Ridgeley running again in Ward 5

Lifelong Goulds resident Carl Ridgeley is seeking re-election in Ward 5 on St. John’s council in the upcoming municipal election. Submitted photo

By Mark Squibb

Carl Ridgeley of the Goulds is putting his name forward for re-election in Ward 5.

“I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but there’s more to do,” said Ridgeley, a Red Seal electrician by trade. “With your support, I’ll continue to fight for the services, infrastructure, and respect our ward deserves.”

Ridgeley was elected to council in 2021, besting three other candidates, including Donnie Earle, who has also announced his intention to run again. In 2021, Ridgeley beat Earle by 14 votes.

“It has been frustrating, but in a good way,” said Ridgeley of his first term on council. “I’m not a politician and don’t claim to be a politician but I took on a political role…. And so, the learning curve was huge.”

A lifelong resident of the Goulds, Ridgeley said he has proudly represented all areas of Ward 5 equally.

“There are good things happening in Ward 5,” said Ridgeley, admitting he toyed with the idea of running At Large, before deciding to put his name forward once again for Ward 5. “Not everyone is always happy, but there are a lot of positive things after happening, and many more to come.”

Some of the positives, said Ridgeley, have been the rehabilitation of the bridge connecting Southside Road and Waterford Bridge Road, improved sidewalk snow clearing in Southlands, a splash pad for Southlands expected in 2026, a new recreation centre scheduled for 2030, improved sidewalks, a new washroom facility for Huck Williams Field, a new outdoor washroom facility for the Kilbride Lions Club rec centre, construction of a new trail in Shea Heights, and a commitment for new playground equipment in Diamond Marsh.

Looking ahead, Ridgeley said he is committed to supporting balanced development across Ward 5, improving municipal services, and strengthening community organizations and recreational opportunities.

Over this last term of council, Ridgeley has co-chaired the City’s Regional Fire Services Committee, and has sat on the Regional Water Committee, Regional Wastewater Committee, Shea Heights Community Centre Committee, and Goulds Recreation Association. Outside council chambers, Ridgeley has volunteered with the Goulds Fire Department for nearly two decades, including a time as chief, and coached youth hockey for many a year.

“Ward 5 is more than just the largest ward — it’s where I’ve lived, volunteered, and raised my family,” said Ridgeley. “I’m running for re-election because I believe in the people of this community, and I’m committed to continuing the work we’ve started together.”

Two hair salons and a whole bevy of homes

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council approved a number of new home and business applications during the July public meeting, among them two new hair salons.

Council approved separate applications for a hair salon, eye lash and aesthetic salon at 788-792 Southern Shore Highway as well as a new hair salon at 151-167 Southside Road.

Council also granted approval in principle for the construction of three row homes at 79-87 Southside Road, subject to a number of conditions, and a new home build at 138 Track Road Extension, with a number of conditions, including the submission of a gradient plan to prevent water runoff.

Council also granted approval in principle permits to build new houses at 70-72 Gunridge Road, 7 Dunn Drive, 12 Dunn Drive, 32 Dunn Drive, and 37 Dunn Drive, pending installation of a septic system.

Applications for new residential accessory buildings for properties on Solomon Close, Dunn Drive, and Irishtown Road were also given the go ahead.

Witless Bay contracts patch paving work

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council approved a smattering of purchases and maintenance projects during the July public meeting.

Among the motions was one to award a patch paving contract to Bishops Road Work Inc., at a total cost of $29,390, plus HST.

“We’ve had staff go out and look at the town overall, and these are the sections that need the most urgent attention,” said councillor Ralph Carey.

Earlier in the meeting, council approved the purchase of crack sealing equipment at a cost of $3,515, plus HST.

Carey said the paving budget was stretched, and the scope of work was decreased, by approving the purchase of crack sealing equipment so that some work could be completed in house.

Council also approved the purchase of about $2,000 worth of fire fighting foam used for fire suppression. The foam, when sprayed on a fire, forms a barrier that cuts off the fuel’s oxygen supply.

Council also approved a motion to submit a gas tax funding application in the amount of $7,325 for Harbour Road upgrades, which would include a guardrail and retaining wall, and furthermore to award the work to the lowest bidder, Harbour Construction, at a cost of $7,325, plus HST.

Former Baltimore teacher publishes memoir with aid of former student

Former Baltimore School teacher Michaele Boyle (left) enlisted the help of former student Randy Crane to help edit his recently published memoir, ‘On New Turf.’ The duo launched the book at the Ferryland Legion this June. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

When Michael Boyle looked out over his Baltimore School classroom in 1969, he likely would have never guessed that one of his young students — Randy Crane — would one day edit his memoir.

Boyle is a native of Ireland who moved to Newfoundland in 1967 at the age of 23 after accepting a job as principal of St. Pius X All Grade School on Fogo Island. Boyle instead found himself teaching in Gander (you’ll have to read the book to know why) and, later, Ferryland.

A poet and storyteller, Boyle had, over the years, amassed a large volume of stories touching on his early years in Ireland and experiences as a newcomer in rural Newfoundland.

Not so long ago, Boyle decided he wanted to publish those stories. That’s where Randy Crane comes into the story.

“What Mike had was a bunch of stories about his life, and our challenge was to make that into a memoir, and into a book,” said Crane. “Both of us are storytellers, and we’ve been told that there’s a storyteller’s voice coming through. That was planned. We wanted to tell the story, on paper, as if we were standing in front of an audience.”

The two worked together on the project for just over two years, and always managed to find a happy compromise.

“We knew each other well enough that we could be honest with each other,” said Crane. “If I saw something in the writing, I could tell Mike, and he didn’t take it personally.”

Some of the stories were shortened, others were lengthened, and some were cut altogether.

“I had about 70 pages of stuff about my old school in Ireland, which I thought was great stuff, but a reader in Witless Bay might not want to read 70 pages about a school over in Ireland,” said Boyle. “We wanted to make it interesting, and we wanted to make it flow, which is where Randy came in.”

It was also important, said Boyle, that people got a laugh out of his stories.

“The whole thing would be worthless unless people found it funny,” he said.

A labor of love, On New Turf was self-published so the duo would have greater control over publication dates and details, and the official launch was held at the Ferryland Legion in June.

Boyle said he felt humbled seeing the book in print for the first time, and thankful for those who have lent a hand along the way.

He added the memoir is less about himself and more about the time and place in which he lived, and it will especially resonate with those who have left home to work elsewhere.

The cover is a portrait of Boyle painted by famed artist Gerry Squires many years ago. Boyle had invited Squires into his classroom at Baltimore to discuss art with the students. Unbeknownst to Boyle, Squires had been painting a portrait of him while conversing with the students.

As to the title, Boyle’s father was a turf farmer, and Boyle brought with him to the ‘new turf’ a piece of old turf from his homeland.

The duo is working on getting the book into Coles Bookstore, and it can currently be purchased on Amazon and at a number of local stores, such as Elaine’s Book Store, The Tickle Trunk, Irish Loop Café, and The Colony of Avalon Gift Shop.

The duo will hold a number of readings throughout the summer months.

‘At your service, sir’

Some of the cast from At Your Service include, from left: Terri Swain as Mrs. Ryan, Erin Elliott as Frances, Kyle Saunders as Mr. Tobin, and Randy Crane as Mr. Ryan. The dinner theatre comedy is playing Thursdays and Fridays at the Southern Shore Folk Arts Building in Ferryland.

By Craig Westcott

It’s the 25th season for the Southern Shore Dinner Theatre in Ferryland and the troupe is back with a combination of new faces and seasoned experience to generate the laughs.

It would actually be the 26th season for the popular playhouse of homespun humour if Covid hadn’t stolen a season.

This year’s play is At Your Service, written by Ferryland’s Annette Mooney.

“It’s proved to be a very successful play,” said Southern Shore Folk Arts executive director Keith Mooney. “And we have a good cast. It’s a good production, I must say.”

The story focuses on the relationship between boarding house matron Mrs. Ryan and Francis, a young maid from Onion Cove, whom she takes “in service,” as the employment of young women in Newfoundland used to be called years ago. The setting is the 1940s – 50s when many young women and girls from the outports took jobs with families, boarding houses and businesses in larger centres.

“Mrs. Ryan is trying to raise the level with her guests and then she hires Francis and Francis is a bit rough around the edges,” said Mooney. “And that makes for the humour.”

The cast of guests and other characters, such as the local Bishop, also serve to spice up the plot.

“Some of the stuff Francis gets on with is funny,” said Mooney. “Francis is a young girl and Mrs. Ryan wants to improve her table skills and how to greet guests, so she hires a teacher to give her some instruction.”

It’s the first time the troupe has performed the play since 2011. 

“People our age relate to the era when life was different and simpler,” said Mooney. 

Francis is played by Erin Elliott, a recent graduate of Memorial University’s Fine Arts Program in Corner Brook.

Mrs. Ryan is played by Terri Swain of Renews.

“It’s her first time acting,” said Mooney. “She worked with us in the dinner theatre on the floor serving, which a very important part of it too, but this year she wanted to try out for a role.”

Other actors include local dinner theatre veterans Randy Crane, Andy Malone, Matilda Mulcahy, and Kyle Saunders from Glovertown.

“We’ve always had actors from outside the area,” said Mooney. “There’s probably one or so more this year.”

The director is Beth Ryan, who has lots of experience with the troupe having served as assistant director to the late former long-time director and actor Kevin Lewis.

“This is her first time directing,” said Mooney, “but she has the big advantage of having acted in the play herself. She knows what everyone is capable of doing and she knows all the characters, so that’s a big plus.”

The plays run every Thursday and Friday evening during the summer up to Labour Day week, with four matinees scheduled, the next one being July 29. Mooney said the Folk Arts Council is open to staging more matinees for groups interested in visiting Ferryland. Anyone interested in doing that can contact Mooney at the Ferryland Folk Arts Council at 432-2052.

O’Brien votes against snow clearing contract extension

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council last week voted to extend the Town’s current snow clearing contract with O’Brien’s Trucking at the previously agreed upon hourly rate.

Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien, however, was not in favour of the move.

“It seems like there’s a limited number of bidders,” said O’Brien. “I just think we probably need to market our contracts a little further maybe. Some of these rates are increasing every, but again, there’s always the opportunity to keep it competitive.”

When put to a vote, both councillors Ethan Williams and Corey Ronayne voted in favour of extending the contract for another year, while O’Brien voted against it. With Mayor Keith O’Driscoll and councillor Jason Sullivan both absent from the meeting, the motion was approved.

Council awarded the initial contract to O’Briens at cost of $281,725, plus HST. That cost was based on the average amount of snow clearing needed over the last couple of years.

In 2023 council opted to award the snow clearing contract to Southeast Construction in a lump sum of $329,900 plus HST rather than pay an hourly rate. Council decided to go back to the hourly rate model citing the high costs of the lump sum contract.

Witless Bay to limit speed bumps to rec zones

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council has decided to limit the use of speed bumps to the town’s recreation areas.

A resident had submitted a request to council for a speed bump along King’s Road.

Council denied the request during the July public meeting and instead opted to install signage in the area advising people to drive slowly.

“Council has kicked this subject around numerous times, and we’ve come to the decision that the rec grounds in at the softball field and swimming pool, as well as all recreation facilities, are the only places (speedbumps) are going to go, because you’re giving people a false sense of security with a speedbump,” said councillor Ralph Carey.

The motion to deny the request and instead install signage passed unanimously.

This past April, council approved the installation of two speed bumps near the Southside Track recreation grounds and two near Alderwood Estates Retirement Centre.

Shamrock Festival celebrates 40 years

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Southern Shore’s annual Shamrock Folk Festival will take place in Ferryland on July 26th and 27th at the Ferryland Festival Park. This year marks the festival’s 40th anniversary. Few people are as acquainted with the history of what has become a favorite summer tradition for many, as Keith Mooney, the executive director of the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council.

The event, initially called the Southern Shore Festival, was first organized in 1986 by the Southern Shore Development Association. The association sponsored the event for nine years. When the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council was formed in 1995, it took over the event’s production, renaming it the Shamrock Festival. Since its inception, it has been held every year, even virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Shamrock Festival mainly features performers of Newfoundland and Irish music. Both local and established artists take the stage and showcase the traditional music. 

“One of the objectives of forming the folk arts council was to promote our culture and heritage,” said Mooney. “The presentation of the festival, the musical accompaniment and songs and recitations, they certainly fulfill that mandate. It’s a great social event. People come home for it.”

The revenue from the Shamrock Festival supports the Southern Shore Folk Arts Council. The festival financially benefits the region in a broader sense too as those drawn by the music patronize local businesses. “People are coming out, they’re visiting restaurants, and staying at B&Bs,” said Mooney. “Grocery stores, gas outlets. It’s a great draw, and it’s a great activity to have on the Southern Shore.”

The first day of the Shamrock Festival, July 26th, is a 19+ event that will take place in the evening. Lee Dunne will be opening for the main act, the Justin Martin Band. Gates will open at 8:30 p.m. The show will start at 9:00 p.m. and last until about 12:30 a.m. Tickets for the July 26th show are $20 if bought in advance or $30 if bought at the gate on the night of the event. Those wanting to buy tickets in advance can purchase them at the Tetley Tea Room, O’Brien’s Value Grocer, and Ferryland Foodland.

Sunday, July 27th is the all ages event, which Mooney says is popular with families. The show will start at 1:15 p.m. and include performances by Lord & Lady Baltimore, Janine White, Dollykits, Black Gold, The Masterless Men, and Down Forward. The show will also have a youth session at 1:30 p.m. In addition to the musical entertainment, there will be games of chance, entertainment for children, the Pinch Food Wagon, and a 19+ Beer Garden. Admission will be $15 for adults, $5 for youths, and free for children under 12.

Mooney expressed thanks on behalf of the folk arts council for their corporate sponsors and to the Town of Ferryland for supporting the Shamrock Festival.

New owner of Witless Bay church hopes to make it a welcoming home for art

Linda Goodyear has bought St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Witless Bay with the intention of repurposing it as a gallery to showcase art from the Southern Shore and St. Mary’s Bay. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

Linda Goodyear said that when she walked into St. Peter’s Church in Witless Bay in July of 2023, it was, excuse the cliché, love at first sight.

“I went into several churches, on this shore, and on the north shore, and as soon as I walked in with the real estate agent, I had a feeling, and the more I looked around, the more I knew that this was the church I wanted,” said Goodyear.

The retired dentist said her intention is to repurpose the building – one of dozens of church properties the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John’s put up for sale to help compensate victims of historical sexual abuse by some clergy and Christian Brothers – as an art gallery, offering authentic Newfoundland artwork, with a special focus on the Irish Loop.

“On the Irish Loop, there are a lot of individual artists,” said Goodyear. “But there’s nowhere for someone to come and view all those different artists in one place.”

Goodyear is a self professed art enthusiast who traces her passion for art back to a school trip to Paris to visit the famous Louvre Museum. She has been studying art – and artists – ever since.

“I love reading about art, I love studying art, I love talking about art,” said Goodyear. “It’s a passion of mine.”

Goodyear also hopes to host art and art appreciation workshops on the balcony level, and furthermore hopes to open the Witless Bay Art Gallery & Arts Education Centre, Inc., to the public in 2026, so long as she can complete some renovations and receive the proper permits by then.

“The church itself is a work of art,” added Goodyear, noting the vaulted ceiling, Gothic architecture, marble statues and stained-glass windows. “I hope the gallery becomes a destination, and that people come out here from St. John’s to visit this art gallery. I want to make this an art destination.”

Goodyear admits that initially the thought that perhaps she had been too impulsive nagged at her, but those worries were quelled upon visiting the church a second time.

“Every time I walk into this church, I know how right this decision was,” she said.

The purchase and repurposing of church properties across the province has become a sensitive issue for many, with some people fighting to hold onto the buildings, which hold significant community and spiritual significance, within their communities. This spring, for example, the Supreme Court ruled that the archdiocese was the rightful owner of the Holy Rosary Church in Portugal Cove South and granted an injunction forbidding residents from interfering with the sale. Residents had gone so far as to change the locks on the door to prevent the sale.

“I know some of these wounds are deep,” said Goodyear. “And I want to take the feelings of the community into consideration… I want to stress and encourage members of the church to come to me, talk to me, and come in here. I’m going to work my hardest to keep the spirit of this church alive.”

The church itself, according to town records, opened its doors in 1845. In 1860, the Presentation Sisters opened a nearby convent and school for girls. That building has since been torn down, however several of the Sisters have been laid to rest on the church property. Goodyear said that the cemetery will be respectfully repurposed as a tranquility garden, and that members of the Sisters’ congregation will be welcome to visit at any time.

Parishioners held their final mass at St. Peter’s in June of 2024.

43rd annual Constable William Moss U15 champions

The Avalon Wave girls’ softball team, comprised of youths hailing from the Goulds and Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove, are the 43rd annual Constable William Moss U15 female champions. In the back, from left, are manager Angie Condon, coach Rebecca Coley, Claire Nickel, Chloe Stack, Meadow Richards, Rachel Maher, Ally Williams, Kennedy Philpott, Julia Foote, coach Chris Maher and coach Mark Kieley. In the front, from left, are Lilly Quest, Kaileigh Crane, Hailey White, Chloe Kieley, Julia Condon, Emily Pitcher, and Leah Layden. Submitted photo