Tuesday's Folklore Photo: A Collection of Conversations

Today's folklore photo is actually a collection of photos from the past week.  It has been a busy week with the Heritage Foundation.  Last Tuesday was the cemetery clean-up and since then I've been kept busy with interviews!

Ron Doyle

On Wednesday I interviewed Ron Doyle about growing up in Petty Harbour, the changes it has seen and the influence of music on his life and in the community.  Ron described the musical influence of his family and in particular his father, the recitations and songs they would perform and how he began playing at community concerts, formed a band and all the good that came out of the concerts.

Gordy Doyle

Thursday I had two interviews.  The first interview in the morning was with Gordy Doyle and focused on growing up in Petty Harbour, working as a fisherman, the changes in the equipment and methods of fishing and the stories and practical jokes that come with the job.  Gordy also touched on the camaraderie between fisher people and how they would support one another when launching boats and gather together in the twine stores to work and talk.

Cyril Whitten

Thursday afternoon I met Cyril Whitten in his cottage in Saint Luke's.  Cyril's friends stopped in to
have a boil up and put some freshly caught lobsters on the stove.  Cyril and I discussed his life in Petty Harbour, the games he played as a child, his memories of the community concerts, fishing in the community and his time as Mayor.  Cyril contacted me and said he would like to meet again and said he had much more to say about Petty Harbour.  I'm looking forward to interviewing Cyril again this week.

With my feed of lobster.

In true Newfoundland hospitality I was invited to stay for a feed of lobster with Cyril and his friends' Dennis Madden, Peter Squires, Richard Murphy and his cousin Muriel Andrews.  When I left they insisted I take a meal of freshly caught and cooked lobster home with me.  This was definitely a highlight of my week and a great example of Newfoundlander's warmth and generosity.

Betty Cheeseman

Monday's interview was with Betty Cheeseman and Betty had vivid memories of her time in Petty
Harbour.  Betty described growing up in a musical family with a mother who played the accordion and a father who danced.  She also described being in the community plays, listening to the concerts and the intensity of the card games played in the community.

I'm looking forward to meeting and interviewing more people from Petty Harbour as well as working on the interviews I have already completed. The interviews need tape logs and all the necessary metadata so they can be published on MUN's DAI. If you have memories of growing up in Petty Harbour please contact me at terra@heritagefoundation.ca or (709) 739-1892.

Help identify this Victorian-era "open book and star" tombstone symbol

I love old cemeteries, and always enjoy poking around the older sections, reading the epitaphs and admiring the artistry of the old grave markers. I was exploring the United Church graveyard in Cupids, Newfoundland yesterday, and came across a tombstone symbol that I am unfamiliar with.

The tombstone features an open book with star motif, and dates from 1881. It marks the burial spot and final resting place of one Lorenzo Taylor, age 22. It is a paired tombstone, with two inscriptions, the partner inscription bearing the more familiar handshake motif.

Books are a common theme on gravestones from the period, and the symbolism of the book can represent many things. A book may represent a person's good deeds and accomplishments being recorded in the Book of Life, or perfect knowledge, or it may be a more literal representation of the Bible.

Often used on the gravestones of ministers or clergymen, a book is a fairly common symbol found on gravestones of very devoted religious people. In the Cupids UC Cemetery, there are numerous examples of book motifs, many of them featuring the same double page spread as the Taylor grave.

Stars, as well, have many possible meanings. A five-pointed star can represent, variously, the Star of Bethlehem, the Epiphany, the star of Jesse or Jacob, and/or heavenly wisdom. Stars can symbolize heaven, the spirit, or the spirit rising to heaven. One list of motifs states the stars can represent “piercing the darkness as an expression of their triumph against the overwhelming odds of oblivion.”

What is less clear is what a star on a book means. Was it simply a stone carver’s blending of two unrelated religious symbols, and then picked out of a pattern book by the purchaser? Or does it represent something specific?

Let me know your thoughts, ideas, and theories! You can comment below, or email me at ich@heritagefoundation.ca.

Oral History, Workshops, Mill Whistles, and Knitting

In this month's edition of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Update for Newfoundland and Labrador: the launch of the Petty Harbour Oral History Project; announcing our Fishing For Folklore workshop in Petty Harbour this September; the Corner Brook Mill Whistle Project; an update on the Grey Sock Project complete with a WWI knitting pattern; and, a mitten knitting competition.

Contributors: Dale Jarvis, Janice Tulk, Nicole Penney, Donna Clouston, Christine Legrow

Download in PDF and various other formats here.

Fishing For Folklore - An Intro to Intangible Cultural Heritage Workshop

Petty Harbour Maddox Cove Community Centre
Tuesday, September 2nd - Friday, September 5th, 2014

Length of Workshop: 4 days, 9:00am-4:30pm each day

Cost: $250 (includes all breaks, lunches from Wed-Friday, course materials, workbook).

Proposed Audience: This intensive workshop is intended for museum employees, cultural workers, members of heritage committees, researchers, and anyone interested in folklore field research and planning.

Description: In cooperation with the 7th Annual Wooden Boat Conference, the Heritage Foundation of NL is running a four-day intensive introductory workshop on intangible cultural heritage in the historic fishing community of Petty Harbour Maddox Cove. Participants will learn about planning an ICH project, writing field notes, oral history interviewing, safeguarding traditional crafts and skills, creating memory maps of communities, documenting traditional boatbuilding techniques, public folklore programming, and report writing.

Participants will be required to bring pencils and pens, all other materials supplied. While not mandatory, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and any kind of digital camera.

The workshop will be run by Dale Jarvis, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Development Officer for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. He holds a BSc in Anthropology/Archaeology from Trent University, and a MA in Folklore from Memorial University. He has contributed as a board member and volunteer to many local arts and heritage organizations. Local experts and special guests will present on various themes throughout the week.

Participation is limited to the first 12 paid registrants. 
REGISTRATION DEADLINE 15 AUGUST 2014.
For more details, call Dale Jarvis at 1 (888) 739-1892 ext 2, or email ich@heritagefoundation.ca

To register, print and mail registration form with cheque or money order for $250 made payable to “Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador” to:

Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
PO Box 5171
St. John’s, NL, A1C 5V5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name: ____________________________________________________

Organization: ___________________________________________________

Postal Address: ____________________________________________________

Phone: ______________ Cell:______________ Email:_____________________

Fine Day for a Cemetery Clean-up!

The Make Midterm Matter cemetery crew.

On Tuesday, June 24th the HFNL teamed up with students from Memorial University’s Anthropology 1031 to help clean up the RC cemetery in Portugal Cove. This event was a partnership between the Heritage Foundation, Memorial University, the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Phillips and the Roman Catholic Church--it was the first collaboration of its kind. 

Jeremy, a heritage/folklore regular, clears brush on his last day of class.

The University’s “Make Midterm Matter” program inspired the collaboration, and the day-long session became part of the students’ curriculum. It was an interesting example of learning outside of the classroom.
 
The students worked hard to clear sections of brush and small trees to uncover overgrown graves. While taking breaks from this labour, they also had interesting discussions about the different things a cemetery can reveal about a community. Reading the symbols or “motifs” on the graves themselves can show a shift from religious, community symbols such as the hand of God to more personalized inscriptions such as a fishing pole or a truck. Another discussion lead by their professor Sebastien Despres touched on the issues surrounding the maintenance of graveyards and the shift of responsibility from the family when there are issues such as resettlement and population declines. What I found it particularly interesting, as an observer, was how Dr. Despres was able to connect classroom material in such a meaningful way to the students and to a tangible place in their community.

Both Dale and Lisa from the Heritage Foundation then offered their own knowledge and work experiences connected to Newfoundland cemeteries. Lisa discussed a restoration project she facilitated in Port Royal--a resettled community in Placentia Bay--and the challenges and rewards which went along with the project. Dale shared some ghost and fairy stories about graves, graveyards, and coffins and discussed how these tales relate to notions of respecting the dead. He also provided information about his research on Moravian dead houses and burial practices. 

Students hard at work in the RC cemetery.

More hard work, uncovering a hidden grave.

Visiting West Point burial site, which the town has protected from development.

It was a great day of experiential learning under a bright blue sky....and the cemetery is now in great shape, ready to accept summer visitors. Thank you to the Jeff Lawlor from the Town of PC-SP, Richard from the Parish Hall, the RC Church, Sebastien Despres, the “Make Midterm Matter” group, and all the students for helping make this project happen.

-Terra and Lisa

Fog and Folklore in Twillingate, Newfoundland

This summer, folklorist Crystal Braye of the Wooden Boat Museum of NL and Lois Bragg of the Marine Institute are travelling around the island measuring and documenting wooden boats, and recording the work of traditional Newfoundland boatbuilders. As part of the outreach work of the museum, the ICH office is partnering with them to deliver a series of workshops on intangible cultural heritage and oral history along the way.

Yesterday was the first of our oral history workshops, held at the lighthouse in Twillingate. The workshop space was fantastic, with probably the best view of any workshop I've ever given, looking out at hundreds of icebergs and bergy bits. The workshop room was also conveniently placed above the fog horn, shown above, which punctuated our meeting as the fog rolled in and out throughout the afternoon.

We heard great stories, and local residents helped us identify a mystery woman in one of our oral history collections: broadcaster Hiram Silk had interviewed a Twillingate woman in the 1980s, but had identified her only as "Miss Anstey." We listened to the interview, and people were quick to name her as Mary Anstey, or "Aunt Polly" Anstey, to differentiate her from another Mary Anstey in the community.  You can listen to that interview with Mary "Polly" Anstey on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. 

Lois and Crystal are shown below, taking the lines of a wooden boat outside the lighthouse at Twillingate. They are going to be working in the Twillingate area till July, and then moving on to Trinity. If you know of boat builders or wooden boats in those areas, they would love to track them down. Drop me a line at ich@heritagefoundation.ca and I'll put you in touch.  The next workshops in our series are in Trinity on July 15th and 16th. More info on those workshops here.

Reflections on Petty Harbour

Annie Lee and Ann Payne

This morning I had the pleasure of conducting my first interview as part of the Petty Harbour Oral History project. I interviewed Ann Payne from the Petty Harbour Maddox Cove Museum and her ninety five year old mother Annie Francis (nee. St. George) Lee.

Annie was born and raised in Heart’s Desire, Trinity Bay and moved to St. John’s for work. When Annie was nineteen she left work at Donovan’s hotel and moved to Petty Harbour where her sister Mary lived. Annie worked in Chafe’s shop in Petty Harbour for nine years and after nine years she married the owner’s brother Ambrose Lee.

Ann Payne was born in St. Claire’s hospital, but grew up and spent her whole life in Petty Harbour. Anne had many memories of growing up in the area and stories about the changes the community has seen.

The interview covered many aspects of life in Petty Harbour from beliefs about fairies to Christmas visiting to memories of children’s games. Annie and Ann discussed Chafe’s shop and how is carried everything from a “needle to an anchor”. The shop carried a variety of foods and also sold material. Annie mentioned the priest’s vestments were made out of the thick cloth which was sold at Chafe’s shop.

Ann described growing up in Petty Harbour and the different areas where she would play as a child. The river was a particularly important place and somewhere you would play during the day. Ann said you would never visit the river at night as you were afraid of the fairies. Ann’s father’s family was from Ireland and had a strong belief in fairies. Against advice Ann’s uncle cut across the river one evening, was caught by the fairies and held in the water and broke his leg. Ann said she felt the river was a magical place due to all the stories which surrounded it. The children would go skating on the river during the winter when parts of it froze and in the summer families often had to bathe in the river as their wells would run dry. The river was also a source of water for gardens or for washing clothes on Mondays in the days before indoor plumbing.

School plays, concerts, variety shows and dances were discussed as major sources of entertainment in Petty Harbour. The annual garden party was a particularly important afternoon where there would be turkey teas and tables. Years ago each lady would have their own table with their goods. For example Mrs. Marty made her own butter so she would have a table of homemade butter while Aunt Lucy would have one for desserts. In the years Annie was involved with the garden parties there were no individual tables although she did make a good pie. She won five trophies at the agricultural fair for her baked pies, jam jams or homemade bread. There were also cash prizes for the best vegetables and Annie’s husband Ambrose won a number of times. Community dances and in particular dances during the war were great fun. Annie told a story of how she went to a dance with Ambrose but barely saw him the whole evening as she was dancing with everyone who asked.

Another form of entertainment mentioned was weekly games of cards. Ann described her father and his friends playing games of 45s or 120s where they would gamble for a quarter or a half cow. Annie played cards on Monday evenings in the different spots in the community and continues to play today.

Ann said a favourite summer activity was a picnic to Cape Spear or an outing to pick berries. On a day when her father was not working the family would pack a picnic lunch and head over to Cape Spear. She described the roads as being worse than Petty Harbour’s and when you hit a pothole the whole car went in. Another outing the family would go on would be a berry picking excursion which would involve swimming for the children and lunches of corned beef and cabbage on the Coleman stove.

It was a really great interview and an excellent starting point for the Petty Harbour Oral History project. The interview touched on many aspects of community life in the harbour and sparked my interest in the folklore of Petty Harbour. If you have any memories about the concerts, times and social customs in Petty Harbour I would love to hear from you: terra@heritagefoundation.ca or (709)739-1892.

Looking for Newfoundland descendants of men lost in 1835 shipwreck

Does your family tree include the names Breddy, Kelson, Heytor, Miller, Sheppard, Stevenson or Swyers? Do you have roots in Trinity, Trinity Bay? Then the Willow Tree Heritage Society may be looking for you!

August 16, 2014 the Willow Tree Heritage Society of Hant's Harbour will be unveiling a plaque in memory of the seven crew members who were lost on the ship “Fanny” which was shipwrecked near Hant's Harbour in December 1835.

Read about the wreck here

The “Fanny” and crew were from Trinity, and included:

• Skipper Ben Breddy,
• William Kelson,Jr. (Owner)
• John Heyter
• Jonathan Miller
• John Sheppard
• John Stevenson
• James Swyers

It is the hope of the Willow Tree Heritage Society that there may be descendants of the crew living in the province, and they would love to invite them to the official unveiling of the plaque on August 16th. If you or someone you know might be related to the crew of the “Fanny” contact Gertie Pelley at (709) 586-2355.

Call for Papers: Trans-Atlantic Dialogues on Cultural Heritage, Liverpool

Announcing the International Conference: Trans-Atlantic Dialogues on Cultural Heritage: Heritage, Tourism and Traditions, 13-16 July 2015, Liverpool, UK
Trans-Atlantic dialogues on cultural heritage began as early as the voyages of Leif Ericson and Christopher Columbus and continue through the present day. Each side of the Atlantic offers its own geographical and historical specificities expressed and projected through material and immaterial heritage. However, in geopolitical terms and through everyday mobilities, people, objects and ideas flow backward and forward across the ocean, each shaping the heritage of the other, for better or worse, and each shaping the meanings and values that heritage conveys. Where, and in what ways are these trans-Atlantic heritages connected? Where, and in what ways are they not? What can we learn by reflecting on how the different societies and cultures on each side of the Atlantic Ocean produce, consume, mediate, filter, absorb, resist, and experience the heritage of the other?

This conference is brought to you by the Ironbridge International Institute for Cultural Heritage (IIICH), University of Birmingham and the Collaborative for Cultural Heritage Management and Policy (CHAMP), University of Illinois and offers a venue for exploring three critical interactions in this trans-Atlantic dialogue: heritage, tourism and traditions. North America and Europe fashioned two dominant cultural tropes from their powerful and influential intellectual traditions, which have been enacted in Central/South America and Africa, everywhere implicating indigenous cultures. These tropes are contested and linked through historical engagement and contemporary everyday connections. We ask: How do heritages travel? How is trans-Atlantic tourism shaped by heritage? To what extent have traditions crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic? How have heritage and tourism economies emerged based upon flows of peoples and popular imaginaries?

The goal of the conference is to be simultaneously open-ended and provocative. We welcome papers from academics across a wide range of disciplines including anthropology, archaeology, art history, architecture, business, communication, ethnology, heritage studies, history, geography, landscape architecture, literary studies, media studies, museum studies, popular culture, postcolonial studies, sociology, tourism, urban studies, etc. Topics of interest to the conference include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The heritage of trans-Atlantic encounters
• Travelling intangible heritages
• Heritage flows of popular culture
• Re-defining heritage beyond the postcolonial
• The heritage of Atlantic crossings
• World Heritage of the Atlantic periphery
• Rooting and routing heritage
• Community and Nation on display
• Visualizing the Trans-Atlantic world

Abstracts of 300 words with full contact details should be sent as soon as possible but no later than 15th December 2014 to

ironbridge@contacts.bham.ac.uk
https://transatlanticdialogues.wordpress.com/

Tuesday's Folklore Photo: Something fishy this way comes

Plowing under caplin for fertilizer [VA 110-32.2] 1930
International Grenfell Association photograph collection
Fred Coleman Sears photographs
Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives.

Although it is not quite caplin time – the weather we have been having for the majority of June could be considered caplin weather. The RDF (rain, drizzle and fog) which prevails during Newfoundland’s “spring” and early summer is also known to coincide with the appearance of caplin which roll across our shores late June or early July.

Caplin used on field as fertilizer [VA 14-105] 1939
Newfoundland Tourist Development Board photograph collection
Gustav Anderson photograph album
Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives.

In honour of the lovely caplin weather and the hope that summer is just around the corner I took this opportunity to select some caplin related pictures for today’s folklore photo.

Caplin used as fertilizer in garden [VA 14-106] 1939
Newfoundland Tourist Development Board photograph collection
Gustav Anderson photograph album
Photo: Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives.

These pictures from The Rooms Provincial Archives show one of the many uses for caplin – as an all natural fertilizer!

Home Gardening, Decks Awash [vol 11, no.1, February 1982]
Photo: courtesy of MUN's Digital Archives Initiative 

In my search for garden fertilizers I also came across this lovely article from the Decks Awash newsletter proclaiming all the benefits of seaweed and fish offal as a natural soil conditioner and compost.

Gathering kelp on Back of Beach [Kenneth Nash]
Jackie Nash personal photo collection
Photo: courtesy of MUN's Digital Archives Initiative 

What do you use for fertilizer and compost in the garden? Any tips on what could help a garden grow on this rock?

The benefits of kelp and caplin seen in a potato garden [William Snelgrove]
Terra Barrett personal photo collection
Photo: courtesy of Digest [vol 3, issue 1, summer 2014]

For more information on the local food system check out these videos done by Root Cellars Rock showcasing seniors’ food knowledge.

Introducing the New ICH Intern

ICH Intern mummering through the years.

Hi all my name is Terra Barrett and I am a St. John’s native who has just completed the requirements for a BA with a major in Folklore and a minor in French from Memorial University of Newfoundland. I am returning to Memorial in the fall to complete my MA in Folklore with a focus on public/applied folklore. My interests include foodways, customs, material culture and public folklore.

This summer I am joining the Heritage Foundation as a summer works intern. This position will include a combination of fieldwork and office work. The fieldwork will include interviews with community members of the town of Petty Harbour. This interviews will focus on the community’s vibrant social life and activities such as community concerts, singing and recitations. The other project I will be working on will involve developing a survey for museums and community groups. This survey will assess which traditions and customs are important to the communities and how they would like them to be preserved. I will also be assisting Dale and Lisa whenever they need a hand such as the upcoming cemetery workshop for Anthropology students as part of Memorial’s Make Midterm Matter or the interview techniques workshop in Trinity.

Today is my first day on the job and I’ve been working on compiling a list of oral history questions to use in the field. I’m looking forward to heading to Petty Harbour on Wednesday and to a great summer in the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office with the Heritage Foundation. If you have any memories of growing up in Petty Harbour or the social life within the community please contact me at terra@heritagefoundation.ca or (709)739-1892 extension 5.

Wooden Boat Heritage Workshops in Trinity this July

This July, the Trinity Historical Society & Wooden Boat Museum of NL are partnering with us at the Intangible Cultural Heritage office to offer 2 workshops in Trinity.

Session One: Lifting Lines Workshop

Tuesday, July 15

9am-4:30pm

Parish Hall, Trinity   

Naval architect Bruce Whitelaw will teach participants the process for recording the hull shape and construction details of traditional wooden boats.


Session Two: Interview Techniques Workshop Wednesday, July 16

1pm-4:30pm

Parish Hall

Join folklorist Dale Jarvis from the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador to learn digital recording and interview techniques for collecting local oral histories.

During the following week, interested participants will have the opportunity to join WBMNL’s Documentation Team in collecting boat lines, construction details, and oral histories in Trinity and the surrounding area.

To register contact Jim Miller at (709) 464-3599 or Crystal Braye at (709) 699-9570.

Tuesday's Folklore Photo: Checking Out Icebergs

United States Coast Guard plane on patrol, flying over an iceberg, 1945.

This photograph was donated to the Maritime History Archive by John Cardoulis in 1997. It's an historic image that made me think about how technology drastically changes the ways in which we view and interpret the objects around us. Back in 1945, the intimate view of an iceberg from above was reserved for a pilot's eyes only, but now we send camera-laden drones through icy arches so that we can all get a closer look.

-Lisa

So Long and Thanks for all the Hits!

After a good run of two and a half years, my time with the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office is coming to an end. I started working with the Heritage Foundation in January of 2012, when I was finishing a graduate degree in public folklore and completing my final internship requirement. I loved my time here and thought I'd share with you some of my favorite projects.

I started out working on a documentation project focused on baskets and basket making in Newfoundland and Labrador. I concentrated on Mi'kmaq spruce root baskets and mill lunch baskets and traveled all over the west coast and central portions of the island to collect oral histories and photographs of this traditional craft.

A hard hat, maul, mug and two mill lunch baskets.
These items are housed at the Grand Falls-Windsor Heritage Society, Grand Falls-Windsor

A woven melon shaped rib basket constructed from spruce root.
The basket is about 50 years old. It is thought to have been
 owned by a nurse employed at the International Grenfell Association.

Another project I helped develop was the pillow top workshop. I learned about pillow tops from my grandfather, who wove one as a pass time while working in the lumbercamps. I learned how to make the pillow tops and the frames and have been teaching workshops all over the island. The pillow tops have brought me to such places as Quidi Vidi, Cupids, Winterton, South East Bight and even the Logger's Life Museum bunkhouse in Grand Falls-Windsor. I continue to offer pillow top workshops,  if you're interested in having one in your community, feel free to contact me at npenney4@gmail.com.

Raymond Russell, who made a pillow top in the lumber camps in Terra Nova in 1958,
shows his daughter,Arlene Penney how to tie off the wool on the pillow top frame.

Another project I really enjoyed working on was the Bay Roberts Telegraph Station exhibit. This exhibit was curated by my friend and colleague, Lisa Wilson, and was on display during the summer of 2013 at the Bay Roberts Road to Yesterday Museum. I was asked to photograph the artefacts, in order to compile an inventory of items to choose from for the exhibit.

A piece of cable photographed at the Bay Roberts Road to Yesterday Museum

Telegraph workers in the Bay Roberts Western Union Cable Station.
Photograph was provided by: Jack Hambling
Collector: Lisa Wilson 

Another part of my job was arranging and describing materials for the Intangible Cultural Heritage Collection on Memorial University's Digital Archives Initiative. I love describing oral histories, you always learn something new and interesting. I digitized and wrote descriptions for countless collections such as Baccalieu Trail, Port Union and nursing. I also created several collections for the DAI, such as forestry, high steel, baskets and basket making, pillow tops, woodworking and skateboarding. My work with the DAI provided  invaluable digitizing experience and I continue to offer digitizing services and convert such materials as photographs, tape cassettes, VHS, mini-disks and 8mm cartridges. I also offer photograph preservation and restoration, if you're interested in any of these services, please feel free to get in touch.  

I also led several workshops and was asked to speak with school groups. One of my favorite things about  being a folklorist is talking with people. Recently, Dale and I ventured to Cupids to lead an afternoon sessions focused on digitizing and preserving old recipe books.

Sharing stories at Nan's Cookbook: Tea and Talk.
Held at the Cupids Legacy Centre, March 21, 2014

Sharing recipes at Nan's Cookbook: Tea and Talk.
Held at the Cupids Legacy Centre, March 21, 2014

I had the opportunity to work on some great projects, with some amazing people and I'd like to thank all the heritage folks who have assisted, guided and mentored me through my time here. There are too many to name, but I'd like to thank Dale Jarvis for his guidance and for being a grant writing wizard and Lisa Wilson, for being a friend, mentor and confidant. Thank you to everyone who took the time to read my posts and have a look at the Tuesday Folklore Photo. Last, but certainly not least, I want to send my sincere gratitude to all the community members I've had the fortune of meeting, without you none of these projects would have been possible. 

So long and thanks for all the (blog) hits!
-Nicole Penney 

Calling all iceberg experts - research help wanted!

Guest post by Alexa Kanbergs
Dr. Mark Carey of the Robert D. Clark Honors College in Eugene, Oregon has spent a great amount of time researching icebergs, specifically in the Northern Hemisphere and he now needs your help! In his most recent project he is trying to understand people's historical relations and interactions with icebergs. This could include: cultural importance of icebergs in songs, art, literature, etc.; traditional and/or local knowledge about icebergs; fishermen's interactions with icebergs.

In addition to cultural information, Dr. Carey is interested in learning more about major iceberg events; iceberg eradication; iceberg water harvesting; the International Ice Patrol; and other things related to icebergs over the last century or so.

He is hoping someone might be able to help identify any resources that might have information relating to these topics, specifically resources that are unique to your location and may not be available anywhere else. Also, if any one could suggest organizations or individuals that might be experts on the topics that would be incredibly helpful as well.

Please email information or suggestions to kanbergsa@gmail.com

For more information about Dr. Carey's work you can also visit his website: http://glaciers.uoregon.edu/index.html.

Thank you for your help!

Photo: "Iceberg" by Brad Saunders (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Youth "Community Historians" wanted on Change Islands, Newfoundland

GREEN TEAM POSITIONS
Town of Change Islands
Green Team Job Ad Number: Zone 3 - C

Project Title: An Environmental History of Change Islands

Project Description: Team members will be “Community Historians” recording the unique history of Change Islands and how its natural environment has sustained residents for hundreds of years – providing shelter, food and fuel. The Team will interview, videotape and photograph three generations and their experiences of ‘living off the land,’ and develop informational tools such as tourism booklets, community storyboards, and newsletter articles. The Team will also conduct several Environmental Awareness Events, which will include a presentation, delivery of games, arts and crafts, activities; and other duties as assigned. Employment is from June 30 to August 22, 2014.

Team Leader (1 Position): The Team Leader is the day-to-day supervisor for the Green Team. As such this person is responsible for the conduct of Team Members and the work they undertake. The Team Leader ensures that the work required is properly assigned and carried out, and ensures that the project proceeds smoothly. This involves planning, maintaining discipline, daily acquisition of materials required, effective liaison with the Project Proponent and the Conservation Corps, troubleshooting, etc. A Team Leader is expected to demonstrate the ability to plan and organize and must have previous leadership and supervisory skills. This position is for eight weeks with a rate of pay $11.00 per hour for 35 hours per week.

Team Member (3 Positions): The Team Member is an integral part of the Green Team. The Team Member follows the direction given by the Team Leader, has the ability to work well in a team environment and feels that s/he can make a positive contribution to the projects undertaken. This position is for eight weeks at $10.00 per hour for 35 hours per week.

Qualifications for this project:

· Experience and/or interest with photography, videography and graphic design an asset
· Interviewing skills
· Writing and computer skills
· Good organizational skills an asset
· Willingness to participate in public speaking
· Willingness to learn and positive work attitude
· Youth aged 16-30

Additional Considerations: Required to get to and from worksite; applicant must have CSA approved boots and gloves; potential for evening and weekend work; one person on the Team will be required to have a valid driver’s licence and full-time access to a vehicle with adequate insurance. Reimbursement for vehicle mileage is in accordance with CCNL policy.

Application forms available: Suite 103, 10 Austin Street, St. John’s or online at www.ccnl.ca

Application Process: Please return a completed application form and resume to:

MAIL or IN PERSON: Suite 103, 10 Austin Street, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4C2

FAX: (709) 729-7270

EMAIL: applications@ccnl.ca

Indicate the Green Team Job Ad Number and Project Title on your application.

Deadline for Applications is Friday, May 30, 2014.

For more information, contact Joanna King, Regional Supervisor at jking@ccnl.ca or 709-572-9245.

Portugal Cove Cemetery Clean-Up Day

Just up the road from the Roman Catholic Church in Portugal Cove, on the side of a green hill, is the RC cemetery. It's a fairly large, sprawling cemetery, with headstones (many as old as the mid 19th century) standing in clusters through the trees. This is just one of the many interesting burial spaces that PCSP has, all of which are physical reminders of the community's long settlement history (which, no doubt, is closely connected to the fishery). Because of the historic significance of these spaces, cemeteries are worthy of attention so that they can be protected to the best of our abilities. This is a huge task in Newfoundland, as the climate is hard on the stone, and there are so many cemeteries that need attention, that it can feel overwhelming to try and protect them all. But even small measures can go a long way. The Roman Catholic Cemetery has been tended to some degree over the years, and this summer, it is schedule to have an intensive clean-up by a group of volunteer students from MUN.

 

The RC Church in Portugal Cove, close to the RC Cemetery.

Some of the organizers checking out the site. (I'm behind the camera!)

On June 24th, 2014, 30 to 40 students with the "Make Midterm Matter" program will be showing up to do their part. Not only will they work hard to clear brush, clean up garbage, and cut away growth from headstones, but it will also be a learning opportunity for them. They will be given a few tips for how to tend to headstones without doing any damage, as well as learn about what the symbols on the headstones mean. This day-long heritage volunteer excursion is a partnership between MUN, the HFNL, the Town of Portugal Cove and St. Phillips, and the RC Church. It's the first partnership of its kind, and we hope it continues into the future. It will be a great opportunity to raise awareness about heritage issues in our communities. Hope to see you there!

A small portion of the large cemetery space that the students will be working in. Endless growth and brush for them to tackle!

-Lisa

Tuesday Folklore Photo: Eleanor Roosevelt visits Newfoundland

A funny thing happens, from time to time, when I'm trying to find a good folklore photo. I'll start out looking for a nice archival photograph of flowers, to brighten your RDF filled afternoon, and then I end up writing about Elanor Roosevelt, isn't it just the way?

It all started with this photo:

"Mr. Roosevelt being presented with flowers"
[October 08, 1961]
Original photograph in Memorial University
 of Newfoundland Libraries,
 Archives and Special Collections Division.
 S. J. Carew Photograph Collection

And then I just couldn't stop....

Eleanor Roosevelt chats with J.R. and Clara Smallwood
[October 08, 1961]
Original photograph in Memorial University
 of Newfoundland Libraries,
 Archives and Special Collections Division.
 S. J. Carew Photograph Collection

"Premier Smallwood, Lieutenant Governor MacPherson and Eleanor Roosevelt"
[October 08, 1961]
Original photograph in Memorial University
 of Newfoundland Libraries,
 Archives and Special Collections Division.
 S. J. Carew Photograph Collection 

On October 9th, 1961, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, the widow of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and an accomplished individual in her own right, attended the opening of the new campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Lord Thomson thanks Eleanor Roosevelt after her address[October 09, 1961]
Original photograph in Memorial University
 of Newfoundland Libraries,
 Archives and Special Collections Division.
 S. J. Carew Photograph Collection 

For more information about Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to Newfoundland, visit the collection on the Memorial University of Newfoundland Digital Archives Initiative.
-Nicole 

Be on the lookout for this stolen 17' Newfoundland dory!

Traditional culture is where it's at, as we all know here on the ICH blog. It's so hot, apparently, that people are willing to steal to get a piece of it.

The news making its rounds on social media is that someone has stolen a Newfoundland dory.  I imagine it is the sort of thing that is hard to hide and move, so if you see it, let the police know.

This from the RNC facebook page:

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is requesting the assistance of the general public in regard to the theft of a 17' wooden dory from the east end of St John's. Anyone who has information related to this matter can call the RNC at 709-729-8000 or contact Crime Stoppers NL to submit their tips online, call toll free 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477) or text TIP190 plus your message to "CRIMES" that's 274637 and relay their clues or information.

Job Posting - Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Museum Coordinator

Reporting to the Heritage Committee, will be responsible for: 

- Supervising the museum and providing guided tours
- Collecting and cataloging historical information
- Other associated duties

Experience and Qualifications: - Must have experience dealing with customer relations 

- Must be competent in Microsoft Word and Excel
- Must have an interest in history and be enthusiastic

The Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove Heritage Committee was formed in October 1995, with the goal of preserving and promoting our Town's rich history through the establishment of a museum. The Museum is divided into five themes representing different aspects of its heritage:

Fishery - a collection of local photos, fishing net displays, and various fishing and sealing artifacts.

Agriculture - photos, tools and items representing early farming activity.

Sports - highlights, through photos and artifacts, its strong rowing heritage from the famous Outer Cove crew that rowed the time of 9:13 in 1901 to present day rowers.

Lifestyles - re-creation of a traditional kitchen containing artifacts from everyday life. Also includes artifacts and pictures reflecting the importance of the church and religion in daily life.

Military - a tribute to those of the community who served in any armed conflict.

The Museum also contains an archive of information regarding history of the community that is available to the public upon request.

Send Resumes to aprilkenny@lbmcoc.ca

Application deadline May 28, 2014

Folklore Photo - Painting the Jenkins House, Twillingate

I have been working on compiling an oral history of the Jenkins House in Blow Me Down, Durrell, Twillingate. The above photo is of the house at the end of its restoration project. Here, owner Corey Sharpe talks about how he selected the colour for the house, in consultation with George Chalker, HFNL's Executive Director:

So colour was another thing. What are we going to put on it for colour? I can remember it always being white. So I said, “I’m not a big fan of white. White’s everywhere. It’s not even a colour, in my opinion. But anyway, it did look nice on the house and stuff.” So I said … I spoke to George Chalker, and he said, “Well, take a look at those heritage colours that we had Templeton’s do for us.” I said, “Yeah, I’ll do that.” 

So I picked out a colour. I think it was Dory Buff or something like that. Am I going to drastically change the colour of the house, or what am I going to do? So the siding, the local siding, had been replaced on the house in different places on the house over time. It was never all stripped and replaced. I could do one side one year, then 15, 20 years later they probably did a patch on the other side, whatever. So anyway, I got down to a patch that was original to the house. It had the cut nails, and I said, “What colours were on that house?” So I slowly scraped the paint down. When I got down to the last colour, apart from say the red ocher-ish stain that they had on it, that was the colour. It was almost like exact. That just made up my mind right there. So that’s the colour we painted the house.

Photos courtesy Corey Sharpe.

Tuesday's Folklore Photo - Waterfront Gardening

I've heard that because of our cold start to Spring, locals gardeners are feeling a bit anxious to get started. Surely things will soon warm up and people will be able to get their seedlings in the ground....right? Hopefully this photo will provide a little bit of inspiration, and remind us that the wait will be worthwhile.

Taken in Conche on the Northern Peninsula in Spring 2010, a family works together to dig potato trenches, getting the ground ready for planting. This waterfront garden plot is one that this family has been using for decades. Its location near the ocean ensures that it gets optimal exposure to sunlight, is easily accessed by boat, and can easily access kelp, which is an effective soil fertilizer.

-Lisa