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$4.99 June 2025
Vol 38 • No 01
Fly Tying Fever Garden Ready Recipes Tall Tales & Lies
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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
Warehouse Operations Warehouse / Inventory Manager Carol Howell Warehouse Operator Josephine Collins
Art and Production Art Director Vince Marsh Illustrator Mel D’Souza Illustrator Snowden Walters
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,
Advertising Sales Account Manager Ashley O’Keefe Marketing Director Tiffany Brett
Emily Snelgrove, Alexandria Skinner, Colleen Giovannini, Emma Luscombe, Rebecca Pevie, Morgan Powless, Adriana Hann, Keith Lamkin, Martina Rogers, Hayley Warren
Finance and Administration Accountant Marlena Grant Accountant Sandra Gosse
Subscriptions Customer Service Associate Jennifer Kane Founding Editor Ron Young
Operations Manager, Twillingate Nicole Mehaney
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, NS, NB, PE $49.44; 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 Pen names and anonymous letters will not be published.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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54 town of history
Contents
JUNE 2025
42 Catch the Wind 35 years of music and memories with The Irish Descendants Dillon Collins
54 Reaching a Milestone The Benjamin Barbour House celebrates 150 years as a Newtown landmark. Marie-Beth Wright
86 Everyday Gourmet
42 music icons
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Ultimate Oatmeal Cookies Andrea Maunder
110 Getting Round to It The fascinating origin behind a unique piece of Paradise public art Dennis Flynn June 2025
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Contents homefront 8 Between the Lines A note from the Editor
10 Letters From Our Readers The
JUNE 2025
16 way downeast
Newfoundland Guernsey, Story Time, and letters of thanks
14 Downhome Asks Some of our favourite callouts and responses from our readers on social media.
16 Downhome Tours Southeast Asia 18 Then & There Recent news, notes, events, anniversaries and more from across NL and beyond. 20 Why is That? Where does the saying “get your ducks in a row” come from? Linda Browne
22 Life’s Funny De Fence Augustine G. O’Quinn
22 no de fence
23 Say What? A contest that puts words in someone else’s mouth
24 Lil Charmers Foggy Day Fun 26 Pets of the Month Spring Fever 30 Book Nook Downhome dives into the latest and greatest in Newfoundland literature
32 Fresh Tracks Wendy Rose reviews Matthew Byrne’s Stealing Time 36 Adventures Outdoors The Fly Tying Natural Gord Follett 4
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26 springtime!
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74 treasured spot
features 48 Rockbound Roots Discover your ancestry at the Family History Society’s first genealogy conference. Nicola Ryan
explore 60 Cast a Line, Catch the Heart A magic day on the water to kickstart the recreational cod fishery. Shaun Antle
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a magical day
66 Bugs, Bites and Biohazards Wildlife parasites and diseases in Newfoundland and Labrador Todd Hollett
72 What’s In A Name? Tides & Trade Dale Jarvis
74 Back Beach A playground by the sea Fred Parsons www.downhomelife.com
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Contents
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90
garden fresh
home and cabin 80 Stuff We Love In the Bag Nicola Ryan
82 Ask Marie Anything Interior designer Marie Bishop takes your questions.
90 Downhome Recipes Garden Party
80 pack it up
reminiscing 98 Flashbacks Classic photos of people and places.
99 This Month in History Memorial University’s first convocation
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100 back in the day
100 This Month in Downhome History 104 A Boy from St. Lunaire Part Two: Family and Community Lorne Compton
118 Puzzles 130 Colouring Page About the cover Where do we come from? Family roots and the science of genealogy are at the heart of our June 2025 issue, with David Purchase’s fantastic photo of the Barbour Living Heritage Village in Newtown, New-Wes-Valley gracing our cover. Elsewhere, we celebrate 35 years of The Irish Descendants, profile a flytying natural, serve up garden-ready recipes perfect for summer and unpack major wildlife parasites and diseases of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Cover Index Catch the Wind • 42 Worms & Germs • 66 Rockbound Roots • 48, 54 Fly Tying Fever • 36 Garden Ready Recipes • 90 Tall Tales & Lies • 142 www.downhomelife.com
130 Classifieds 132 Mail Order
the back porch 138 The Labrador Current Inusivut: Our Way of Life Nathan Freake
140 What Odds Paul Warford layers nachos, and friends 142 Ties to Home Tall Tales and ‘Lies’ Dianna Brown
144 Photo Finish June 2025
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between the lines
What’s in a name? How deeply buried are those family roots? Genealogy and the science of tracing a family line are fascinating to those who want to dig a little deeper into the age-old questions of who am I, and where do I come from? Do we descend from kings, paupers or princes of the arts? Or do our long-lost distant relatives from the north, south, east or west make our vanilla backgrounds burst with flavour? The possibilities for exploration and discovery continue to draw in thousands of folks across the globe, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador, where the Family History Society seeks to unpack such loaded questions. Elsewhere in our root-bound June issue, The Irish Descendants celebrate 35 years of music and memories and the Benjamin Barbour House in Newtown, Bonavista North, reaches its own impressive milestone. We examine fly tying fever and unearth garden-ready recipes perfect for summer, while touching on tips and tricks to raise curb appeal, unpack secrets of Octagon Pond and wiggle and wriggle with the worms and parasites of Newfoundland and Labrador. It’s finally summer, so what better time to explore, learn and reach down into your homegrown roots.
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 Jeanette Osmond of Grand Bank, NL, who found Corky on page 21 of the April issue!
*No Phone Calls Please. One entry per person
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The Newfoundland Guernsey
In December 2022, I stumbled across Barbara Harpur’s sweater pattern “Newfoundland Guernsey” and asked her if we could bring this gorgeous pattern back to “life”. With the knitting community growing far beyond the borders of Newfoundland and Labrador, there’s no better time to showcase the Newfoundland Guernsey and the story of how it came to be. What is a “Guernsey”? It is a word not often used. The Newfoundland Guernsey was known to be a thick, hearty sweater made from oiled wool worn by fishermen and was traditionally navy blue in colour. It originated in the Channel Island of the same name. The guernsey was traditionally knitted by the fishermen’s wives, and the pattern was often passed down through the generations. The original guernsey had dropped straight shoulders in the design pattern. This pattern, designed by Barbara, features a slightly different design, making it unique to Newfoundland. Hence the name “Newfoundland Guernsey”. In the year 2000, L’Anse aux Meadows and the Viking Trail focused on a significant international Viking celebration, as the 1,000th anniversary of the Viking landfall at L’Anse aux Meadows. Barbara was asked to design and knit a sweater for this international celebration. This stunning guernsey received national recognition and was featured in the March 2000 issue of Canadian Living magazine. 10
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Barbara learned to knit in kindergarten in Northern Ireland before coming to Newfoundland in 1970. She lived in Lewisporte before moving to St. John’s in 1977. In 1980, a friend of hers asked her to knit sweaters for an elite wool shop in Ottawa, Ontario. In 1985, she decided to sell her own designs at the Newfoundland & Labrador Craft Development Association craft fairs. In 1987, she opened a small store in Conception Bay South, selling yarns and knitting machines. In 1994, she moved the shop to 284 Duckworth Street, downtown St. John’s near the Anna Templeton Centre. It was there that Barbara taught classes in hand and machine knitting. From 1995 to 1996, the Newfoundland government was retraining women after the cod moratorium, so for 13 of these months, Barbara trained 10 women in Mount Carmel to knit sweaters designed by Barbara Pratt. The patterns
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would be drawn up by Barbara and the women would knit them on machines, which were sold locally and shipped to the mainland. Their designs were so popular that it was the fisherman’s sweater worn throughout the Hollywood movie The Shipping News (2001)! Barbara closed her store in 2001 but still has a stash of wool to knit from her Duckworth shop. She continues to knit, provide guidance, and share her patterns and progress with many knitters far and wide. To say that she is an inspiration is an understatement. I’m the owner of Cast On! Cast Off!, the local yarn shop in Triton, Newfoundland, and I am grateful to have her mentor me on my own journey as I muddle through entrepreneurship in this industry. I’m beyond humbled that she has trusted me with rewriting this amazing timeless pattern and honoured to bring this back to life. Since
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we have rewritten the Newfoundland Guernsey, this pattern has been purchased and knitted well beyond Newfoundland and Labrador! Its popularity has surprised us so much that we have expanded the collection to include a children’s version of the sweater, hats, mittens, cowl, scarf, headband and dog sweaters! Barbara’s willingness to help and her friendship has meant so much to the knitting community far beyond all of us in Newfoundland and Labrador, not to mention my small but BIG local yarn/wool shop. I can’t remember the first time I knitted a stitch. I also do not recall the first time I became fascinated with crafting talents both my grandmothers had. What I do remember is sitting alongside both at a very young age, mesmerized at their handiwork. My paternal grandmother passed away 23
Story Time
I must relate this incident to you to show how the Downhome magazine works. Today, while I was preparing my lunch, my telephone rang. No name, no number. I answered it, “This is Mr. Greening’s residence.” On the other end, “Is this Mr. Austin Greening?” I answer, “Yes, I am he.” On the other end, “The last time I spoke to you, I called you ‘Sir.’ That was about 70 years ago.” I said, “With whom am I speaking?” He said, “This is Roland Genge.” I said, “Dr. Roland Genge, who was in my Grade 6 class at the North School in Glovertown in 1957-58!” 12
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years ago, and never had the chance to finish the baby sweater she was working on for my daughter. It’s still on the needles. My maternal grandmother is turning 92 years young this year and is still knitting and crocheting. I wouldn’t be on this business journey without my dear friend Barbara. There’s a special kindred spirit and mentorship in the knitting community of Newfoundland and Labrador. These patterns are dedicated to everyone who has a love for the craft and remains inspired as much as we are! With love and appreciation to you, Barbara, Lisa Chatzikirou Triton, NL
Thanks so much for sharing Lisa! Barbara’s work is stunning and a true testament to timeless practices passed down over the years!
That was my first year teaching. Principal of a two-room elementary school at age 17. Dr. Genge has spent over 50 years as a family doctor in Baddeck, NS. The conversation went on from there, but it all came about from ‘Story Time’ on pg. 103 in the March edition of Downhome. Austin Greening Clarenville, NL
Thanks for sharing, Austin! We’re glad that Downhome, in some small way, could help you and Dr. Genge reconnect! We’re always happy to hear more stories of how Downhome brings folks together!
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Thanks to Downhome
Havin’ A Time
Thank you for being here for the past years of my father’s life. I subscribed for him so that he could be closer to home as he came from the little hamlet of Kars, New Brunswick. He enjoyed every issue immensely, front to back. Please let everyone know who is involved and that the publishing of this little book helps all the Downhomers. I myself will not require this subscription anymore, as I will be returning to Kars in the near future. But rest assured, I will be in touch with you when this happens. Again, thank you. You made a great man happy and a great man’s son grateful for just being his son.
This past August, my friends and I decided we would go around the bay to enjoy an outdoor concert. Around the bay, an outdoor concert is sometimes called ‘a time’. When we arrived at our destination, the power suddenly went out. We went to the general store to buy some meats to make some sandwiches, as there was no power in our cabin. We were all more concerned that our concert would be cancelled. When we arrived at the store, I asked the clerk, ‘Is the time going ahead tonight?’ She responded, ‘Ma’am, the time went ahead in April.’ The concert/the time did go ahead and it was great!
Leonard Wetmore downhomelife.com
Jill Rice Goulds, NL
Thank you for sharing, Leonard. We’re proud to hear that Downhome meant so much to your father.
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Thanks, Jill! Turns out you don’t need power to have a time!
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Asks How do we learn? From you, dear readers. Downhome routinely takes to social media to pose all manner of questions to our followers. From favourites to memories, opinions and everything in between, Downhome Asks, and you answer. Here are some of our favourite callouts for questions and responses from our followers.
What’s your go-to hiking trail in Newfoundland and Labrador for breathtaking views? Stiles Cove on the East Coast Trail. Some wicked rock formations. Cass Carroll
Skerwink Trail
Cook’s Lookout, Burin. The Cape, St. Lawrence. Jennifer Brushett There are several shorter trails in Grates Cove that offer beautiful views and stunning geology and history. Barb Parsons-Sooley
Fox Island, just a few minutes past Port Rexton and the Skerwink Trail. Champneys, on the Bonavista Peninsula. Melissa Holloway
The Tablelands and The Lookout Trail in Gros Morne. Heidi John
Cook’s Lookout and Three Bears in Corner Brook. Streamside Walkway is also amazing in Corner Brook. The Grotto in Flatrock is beautiful. Susan Priestly
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What’s something you like to do the old-fashioned way? Read an actual book. Chantal Oake
Make homemade bread. Even when visiting our daughter in Florida! Grace Elvik I still hang up wall calendars in my home, even though today’s date is the first thing I see on my phone’s screen. Trevor Carson Read a newspaper. Smell the ink; the feel of the paper just adds something. Darren Budgell
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Cooking using ordinary pots and pans on a stove, just like the good old days. Not gadgets like air fryers, toaster ovens, slow cookers, etc. Sylvia Squires-Hall Writing with a pen and paper. I’m a journal junkie and a pen freak. And I love to read actual books. Robin Fry Picnics. It was so exciting when we were kids, especially when our grandparents and cousins joined in. Bonnie Borland
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homefront Downhome tours...
Southeast Asia
Cambodia Lori Lynn Pike of Bay Roberts, NL and her travelling companion Dianne Trenchard planted fruit trees in Cambodia with On The Go Tours.
Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument, is a stunning example of Khmer architecture, developed by the Khmer Empire in Cambodia between the 9th and 15th centuries. Initially dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, it later became a Buddhist temple. Its walls are adorned with detailed bas-reliefs depicting mythology and daily life. The central spires represent Mount Meru, the cosmic centre in both Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. 16
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Thailand “My husband and I, along with my husband’s brother and wife, just returned from a nine-week tour of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Bali,” writes submitter Faye Luppe of Wasaga Beach, ON.
The porcelain and seashells on Wat Arun’s shimmering spires are actually recycled materials – mostly broken pieces of Chinese porcelain that were used as ballast on trade ships coming into Thailand centuries ago. Artisans embedded the shards into the temple’s stucco, creating incredibly detailed floral and geometric patterns. Seashells were also added for texture and shine.
Malaysia “This cave houses one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India,” writes submitter Kathy Noseworthy-Dillon, who visited Batu Cave in Kuala Lumpur in 2022.
Batu Cave is a limestone hill with a series of caves and Hindu temples. A towering golden statue of Murugan – the god of war and victory – guards the vibrant 272-step climb. It’s a popular pilgrimage site, especially during Thaipusam a festival celebrated on the first full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai, which usually falls in January or February.
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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.
Province Tables 2025 Budget
The provincial government has released its 2025 budget under the tag: “Smarter. Stronger. Better.” The budget boasts no increases and continued decreases in taxes and fees while investing in education and teaching services, technology for classrooms, access to health care, and support for seniors. The province anticipates a $372 million deficit to address affordability issues and tariff concerns. $200 million has been allocated as a contingency to “provide flexibility to address economic and worker impacts” due to said U.S. tariffs. Projected revenues for 2025-26 sit at $10.7 billion, with projected expenses at a record $11 billion. Emily Barbour photo
NL Banks Numerous Canadian Screen Nods Newfoundland and Labrador earned an array of Canadian Screen Award nominations. Celebrated comedian and actress Mary Walsh earned a pair of nominations for her work in The Missus Downstairs and Deaner ‘89. Ditto for Jonny Harris, who earned a pair of nominations for Still Standing and Murdoch Mysteries. Among other NL-based actors and productions that earned nominations are Rick Mercer, Nicole Power, Son of a Critch, Hudson & Rex, and This Hour Has 22 Minutes. 18
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Will Carter
Jacob Lewis
Newfoundland’s Talented Idols A pair of talented Newfoundlanders have impressed on an international scale. Jacob Lewis of Butlerville and St. John’s native Will Carter made the most of their minutes on national television, earning praise on Canada’s Got Talent and American Idol. Lewis earned a golden buzzer from the queen of country music, Shania Twain, thanks to his performance of the Bon Jovi classic “Bed of Roses”. Carter, meanwhile, knocked out a stirring rendition of his original song “Dreams” before a panel of judges that included Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan.
Changes to NL Breast Cancer Screening The provincial government is continuing its commitment to improve access to breast cancer screening programs. Individuals aged 40-49 are now eligible for the provincial breast screening program through self-referrals. This includes a significant expansion of infrastructure and resources to support an additional 34,000 persons who are now eligible for the program and funding of over $800,000 for two additional mammography units in the province. Minister John Hogan called the announcement a strong move towards “establishing health equity in the province.” www.downhomelife.com
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Expert answers to common life questions. By Linda Browne
Where does the saying “get your ducks in a row” come from? Have you ever been in the kitchen, getting ready to try a new recipe, and you haul out all your ingredients and line them up according to the order they’re supposed to go into the pot? Congratulations! You’ve got all your ducks in a row. You likely already know what this phrase means – to have things organized so that you’re ready for the next step, whatever the activity may be. But do you know where it comes from? Writer Grace Tierney dives into the topic on her informative and engaging “Wordfoolery” blog (wordfoolery. wordpress.com), which we reference here with her kind permission. (In addition to her blog, Tierney has also published four books delving into the histories of unusual words: Words Christmas Gave Us, Words the Vikings Gave Us, Words the Sea Gave Us and How To Get Your Name in the Dictionary.) First, Tierney sheds some light on the background of the word “duck,” which she notes comes from Old English. “The original word there for these water birds, from a presumed root 20
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word (aneti), was ened. Thankfully, at some point during the Old English period, this was replaced by duce (a ducker), drawn from the verb ducan (to duck or dive), so the bird was named for what it does, ducking underwater to find its dinner,” she explains. “By the late 1500s, you might be called duck or ducky as an affectionate term,” she adds (a term still warmly embraced here in Newfoundland and Labrador). “We humans have liked ducks for many centuries. Duckys was also used as slang for breasts by King Henry VIII in a letter to Anne Boleyn in 1536.” Putting that salacious tidbit aside, Tierney gets into the meat of the matter, noting that like so many other popular phrases, the answer as to the origin of “ducks in a row” is clear as mud. However, she shares that one of 1-888-588-6353
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the more plausible explanations likely has to do with the orderly way ducks travel. “If you’ve ever seen a mother duck leading her brood from nest to water, then you’ll probably have noticed that the ducklings follow her closely in a
no sign of the phrase in print relating to this auspicious state of play, but it’s possible,” she writes. The second explanation has to do with ten-pin bowling, namely, the shape of the pins, Tierney continues. “Early bowling pins were shorter
line from beak to tail, like the way young elephants follow the matriarchs of their family by holding tails with their trunks. It’s highly probable that this organised manner of preparing for a swim leads us to getting your ducks in a row,” she states. However, Tierney says, some other explanations hold water. She shares the earliest reference of this saying in print, from the June 1932 edition of the Washington Post: “We have a world filled today with problems and we are trying to get our economic ducks in a row.” Two possible theories for the origin of this popular saying stem from the world of sports, specifically pool and bowling. Tierney wades in. “A duck is the pool term for a ball sitting right in front of a pocket, an easy shot. To have your ducks in a row, in this case, is to have all your balls sitting in front of pockets, ready to be sunk in series. Thus far, there’s
and fatter than the ones we use today, and they were nicknamed ducks, probably because of their squat shape. This was a time before machines reset the pins between attempts. Hence, having your ducks in a row meant you had reset the pins yourself and were ready to bowl another ball.” Other theories are floating around, Tierney adds, which include the carnival game that involves shooting a row of tin ducks, “and the organised way wild ducks and geese fly in a V formation through the sky, hence keeping the entire group on track, just like mother duck and her ducklings.” If not being able to pin down the precise origin of this saying has you ruffling your feathers, join the flock. “For the moment at least, the jury is out on this one,” Tierney concludes, “but I think we can agree that ducks both in the air and on the ground are organised creatures which inspire us to get our act together.”
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
De Fence A friend of mine suspected that his neighbour was being too familiar with his wife. Sure enough, one day he came home and discovered him in the house. Over the fence went the neighbour and a shot was fired. They went to court over it. “What is your defense?” asked the magistrate. “Did you shoot him in self-defense?” “No, yer honour,” my friend replied, “I shot ‘im goin over de fence.” Augustine G O’Quinn Kentville, 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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“We’r e waiting for a cupp a Tetley and some bickies” – Graham G. Pike
Say WHAT? Downhome recently posted this photo (submitted by Gary Mitchell) on our website and social media platforms and asked folks to imagine what the man might be saying. Graham G. Pike’s response made us chuckle the most, so we’re awarding him 20 Downhome Dollars!
Here are the runners-up: Never mind looking at us and taking pictures, go pick us up a dozen beer? - Sam Ryan We're just horsin' around. - Sherry Day Pull up a stump, take a load off by’s! - Elaine Grandy
Play with us online! www.downhomelife.com/saywhat
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homefront lil charmers
Rocky Rambler The sea calls to Oliver. Rebecca Skiffington Gambo, NL
Foggy Day Fun Netting Memories Jorja and her Pop chase caplin in the Droke. Chantell Ash Job’s Cove, NL
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Misty Moment Bryce watches the fog roll in. Belinda Blundon Bay de Verde, NL
Cool Catch This cutie’s got her hands full! Kimberly Curtis Tilt Cove, NL
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homefront pets of the month
Spring Fever Hound Dog Elvis has left the building! Gordon Lockhart Buchans, NL
Harbour Lights This pupper’s hangin’ out in Port de Grave. Nikki McKenzie Port de Grave, NL
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Follow That Dream Loki the Newfoundland dog watches for whales. Sherri Leyden Ochre Pit Cove, NL
Hey Little Girl
Relaxing is what pretty Maggie does best. Stephen Colbourne Corner Brook, NL
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Tell us about the pet that “changed my life.”
We’re looking for heartwarming stories of all kinds: heroic pets that saved a life, emotional support animals, and furry (or not furry, or feathery) friends that make your life better for whatever reason. The pet whose influence impresses us the most will be featured in an upcoming issue of Downhome and declared Pet of the Year. Your beloved buddy will have their life story told and become a magazine star.
How to Enter Write a story (500 words max.) and include a photo (must be about a current, living pet). Submit one of these ways:
Email: editorial@downhomelife.com (Subject: Pet of the Year) Mail: Downhome Pet of the Year 43 James Lane, St. John’s, NL, A1E 3H3
Deadline is June 30, 2025
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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!
Jennie’s Boy: A Newfoundland Childhood Wayne Johnston
Penguin Random House Canada $27.95
Bestselling novelist Wayne Johnston reaches back into his past to bring us a sad, tender, and at times extremely funny memoir of his Newfoundland boyhood. For six months between 1966 and 1967, Wayne and his family lived in a wreck of a house across from his grandparents in Goulds, Newfoundland. At seven, Wayne was sickly and skinny, unable to keep food down, plagued with insomnia and a relentless cough that no doctor could diagnose, though they had already removed his tonsils, adenoids, and appendix. To the neighbours, he was known as “Jennie’s boy,” a backhanded salute to his tiny, ferocious mother, who felt judged for Wayne’s condition at the same time as she worried he might never grow up. Unable to go to school, Wayne spent his days with his witty, religious, deeply eccentric maternal grandmother, Lucy. During these six months of Wayne’s childhood, he and Lucy faced two life-or-death crises, the odds against them both. Jennie’s Boy is Wayne’s tribute to a family and a community that were simultaneously fiercely protective of him and fed up with having to make allowances for him. His boyhood was full of pain, yes, but also tenderness and Newfoundland wit. By that wit, and through love – often expressed in the most unlikely ways – Wayne survived.
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Downhome Recommends The Rest of We Wade G. Parsons
In 2011, Wade wrote a book, That Was We, about growing-up in Hermitage, a small community on the south coast of Newfoundland. That book did so well he wrote a second called That Was We (Too), and now The Rest of We, with more stories about growing up in Hermitage. Wade’s latest batch of stories, including “The Dog I Couldn’t Keep”, “Covering Up the Mirrors”, “The Little Dory from Pushthrough” and “The Wedding Cake Box”, are heartfelt, true and guaranteed to entertain.
Pluck Donna Morrissey
A deeply personal account of love’s restorative ability as it leads renowned novelist Donna Morrissey through mental illness, family death, and despair to becoming a writer – told with charm and inimitable humour. An inspiring and insightful memoir, Pluck illustrates that even when you find yourself unravelling, you can find a way to spin the yarns that will save you – and delight readers everywhere.
Streetcars of St. John’s Kenneth G. Pieroway
For the first half of the twentieth century, the most easterly city in North America had a public transportation system that was on par with those found in Toronto, Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco. The black and white photographs are contrasted with modern-day colour retakes by the author of the same scenes as they now exist. When compared side by side, it is fascinating to see just how much St. John’s has changed in the past hundred years and yet, in so many ways, remained the same.
Visit shopdownhome.com for these and other great titles. www.downhomelife.com
June 2025
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fresh tracks
new music talk with Wendy Rose
Stealing Time Matthew Byrne
MATTHEW BYRNE’S new record was a long time in the making, but as the
adage goes, good things come to those who wait. Matthew’s fourth studio record – and his first since 2017 – Stealing Time was officially released this past April, and Downhome was lucky to get early access. Accompanying Matthew’s vocals and guitar, the record boasts a long list of contributors from across the pond: Martin Simpson (guitar, banjola, harmonies), Louis Campbell (electric and acoustic guitars), Nancy Kerr (fiddle, harmony vocals), Andy Cutting (button accordion), Tom Wright (percussion, electric guitar, harmonies), Ben Nicholl (upright bass), Liz Hanks (cello), and James Fagan (bouzouki, harmonies), plus several guest musicians I’ll name later. Stealing Time opens with “Lovely MaryAnne,” a tender song about lovers from different social classes, but the “roving sailor” isn’t too prideful to accept money and land to “stay on shore forever more, with lovely MaryAnne.” The next track, “Dream For Me,” was penned when Kellie Walsh of Lady Cove Women’s Choir asked 32
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Matthew to write a song for a lullaby concert. “I was a new dad. My son Kyran was born in January 2020, so all the inspiration for a lullaby was there … it was a moment of peace and clarity during a pretty tough time – navigating becoming a new parent during a global pandemic,” he explains. The gorgeous, heartfelt, and ultimately soothing song – for babies and adults alike – features the harmonies of beloved Newfoundland trio, The Ennis Sisters. “When we recorded it in Sheffield, I knew I wanted some harmonies on it,” Matthew continues. “I reached out to Maureen, Karen, and Teresa when I got back home and settled. They put together a beautiful vocal arrangement, and I simply love how it turned out.” 1-888-588-6353
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Many will recognize “Tickle Cove Pond,” a 19th-century folk song famously covered by local groups Great Big Sea, Connemara, Anita Best and Sandy Morris, Dave Penney, and more. In fact, on this compilation of “collected” songs, music lovers may recognize more songs than they could have imagined. On “The Calton
the choruses. For “Young Edmond,” Matthew’s acoustic guitar is accompanied by soft and sombre fiddle, with the lyrics telling a sad song of love and loss. The vibe shifts immensely on “Canoodle Doodle,” a fun, happy piece full of silly wordplay. It sort of feels like theatre, especially when the spoken word portion begins.
Weaver,” Matthew puts his spin on the classic, which is also sometimes referred to as “Nancy Whiskey.” This track has been performed by Joni Mitchell, The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem, The Irish Rovers, and The Pogues, to name a few. Matthew gives listeners an aural delight in delivering a lilting version of “Jessie Monroe,” a ballad about unrequited love. The next song, “Merry England,” speaks to a longing for a place instead of a woman. “The Liverpool Pilot” is primarily a cappella, with gorgeous harmonies on
Perhaps one of the most contemporary-sounding songs on the record, “Lady In The East” has an edge with its tense percussion and frenzied, layered guitar work. It’s my favourite track, but that’s likely because I grew up in a home where I was more likely to hear punk rock than traditional Irish tunes. Like Matthew, who grew up sailing “towards the sunset” with his uncle Pat Byrne and father Joe Byrne, we are products of our environment. The second-to-last track, “Home To You,” is the album’s one instrumental
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offering. Like “Dream For Me,” this beautiful piece works as a lullaby. The final track is “Black Eyed Susan,” which features another famous Newfoundland musician – Cory Tetford on piano. The lyrics are derived from a John Gay poem from 1720, meaning that these words have held weight and touched many hearts for over 300 years. I’ll leave you with a final comment from the artist himself, one that’s sure to evoke excitement: “There’s stuff that never made it onto this album that’ll be on the second one, I expect.” So stay tuned, NL trad folk music fans – the wait for your next MB record will hopefully be much, much shorter.
Q&A with the Artist
Wendy Rose: You grew up steeped in Newfoundland traditional music. Can you tell our readers about your family history and upbringing and how your family influenced your musical interests? Matthew Byrne: I was surrounded by traditional music my whole life. Mom and
Dad were both singers with a wonderful collection of songs. Mom collected songs for the love of it from singers around Placentia Bay and folks who visited NL during the 60s and 70s. She has tape recordings, notebooks, and binders, so for a lover of folk music and lesser-known traditional songs, this has been a pretty amazing resource. Dad (Joe Byrne) recorded and performed with his brother Pat alongside Baxter Wareham. Their music was a big influence on both my brother and me. My early introduction to the guitar was through Dad. He plays nylon string and was always a very gentle and understated player. It was his style that shaped my understanding of how to accompany folk music. 34
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WR: Some of the songs on this album are from the “vast repertoire” of your mother, Linda. Tell us a little more about these collected songs. MB: I often say Mom did fieldwork
without knowing she was doing it. She’s always loved traditional songs, and in her younger years, she had an incredible thirst for finding and documenting them. She got songs from many of the older singers throughout Placentia Bay and was responsible for finding many of the versions that ended up in the main NL folk song collections. She also collected everything she could from her parents, particularly my Grandmother Slade, who was also a great singer with a wonderful repertoire. So, Mom’s songs have been a massive influence on me. Each one has led me to understand more about my own family or important Placentia Bay folks whom I never had a chance to know myself.
WR: The last time we had a new Matthew Byrne record was in 2017 with the release of Horizon Lines. Has this album been in the works for seven years, or were you working on other creative projects during this time? MB: This album was in the works since
2017. It was supposed to be recorded in 2020 but was delayed a dozen times thanks to COVID-19. The songs had changed in many ways by the time we went into the studio in early 2024, but my 2020 demos still had the crux of each song’s guitar arrangement, tempo, and feel. I only really think of going into the studio once I’ve slowly amassed an album’s worth of material to draw from. I could never just say, “Okay, time for a new album, must go find some songs!” www.downhomelife.com
WR: Stealing Time was recorded in the United Kingdom with English folk singer/songwriter and guitarist Martin Simpson. How did you two meet, and what was the atmosphere in the studio when recording this record? MB: When my dear friend Roger
Lockyer (Foleymore Entertainment) presented Martin for a concert in St. John’s years ago, I did an opening set. Martin really liked my music, and I became a massive fan of his from that point on. I opened for him again when he was here a few years later, and we had him out to our place for a meal. I casually said I’d love to work with him on my next recording, and he was quite enthusiastic about the idea. A few months later, I asked if he’d produce the album, to which he replied, “I’d be honoured.” I was pretty thrilled, not only at the opportunity to work with a folk legend but also at the prospect of collaborating with some heavy hitters in the English folk scene. All of the players on this album are folks I’ve been listening to and admiring on other recordings for years, so there were a good few “pinch me” moments.
WR: What’s in store for yourself and Stealing Time in 2025? MB: I don’t really play the music
industry game anymore. I just want to get it out there and enjoy the satisfaction of completing a special project that means a whole lot to me. I have a bunch of great Canadian festivals lined up, and I’m planning to do a tour around the province – something I haven’t done solo in years. I used to tour a lot throughout the U.S., but with the challenges of cross-border travel, 2025 will see me sticking within Canada, which is fine by me! June 2025
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homefront
adventures outdoors
Cliff Doran photo
The Fly Tying
‘Natural’ By Gord Follett
If there’s such a thing as “a natural” in fly tying, Dennis Quigley fits the bill quite nicely. The 38-year-old lifelong resident of Fleur de Lys on Newfoundland’s northeast coast started tying flies and fishing for salmon just four years ago, but he’s gone “all in” to the point where he doesn’t hesitate to sleep on rocks in the rain overnight to get an early crack at a particular river or pool. As for his salmon flies, the details are simply amazing. He’s already designing his own patterns and often ties remarkable variations of other popular flies, of which he doesn’t hesitate to give credit to the originator when known. 36
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I have never tied my own flies, but through almost four decades of salmon angling experience, I’ve been known to have “a pretty good eye” for quality flies that will entice salmon. With that in mind, in 2022, I contacted “some young fella” who had posted photos of his flies on Facebook under his ‘Fleur de Lys Flies’ logo.
Dennis Quigley at the vice in his Fleur de Lys home That’s when Dennis and I first began chatting, and we’ve done quite a bit since that time as both anglers and friends. After complimenting him on what I called “those dandy lip stingers,” I recall being more than just a little shocked when he informed me he’d been tying just one year at that point. Twelve months! That’s it! “Well, buddy, you’re a natural if there ever was one,” I commented, following up with the question, “How www.downhomelife.com
and why did you get started at 34 years of age?” “I always was a little fascinated with the flies and was just amazed at how this powerful fish that was used to feeding in the ocean comes up the river – supposedly not interested in eating while he’s in the river – yet savagely attacks these tiny little flies. So I guess you could say I always had a fascination with the flies almost as much as the salmon itself. Eventually, I tried my hand at it and found that tying flies was just about as relaxing as fishing.” A fourth-generation commercial fisherman who has worked on offshore draggers for the past 15 years, Dennis went to his motto – “if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing right” – when things didn’t turn out from the get-go as he had hoped. “My first few flies weren’t very pretty, but just because of the enjoyment I got out of it, I was determined to get better at it. It was only a short time after I started that I received positive feedback, so...” One of those impressed with his talent is Jeff Piercey of Port Rexton, another of the province’s best and most respected fly tyers and creator of some of today’s more popular patterns, the Nimbus being uppermost amongst them. “In looking at the work of countless young fly tyers, I am super impressed with the skills of Dennis Quigley,” Jeff said. “I met Dennis at Chute Pool on the mighty Pinware a couple years back and, as expected, our conversation was largely about flies. In looking at his flies on that occasion and online since then, it’s hard to believe how proficient he has become in the art of fly tying in such a short period of time; June 2025
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skills that take most decades to master.” In describing Dennis’s flies, Jeff said they are “super clean, well proportioned and, from what I’m told, incredibly durable,” adding with a chuckle, “and with my eyesight failing and finger dexterity not what it used to be, Dennis may very well be tying my favourites in the not-too-distant future.” Like any good fly tyer in Newfoundland and Labrador, seeing and hearing about other anglers catching fish with them gives Dennis the most enjoyment. “Hooking fish with your own flies is great, but seeing other people catch fish with them is even better, whether it’s a kid who is trying to catch his first salmon or a good buddy that you brought to one of your favourite fishing spots and gave him that secret fly. When I think about someone tying on one of my flies, I like to inspire confidence.” Speaking of catching salmon, Dennis has hooked quite a few since his rookie season in 2021. “I’m totally addicted to salmon fishing. I chase the salmon all over the province, from early June right up through September. It doesn’t matter where the fish are; if I hear tell of fish, I’m going! And it doesn’t matter what
I gotta do, I WILL be the first one there in the morning. I’ve slept overnight on rocks in the pouring rain; I’ve left my house the evening before so I can get to my favourite pool for the next morning. I’ve driven hundreds of kilometres, I’ve walked miles in the dark, and I’ve snuck past people camping on the river just to get to ‘that place,’ so you could say salmon fishing has driven me a little crazy... “I’m a full-blown salmon junkie now,” he laughed. “I want the rod bent over all the time.”
Gord Follett was editor of the Newfoundland Sportsman magazine for more than 30 years and co-hosted the Newfoundland Sportsman TV show for 15 years. Email gordfollett@gordfollettoutdoors.com.
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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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features
Con O’Brien reflects on 35 years of music and memories with The Irish Descendants by dillon collins
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much has changed in 35 years. Newfoundland and Labrador have shifted from have to have not and have again. Politicians have come and gone, fads have snaked in and out of fashion, moments in time have fallen away to long-forgotten memories and what ‘it’ is seems weird and scary, at least to this writer. But through all this time, incarnations and maturations, The Irish Descendants have remained one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s homegrown treasures. Sitting with founding frontman Con O’Brien in downtown St. John’s, reminiscing is the name of the game as The Irish Descendants embark on their landmark 35th anniversary tour, commemorated with a career-spanning box set curated by the band, 35 for 35. “When you do 15 records, that means there are 200 recorded songs. And you whittle that down to one for every year, so 35 for 35 is 35 songs for 35 years. You have fans who have their favourites. Someone’s gonna be disappointed. Had to disappoint myself a few times. But you know, it’s a big underCon O’Brien taking to put that together. And it’s been ups and downs, but it’s been fulfilling,” Con shares of the band’s extensive history. “I’ve had a wicked wild life. I’ve been presenting music all over the world. I’ve played with the crème de la crème of people. It’s just been an amazing experience, and it continues. And the fans are the ones who make that happen. Without them, you don’t have anything to go back to. You gotta put bums in seats, you gotta pay for all this. You gotta get to Alberta, you gotta get to Milwaukee, you gotta get to these places.”
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The original members of The Irish Descendants in a 1993 press photo. Clockwise from top left are Con O’Brien, D’Arcy Broderick, Larry Martin and Ronnie Power
Before any posterior made contact with seats here and yon for the group that has put their indelible stamp on classics “Rattlin’ Bog”, “Catch the Wind”, “Barrett’s Privateers” and “Rocky Road to Dublin”, the OG Irish Descendants – Irish Coffee veterans Larry Martin and D’Arcy Broderick, and the Southern Shore’s own Ronnie Power and Con, both members of the trio The Descendants – as they’re affectionately known, formed in Spring of 1990, deeply influenced by legends of the genre The Sons of Erin, Sullivan’s Gypsies and Ryan’s Fancy. “Irish music was being performed quietly in the homes. But when Ryan’s Fancy and The Sons of Erin show up, now it becomes really cool,” Con explains. “I was going around in the car listening to Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden and quietly playing “The Black Velvet Band’” home in the kitchen with Dad on Sun44
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day morning. But then on the radio comes “Dirty Old Town” by The Pogues, and all of a sudden our generation was turned on by Irish music and what we thought was chintzy and kind of weird, not something you’d bring anywhere else only home, became sexy.” Embarking on a winding journey through the newly rejuvenated Newfoundland trad music scene, all four originals and their families had deep ties to Newfoundland’s cod fishery, which by 1990 was in a state of unrest due to dwindling cod stocks brought on by overfishing by foreign and domestic dragger fleets. July of 1992 and the federal government’s complete moratorium on the northern cod fishery impacted the fortunes of many a Newfoundlander and Labradorian for decades to come, Con and company included. “’92 showed up, and the whole 1-888-588-6353
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course of direction changed for my life and all of us because we all worked in the fishery,” Con recalls. “That was a complete upheaval in our lives and the lives of our generation. We lost 40,000 people. And what do we do? We get the opportunity to perform, we get an international recording deal with a major record label.” At a time when the country’s record industry was looking east in search of an Atlantic flavour, The Irish Descendants signed a landmark five-album deal with Warner Music Canada onboard O’Brien’s Bird Island Charter in the summer of 1993, the day after
Con’s wedding, no less. The rest, as they say, is music history. “Five albums later, things went really well, and we’re performing to expatriate Newfoundlanders who are displaced by the moratorium. They’re out in Alberta. They are all over Canada, and then you had the phenomenon of the crowd that left Belle Island and went to Southern Ontario. Now, we’re in the second and third generation of Newfoundlanders in Southern Ontario. We could reach out to them, the same thing as your magazine, all those people. The template for that was just Newfoundlanders
The popularity of the band in the 1990s was near a fever pitch with articles in local and national media being commonplace www.downhomelife.com
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Now flanked by Rowan Sherlock, Madeline Carter and Jeff Kinsman, Con is an artist reborn, buoyed by a rich brand history, vibrant players and a diehard fan base. everywhere you went. They loved us. And they still love us.” Con shares with pride. From the highest of highs – winning Juno Awards and performing for Queen Elizabeth II – to public lows in the form of bitter band member clashes long since mended, Con forges ahead proudly at the helm of one of Newfoundland’s most endearing and celebrated traditional ensembles. “I had to go back, and I had to write the history of the band. And I had to go back to all these members and revisit when this happened and when that happened and who was in the band when this happened. And you know, you go through, and you’re communicating with them all,” Con says of the process of chronicling the band’s history. “We’re all still great friends. Despite some of the old stories, those issues are long gone. The original band itself has had reunions. And I can call up any one of them who has been in the 46
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band over the years, if I needed someone tomorrow, if the young fiddler couldn’t make it next week, I have a half a dozen I can call. They’re all there, they’re all delighted to come do it. Everybody has their own hopes and dreams. Some of them have their own bands, some are doing other projects, but the band and the brand continued on, and will continue on for a long time to come. Even if I wasn’t there, the brand and that band could continue on. As long as there’s quality musicianship presenting those songs and those stories, the storytelling is a big part of what we do.” Now flanked by Rowan Sherlock, Madeline Carter and Jeff Kinsman, Con is an artist reborn, buoyed by a rich brand history, vibrant players and a diehard fan base who steer The Irish Descendants head-on towards their next chapter. “I’m very optimistic about (the future) because every different ensemble, and it changes, people come 1-888-588-6353
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and go, but they come with that enthusiasm and great players, great musicianship. I was recording this morning. I recorded a great new song, a great Irish immigration song about some sad fella who’s not home, and he’s no different than someone from Newfoundland in Fort McMurray, and that’s a great song. That excites me, and being able to affect an audience. You know, I can make people cry, I can can make people laugh, happy, sad, everything in between. And that’s an intoxication; there’s a high that comes from that. So getting up on that stage and doing that, whether it’s 20 or 20,000, doesn’t matter to me. As long as I’m affecting
someone in that audience in a way that they’ll say, God, I really enjoyed that,” he says, once more reflecting on 35 for 35. “There’s an extreme sense of accomplishment from what I’ve done and what the band has done over the years, and there’s an awful lot of people who’ve contributed to that. So that legacy has to continue, and I’m not stopping it yet. Why would I? I want to be that band. I’m looking at good friends of ours who’ve done hundreds of shows over the year; they’re the Rovers. The Irish Rovers just did their 60th-anniversary tour. I’m only a little bit over halfway there, sure. There’s still time.”
visit downhomelife.com for your chance to win a limited edition 35 for 35 commemorative career-spanning box set. Contest ends June 30, 2025
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features
Discover your ancestry at the Family History Society’s first genealogy conference. BY NICOLA RYAN
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THIS SUMMER, a brand-new gathering is taking root in the heart of St. John’s. The Rockbound Roots Conference, running from July 25 to 27, at The Rooms, is set to become an innovative event for genealogists, historians, and anyone with a passion for tracing family history. Hosted by the Family History Society of NL and backed by CelebrateNL, the inaugural event will bring together a community of curious minds from both sides of the Atlantic, all seeking to uncover and celebrate the stories of their family tree.
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“This is the first one!” says Janet Morrissey, a member of the conference organizing committee. “We’ve got people coming from all over – the U.S., a few from Ireland, and many from mainland Canada, so we’re very excited. “You could say Newfoundland was a bit of a stepping stone in terms of migration,” she continues. “Some came from the old country – mainly Ireland, England, and Scotland. Some stayed, but just as many kept going. Now, we have people tracing their lineage back to Newfoundland and Newfoundlanders tracing their ancestry from Europe. And so we wanted to capitalize on that and bring people from as far and wide as we possibly could.” Genealogy is often described as equal parts detective work and storytelling. The Rockbound Roots Conference embraces this spirit by creating a space for people to connect with fellow genealogists and historians, to share research, spark new ideas, explore innovative approaches to genealogical research and discuss personal discoveries. It’s designed to offer something for everyone, whether you’re hunting down long-lost relatives or piecing together a family narrative for future generations. At the heart of the conference is an impressive lineup of lectures and panels featuring specialists from a wide range of disciplines, covering everything from the basics of getting started to the latest in genealogical research. Participants will learn about new research techniques, digital tools, and storytelling methods that help bring names and dates to life. Among the speakers, David Allen Lambert, Chief Genealogist of the New England Historic Genealogical Society, will deliver 50
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the keynote address. David Pike, a math professor at Memorial University and a recognized expert in genealogical DNA, will share insights on using genetics to trace ancestry, and Dale Jarvis from the NL Heritage Foundation will speak on preserving local stories.
A collection of family histories at the Family History Society of NL reading room. “Our speakers come from pretty diverse backgrounds,” Janet says. “They all have genealogy in common, but we’ve got a professional photographer, several authors, actually on July 25th, that Friday, we’re having a social event, and hopefully people will be 1-888-588-6353
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The collection of cemetery records at the FHSNL Reading Room. able to meet and greet and make connections and network.” There could hardly be a more fitting venue than The Rooms, the cultural hub that houses the Provincial Archives. “We couldn’t think of a better place to do it,” Janet laughs. As part of the conference, registered attendees will be treated to a special behind-the-scenes tour of the archives – including exclusive access to areas usually off-limits to the public. “The archives have also kindly offered free registration for conference attendees,” Janet explains. “So if someone wants to spend a day or two
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diving into the records, they’ll have that opportunity without barriers.” For many visitors, this will be more than just an academic pursuit, it’s a special chance to explore the ties that bind. “We’ve heard from people who’ve traced their roots to Newfoundland and are now saying, ‘Oh my gosh, I get to actually go see the land of my ancestors.’ This is a fabulous golden opportunity. Some are planning road trips to Trinity Bay, Bonavista Bay or wherever their roots are to just have a look at the place and see where their ancestors lived.” It’s a powerful, emotional journey.
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The Family History Society has been active since 1984, recently celebrating its 40th anniversary. Located at Pippy Place in St. John’s, the society produces a quarterly journal, The Ancestor, and maintains a library filled with family histories, vital records, directories, maps, and more. “We collect family histories, and we also collect records. So you can come and peruse the vital statistics records, births, baptisms, marriages, burials,” says Janet.
from a simple question: Where do I come from? “You know, when I was growing up, I was a dyed-in-the-wool townie. My dad’s from the Battery, my mom’s from Quidi Vidi,” she shares. “But no, all I had to do was go back two generations to see that I actually come from all around the bay. I have roots in just about every neck of the woods in Eastern Newfoundland. And that was really interesting.” “Not everyone grows up with access
The Family History Society has been active since 1984, recently celebrating its 40th anniversary. Members have full access to the society’s library, reading room and other resources. “We also have digital recordings and a written database. Much of our content is available online for members, and we do record lectures so people can access them later.” Membership is just $45 a year, and while most resources are reserved for members, the society offers a selection of free materials, like their ‘Where Do I Start?’ lecture, to help newcomers take that first step. “We’ve got the library and reading room where people can come and look through the records,” Janet explains. “We’re also happy to meet with people one-on-one, by appointment. Sometimes you just need someone to show you where to begin.” For Janet, like many others, the desire to dig into family history comes 52
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to family stories,” she continues. “A lot of people are disconnected from their family history, but once you start digging, it’s addictive. First, you get names and dates, but then you want to know who they were. What were their lives like?” The Rockbound Roots Conference aims to put those tools into the hands of as many people as possible – whether they’re breaking down brick walls in their research or just starting to wonder about the people who came before them. And though this is the first Rockbound Roots, there’s already talk of making it a regular event. “We’re looking at hosting it every few years, depending on the response,” says Janet. “So far, the interest has been amazing.” 1-888-588-6353
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Doreen Walsh photo
L-R: Vice-President Pat Walsh, founding member Elsa Flack, Board member Paul Dunne, in the FHSNL Reading Room. At its core, genealogy is about storytelling. As Janet puts it, “There’s a storyteller in all of us. We may not all be novelists, but we can craft the story of where we’ve come from. Genealogy
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gives people the tools to do just that.” For more visit Family History Society at fhsnl.ca, the conference website, rockboundroots.com, or email conference@fhsnl.ca.
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Reaching a
Milestone The Benjamin Barbour House celebrates 150 years as a Newtown landmark By Marie-Beth Wright
Linda Attfield photo
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The big yellow house
on Barbour’s Tickle in Newtown, Bonavista North, turns 150 this summer. With its soaring gable roof, parallel positioning of doors and windows and end chimneys, it shows like a merchant house in the Brigus area. It’s not to be confused with the Queen Anne style Alphaeus Barbour House nearby on the sprawling site, whose design emulates merchant houses in St. John’s.
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The Benjamin House around 1897, showing the back extension. Workers on the roof, family members and servants are all present.
With over 20 windows facing the sea, the Benjamin House must have looked like a castle to Rebecca (Green) Barbour (my Great-Great Aunt), who relocated from nearby Cobblers Island with her husband and growing family in 1873. They moved in after spending two or more years in a log cabin at the water’s edge, waiting for its completion. Unique features centre on the mirror image design, being a dual structure – essentially two row houses without any partition between the two living spaces. There are twin front doors but no interior division. Two matching staircases lead to no less than nine bedrooms, one now an upstairs parlour. Bedrooms for servants and the small children were in the attic. An addition approximately 20 years later meant a new kitchen and porch 56
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for each “house”, adhering to its twinned nature. Raising the back section to two floors some years later offered four additional bedrooms and provided back stairwells to facilitate movement. A startling observation is the narrowness of each step, a testament to space-saving and the small nimble feet of the servants who would dash up and down to serve meals and do housework! Life was not for the faint of heart in the early 20th century. There were schooners to be built and launched, seals to be hunted, fish to be caught and returned to home port. The day began at 6 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m. Then the night shift began in the attic of the great house, sawing timbers or knitting twine, to be followed by a generous mug-up around 11 p.m. Count them all, and you’ll find approximately 30 rooms in the massive 1-888-588-6353
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pine structure. Logs were cut and floated or freighted from Gambo to build Benjamin Barbour’s new homestead. His older sons – along with outstanding carpenters and painters of the day – worked on the structure, which still sports open ceiling beams. The older siblings soon built personal homes in the vicinity, leaving the two youngest sons, Samuel and Edward, to share the original family home. Certain bedrooms stand out. “Lester’s Room” celebrates the life and sacrifice of Rebecca and Benjamin’s grandson, Lester, who left to fight for King and Country in 1917, only to die from wounds inflicted in the battle of Passchendaele Ridge, Belgium. He’s now buried near Ypres. His letters home to his mother, Mary Jane, are found in the Centre for Newfoundland
Studies at Memorial University. Soil from his grave site has been brought to Newtown. The “Birthing Room” is where all of Edward and Mary Jane’s children were born, then slept in her cradle, crafted on nearby Flowers Island. Nowadays, the upstairs parlour, with its attractive fireplace, offers mementos of Edward’s family, the last to inhabit the dual structure. An early radio, one of the first in Bonavista North, holds prominence. The Benjamin Barbour house has seen big celebrations before. In January 1930, it heralded the glad news telegraph brought by Newtown’s postmaster to Mrs. Mary Jane. Danger to her second son had been averted! Job, adrift in the large family schooner, Neptune 11, without contact for nearly
A storyboard found on Heritage Lane near the home depicting well known members of the Barbour Family, some who served in World War I and others who were acclaimed for their success in sealing. www.downhomelife.com
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The house, highlighting its gabled roof with its signature fencing and railing. In the front you can see the twin front doors.
two months had been located, safe and sound, along with all hands on board, near the isle of Mull in Scotland. The flags were raised, and the event is commemorated yearly with a spectacular remembrance program on its 80th anniversary in 2009. Relationships have been built with civic leaders of Tobermory; many Barbour descendants have made the pilgrimage to relive history! Even the garden has its story. Two Scottish terriers, aptly named Toby and Oban, were brought back on the Neptune and have a final resting place on the grounds. In 1994, the big yellow house had been the focal point during a meticulously planned and much-touted “Barbour Family Tree Celebration.” 58
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Descendants of Benjamin and Rebecca’s nine sons and two daughters were contacted worldwide with enthusiastic responses. A meet and greet church service and numerous gatherings involved many other area families who had married into the Barbour clan, like Anstey, Blackmore, Burry, Cooze, Kean, Knee, Parsons, Perry, Tiller, Winsor and others. By the late 1990s, this historical home had changed from a family summer place to anchor tenant and one of 19 structures found at the Barbour Living Heritage Village. It’s also featured in Jean Edwards Stacey’s Historic Homes of Newfoundland. Key to growing accolades and volunteer success experienced by the Cape Freels Heritage Trust were the initial 1-888-588-6353
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keepers of the Barbour legacy. In the 1970s and 80s, the late Captain Carl Barbour, Benjamin’s grandson, would lovingly tar the giant roof, helped by his namesake, Carl Wright. Painting and papering would follow, helped by his wife, Dorothy. His sister, Elsie, conducted informal tours and welcomed neighbourhood children. Louise (Barbour) Green and her late husband, Bill, highlighted the attractions of their heritage home as well. Lester Barbour and his late brother, Lorne, spent years helping with dinner theatre and promoting their father’s (Job’s) and uncle’s (Lester’s) dramatic legacies. Since then, government programs, stellar employees and carpenters, coupled with strong volunteer leadership, have all contributed to maintenance
and expansion. This has resulted in the Benjamin Barbour House and its surrounding structures becoming a stand-out tourist destination, just voted Best Tourist Attraction in Central Newfoundland in 2024! Winner of a Southcott Award in 1998 (in conjunction with the Alphaeus Barbour House), both have been recognized for heritage preservation and restoration. What can tourists expect for Summer 2025’s 150-year celebration on Heritage Lane, Newtown? Trust President Winston Perry, creator of Newtown’s multiple historical storyboards, several of which commemorate Barbour history says, “We’ll have community mug-ups, boat rides, dances, family gatherings, and presentations highlighting the Barbour legacy!”
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A magic day on the water to kickstart the recreational cod fishery
By Shaun Antle Oh Me Nerves Photography
July 2nd, 2023:
a day etched in memory, not just for me but for my family and everyone lucky enough to be there. It was one of those days when the sun seemed a little brighter, the ocean air carried a perfect mix of salt and laughter, and every Newfoundlander, no matter where they’ve been, is drawn back to the sea. It was the first day of the recreational cod fishery, and in this little bayside town, you could feel the excitement in such a tangible way. 1-888-588-6353
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We hadn’t planned on stopping in Holyrood, but sometimes the best days are unplanned. My wife, Tara and I, and our two kids, Ethan and Callie, were in the middle of a Newfoundland road trip – one with a destination in mind, sure, but no rush to get there. We followed the highway’s pull, stopping where the island beckoned until we found ourselves here, witnessing a true Newfoundland tradition. The beach was alive. It was one of those rare, warm summer days where even the wind seemed to work in your favor. Kids and adults alike scrambled toward the shoreline, all drawn by the return of the cod. Some had been there since dawn, their coolers already heavy with fish, while others were just getting started, eager to drop in their lines. A feller next to us let out a hoot, reeling in two big cod at once. The grin on his face was fierce, like a kid on Christmas morning. “Now that’s some fine 62
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fish, b’y!” someone shouted, and a few cheers went up. That’s the thing about Newfoundlanders – everybody celebrates together. Whether it’s a wedding, a kitchen party, or just a good haul of fish, if there’s joy to be had, it’s shared. Just off the beach, the capelin rolled. Tiny silver fish washed in with
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the tide, flipped and glistened as people scooped them up by the bucketful. Kids darted about, stopping to inspect rods, reels, and the fish laid out along the shore. The older folks watched with quiet satisfaction. They knew this was more than just a bit of summer fun – this was a way of life. For generations, fish have been at
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the heart of Newfoundland homes. Cod fed our ancestors, kept bellies full through harsh winters, and built the towns that make this island what it is. It was traded, salted, dried, and stored. It was the reason people stayed, even when the rest of the world seemed to call them away. And while the industry has changed, that connection hasn’t. You see it in the way a grandfather patiently teaches his grandchild how to jig a line or in the way a mother fillets a fish while her children watch, learning without even realizing it. I looked over at Ethan and Callie, their faces bright with excitement as they watched the lines cast out over the water. This was their first time really understanding that fishing for cod isn’t just a sport. There’s something deeply satisfying about watching your children experience one of the many reasons you have such a deep love for this place. Nobody was in a hurry to leave as the sun began to set. On the contrary, 64
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more people arrived, drawn by the excitement of the day and the promise of an evening spent fireside. Bonfires flickered to life, their glow stretching long shadows across the sand. Headlamps bobbed along the shoreline, proof that the fishing wasn’t done just yet. Coolers, once packed with fish, were now opened for a drink, and conversations flowed as easily as the tide. Laughter carried across the shore between friends, family, and strangers alike, while kids huddled close, their boundless energy finally giving way to the deep, contented tiredness that only comes after a full day outdoors. Just as we thought this day couldn’t get better, the whales arrived. Not more than a hundred feet away, their dark bodies broke the surface, sending mist high into the air. Gasps and cheers rose from the crowd. There’s something about seeing a whale up close, illuminated only by the moon and the soft glow of the town, that 1-888-588-6353
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makes you feel small in the best possible way. It reminds you that no matter how much we progress or change, the ocean remains the real ruler of this place. I watched as Tara pulled Ethan and Callie close, whispering something as they stared wide-eyed at the whales. Maybe she was telling them to remember this night or was just savouring the warmth of sharing it with them. For all I know, she could’ve been telling them to stop bickering. Either way, I knew this was a moment we’d carry with us. That’s the beauty of a day like this. It’s not just about catching fish. It’s part of something bigger. It’s about standing where generations before
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us once stood, doing what they once did, and passing that on to the next generation. It’s about feeling at home in the truest sense of the word. We hadn’t even thought about where we’d be staying that night, but as the last embers of the bonfire glowed and the waves whispered against the shore, we knew it was time to go. Truth be told, if we had stayed, any one of these folks would’ve offered a bed, couch, or even a patch of floor, likely with a kitchen party to follow. But as we packed, I felt more strongly than ever that his was more than just a place and that, no matter where we roam, Newfoundland will always be our home.
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Wildlife Parasites and Diseases in Newfoundland and Labrador BY TODD HOLLETT
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EVERY YEAR
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians harvest moose, caribou, bear, hare and game birds for food, furs and various other purposes. But most never consider that all animals can be disease and parasite carriers. In most cases, they are of little concern to humans, but some are transmissible to us and our pets. These zoonotic diseases and parasites can result in problems that range from minor annoyance or slight discomfort to life-threatening. There are currently eight commonly encountered zoonotic diseases in Newfoundland and Labrador. Here are four notable examples:
AVIAN INFLUENZA Also known as the bird flu, avian influenza (AI) is a contagious viral infection that has many strains and can affect a wide range of bird species. Classified into two categories depending on severity, low pathogenic and high pathogenic, this virus has a large number of strains with four being of significant concern: H5N1 (since 1997), H7N9 (since 2013), H5N6 (since 2014) and H5N8 (since 2016). Birds infected with the virus exhibit symptoms including lack of energy, nervousness, tremors, poor coordination, swelling of the head, neck and eyes; sneezing, coughing, gasping for breath, diarrhea and death. AI is spread by close contact with living or dead infected birds through direct contact with the bird, bodily fluids, feces, bedding or improperly prepared birds for cooking. The virus is not spread through properly cooked birds or eggs. Although most strains do not infect humans, the risk is there and it’s highly recommended that people handling birds wear protective masks, goggles and gloves. Symptoms in humans appear quickly, usually three to five days, and include high fever, aching muscles, headache, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea, stomach and chest pain, bleeding nose or gums, and conjunctivitis. More severe complications, like pneumonia and acute respiratory distress, may develop and can be fatal. Infection of cats and dogs is extremely rare but can occur. There is currently no vaccine. 1-888-588-6353
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LYME DISEASE Many are familiar with the characteristic bull’s eye rash that accompanies the bite of a Lyme diseasecarrying tick. The viral bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi is usually spread by the bite of the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis. It was first discovered in Lyme, Connecticut in the Snowshoe Hare mid-1970s. The bacteria was first reported with ticks in this province in 2001 with the first conCatherine Drake photo firmed infection of a domestic animal in 2004. There are four different stages of the tick’s life cycle: egg, larva, nymph and adult. After hatching each stage requires a blood meal before maturing to the next, taking at least two years depending on weather. Each stage feeds on a variety of animals, with the tick resting in brush or grass sensing the carbon dioxide emitted by a nearby host, and then attaching to a host as it brushes against it. Illness is most common in dogs bitten by ticks, but cattle, horses, and cats can become sick. Wild animals generally do not show symptoms. Dogs are 50% more likely to become sick than humans and are more difficult to diagnose. The risk of contracting this disease in Newfoundland is very low, but does exist, with symptoms being rash, fever, chills, fatigue, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle and joint aches. These can progress to dizziness, severe headache, joint, bone, tendon, wrist and nerve pain, memory loss, impaired thinking, facial drooping, abnormal heartbeat and palpitations, swelling of the brain and spinal cord, conjunctivitis, and rarely death due to complications such as infection of heart tissue. Infected ticks, 25 to 35 recorded per year, have been found in almost all parts of the island, with no reports from Labrador. It is believed that there are no permanent populations of ticks on the island, with ticks possibly being transients that do not survive the winter, falling off migratory birds coming from further south. Anyone finding a tick is asked to submit it to the province’s animal health division, a veterinarian or a conservation officer for identification and analysis. If you receive tick bites and believe you have become infected, contact a medical health professional immediately as Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics.
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TAPEWORM CYSTS IN MOOSE AND CARIBOU Tapeworms are like something straight out of a horror movie. They live in the intestines of a host, attach to the intestinal wall using a scolex (head) that has a ring of hooks and suckers, then live off the food in the animal’s Karen Maloney photo gut, all the while releasing eggs. If that’s not bad enough, they can reach lengths of up to 30 feet. These tapeworms require two hosts to complete their life cycle. Predators, such as wolves, coyotes, bears, lynx, and dogs are the final host. This is where the adult stage occurs. The predator sheds the eggs through their feces, which contaminate the ground and are eaten by grazing moose, caribou, or livestock, the intermediate host. The cysts stay inside this host until eaten by a predator, which activates the cysts to develop into adults, starting the cycle again. Two common species infect moose and caribou on the island, with one of them occurring only in Labrador. Taenia krabbei cysts infect the muscles and heart of moose and occasionally caribou. It was first reported on the southwest coast of the island in the 1980s, then progressed east. If only a few cysts are detected they can be safely removed, but sometimes hundreds can be found. They are bigger than a rice grain and yellowish in colour. This species does not pose a risk to humans and properly cooked meat can be eaten, though may look unappealing. Cysts of the second species, Echinococcus granulosus, are found in the lungs and liver of Labrador moose and caribou and can infect humans. The cysts are about the size of an egg and fluid-filled. If a person is infected the cysts can develop in many parts of the body, causing abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, chronic cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. The condition, known as hydatid disease, can be treated by benzimidazole carbonates but may require surgery. Humans are an accidental host, usually becoming infected when a dog that has been fed infected meat sheds eggs which stick to the fur and are transferred to the mouth on the hands. It can also be transferred by handling contaminated pelts.
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FRENCH HEARTWORM French heartworm infects foxes, coyotes, wolves and dogs and is caused by the parasitic nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum. The first recorded case came from Aquaforte on the Avalon Peninsula in 1973, with the Stuart White photo island of Newfoundland becoming the first and only place in North America to report this parasite, a distinction we hold to this day. The parasite is primarily found in the Avalon, Burin and Bonavista Peninsulas where winter temperatures are less cold. It is thought that it found its way to the island through red meat that was imported for hunting over the past 100 years, or it may have come here with early Europeans inside infected dogs, snails or slugs. A recent discovery from March 2003 indicates the first case of an eastern coyote when its presence was detected in an adult female from Witless Bay. Canines, the final host, become infected when they eat a slug or snail, intermediate hosts, containing the immature larvae, which are released into the intestines during digestion. The larva then drills through the stomach wall and over 10 days or so moves to the heart and matures. The females then release eggs that are carried in the bloodstream to the lungs where they hatch. The larvae are coughed up and swallowed, then released into the environment in feces. Snails and slugs feed on the feces, become infected and the cycle starts again. Clinical signs of infection appear months after the infection and are usually chronic, causing issues such as decreased stamina, coughing, trouble breathing and weight loss due to decreased appetite. The worms may also go to other parts of the body such as the kidneys and brain, causing other dramatic changes. The severity of the infection and the physical condition of the animal can affect the effects of the parasite.
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life is better Capelin rolling in Outer Cove, NL Erika O’Hanley Bonavista, NL
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what’s in a name?
Tides & Trade By Dale Jarvis
The strong winds that blow near Forteau, Labrador,
are thought to be the inspiration for the town’s name. It is likely derived from the French adjective fort, meaning strong. Another theory is that it refers to the strong tides found in the area. A hundred or more years ago, the tides in the region were reported as being very irregular, with a rip tide of considerable strength.
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Powerful tides notwithstanding, the French erected a garrison fort in Baie Forteau in 1710, and the bay was a base for the French migratory fishery. French-Canadian entrepreneur Sieur Augustin de Cortemanche, in 1716, referred to the place as La Fortian. Forteau isn’t the only Labrador place name associated with tides. Further north along the coast is the community of Rigolet, the southernmost Inuit community in the world. Its modern English name is derived from the French word rigoulette, meaning “channel.” But its older, Inuit name is related to the power of the local tides. Hubbard Palliser, who was one of the last speakers of the Rigolet Inuttitut dialect, knew the name of the place as Tikigaksuagusik. It is a bit tricky to translate into English, but it has been suggested that the closest translation might be “part of a succession of quick arrivals,” referring to the speed of the tidal currents in the area. A French-Canadian trader named Pierre Marcoux set up a trading post in Rigolet in 1788. Depending on which story you choose to believe, he may have then loaned his name to another Labrador locale: the town of Makkovik.
Forteau Beach, Labrador
Eldred Allen photo
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A Playground by the Sea By Fred Parsons
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“I loved to gather driftwood from our playground by the sea To be used for seaside cook-ups, or boil water for a cup of tea; I relive fond salt water joys, playing with family and friends Oh, to return to our Back Beach, to feel like a child again.”
Lushes Bight, Long Island, NL, has some amazingly
picturesque sites, but there’s none more impressive than Back Beach. This locale was regarded as our childhood playground. The wide variety of activities served us well as physical exercise, enjoyment, and stress reduction. The features of this beach area, located directly out back from our house on Parson’s Point, are almost too many to mention. I will, however, refer to those which continue to stand out in my memory – which continue to remind me and my family of the pleasures of literally having a seashore playground right in our backyard!
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Ann Heath-Colbourne photo
A drone shot of the Parson’s Point Back Beach area. Skipping rocks was one of our most popular pastimes. Even on Sundays, when we were children, we weren’t really allowed to skip rocks. We bent the rules a little and argued with our parents that we didn’t see much ‘sin’ in that activity. We did, nevertheless, involve competition in the skipping – competing to skip a rock (very flat ones worked the best) the greatest number of times! As time passed, Mom and Dad saw that this popular activity helped to hold us together as a family and kept us out of trouble, so to speak. Collecting a variety of beach rocks, shells, and driftwood was another enjoyable pastime. When we were growing up, my sisters spent time painting them and used these rocks for decorating flower beds and walkways. Shells were either painted, especially mussel and sea urchin shells, or the small ones (like periwinkles and conchs) used to create necklaces or decorative school proj76
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ects. Even the carapaces of the shoal water crabs, which had collected on the beach, were also used for decorative purposes. Sometimes, various types of shells were glued to oddshaped pieces of driftwood to create a beautiful creation for a lawn or bridge display. Much of the larger pieces of driftwood we gathered were used for our beach boil-ups or the kitchen stove during the late spring or early fall. We would pile the short pieces of driftwood in a secure spot to create a fire for boiling lobster, crab, and mussels or cooking a pot of Fisherman’s Brewis. I remember one of our boil-ups was more elaborate than just cooking one thing or the other, like cod or shellfish. It was a full-fledged cook-up – a Jiggs dinner with all the trimmings. Several family members attended, and we ate the meal there on the flat rock section of Back Beach. Oh, yes, we still boiled a pot of mussels for an 1-888-588-6353
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Left: Nanny Betty with grandson Nicholas in July, 1999. Above: Nick, 22 years later, July 2021, with daughter Maisy Belle. appetizer. Everything was so delicious! Back Beach was an ideal observation site to glimpse some of nature’s thrilling and entertaining sights. We’d hide in the bushes just above the beach to view seagulls and Arctic terns feeding close by. Observing bird antics was not the only way we were entertained. Dolphins and whales also came close to the shoreline in that area. Dolphins are always a pleasure to observe in their constant porpoising through the water.
Whales, on the other hand, surface only occasionally while they are searching for food. From the beach area, we would also make our ascent to the back lookout, another higher altitude observation site, where each season offered a wide variety of attractions: Northern rough ice and icebergs with an occasional foundering; the occasional adult seal and white coat; roaring seas and breaking rocks and shoals with a variety of offshore island birds
Days gone by of Betty and I enjoying the peaceful seaside surroundings.
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driven in by the strong northeast winds of fall; schooners from the Green Bay area returning from Belle Isle or the Labrador shore loaded with fish; local fishing trap skiffs returning from the trap fishing berths and lobster fishermen returning to the harbour with their catch of lobsters; and young seagulls and terns continuing to train their flying skills. Another popular activity for both children and adults was daring the swelling tide. We would run to the edge of the tide when it receded and then run back in an attempt to escape it before it washed over our sneakers. It was amazing to observe how fast this swelling tide can roll back onto the beach. Sometimes we would escape it, and other times it would flood our footwear. We enjoyed the activity, whether our feet were wet or dry at the end of each session! Picking berries was another commonality at the beach. In particular, we picked blackberries which Mother used for both puddings and cakes. We’d make sure that a sufficient supply was taken to the house so that she could bake one of our favourite desserts topped with her delicious homemade sauce. The upper section of the beach was lined with blackberry bushes and this fruit was readily available to us. Oh, yes, we’d eat a fair share, also. In addition, there was a supply of partridgeberries along the path to the beach, but these would not be ripened until late fall. There was also a variety of 78
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wildflowers growing amongst the berry bushes and the upper beach rocks. The girls would pick these to make their own attractive bouquets. I even enjoyed the bluebells that grew there and often picked them and delivered some to my mother to express my love for her. We did not have a swimming pool or a body of freshwater close by, but swimming at Back Beach was always a pleasure. The saltwater was always pristine – pollution was unheard of
I prepare a cooler of mussels for our appetizer adjacent to my popular lobster-trap setting inlet. then – and seawater had a greater buoyancy to help keep us afloat than freshwater. There were times, of course, when we did take a boat ride to Kelley’s Cove Pond to swim in the freshwater. So, again, we incorporated pleasure with physical activity. Whether we swam at Back Beach or Kelley’s Cove, there was never a life jacket involved. These personal flotation devices were also unheard of back in the late 1940s and through1-888-588-6353
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out the 1950s. Fortunately, while swimming, boating, or fishing, we never encountered a serious waterrelated incident. The final feature I’ll allude to is lobster catching in the cove at Back Beach. There was one inlet of the cove, adjacent to the flat brown-rock section of the beach, which contained fairly deep water and the ideal bottom structure for lobster holes. Sure enough, I always set three or four traps right in that inlet with a highly successful return. My siblings would walk out to the area to catch a glimpse of me hauling my pots. The flat rock area allowed them to look directly down at the traps before I pulled them aboard my punt. I would encourage them to do this because I knew they could get a sense of whether each pot contained a lobster or two. An obvious sign was when the lobsters’ claws extended
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through the slats – sometimes in an attempt to get away from others contained there! Seeing these protruding claws would alone create excitement in the minds of my onlookers! Having a lobster boil later would be even more gratifying! It’s not difficult to conclude how much the natural environment at Back Beach meant to my family and me during our childhood and early adulthood days at Lushes Bight. It was a little piece of heaven located just a stone’s throw away from our door! When Wayne Chaulk wrote the beautiful song “Salt Water Joys,” he must have had prior experience with my section of Long Island. Without question, Back Beach provided seaside joys for all members of my family – both young and old alike! Fred Parsons can be contacted by email at fredparsons72@gmail.com
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HOME and Cabin
stuff we love by Nicola Ryan
In the Bag TRAVEL TIDY As vibrant as the brightly coloured houses you’ll see down in St. John’s, Cotopaxi Cubos Travel Cubes are lightweight, eco-friendly organizers designed to streamline packing. Made from repurposed nylon and mesh, they’re ideal for organizing clothes, toiletries and other essentials, whether you’re on a weekend getaway or an extended adventure. theoutfitters.nf.ca
SECURE STROLL For the perfect mix of style and security, strap on an anti-theft backpack. This one from Baggallini has slash-resistant panels, a cut-proof strap, locking zippers and RFID-protected pockets to keep your valuables safe. With a tablet pocket and a well-organized interior, this pack’s all about practicality and peace of mind. costco.ca
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MINI HIKER Built tough for little explorers aged 3 and up, the Deuter Waldfuchs backpack is ready for big adventures. It’s got handy features like a removable sitting mat, wet laundry compartment, and plenty of pockets to keep things organized, plus comfy ergonomic straps, eco-friendly materials and reflective details that’ll make sure your little one’s safe and seen, no matter the weather. deuter.com
PAW PACK The Ruffwear Approach dog backpack is perfect for your pup’s next adventure. Its weight-forward saddlebags are built to stay secure and comfortable, with easy-to-use straps and reflective details for safety. Whether you’re out on the trail or exploring the coast, this pack is sure to have your best buddy ready to ‘ruff’ it in style. sportchek.ca
TOTE-ALLY TIMELESS Stash your souvenirs in style. This classic Herschel tote, with its 19L capacity, holds everything you need with ease— from your daily essentials to your favourite local treats. The internal sleeve keeps things organized, while the striped liner adds a touch of fun. Chinched after a day downtown or full of fresh veggies from the farmer’s market, this tote’s ready for anything. relicsupply.ca
www.downhomelife.com
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Ask Marie Anything Interior designer Marie Bishop takes your questions
Q. Any tips on outdoor decorating? We recently moved into an older home that needs a little exterior TLC. We love to entertain, and I’d like the space to be inviting, colourful and cosy. Do you have any advice on how to increase the curb appeal of my house?
Congratulations on your new (older) home. Sounds like an adventure in the making. We’re coming into our long-awaited summer. I’m sure most would agree we all need to take advantage of it and spend as much time outdoors as possible. 82
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The space you create outdoors should be as comfortable and inviting as indoors. Think of it as your outdoor living room. Comfy seating, lots of horizontal surfaces, a rug to define the space, soft lighting and a heat source. Supplemented, of course, by pots of colourful flowering plants and a music source. Outdoor furniture can be a challenge. It has to be comfortable, heavy enough to withstand the wind that may show up uninvited, and the fabric has to be fairly weatherproof. Most outdoor fabrics will fall into that category; however, even with good weather conditions, there’s enough moisture in the night air to permeate the best outdoor fabrics. This, of course, means you need a cushion storage box, which is not a bad thing; it doubles as another horizontal surface. If you have the space, it’s best to create separate areas for entertaining. For an outdoor meal, tables and chairs to accommodate your guests are a must. An umbrella situated over the table is a great idea to shade from the sun and a possible sprinkle of rain. And isn’t it a great visual to see the table set for an evening meal, with jars of fresh-cut flowers, six or eight place settings, and battery-operated candles on a lovely linen tablecloth, under the protection of a colorful summer umbrella? Depending on the number of guests, you could do two or three www.downhomelife.com
For an outdoor meal, tables and chairs for your guests are a must. An umbrella situated over the table is a great idea to shade from the sun and a possible sprinkle of rain.
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smaller tables, and it would still feel intimate. Then you need a lounging area. Comfy chairs, small side tables, a propane fire pit in the middle, and access to a basket of wooly throws just in case. A large outdoor rug will help identify this area and give it a living room feel. LED string lights in the trees or on the patio trellis create a soft ambient atmosphere, and a good Bluetooth speaker provides the background music. It’s still early in the season, but the nurseries are bursting with their selection of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. For lots of colour in your outdoor living space, I suggest big pots of annuals. These beautiful, abundant plants flower from May to late October and offer all the eye candy you need. Be mindful, however, that here on the Avalon, the recommended date for leaving your recently purchased plants outdoors is after the full moon in June, but I have to admit, I’m never that patient. I just keep an eye on the forecast, and if the temps are headed toward zero, I throw a light sheet or garbage bag over them for the night. Large pots are best; they hold a variety of plants and offer a burst of colour without consuming a large footprint. If you prefer smaller pots, use them in groups of various sizes and place them on a table or steps leading to the doorway. The only drawback of smaller pots is that they will need to be watered more often. It also helps to know the orientation of your space. Some flowers do well in south-facing light, while some prefer 84
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a certain amount of shade. The staff at local nurseries are very helpful in recommending the right flowering plants for your location. This year, I plan to lean more into several red and white floral combinations. A few cut arrangements for the table as well as red geraniums and
Add colour to your outdoor spaces with flowering plants in big pots.
begonias with white lobelia and lots of trailing ivy for the window boxes at the very least. Now, for your second question, curb appeal. It’s so encouraging to see more people take pride in their property. I think we’re all becoming more aware of how our surroundings affect us. If we see a house that’s interesting, pleasant and well put together, we feel uplifted and energized. If we come across a space that’s run down, dirty and neglected, we feel sad and somehow disappointed. Curb appeal 1-888-588-6353
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not only portrays how you feel about your home but also influences and inspires others. The spaces leading up to your house; the driveway, walkway, steps and doorway all offer an opportunity to show your style and enhance your property. I know I’m stating the obvious here, but the first step is to make sure it’s clean and tidy. Remove old leaves, gravel, dead shrubs, and broken branches. Make sure the walkway is in good shape. Areas that need repair aren’t just an eyesore, they’re also a liability. Check the woodwork on the steps, veranda and door sills for winter damage. May and June are a great time to do some annual maintenance and re-stain or repaint the stairs and deck. The best way to give your house that warm and welcoming charm in a singular effort is with a fresh coat of paint and possibly a new colour for your front door. The options are endless, but mostly it depends on your taste. It’s a personal statement that says as much about you as it does about your house. And although it is an accent, it
should work with the other elements of the exterior and add to the overall aesthetic. The next level of curb appeal is to add greenery. If space allows, planting a few trees and shrubs will help create a natural visual element and add a certain amount of privacy. Otherwise, a few planters will give you a space for colourful flowers and foliage through spring and summer and a place to create an arrangement of boughs and berries throughout fall and winter. These could be placed at the entrance to the walkway, on the steps leading to the front entrance, at either side of the front door, or quite possibly all of the above. These natural elements will add seasonal colour and ambiance to your exterior space and increase the curb appeal of your house. The idea is to create a visual that anyone driving by will look at and feel uplifted and inspired. But more importantly, it will be a visual that reminds you just how much you love your space.
Keeping your property clean of debris and in good repair, along with some greenery will add to your home’s curb appeal
Ask Marie Anything! Got a design question for Marie? Email editorial@downhomelife.com. www.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
I am a bit of an oatmeal cookie Goldilocks. They must be just right: lightly browned, crispy at the edges, chewy inside. I dislike a strong taste of leaveners (baking powder and soda). Cookies are sweet, of course, but shouldn’t be tooth-achingly sweet. Nuts should be pre-toasted. Raisins or other dried fruit should be pre-soaked. Natural, large-flake oats – not instant or small. Extracts should be the real thing. Real butter (not margarine). And a judicious hand with spices – and salt. Yes, salt! It balances the sweetness for cookie perfection. And I may get some haters for this one – I don’t like chocolate chips in oatmeal cookies. It’s raisins and nuts for me. You can put’em in your cookies, of course. I like a big’ol cookie, too. I call them “allday” cookies. I even feel perfectly justified in having one (or two) of my oatmeal cookies for breakfast! Why, it’s oats, raisins and nuts, right? There are some rules for perfectly-textured and flavoured cookies. Butter should be at room temperature, not melted. It should give under pressure of a finger. Real butter is best for texture and flavour – hard margarine in a pinch. Soft margarine will ruin the texture and result in a spreading sugary mess. It helps if the eggs are at room temperature, too. I place them in a bowl of hot tap water for a couple of minutes. You don’t need to sift flour, but do lighten it in the bag by shifting it around with your scoop. Flour packed tightly into a measuring cup can result in as much as 25% more flour than you think you measured, resulting in dry baked goods. Scoop it in and swipe to level it off. And mixing the leaveners into the flour in a separate bowl, using a little whisk, ensures even distribution. My trick, remembering that fat carries the flavour throughout a dish, is to add the spices and extracts to the butter at the beginning. I prefer golden raisins for baking. Raisins are dried grapes, so naturally, they’ll pull moisture June 2025
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from a baked good. I always soak raisins in the hottest tap water for 10-15 minutes to begin the plumping (drain well). Nuts are always tastiest when toasted. So, I always pre-toast and cool them. Since your oven is already preheating, you can simply take advantage of that heat by spreading them on a parchment-lined pan and toasting for 7-8 minutes, moving them around a bit halfway. It helps to set a timer – it’s so easy to forget and burn them. But I’ve also used my air fryer with great results (3-4 minutes on 350, with a toss halfway through.) Then spread them out on a board or plate to cool. Adding hot nuts to cookie dough will melt the butter and result in a poor texture. I like a tiny hint of coconut in my oatmeal cookies. This recipe has only half a cup of medium-shredded unsweetened coconut. If you can’t find it, use 1/3 cup of fine, unsweetened. I don’t toast it, as I want the toasted walnut flavour to shine. There’s something about that tiny background hint of coconut that makes these cookies extra special. I don’t think anyone would identify it, but it contributes to the delicious complexity. Freshly-grated nutmeg adds a really special flavour to baked goods (and cream sauces!). Please use fresh whole nutmeg and a fine grater. Pre-ground nutmeg has practically no similarity to freshly grated nutmeg. I bake with unbleached all-purpose flour and salted butter (unless I’m making buttercream frosting, where unsalted is required). 88
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I have baking sheets that are twolayered with a gap of air in between, which prevents burnt bottoms. Not essential. But you could double up your regular pans, if you’d like extra insurance. And be aware that baked goods will brown faster on darkercoloured pans than lighter ones, so you can adjust baking time if necessary. Parchment paper is a must for baking cookies. One other caveat: I appreciate that the health-conscious might want to reduce sugar or fat. Both have important roles in the texture of baked goods, so the end result will not be the same. And I know, oddly, I call for one and a half eggs for this recipe. If you have some of those extra-large eggs, you could use just one. But two regular large eggs are too much. And a single extra white or yolk doesn’t cut it. These cookies need that extra bit of both parts of the egg for the right rise and chew. I cook the extra bit in the microwave and add it to my dogs’ dinner.
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Ultimate Oatmeal Cookies 3/4 cup room-temperature butter 1/2 tsp kosher salt or 1/4 tsp table salt 1/2 tsp good vanilla extract 1/4 tsp real almond extract 1 tsp cinnamon 3/4 of a nutmeg, freshly grated 3/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 1 1/2 large eggs (beat the second one in a small dish and use half)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder Pinch baking soda (barely 1/8 tsp) 1 cup golden raisins 1 cup walnuts 2 1/2 cups large flake rolled oats 1/2 cup medium-shredded unsweetened coconut
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place raisins in a bowl and cover with very hot tap water – allow to plump for 10-15 minutes. Spread nuts on parchment-lined pan in preheating/ed oven for 7-8 minutes until fragrant and beginning to lightly brown. Set a timer for 5 minutes so you can check on them and move them around a little. When done, slide parchment off pan onto counter to let them cool, then coarsley chop. Cream room temperature butter with spices, extracts until lightening. Dribble in sugar and keep beating to combine and cream well. Add eggs and cream until fluffy and light in colour. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder and soda. Add to the wet mixture and combine. Don’t overmix (develops gluten: good in bread; bad in cookies). Add coconut and oats and mix for a minute. Add raisins and walnuts, scraping bottom of bowl so no flour or butter is left behind. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pro tip: Use a levered ice cream scoop to get nice, even balls; this results in a good shape and even size, so cookies bake evenly. I used a 2-oz scoop, packing the scoop with the base of my palm, resulting in 20 big cookies, about 3 1/2-4 inches across. Make sure to leave space for the cookies to spread when placing the balls on the parchment. Pat/flatten the balls down to about 1/2 inch thick and use your fingers to keep a nice smooth round shape. Bake in the middle of the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes, then rotate the pans, back to front and switch the lower and upper pan shelf (ensures even cooking). Then bake another 6-8 minutes. You want them to begin to brown but still softish when they come out – they’ll firm up as they cool, resulting in those gorgeous crisp edges but chewy interior. Slide the whole parchment sheet off the pan onto the counter or cooling rack so that they don’t carry over cooking from the heat of the pan. When cool enough so they don’t fall apart, transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store airtight, at room temperature. They stay moist and delicious for a week, but I doubt they’ll be around that long. If you don’t have an ice cream scoop, roll into even-sized balls and flatten as directed. If you make smaller cookies (say, timbit-sized balls), reduce the baking time to 12-14 minutes total, rotating halfway as above. You’ll get closer to three dozen from this recipe in that case. www.downhomelife.com
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HOME and Cabin
downhome recipes
Garden Party From garden to table, picnic basket, lunch box or anywhere in between, here are some fresh and fun recipes utilizing home-grown ingredients for bursts of colour and flavour.
Chicken Orzo and Fennel Soup 8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth salt and ground black pepper to taste 4 medium carrots, chopped 1 bulb fennel, chopped
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill
Combine chicken broth, salt, and black pepper in a large soup pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Add carrots, fennel, and orzo; return to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, partially covered, until orzo and vegetables are tender, eight to ten minutes. Stir in chicken and cook until heated through, about five minutes. Switch off heat, stir in lemon juice and dill. Yields eight servings.
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Potato and Turnip Gratin 1 tsp unsalted butter, or as needed 1 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled 1 large turnip, peeled 1 1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, divided
salt and ground black pepper to taste 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided 1 cup half-and-half
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter a 9-inch gratin dish. Slice the potatoes and turnip into 1/8-inch-thick slices using a mandoline. Layer 1/2 each of the potatoes and turnip in the bottom of the prepared gratin dish. Sprinkle 1/2 thyme leaves over top; season with salt and black pepper. Top with 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese. Layer remaining 1/2 each of potatoes and turnip on top of cheese layer. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 thyme leaves over top; season with salt and black pepper. Pour halfand-half evenly over top; cover with remaining 1 cup of cheese. Cover gratin dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until browned and bubbly, about 10 minutes more. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving. Yields eight servings.
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Garden Gazpacho 1 large English cucumber - halved, seeded, and chopped 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped 1/2 cup chopped red onion 2 stalks celery, chopped 5 plum tomatoes, quartered and seeded 2 cloves garlic, or more to taste 3 cups low-sodium tomato juice
1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 tsp sea salt 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried parsley 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, or more to taste (optional)
Place cucumber in a food processor; pulse five to six times to chop into very small pieces. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with red bell peppers, red onion, and celery, pulsing each into very small pieces in the food processor and transfer to the bowl. Combine plum tomatoes and garlic in the food processor and pulse until finely diced. Pour the mixture over the cucumber in the bowl. Pour tomato juice, white wine vinegar, and olive oil over the tomato and cucumber mixture in the bowl. Add sea salt, black pepper, basil, parsley, and red pepper flakes and stir well. Chill until flavours combine and deepen for about two hours. Yields four servings.
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Cheesy Zucchini Squash Casserole 1 pound yellow squash, sliced 1 pound zucchini, sliced 1/2 onion, diced 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 cup biscuit baking mix 1/2 cup butter
2 eggs 1 tbsp white sugar 1 tsp salt 10 saltine crackers, or as needed, crushed 1/4 cup bread crumbs
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add yellow squash, zucchini, and onion; bring back to a boil, and cook vegetables until tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and transfer the vegetables to a large bowl. Mix cheddar cheese, baking mix, butter, eggs, sugar, and salt with the cooked vegetables using a large spoon; stir until butter has melted and baking mix has dissolved. Fold crushed crackers into the mixture until the liquid has been absorbed. Pour the mixture into a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish; top with bread crumbs. Bake in the preheated oven until topping is lightly browned and cheese is melted, 30 minutes. Yields eight servings.
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French Apple Tart 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 pinch salt 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 egg yolk 3 tbsp cold water, or as needed 1/2 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 1 large egg, beaten
1 egg yolk 1 tbsp apple brandy 2/3 cup ground almonds 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 4 medium sweet apples - peeled, cored, halved and thinly sliced 1 tsp white sugar for decoration 1/4 cup apricot jelly
To make the pastry, stir 1 1/3 cups of flour and salt together in a medium bowl. Add butter, 1 egg yolk, and water; stir until mixture forms large crumbs. If it is too dry to press a handful together, stir in more water. Press dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten slightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until firm. This part can be done up to three days in advance. To make the frangipane: Cream butter and 1/2 cup of sugar together in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and soft. Gradually mix in an egg and the remaining egg yolk one at a time. Stir in apple brandy. Stir 2 tbsp of flour into ground almonds, then mix into batter. Set aside. Roll out pastry dough into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Fold loosely into quarters, and center the point in a 10-inch tart or pie pan. Unfold the dough and press it into the bottom and up the sides. Prick with a fork and flute the edges. Return pastry to the refrigerator to chill until firm. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place a baking sheet inside the oven while it preheats. Spoon frangipane into the chilled pastry crust, and spread into an even layer. Arrange apple slices in an overlapping spiral pattern. Each slice should have one edge pressed into the frangipane until it touches the pastry base, and then overlap the previous slice. Start at the outside edge and work towards the centre. Place the pie plate on top of the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake until filling begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake for another 10 minutes, then sprinkle sugar over the top of the tart. Return to the oven until the sugar caramelizes slightly, about 10 minutes more. Cool the tart on a wire rack. A short time before serving, warm the apricot jelly; add some water if necessary to make it a liquid consistency. Brush over the tart for a nice shine. Yields eight servings.
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Stuffed Cabbage Rolls 2/3 cup water 1/3 cup uncooked white rice 8 cabbage leaves 1 pound lean ground beef 1/4 cup chopped onion
1 large egg, slightly beaten 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed tomato soup, divided 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Gather all ingredients. Bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, bring a large, wide saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add cabbage leaves and cook for two to four minutes or until softened; drain. Combine ground beef, 1 cup of cooked rice, onion, beaten egg, 2 tbsp of tomato soup, salt, and pepper in a large bowl; mix thoroughly. Spoon about 2 tbsp of beef mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Bring one end of the cabbage leaf over the mixture. Roll and tuck in the ends to prevent the filling from falling out. Place cabbage rolls in a large skillet over medium heat. Pour remaining tomato soup on top. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for about 40 minutes, stirring and basting with the liquid often. Serve and enjoy! Yields eight cabbage rolls.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad 2 cups crushed pretzels 3/4 cup butter, melted 3 tablespoons white sugar 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened 1 cup white sugar
1 (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed 2 (3 oz) packages strawberry gelatin 2 cups boiling water 2 (10 oz) packages frozen strawberries
Gather all ingredients and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Stir crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar together until well-combined; mix well and press the mixture into the bottom of a 9"x13" baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until set, about 8 to 10 minutes; set aside to cool. Place cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth; fold in whipped topping. Spread the mixture onto the cooled crust. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in still-frozen strawberries and allow to set briefly. Pour and spread over the cream cheese layer; refrigerate until set for at least two hours. Serve and enjoy! Yields 1 (9x13-inch) dish.
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Unknown Relatives
“I have two photograph portraits of possible great and/or great-great grandmothers from Nippers Harbour and area,” writes the submitter. “My mother, Joan (Andrews) Rankin, thought the first woman, Photo 1, might be Lily (Rosewell) Andrews, the wife of John Andrews of Nippers Harbour. Lily was born 1863 in Sunday Cove and died in 1927 in Nippers Harbour. Photo 2, Mom thought had the last name Morey. In our ancestry, Lily (Rosewell) Andrews’ mother was Agnes Morey of Sunday Cove, born in 1827 and died in 1920. We have no idea if either of these are correct and would love to know if anyone recognizes them.” Susan Rankin via email
Where the Fishermen Gather
Boats on the squid jigging ground in Sweet Bay years ago. Joan Bull Southern Bay, NL
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Small Point Pupils Can you identify any of these schoolkids from Small Point, Conception Bay North, NL? Ida Crummey Western Bay, NL
This Month in History Memorial University’s first degree-granting convocation was held on June 3, 1950. A major milestone in the institution’s history, it marked the moment when Memorial officially transitioned from a college to a fullfledged university. Led by engineering professor Dr. Jack Facey (who would later perform the role of convocation marshal for 46 years), undergraduate degrees were awarded to the the members of the inaugural graduating class: Denise Josette Bonnave, John Roland Courage, Bernard Weston March, Frederick James Newhook, and Thomas John Strapp. Dr. Albert Hatcher, Memorial’s first president, addressed the ceremony, saying, “We have grown with the years, from some 55 students and four professors studying ten subjects in 1925, to about six times those numbers today… Through the College there has passed out a steady stream of splendid young men and women to enrich the life of Newfoundland and the world.” 1-888-588-6353
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reminiscing
For over 35 years, Downhome Magazine has been at the heart of all things Newfoundland and Labrador. A comforting, familiar and constant presence in our province’s media climate, Downhome has been a name synonymous with ‘home’ for over three decades and counting. 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.
June 1990 Volume 3 • Number 1
Ottawa – On April 18, 71 Canadians were invested into the Order of Canada. Four of those were Newfoundlanders. Richard Cashin was recognized for his work with the Fishermen, Food and Allied Workers Union; Ranjit Chandra for his work as a leading medical researcher with Memorial University; Augusta Barter of Bay de Verde for her work in nursing; and Arthur House of St. John’s for his work in medicine. The investiture took place in Rideau Hall, Ottawa. Daniel’s Harbour – On April 28th, funeral services were held in Daniel’s Harbour for nurse Myra Maude Bennett. Nurse Bennett celebrated her 100th birthday on April 1st. Myra Bennett was a British nurse who moved to Daniel’s Harbour in 1921 and went on to become a legend. For 50 years, she was the only medically trained person in that area. In her day, Nurse Bennett delivered 5,000 children and extracted 3,000 teeth. Nurse Bennett was invested into the Order of Canada for her work. 100
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June 1995 Volume 8 • Number 1
Twillingate – At a meeting on March 28 in Twillingate, a special committee of lobster fishers from the Twillingate-New World Island area met with DFO representatives to discuss some of the problems with the lobster fishery in Notre Dame Bay. The lobster committee, formed after meeting in Summerford late October and consisting of local fishers Albert Canning, Cyril Dalley, and Dennis Watkins, voiced some of their concerns to George Burke (area chief) and local fishery officers. The widespread use by many fishers of more than the legal limit of 300 lobster traps and the retention of undersize lobster were cited as two of the major problems of the lobster fishery. Reprinted from The Pilot by permission.
Canadian Tire Corporation Limited officially introduced Canadian Tire “money” to all its stores in Newfoundland and the area. The money will be available to all Canadian Tire customers purchasing by cash or cheque. The paper money, available in denominations of five cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, 50 cents, 1 dollar and 2 dollars, can be used in any quantity at any time toward the purchase of any in-store product. “We’re pleased to be introducing this newest component of our overall Total Customer Value Project in Newfoundland,” says Jennifer Garland, Manager of Public Relations, Canadian Tire Corporation Limited. Reprinted from The Gander Beacon by permission.
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June 2000 Volume 13 • Number 1
Did you know that Burgeo was the first town in Newfoundland, if not Atlantic Canada, where residents collectively owned and operated their own cable television system? Since the mid-1980s, the Burgeo Broadcasting System has produced its own local news and programming.
Jacques Guigne, a research and development company based in Paradise, has created a product that will be launched with the space shuttle in September 2001. It is a levitation device that uses soundwaves to raise objects and keep them in place. Astronauts will test the device, called Space-DRUMSTM, in their low-gravity environment.
In May, a jury in Birmingham, Alabama ruled in favour of Barbara Carlisle and her parents in their lawsuit against two companies responsible for charging them 18 months more payments than what the salesman originally promised for two satellite dishes, a total overcharge of $1,224. The jury awarded the plaintiffs $581 million.
Conception Bay South environmentalist Bob O’Brien has won the Natural Marine/Terra Choice Environmentalist Award for his founding contributions to Ocean Net that is cleaning beaches and the ocean. O’Brien played a major role in the successful Flotilla ‘97.
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June 2005 Volume 18 • Number 1
The 2005 Canadian Cancer Statistics revealed that new cancer cases are on the rise in Newfoundland and Labrador, largely due to our aging population. The report predicts 2,200 new cases for 2005 and 1,300 fatalities. The report also says that 64 percent of deaths can be prevented by healthier lifestyles. Interestingly, a national obesity report this year revealed that this province has the highest obesity rates in the country. In related news, the provincial government has announced it will spend $1.55 million on an extension to the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor and to re-develop the cancer clinic at the James Paton Memorial Hospital located in Gander.
Scientists have developed new fishing equipment that could save thousands of mammals in the North Atlantic. Ed Trippell of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in New Brunswick, along with his American partners Norm Holly and Don King, have invented glow-in-the-dark fishing nets to help whales, dolphins, and other mammals avoid drowning from net entanglement. The illuminated nets contain the chemical barium sulphate, which enables the nets to glow for hours so the whales and dolphins can see and avoid them.
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reminiscing
The fascinating origin behind a unique piece of Paradise public art By Dennis Flynn
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At a pre-appointed signal, multitudes of Global
Positioning System (GPS)-enabled devices chirp into life, akin to flocks of electronic sparrows singing into the morning sun. Hot on the heel of this come cascading cheers, hoots, hollers, clapping and thunderous noise along stuffed sidelines. It is June 2024, and a sell-out crowd of over 3,000 athletes, clad in t-shirts, shorts, and running shoes in variations on almost every conceivable colour, burst forth on the Annual Tely Ten Mile Road Race. They travel from Paradise through Mount Pearl and finish in St. John’s at beautiful Bannerman Park, as runners have done for nearly a century. Near the start of this particular race, the Town of Paradise has a relatively new intriguing piece of public art installed in the roundabout where Topsail Road (Route 60), Clearview Heights, and McNamara Drive meet. As the hordes of runners on the closed-road course start to navigate the roundabout, there’s something superficially synchronized about it: a natural choreography of crowds to split, circumvent an obstacle, and reform on the opposite side, continuing the journey. I smile as I hear many runners unfamiliar with the history of the area ask variations on, “What’s the blue thing in the middle?” or “When are they going to put the Welcome to Paradise Sign on the new stand?” Unfortunately, I am far too slow a recreational runner to keep up and answer such questions, but the blue octagonal conglomeration is a clever nod to one of the most famous tourist destinations of its day and the namesake provider of arguably the best-known bodies of water in the area. The piece of public art, installed in 2022, is an interesting type of ghost structure that creates a distinctive outline of the famous Octagon Castle that once stood nearby, while balancing the need to keep sightlines maintained within the roundabout for users. 1-888-588-6353
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The public art on display in Paradise is a representation of the Octagon Castle.
So, what was the Octagon Castle, and how did it come to be in Paradise? According to an article by late archivist Larry Dohey, there was an entrepreneurial and somewhat eccentric American billing himself as “Professor” Charles Henry Danielle (1830-1902) who had several successful business and theatrical ven106
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tures in Newfoundland. Chief among these was an elaborate establishment built in 1893 on the north shores of Quidi Vidi Lake known as the Royal Pavilion, which had a ballroom that could accommodate 1500. Dohey notes: “It appears that Professor Danielle had a difficult relationship with his landlord (Mr. Joe Ross) at Quidi Vidi and, in a fit of 1-888-588-6353
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anger, disassembled the Palace, board by board and had it carted to Rocky Pond, now called Octagon Pond. There, he reassembled the palace in octagon style and named it Octagon Castle. The castle was envisioned as a restaurant and resort. The main building was a true octagon shape, with eight sides. It was four stories in height, covered 3,750 square feet of land and enclosed
“Professor” Charles Henry Danielle originally built the castle in Quidi Vidi, but had it moved to Paradise after a dispute with his landlord . 1-888-588-6353
10,880 square feet of floor space.” Octagon Castle became an incredibly popular destination for visitors from St. John’s and for outings by the prominent clubs and societies of the era who travelled from the city by train to Irvine Station, located a short distance from the Castle. In 1898, the international travel press writer J.C. Baker even reported about the Castle for the New Yorkbased newspaper “The World”. While Professor Danielle died in May of 1902 and his famous Octagon Castle fell to fire in 1915, elements of his legacy live on in a unique collection of photographs, newspaper articles, and journals housed at the Archives and Special Collection Division of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Division Head Colleen Quigley graciously shares images of Professor Danielle’s obituary card, pages from one of his journals, interior and exterior photos of the Octagon Castle as well as shots of Danielle in fancy dance costume as Neptune – and also more conservatively adorned – and finally an article detailing his passing from the May 02, 1902 “Evening Herald”. Asked what Danielle might think of the new public art placement near the start of the famous Tely Ten Race in a prominent roundabout, Quigley says with a smile, “Well we can never know for sure how someone would react, but by most accounts Danielle was a very popular dance teacher and choreographer who enjoyed putting off these huge elaborate costumed balls and intricate performances for visitors. June 2025
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The castle was a very popular outing destination for many clubs and societies in St. John’s. So, I like to think he would be happy to learn that something symbolic of his Octagon Castle is once again at the centre of things and that he is still directing visitors along the way.” Octagon Castle lore indicates the Professor was displayed to the public
in his “mortuary chamber” (a designated room on the fourth floor), with his own ornately-decorated walnut coffin. Upon his passing, a special train carried the Professor to Quidi Vidi, where large crowds saw him off.
The interior of the castle was ornately decorated. 108
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Upon his death, Danielle was displayed in the mortuary chamber of the castle with viewings open to the public. Danielle rests in the Forest Road Anglican Cemetery on the south side of the lake. Visiting in March 2024, I found the Professor’s marker is a marble slab bearing the modest inscription “To the memory of Charles H. Danielle”, a relatively unassuming commemoration for a larger-than-life character whose Octagon Castle inspired the name for modern-day Octagon Pond. If you plan to run the Tely in 2025, hike the beautiful walking trail at Octagon Pond that passes near where the Castle stood on the east side of the waters. Check out a new storyboard with a QR code located adjacent to the sidewalks near the roundabout, which gives helpful information about the Professor, his castle, the public art, and the fascinating history it all left behind. All worth a visit when you get centred and get round to it. 1-888-588-6353
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reminiscing
Part Two
Family & Community By Lorne Compton
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To better understand my appreciation of
St. Lunaire, I need to expand on the key people who were so influential in my life, especially during the early years. Our Grandfather John Compton married Elizabeth Harris, who apparently came to St. Lunaire with her family during the summers to fish. Grandfather died before I was born, and Grandmother when I was very young, but my older siblings have memories of a very sweet lady. Our Father, John Compton, was a successful fisherman, businessman, agent for fishery products, reader, small-time writer of stories and songs, musician, storyteller, adviser to others in the community and was mayor for a short time. He was active in communicating his concerns for the inshore fishery, travelling to St. John’s to speak on the impact of foreign trawlers on cod stocks. We moved to Goose Bay when he stopped fishing, where he worked in a military mess hall, as well as a janitor and handyman to feed his family.
He was a bit of a character, and he liked to dance at the legion; Mom not so much, but she went with him. He was 5' 2", and I will never forget one Saturday night when picking him and Mom up, he was standing on a chair dancing with a tall lady, with no concerns about what people thought. He took a week off work one summer so he and I could take the boat to Nain. It’s one of my most cherished memories. He passed away shortly after I left for the Air Force, and when I look back at our final goodbye, I think he knew he would not see
Previous Page: Back row: Ruby, Glenys, Maisie and Jean. Front row: Lorne, Mae and Ray. Right: John and Alverda Compton in the 1940s
Alasdair Pilgrim photo
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me again. His lasting gift to me was to be the best I could be at whatever I do and to be humble. My Mother, Alverda Beaufield/ Tucker, worked as hard as any man in supporting John’s fishing operation, their large family, the community and visitors who were constantly at our house. Dad knew a lot of people. We had a table that could seat 15-16, and at times, that table would see two sittings. She made bread every day, and I always got the “kosh” when warm, smothered in butter and molasses, some shockin’ good! She was a “stay at home Mom” into her 50s, but in Goose Bay, she went to work on the American Air Force Base. She visited us in Nova Scotia and Germany. One year in Deer Lake, Betty’s husband Brian was teasing her while we were all out to dinner. We’ll never forget her shaking her fist at him and saying, “Stop tarmentin’ me, or I will fist you!” She was the stabilizer in my life, always calm, and she taught me
a valuable lesson: don’t let the highs get too high or the lows get too low and be humble! Roderick was the firstborn but died at three years old with TB, so I never got to know him other than through pictures and stories. My parents did not talk much about him, at least in my time, but I can only imagine how difficult that must have been. Tom married a wonderful lady, Bernice Bussey from Garden Cove. They owned a store for many years, and some of my earliest memories are of hanging out there playing table hockey. I lived with them so that I could finish grades 9 and 10. I remember Tom knowing how to get our oldest son Jimmy to feel at home on his first visit, getting him to help in the store, taking us out to jig cod and see icebergs. He and Bernice visited us in Nova Scotia so they could pick apples from the orchard that supplied their apple juice. Jean married Hector Earle from Sleepy Cove and moved to Goose
Around the table from the front left. Tom, Faye, Roy Bussey, Ren Sims, Clayton Hill, Mae, but hidden behind my wife Cathy, Glenys. 112
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Hector, Jean and my wife Cathy on our way to French Beach for a boil up.
Bay. They retired back home, so we have visited many times, and she visited us in Alberta. She and Hector took us cod jigging and for boil-ups on French Beach. We love the view of Garden Cove and the harbour from her deck, where, depending on the time of year, you can see the community blanketed in snow, icebergs and whales. She is the family historian, preserving much of our history through pictures and film, often contributing to my stories. Mae married Roy Bussey from Garden Cove. She loved to laugh and listen to stories, and she made a great cup of tea. She enjoyed joining us on day trips and having boil-ups by the side of the road. She worked at the town Library for years and lived in Garden Cove her whole life. Faye married Clayton Hill from Gunners Cove and moved to Goose Bay. She spent time in British Columbia and visited us for some years with her granddaughter, Emily. We often planned our trips home, 1-888-588-6353
knowing they would be there. Maisie married Don Patey from St. Anthony and moved to Goose Bay. She often planned her trips around our visits home. Maisie was particularly proud when Cathy met a lady in Fort McMurray who knew Maisie and thought very highly of her for helping them through a family loss. Glenys married Ren Sims from St. Anthony when Ren was teaching in St. Lunaire, but soon after, they moved to Goose Bay. She and Ren were often home when we were. She made the best treats/sweets! Ray and I shared a room and spent several summers in Indian Tickle together, sharing great memories of waters teeming with cod our last summer there. Ray moved to Ontario and married Polly. He recalls joining Dad on the schooner going to Quirpon one fall and having a chance to steer the ship. He visits St. Lunaire often. Ruby married Everett Smith from Random Island when he was teaching in St. Lunaire, and they June 2025
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moved to Hampden shortly after, a town at the bottom of White Bay. She cooks the best meals, plays TV bingo and is one of the happiest people I know. Betty and I grew up together and remained close until she passed away too soon. She moved to Goose Bay and married Brian Gainey from England, moved there for a time, then back to Goose Bay before finally moving to Ottawa. We talked every Sunday, talks that Cathy and I cherished and still miss even though she has been gone for 20 years. Then it was me, a late life baby, born at home. Having seven older sisters has been a joy, but with me being so small, it appears they took some liberties. Apparently, they dressed me like a doll. Another story they love to tell is about my objection to hair cuts, so they would wait until I was asleep and cut one side, but often the other side didn’t get cut for a day or two. Thank goodness there are no pictures! Family names in St. Lunaire included Comptons, Earles, Humbys, Burdens, Busseys, Pateys, Saunders, Curlews, Andrews, Curtis, Hussey and Bartlett. From Griquet, there were Pilgrims, Hilliers and Snows. My Mom grew up in Ship Cove, and I became close to several Tuckers and Aunt Ethel Bessey from there. I have a
great appreciation for where I was born and in a short time developed my character and beliefs. The absolute freedom of roaming the hills with Randy, Keith and Ann, fishing Johnny’s Pond and the Bar, playing baseball on Uncle Garl’s Nap or pond hockey just over the hill by our house. We’d watch Gord Burden pace up and down the boards watching the Braves, or play a game with the Braves myself, scoring the winning goal. We’d go to dances at the Parish Hall and Gunners Cove School and hang out at Aubry Pilgrim’s Restaurant in Griquet. I can’t imagine a better way to grow up. What I learned in St. Lunaire was instrumental in my ability to adapt to the world, ensuring that no matter where I went and what I did, I could fully enjoy the experience. My glass is always half full, and I am grateful.
Me and Betty, taken at Allen and Imelda George’s house in Deer Lake. 114
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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
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puzzles
The Beaten Path
Larry Samms 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.
S E S K T m J L G F T p n H V U x Q A T m E J G L A K S D U n G U F G p T V E H J p A S I P T U T L
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Last Month’s Community: Cow Head 118
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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
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Mark Gray 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: • Hosts a biannual global art event • Its lighthouse lures tourists • Has a plethora of historic sites • Most photographed dungeon in NL • Its Matthew and John were not apostles
Last Month’s Answer: Channel-Port aux Basques
Picturesque Place NameS of Newfoundland and Labrador
by Mel D’Souza Last Month’s Answer: Thornlea 120
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In Other Words Guess the well-known expression written here in other words.
Last Month’s Clue: Nary a locution of a falsehood In Other Words: Not a word of a lie
This Month’s Clue: I observe using my miniscule orb In Other Words: __ ___ ____ __ _____ ___
A Way With Words theLove rocks
Last Month’s Answer: Love on the rocks
This Month’s Clue
FAME IS
Rhyme Time A rhyming word game by Ron Young
1. A tent light is a ____ ____ 2. To provoke a frog is to ____ a ____
RATED
3. A seasonal letdown is a ______ ______
Answer: ____ __ _________
Last Month’s Answers 1. spring fling, 2. undercover lover, 3. marriage carriage
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.
N A A E I L O R L G F A M I E E A E R C A N C I M P F I M I N P U N I F E O M S E D O T R O N E O N U U L T R P W O I R N T H N S Y O N S O T S Y T R T V T U T
Last month’s answer: It is astonishing what force, purity, and wisdom it requires for a human being to keep clear of falsehoods. www.downhomelife.com
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Rhymes 5 Times Each answer rhymes with the other four
1. motorhome
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2. wetter
____________
3. spoil
____________
4. obstruct
____________
5. luxury camper ____________
STUCK? Don’t get your knickers in a knot! Puzzle answers can be found online at DownhomeLife.com/puzzles
Last Month’s Answers: 1. file, 2. pile, 3. style, 4. trial, 5. vile
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. BROWNIEHUT
For best results sound the clue words out loud!
2. LIDDO
Ade Us Tier Owed _ _____ ____
3. SHRATE GELDHIT
Stay Cake Lame _____ _ _____
5. DOL CRAPENIL
Last Month’s 1st Clue: Abe Ran Ooze Hoot. Answer: A brand new suit. Last Month’s 2nd Clue: What Hurt Our. Answer: Water tower.
4. TWINERNOT
Last Month’s Answers: 1. Stoney House, 2. Gooseberry Cove, 3. Cuslett, 4. Point Lance, 5. Branch
A nalogical A nagrams Unscramble the capitalized words to get one word that matches the subtle clue. 1. EMCEE TRY ~ Clue: very quiet neighbourhood 2. I RUM AQUA ~ Clue: all the residents go around in tanks 3. NO TON FARCE ~ Clue: splashy real estate location 4. TSAR NUT ERA ~ Clue: it’ll take orders from anyone 5. STAR DICTION ~ Clue: more interesting than whatever you are doing Last Month’s Answers: 1. campground, 2. marshmallow, 3. campfire, 4. tarpaulin, 5. vacation 122
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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. 1-10: speaking softly 1-41: H2O 1-91: impermeable 2-4: belongs to him 2-32: cure 4-34: fake 7-10: phone 7-27: crimson 7-97: salvation 8-28: lodge 10-40: sport 10-100: animal warden 13-11: ocean 14-17: in this place 14-34: pig product 21-23: label 30-27: repair 34-64: domestic 35-5: stair 35-31: grin 35-39: vapour 35-65: heavenly body 36-6: ripped 36-39: sports group 39-9: hateful 41-43: pole 43-46: information 43-93: motorist 45-47: beret 46-49: berserk 47-41: bullfighter 53-51: knock 53-93: waterway 54-84: thought 56-36: obese 56-53: unbiased 56-76: craze 58-98: coach 59-89: trick 61-91: housetop 64-62: perish www.downhomelife.com
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92-62: formerly 95-97: race 92-100: precursor Last Month’s Answer
A F T E R WA R D S DA E RA E NOL C ML A E R AGN AH I L I R E P R U B O R EM I TOYN EO A B E L I NRA E L T N EMA L E L U R I S T OW E O G A O OR A NO S E A T O N A M OW S K R A M June 2025
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The Bayman’s
Crossword Puzzle 1
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by Ron Young
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ACROSS 1. atlas 3. “I’m so hungry I could __ the arse out of a low flying duck” 5. Trans-Canada Highway (abbrev) 6. 40 winks 8. “drowsy” inlet in Twillingate, site of a former copper mine (2 words) 12. squid squirt 14. owns 15. casual “no” 16. paid notice 17. “What I’d give for _ ___ of your home brew” (2 words) 18. Burin Peninsula shipbuilding town 23. extended play record (abbrev) 24. Humber ___ - former community newspaper 25. Bonavista Peninsula community with a royal reference 27. Westjet (abbrev) 28. haven 29. not miss or missus 30. “Leap at this one and ____ ______ to live a lady’s life” (2 words) 33. Long _____ Mountains 35. “__, b’y” – negative response in NL 36. spittin’ mad 39. the middle community in NewWes-Valley DOWN 1. “Fogo, Twillingate, ________ _______” (2 words) 2. Labrador coastal community (3 words) 4. Adam’s Cove (abbrev) 7. expression of regret www.downhomelife.com
9. Pacific National (abbrev) 10. sweet potato 11. Opportunity Inlet? (2 words) 12. Rex Goudie gained fame on “Canadian ____” 13. card game 16. “Whaddaya __?” 19. but 20. One-half of an instrument played on the knee 21. amazes 22. bridal runway 26. Outer ____ Road - St. John’s bypass 29. “Gotta get __ moose, b’y” 31. Ern and ____ Bin (Different Strokes buddies) 32. hairstyle 34. Deaf __ a haddock 35. born 36. Intravenous (abbrev) 37. Random Island (abbrev) 38. thallium (abbrev)
S C R U N C H I N S P L A N K S
O D R Y E P S L O E N V E E E A N B O N D O E D D K Y
ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH’S CROSSWORD E N T D I D I T Y F T O G E R S T T A T
O R R I S G A I G G N I N O A G G S O M Y E
A S P E N H T O W N U Y D U F F A H F I S H F P S L O U S E E M H A R E E L
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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. _____ 63837
_ 4
____ 3335
_ __ _ _ 2 56 6 3
’
__ 46
____ 8426
______ 879464
_______ _ _ 7867273 3 6
____ 6673 ____ 9436
__ 86
__ 66
__ 69
___ 788 ____ 2225
Last Month’s Answer: If you can’t beat them, arrange to have them beaten. ©2025 Ron Young
CRACK THE CODE 3
Each symbol represents a letter of the alphabet, for instance =T Try to guess the smaller, more obvious words to come up with the letters for the longer ones. The code changes each month.
_ _ ;G _ _
_ _ _
_ _
_ _
_ _ _ _ H eY O
37 O
_ _
_ _ _ _ _ T _ _,
OhOB i 3 ZY
ik
T _ _
x;O
KZ e
;k 0O
_ _ _
ep
T _
3Z
_ _ _ _
pe H7
_ _ T T _ _
0 e 3 3 Zk
Last Month’s Answer: Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. 126
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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.”
greatness = _
_ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _
w d c weew ` c w
frothy = _ _ _ _ _
joyous = _ _ _
_ _ _
_ _
_ _ _
etw w
_
l]v
_ _ _
_
_ _ _ _ _
_ _
_
l][ [ i
_ _ _
`h
_
[]t` x
v xt` p i
_ _
etst x]xth` v ’
_ _ _ _
_
_
wd c w [ x _
sh bxl
colour = _ _ _
wh]s i
smelly = _ _ _
gob = _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _
h` w v
_ _ _
i hb
_ _ _
xl w
_ _ _ _
s]pw
Last Month’s Answer: Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness. www.downhomelife.com
June 2025
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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 AT A LOBSTER BOIL-UP
Last Month’s Answers: 1. Window, 2. Accordion strap, 3. Beer bottle, 4. Pepsi label, 5. Lamp shade, 6. Leg, 7. Hand rail, 8. Books, 9. Guitar, 10. Chair backrest, 11. Cap, 12. Chair leg “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
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HIDE & SEEK NL BUCKET LIST
The words can be across, up, down, backward or at an angle, but always in a line.
BAKEAPPLES BOILUP FESTIVAL FISHING ICEBERG
JIGGS LIGHTHOUSE MOOSE MUSIC PONY
PUFFIN THEATRE TOUTON TRAILS WHALE
G S N S S I T P V W R F E C C I S U M O E R Z T N J S Y T U A R Z E L A H W B X Z S O O U B O C X U F K O W H N S P J P N B O B V X O P D F N A R A L H Z O Z T R G D N Z F I K L K S G R G X V O I B D L H Y J S N D N Y S L K D H E U N N Z M Q F A N B Y S Q A A F Y I W U G R C W H G S H I N C E H E O Q H A Z H L N G P J A I T F F A H B A H O Z U J S L O V F X A X I R O B O I M N P Y R A N S T E F M X S H R E Q P E R T A E H T N G R E B E C I U J J W G J C W S W C S I K N B L L V Z X P T A B F O W K G V J Y Y T N I S E H Z Y N O P L P H L A Z P T N I S U R E C I E L A W E B E C N I F F U P H C Z X J K R X T N Y V I P U S S V K U O P P Q S N Y H F Y Z H D T Q X Q A P J V G F G M V K D C H L E R S Q A E B U W R Z R L K W C E M L Y M N A E C G C N H M Y Z O Z X K T E L L T W G C S N Y O G Z A O L P I I F U S H Z C S K V B E L I G H T H O U S E W A J W H M E T X Q O L P A G Q T S V J N R L X Z
Last Month’s Answers
F K J H K K L Y X G C Q F I A R L T S O N H A L Z E B K B B R R P U M F G L V D O L I M F V H K E Y U R B A W V H H F M D I C X S G P R L S O E K N G L W M T K S T L M S D H F W Q G N B N A F M K M O N T Q I L N C O L O J O U Y O W A O I B C G Z I V M U Z F I F O X F O R C H H S Z W W I T Q H N N H P J Z C E E V F U S G Y B H A D R T U L I P W H G B Y A D Z B A K Y H Y Q M L R Z F W L O E N K L P O Y D J X D G T N S B A E O X Q P M W B X D Q C Y H B N Q G Z H U N E V A P U I J X H N B T L N V I W O M R V I U A C S J P S I R I J H A D Z K F A Y F F F Z A U P O S O B L U E B E L L S U G A Z F D G Z A C J W O O B R H G C Z R G X B V K E X K M D D Q J W O Y E L H M A H O M V R B A N K H U E H T W E D H Z V X G I I N Q R J J F P W R F H F I G B M G D R X X W L U R K N C R P Z S A I L O N G A M X Z T B M E I F I P N L T R J J P L F O Y D W I P E C Z Z Z I Z G X B B W F A I B J M W E I E L Y R
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Colourful Culture
The drawing on the opposite page
is the work of Newfoundland Mi’kmaq artist Marcus Gosse, a member of the Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band. His grandmother, Alice Maude Gosse (nee Benoit) is a Mi’kmaq Elder from Red Brook (Welbooktoojech) on the Port au Port Peninsula. Marcus’ work has been exhibited in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax; The Rooms Provincial Art Gallery in St. John’s, NL; and the Canada 150 Art Show at the Macaya Gallery in Miami, FL; and his work is in private collections around the world. He has generously offered a series of colouring pages that run monthly in Downhome. Each image depicts a NL nature scene and teaches us a little about Mi’kmaq culture and language. Each colouring page includes the Mi’kmaq word for the subject, the phonetic pronunciation of the word, and the English translation. And you’ll notice a design that Marcus incorporates into most of his pieces – the eight-point Mi’kmaq Star. This symbol dates back hundreds of years and is very important in Mi’kmaq culture. Marcus’ Mi’kmaq Stars are often seen painted with four colours: red, black, white and yellow, which together represent unity and harmony between all peoples. Many Mi’kmaq artists use the star, and various Mi’kmaq double curve designs, to decorate their blankets, baskets, drums, clothing and paintings. To download and print this colouring page at home, visit DownhomeLife.com. To learn more about Marcus and find more of his colouring pages, look him up on Facebook at “Mi’kmaq Art by Marcus Gosse.” 130
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www.downhomelife.com
June 2025
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backporch_Layout 1 4/24/25 11:20 AM Page 138
the back porch the Labrador current
Connie Boland photo
Inusivut Our Way of Life By Nathan Freake
Twenty-four hours was all the time Burt Gillis had to decide to
pack everything up and move to Nain, Labrador. In the early days of his teaching career, the Labrador East Integrated School Board offered him a full-time permanent position. It was tough to pass up, but the unknowns were great. There was no Google to ask and no street-view satellite camera to zoom in on – his father’s old topographic maps of Labrador would have to do.
Pouring over the maps made his imagination run wild, what with the vast mountain ranges, rolling hills, and rugged coastlines. The paintbrush flecks of islands in the surrounding areas gave him a call for adventure, and for an early twenty-something with a love of the outdoors and nothing to lose (and everything to gain), Burt’s decision came quickly. When their plane was overloaded, and secondary luggage was left behind to be delivered, he showed up for the first 138
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time in unknown Nain with nothing but the clothes on his back and a rifle in its case. Burt’s time there, as expected, was full of adventure, and the number of kilometres he and his buddies put on a snowmobile would be impossible to calculate. He spent the first 11 years of his teaching career there and took in everything he could – from the skills and advice from the locals to navigating the land on the weekends with friends and colleagues, and every 1-888-588-6353
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minute in between spent in parts unknown. Teachers, after all, are learners first. And, for any great teacher, that part never truly goes away. So it was that, after many years of delivering lessons to students across several different subjects, Burt and close friend Terry Keeping sparked up an idea. That idea quickly fleshed out into a course outline aimed at educating students about the land around them, how to navigate it, and quite frankly, how to survive there if your life depended on it. The course was designed to, as Burt called it, “fill the gap” for students to learn about and engage in their local and ancestral culture. The course became known as Inusivut, which in a specific dialect of Inuktitut translates to “Our Way of Life,” and it has, I have no doubt, saved lives. It wasn’t until he returned home to Labrador City that Burt was able to teach the course. It was designed to tackle an expansive array of skills to survive in a northern climate: How to navigate the land, read maps, hunt and gather, dress appropriately, start a fire with raw materials, recover from injuries in freezing temperatures, what to do under hypothermic shock, how to react when you get lost, or deal with weather changes (and how to identify them before they even happen). And that’s just Unit 1. A few weeks back, I called up a couple of my old friends whom I knew had taken the Inusivut course in our
high school days. They all had one thing in common: Inusivut was their favourite class they had ever taken, and they still use the things they learned on a near-daily basis. In education, it’s a teacher’s dream to teach curricula that are not only engaging for students but also allow for impactful learning, practical skill development, and the creation of lifelong memories. It’s rare to have the perfect blend of all of these things. At the same time, it’s rare for a teacher’s passion to translate directly into the classroom and curriculum in a way that can never be replicated. Burt Gillis and Terry Keeping turned their passion and knowledge into something that resonates with a culture of like-minded students while also providing a guide for crucial life skills. Inusivut is a course that has the potential to save lives, and it’s important to keep the discussions the course aims to have at the forefront of our culture, regardless of what part of the province we are from. It is one of my deepest regrets that I did not take Burt Gillis’ Inusivut course in high school when I had the chance. I know him now as a colleague and as a friend, but to be one of the lucky few to learn from him in the area that he is most passionate about would have been one of the highlights of my life. Burt is set to retire this year, and I wish him all the best in navigating the land no matter where it takes him.
Nathan Freake is a writer and educator from Labrador City. For any inquiries, you can reach Nathan at thelabcurrent@gmail.com
www.downhomelife.com
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the back porch what odds
friends by the appetizer By Paul Warford
I also offer the My big ol’ buddy had a baby. Justin baby life advice, “Buddha” Wiseman is on-track to be Father of the Year now that Beau James has arrived, to just to make sure everyone’s delight. He’s a looker, too – the baby, he gets it early. that is, not Justin. I may have mentioned our newborn buddy in Hold the door “What Odds” already, but what I haven’t told you for people; call is that I send the baby dirty jokes sometimes, for your mother on fun. I’ll text Justin a voice message with instructions to place the phone near the baby’s head and her birthday, that then leave the room before I pass along a few sort of thing. bawdy jests that Beau can tell his newborn buds down at the daycare. From what Justin has told me, the baby seems to be absorbing these voice memos. However, Beau is only two months old, so it’s rather hard to tell. I do this to entertain my exhausted friend, but the process delights me, too. I also offer the baby life advice, just to make sure he gets it early. Hold the door for people; call your mother on her birthday, that sort of thing. Once, I told Beau that when he’s old enough to use the oven, he must ensure he layers his nachos. I myself have worked the overnight shift on the “hotline” at The Celtic Hearth. I’ve experienced the drunken 3 a.m. rush of loaded wayward kids who wander in looking for chicken nachos and turkey clubhouses. You have to layer your nachos, or only the chips at the top will be the exciting ones to eat. Hometown hero and local celebrity Michael Lynch recently asked me to do some shows with him for his Land & Cecil 2 Tour. I joined him for some shows around the bay last month, visiting old haunts I hadn’t seen in a while. We had a great time, but I want to talk about our shows in Nova Scotia, which happened in March. I hadn’t been to Nova Scotia in three years or more, and once we landed and began fandan-
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gling a rental car, I quickly realized how excited I was to be there. I was residing in Nova Scotia when I began communicating with you fine people; What Odds began in 2013 while I was living in Halifax. I attended Acadia University when I was a virile young buck – back when the millennium was as fresh and new as I was – and many of my closest pals from that school ended up settling in the province’s capital. Aunt Barb, Dad’s only sister, lives just outside the city in East Chezzetcook, which is pronounced just like it’s spelled. The town name sort of sounds like gesundheit! to be honest with you, like someone just sneezed. Aunt Barb and Uncle Tom treated Mike and me to a classy meal at an Italian place on Spring Garden Road, and I felt utter contentment as I sipped my espresso and watched Aunt Barb tell Mike about myself as a child, about Dad, about the Warfords as we were. Our double-date dinner was fun. As was the show, staged at the beautiful Light House Arts Centre. Mike is such a stud that he managed to sell out the place. My true-blue pals, Nadine and Bri, dropped by the show, as well as my best Acadia buddy, Josh, who stood at my wedding and will stand at the next one if I bother again. We punched each other in the face once, Josh and I, while drunk as tramps in Eaton House, circa 2002. In the foggy, inebriated conversation of that fateful evening, we realized neiwww.downhomelife.com
ther of us had ever been in a fight, and we should exchange punches so we’d understand the experience of getting socked in the jaw. Who better to trade blows with than your best buddy? Another lesson for Beau the baby, perhaps. I mentioned this fisticuffs to our table at Freeman’s on Grafton Street, a New York-style restaurant that’s always open late. Lynch was with us, and I felt a certain sort of warmth as these friends of twenty years regaled my friend of ten years with stories of our idiocy back in those days. Josh couldn’t remember the story. “How can you not remember that?!” Of all the stories to forget, this is the one he’s fuzzy on. We had a great laugh there, showing Mike pictures of myself at nineteen years old while he heard stories about me that felt procured from a previous life. Mike ordered the “personal” nachos, but they arrived on a platter the size of a truck tire, so he shared them around. The nachos were great because they were layered. Yes, Baby Beau, it’s important to layer your nachos, and it’s even better to layer your friends. 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 June 2025
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the back porch ties to home
tall tales and ‘lies’ by dianna brown
one day, My Pop was a clever storyteller with an imagithat turned the simplest things into extraordinarthere was a nation ily entertaining tales. He would paint a picture of thrilling mosquito so exaggeration, always adding a twist of humour at the end big that it of his story. His tall tales and ‘lies,’ as he called them, landed on were not only a part of my childhood but also my adultWhen I moved to the mainland, his stories tied me the screen hood. to home. I looked forward to our calls full of recited tales, door, then and he would end our conversation with a promise to before his come up with new ‘lies’ to tell me for our next conversaeyes, tore it tion. I especially looked forward to his phone calls for the right off the eight months I lived in the high Arctic, Resolute Bay. Like hinge and clockwork, Pop would call once or twice a week with stoas vast as the Arctic itself. He knew I looked forward flew off ries to his calls, for as soon as I saw his number pop up on the with it! Caller ID, I’d pick up on the first ring to laugh away the 24-hour darkness or midnight sun, listening to his outrageous stories. Oftentimes, I wouldn’t know if the story was going to be true or a lie, as he was so genuine in describing and retelling events, past and present. Some stories were about playing outdoor hockey, his days seal hunting, fishing, UFO sightings, and quiet times whittling wood with a little friendly fox. My favourite were his ‘lies’ for every season. In late spring, Pop knew summer was around the corner by the number of mosquitoes hovering around. He shared there were so many and that they were so annoying and thick, they would land on the screen door, preventing him from seeing through. However, one day, there was a mosquito so big that it landed on the screen door, then before his eyes, tore it right off the hinge and flew off with it! I’ll never look at a mosquito the same after hearing that story. I always think of my Pop shaking his fist, running after the giant mosquito that stole his screen door. One summer, Pop asked my husband, who is from PEI, if they grew potatoes on his island. He laughed as he teased: “Oh, those small potatoes you grow there don’t 142
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compare to the big potatoes grown on my island!” His voice still lilted, but he got really quiet and told us that one night there was heavy rainfall. One of the cows went missing, but they couldn’t find it in the storm and had to wait until morning to search for it. The next day, when he went out looking for the cow, he found it drowned in the eye of a Newfoundland potato. I remember the loud guffaws coming through the receiver after the last line. I love picking berries in the fall and really missed it when I moved to Calgary. The u-picks just aren’t the same. My Pop called and shared he just got back from berry picking on a big field on top of a hill, where the biggest and best partridgeberries grew. From this field was a beautiful view of the ocean. He went about picking partridgeberries, filling his salt-beef bucket in no time. Before he left, he stumbled and bumped into something. When he looked at what he had bumped into, he realized it was a giant partridgeberry! The berry dislodged from its evergreen vine, and it inched toward the hill until it rolled full speed toward the ocean. He dropped his bucket and ran after the rolling berry as fast as he could, but he couldn’t catch up to it. As it neared the bottom of the hill, it started to bounce, right into the ocean and into the boat of two fishermen! Here, he’d pause and chuckle before delivering the punch line. It took all he had to say the words through his hearty laugh, as he said the fishermen were shocked to find their boat filled
to the rim with partridgeberry jam! In the winter, Pop shared that there had been a big snowfall. He recalled how strange it was, when standing outside midday, all the light extinguished around him. He looked up to the sky and saw a giant snowflake stretching from horizon to horizon! In the blink of an eye, the snowflake fell and blanketed the land in six feet of snow! Pop was nearly seven feet tall, and I could see him standing awestruck with his head peeking out of a big snow bank. I wish I had written down even a fraction of the lies he made up to make me laugh. He always dreamed of writing a book, and the world would have been a better place for it. He took ordinary things, turned them on their heads, and painted hilarious pictures in your mind. His hearty laughter eased my heavy, homesick heart. I now love sharing these stories with my children, inspiring them to look at things with a twist of humour. I’ll leave you with a poem Pop would recite: Pop’s Poem I know that I shall never see A spider cutting down a tree, Standing waist deep In four foot of snow With the temperature down to forty below. But, what a way To catch a rat, If a spider grew as big as a cat! Please reach out with any tall tales or ‘lies,’ I would love to hear them!
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 www.downhomelife.com
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Hey Little Ladybug
10-month-old Blake meets a tiny friend while at the strand at Jean de Baie. Margaret Hynes Marystown, NL
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