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.
A Newfie in Quebec Hello to all the Newfies,
I am proud to be one, too. Although I have been away from my beloved Newfoundland, you just cannot forget it. I grew up in Change Islands, N.D. Bay.
How did I get here? Well! When the war came I joined the Air Force and served in Lachine, Quebec, where the men came before going overseas and those who returned came there also. It was there I met ... click to read moreHello to all the Newfies,
I am proud to be one, too. Although I have been away from my beloved Newfoundland, you just cannot forget it. I grew up in Change Islands, N.D. Bay.
How did I get here? Well! When the war came I joined the Air Force and served in Lachine, Quebec, where the men came before going overseas and those who returned came there also. It was there I met the man I eventually married.
When I was in uniform I was proud to have on the shoulder of the uniform the word NEWFOUNDLAND.
I went down to the USA on a weekend pass and met people who were surprised that we looked like them. They thought Newfoundlanders were Eskimos.
I went to Newfoundland with my husband and two children. They liked it very much. We lived in Dorval, Quebec then.
Now my children are married and live in Toronto and Ottawa and I am living in a very nice senior's residence. From my large window I can see lots of huge trees and a lake.
I have lots of good memories to keep my mind active.
Ruth Baxter (nee Roberts) Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec
(1.5 rating, 2 votes)
Wine With Wings
Newfoundland Wine shipped country wide (except in NL)
Shipping special $10/case Visit website
Advertisement
World Cultures Postcard Project
Can you mail just one postcard to students at a K-Grade 6 school in Western Newfoundland? If you are rushed, just a "Hello" on the card is good, but you are most welcome to tell us an interesting fact about the Canadian ... click to read moreCan you mail just one postcard to students at a K-Grade 6 school in Western Newfoundland? If you are rushed, just a "Hello" on the card is good, but you are most welcome to tell us an interesting fact about the Canadian town or foreign country pictured on the postcard
Our Grade 6 students are doing a research project in World Cultures. By December, the three classes will have researched more than 30 countries! We really do hope that you will send us a postcard from your town or city, no matter where in the world you live or visit. Yes, we want postcards from every town in NL and from every region in Canada! If you travel, could you send us a postcard during your trip?
Mail your postcard to:
Skipper & Sailor
Humber Elementary
St. John's Avenue
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
A2H 2E5
Skipper and Sailor are the Newfoundland and Labrador "dogs" who "live" at Humber Elementary. They love going on travels with the students. They were on Facebook for a short while, but had to stop because Skipper and Sailor are not people. They didn't know they were not permitted to use Facebook and they both say, "We're sorry." So, now they blog, instead.
The blog page is http://21stelearning.edublogs.org/postcard-project-v2/ You are invited to visit the blog to see what the dogs are doing with their friends at school, and to read more about our World Cultures Postcard Project. ... Hide full submission
Helena Thornhill from St. Alban's, Newfoundland, standing by a sign that says, "Welcome to the Village of Newfoundland - Pennsylvania" in Sept 2012. Anyone know how it may have gotten its name? The population there is approximately 1,900 people. Took a wrong exit and came upon this. Happy to have taken that exit though!
The Term Newfie I was not born in Newfoundland, but my parents, and grandparents and those before and many since were, and still are there. Growing up I heard "Newfie" used all the time, and I didn't know it meant anything more than coming from the Rock. When kids would ask me what I was, I said "Newfie," proudly, not knowing there were any who thought it belittling, unsettling or an insult. Ah the mind of a child ... click to read moreI was not born in Newfoundland, but my parents, and grandparents and those before and many since were, and still are there. Growing up I heard "Newfie" used all the time, and I didn't know it meant anything more than coming from the Rock. When kids would ask me what I was, I said "Newfie," proudly, not knowing there were any who thought it belittling, unsettling or an insult. Ah the mind of a child eh?! I had many tell me as soon as "Newfie" was heard, some joke they thought was funny, and almost test to see if I got upset because of the term used. I'd just shake my head, and say, "You know why there are so many Newfie jokes? Because the Newfies made 'em all up; they know how to laugh at themselves, they're a good bunch, and never the friendlier you'll find." I was asked many times why a Newfie would laugh at themselves, so I'd add, "When you work that hard, in hard land, and hard waters, in hard weather, you have to laugh at it all."
I started researching my family, interested in where all the things came from that made a whole province known as "Newfies," and how it was all over the world people knew who a Newfie was. What a surprise I found. Newfies do wear rubber boots, it's almost a rite of passage. It's a wet place, surrounded in ocean - you need rubber boots! It was a poor place - if you're talking money - but nothing else about the family I learned about was poor. Large families, fishermen, women home with babies, ship builders, millers, farmers, they cleared the land, rock and all, and built up towns, and somehow all looked after each other. Neighbours, strangers, they helped anyone. Why? Because they needed help. They recycled long before it was something to do. Sure, most kids did not go far or finish in school. They had to work, help out with things. They patched their clothes and they patched their shoes, and then they went to work. They worked, and they worked hard. Men spent months away from home to earn that pay. For families who chose to populate Islands off the coast, in harder water, it was harder yet...but still they did it all. I have never known the hard work or suffering my family endured, but I read and read all I could, and if the term "Newfie" is based on those folks, once more I can say I am proud to use the term, hear the term, and shout it loud...I'm a Newfie. Oh sure I was born in Toronto, an export, but I was made in Newfoundland! You can't change anyone's mind once it's made, but you can always be proud of who you are, the people who came before - and they called themselves "Newfies!" ... Hide full submission
Information
I am looking to find out if anybody has any info on a person by the name of Darrell McDonald. Apparently he owned or still owns farmland near Spencers Bridge, Glovertown. Nobody seems to have any information on this person. Crown land doesn't even know. I am wondering if any of your readers can recollect anything about this person. He bought it in 1993 but hasn't farmed it since the early 2000s. If anybody has any info they can contact me at moss1960@hotmail.com.
Must keep in touch with all of the Downhome staff. Sure enjoy every Downhome and it reminds me of a saying, "Wine is better with age." And I can start another saying: Every Downhome is better all the time. Regarding the story about being called a Newfie, well all I can say is every time I'm called a Newfie I couldn't be more proud if I wanted to. It's a ... click to read moreHi Ron and staff,
Must keep in touch with all of the Downhome staff. Sure enjoy every Downhome and it reminds me of a saying, "Wine is better with age." And I can start another saying: Every Downhome is better all the time. Regarding the story about being called a Newfie, well all I can say is every time I'm called a Newfie I couldn't be more proud if I wanted to. It's a great honour also to be called a Newfoundlander. I've been gone for 52 years and when someone says, "You're from Newfoundland," I would say, "And darn proud of it."
Also when I read about Amelia Earhart I was reminded we had our pictures taken beside her statue when at Riverhead, Harbour Grace.
Also, talking about the King of them all, I'm referring to the Great One - not Wayne Gretzsky, but Corky Sly Conner - he's on page 112. How sly can you get eh?
Anyway all the best and long may your big jib draw.
A visit to Queen's Park with Newfoundland connection in the war of 1812.
I am an Ontarian, with deep family roots that dates back to the late 1820s, to the original settlers of Simcoe county, and whose ancestor defended Upper ... click to read moreA visit to Queen's Park with Newfoundland connection in the war of 1812.
I am an Ontarian, with deep family roots that dates back to the late 1820s, to the original settlers of Simcoe county, and whose ancestor defended Upper Canada (Ontario) during the War of 1812 with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Myself and my wife visited The Honourable David C. Onley Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
I'm very proud to have met Her Majesty's representative of Ontario and was privileged to have met Her Majesty's representative of Newfoundland & Labrador this past February.
I wanted to bring to his Honour's attention to the service of the "Royal Newfoundland Regiment" during the war of 1812, or as it was called during that time, "The Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry 1803-1816."
In May 1812, weeks before outbreak of the war with the United States, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock Commander of his Majesty's Forces in Upper Canada deployed The Regiment into smaller companies in defensive positions all over Upper Canada. Some even employed as Marines onboard naval vessels on the Great Lakes (known as His Majesty's Provincial Marine).
Elements of this Regiment were present at almost every battle in the Great Lakes region and are listed in the pages of my book. "A Directory of Officers & Men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment 1795-1816."
One little known fact: During battle of York (Toronto), 27 April 1813, as a superior American force advanced to overrun the British position and the fort, it was a captain of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who was ordered to set the powder magazine alight, preventing it from being taken by American troops.
Recently, after looking through British military records, I have proof my ancestor was involved in the successful raid on Ogdensburg N.Y., 22 February 1813. The raid was put into action after the constant harassing by the Americans on British military supplies and civilians along the St. Lawrence River near Prescott. Units that took part were about 30 members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Royal Artillery, 8th Regiment, Glengarry Light infantry and local militia marched across the frozen St. Lawrence River. In a two-pronged attack which was led by Newfoundland-born Lt-Col George MacDonell of the Glengarry Light Infantry, also known as (Red George), this mixed force pushed their way through the town, capturing the enemy military equipment and burning two barracks, gunboats and other vessels. After the raid the Americans never launched another attack from Ogdensburg again.
This and countless other actions The Royal Newfoundland Regiment gave in the service of His Majesty King George III during the War of 1812.
Photo: Rodney is dressed in the Uniform of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry.
