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.
Photo of Hoop Cove, Long Harbour, Fortune Bay, 2007
I recently viewed a photo of Hoop Cove from your 2007 magazine taken by Ron Phillips, Main A Dieu, N.S. He mentioned living in Hare Harbour, Fortune Bay. I have started to research my family tree and my great grandmother, Martha Tibbo Chalker was born there in 1884. I would like to contact anyone that has any information re her parents, Madeline Tibbo (daughter of John Tibbo and Ann Skinner). Martha emigrated to N.S. in 1895. I was born in N.S. but have lived in N.L. for many years and am excited to start the search for my N.L. relatives. My email is lmackay@nl.rogers.com.
Not sure if I'm sending this to the correct reader submissions category, but I thought it may be of some interest to Downhome magazine and its readers.
Not sure if I'm sending this to the correct reader submissions category, but I thought it may be of some interest to Downhome magazine and its readers.
Living in Carlisle in the far north west of England I take regular walks in our lovely peaceful cemetery in the city. It's bursting with wildlife, and I and my faithful dog Stanley enjoy our walks there.
The other day, I came across two graves of three members of the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit, who died in service over here in Britain during the Second World War. I've attached a photo of one of the graves, that of Samuel Lodge, a native of Corner Brook who died on 23/06/41, and is buried here in Carlisle.
Another grave is of two unit members, Raymond Elliott of Catalina, who died in 1940 and Stanley Reeves of Englee, white Bay, who died in 1941. According to records, there is another unit member, Raymond O'Keefe of Placentia, who died in 1940, and is also buried at Carlisle, but I've not found his resting place yet.
The Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit was a band of about 3,500 men, who answered the call of the Commissioner for National Resources for much needed loggers to work in Britain to aid the great need for wood during the Second World War. Of the 3,500 volunteers, some 34 died here in Britain, mostly due to illness or accident.
For their labour, they were paid $2 a day, of which $1 had to be sent home to the family back in Newfoundland. Their efforts were a great contribution to the war effort, and their graves in Carlisle are obviously well tended, as Sam Lodge's grave has a small wooden cross and red poppy on it, and Raymond Elliott and Stanley Reeves' grave has two Canadian flags next to the stone.
You may wonder, why my interest in these graves? I've had the great privilege to visit the "Rock" on three occasions, and you have a beautiful land, with a welcome you won't find anywhere else I've ever visited on the planet.
I also married the daughter of a Newfie. My late father-in-law, who died a few years ago, was Charles Nelson Hart, born in Fogo, and served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was born in 1919, and still has family in St. John's and Lewisporte, as well as relations on Fogo.
Some day I hope to return to Newfoundland, and in the meantime, I'll keep an eye on the two graves I came across, and make sure they're kept in a good condition.
Without the sacrifices of Messrs Reeves, Elliott and Lodge the war may not have been won.
Our Rocks and Roots Tour of the Viking Trail How disappointing this article had to be for anyone who is from the Great Northern Peninsula. I have lived away for almost 40 years, but still call St. Lunaire home. My wife Cathy and I vacation in Newfoundland practically every year and always spend time in Gros Morne and in St. Lunaire. To see an article about the Viking Trail and not see a mention of the Western Brook Pond Tour, the Bonne Bay Tour, ... click to read moreHow disappointing this article had to be for anyone who is from the Great Northern Peninsula. I have lived away for almost 40 years, but still call St. Lunaire home. My wife Cathy and I vacation in Newfoundland practically every year and always spend time in Gros Morne and in St. Lunaire. To see an article about the Viking Trail and not see a mention of the Western Brook Pond Tour, the Bonne Bay Tour, Anchor's Aweigh entertaining in Rocky Harbour, the Anchor Cafe in Port Au Choix, Mummer night at the Northern Delight in Gunner's Cove, the Daily Catch in St. Lunaire, or a story or two about current people living in that area, was very disappointing. For instance, the couple who recently moved from the USA to live in Griquet and were volunteers at the Home Coming last year. Or the Burdens, who have been in business in St. Lunaire for as long as I can remember. Or Rex Saunders, who wrote a book about surviving on the ice. Or Hector Earle, the snowshoe man. Anyone can research the geography and landscape of the Viking Trail, but for those of us who love it dearly, this physical beauty is certainly appreciated, but it is the people and culture that make it very special. This I know first hand from meeting people from all over Canada and the world, both during our visits there, but just as much so when we travel other places as well. Most of these visitors are not looking for Duck Confit (what is that?), or a Striploin Steak, but rather dishes that represent the local culture and will not cost $155.
Farmer's Weights
Re this item on page 17 of March 2013 issue: My Scottish husband, Alistair, a farmer (now retired), used weights like those in the photo to balance scales when weighing sacks of corn, barley, potatoes etc. He has weights of 7, 14, 28 and 56 pounds. He still has these weights, which were originally owned by his late father, Alexander, also a farmer. These weights would probably be over 100 years old.
Jan Stirling-Shewan Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, Scotland
(0 rating, 0 votes)
Wine With Wings
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Weigh Scale Tester
(In response to Duane Maddigan's letter in March 2013 issue). I can remember around 1940-1950 seeing these around, "Toledo" scales. I think they were used to test weight scales for the needle or dial stop on the proper number of the weight put on the scale. The way they were moulded to form a handle allowed them to be moved around quite freely.
Roy Kline Halifax, NS
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From the Codfish Days
An answer for the "weighted question" for Duane Maddigan of Labrador City, NL (page 17 of the March issue): These weights were used for weighing fish. In one quintal of uncured codfish there were 112 pounds, so two weights of 56 pounds would be used. On the schooner there would be a seesaw device with a platform on one end for the weights and a handbar on the other to hold the fish.
