies, and escape a steamy stove or a crying child.

When you stop to think about it, if a clothesline tells a story, isn’t that also art?

Kimberly Ropson is a well-known Newfoundland artist whose work features in galleries across the

province. Many of her signature landscapes feature a clothesline.

“They evoke a sense of nostalgia for me,” Ropson says. “Growing up, my parents didn’t own a dryer; therefore, we only ever knew the freshness of garments from the line, laden with an aromatic Great Harbour Deep breeze.”

Ropson continues, “In relation to my art, I feel there’s something very special about the interplay of sunlight and shadow as each garment sways in the wind. Quilts, in particular, hold a lot of history and personality, often reflecting the quilter’s life. My paintings generally contain these stories as I move through each stroke of the brush.”

Ropson isn’t the only artist who’s drawn to the clothesline.

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“For some people hanging laundry is like an art.

I enjoy seeing how everything gets pinned together – are clothes hung by colour? Size? Type?”

Margaret Ryall grew up in Placentia as one of eight children. “With so many of us, there was always clothes on the line. Laundry was a daily occurrence as long as the sun was shining. Back then, clothes were washed with a wringer washer; there were two rollers you put the clothes through to squeeze out the excess water. I remember getting my arm stuck in it one day!”

Ryall now takes an aesthetic interest in clotheslines. “For some people,” she says, “hanging laundry is like an art. I enjoy seeing how everything gets pinned together – are clothes hung by colour? Size? Type?”

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changing the landscape, blocking views while simultaneously creating new ones; joy and beauty can be pulled together from the quotidian details of our lives and hung like a garland, drawing our eyes upward and bringing a moment of reflection to our day (or possibly angst about our toppling piles of soiled linens awaiting us).

Poetry, another art form, has also long embraced the clothesline. From Ruth Stone’s “Things I Say to Myself While Hanging Laundry” (1996) to my personal favourite, Richard Wilbur’s “Love Calls Us to the Things of This World” (1956), themes explored in these poems include what it means to live life in community, the observations and judgments 1-888-588-6353

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of open secrets, and how women’s work and worth are brought to light outside the confines of the home.

Topics in clothesline poems can highlight the simplicity of a fresh breeze, the tiny movements of a solitary ant, and the pleasure of the mundane.

The clothesline has also infiltrated social media. A quick hashtag search on Instagram reveals over a quarter of a million impressions; related hashtags such as “clothespin” and “washline” also trend. Entire accounts are dedicated to laundry hung out dry, which points to another interesting trend as more and more people become eco-conscious (and as hydro bills soar).

Life around the bay frequently meant you had to be thrifty, and being thrifty usually meant extra work. Women and children hung out the laundry because that’s what their mothers and grandmothers had done before them, and because dryers were an unheard-of luxury. But while laundry lines were ubiquitous around the bay, as normal as tea and toast, the dryer was seen as a status symbol in St. John’s.

“My mother grew up in the poorer, working-class neighbourhoods of

town,” recounts Beth Power. “When we were able to move to a larger home in a better area, the first thing she wanted was a dryer. To her, not hanging out your bloomers was a sign of moving up in the world.”

“Now,” Power notes, “when my husband and I are able to get to our home around the bay, I can’t wait to hang out the wash. I love the smell, I love that it’s better for the environment; there’s definitely something therapeutic about reeling in the laundry and folding it into a basket outside.”

My memories of the clothesline include running through heavy, damp bedding while playing tag, the fabric wrapping around me as my mom yelled at us from the window.

When I was older, I would tie-dye my shirts and dresses, and they would resemble hot air balloons as they filled with the breeze and danced and billowed in the afternoon warmth.

Dare we say that a clothesline can be a genre? How about a medium?

What about an adage? “A tidy line is a tidy mind!” Perhaps, like many parts of life, it’s what we make it. And when the laundry is done for the day?

The clothesline’s a handy spot to dry out those cod!

Christine Ingle photo

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explore

what’s in a name?

Chain Rock

By Dale Jarvis

On older maps of St. John’s, you might see a curious name close to the Narrows at the entrance to the harbour: Chain Rock.

Townies might tell you a tale of how the Narrows were protected by a series of metal mesh anti-submarine nets during World War II. Even during the First World War, there was a chain boom across the Narrows at that spot.

The name Chain Rock, however, is much, much older.

In 1813, His Majesty’s ship Rosamond, commanded by Captain Donald Campbell with Edward Chappell as his Lieutenant, arrived in St. John’s. Of their entrance into the port, Chappell wrote:

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At about two-thirds of the distance between the entrance and what may properly be termed the harbour itself, there lies a dangerous shelf called Chain Rock; so named from a chain which extends across the street at that place, to prevent the admission of any hostile fleet.

By 1813, the name Chain Rock was already an old name. A French map from 1726 called “Plan du port et du fort de Saint Jean en l’Isle de Terreneuve” shows a chain partway across the mouth of the Harbour. The map helpfully explains this to sailors and navigators, noting that this is “la chaîne qui empêche l’entrée aux vaisseaux” - the chain that prevents entry to vessels.

In the 1700s, the chain ran from Chain Rock across the water to its neighbouring anchoring point, Pancake Rock. If there is a more deliciously-named rock in the province, let me know!

Today, Chain Rock is covered with a concrete platform and navigation light to guide vessels into St. John’s Harbour Tanya Northcott photo

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explore

Highway 380,

beginning at South Brook (the Gateway to Green Bay South), Halls Bay, and continuing to Brighton, has noteworthy attractions, breathtaking scenery, beautiful ponds, lakes and adventure trails and various amenities, all while boasting some of the friendliest people in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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The George Baker Bridge spanning the Crescent Narrows leading to the Hazelnut Hill hiking trail.

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A popular swimming area at Crescent Lake.

A 22-km drive down Route 380 will take a traveller to the Robert’s Arm Heritage House, which houses a museum and Jack’s Place, a tea room. This centre is located just outside the entrance to the Crescent Lake RV Park. A section of the park is located on the northwest bank of beautiful Crescent Lake. Drive a little further and you’ll arrive at the entrance to the Hazelnut Hill Hiking and Adventure Trail. The whole area,

encompassing approximately 3 to 4 sq. km, has breathtakingly scenic sights worthy of being photographed.

The Robert’s Arm Heritage house has a long history and a significant connection to the Bowaters pulpwood operation. It was originally constructed for A.J. Hewlett in 1937, shortly after the startup of the Bowater pulpwood industry. Hewlett was a local contractor who secured a substantial pulpwood cutting contract

The Robert’s Arm Heritage House at the entrance to the Crescent Lake RV Park.

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with the Corner Brook-based company. By 1939, Hewlett had approximately 250 employees cutting pulpwood for the Bowater paper mill.

The house, a cut above the regular homes in Robert’s Arm at the time, had many outstanding architectural features. The 1 1/2 storey structure had a mid-pitched roof containing a small bay. The exterior is meticulously finished with narrow-gauge wooden clapboard, boxed eave returns and trim and wide corner and water boards. The interior, containing several rooms on the bottom level, with a stairway leading to two bedrooms and a hallway on the upper level, is attractively decorated with wide trim and moulding and hardwood flooring.

In 2003, the Hewlett house, which was located on the north side of Robert’s Arm, was donated to the town by Trudy and Keith Anthony.

The Anthonys purchased the lot on which the Hewlett house was located

to construct their new home. The town removed the house and relocated it to a site adjacent to the entrance to the Robert’s Arm Municipal Park, right off Route 380, designating it as the Robert’s Arm Heritage House. A limited number of artifacts were left in the house, which were incorporated into its use, with others donated by the community.

On July 16, 2004, the Heritage House was ready to open its doors to the public, with local crafts and a tea room – named Jack’s Place – added in subsequent years. Three local ladies, affectionately termed the Triple D’s (Darlene, Della, and Denise), volunteered their time at the museum and tea room for the past three tourist seasons.

Elsewhere, before the Peckford Administration, the Town of Robert’s Arm launched Crescent Lake RV Park. In the early days, it was simply a picnic and tenting area, with limited camping facilities. Its potential

Cressie’s Castle is located on the western side of Crescent Lake.

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Left: A boardwalk around the Northwest Bottom section of the trail. Right: One of the many flights of steps leading up to the top of Hazelnut Hill, a height of 428 ft. was such that, had the Peckford PCs been re-elected, they intended to develop it into a Destination Park for the GBS area. About 10 years ago, a Robert’s Arm couple, Doug and Rosalind Winsor, saw its potential again and secured the park, extensively developing it into an RV operation with some 37 camp sites, all with electrical services. They operated the park for eight years, attracting visitors from across the province and beyond, establishing a reputation which kept tourists coming back year after year. Earlier this year, the Town of Robert’s Arm purchased the park, operating it in conjunction with the trail, heritage centre, and the lake as a unified package deal for tourists.

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mately 8 kilometres long. This deep water lake, with Tommy’s Arm River flowing in and out, was incorporated into the transportation of pulpwood to the Bowaters shipping port at Tommy’s Arm. Signage along the hiking trail details some of the major events during the company’s 40-year operation.

In addition to its relevance to the pulpwood industry, Lake Crescent is home to our lake monster “Cressie,” a feature which dates back to the early 1940s. In early 2000, the lake and its phenomenon were put on the world stage by the American paranormal investigating team of Benjamin Radford and the late Joe Nickell. Today, the lake (and river) maintains its popularity for a wide variety of recreational activities, all in proximity to those who camp at the Crescent Lake RV Park or those visiting the towns in Green Bay South.

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Those in search of something a little off the beaten path can access the Hazelnut Hill Hiking and Adventure Trail from the road leading to the CL RV Park, which it traverses (the actual beginning of the trail is marked by a beautiful gazebo, 0.8 km down Route 380 towards Robert’s Arm).

Labelled as one of the most beautiful trails in Central NL, it was constructed in the early 1990s and features

Bridge is minimal compared to reaching the top of Hazelnut, which features a series of steps before achieving a total height of 428 feet!

From the summit of Hazelnut Hill, named because of its hazelnut shape, one has a panoramic bird’s eye view of the surrounding area: Crescent Lake, Long Lake (Pond), the Narrows and the George Baker Bridge, the CL RV Park, the Town of Robert’s

A view of the Town of Robert’s Arm from the summit of Hazelnut Hill.

some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere on the island. The trail circumnavigates the lower section of Crescent Lake from the narrows down to where Tommy’s Arm River empties.

There are two sections to the walking trail, each with its level of difficulty. For those who prefer walking on primarily level terrain, there is the Cressie Loop, with a walking distance of approximately 5 km, while those desiring a more challenging encounter should tackle the full 8.5 km trail.

This will take in the George Baker Bridge, spanning the lake narrows, the Long Pond Brook Bridge, and Hazelnut Hill itself. The number of steps to climb to access Long Pond 1-888-588-6353

Arm (situated on a somewhat deltastyle piece of land lying between bodies of fresh and salt water), and Jerry’s Run (salt water area beyond the harbour).

Whether you camp at the Crescent Lake RV Park, boat, swim or fish in Crescent Lake, tent or picnic on its beaches, visit the heritage museum and eat at Jack’s place, or walk the hiking and adventure trail, you will take away long-lasting memories. If you capture these in a photo or on video, along with the other scenic spots you visited, you’ll have memories which will last a lifetime!

Fred Parsons currently resides in Robert’s Arm. He can be reached by email at fredparsons72@gmail.com.

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stuff we love by Nicola Ryan

Canada, Games

SMARTY PARTY Invented in Canada in 1979, the iconic trivia game is now a worldwide classic. Whether you know random facts or just like guessing confidently, there’s a wedge with your name on it. With questions ranging from Sports to Science, Lit to Leisure, there’s enough challenge to feel smart and enough silliness to keep it fun. www.amazon.ca

FOUR THE WIN Level up your party with a giant Connect Four! It’s simple, nostalgic, and surprisingly competitive. Perfect for kids, grown-ups, and anyone who loves a good challenge, it’s easy to play, and hard to stop! Rent a version for your next family reunion and let the friendly rivalries stack up. backyardgamesandrentals.com

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HOLE LOTTA FUN A little laid-back, a little competitive, Cornhole’s the yard game where you toss bags and score points, all while keeping one hand free for a cold one.

It’s the cornerstone of any great evening at the cabin. Build your own or get a custom set to stand out – we love the patriotic style of these boards from Cornhole Canada. canadacornhole.com

CRIB NOTES Impress your friends by counting points faster than a calculator in this game where quick math meets sly strategy. With cards, counting, and just the right amount of friendly sabotage, Cribbage has kept players on their toes since the 1600s. Race your peg to victory on a gorgeous custom board like this one from James Kelly Designs. facebook.com/jameskellydesigns

BUY THE BAY Check out this fun, Newfoundlandthemed twist on classic Monopoly. In Newfoundland-opoly, buy and trade iconic spots like Gros Morne or the Argentia ferry terminal and build lodges as you go. Along the way, you’ll face traffic jams, moose, and mosquitoes. It’s a quirky way to explore the province’s culture and charm! shopdownhome.com

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HOME and Cabin

Ask Marie Anything Interior designer Marie Bishop takes your questions

Q. My husband and I recently acquired a small house in the rural area where I grew up and plan to turn it into an Airbnb.

We recently renovated and painted throughout with a neutral warm white. Can you give us any ideas on how it should be decorated? I’d like it to be inviting without being overly fussy, but I’m not sure where to draw the line.

Congratulations and good luck with a great business venture. I understand your dilemma about the decor. Making a space feel cosy while keeping it somewhat generic is tricky. You want the rooms to be welcoming but not feel like you’re in someone else’s living space. Here are a few pointers:

It’s a great idea to paint a warm neutral colour throughout, especially in a small space. It will certainly make it feel brighter and more open and allows you to add warm neutral furnishings and accents. A palette of beige, soft greys, and whites with accents in calming colours like pale blues and greens will give your guests a clean, fresh, modern vibe.

The main furniture pieces should be functional, practical and stylish.

I’d avoid pieces you already own, unless they are in excellent shape or

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The bedrooms are key comfort spaces for your guests. Use only quality mattresses, pillows and beddings.

The kitchen should be well stocked with quality cookware and utensils, dishes, glassware and linens. www.downhomelife.com

add something unique to the space. Rugs, throws and pillows bring an inviting element, as long as you don’t overdo it. Make sure there’s enough lighting. Table lamps with warm white bulbs will create a great atmosphere.

For window treatments, blinds are very tidy and compact and come with a blackout option, which is a must for the bedroom windows. If the rooms are small, I would leave it at that, but you could add side panels in larger areas like the living room or dining room. These could be neutral, but if you wanted to add a hint of colour, use panels in a soft shade you’d like to repeat throughout the space. For instance, if your sofa was a camel colour, then do the panels in a soft warm beige or camel. If you plan on accenting one wall with wallpaper or a different paint colour, tie the panels to that colour.

As for accessories and decor, keeping it simple and local is key. Art and photos work best if the subject matter is neutral, abstract and/or created by a local artist.

There’s a lot of fantastic art available throughout the province, which will work to showcase the beautiful place we live, inform your guests and enhance the walls of your space.

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It goes without saying, but the space should be spotlessly clean and tidy.

Beyond the clean, simple, welcoming decor, several factors can turn your property into an Airbnb gem. All of these combined will have your guests giving five-star reviews.

First impressions matter. Ensure there’s clear and easy access, that the code you’ve sent guests is easily understood, and that every entrance keypad has its own nuances.

The first impression beyond the visual is the sense of smell. Fresh, clean and subtle is what you’re aiming for, not sweet and floral or overly spicy. Scented candles are a great goto, but try them out in your own home first to see if they fit the bill on a 24/7 basis. Some scented candles smell great for the first 10 minutes, but they can be overwhelming as they perme76

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ate the space. Keep in mind that some people have allergies or very sensitive noses. Scented candles with lids give your guests the option.

It goes without saying, but the space should be spotlessly clean and tidy. A welcome note with treats such as local chocolates, baked goods or drinks is always a wonderful surprise.

Your guests will appreciate some local guidebooks and maps to help get acquainted with their surroundings.

Once they start to settle in, there are several things you can do to make sure they feel at home.

Again, this may seem obvious to the owner, but to a newcomer, written information really helps them understand what features are available in the house. Features such as tech and 1-888-588-6353

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connectivity, smart TV info, streaming services, kitchen machinery (leave simple instructions or an owner’s manual if it looks complicated), info about the fireplace, hot tub, etc. A hard-covered notebook containing this info will be a great timesaver. Be sure to include contact info for any issues or emergencies that may arise.

Of course, the kitchen needs to be well stocked with quality cookware and utensils, dishes, glassware and linens. It’s also helpful to tastefully label the cupboard doors and drawers. This can save a lot of time and frustration for your guests.

The bedrooms are key comfort spaces, so I suggest not skimping on the budget for these rooms. Quality mattresses, mattress pads, soft and firm pillows, luxurious bedding, natural fibre duvets and duvet covers will ensure everyone gets a great night’s sleep, which, in turn, means a great start to the day and the holiday

adventure, not to mention fabulous reviews.

Super clean and well-stocked bathrooms are also high on the priority list for a memorable stay. Beautiful bath towels, hand towels, facecloths and a nice bath mat all add to a memorable stay. Be sure there’s ample toilet paper, trash can liners, makeup remover pads, cotton swabs, etc. A basket of travel-size shampoo/conditioner, body wash, toothbrushes and toothpaste will cover any ‘forgot to pack’ items. There are beautiful, locally made liquid and hand soaps available, which look and smell great, add to the experience and help promote homegrown businesses.

It’s exciting getting a new venture up and running, especially one that will help showcase and promote our beautiful province. I wish you great success with this new life for your sweet house. What a wonderful way for you and your guests to love your space.

Ask Marie Anything!

Got a design question for Marie? Email editorial@downhomelife.com.

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the everyday gourmet

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the everyday gourmet

By Andrea Maunder

Andrea Maunder is the owner and creative force behind Saucy & Sweet – Homemade Specialty Foods & Catering.

www.downhomelife.com

During those hot weeks of summer, I crave light and bright meals with zippy flavours – even better if they don’t require a lot of time at the stove. I think of Southeast Asian cuisine, focusing on citrus juice, fresh herbs and chillies. Vegetable-forward, with fish, poultry and meat more of a garnish, dishes are enticing. The flavour profile includes tangy, sweet, fresh, fragrant, umami and spicy.

And textures include luscious, soft, chewy, crisp and crunchy. Honestly, what’s not to love?!

A hot-weather go-to for me is Thai/Vietnamese salads. I especially love to include rice noodles, which makes it a complete meal, substantial for lunch or dinner.

The heady aroma of herbs hits your senses, and when you take a bite, there’s a rush of tangy citrus, a hint of sweetness and the background of chillies. The refreshing bite of juicy, cool, crisp vegetables and fruit, the delightful bouncy chew of the rice noodles, and the craveable finish of crispy fried onions. My tastebuds are tingling as I type this!

Salt in this dish comes from the addition of fish sauce. You’ve had fish sauce if you’ve eaten in a Thai or Vietnamese restaurant. It’s Southeast Asia’s answer to soy. Don’t turn your nose up if you’ve never had it. It’s made from fermented little anchovy-like fish, and it’s distilled into a liquid. It’s salty and has a bit of funky aroma, but it’s not eaten alone, and a small amount (like using Worcestershire or hot sauce) transforms a delicious sauce or dressing into something spectacular. It’s widely available in the Asian or imported section of supermarkets. If you have the option, buy a smaller size bottle. Unless you’re cooking a lot of Asian food, it’ll be a pantry staple for a

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while. If you can’t find it (or don’t want to), a few drops of Worcestershire sauce alongside a half teaspoon of soy sauce (or to taste) will make a good substitution.

Often, underripe mangoes or papayas are featured in these salads.

They’re juicy but retain some crunch, with just the right tangy-sweet flavour. A very soft, ripe fruit won’t work, but some ripeness is ok, just opt for as green as you can get.

Lemongrass is another commonly found flavour. I notice it sometimes in the produce section, even in a tube form. It’s lovely, but the flavour combination can be replicated closely with citrus zest, so I don’t usually bother trying to find it. I’ve written the recipe without it. If you wish to include it, extremely finely mince a couple of teaspoons of the interior of the bulb, or squeeze a 1/2 teaspoon into the dressing.

This dish is customizable for tanginess, sweetness and spiciness. My recipe is moderate, but you can reduce or increase the sweetness, and edit the spicy heat to your taste.

If you can’t find the fresh little Thai red (or green) “bird” chillies, you could use another fresh chile pepper, minced finely. Just taste a little bit and adjust the quantity. As you’d imagine, it’s better to add a little to start, and mix in more if you wish it hotter.

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directions to cook, then rinse in cool water. I find the 3mm is perfect, but use what you can find. Bonus – they’re gluten-free.

Packages of ready-cooked crispy onions are in the condiment and international sections of the supermarket. They are a fabulous pantry staple.

You can opt for any kind of protein. Leftover thinly sliced rare steak, cooked chicken, and shrimp. Lobster or scallops would be delicious. As would grilled tofu. I’ll include the recipe to poach some shrimp.

You can make the dressing, chop the salad ingredients, poach the shrimp (or cook other protein) and prep the noodles ahead. Then pull them from the fridge, toss and serve.

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For the dressing 2 Thai red chillies, finely chopped, seeds optional 1 garlic clove, finely chopped, then ground with salt on the cutting board to form a paste 2 tbsp light brown sugar 1 tsp lime zest 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (or combination of lime and lemon) 2-4 tbsp water, to taste 1-2 tbsp Thai fish sauce 1 inch piece of ginger, peeled, microplaned To poach the shrimp 2 cups water 1-2 garlic cloves, crushed Pinch salt Remains of the lime/lemon after squeezing 1 lb shrimp (31/40 size is great; if large, slice in half longwise

For the salad 1 pound rice noodles, cooked, rinsed and cooled 1 large green mango or medium-sized green papaya 4 green onions, sliced on the bias 1-2 shallots or 1/2 cup sweet onion or red onion 1-2 carrots, peeled and sliced into fine julienne, about 2 inches long 1 cucumber, cut in fine julienne strips, about 2 inches long 1 bell pepper (or half of two colours), julienned 6 sprigs of mint – leaves only 3-4 sprigs basil – leaves only, julienned 6 tbsp chopped cilantro Crispy fried onions to garnish Salted toasted peanuts to garnish Wedges of lime, to garnish, if desired

For the dressing, mix all ingredients except chillies. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add 1/2 of the chopped chillies and check again. Add more chillies if you want it spicier. Set aside.

Bring the poaching ingredients to a boil in a small pot. Reduce heat and let simmer a few minutes to infuse flavour. Make sure the liquid is barely simmering. Add shrimp and let cook a minute or two, until pink and beginning to curl. Don’t overcook. Remove from the pot and cool quickly, then spread out on a plate in the fridge.

Toss noodles with a couple of tablespoons of the dressing. Toss veg/fruit (except herbs) in a little dressing also. Either do individual servings in bowls or on a serving platter. Noodles on the bottom, salad ingredients next. Top artfully with cooled shrimp (or whatever protein you’re using). Drizzle a little more dressing over the protein. Finish with herbs, peanuts and crispy onions.

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downhome recipes

Six Tips to Eat Well on a Budget

The List is the Law

It can be tempting to go ham, as the kids say, and burn your shopping list the minute you step through those shiny grocery store doors. Remember, it’s important to stick to your list for health and financial reasons. If you navigate through the produce, meat, frozen and junk food aisles without deviating from your plan, the final hurdle is the dreaded pop-ups near the cash. This can be the scariest part of your journey, filled with chocolate, soft drinks or overpriced artisanal what-haves. Stick to your guns and prioritize the needs over the wants. You’ll feel better for it.

Become a Price Watch Warrior

If penny-pinching is the game’s name, you can do worse than become a price watch warrior. What does this mean? Comparative shopping is an art form and something to be celebrated, not shunned. If store A has a price of $4.99, maybe store B has a price of $3.99, and every dollar counts when you’re on a budget!

Do this on several items and you’ve saved a whole mess of dollars! Put the work in, do the research and some stores may even price match. Be confident and thrifty! There’s no shame in it.

Bounce around between different stores from time to time to find your best price.

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Come Sale Away

Know your tools of the trade: flyers, coupons, apps, and websites are your friends. Look for discounts and reduced prices on items. If you’re looking for a right-now meal, look for drastically marked-down items nearing their best-before date. Why not eat today what will be past its prime tomorrow? They’re just as good as its newer brethren! Don’t be ageist! And don’t be too consumed with brand names. Off-brand can be as delicious as the highly priced and more well-known alternative.

Shop, Stock and Hoard

Remember when Carnation Milk used to go on sale and your Gran would come home with a pallet full? Yes, she loves her drop of milk, but she was also a smart ol’ bird who knew that stocking up is shopping smart. Stocking up on canned goods and pantry staples when they’re on sale is an age-old tradition not just reserved for doomsday preppers. This can extend to products you can freeze or vacuum seal for later use, like fish, lean meats or poultry, whole grain breads or fruits and vegetables. Buying in bulk and dividing into individual portions can help you save in the long run. But don’t buy in bulk frivolously, just what you’ll use.

In-Season Savings

Navigating a produce aisle out of season can be a blood pressure-raising proposition. Avocados for $12 a bag? Say it ain’t so.

Think broadly and consider seasonal options, particularly when it comes to fruits and vegetables.

Fruit and veg that are ‘in season’ are usually less expensive than out of season, and usually taste better too. If fresh isn’t ideal, frozen and canned options can work and save on the bottom line.

Budget, Budget, Budget

Are you made of money? With loonies for eyes and bills for braids? If you are, please skip this sixth and final section, as this does not apply to you. For the rest of us monetary mortals, three words can prove to be the difference between success and failure in the grocery games of life: Budget. Budget.

Budget. Set a cap, and stick to it. No treat yourself Tuesday, no shag it, it’s Saturday spending spree. If your grocery limit for the week is $100, have that self-restraint to not pass the CNote mark. Respect your wishes and your wallet.

Here are six affordable yet delicious meals to satisfy your stomach without stretching your wallet: 1-888-588-6353

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Quinoa Chicken 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup quinoa 2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed 1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, or to taste, minced 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken 1 1/2 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes

Gather all ingredients. Bring chicken broth and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic in hot oil until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground chicken; cook and stir until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir cooked quinoa and diced tomatoes into chicken mixture; bring to a simmer and cook long enough for flavours to meld, about 10 minutes more. Serve and enjoy! Yields six servings.

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Cheesy Tuna Casserole 3 cups cooked rotini 1 (5 oz) can tuna, drained 1 cup frozen peas

1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs

Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Combine cooked rotini, tuna, peas and condensed soup in a 9x13-inch baking dish; sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with bread crumbs; bake 5 minutes more. Serve and enjoy. Yields eight servings.

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Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes 4 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and quartered 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1/2 cup Greek olive oil 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp dried oregano

1 tbsp kosher salt 1 tsp dried rosemary 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 pinch cayenne pepper 1 cup chicken broth, divided 1 tsp chopped oregano, or to taste

Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 425° F (220° C). Lightly oil a large roasting pan. Place chicken and potatoes in a large bowl. Add lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dried oregano, salt, rosemary, black pepper, and cayenne. Toss until chicken and potatoes are evenly coated. Place chicken pieces skin-side up in the prepared pan. Tuck potato pieces around chicken.

Drizzle with 2/3 cup chicken broth. Spoon any remaining marinade from the bowl over the chicken and potatoes. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Toss chicken and potatoes, then place chicken skin-side up again. Continue baking until chicken is browned and cooked through, about 25 minutes more; an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should register 165° F (74° C). Transfer chicken to a serving platter and keep warm; leave potatoes in the pan. Turn on the broiler, or set the oven to the highest heat.

Toss potatoes again to coat in pan juices. Place the pan under the broiler and broil until potatoes are crisped, about 3 minutes. Transfer potatoes to the platter with the chicken. Place the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the remaining 1/3 cup chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Strain pan juices into a measuring cup and pour over chicken and potatoes. Sprinkle with fresh oregano. Serve and enjoy!

Yields four servings.

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Meatless Sloppy Joes 1 tbsp oil 1/2 medium onion, chopped 1 pound vegan meatless grounds 1 cup ketchup 3 tbsp brown sugar, or more to taste

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 tsp ground mustard 1 tsp dried dill weed, or to taste freshly ground black pepper to taste 4 hamburger buns, split

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 min. Add meatless grounds and break up the clumps with a spoon until crumbly. Cook until browned and heated through, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, ground mustard, dill, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and let simmer until heated through, 3 to 4 min. Adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve on hamburger buns with desired toppings and sides. Yields four sandwiches.

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Lentil Soup 1/4 cup olive oil 1 onion, chopped 2 carrots, diced 2 stalks of celery, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 bay leaf 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp dried basil

2 cups dried lentils 8 cups of water 1 (14.5 oz) can of crushed tomatoes 1/2 cup spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced 2 tbsp red wine vinegar salt to taste ground black pepper to taste

Gather the ingredients. Heat oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; cook and stir until onion is tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in lentils, and add water and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until lentils are tender, about 40 minutes. When ready to serve, stir in the spinach and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar and season with salt and pepper; taste and adjust as needed. Yields eight servings.

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Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir Fry 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tbsp honey 1 tbsp cornstarch 1 tbsp rice vinegar 2 tsp grated fresh ginger 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 tsp toasted sesame oil 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper 6 cups of water

2 (3 oz) packages instant ramen noodles (any flavour, seasoning packets discarded) 3 cups broccoli florets 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 pound beef sirloin steak, thinly sliced into bite-sized strips 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 cup chopped green onions 2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted

Gather all ingredients. Whisk together broth, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, vinegar, ginger, garlic, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper in a small bowl for the sauce. Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Break each ramen bundle into four pieces for shorter lengths. Add ramen and broccoli to boiling water, omitting seasoning packets. Cover and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; drain. In a 12-inch skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

Season steak strips with salt. Add steak strips to a hot skillet and stir-fry until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove the steak from the skillet. Add sauce mixture to the skillet. Cook and stir until sauce is thickened and bubbly, about 2 minutes. Return the steak and ramen mixture to the skillet; toss to combine. Continue cooking and stirring until heated through, about 1 minute more. Yields four servings.

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HOME and Cabin

from our readers

Fish & Brewis and Fisherman’s Brewis Two Different Meals

From the bench of Mr. Woodchips, Lloyd Walker

In Downhome’s March 2025 issue on page 13, under the title “Our Unique Meals” by Steve Coward, he refers to the meal of fish and brewis. And at the end of the article, you ask if anyone would like to comment on this article. As I am in my 94th year, I thought I might put in my two cents.

There are two types of brewis.

There’s the one he is referring to, Fish and Brewis, and the second one is what we call Fisherman’s Brewis.

They are two different meals. Fish and Brewis is made of salt fish and is served up separately on the table. You have all separate dishes, the fish on one plate and potatoes on another, and the brewis on another. The fatback pork scrunch is in a gravy boat, and maybe there’s a boat of drawn butter also. You get to pick and choose what you want on your plate. That is Fish and Brewis.

The hard bread is not broken or brewised as fine as you would use in Fisherman’s Brewis.

Fisherman’s Brewis is when you mix everything together as one unit.

And you use fresh fish in this meal, not salt fish. When the fishermen went off to Labrador in spring, the first thing was to jig a cod and make a meal of Fisherman’s Brewis.

First, you get your hard bread, one cake per person, and brewis the bread. In other words, you break it into small pieces. That’s brewising the bread.

The cook would come on deck with

Traditional Fish & Brewis David Mouland photo

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A feed of Fisherman’s Brewis

the bread and a piece of sail canvas and lay the bread on it, and cover it up by folding the loose ends on top.

Then he’d brewis the bread with the back of an axe and put it in a large pot and cover it with cold water and let it sit overnight to soften up the bread. Using the same water it was soaked in, make sure the bread is covered in cold water and place it on the stove in the morning.

Then, in a crock pot or any pot, put in a good portion of fresh or frozen fish, cut up an onion or two, chopped small, and add to the pot with the fish, salt and pepper to taste. You can put the fish in frozen, but you will need to add a little water to the thawed fish, depending on what you have. Now put it on high to get it going and turn it back, and let it cook.

While the fish is cooking, get out your slab of fatback pork and cut it into small cubes no bigger than 3/8 of an inch square. You can buy them already cut up. They can be big, and they don’t include the pork rind. It is those little bits, when crisped up, that I like to bite on. The good stuff!

In the air fryer set at 325°, fry out or render out the oil, and when the meat has cooked crispy brown, mix it in oil and all with the fish. And then, using a potato masher, mix the fish, scrunchions and onions. www.downhomelife.com

Now, turn on your stove and cook your bread, making sure the bread is covered with water and bring to a boil. Don’t overcook. When it starts to bubble, turn it off and remove it from the stove. Then drain it and dump the fish in with the brewis and continue to mix it with a potato masher.

What you have now is Fisherman’s Brewis. Enjoy! Some people like to drizzle fancy molasses over the brewis, and I do at times.

After you have served a few meals, you will still have 3/4 of a boiler of brewis to freeze. In a day or two, you can pull out a meal, dump it in the frying pan with a tablespoon of oil to keep it from sticking to the pan, and once the brewis starts to heat up, it will create its own oil. Fry to a crispy brown and serve.

Fisherman’s brewis can be made with salt fish. In the winter, when you could not get a fresh fish, you would then use salt fish, but it would have to be soaked to remove the salt, and even then, some thick portions could be quite salty.

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life is better Lunch break at Middle Cove Beach, NL Chris Donovan via downhomelife.com

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reminiscing flashbacks

Double the Love “The summer of 1985 was an exciting time for our family,” writes the submitter. “Two sisters got married, on separate occasions, back home in Codroy Valley. Rita O’Quinn married Wayne Samms from Codroy on July 12, and Joan O’Quinn and Pius Barnes from Isle aux Morts tied the knot on August 16. Congratulations on your 40th wedding anniversaries this year!”

Anne O’Quinn St. Cyr Kingston, ON

Trout in the Open Trout fishing at Watson’s Brook, Placentia Bay, 1958.

Dulcie Ivany Lethbridge, NL

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Whale of a Time Youngsters pose on a whale rib in this 1990s photo from Piccadilly, Port au Port.

Hyacinth Young via Downhomelife.com

This Month in History In 1527, Henry VIII chose English mariner John Rut to lead an expedition in search of the Northwest Passage. Backed by Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and Bristol merchant Robert Thorne, Rut set sail from Plymouth on June 10 with two ships, Samson and Mary Guilford. After Samson was lost in a storm, Rut and the crew of Mary Guilford eventually reached St. John’s, where they found fourteen European fishing vessels belonging to the Normans, Bretons and Portuguese.

From there, Rut wrote to Henry VIII on August 3, 1527, reporting his crew’s safety and his plans to continue searching for Samson. He ended the letter, “And thus, Jesu save and keep your honorable Grace, and all your honorable Rever(ences), in the Haven of Saint John, the third day of August. By your servant John Rut to his uttermost of his power.”

It was the first known letter mailed from the Henry VIII new world, North America.

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reminiscing

For over 35 years, Downhome Magazine has been at the heart of all things Newfoundland and Labrador. In this Month in Downhome History, we dive through our archives to give readers snippets of days gone by, highlighting major events, unique facts and the stories that matter to our readers.

August 1990 Volume 3 • Number 3

Aurora International Inc, of St. John’s, NL, has recently been appointed by Premier Wells’ Economic Recovery Commission to attract new industry to set up in Newfoundland. Aurora International intends to identify successful companies operating across Canada (with emphasis on Ontario) which are owned and/or operated by native Newfoundlanders. Contact will be made with these identified companies, and business opportunities in Newfoundland will be presented.

The packages offered will include financial incentives available for establishing in Newfoundland and joint venture projects.

In May, the Conception Bay North Roman Catholic School Board passed a resolution to close St. Clare’s High School. The school serves 250 pupils. The decision has upset many residents of Carbonear, and they have organized to lobby the Catholic Education Council to consider other options. Current plans are to have the students of St. Clare attend the St. Francis School in Harbour Grace.

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August 1999 Volume 8 • Number 3

Goose Bay – The Labrador Community Development Corporation (LCDC) hopes to be able to sell the assets of the Snow Goose Mountain downhill ski facility as soon as possible. LCDC, the ski hill’s only secured creditor, is now in the process of repossessing the financially-plagued facility. The decision to take this action was made recently following a general meeting of the Snow Goose board of directors. LCDC informed the board in mid-March that it had until June 8 to come up with a detailed financial and operational plan for the facility. That didn’t happen.

Reprinted from the Labradorian by permission.

St. John’s – Federal Canadian Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy recently refused a request for “funding to support the work of the John Cabot 500th Anniversary Corporation,” The Express has learned. The funding denial is outlined in a recent response from Dupuy to a March 27, 1995, letter from Provincial Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Roger Grimes. The letter bearing Dupuy’s signature read, “I regret that the Department of Canadian Heritage has no program under which it can provide financial assistance for the ongoing operation of the corporation.”

Reprinted from The Express by permission.

The seal population off Canada’s east coast is growing so fast it’s hurting the already depleted fish stocks, federal Fisheries Minister Brian Tobin said recently. Tobin released a new study indicating seals are feeding on 6.9 million tonnes of fish and other prey annually, or double the amount consumed in 1981. The study estimates the harp seal population has more than doubled since the mid-1970s and now stands at 4.8 million. Tobin suggested he may expand the seal hunt by increasing quotas. This year, Atlantic sealers harvested only a third of the allotted catch of 186,000, largely because of poor weather.

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August 2000 Volume 13 • Number 3

After years devoted to making people laugh in their own genuine, Newfoundland style, four members of the now-defunct CODCO comedy series were awarded honourary degrees from Memorial University at the annual convocation ceremonies in June. The new doctors of letters are Andy Jones, Cathy Jones, Mary Walsh and Greg Malone.

Newfoundland pianist Thomas Yee placed first in the international Josef Hoffman Piano Competition.

Yee will perform with the Augusta Symphony next year because of his showing. Elsewhere, Michael Ryder of Bonavista signed a three-year contract with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens. A $500,000 signing bonus was a part of the deal.

A new poll from Statistics Canada reveals that Newfoundlanders are the friendliest neighbours in Canada. The results are from a nationwide survey in 1996 and 1997. In related news, Robert Sheppard was named the Citizen of the Year for 1999 in Bishop’s Falls.

In health news, columnists advise that too much fish oil, such as cod liver oil, may be harmful to one’s health. Cod liver oil is rich in vitamins A and D. If you take cod liver oil, you should take no more than a tablespoon or two a day. Fish oils may contain toxins like pesticides, etc, that accumulate in the liver.

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August 2005 Volume 18 • Number 3

The RCMP have seized a vessel off the coast of St. Anthony along with six tonnes of hashish found in a hidden compartment aboard the 36-metre fishing boat, the Donegal. The hashish has an estimated street value of $130 million, making this one of the biggest drug busts in the province’s history. Allister James Black from Spain and Warren Thomas, Paul Caines and Joseph Caines, all from the Northern Peninsula, are facing charges of possession, importing a controlled substance, and conspiracy.

Labrador’s last Moravian missionary, Rev. Sam Propsom, has been recalled from Hopedale. The Moravians first came to Labrador in 1752, and in 1771, a group of 14 missionaries established a settlement at Nain. Today. The Moravian Chuch is found in Hopedale, Nain, North West River, Makkovik and Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Since Propsom’s departure, lay clergy and congregation members have taken over the church services.

Newfoundland’s Capital Corporation’s subsidiary, Newcap Inc., is launching the world’s first interactive radio station in Alberta. The Edmonton Broadcast Centre will open in the West Edmonton Mall and will include studios equipped with retractable glass walls, a performance stage and theatrical lighting, among other features. Listeners will be able to take part in live broadcasts and interact with staff members and radio guests.

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reminiscing

Part Three

My Journey

By Lorne Compton

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Besides the normal activities growing up in

St. Lunaire, several situations contributed to my evolution starting at a young age. In the middle of grade 8, we moved to Goose Bay, and I started school there in January. I was unaware of the Newfoundland/Labrador tension, and did not take well to it, finding myself in altercations daily.

After being kicked off the bus in freezing weather a few miles from home more than once, my Dad sent me back to St. Lunaire to finish grades 8, 9 and 10. I went to Goose Bay each summer and matured, not taking things personally, moving back for my last year of high school.

Before starting the final year, I got my first taste of adventure with a group called Young Voyageurs, visiting St. John’s, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City. That summer, I also worked as a security guard with Labrador Linerboard, making picture IDs for employees, so of course, I made one for myself. The ID said I was 21, meaning I could get into the Loggers, Bulldog and Squirrel clubs.

I was popular with my peers and

learned valuable lessons that year.

At 18, I joined the Air Force and over the next year had some interesting experiences in places like Halifax, Saint John, Toronto, Kingston, Barrie and Wasaga Beach. These were rough and tumble places far removed from St. Lunaire, but my previous experiences, especially in Goose Bay, guided me through.

My first real Air Force assignment was in Greenwood, Nova Scotia, in the Annapolis Valley, where I developed many great relationships. It was a great time to be young. I had an opportunity to phase out an old aircraft and play a significant role in bringing in a new one, with significantly newer technology. I travelled, introducing the new aircraft to our

Previous Page: Cathy and Lorne on their wedding day in Greenwood, NS, 1980

Alasdair Pilgrim photo

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military partners and showcasing it at air shows. This allowed me to interact with people from various countries and serve as a natural ambassador for Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Following a 12-hour shift filling sandbags in the Qatari desert during the Gulf War, I can claim to have led a group of Canadians in an off-key version of “I’se the B’y”.

I couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket!

Greenwood was also where I’d begin a different relationship when I met my wife, Cathy and her son Jimmy. As in many relationships, there can be twists. When Cathy took me home to meet her parents for the first time, it turned out her Dad, John Fraser, was a military policeman who had introduced me to a jail cell about a year earlier!

Nothing serious, I assure you, and he and I went on to have a great relationship. He had a great sense of humour and when he walked Cathy down the aisle, I winked and said “I told you I would get you back for the jail cell incident.” He leaned in and said, “Son, you’ve been sentenced to life.”

When he passed away, I did his obituary and eulogy. The Edmonton Journal wanted to do an article on him, and they used much of my eulogy, including the jail cell incident. He was from Springhill, Nova Scotia, but had a Newfoundland connection in the way of a grandmother named Elizabeth Barnes.

A year or so into our marriage, we added to our family with a son named John, and had an opportunity to take him and Jimmy to St. Lunaire a couple of times and 102

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Oldest son Jimmy helping put away the cod in St. Lunaire, 1981

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Jimmy’s kids, Gabrielle, Emma, Connor, Calgary, 2004 Goose Bay one Christmas, before we went to Germany. We were in Germany for five years, then we moved to Alberta.

Now, the boys are both grown; Jimmy met a young lady with a little girl, and suddenly, we were grandparents, which we enjoyed. John took a bit longer to start a family. He wanted to be a rock star, playing some music around Alberta before settling down and having children in his late 30s. I often tell the boys that if I had to do it all over, I would skip the kids part and just have grandkids!

One of the benefits of marrying and having our kids young has been our ability to travel on our own for the past 20 years or so. We visited Maine, British Columbia and all corners of Alberta, but most of our vacations have been to Newfoundland and Labrador. We celebrated our 20th anniversary at the Battery in St John’s, watching the sun set and the 1-888-588-6353

harbour lights come on and had a jacuzzi suite that we booked several times over the years.

We’re longtime subscribers to Downhome and have often planned visits to places that were featured in the magazine, including a B&B in Tilting, Fogo Island, the Carriage House in Grand Falls and the Lighthouse Café in St. Anthony. We visited Burlington, home of Rex Goudie and Shaun Majumder, Twillingate the hometown of my best man Wayne “Whitey” White, the Random Passage TV show site, the Irish Loop to Trepassey, Red Bay, Harbour Grace, Stephenville, Port aux Basques, and Bonavista, in appreciation of of cour friend Aggie, owner of the Atlantic Kitchen restaurant in Fort Saskatchewan for many years.

In addition to our experiences in Newfoundland and Labrador, my Air Force career allowed us to see much of Germany, France, Switzerland, August 2025

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Holland and Denmark. We also had the opportunity to travel across Canada by vehicle twice, staying overnight in places like Wawa, Thunder Bay and Dryden, Ontario, Yorkton, Saskatchewan, where we first saw Forrest Gump, St. Andrews by the Sea in New Brunswick and many more. We always took our time, visited with family and friends and enjoyed experiences like the Terry Fox Memorial, developing a deep appreciation for Canada.

One of the things I’m most grateful for is the ability to enjoy the moment and appreciate people and places.

However, I’m also driven by wanting to experience more, and I still feel there is much to experience. Writing these stories keeps me motivated and allows me an opportunity to reflect.

I am truly blessed. To better understand what I am saying, I would encourage the readers to Google the Robert Hastings essay “The Station”.

My interpretation is simple: don’t worry about getting there, enjoy the journey and relish every moment and person you encounter. When you finally reach the Station, it will be the end of your time here on earth, but you will have lived!

Left: John’s son Nicholas, the budding artist. Right: John’s daughter Evelyn in Nan’s kitchen making chocolate chip cookies, Fort Saskatchewan, 2025

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reminiscing

An age-old method for collecting ‘summer pets’

by Lester Green

The morning fog was still hugging the hilltops at Little Heart’s Ease when I rolled out of bed to the adventurous days of summer. The fog acted like a greyish cap on the top of Blue Hill, exposing the lower hills near the water’s edge. School was out, and for the kids of the Lane, the long summer days were begging us to jump out of bed and race to our favourite place during the summer months – the wharves “Down Below.”

The caplin were rolling on the beaches, and the sounds of the puttputt, make-and-break engine echoed off the hilltops.

The screeching of the hungry seagulls following the boats into the harbour announced that today’s fun for us kids was beginning. We looked forward to one of our favourite pastimes: catching gulls on a gly.

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The first few mornings of summerwere spent on the wharf with friends, planning the day’s events around catching gulls for summer pets, hooking tomcods, and stabbing flatfish. There were plans for a game of grump to grump up at the government wharf later that evening, but our summers would always begin with catching a couple of pet seagulls 1-888-588-6353

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using the old trusted gly method.

Catching gulls required a plan involving where the gulls would be kept after being caught and where to get feed for the gulls during the summer months. The first chore of the summer was to complete a pen to keep the captured gulls for the summer months.

We would comb through Dad’s pile of spring wood and slabs stacked to dry in the summer wind to accomplish our goal. We searched until we found several straight lungers, which formed a rectangular structure attached to the back of the old stable, partially covered with slabs.

We collected torn and discarded trap twine to wrap around and secure it to the pen. We looked for broken meshes in the twine that required mending, ensuring our gulls couldn’t escape once placed inside the summer home. Sometimes, netting would be placed over the top to prevent other birds from getting in and stealing the daily food brought to our pet seagulls.

With the pen completed, our attention turned to making a gly. What is a gly, you ask? Our trusted Newfoundland dictionary defines a gly as a method of catching gulls using a hook, cork and bait anchored in place with a rock.

Now, we thought of ourselves as experts at making such a device.

The first chore of making a gly required us to locate three to four fathoms of old discarded trawl line.

Then, we would walk along the beach to select the perfect elongated rock, which we secured to one end of the trawl line. At the opposite end, we placed a sid consisting of a fishhook 1-888-588-6353

and line attached to an old trap cork.

With the gly completed, the hook was baited with a puddick retrieved underneath the stage from the morning catch of fish. Smaller pieces of cork filled the puddick, giving the required buoyancy, or as we would say, “float.” Sometimes, our choice of bait was cod liver, but the steering and gulls quickly picked that from our gly.

Our excitement mounted as we untied the old punt and rowed out

The gulls swiped down and picked at the puddick but flew upward again. Our hearts began pounding faster as the seagulls screeching grew louder. into the harbour to place our clever device into the water. We tossed the rock over and allowed it to sink to the bottom. The cork and baited hook would be carefully placed on the water. With the gly in place, we rowed back to the shore, hid in Pop’s stage with the two sliding doors partially open, and waited in anticipation for the arrival of the screeching gulls.

The calling of the gull circling over the gly soon attracted a flock of gulls.

The gulls swiped down and picked at the puddick but flew upward again.

Minutes slipped by, and disappointment grew as swooping gulls failed to be hooked. We talked about other things we would like to do during the day. Maybe we’d catch tomcods or August 2025

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the cursed prickle-backed cunners that I will never divulge our method for removing cunners from our hooks. What about catching tansies in a can on the wharf? Our summers were never dull.

Our attention suddenly shifted to the gull diving towards the gly. It picked up the puddick, but the gull only rose slightly above the water before being jolted downward by the weight of the rock it was trying to lift off the bottom. Its wings splashed droplets of saltwater into the air as it struggled to get skyward. We knew we had hooked the first gull of the summer!

The stage door flung open, and we jumped into the punt. Quickly placing the paddle wicks over the toe pin, we rowed towards the struggling hooked gull. We grabbed the gull by its flapping wings, tossing it into the punt. Both wings crossed over each other to lock the gull’s wings, followed by carefully removing the hook from its mouth. The locked wings held the gull as we placed our new 108

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pet in the back of the punt. We had caught the prized saddle-back gull!

The remainder of the gly was lifted into the boat. Like great hunters, we proudly rowed back to the wharf, secured the punt, and took our treasured possession inside the stage.

Our next task involved clipping the seagull wings, known locally as cropping. It required us to work together.

One person held the wing. The other person held the body of the struggling gull and its wing tightly.

With the skill of a barber, we held the scissors, clipping only the primary flight feathers and cutting back to the inside secondary feathers. This process was repeated on the second wing.

With pruning completed, we locked the wings again and brought the gull up from Down Below to the pen in the garden. With the gull placed in the pen, the wings were unlocked, and the gull was free to roam around its new home. We would catch another tomorrow so that the first would have a buddy for the summer.

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Feeding the gulls involved collecting the discarded fish guts and livers.

Our parents ensured the gulls were fed fish innards brought up daily from the stagehead from Down Below. For a special treat, we sometimes fed them caplin.

As days passed, the gulls grew new flight feathers, and by late August, we’d gather in the garden and spend the day releasing them. It took many attempts, tossing the gulls up in the air and watching them attempt to fly before they began to glide across the garden, low to the ground. The final toss ensured the gulls gained enough height to fly across the harbour.

We felt sadder near the end of the summer as we waved goodbye to the gulls as they disappeared over the

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harbour hills. Our summer pets must now search the waters for food during the shorter, cooler fall days, and we had to prepare for another school year.

That afternoon, we took the punt, rowed up the harbour, and swam in Pie Pond. Life was great when school was out, and a boy could spend the lazy summer days doing what he enjoyed.

Reflecting today on our childhood, catching and caring for seagulls was a life lesson taught to us by our parents about the responsibilities and caring for a pet disguised as summer fun. Thanks, Mom and Dad. Editor’s Note: Thanks to grade 7 student August Rowsell, who helped with the illustrations for this piece.

August 2025

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Now more than ever a Downhome subscription 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 †

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$42.99 + applicable taxes

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Delivered with December’s issue. ††Delivered with June’s issue. Canadian mailing only. ††† Delivered with a spring and fall issue. *Plus applicable taxes

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SIGN GIFT CARD FROM: _______________________________________ * Valid in Canada on a 1-year term. Total inc. taxes, postage and handling: for residents in NL, NB, PE $49.44; NS $49.01; ON $48.58; QC, SK, MB, AB, BC, NU, NT, YT $45.14; US $54.99; International $59.99. ** Valid in Canada on a 3-year term. Total inc. taxes, postage and handling: for residents in NL, NB, PE $124.19; NS $123.11; ON $122.03; QC, SK, MB, AB, BC, NU, NT, YT $113.39; US $159.99.

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

ORDER ONLINE TODAY! www.downhomelife.com

2508_Puzzles_1701-puzzles 6/18/25 11:43 AM Page 112

puzzles

The Beaten Path

Dave Wheeler 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 M K H

T p

K S M

T E

S J m

E

H S S

T

m

J L R

H V

U

x

Q

H J T H J T L S L M

A

U

R K

n

A T

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T

Q

x

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G

M S

n

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m

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R L

A

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p m R

M E V M M

T

n

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U

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m

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S J

Q

I

A K

p T x

E

S

Last Month’s Community: Eastport 112

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Sudoku

from websudoku.com

Last month’s answers

?

Need Help

Puzzle answers can be found online at DownhomeLife.com/puzzles

www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

113

Donna Fitzpatrick original 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: • Crout’s Way connects it to nearby communities • Home to a pony sanctuary • Namesake falls is a popular attraction • Located in Trinity Bay between Dildo and Shag Rocks • Its name is the opposite of “despair none”

Last Month’s Answer: Woody Point

Picturesque Place NameS of Newfoundland and Labrador

by Mel D’Souza Last Month’s Answer: Bauline 114

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

Last Month’s Clue: That which fails to end you increases your robustness In Other Words: What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger

This Month’s Clue: Ruby horizon at eventide, mariner’s pleasure In Other Words: ___ ___ __ ____, ______ ______

A Way With Words craft beer

TAP

Last Month’s Answer: Craft beer on tap

This Month’s Clue Answer: _____ __ _____

Rhyme Time A rhyming word game by Ron Young

1. A sleepy pooch is a _____ _____ 2. The primary downpipe is the ____ _____ 3. A marathoner’s expression is her ____ ____ Last Month’s Answers 1. float a boat, 2. try to cry, 3. cat hat

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.

’ F E R A I E D E D E A H A D C C E H E C I I M D E H A T O W O P E E P L H T H E E E R G I I D S S O H O H E T P W P R L F R O T H V E I O O E W T S T M U S O T T M T T V T T M

Last month’s answer: It’s a different era. Our job now is to show leadership and vision and to help the next generation of artists. www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

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Rhymes 5 Times Each answer rhymes with the other four

1. fad

____________

2. fog

____________

3. habits

____________

4. acts

____________

5. look

____________

STUCK? Don’t get your knickers in a knot!

Puzzle answers can be found online at DownhomeLife.com/puzzles

Last Month’s Answers: 1. gloat, 2. float, 3. coat, 4. tote, 5. vote

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. MADLAINN

For best results sound the clue words out loud!

2. DROUELS

Awl Took Hath Earn How ___ ________ ___ End Duke Horse __ ___ ______ Last Month’s 1st Clue: Arrow Lurk Holster.

Answer: A roller coaster. Last Month’s 2nd Clue: Weak Arrow Bout Chew.

Answer: We care about you.

3. HEAVESS VCOE 4. SOARBLOWS 5. RYERJS SNOE Last Month’s Answers: 1. Caplin Cove, 2. Western Bay, 3. Victoria, 4. Carbonear, 5. Brigus

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

1. TAR SIDES ~ Clue: when it comes to destruction, it’s a natural 2. BLAH TAPE ~ Clue: it holds all the letters you’ve ever written or read 3. TEA STOOP ~ Clue: often fried, baked or smashed but never drunk 4. US COLD ~ Clue: nature’s sunscreen (SPF 9?)

5. CHANGE MAP ~ Clue: everyone celebrates when it blows its top Last Month’s Answers: 1. invisibility, 2. reservation, 3. obstacle, 4. sobriety, 5. constellations 116

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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 5 1-3: able 1-10: light 1-61: funding 11 12 13 14 15 1-91: take advantage 4-10: ancestry 21 22 23 24 25 4-34: tow 7-10: penny 31 32 33 34 35 7-27: rascal 10-100: church 41 42 43 44 45 12-15: fat 14-34: wiping cloth 15-19: demise 51 52 53 54 55 16-18: consume 19-39: toque 61 62 63 64 65 21-26: nuts 23-26: preserves 71 72 73 74 75 26-46: wickedness 27-30: dull 81 82 83 84 85 28-48: stool pigeon 28-78: allotment 30-28: saloon 91 92 93 94 95 33-3: skim 34-14: short for Garfield 34-37: small smile 64-84: sick 35-55: cut 65-67: animal boat 37-87: serviette 66-63: banister 38-40: devoured 67-87: relatives 39-37: beige 72-42: skin opening 39-99: workers 72-76: aviator 41-44: alloted time 74-76: plenty 41-50: ender 76-78: alloy 44-74: post 46-48: short for Nathaniel 76-96: faucet 78-76: louse egg 48-18: small pie 81-84: zest 50-48: decay 84-86: pasture 52-12: renegade 84-87: gaunt 52-55: harvest 89-87: jog 52-82: lasso 91-95: come in 55-57: soft drink 91-100: business 61-81: actress Taylor 93-63: posterior 63-66: fibber

www.downhomelife.com

6

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96-46: sponsor 96-100: jimmy 97-100: come up Last Month’s Answer

D OOH R E H T OM NUHTOL E NOA A TWO L B L A R E T A E L I AMT A R S UNDA E F UN T T S OC S CAR E S H U S HM I C E R N G O T A U T E W OW I L O N GOMEMO NO I T I N I F E D August 2025

117

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The Bayman’s

Crossword Puzzle 1

2

3

by Ron Young

4

5

6

O

7

I

8

10

9

11

12

14

13

22

21

27

34 39

24

28

29

46

48

August 2025

R

38

43

42

45

50

26

30

37

41

47

H

36

40

17

25

33

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118

23

32

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18 20

15

49 51

52

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ACROSS 1. outfit (colloq) 4. estimated time of arrival (abbrev) 5. snaky fish 6. __ the knots – laughing (colloq) 8. aurora borealis (2 words) 18. test 19. ark builder 20. “What ____?” – makes no difference (colloq) 23. court (abbrev) 24. deaf __ a haddock 25. born 27. ____ Islands – home of the extinct Great Auk 28. we 29. Snook’s Harbour (abbrev) 30. ruby 31. tariff 32. public relations (abbrev) 33. knockout (abbrev) 34. dough riser 37. any male teacher, respectfully 39. company (abbrev) 41. “___ only fit to be prayed for” 42. “I’ll __ there da once” 43. Old ___ – sleep paralysis 44. leather cap 46. Hag ____ – tormented by the Old Hag (colloq) 47. road (abbrev) 48. heir 49. aromas 50. encountered 51. “___ split pea in a ten pound tub” 52. opposite of SW

7. nah 9. small rowboat (colloq) 10. “__ haven’t got a click nor a clue” 11. “wish I’d never taken this _________ around the bay” 12. vermin 13. New Melbourne (abbev) 14. small boat fishery 15. “Come day, __ day, God send Sunday” 16. lazy person (colloq) 17. “God guard ____ Newfoundland” 21. expected to arrive 22. Saskatchewan (abbrev) 24. question 26. arise 32. Ma’s mate 35. scrub out 36. tomorrow (abbrev) 38. Integrated Air Defense System (abbrev) 40. “___ as Buckley’s goat” 42. stay (colloq) 45. “She’s __ smart, she’s not” 46. Dildo ___ Provincial Park 49. “Go __ wit’ ya!”

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CROSSWORD

DOWN 1. pre-Confederation social workers in NL 2. “face and eyes into __” – deeply involved 3. grab hold of (colloq) www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

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DIAL-A-SMILE © 2025 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. ___ 843

___ 539

_______ 4325849 ___ 269

__ 86

__ 47

____ 3663

______ 328464

___ 668

____ 8428

_ _ __ ______ 8 3 53 847466

______ 328464 ___ 427

_ 2

__________ 2666372425

Last Month’s Answer: Cats are smarter than dogs.

You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow. ©2025 Ron Young

CRACK THE CODE

Each symbol represents a letter of the alphabet, for instance O = C Try to guess the smaller, more obvious words to come up with the letters for the longer ones. The code changes each month.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ eQB l e ;

L

_ _ C C _ _ _ _ yr O O m m Y y

_ _ _ B m

L

_ _ Q7

_ _ _ _

klb m

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ C _ n44 m n W n e O m _ _ C C _ _ _

y r OO m yy

Last Month’s Answer: Anybody can win, unless there happens to be a second entry.

120

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Food For Thought

© 2025 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.”

back up = _ _ _

profits = _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _

tc p[ b

xI d I x b I

legend = _

_

mean = _

_ _ _ _

cuddle = _ _ _ _ _ _ _ `I [V

_ _

ho t y

oily = _

w xVI`

_ _ _ _ _

wVxd I _ _

_ _

_ _

b It b

_

pb

b hp` I

c

_ _ _ _ _

txI c b o

_ _ _ _ _

_

tt

b

_ _ _

c

_

ty c t

_ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _

I d Ixot y p[t _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_

btx c ptyt

Last Month’s Answer: You can’t blame gravity for falling in love. - Albert Einstein

www.downhomelife.com

August 2025

121

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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 GO COD JIGGING

Last Month’s Answers: 1. Shopper, 2. 2x4 stud, 3. Shopping cart, 4. Panel, 5. Coal Bin, 6. Tail lamp, 7. ‘Centre’, 8. Showroom window, 9. Car, 10. Rear view mirror, 11. Fender, 12. Wiper “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, 212 Pine St., Collingwood, ON, L9Y 2P2

122

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HIDE & SEEK SUMMER WEAR

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

BIKINI CAPRIS DRESS HAT KHAKIS

LINEN SANDALS SHORTS SKIRT SUNGLASSES

TANK TEES TRUNKS VISOR WHITE

X C D Q K H D C G K R X Z O Z K M C R M W N G I R N M E J Z A Q X S G B T I Z D T A H K S F G D S C R R Y G F D L U E N T J B V Y P V A F U Q C G E D F F Q Q A W C H G Y F Z H G R S J I A V Z Y Q E I Q U P Z L Q B H N Z F W N I P G V C I S Q J Q B M P C Y O M E I E H T Q L S C L E T O Q U K G I V B M T R R V W N Y F D Z I Z B G E O D Z T E D F T W A I Q R B I O P R X D V H N E H Z P R T L C B S U X B B L L D V E U E I J S S D W G U I Q O B L L Q I N I K I B S S D W J H I E E J N H U U M G E O U P D P C F S T R O H S K R L F K W O Z K K Z Y D F Q N B V W O X G R N A Q Z O S L A D N A S C E F E B S W P H B A T N H I R O S I V C B R W E P L Y D A K J L T X V P K W A P J B T X A Y E L T T X K N M I R V H K F K O N I J K K H Y S L A A D J G O Y Q R U E X H F Z V M V W H D D I U E N H A A L K O E T C Y T H S U N G L A S S E S J K M F Q N W Q W H D F P P A C T S Q X M Q C F D N L Q U V K U X B

Last Month’s Answers

K K D O I E C I R M J U I S V K O Y Y T Z A B I F O J Y Z Z N D Y R R M D L G P V D R O I G G U O O F F V T C X R I A Q M I M O I M L N L R B H R P Q F V S C H T X D D F S J L S X Y T F B S W K C W S S Z S R Q N A G R O B A H S Q P Y P V P K H L Q A P H S B D S C C H H N R O E D H O O C Z S M F O M J W Z J G N N T K T W Z U X S O L M A R S H M A R Q R B A N G J I Y S Q Z Q D O W X B O M V X K B X E H O W O C S C L C S P J B U E J K M T M T E U N S M Q A K X W P P L O E K V Z L Z G T V L U B F E O H C L E E F J T L O N Q C A L X E R V T D K Y V R H B T E U M Q W H A C S S P L R T K A U I O S M J G I E F E S V W X N J U D F B T M A Z N U U R R D M V R E S U J D Z L E P P O N V I R E N T Y A Z W D B S O G H H K S J N Z U L A O F U G K F F K G M O W F S W H L Y G S A T Z R Y K B H I D J B B F P Q A P Y I L Y A T P K S U F R D B K Q T O W S S L Y E L M O R B U A N M J M W O X M W F T A R G D

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August 2025

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2508_Puzzles_1701-puzzles 6/18/25 11:43 AM Page 124

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.”

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August 2025

125

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Movers & Shippers

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August 2025

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GREAT GIFT IDEAS!

The Secrets of Garrison Hill: A Selena of St. John’s

Someone Else’s Secret:

Adventure - Anne E. Cochrane

My Island Garden: Ornamental Gardening in Atlantic Canada - Dawn Baker

#91282 • $26.00

#91161 • $29.95

#91158• $26.00

Mr. Beagle and the Quidi Vidi Caper - Lori Doody

Out On The Trail - Bonnie Morgan

The Lucky Seven: The Story of the Elite Navigator - Gary Collins

#91268 • $12.99

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The Girls of Belvedere:

Here

A Novel - Michelle T. Clemens

- Heidi Wicks

The Beltane Massacre - Ray Critch

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#90977 • $22.00

#91127 • $22.95

A Sunny and Roscoe Thriller Natalie Carter-Giles

#91128• $24.95

ORDER ONLINE: www.shopdownhome.com

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MORE SELECTION ONLINE www.shopdownhome.com

Joshua the G.O.A.T.: Based on a True Story in NL Courtney Wicks #90965 • $15.00

Willy’s Magic Heart - Sabrina Whyatt

#90964 • $19.99

Where Are You Puffling?

A Bird Island Adventure - Erika McGann

#90978• $14.95

The Home Sweet Home NL Collection - Cox & Muse

NL Colouring Book

Bloody Point

- Necie

- A Beothuk Tale - Terry Foss

#89366 • $29.99

#48710 • $8.95

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Red Indian: The Beginning - Terry Foss

Red Indian: The Early Years - Terry Foss

Red Indian: The Final Days - Terry Foss

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GREAT GIFT IDEAS!

54% Dark NL Chocolate Bar #47096 • $5.99

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MORE SELECTION ONLINE www.shopdownhome.com

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backporch_Layout 1 6/19/25 9:27 AM Page 132

the back porch the Labrador current

To End and Begin

By Nathan Freake

Each August, thousands of anxious graduates await a new chapter in their lives, whether post-secondary studies at college or university, moving straight into the workforce, or taking time to figure out exactly what’s next. Eleven years ago, I was that anxious graduate, unaware of what was in store in my new environment, yet wholly prepared for an adventure.

All I had ever known about living life was within a 13-kilometre radius. Relocating from the most Western to the most Eastern part of the province, was long-anticipated. The months leading up to the big move are some of my most replayed memories, and ones that will stay with me.

I was working as a summer program leader, and throughout the summer, our crew spent hours together in the mornings grabbing coffees, planning out the days, and making sure our summer camp kids had the time of their lives. Of course, there were days when the job was stressful, but some of my fondest memories were made in those few months.

In the back of our minds, we knew this would be the last chapter of our childhoods. All of us would be in dif132

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ferent places come September, and this was the last hurrah.

It was then that I finally started to notice what I loved about my home. I subconsciously noted the things I’d miss that I had never thought about before: the ladies at the convenience store who always asked me how my day was. The frost of an August morning as it melts in the morning sun. The temperature shift from night to day, which were so drastic that it was hard to know how to dress. I knew I would miss my parents and my friends, but working with each of them that summer, I didn’t realize how much I would miss my daily life.

To tell you the truth, I was scared.

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to St. John’s before, I know for sure I hadn’t seen a snowmobile climb a mountain. I also knew I’d have to buy a raincoat. I’d never owned one of those before!

As the summer waned and the end of August drew near, all of us summer program leaders shared our excitement about the future, but none of us ever shared our fears. I was sad to leave so many things behind – we all were – but we just didn’t say it. I think that’s a part of growing up, moving onto the new, and leaving things behind. But it doesn’t make it easy.

As we sat around the tables in our final week of work, each of us knew that time was running short and that our goodbyes would soon be final.

Maybe not for good, but who knows?

When you’re a kid from the Big Land, and the people you have known for 18 years all split off in separate directions with high hopes but no crystal ball, who’s to say you’ll ever meet again?

At that point in my life, it scared me to think about that, and how could it not? But looking back, I’m happy we all took our separate paths. Some are nurses, some are artists, some are teachers, and I’m unsure where some ended up. But there’s one thing that will always connect us, our home.

To those anxious students living this reality, it’s okay to be scared.

Things work out in the end. Your home will always be there for you when you return.

Nathan Freake is a writer and educator from Labrador City. For any inquiries, you can reach Nathan at thelabcurrent@gmail.com

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the back porch what odds

the best bits

By Paul Warford

The magic of Have you been saving your money?

Did you squirrel away the loonies earned from video games is shovelling driveways this winter? Were you akin that you’re always to the proverbial grasshopper, squandering those hard-earned rubles on Charleston Chews left wondering, and Big Mac combos? Have you been “supersiz“What’s next?” ing” those combos? That’s a frivolity you may wind up regretting.

This was true As of this writing, Nintendo has just released newest creation, the Switch 2. This monuwhen I was a kid, its mental device makes the impossible seem simand it’s true now. ple, which has been an enduring benchmark of

Nintendo in general, always managing to make fun fit into the borders of your television with a grace that seems effortless. For those unfamiliar, the Switch is essentially a tablet with controllers stuck on the sides, but what sets it apart from other video game “handhelds” is the special thingy included with it that you hook up to your TV. When you’re done playing your portable games on the deck or in the shower, you can place this magical tablet in the thingy, and voila!

The game seamlessly switches to your television, and now you can continue to play on whatever screen you’d like (hence the name). While the processing power of the Switch is not as capable as the PlayStation and Xboxes it’s competing against, the machine’s functionality and innovation make up for its lack of technical strength.

I won’t be getting a Switch 2 because I’m always the grasshopper in the fable, and its price tag is a bit steep for me to consider purchasing one right now. My relationship with Nintendo stretches back to the annals of my earliest, fondest memories, which ironically involved a lot of bawling, begging, and pleading with my brothers to please let me “have a turn” with games like Double Dragon and Mario Bros.

My parents, probably exasperated with my endless caterwauling, would essentially make

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them hand over the control to my sticky little hands so I could navigate Billy Lee and Mario as I helped them through their adventures.

My older brothers pooled their money to buy a Nintendo Entertainment System while I used my share of Nan’s vacation spending money on a teddy bear. In the end, I’d need that bear to console me as the other two played away, and, even though I was four, the lesson remained the same.

I agree now with my parents’ logic: it was technically theirs. They bought and owned it, and it was up to them to share. Luckily, when you have older brothers, they age out of these things when they begin to discover girls, and by the time the Super Nintendo came around, my tears were starting to dry.

I’ve had a Nintendo tattoo for nearly 20 years, but it was never meant to celebrate the game company or their home consoles. Instead, the tattoo is meant to remind me of those childhood days with my brothers, when just watching them play was a delight.

It’s also meant to commemorate the game in question, the original Final Fantasy, which was released in 1987. I was five, then. The series has since seen dozens of games, with the most recent “mainline” Final Fantasy XVI releasing in 2023. This is why old goats like me still play despite our responsibilities and ageing joints; the games have been growing up with us this entire time. As the “industry” grew and matured, so did I. The magic of video games is that you’re always left wondering, “What’s next?” This www.downhomelife.com

was true when I was a kid, and it’s true now. Sadly, money-grubbing and greed have bled into video games much like Hollywood films, which is why you see endless superhero movies and nothing like Edward Scissorhands on the Silver Screen. These big companies only want to hedge their bets on a sure thing. However, much like film, a small group of innovators can turn the industry on its head with heart and gumption. If you’re a parent or grandparent, you’ve probably heard of Minecraft. Minecraft was made by a Swedish guy and has since generated hundreds of millions of dollars.

So, the Switch 2 is good news to me because even though it might mean late homework and crying arguments the entire world over, the excitement of the experience is even now creating fond memories in children who don’t realize it yet and won’t for years to come, and I think that’s pretty special.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about the bear, it sits now on a child-sized rocking chair in my old bedroom (now chock-full of Mom’s quilting materials), pristine yet forgotten, which hardly seems fair considering it cost young Paul the entire $50 Nan bequeathed him. That’s $50 on a teddy bear in 1986. I’m always the grasshopper in these fables.

Paul Warford began writing for Downhome to impress his mom and her friends. He writes and performs comedy in Eastern Canada.

Follow him on X @paulwarford August 2025

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the back porch ties to home

Kelly’s Island

going home by dianna brown

As a ‘land-locked’ Newfoundlander

(thank you to Chris Kennedy for this new-to-me expat term), living on the mainland, I am over-the-moon excited about my family’s upcoming trip to Newfoundland! My husband and I are taking our sons back ‘home’ for summer vacation. When they asked why I’d call another place ‘home,’ I explained this interesting concept. The word takes on a different meaning when referring to Newfoundland. It’s more than just the place I was born, but a loving term where my heart lives permanently, full of never-forgotten people, memories and traditions. I don’t think of a house, per se, but an all-encompassing feeling of belonging. Perhaps others who move to other provinces or countries call their birthplace home, but in my experience, if I hear someone’s ‘going home,’ I can be certain they’re going to Newfoundland. This summer, my family, along with my parents and niece, will be exploring three breathtaking eastern locations – the Avalon, Bonavista and Eastport Peninsulas.

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Our first stop is St. John’s. As my oldest son, Austin, will be 19 this summer, we’re going to make him an official Newfoundlander by getting him screeched in on George Street. Both our sons are avid fishermen – catching walleye, pike, and burbot in lakes all around Alberta, so needless to say, they are looking forward to a cod fishing excursion. Luckily, we’re there during recreational fishing season. I’m can’t wait to sit on the beaches of my hometown of Kelligrews, hike the East Coast Trail, and climb Topsail Bluff that overlooks Bell Island and Kelly’s Island. We’ll take a day trip to Kelly’s Island, as I’m fascinated with the pirate tales of Pirate Peter Easton and the folklore I heard as a child—that a spirit may follow you if you take anything from the island. There are so many things I want to do on the Avalon Peninsula, including visiting the Cabot Tower and taking in the scenery at Cape Spear, that we’ll have to squeeze every second out of every ounce of sunlight, rain or shine!

Next up, a day trip to the Bonavista Peninsula. For so many summers in the 90s, my family would stay at the cosy ‘Aspen by the Sea’ Cottages— Trinity Loop was our family summer vacation destination! I vividly remember the amusement park’s train rides, the Ferris wheel, mini golf and bumper boats. Now abandoned for over 20 years, it will be bittersweet to explore the abandoned and seemingly haunted ruins. I love stories of ghost towns, so this will be an eerily thrilling experience. While in Trinity, we’ll embark on a boat tour to watch whales and explore the abandoned harbour of Ireland’s Eye, a fascinating location I www.downhomelife.com

chose to set my novels. My youngest son, Owen, wants to see puffins, which are plentiful on the Bonavista peninsula, so we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for them. I feel we’ll need more than a day to explore this peninsula!

During my last Newfoundland adventure, I stayed in Port Union in a quaint and comfortable hotel. I enjoyed a hearty helping of fresh cod with potatoes, and the next morning a home-cooked bologna breakfast, though the best part was the friendly people!

Although we’d love to explore the west coast and experience Gros Morne, and my other childhood vacation destination, Codroy Valley, this year we’ll travel as far as the Eastport Peninsula. Recreating wonderful memories with my husband and sons will be a full-circle moment. I remember my grandparents’ saltbox-style house, with friends and family gathered inside; feet would tap and hands would clap to the lilting staccato notes of my Pop’s fiddle and my uncle’s guitar. Although it will be but a whisper of what it used to be, we’ll use these memories as a springboard to make new unforgettable memories, too keep our ‘expat’ family tied to home.

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As a child, I loved wading into the cold tide of Sandy Cove Beach during the caplin roll.

The feel of fish tails flicking against my legs is something I’ll never forget. With a net and bucket, we’d collect fish for my Pop Brown to fry or salt. A memory forever etched in my mind dates back to 2010, when my sons were two and four years old. We arrived in Eastport after the sun set. My Uncle Ed and Aunt Minnie met us in the driveway and told us the caplin were in. We left everything in the car and trekked down the darkening path of the Caplin Gulch, a hidden path of stairs through a rugged boreal forest, leading to Sandy Cove beach. I’ll never forget the squeals of joy from our sons when my uncle pulled two flashlights out of his pockets and put them in their little hands. With the beach now shrouded in darkness, Uncle Ed, wearing long rubber boots, picked each boy up in his arms, then waded out to the water.

The beam of light from the flashlights shone into the slow-moving tide. Austin and Owen were mesmerized by the hordes of caplin swimming all around their legs!

I am counting down the days until we breathe the salty air and feel the sincere welcome from kind-hearted people. I know our days will be jampacked with fun adventures, but I am most excited to be in the pres-

Austin and Owen in Wheelbarrow overlooking Sandy Cove Beach ence of people – aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends who are as close as family.

The anticipation is growing as I get to take a breather from the push and pull of life, and sit by the ocean to rest my soul, until I feel reset and renewed.

I’ll return to Calgary with a lighter heart and eyes filled with cheerful tomorrows, looking forward to the next time I get to go ‘back home.’

Dianna Brown is a hockey mom, an elementary school teacher and author of two novels: Saltwater Joys and Saltwater Stranger. She was born in Gander, currently resides in Calgary, and loves to visit her hometown, Kelligrews, C.B.S. You can reach her at diannabrown.tiestohome@gmail.com 138

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You could be published in Downhome Magazine!

Tell us about a funny interaction you’ve had, a heartwarming moment, what’s happening in your community, Newfoundland and Labrador history or anything you would like to share with us and other Downhome readers.

Three Ways to Share Visit: downhomelife.com/submit Email: editorial@downhomelife.com Mail: 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3 (Attention Editorial Department)

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the back porch from our readers

A Fisherman’s Legacy

A tribute to Rendell Clarke, Lobster Fisherman

By Paul Clarke

Bell Island, located in Conception Bay, has a rich fishing history deeply tied to the island’s maritime culture. Long before industrial development, residents relied on inshore cod fishing, using small boats and traditional methods passed down through generations. The cold, nutrient-rich waters around Bell Island made it an ideal spot for cod, a staple of the Newfoundland economy.

While the island later became more widely known for its iron ore mining industry, fishing remained an essential livelihood for many families. The cod moratorium of 1992 marked a turning point, drastically reducing fishing activity and impacting the island’s economy and way of life. Today, fishing continues on a smaller scale, both commercially and recreationally, preserving a key part of Bell Island’s heritage.

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Days gone by on Bell Island

With another lobster season commencing, I would like to pay tribute to the former fishermen of Bell Island and all over NL – and to my father, Rendell Clarke, a 76-year-old lobster fisherman who has worked the waters for over 60 years. He is one of the last of his kind on Bell Island.

My father is more than just a fisherman. Like those before him, he is a man shaped by saltwater, hard work, and tradition. He has spent a lifetime rising with the tide, braving the wind, and trusting the rhythms of the sea.

Through early mornings, biting cold, and countless seasons, he has laboured with quiet strength and deep respect for the waters that have sustained both our family and this community. www.downhomelife.com

He learned the ways of the sea from his father, Arthur Clarke Sr., and in time became a master in his own right – not just of lobster fishing, but of endurance, integrity, and humility.

He has carried forward a tradition that few understand, and even fewer can uphold. Now, as one of the last remaining fishermen on Bell Island, our father stands as a symbol of resilience, of living history, and the enduring bond between land, sea, and spirit.

Of course, behind every fisherman stands a family, and behind every season is a wife who held things together at home. Our mother, like so many NL fishermen’s wives, made their quiet sacrifices. They kept the household running, and their strength was steady and unwavering – a different kind of August 2025

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endurance that deserves just as much respect. Like they say, “After all these years of fishing, my wife is still my best catch.”

Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of my grandfather (Dad Clarke), father, and his brothers navigating the narrow path and the damp, slippery tunnel at Grebe’s Nest. I can still see them – surefooted and strong – finding their way to that quiet, sandy beach beyond, a secret haven carved into the shoreline. I would wait anxiously for their return, hoping for a good haul, but also eager to earn a single dollar – my “share,” as Dad Clarke would call it – a small reward that felt like pure gold.

Those moments left a lasting impression, not just of the fishing life, but of the pride and patience, the faith and family that came with it. To watch my father work is to witness something rare – a lifetime of knowledge passed through generations, honed by experience, and driven by love: love

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for the ocean, the island, and those he holds dear. Dad – your story is woven into the tides of Bell Island. You’ve left more than a mark – you’ve left a legacy. I am proud to walk in your footsteps, share your name, and carry the values you’ve lived.

Thank you for the lessons, the laughter, the stories, and the strength. Good luck with another season, Dad. You are truly one of a kind.

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photo finish

Picture This

An artist captures the beauty of a summer evening.

Gary Mitchell Holyrood, NL

Do you have an amazing or funny photo to share?

Turn to page 9 to find out how to submit.

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