Living Heritage Podcast Ep113 Piece by Piece - The Mosaic Art of Terry Nicholls

Terry Nicholls is a mosaic artist living in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. In this episode, he chats with Alina Sergachov about his personal background and how it brought him into the field of the mosaic art, the process of making a mosaic, materials, and describes how the experience of working in marine and freshwater environments influences his interpretation of the natural world through mosaics. Terry talks about translating an idea into an object and being inspired, and the time it takes to create his art.

This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3




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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes are hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Have folklore, will travel: Notes from Glenwood!

I'm on the heritage trail this week, holding some heritage planning and oral history meetings in central Newfoundland. Last night I had a very positive meeting with the newly-formed Glenwood Heritage Society (above), whose mandate is "To protect and promote the heritage of Glenwood and surrounding area" (yes, Appleton, that means you are invited). 

We had a good discussion about how community heritage groups can get involved to help safeguard living heritage in their areas, and the kinds of programs and activities other heritage groups across the province are running. 

The group is on facebook, and their first event is the Glenwood Heritage Society Annual Trout Derby -- coming soon! Below, a photo of the Glenwood railway station in its heyday, and a very very sweet Ford Thibault vintage fire engine the town currently has on display. 

Tuesday's #FolklorePhoto: Simms House

Today's Folklore Photos are of the Simms House which is a two-and-a-half storey, mansard roofed residential structure built in the late 19th century. It is situated on Pleasant Street in the west-end area of St. John’s, NL, once known as Lazy Bank. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Tyler Stapleton and Dale Jarvis.

Tyler Stapleton, a 24 year old Nautical Science Graduate from the Marine Institute, is actively restoring the 1882 Registered Heritage Structure in Downtown St. John’s. In March 2018, Tyler gave Dale and Terra with the Heritage Foundation a tour of his property and described the ongoing restoration and the background research on the history of the house. 

The home was built in 1882 for draper George Taylor and sold to cooper Henry V. Simms in 1902. Simms ran a successful trade out of a shop once located behind the home and, by the time he died in 1947, owned several properties in the area. Henry’s son William Simms inherited Simms House in 1947 and also worked as a cooper. Simms House has aesthetic value as an excellent example of an early middle-class home in urban St. John’s.

Henry V. Simms played an active in his community, serving as Vice President of the Master Coopers’ Association and an organizer of the local prohibition movement. His interest in prohibition may have been influenced by his neighbourhood, Lazy Bank, which generated reports of public intoxication and unsanitary conditions around the turn of the century. 

A bottle of Labbatt's Blue and a pack of Man-Tex condoms found during the restoration of the home. An interesting find given Simms' interest in the prohibition movement. 

If you would like to learn more about the Simms House have a listen to the Living Heritage Podcast episode number 104. In this episode, which can be found here, Dale and Tyler discuss on the history of the building, his process of research and restoration, and some of the secrets of the Simms House.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep112 Felted Folklore and Paper Maché

Janet Peter has been working with the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador for approximately 20 years. She possesses a great interest in creating paper maché mummers and figurines of local traditions and folklore, and these themes recur in much of her work. She has been making marks on paper since she was old enough to hold a pencil and it motivated her to embark on a journey to a career in the arts.

After high school, Janet briefly studied animation. Shortly after graduating with a Visual Arts diploma, she began a line of paper maché mummer figurines. She earned a Masters’ in Political Science; worked as a workers’ advocate; then moved across the country to St. John’s to start her career afresh. Currently, she is working on a series of needle felted sculptures depicting pre-Victorian yuletide folklore and practices for an upcoming solo exhibit.

Janet Peter is one of those who have been constantly working to keep the craft tradition of Newfoundland alive. In this episode, Janet talks with Nadia Sarwar about her upcoming solo exhibition, her notable creations, the activities of the Craft Council, and the future of craft in Newfoundland. This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3




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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes are hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Saving Our Stories workshop - An Introduction to Community Oral History

Presented by the Heritage Foundation of NL in partnership with Admiralty House Communications Museum

Friday, June 8th, 2018
12:30pm-4:30pm
Admiralty House Communications Museum
365 Old Placentia Road, Mount Pearl

Oral history is the collection and study of historical information about individuals, communities, and everyday life using recordings and transcriptions of planned interviews. We have important stories to share in Newfoundland and Labrador, and properly planned oral history projects can be a valuable tool for museums, towns, historical societies and heritage organizations.

This introductory, half-day workshop is open to anyone with an interest in local history, culture, and folklore. It is intended to give a background on how to conduct research interviews, and will give people a chance to try their hand at creating interview questions and to explore the world of oral history! We will talk about the practical matters of creating, designing, and executing effective oral history and folklore research projects, project planning, ethical issues, and recording equipment.

This workshop will be beneficial to people who are contemplating folklore and oral history projects of all sorts, ranging from short-term projects involving a single researcher to complex, long-term projects involving many researchers.


The workshop will be taught by folklorist Dale Jarvis of the Intangible Cultural Heritage office, Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Workshop limited to 10 participants. Tuition: $50. Pre-registration mandatory.

Register online at Eventbrite

Transformation and Talking Tigers: Tales from Afar at The Rooms

This Wednesday at The Rooms, join folklorist Dale Jarvis as he chats with storytellers Zoe Wu (Taiwan), Tanyan Ye (China) and Jae Hong Jin (Korea), about dangerous dried persimmons, fiendish tiger grandmothers, mysterious snail maidens, and the folklore and stories of their respective childhoods.

Tales From Afar: Old Stories from New Residents is a collection of world folktales, myths, and legends, collected by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador in partnership with the St. John's Local Immigration Partnership.

Time: 7:00pm
Date: Wednesday, May 30
Where: The Rooms Theatre
Cost: Included with the cost of admission to The Rooms

Living Heritage Podcast Ep111 Yellow Rose: An interview with natural dye artist Anna Murphy

Anna Murphy is a natural dye artist from St. John’s, Newfoundland. Inspired by her travels and many adventures, she has recently opened her own dye studio and shop in Bonavista, Newfoundland. She serves on the board of directors for the craft council of NL and the Irish Heritage Organization, Rose of Tralee. She is deeply committed to learning new techniques and plans to expand her gallery work in the future. In this episode, Anna sits down with Ellen McCutcheon to discuss her techniques, processes, and the influence of her family and heritage on her work.

This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep110 Inspiration in Clay

Wendy Shirran is an accomplished ceramic artist and certified art teacher from Bonavista, Newfoundland. Upon completing her BA in English Drama and History at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Wendy Shirran moved to Halifax Nova Scotia to attend NSCADU where she discovered her connection with clay. Since graduating with a BEd Art Specialist degree in 2003, Wendy has spent most of her time teaching the fundamentals of ceramics and creating one-of-a-kind pieces for exhibition both nationally and internationally. Drawing on the influence of her travels to India, China, Japan, and the Mediterranean, her forms and shapes reflect the lines and fluidity found in ancient architecture, art, and folklore. She is also the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Clay Studio Coordinator, after spending several years with the Nova Scotia Designer Crafts Council.

In this podcast episode, Wendy talks with Qian Huang about her ceramic work, how and why she became a ceramic artist, and how travelling gives her inspiration.This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Wanted: Portuguese Arraiolos tapestry makers in Newfoundland!

Today, I got an interesting question from the lovely Sarah Nivea, originally from Brazil and now living here in St. John's, who was one of our participants in the Tales From Afar folktales project.

Sarah is working on a tapestry utilizing Newfoundland motifs in the Portuguese Arraiolos tapestry style.

Portuguese Needlework Rugs, also called Arraiolos Carpets (Tapetes de Arraiolos) or Arraiolos rugs, are a type of embroidered wool rug which were made traditionally in the small town of Arraiolos, Portugal, since the Middle Ages, and which are said to be inspired by Persian carpets.

Sarah is interested in meeting anyone in the province familiar with the techniques. She also writes, "I’d like to know where I can buy the materials because I want to make a tapestry special to NL."

Anyone with knowledge, expertise, or ideas for Sarah can send your contact info to dale@heritagenl.ca

Living Heritage Podcast Ep109 Textiles, Dyes, and the Art of Craft

Kerri Ivany is a textile artist in St. John’s. She graduated from the College of the North Atlantic’s Textiles program in 2013 and now has a studio space at Quidi Vidi Plantation, where she makes clutch purses, cards, dyed fabrics, and embroideries. Kerri’s art is inspired by the natural world.

In this episode, Natalie Dignam chats with Kerri about how she got started in her art, organic patterns, the shibori dye process, and what it means to be a juried member of the Craft Council of NL.

This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Eliza Petten of Flat Islands, and the Women's Patriotic Association

Recently, our office was sent the above photograph from Jason Davis. He writes:

"I just saw your posting on the Women’s Patriotic Association. Attached is a picture of my great-grandmother, Eliza Petten, MBE, wearing the medal presented to her for the work done with the WPA. She was a resident of Flat Islands, Bonavista Bay. Any information you can share on the WPA and her contributions would be great."

Do you know anything about Eliza Petten? Send me an email at dale@heritagenl.ca or leave a comment!

Living Heritage Podcast Ep108 Hung to Dry

Jaclyn Humphries is a jeweler and volunteer on the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Anna Templeton Centre boards. She uses traditional methods of binding cloth and metallurgy to create her jewelry. In this interview, Jaclyn and Abigail Crocker talk about why she loves heritage, teaching craft classes, her art exhibitions, and her current passion project: digitizing thirty years of photographs for the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3

###

The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep107 Pottery, Art and Ideas with Erin McArthur

Erin McArthur and her husband, Mike Gillan, are the owners of North Eastern Folk Art: Pottery, Art and Ideas from the Atlantic Shore. Along with porcelain work, Erin and Mike create Raku pottery. Raku is a style of pottery that began in 16th century Japan and its roots can be found in the traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

While traditional Raku can only be made by the family, from whom the art form received its name, Erin explains that the term is often used outside of Japan to describe a certain method of firing. Raku’s pleasing metallic finish is often what sets it apart from other styles of pottery- and Erin and Mike use “the rich cultural life, rugged coastlines and wild natural beauty” of Newfoundland and Labrador as a major inspiration for their work. In this podcast Folklore student Maeghan Chassé chats with Erin McArthur about Raku pottery and practicing this art form in Newfoundland.

This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep106 Craft and textiles with Katie Parnham

Katie Parnham is an integral part of the craft world in Newfoundland and Labrador. A recipient of the Atlantic Canada Craft Award for Excellence and an honorary member of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador, she is an educator with over forty years of teaching experience. Her leadership in the Textiles, Craft, and Apparel Design program, the Craft Council, and the Quidi Vidi Plantation has helped to foster the growth of craftspersons and the craft industry in Atlantic Canada, where she continues to pursue excellence in craft and design through education.

In this podcast episode, Katie is interviewed by Ceallaigh S. MacCath-Moran.This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Living Heritage Podcast Ep105 Craft Council of NL with Anne Manuel

Our special ten-part series on craft in Newfoundland and Labrador starts off with Anne Manuel, who has been a champion of craft in the province for over four decades. She retired in December 2016 after an impressive and distinguished career as Executive Director of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. Born at Grace General Hospital, Anne grew up in St. John’s and graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Memorial University in 1977. In 1991, she led the Craft Council’s purchase of Devon House, a beautiful Victorian building on Duckworth Street. In 2017, Anne won The Kippy Goins Award at the 12th Annual Excellence in Visual Arts Awards (EVA). The award is so named for the small pieces of wood one throws on a fire to sustain and build the visual arts sector.

Today, Anne continues to work in craft through Quidi Vidi Village Plantation and the Anna Templeton Centre for Craft, Art and Design, and she is interviewed in this episode of the podcast by Joseph "Joey" Donnelly.

This episode is part of a series of programs in partnership with the Memorial University graduate course Folk 6740 - Public Folklore, and the Craft Council of NL, to document craft traditions in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Download the mp3



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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

Job Posting for recent MA level graduate: Historic Places Intern

Historic Places Intern

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) is hiring a Historic Places Intern. The position will run for 33 weeks, finishing December 2018. The position will require excellent written and oral skills in English. The Researcher will be undertaking research about the heritage, architecture, and oral history of local historic places, with the goal that the collected information and images from the research will be featured in online collections. The Historic Places Intern will assist with the “Digital Storytelling for Historic Places” project: six two-day-long digital storytelling workshops, in six various locations across Newfoundland and Labrador, followed by a public screening of the finished videos in each community.

The Historic Places Intern will be responsible for event organization, technical training at the workshops, and then sharing/presenting the final videos. The collected videos will be uploaded and become a permanent part of Memorial University’s Digital Archive Initiative.


Candidate profile

The applicant must have excellent written communication skills; strong public presentation skills; valid driver’s licence and use of automobile; availability to travel throughout Newfoundland & Labrador; and a graduate-level (MA or PhD) degree in history, archaeology, folklore, or architecture, having convocated within the last two years. Completion of workshops or training in digital storytelling an asset.

Must be eligible for funding as a recent Canadian graduate under the Young Canada Works program and be residents of Newfoundland & Labrador.

Previous experience with a heritage organization is an asset, as is a keen interest in oral history and vernacular architecture. Excellent computer skills required, including ability to do online research, power point presentations, audio editing, and word processing.

In your application, you must demonstrate your past ability to:

• Organize, promote, and coordinate community heritage events;
• Conduct field-based research in rural Newfoundland and Labrador;
• Provide workshops on oral history or folklore interviewing;
• Work with community members to elicit personal narratives orally as part of a group;
• Write scripts or texts based on oral history;
• Record and edit audio material using Audacity or similar software;
• Create narrated videos using Windows Movie Maker or similar software;
• Scan print materials to the archival standards of Memorial University’s Digital Archive Initiative;
• Prepare archival metadata to the standards of Memorial University’s Digital Archive Initiative. 

Interested applicants should send a resume, three references, and a cover letter including links to two different samples of your digital storytelling work to:

Dale Jarvis
ICH Development Officer
dale@heritagenl.ca

Deadline for applications: Monday, April 16, 2018

Student Employment Opportunity - Heritage Writers/Researchers

Student Employment Opportunity

Heritage Writers/Researchers Sought

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador (HFNL) is seeking 2 Heritage Writers/Researchers. The positions will run for 12 weeks commencing May 14, 2018. The Researchers/Writers will undertake research about the heritage, architecture, and oral history of local historic places in Newfoundland and Labrador in support of HFNL programs. Candidates should be enrolled in a related program at the undergraduate or graduate level (e.g., history, folklore, cultural geography, archaeology or architecture) and should have excellent written and oral English language and research skills. Experience in working for a heritage organization is an asset. Candidates must be eligible under the Young Canada Works employment program and be residents of Newfoundland & Labrador.

Rate of Pay: $560/week based on 35 hour week

Deadline for applications: 4:00 pm, April 26, 2018

Please submit resumes along with a cover letter and 3 references along with any inquiries to: jerry@heritagenl.ca

Folklore student series to showcase local craft.

Starting this week, the Living Heritage radio show/podcast will begin a ten-week special series on the history and contemporary practice of craft in Newfoundland and Labrador. The series was created in partnership with the Memorial University graduate folklore course “Folk 6740 - Public Folklore” and the Craft Council of NL.

The Living Heritage radio show and podcast is a joint project of CHMR radio at Memorial University and the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador's Intangible Cultural Heritage Office. Regular host and producer is provincial folklorist Dale Jarvis

“Folklore students were paired with interview subjects, and were responsible for writing artist bios and show intros, preparing and discussing possible interview questions, and recording the interview itself in the CHMR production studio,” says Jarvis.

“The series was designed to give public folklore students practical skills in research, interviewing techniques, and the sharing of information on traditional and contemporary arts.”

The Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador represents 300 professional craft designers and makers in all parts of the province. The series showcases ten artisans and designers, and the premiere episode features an interview with Anne Manuel, a champion of craft in the province for over four decades.

Living Heritage Podcast is played twice weekly on CHMR radio 93.5MHz, on Thursdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 11am, Rogers Cable channel 942 and Aliant TV channel 825. A downloadable mp3 version of the series will be available each Thursday on the ICH blog, www.ichblog.ca, and through iTunes, Stitcher, or your favourite podcast app.

Snowmobile #FolklorePhoto

Photo courtesy the Julia Ann Walsh Heritage Center's collection. Date unknown.

This week's #FolklorePhoto is of a snowmobile outside the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital. It was common, and convenient, for people to be transported by snowmobile in the past.

Doris Randell recounts a memory from her childhood when she went home on a snowmobile:

I was [at the Cottage Hospital] as patient when I was eight years old. I remember being on the ward, and some of the girls that worked here were local girls. They’d bring me a little treat when they’d come from the kitchen. My next door neighbour had a baby here at the same time, and my cousin was working here. So the next day she showed me this coat, and I was only eight years old, and she asked me, “Do you know who owns this coat?” I said, “Yes, that’s Bessy’s coat.” She said, “Bessy is here.” I was right overjoyed. She said, “Bessy had a baby girl.” Of course later in the day Bessy was moved on the ward - the same ward that I was on - so I got to see the baby several times in the day. It was a fairly pleasant experience . . . And when I went to go home from the hospital, she was going home the same day, and a friend of theirs - actually I think it might have been a relative from up in Portland Creek - came in a snowmobile, you know one of those big ones that you could take many people? So that’s how we went home from the hospital Sunday; her with her new baby and myself.

Can you help identify this mystery polar bear from Labrador?

Diana from Southern California writes,

I am wondering about the history of a wooden letter opener that belonged to my great aunt. I have had it for many decades, and love it, but only recently found myself curious as to where my little bear came from. When I looked closely this morning, I saw a bit of a tag that reads “Labrador,” which finally led me to you. Does this craft piece ring any bells? I have fun finding out the background of family artifacts, where they came from, who the craftspeople might have been, what era they were created. This one seems to be from up in your neck of the world! If you can direct me to any pertinent resources, I would be appreciative.

If you recognize this piece or know who the artist might have been, comment below or email ich@heritagefoundation.ca

Easter Eggs #FolklorePhoto

In honour of Easter, this week's #FolklorePhoto is of Ljudmila Nikolajeva's beautiful, hand-painted Easter eggs at Newfiki: Cultural Concert Night which took place in 2013. This photo was taken by Nicole Penny. 

Living Heritage Podcast Ep104 Behind the walls of the Simms House

Tyler Stapleton is a 24 year old Nautical Science Graduate from the Marine Institute. When not navigating the North Atlantic he is actively restoring his 1882 Registered Heritage Structure in Downtown St. John’s. The home was built in 1882 for draper George Taylor and sold to cooper Henry V. Simms in 1902. Simms ran a successful trade out of a shop once located behind the home and, by the time he died in 1947, owned several properties in the area. Simms played an active in his community, serving as Vice President of the Master Coopers’ Association and an organizer of the local prohibition movement.

In this episode of the Living Heritage Podcast, we chat about the history of the building, his process of research and restoration, and delve into some of the secrets of the Simms House.


Download the mp3

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The Living Heritage Podcast is about people who are engaged in the heritage and culture sector, from museum professionals and archivists, to tradition bearers and craftspeople - all those who keep history alive at the community level. The show is a partnership between HFNL and CHMR Radio. Past episodes hosted on Libsyn, and you can subscribe via iTunes, or Stitcher. Theme music is Rythme Gitan by Latché Swing.

The Knights of Columbus Hostel #FolklorePhoto

Photo courtesy The Rooms Provincial Archives.

While researching jukeboxes for our next Oral History Roadshow project, I came across this photo from the 1940s. It was taken at The Knights of Columbus Hostel which was located on Harvey Road. This was a popular hangout spot for service personnel during WWII. 

On December 12, 1942 a fire quickly swept through the building and resulted in the loss of ninety-nine lives. An "Uncle Tim's Barn Dance" was happening at the time.

Mutliculturalism Week and "Tales From Afar: Old Stories from New Residents" Booklet Launch

As part of St. John's Multiculturalism Week, last Thursday HFNL, in partnership with the Local Immigration partnership (LIP), launched a new booklet titled Tales From Afar: Old Stories from New Residents. 

We collected stories from new Canadians, recent immigrants, refugees, internationals students and log-time residents who have made Newfoundland and Labrador their forever home. They shared ghost stories, myths, legends, fairy tales - anything that had been passed down by word of mouth. These stories came from all over the world: Scotland, France, Germany, Croatia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Syria, Iran, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, and the USA. We took these stories and arranged them into a booklet.

Nadia Sarwar. Photo by Terra Barrett. 2018.

Depute mayor, Sheilagh O'Leary, emceed the event. We had participants share their stories. We heard a tale about how one should never give up. We learned why chickens scratch the ground. We were treated to a traditional Korean drum and dance, and heard the story of the dreadful dried persimmon in both Korean and English. We learned about the importance of respecting your parents. And we heard the cautionary tale of Tiger Grandma.

Jae Hong Jin. Photo by Terra Barrett. 2018.

The day finished with some delicious, traditional Taiwanese food made by The Smiling Sisters. The event was a great success, and showcased the rich multiculturalism we have present in St. John's.

If you would like to read these stories in full, you can download a PDF version of the booklet by clicking here.

Dr. Dove #FolklorePhoto

This week's #FolklorePhoto comes from the Julia Ann Walsh Heritage Center's collection. This is a portrait of Dr. Dove taken circa 1940.

Dr. Terry Delaney explains, "Dr. Dove was the first doctor to work [at the Bonne Bay Cottage Hospital] when [it] was built, and his daughter, [Sue Dove], came to work here in the late ‘70s."

Living Heritage Podcast Ep103 Bollywood songs and Indian Music Stores

Dr. Jayson Beaster-Jones is an Associate Professor of Music in the Global Arts Studies Program at the University of California Merced. He received his B.A. in Music and Anthropology from Whitman College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Chicago. Jayson is ethnomusicologist whose work focuses upon the music industry of India. He has written two books, co-edited the volume Music in Contemporary Indian Film, published in the journals Ethnomusicology, Popular Music, and South Asian Popular Culture, as well as book chapters in several edited volumes.

Dr. Jayson Beaster-Jones.
Photo courtesy of University of California Merced.

Jayson visited St. John's in March to give a series of lectures at Memorial University as well as a public lecture and Bollywood music dance night presented by MMAP Centre. In this episode of the Living Heritage Podcast, we talk about Jayson's research in India on music retail stores as sites of cultural production, and Bollywood film songs and their musical and social meanings.

Download the mp3.

You're Invited to "Tales From Afar: Old Stories From New Residents" Booklet Launch

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, in partnership with the St. John's Local Immigration Partnership, invites you to join them for the launch of Tales From Afar: Old Stories From New Residents.

“This booklet is a collection of world folktales, myths, and legends, retold by those who have come from away to make Newfoundland and Labrador their home,” explains Dale Jarvis. “We heard from storytellers from Scotland, France, Germany, Croatia, Ukraine, Nigeria, Syria, Iran, China, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, and the USA.”

The launch will take place on Thursday, March 22nd at 2:30 p.m. at the St. John’s City Hall (10 New Gower Street). Copies of the booklet will be available. Reception to follow.

If you are on Facebook check out the event and share it with your friends.

Please contact Katie Harvey for more information:

katherine@heritagefoundation.ca

1-888-739-1892 (ext. 6)

Presenting Shamrocks to Troops in Britiain #FolklorePhoto

Photo courtesy The Rooms Provincial Archives.

On St. Patrick's Day, 1944, D.J. Davies, Newfoundland's Trade Commissioner in London, presented shamrocks to officers and men of the 59th Heavy Regiment. Behind the officer carrying the box of shamrocks is the C.O. of the Regiment, Lt.-Col. R.C. Longfield.

The ceremony demonstrated in these photographs was held on St. Patrick's Day for Newfoundland troops in Britain. Newfoundland troops, who had been in Britain for nearly four years at the time, were inspected on St. Patrick's Day in the South Eastern Command. These troops were not part of the Canadian Forces in Britain but were a section of the British Army. Most of the men are of Irish descent and after the inspection were each presented with a piece of Shamrock to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Officers of the Newfoundland Regiment were also present at the inspection.

Photo courtesy The Rooms Provincial Archives.

#CollectiveMemories Monday - Gardening in Keels with Joseph "June" Fitzgerald

Ann and Joseph "June" Fitzgerald in their garden in Keels. Photo by Kristin Catherwood. 2012.
Photo courtesy of Memorial University of Newfoundland's Digital Archives Initiative.

As part of the Collective Memories project the ICH office is showcasing community material which has been placed on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. This interview with Joseph "June" Fitzgerald of Keels was conducted by Kristin Catherwood as part of the 2012 Folklore Field School. In the interview Joseph "June" discusses gardening in Keels, past and present. This includes reasons for gardening; garden locations; vegetables grown; necessity of gardening; enjoyment of gardening; gardening as a hobby; fertilization of gardens; soil preparation; cultivation methods; garden pests; and the gardening season. If you want to learn more about gardening click here.

The ICH office is helping communities place previously recorded materials online. If your community has material you would like to make publicly accessible reach out to the Heritage Foundation at 1-888-739-1892 ex.2 or ich@heritagefoundation.ca

#FoodwaysFriday - Main Arm Slob

Community kitchen workers. Photo by Terra Barrett.

When Terra and I were in Bonne Bay in January, we discovered that one of the meals the Cottage Hospital was best known for was called "Main Arm Slob." Neither of us had heard of this before, and so we asked one of the RNs, Susan Reid, to explain what it was:

"Main arm slob was just salt meat cut up in small pieces with onion, pepper, carrot, turnip and potato. It was cut up and I suppose it was cooked so the starch - it was almost white - would come out of the potato and it would thicken the sauce. But that’s what it was. We used to call it main arm slob because it used to be main arm - where you drive in [to Norris Point] was the main arm. And when it iced over you’d get the slob on it. So we used to call it main arm slob. That’s where the name came from."

The community kitchen will be serving this, and other traditional dishes, for lunch soon. If you are interested in trying some of the foods that were served in the Cottage Hospital stop by for a visit!

-Katie Harvey