Here is another convenient way to send us your thoughts on down-home living, and comment on the stories you've read in Downhome. All will be considered for inclusion in the "Notes from Home" section of the magazine.
The Kyle and the Quintal Dear Ron,
These comments are a little belated.
In the February (2013) issue, the story about the trips to Labrador on the Kyle revived a lot of memories for me. I went to Labrador as part of the family crew from 1939-1947. We fished in Murray Harbour, just south of Battle Harbour. As a young male, I did indeed sleep in the hold along with my uncles and grandfather, together with a lot ... click to read moreDear Ron,
These comments are a little belated.
In the February (2013) issue, the story about the trips to Labrador on the Kyle revived a lot of memories for me. I went to Labrador as part of the family crew from 1939-1947. We fished in Murray Harbour, just south of Battle Harbour. As a young male, I did indeed sleep in the hold along with my uncles and grandfather, together with a lot of other crews.
We boiled our kettle at the main galley, brought it back to the forward hold, lowered it down with a rope, where it was retrieved by a waiting person, made our tea and ate whatever grub we had brought on board from Carbonear. The trip took about 3-4 days, if not interrupted by ice.
While accommodations in the hold were to primitive, I preferred it over the steerage where my grandmother and sister were. On my visits there to see them, all I remember is the oppressive steam heat, babies crying and the stench of seasickness. Despite all the hardship, my memories of many trips on the Kyle, both to and from Labrador, are very positive.
On page 17 of the March (2013) issue, there is a picture of three weights - 14, 28 and 56 pounds. I am very familiar with the 56 pound version. This weight was used for weighing codfish at shipping time. In my case, it was when the merchant's vessel came to our harbour to pick up our fish at the end of the season. A large Fairbank/Morse scale was used. Two 56 lb weights were placed on one side of the scale, and fish was loaded on the opposite side until the scale balanced. This meant that 112 lbs of fish, or one quintal, was weighed. Many a wrist was strained by trying to lift a 56-lb weight overhead while trying to keep the arm straight. ... Hide full submission
Edward French Sun City W., AZ
(0 rating, 0 votes)
Is the Name Newfie Derogatory or Not? I am probably really late to this party, however, I just had to comment on this term after reading about it in one of my wife's friends' Downhome magazines.
I have been married to a Newfie for 44 years, and she is one of the most wonderful and agreeable people on the planet. She comes from a family of most wonderful people, some as agreeable, and some a bit more caustic, but all loving ... click to read moreI am probably really late to this party, however, I just had to comment on this term after reading about it in one of my wife's friends' Downhome magazines.
I have been married to a Newfie for 44 years, and she is one of the most wonderful and agreeable people on the planet. She comes from a family of most wonderful people, some as agreeable, and some a bit more caustic, but all loving people. As I was raised in a normal (ie: dysfunctional) household, I was totally amazed to find a family that did not fight with each other all the time, and got along pretty much the same amount of time. They are all Newfies to me, which means happy, agreeable and loving. I lived among them, on the Rock, for a while, and they were good years. I have been called a mainlander by some Newfoundlanders, and although it was probably meant in a derogatory manner, it did not bother me, because as compared to those born on the Rock, I am from the main land of Canada. After all, what, really, is in a name? I have not yet been called an Upalonger, but aside from imbuing me with a confused expression, that also would not bother me. As one who has used the term Newfie for quite some time now, let me assure all of you upstanding Newfoundlanders, it is not used insultingly. Not by me anyway. Judging by all my in-laws, if Newfie means backwards, then I wish my family had been as backwards. If I do not know you, I will not grace you with the name Newfie, as, in my mind, you have not yet earned it, but if I know you and like you, and you HAVE earned it, I will.
From a mainlander (or maybe an upalonger)
Thomas Dickieson
North Bay, Ontario ... Hide full submission
My Downhome Story I have read many interesting issues of the Downhome over the years, however, it was always an old copy I had come across while visiting someone else's bathroom! Last year I decided the time had come for me to have my very own subscription to the Downhome and thought it would be extra special to receive it as a gift from a family member for my 65th birthday, so I dutifully informed my son of ... click to read moreI have read many interesting issues of the Downhome over the years, however, it was always an old copy I had come across while visiting someone else's bathroom! Last year I decided the time had come for me to have my very own subscription to the Downhome and thought it would be extra special to receive it as a gift from a family member for my 65th birthday, so I dutifully informed my son of my wishes.
Well, my wish came true and since November I look forward each month to receiving my very own copy of the Downhome magazine and all the interesting extras that accompany the subscription - the beautiful wall calendar with pictures that I want to frame, and an information travel guide that makes sure I plan my summer trips back home when my favourite festivals are on, and a recipe cookbook with easy gourmet recipes that often show up at family gatherings.
All copies of my very own subscription to the Downhome are never very far away because you never know when one might be able to refer to the Downhome to make a point. One evening recently, I invited a few of my senior friends over for a game of cards. While trying to settle the matter of a certain card rule, I confidently spoke up and explained how it is usually done in Newfoundland! Well, they were all mainlanders and not too impressed with a Newfoundlander's version of a card game rule, and to prove their point, they indignantly said "and what else should we know about the way things are done in Newfoundland?"
Not to be outdone, I promptly grabbed the past six issues of the Downhome magazine, that just happened to be nearby (as always), and gave each of them a copy to take home, and said "this is a wonderful Newfoundland magazine that will tell you the way many things are done in Newfoundland." They are raving about the little magazine from Newfoundland! The matter of the card game rule may never be settled but they all want to go to Newfoundland, and I expect that future issues of the Downhome may go missing from my place!
Judy Young-Cairns
Riverview, New Brunswick (formerly of Foxtrap, CBS, NL).
I am an old codger from NL (St. John's) living in Nova Scotia now for some 50 years, but still very much a died in the wool Newfoundlander at heart. I eagerly look forward to receiving your magazine and read each issue from cover to cover. I think your magazine is unique, devoted as it is to things Newfoundland, and filling a burning need in most Newfoundlanders to be closely ... click to read moreHi Ron & Staff:
I am an old codger from NL (St. John's) living in Nova Scotia now for some 50 years, but still very much a died in the wool Newfoundlander at heart. I eagerly look forward to receiving your magazine and read each issue from cover to cover. I think your magazine is unique, devoted as it is to things Newfoundland, and filling a burning need in most Newfoundlanders to be closely linked to home. When you retired from Toronto Ron, and moved your magazine to your home in NL, it was a real piece of forward thinking. This is evident by the rise in popularity of the Downhome over the years. The nature of the articles always seems to closely resonate with the intended Newfoundland audience and are always most interesting. Good on you for not deviating from this goal.
On page 30 of the January (2013) issue, it shows a heater used to heat Ron's room. I also grew up beside one and still own it today. Here is a picture of it.
Marilynn Sweet (Hines) Deseronto, ON
(5 rating, 1 votes)
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Beatrice Spencer
Dear Ron,
I am trying to find out some information about my ancestors. My father was a Squires from Coley's Point, NL. I know that he had cousins named Beatrice and Herb Spencer, who lived in Vancouver, BC. I don't think they ... click to read moreDear Ron,
I am trying to find out some information about my ancestors. My father was a Squires from Coley's Point, NL. I know that he had cousins named Beatrice and Herb Spencer, who lived in Vancouver, BC. I don't think they are living now. If anyone knows anything about these people or are a relative, would they please contact me at 709-786-6365 or email hazelmargaret@hotmail.com. I am enclosing a picture taken of Beatrice many years ago. ... Hide full submission
Hazel Badcock Bay Roberts, NL
(5 rating, 1 votes)
Mystery Weights
Just thought I'd drop you a note concerning a question on page 17 of your March (2013) issue. I can honestly tell you they are weights used on a beam. This is a type of weighing scale used for weighing salt fish ... click to read moreJust thought I'd drop you a note concerning a question on page 17 of your March (2013) issue. I can honestly tell you they are weights used on a beam. This is a type of weighing scale used for weighing salt fish when they used to pack salt fish in barrels to ship out to places overseas. They are some old because I used them myself when I worked with a company buying fish. This beam was hung from the ceiling and balanced with a dial setting starting at zero and continuing on in weight - 56 lbs, 28 lbs and 14 lbs.
I am 68 years old myself and this system was in use when I was a boy. A lot of fish buyers used them back then. They are a nice antique to keep.
This is a rough sketch of the weighing beam and a fish bar formally known as a draft bar. ... Hide full submission
