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 Six-Year-Old CAN Make a Difference! (4642 views) On June 15, 2012 my six-year-old daughter Katelyn cut and donated 12 inches of her hair for Angel Hair. The Angel Hair program provides families with wigs for kids that are less fortunate in Canada free of charge. However it costs between ... click to read moreOn June 15, 2012 my six-year-old daughter Katelyn cut and donated 12 inches of her hair for Angel Hair. The Angel Hair program provides families with wigs for kids that are less fortunate in Canada free of charge. However it costs between $800 to $1000 to make one wig. We went beyond that challenge with help from family and friends and raised $3000. We are all so proud of our daughter. She is a special little girl with such a big heart! We just wanted to say thanks for helping my daughter help someone else's!
Thanks for posting our daughters picture...we are loyal fans of Downhome Magazine and as you can imagine we are also PROUD PARENTS!
Aimee & Shaun Butler
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
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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)
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
Leo Caulton Baine Harbour, Placentia Bay, NL
(5 rating, 1 votes)
Why I Love Newfoundland Why I love Newfoundland:
- The meal of fish 'n' brewis and freshly baked bread
- The way people greet you "me luv" - even strangers!
- The stories, the yarns!
- The best kind of humour wherever you go
- People knowing to laugh at themselves
- Savoury, the fabulous herb in the bread stuffing or your fish cakes (made with cod, of course)
- The songs, the music, the dance at every ... click to read moreWhy I love Newfoundland:
- The meal of fish 'n' brewis and freshly baked bread
- The way people greet you "me luv" - even strangers!
- The stories, the yarns!
- The best kind of humour wherever you go
- People knowing to laugh at themselves
- Savoury, the fabulous herb in the bread stuffing or your fish cakes (made with cod, of course)
- The songs, the music, the dance at every celebration and gathering of friends
- The best of hospitality
- Cabot Tower on Signal HIll, where the wind sucks your Kleenex out of your pockets
- The view from Farm Road above Corner Brook
- The Man in the Mountain over the Humber River
- The taste of freshly caught 30-lb salmon in a cabin overlooking the Humber and Steadybrook Falls
Don't you just love how Newfoundland people accept and include a newcomer into their lives? That is hospitality! That is why I love Newfoundland. ... Hide full submission
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