Goulds land gone to the ducks

By Mark Squibb

The conservation charity group Ducks Unlimited Canada has acquired 41 acres (16.6 hectares) of forested wetland, upland, and swamp habitat near Bidgood Park in the Goulds.

Bidgood Park itself is home to migratory songbirds, waterfowl, moose, and even red crossbills, a species of finch listed as endangered under the provincial Species at Risk Act. Over the years, it has become a favourite haunt of walkers, bird watchers, and photographers.

“Through initiatives like the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, the Government of Canada is making steady progress in protecting Canada’s land and water,” said Minister of Environment and Climate Change Julie Dabrusin. “By working with partners such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, we are safeguarding the natural environment in Newfoundland and Labrador—and across the country.”

The original 38 acres of park land was donated to the City of St. John's by the late Roger and Jennie Bidgood for use as a municipal park.

squibb@theshoreline.ca

Witless Bay rug hooking exhibition draws a crowd

The Herdman Hookers were a hit at the Witless Bay Art Gallery’s first exhibition last month in the former St. Patrick’s Church. The members of the Corner Brook rug hooking group were part of a travelling exhibition sponsored by the Rug Hooking Guild of Newfoundland and labrador. From left are Debbie Jarrell, gallery owner Linda Goodyear, Joanne Organ, Elaine Vey, Diane Howse, Karen Marchant, and Georgie Macfie.

By Mark Squibb

The owner of the new art gallery in Witless Bay’s St. Patrick’s Church says the event was a huge success.

Linda Goodyear admitted she was nervous about the venture given the important role the church held in the lives of many residents before its sale by the Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation, but she decided the best thing to do was dive in and test the waters.

The first exhibition, held from September 4-8, was by the Newfoundland and Labrador Rug Hookers Guild’s 30th Anniversary travelling show entitled, Events that Changed the World.

“Personally, I had underestimated the medium of rug hooking,” said Goodyear, who has named the gallery the Witless Bay Art Gallery & Arts Education Center.

“Days into the event, I was still learning from the various pieces on display,” said Goodyear. “One example was the discovery of the Berlin Wall. Jane Jesseau taught in Baden, Germany, at the Canadian Forces Base in 1989. She and her family hammered at Check Point Bravo to retrieve stones which she hooked into her design believing the Fall of the Berlin Wall to be a joyous occasion in the world’s history.”

An especially moving piece, said Goodyear, was a personal depiction of the Holocaust by Maureen Ashfield. “It took careful observation before one comprehended the faceless uniforms behind hooked wire were the prisoners of war who bore coloured symbols to identify their classification, and subsequent treatment at the hands of the Nazis,” said Goodyear. “Many onlookers expressed cold shivers at the realization.”

The exhibit contained many subjects, often personal, with several representing Newfoundland and Labrador subjects which shaped a world closer to home, added Goodyear. “By the last day I began realizing how transformed I was by this humble exhibition of rug hooking, which has come a long way as an art form.”

Visitors included people from up and down the shore, the United States and Canada, as well as many who travelled from St. John’s and the Northeast Avalon. Goodyear said she’s taking that as evidence there is a thirst for art and cultural knowledge which can be delivered in Witless Bay.

“Rounding out the important participants were three classes of Grade 3s from St. Bernard’s Elementary, in Witless Bay,” said Goodyear, adding that schools and art curriculum will be an important part of the proposed non-profit’s business.

In total, some 275 people were recorded having visited over the five days of the exhibition.

Goodyear said she would like to thank Frances and Maxine Ennis, Winnie Glavine, Jackie Alcock and Barry Norris for providing fine examples of their work which incorporated beautifully with the exhibition by the Guild. The Herdman Hookers, a local rug hooking group, demonstrated all Saturday afternoon to enthusiastic appreciation, she added.

Government pledges money for Southern Shore trail upgrades

By Mark Squibb

Residents along the Southern Shore can expect to see some upgrades to the East Coast Trail in the near future.

The provincial government pledged $100,100 to the East Coast Trail Association’s 2025 Trail Enhancement Project in a pre-election spending announcement earlier this month.

The money will be used to enhance Caplin Bay Path between Calvert and Ferryland, and the Beaches Path between Witless Bay and Mobile. It will also focus on "assessment and replacement across the entire trail network," acording to a press release. The project will support 18 seasonal jobs.

It’s estimated the 336-kilometre trail network draws some 15,000 annual visitors.

The provincial government’s contribution leverages $283,822 in funding from the federal government and $46,478 from the East Coast Trail Association, for a total project cost of $440,400

“The East Coast Trail is more than a hiking trail – it’s a living connection to our province’s natural beauty, heritage and community spirit,” said Tourism Minister Fred Hutton in the same press release.

It’s a Southern Shore rematch in Ferryland district

By Mark Squibb

Folks from Petty Harbour to St. Shotts and every town in between may experience a sense of déjà vu when they cast their ballots in this upcoming provincial election.

On the ballot will be incumbent MHA Loyola O’Driscoll, who is a Progressive Conservative, and returning Liberal candidate Cheryl O’ Brien, who previously challenged O’Driscoll in the 2021 election.

“It’s been on my mind ever since,” said O’Brien of the 2021 loss. “Even though I’ve probably joked with myself a few times over the past four years that maybe I wouldn’t run again, I think in my heart of hearts I knew I would because I love this place so much.”

O’Brien said there are major concerns that need to be addressed by the provincial government, including a crushing provincial debt – much of which can be attributed to the Muskrat Falls fiasco – as well as increasing crime, the skyrocketing cost of living, and a need for greater economic development.

O’Brien had good things to say about current Liberal leader and premier John Hogan.

“He’s a good leader,” said O’ Brien. “He listens, he communicates, he stays calm, he delivers well, he seems to have his finger on the pulse of all the issues that matter to me. He’s steady, and I like his middle of the road approach. I think he’s a great leader at a time when we need a great leader.”

O’ Brien had worked as a civil servant for nearly 30 years, but is perhaps better known as the owner of O’Brien’s Clover Farm Supermarket in Cape Broyle.

“I’m very much a people person,” said O’Brien. “And I hate to sound cliché, but anybody who knows me knows that and can verify that. I listen to people, I respond to people. I’m going to be very, very accessible. This is not a job for me – I have a couple of those already.”

The Ferryland district is a conservative stronghold of over 50 years. Voters in Ferryland were last represented by a Liberal in 1971, a year before O’Brien was even born.

She wants to change that trajectory this election.

“I’ve helped a lot of people over the years in countless ways, and I just want to continue to do it on a bigger scale,” said O’ Brien. “I think we live in the best place in the world, but I think we need to see more progress here. We need more supports here, and we need to be better heard and represented… I want to help make this place better, and I want to represent the people. I want to make sure that Ferryland district gets its fair share and that its voice is heard at the table.”

Progressive Conservative incumbent Loyola O’ Driscoll, who was elected during a 2019 by-election, and re-elected in 2021, said he’s running on his record.

“I’ve been in there six years and think I’ve done a good job of answering questions that have been asked,” said O’Driscoll. “I’ve been acting on behalf of my constituents.”

O’Driscoll’s first turn at politics was as a member of Bay Bulls council. Outside of politics he’s best known for donning a Southern Shore Breakers jersey in years past.

O’Driscoll said that affordability, especially as it relates to seniors, remains a major concern, and pointed out the PC party’s promise to increase the seniors benefit by 20 percent.

As to the Churchill Falls memorandum of understanding, which Liberal Leader Hogan has been presenting as the ballot question, O’Driscoll said he’s heard it mentioned at some doors, but health and safety remain the major concerns.

“Our stand on the MOU was, and still is, that you have an independent (panel) review it,” said O’Driscoll. “If they had done this back in January, this could have been resolved, and we could be moved on, and this might not be an issue.”

As to the district’s longstanding loyalty to the party, O’Driscoll chalks it up to good leadership.

“I’m easy to reach,” said O’Driscoll “I pride myself on calling people back and trying to get them answers. They may not always be ‘Yes’ answers, but I will respond.”

Replacing vandalized signs will be an ongoing process, says Carey

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Witless Bay is considering installing security cameras at Town owned facilities following a spate of vandalism over the summer months

“We’ve had some vandalism and so we’re going to try and get a handle on it any way we can,” said councillor Ralph Carey. “Right now, we’re just investigating. We don’t know the cost, we don’t know what’s involved in it. But it’s certainly worth investigating.”

Recent sites vandalised around town include the multi use court, community pantry, and playground.

“Unfortunately, vandalism is ongoing, and we need to address it,” said Carey.

The Town’s concerns regarding vandalism stretch as far back as May, when a number of road signs were damaged. Some signs were torn from signposts and tossed into nearby ditches, while in other cases entire signposts were uprooted. Other signs were spray painted. At the same time, at a meadow near Ragged Beach, the ground was damaged by ATVs, trees were partially cut down, and garbage was strewn around the field. A discarded road sign and smouldering fire were also discovered on site.

Carey said staff are continuing work to replace the signs and sign posts.

“We’re focusing on the ones that need to be replaced as opposed to just going out and replacing all of them,” said Carey. “Over time, we will get them all replaced, but that’s going to be an ongoing process.”

The doctor is (back) in, in Ferryland politics

By Mark Squibb

A former mayor has put his name forward for election in Ferryland.

A retired medical physician who practised for nearly 50 years, Dr. Peter Morry served as mayor of Ferryland some 30-odd years ago.

Now that he’s laid down the black bag and stethoscope, he’s ready to run again, laying out a notepad of priorities including a wharf replacement, review of the town’s emergency preparedness plan, and a promise to exercise fiscal responsibility.

“We have dire needs in our community, and I want to make sure that any money we do get in goes to the right projects, the ones that are most needed,” said Morry. “We also need a way of expanding our tax base somehow, because we are such a small community. We need to make our community more attractive to small businesses.”

Morry suggested council could have a public forum once a week that would allow residents to ask questions or bring forward concerns.

He would like the Town to work harder to develop the community’s tourism potential, suggesting Ferryland and neighbouring councils could work together to make the Loop a more attractive place for tourists.

During his medical career, Morry practised in Ferryland, St. John’s, Bay Bulls, British Columbia, and even Australia.

Born and raised in Ferryland, he served as Branch President of the Royal Canadian Legion and one time donned the jersey of the Ferryland Flyers hockey team.

Morry has also written a book, ‘Becoming,’ as well as a number of songs and poems. He and his wife Josephine have three children and six grandchildren.

“I bring as much experience, if not more, to the table as anyone else presenting themselves to council,” said Morry. “People know me, they know my family… I’m deeply embedded in this community.”

Croft calls it the end of an adventure

Witless Bay Mayor Trevor Croft will not be seeking re-election in the upcoming municipal election.

By Mark Squibb

Members of Witless Bay council took a few minutes at the end of last week’s public meeting to acknowledge the contributions of outgoing Mayor Trevor Croft.

Croft was elected in 2021, and, having received more votes than any other candidate, was named mayor. He has not put his name forward for re-election next month.

“I would like to express a sincere thank you to Mayor Croft for all the time and dedication he has spent over the last four years for the Town of Witless Bay,” said councillor Jacob Hayden. “He’s done a lot of work in the background that people don’t see. It’s kind of a thankless job on some occasions. But I want you to know Trevor that we did notice, and we really appreciate everything you have done for us over the last four years.”

Mayor Croft replied in turn.

“Thank you so much guys, I really appreciate all your hard work over the last four years,” said Croft. “It’s been an adventure, for sure.”

Town chief administrative officer Jennifer Aspell, on behalf of staff, extended her thanks to all of council in general, and Croft in particular.

“You have been extremely supportive of all staff and all of your colleagues, and we just want to say thank you,” said Aspell. “There was a tremendous amount of time that you gave that nobody actually got to see. And so good luck with everything you have planned for your future.”

Incumbents Ralph Carey, Gerard Dunne, Jacob Hayden, Justina Nawaz, and Margaret Swain have put their names forward for re-election. Susan Byrne, Jessica Holmes, and Robert Thor are also running for a seat.

Croft’s one term on council as mayor was marked by a return to stability in some ways after the terms of the previous councils were marked by rancour and division, particularly over the stance of some councillors regarding the rights of private property owners near Ragged Beach. There were some imbroglios during Croft’s term, including an effort by councillors Dunne, Carey, Lorna Yard and Alan Richards to vacate the seat of councillor Swain over the Ragged Beach issue. Croft and Deputy Mayor Hayden opposed that decision and council was eventually found to have been in the wrong when it fired Swain, leading to her reinstatement. Yard and Richards eventually quit council.

Bring on the cod

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council last week voted to support the second annual Cod Fest to the tune of $3,000.

Councillor Corey Ronanye explained the funding, made payable to the Regional Lifestyle Centre, which will be hosting the event, will help cover the costs of entertainment and food.

Cod Fest was launched in 2024 as a means of celebrating the cod fishery, once so vital to the community.

As part of last year’s Cod Fest, local restaurants were invited to duke it out for the title of Best Fish n’ Chips restaurant, with the Jigger bringing home the bragging rights.

Witless Bay holds the line on snow clearing contract

By Mark Squibb

Members of Witless Bay council have voted to extend the Town’s current snow clearing contract with O’Brien's Trucking for an additional year with the option to renew for a third year.

“This will cover the 2025-26 season,” said Deputy Mayor Jacob Hayden. “With the cost of things, we’re moving forward with our current contractor, and hopefully we get a better deal in the future, but things are what they are right now price wise.”

Council awarded the initial 2024-25 snow clearing contract to O’Brien’s Trucking at a cost of $227,650, plus HST.

Mayor Trevor Croft, when bringing the matter forward during the August meeting, quipped that it was hard to think about snow clearing this time of year.

As previously reported in the Irish Loop Post, the neighbouring community of Bay Bulls also recently renewed its snow clearing contract with O’Brien's. Bay Bulls Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien was not in favour of the motion, citing the limited number of bidders.

Water is a scarce commodity for Goulds senior and her family

Marjorie Snelgrove checking the water level in her well in the Goulds. Snelgrove and her family have been rationing their use of water because of low water levels. Mark Squibb photo

By Mark Squibb

When bath time comes round at Marjorie Snelgrove’s house, two of her oldest grandchildren flip a coin to see who gets to jump in the tub first.

It’s not that the boys are excited to get a bath, it’s just that it has become a bit of a luxury now that the family’s well has run nearly dry because of this past hot summer and mild winter.

Snelgrove said her well would have run dry, except that a local Goulds resident, Scott Williams of First Choice Mobile Wash, has been topping it up since June, free of charge.

“He comes at least twice a week… he just arrives, and I’ll go out and have a little chat with him, and so forth and so on,” said Snelgrove. “And that’s how I have lived since the end of June — on the courtesy of Mr. Scott Williams.”

Without the kindness of that resident, Snelgrove said, she would have no water, simple as that, and she would be only one of many.

Snelgrove has lived on the Back Line for 50 years and said she has never seen a summer as bad as this.

“It seems like every summer gets worse,” said Snelgrove. “It could be the climate changing, l don’t know. I don’t know what the answer is. I think if it had been compulsory 50-odd years ago when I built this house to put in artesian wells, I would have had one… The well that we’re using is the family well.”

Snelgrove shares her home with her daughter and her partner, along with four grandchildren. She said they have to stretch water as much as they can. That means buying bottled water, sharing bath water, and washing the dishes only once a day, often with donations of litre bottles of water.

The well water is strictly reserved for bathing and flushing toilets.

“There’s no luxuries here,” said Snelgrove. “I washed the floor this morning for the first time since I don’t know when, because I saved the water that rained yesterday. And I was able to give it a lick. Not like I’d like to, but it’s presentable.”

Snelgrove said she has reached out to the City of St. John's, but to no avail.

The Irish Loop Post also contacted the City asking how it is assisting residents, particularly of the Goulds, who are not connected to the municipal water supply and in fear their wells will run dry.

The City sent a statement.

“We understand the challenges residents face due to dry conditions and the stress this can create,” read the statement. “Private wells are the responsibility of the property owner, and the City does not monitor or maintain them. We encourage residents to seek the guidance of qualified professionals for advice, testing, or support to help ensure their water supply is maintained and safe.”

Snelgrove quipped the problem would be easy to solve herself — if she were rich.

“I don’t know what to do,” said Snelgrove. “Why don’t they treat me like (the rest) in the City of St. John’s? I pay the same taxes. I pay my taxes to the City. Not to the Goulds. But nobody cares. I don’t know what they could do to help me. I’m a senior living on a senior’s pension. People say it’s $30,000 to put in an artesian well. I don’t know if the City could put the hole in the ground with the pipe and I would pay the plumber in dribs and drabs. I’m not fighting the council. I’m asking if there’s anything they can do to help me get water.”

St. Shotts mayor hoping town’s wish comes true with new wells

By Mark Squibb

St. Shotts mayor Loretta Molloy is hopeful that three wells dug using recently announced government funding to the tune of $239,190 will help the community address its water woes.

Molloy, who noted she is extremely pleased the town received the funding, explained St. Shotts has a groundwater water supply, and that in the springtime, it becomes murky.

“We have been on a boil order here for 10 or 12 years and we have not come off that boil order,” said Molloy. “In the wintertime, when the dam is skimmed over with ice, you get good, clear quality drinking water. But, by the time the testing would be done, and we get our clearance to come off the boil order, we would be back into the spring, there would be no ice on the water, and the water would be discoloured, and the bacteria count would be high. The main problem we have with our water is that where it’s a ground water source, any time we have any amount of rain the mud will be stirred up in the bottom of the dam and our water will be brown. It’s not fit even to take a shower in, let alone anything else…. You have to see the colour of the water, it’s not just a little muddy — it’s mud, in the summertime, when we have rain. There’s no way you can use it. It stains your tubs, your toilets. It’s unbelievable.”

Back in 2019, Molloy said, council began to get serious about getting the water problem addressed.

“What we did was we ungraded the water mains and the water filtration system,” said Molloy. “We upgraded all the lines going to individual houses to make sure there were no leaks. So, we updated all the infrastructure at the time. And then two years ago, once we got all that done, we held a public meeting and we said to people in the community, ‘Okay, do you want us to proceed to see if we can get some type of well dug to see if we can get good, clear water running from our taps, water that will be suitable for bathing , washing clothes, and, above all, drinking?’ And the town said, ‘Yes, 100 percent, go for it.’”

Following that meeting, the Town hired Stantec to do an assessment as a cost of about $9,000.

“Stantec suggested that, looking at the topography of the land, it would be suitable and advisable for us to go ahead with trying to get wells dug,” said Molloy.

To that end, the town successfully applied for funding to drill three wells.

“We dotted our I’s and crossed our T’s by having Stantec do the initial assessment, at the town’s cost, and then we put in a fairly good proposal, and were lucky enough to be accepted, and so now this is were we are,” said Molloy, adding the plan is to have the wells drilled by the fall.

Once the wells are dug, flow tests and water quality tests will be conducted. Should the results prove favorable, Molloy said, council will apply for an engineering assessment and, finally, hook the well system into the town’s water supply.

Molloy said that the funding will cover the cost of drilling the wells, but not the cost of hooking the wells up to the town’s infrastructure at a later time, which will require additional government funding.

“I don’t think government would abandon us now, once they’ve given us this much money to get the testing done,” said Molloy. “At least I hope they wouldn’t.”

Molloy has served one term as mayor and two terms as councillor and said that as long as she has been on council water quality has been a concern.

“This has been a long time in the making, but this community has never given up,” said Molloy. “It’s been a long road, and previous councils have worked so hard to get the infrastructure upgraded and repaired. We’re only a small community, but everybody works together very, very well.”

CEEP keeps on keeping on

By Mark Squibb

A number of communities along the Irish Loop will see money from the most recent round of Community Enhancement Employment Program (CEEP) funding.

The funding allows towns and local service districts to hire residents to complete community projects on the Province’s dime and is often used to top up people short on work weeks to qualify for employment insurance benefits.

The Town of Bay Bulls will receive $5,540 to renovate an existing space at Town Hall into a dual-purpose tourist information center and small museum, which will include a section dedicated to the history of military service within the community. The Town hopes to finish the renovations before the opening of the next tourism season.

The Town of Cape Broyle is getting $24,624 for renovations to the town office and community centre, upgrades to the cemetery, and winterization of the playground and ballfield.

Renews-Cappahayden is getting $66,759 for a number of projects, including the creation of a lookout point at “The Mount,” establishment of an outdoor food pantry, enhancement of community spaces, decoration of the community walking trail for the Christmas season, and a new touch of paint at the town hall.

The Town of Trepassey will receive $50,852, which will be used to upgrade the tennis and basketball court, upgrade Northwest Park, build picnic tables and garage boxes to be placed around town, and paint the Trepassey Management Corporation Building.

Riverhead is getting $20,000 for work on its community walking trail, while St. Vincents-St. Stephens-Peter’s River will get $20,971 for a Whale Watching Boardwalk.

Gaskiers-Point La Haye was approved for $28,085 for projects to improve tourism and development but will be submitting an amended application.

All told, the provincial government is spending $4.7 million on 151 projects throughout the island and Labrador, with more funding expected later this year. 

Witless Bay Knights’ latest fundraiser hits the bullseye

The Dean Patrick Cleary Council 6672 of the Knights of Columbus presented the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department with a cheque for $3,200 last month. From left are Grand Knight Jim Boland, Ken White, and Treasurer Barry Dillion. Photo courtesy of the Witless Bay K of C.

By Mark Squibb

The Witless Bay Knights of Columbus (Dean Patrick Cleary Council 6672) presented the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department with a cheque for $3,200 last month. The club raised the monies through a dart tournament held during Witless Bay Days this past summer.

Member Ken White said the Witless Bay Days committee had approached him about organizing the tournament as the club has organized several fundraiser dart tournaments over the years for different organizations.

“I decided the volunteer fire department would be a good organization to give it to, and I don’t think the timing could have been better, due to the wildfires and all that,” said White. “We were only too happy to do it, and we will probably do it again next year, because I’m sure they’ll need some new equipment. I guess that’s the purpose of the Knights — to help out in the community anyway we can.”

This year marks the club’s fiftieth anniversary. Over the years, they have raised funds for organizations such as Ronald McDonald House, the Janeway telethon, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Canadian Red Cross, and school breakfast programs at St. Bernard’s Elementary, Mobile Central High and Baltimore schools. The club boasts some 70 members.

Bay Bulls unveils new veterans’ crosswalk

The Town of Bay Bulls unveiled a new veterans crosswalk on August 14, just a few days after approving the crosswalk in a public meeting of council. Retired service members Lee Dunne and Bill Gushue joined mayor Keith O’Driscoll for the unveiling. From left are Gushue, O’Driscoll and Dunne. Town of Bay Bulls photo

By Mark Squibb

Bay Bulls council has honoured veterans with a special crosswalk near the war memorial at the Town Hall.

The crosswalk boasts red-and-white stripes, a silhouette of a soldier, and the phrase, ‘Lest We Forget.’

Council approved the work, at a cost of $1,200 plus HST, during the August 11 public meeting, and the crosswalk was laid shortly thereafter.

Town Manager Ashley Wakeham credited councillor Corey Ronayne with bringing the idea to staff.

“This is really going to enhance the area and recognise our veterans,” said Wakeham.

The Town also offers letters of retirement as a means of recognizing and congratulating current and former residents who have completed military service. Letters can be requested at info@townofbaybulls.com or (709)-334-3454.

The Town of Conception Bay South and City of Mount Pearl have also installed veterans’ crosswalks.

Bay Bulls greenlights back to school bash and trunk-or-treat

By Mark Squibb

There are still a couple of weeks of summer left, but as of the most recent public meeting, the Town of Bay Bulls has already approved two fun fall events.

Council approved the release of $550 to support the Lifestyle Centre’s back-to-school bash scheduled for Friday, September 5 at the Memorial Park across from the Town Hall. Staff will provide further assistance if needed.

Town Manager Ashley Wakeham said the centre held the inaugural event last year as a means to celebrate the end of summer and the start of a new school year. Last year’s event came complete with a bonfire and fireworks. Given the current risk of wildfires, there will be no bonfire or fireworks this year, but there will still be live music, a BBQ, face painting, popcorn and cotton candy.

Council also greenlit the annual Trunk-Or-Treat event, which will be held October 25 at the Lifestyle Centre.

The Town has budgeted $1,000 for the event, during which businesses, organizations, and individuals serve candy to trick-or-treaters from their car trunks.

Mayor Keith O’Driscoll and Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien both said the event is well-attended year-over-year.

Wakeham added that in recent years, local businesses that haven’t been a part of the fun have been reaching out about getting involved.

Witless Bay Fire Department busy helping fellow brigades

By Mark Squibb

Witless Bay council has appointed firefighter Kyle Nash administrative duties as Fire Chief Jack Gatherall battled provincial wildfires with the St. John’s Regional Fire Department last month.

Council appointed Nash to the position by an e-mail vote on July 20, and Nash assumed responsibility effective July 28. Council ratified the e-mail vote during its August 12 public meeting.

The Witless Bay Fire Department, meanwhile, ferried water to other departments in an effort to battle blazes that sprung up across the Avalon. Members also worked alongside Holyrood firefighters to battle the blaze that forced the evacuation of part of Holyrood and CBS earlier this month.

As of August 1, the department had responded to some 241 calls.

Con O’Brien serving up much more than a Feed of Fish

The Irish Descendants front man Con O'Brien is in the middle of an interesting solo venture this summer singing songs and telling stories about the Newfoundland cod fishery.

By Olivia Bradbury / Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Con O’Brien may be best known as the lead singer of The Irish Descendants and as one of the best baritones in Canada, but he’s also an amateur historian when it comes to the fishery with plenty of real-life experience in the industry to back up that knowledge.

This summer, the Bay Bulls native is rolling that musical ability and fisheries knowledge into a rollicking performance of songs and stories at the Stagehead restaurant in the O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours building on the Bay Bulls waterfront. 

Billed as A Feed of Fish, the summertime show, which runs until mid-September, comes with a meal and plenty of fishery lore to chew on. There’s a lunch time show and a suppertime performance, with the earlier one catered to people coming back from a tour of whale and puffin spotting around the local islands. The lunch shows typically run from 75 to 90 minutes. The evening shows are more extensive, with a different menu, and go for about two hours.

The main theme of A Feed of Fish is the history of the Newfoundland fishery, especially the moratorium. O’Brien grew up in the fishery. His family and relatives were major players in the processing industry for years, and he readily acknowledges it was a formative part of his upbringing. 

“I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything in the world because it was just a magical thing growing up in outport Newfoundland at that time,” he said. “We were the last generation to see the codfish in the way it had been here for five centuries.” 

Fish plants were a major part of not just many Newfoundlanders’ livelihoods, but Newfoundland society in general. 

“The fish plant was a place where we gathered, and we came together. It was almost like a church without prayers,” said O’Brien. “We knew each other’s troubles, we knew each other’s triumphs. We talked, we gossiped, we fell in love. Everything happened in the fish plant.” 

O’Brien had always expected he would go into the family business. But like many others, he and his loved ones had the rug pulled out from under them when the cod moratorium was announced. He recalls hearing the announcement over the radio on July 2, 1992 while eating breakfast with his father William, better known as Bud, O’Brien. His father then had to go to their plant and tell hundreds of people they were jobless. 

“Our livelihoods were taken away from us,” Con said. “It was a very dramatic and traumatic time in our lives.” 

More than 40,000 Newfoundlanders left the province to seek work.

O’Brien was able to stay in Newfoundland because of his music career. He does not think he would have become a professional musician if the moratorium had not happened. Being a product of the moratorium led him to the idea of the summertime show. The songs he sings at A Feed of Fish pertain to Newfoundland’s connection with the fishery, and the impact of the moratorium. Con talks about his own son, who works at the event as a host, and how, in one generation, we lost a way of life that we had had for centuries. This often brings audience members to tears. There are typically fewer Newfoundlanders than tourists in the lunch audiences, and O’Brien sees some visitors visibly grasp the impact the loss of the cod fishery had on Newfoundland.

For O’Brien, performing at his cousins’ tour boat establishment helps him keep a connection with the sea and his family’s past. The menu for the Feed of Fish performances is comprised of his own recipes. There are several options, with at least one fish option for lunch and dinner. At lunch guests can order a baked Newfoundland-style cod made from O’Brien’s grandmother’s recipe. At dinner, they can get traditional Newfoundland cod stew, which is perhaps the most popular item. O’Brien noted that many fishermen traditionally ate fish stew for breakfast almost every day, and that the one on the menu is his own Bay Bulls variation.

Bay Bulls gives Targa a tentative go

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Bay Bulls has given Targa the greenlight to hit the streets of Bay Bulls next month — so long as wildfires on the Avalon are contained by then.

Council approved Targa’s participation request during last week’s public meeting. Mayor Keith O’Driscoll added that last year’s event went over very well.

The 2025 event is scheduled for September 11 to 18. Participants plan to be in Bay Bulls on Saturday, September 13.

Roads impacted includ Southside Road, Lower Road, Irishtown Road, Northside Road, Marsh Road, and Sheldon Drive.

Staff, meanwhile, have reached out to Targa Newfoundland to let the organization know that the Town may opt out of the event if there is an insufficient number of emergency responders available in the region, given the current wildfire conditions on the Avalon.

Stranded hiker rescued near Bay Bulls

By Mark Squibb

A hiker had to be rescued after getting stranded earlier this month along the East Coast Trail to the Spout, an ocean spray geyser located along the coast roughly halfway between Bay Bulls and Petty Harbour.

Members of the Ferryland RCMP, Rovers Search and Rescue, the Witless Bay Volunteer Fire Department, and emergency medical services personnel participated in the August 8 rescue. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre was engaged due to the remote location of the hiker.

Police are encouraging people to hike safely, which means planning hikes based on your experience and abilities, check weather and trail conditions, hike with friends, tell others where you are going and when you plan to get back, and what your planned route is, and packing emergency supplies, including a first aid kit, flashlight, whistle, and food and water.

Veteran offers memorabilia in hopes of seeing Bay Bulls military museum

A young Bernard Kelly aboard the HMCS Assiniboine during the 1968 Governor General’s Centennial Cruise of Newfoundland. Kelly said he is willing to donate memorabilia from his military career to the Town of Bay Bulls if it is willing to display it publicly. Submitted photo

By Mark Squibb

A Navy veteran with ties to Bay Bulls says he is willing to donate his own personal military memorabilia to the town should it be interested in putting it on display.

Bernard Kelly came to Bay Bulls as a five-year-old foster child and joined the Navy in 1965 at the age of 17. He retired in 2008 after 43 years of service and currently lives in Prince Edward Island.

Kelly’s collection of memorabilia includes ship crest emblems, old photos, and even spent shells. He said he would like to see it donated for the public good rather than be thrown out or go to waste. He added other folks in the community have agreed that they would like to see a museum of sorts commemorating veterans.

“A lot of lads served and never received recognition,” said Kelly. “If I can do something for them, that’s good for me.”

Kelly’s father, Fred, went overseas with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in 1940, and repatriated to England in 1949. Fred never received a Canadian pension, which Bernard counts as an injustice to this day.

On the home front is Sandra Costello, a close friend of Kelly, who has advocated over the last decade or so for a museum or public display of sorts honouring veterans.

“There’s a lot of people that have passed away that have served in the navy or in the army, and some that are still alive,” said Costello. “And so, I said, ‘We should have something here for them.”

More recently, Costello brought the suggestion to council during the July 22 public meeting.

The town council was receptive to the recommendation, with Town Manager Ashley Wakeham adding the Town has applied for funding that may be able to assist with the project.

In the meantime, Costello will continue to advocate for a display.

“It’s always on my mind,” said Costello. “And Bernard instilled it in me.”