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Having a Good Scuff at the 10th Annual St. Anthony Music Festival
On August 5, 2011 myself and a friend had plans to take in the 10th Annual St. Anthony Music Festival. After a quick stop at Tim Horton‘s for an ice cap, we drove up to a little paradise with panoramic views, trails, restaurants and an emporium. It can be the peak of your experience. I was able to park my car and get a good view of the many icebergs. There is also one lonely fisherman in the harbour, maybe he plans to catch a few cod-fish while the recreational fishery.
The reason for the trip was to take in the festivities and hear the diverse talents of our local musicians. They had a great line-up of performers that would appeal to everyone’s fancy, from Folk, Traditional Newfoundland & Labrador, Blue Grass, Country, Old Time Rock N’ Roll and other songs from popular culture. The Olympia was a buzz – there was a sense of happiness from the people in the room. I spoke with a number of people and even found some travelling to St. Anthony from Corner Brook, NL and even as far as Northern Quebec and Nunavut.
Addmission was just $10.00 to hear 9 different bands/performers. The schedule was as follows:
- 7:30 PM Doors Open. Recorded Music
- 8:00 PM The Pumper Boys
- 9:00 PM Angela Byrne & Alphonsus Reardon
- 9:30 PM Alphonsus Reardon & Albert Kinsella
- 9:45 PM Wade Hillier
- 10:15 PM Max Sexton
- 10:30 PM Jade Gibbons
- 11:00 PM Skipper Hotts Band
- Midnight Sam S., Adam R., Trevor N., & John H.
- 1:30 AM – Close Dwayne Snow
Alphonsus Reardon & Angela Byrne perform some traditional music. She had a beautiful voice and was the only female performer during the whole show. Great job & hopefully next year more female singers will come out and participate. There certainly were no shortage of women in attendance, as they filled up the dance floor.
Wade Hillier has many talents – Viking re-enactor, story and joke teller, as well as a musician. I heard him the Friday prior performing at the Norseman Restaurant in L’Anse Aux Meadows. My two friends from California enjoyed his tunes, that they purchased a copy of his CD. I love the deep voice Wade has and especially love hearing his rendition of Aunt Martha’s Sheep and anything he does by Johnny Cash!
Ford Blake is one part of the Skipper Hotts Band, as he riddles out the tunes on the old squeeze box. I had the joy of hearing him and a part of his band play at Skipper Hotts Lounge in Straitsview the previous Friday as well. There my two friends would get Screeched-in (photos and story to follow). Tonight they had their full complement and their music pulled the people out on the floor to dance up a storm.
Prior to his performance I had asked him about playing the accordion. He had told me he started learning by playing on his father’s old one as a little boy, because you certainly were not allowed to use the good one back in those days. Drop by Skipper Hotts Lounge in Straitview and you too may be greeted by this self-taught talent and his band’s traditional music. The sound of music in Rural Newfoundland & Labrador is vibrant and even more so due to the people with the talent of being able to play the accordion.
Despite the chill in the air of the stadium, the night ended up drawing a large crowd. I have to commend the organizers as they handed out a schedule with important information, which included a floor plan. This helped people find the washroom, concession stand, bar, drink ticket area, seating area and designated smoking area. As well, the local Boys & Girls Club benefited from revenues sold at the concession stand. It was nice to see that monies would go back to a local cause and benefit the area’s youth.
The Music Festival brought a crowd of young and young-at-heart alike out to the floor. I had a great time meeting new people, catching up with old friends, having a glass of Screech & Coke, dancing and enjoying the life in the stadium created through music.
Great Job!
Live Rural NL -
Christopher C. Mitchelmore
Twitter/LiveRuralNL
Related articles
- Iceberg Festival Runs June 10-19, 2011 (liveruralnl.com)
My Talking Stick…
I was first introduced to the talking stick when I had to work on a project for the Big Droke Cultures Foundation and had a conversation with a Representative of the Bartlett’s Harbour Band Council. She had provided me with a wealth of knowledge of Aboriginal culture and values.
One topic of interest was the Talking Stick. She noted this item was of tribal significant when in a group. The most senior individual, usually a Chief if present will start talking and when holding the stick s/he would not be interrupted. It was meant for courtesy and when the person was finished they would pass it along to the next council member that had something to contribute. This seems like a good approach to conduct business. It appears more mannerly way of getting things done than some of the soundbites and theatrics that come from the House of Commons during question period.
I was fortunate during April 2010, to be able to sit down with an instructor at the Aboriginal Friendship Centre in Goose Bay, Labrador and make my very own talking stick. At one end, I painted the Labrador Flag with 2010 and the other the FINALY! symbol reflecting the administering organization overseeing the initiative of the Provincial Government’s Youth Retention & Attraction Strategy. In between, I got some inspiration from Vincent van Gough’s ”Starry Night” as I painted an impressionable moon, stars, mountains, rivers and other reminders of natural Labrador. I am quite proud of my talking stick and the significance it has to the Aboriginal culture.
Immerse yourself in culture…
Christopher C. Mitchelmore
Jumping Bean Blueberry Tea
I look for products that are Made Right Here, in Newfoundland & Labrador. Sometimes, I am able to find them when I catch NTV‘s Danielle Butt on her weekly segment, Made Right Here. However, on this occasion I was at visiting Gros Morne Cabins and Endicott’s Convenience in Rocky Harbour. This business has a wide-retail selection of food items, convenience goods, camping supplies, crafts, tour options, information and some locally made products. I found Jumping Bean’s Blueberry Tea.
I enjoy the local berry teas, especially the ones I have sampled from the Dark Tickle Company, St. Lunaire-Griquet (one of our many Northern Pen Gems). You may purchase their product online by visiting www.darktickle.com.
This particular tea caught my attention as it was loose tea. Only a few weeks prior my grandmother told me how the tea they would get came in wooden boxes. It was loose tea leaves packed in a foil to protect it from getting damp. I’ve had loose tea before when I was in Egypt, but never prepared a pot myself.
I got a chair, my arms extended to the top shelf of the cupboard to carefully pull out a tea-pot that my mother received as a wedding present more than 30 years ago. She has an exceptional memory and told me the people who gave her and dad the present. It is remarkable! She remembers birthdays, telephone numbers and other every life events. If an elephant never forgets, my mother is like an elephant. However, that may be the only similarity as she has quite the petit figure.
I normally would have asked my mother how to make this stuff; however, she is not a tea drinker. I am not sure if she has ever had a cup in her life. My father, on the other hand would always have a cup of Tetley with his morning breakfast meal. Since this was my first preparation, I looked at the directions, which read:
Directions: Place the desired amount of tea leaves in the tea sac and twist the top to close. Steep for 4-5 minutes in freshly boiled water and enjoy!
Somehow, I feel the directions should be written with more structure to appease the novice tea drinker. I really had no idea how much of the stuff I should be throwing in and what amount of water to use. Some recommendation would be nice, in combination with…. or as your tastes desires.
In the end, I must have done something right as my cup of tea turned out to be a hit. It had natural berry flavours that were silky smooth and relaxing. I look forward to another cup of tea with my raisin cake in the near future.
If you would like to find out more about Jumping Bean, you can visit them on the web at www.jumpingbean.ca. They also make a variety of coffees, which include East Coast Roast and my personal favourite, Newfoundland Screech!
If you have the chance, pour yourself up a cup of loose blueberry tea from Jumping Bean.
Live Rural NL -
Christopher C. Mitchelmore
Outraged with the price NL Lobster Fisherman will receive this season
There was a sense of positivity of some recovery in the fishery of Rural Newfoundland & Labrador in 2011 as the announcement of crab prices were to start at $2.35 with no dispute among parties, when last season the processors were disputing the $1.35 per pound price set by the pricing panel. A Federal memo of a cut of 40 percent in the inshore shrimp fishery is unacceptable. Provincial Fisheries Minister Clyde Jackman has stated the cuts to the quota should be much less (~10-15%). Some good news in this story is that the prices are up significantly for shrimp and fishers are out on the water working hard to earn a living.
The Price Setting Panel announced the lobster price would be $4.26 per pound for the week of April 17 and $4.23 per pound for the week of April 23,2011. This created a dispute among processors, claiming they could not afford to purchase at this rate.
The buyers in this situation have the upper hand, as the lobster season is quite short. The buyers continued to stall purchasing. The Fisheries Union placed pressure on Government to allow outside buyers. Fishermen should get the highest possible price for the commodity of lobster. We certainly do not have a free market as it stands today and our lobster fishers continue to pay the price. Minister Jackman noted that opening up the province to free market could not happen overnight, that plant workers may be impacted and what that could mean for other fish species – if such a precendent is set. I am unsure how much employment is created in this province due to processing of lobster, but would like to find out. It appears primarily there is the middleman or lobster buyer that gets a cut to sell from the wharf or ship to market.
It is in the interest of the buyers to ensure they reap maximum profits for themselves and their shareholders. It has been the practise of for-profit enterprises since the beginning of time. However, they have an unfair advantage over small fishing enterprises.
The Price Setting Panel set a fair price at $4.26. However, without Government intervening to allow outside buyers the bargaining power of the fishermen and their Union was weak. The fishermen went to the waters on opening day without having any buyer. This shows their dedication to their profession. However, lobster can only last so long crated on the water and fisherman can only absorb operating costs and no income for only so long. I can only imagine that this would be the case for many people, that they could only live and provide for their families for a short-term without getting further in debt. The parties agreed upon a price of $3.65 per pound with a review each week that could see increases based on market conditions.
I am outraged that fishermen are only receiving $3.65 per pound for this gourmet product. Economic conditions are much more encouraging than in 2008 when the price bottomed at $3.00-$3.25 per pound. Operating costs are increasing and fishers are unable to earn a living wage when they are being royally ripped off for their product by a whopping $0.60 per pound from the start. CBC.ca reported that 6 million pounds of lobster is caught in our beautiful province, which means $3.6 million dollars (6 million pounds *$0.60/pound) is being removed from the fishers, which would be of great benefit to the families of fishers and help sustain rural economies.
On December 1, 2010 CBC reported the following for Nova Scotia Lobster Fishery -
Naugle said Wednesday he was selling the first lobsters of the season at a price of $5.99 per pound, for lobsters between one and 1.4 pounds. Lobsters between 1.45 and 3.25 pounds were being sold for $6.49 per pound. (Full story here)
Prices paid to the lobster harvester in Newfoundland & Labrador are being kept artificially too low, in my opinion. The FFAW has a chart listing price for Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI from January-April, which show a price between $4-5.00 per pound (Full Details Click Here).
Action must be taken to ensure an environment is created to give the fishermen more bargaining power to obtain the fair price for their product. This may require greater attention from the Fisheries Union to focus on the small boat fisher, the Provincial Government to review its own Fisheries Act, dialogue with the Federal Department of Fisheries and a change in business operations or concessions for lobster buyers in the province. Change is needed in how we operate our Provincial fishery.
Why is our system set up that in the end the buyer sets the price, despite parties agreeing to a Price Setting Panel? The fishermen have the product and they should determine the price - if the buyers are unwilling then they should be able to look elsewhere. This is simple business. I would be happy to buy lobster from the fishers for $4.26 or more per pound.
Live Rural NL -
Christopher C. Mitchelmore
Related articles
- Change needed in how we run the fishery in Canada… (liveruralnl.com)
- N.L. fishermen, buyers agree on lobster prices (ctv.ca)
- P.E.I. lobster fishermen wait for price set (cbc.ca)
- Lobster deal reached (cbc.ca)
Change needed in how we run the fishery in Canada…
It is upsetting to read headlines on the CBC – Lobster prices two dear: processors. The pricing panel set the starting price at $4.26 per pound, which processors say they will not buy and will lose money. It was only last season this same group of processors could not afford to buy crab at $1.35 per pound set by the pricing panel. Fogo Island Co-op was the only company willing, and they got dispelled from the association. Yet in Nova Scotia crab could be purchased at $1.85 per pound.
Is it our closed marketplace? The few processors have a monopoly? Should we look at changing the legislation? Having a free market and allowing outside buyers?
Lobster is a delicacy and no harvester can continue to make a living at the low price of $3.00 or $3.25 per pound, especially with escalating operating costs. My father was a small boat fisher, catching lobster. The price 15 years ago was higher than what it has been in recent seasons.
I remember passing the seafood section in London, England in 2007. The price of lobster fo 16.00 GBP or about $34.00 CDN. I purchased a lobster tail on a beach stand for $9.00 CDN. If you go fine dining lobster ranks up there with the fine cuts of beef.
Why have we devalued the lobster? Are we failing to market our quality products and getting into more value-added? And why are we unable to pay the harvester a fair price? Something has to be done to ensure more certainly and better management of the fishery. Hon. Clyde Jackman, Fisheries Minister for the Province needs to work with newly elected Federal counterparts and all stakeholders.
The fishery continues to be the backbone of the rural economy. We must implement corrective measures to ensure that our rural communities can continue to remain sustainable. The amount of dollars may be small to many of these larger producers but every cut to fish species and reduction of price has resonating impacts to Rural Newfoundland & Labrador economies.
Together we can make great change for brighter tomorrows.
Live Rural NL from Las Vegas -
Christopher C. Mitchelmore
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RADIO CONCHE 105.9 FM!!!!!
Community Radio is coming to Conche May 9 – 10. Make sure to tune in to 105.9 FM.The French Shore Cultural Centre will be hosting this awesome event and they are asking everyone who has a connection to Conche to call into the centre on those two days.
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The Loss of the General Store
John Reeves Ltd., a family run enterprise may have closed its post in the Town of Conche many years ago, but there is still a place for the General Store in many of our Rural communities. These businesses thrive to supply the local consumer with all their essential wares from dry goods, hardware, fresh produce to rubber boots. Without their presence, many goods would be more difficult to obtain.
John Reeves Ltd., Conche
My community like many others see the loss of the general store. There were five small businesses that aimed to fill that market, pre-1992 cod moratorium. Green Island Cove at that time only boasted a population of 209 people (according to Stats Canada, 1991 census) today we have only one General Store with a population of 164 people. It currently is all that the community can support.
Apple, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Lingonberry Vinaigrette
The Lingonberry in Rural Newfoundland & Labrador is referred to locally as the “Partridgeberry”.
After reviewing From Our Atlantic Woods -Non-Timber Forest Product Directory 2009-2010, a recipe supplied by Pure Labrador seemed like a delicious use of for local berries.
Apple, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad with Lingonberry Vinaigrette (Serves 4)
Ingredients (Vinaigrette)
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) Lingonberry Syrup
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) red wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
- Salt & Pepper (dash)
Directions -
Mix all together and shake well
Ingredients (Salad)
- Mixed baby salad greens
- 1 apple
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) walnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) crumbled blue cheese
Directions -
- Spread a bed of salad greens on 4 plates
- Core and quarter the apple
- Thinly slice each quarter into 6-8 slices and place on the greens in an attractive fan
- Sprinkle 1 tbsp (15 ml) each walnuts and blue cheese over the apple and greens
- Drizzle the Lingonberry Vinaigrette over the salads.
I am looking forward to trying this salad, which will have local wild berries. Be creative with locally grown products and start your own FOOD REVOLUTION!
Squashberry Jam from Grandmother Pearl
She ensures to hold onto local tradition of ensuring recipes of wild game, fish and beans are mainstays at her table. There is nothing like a piece of fresh halibut out of her pan during the months of summer.
Her specialty skills come as a baker. She makes all sorts of squares, buns, rolls, cakes and my most loved item – her freshly baked pies with apples or local Newfoundland berries. There is nothing like a cut of bakeapple or partridge-berry pie and a scoop of ice-cream.
Spreading Squashberry Jam on Toast
Last time I was at her house, she gave me a small sample of her squashberry jam. I can not re-call if I have ever tasted such a local treat. I was eager to place this jam on a piece of toast. It is quite delicious. I look forward to berry picking this summer.
If you would like more information or to purchase some Squashberry product, you can visit locally The Dark Tickle Company in beautiful St. Lunaire-Griquet, Great Northern Peninsula at http://www.darktickle.com/squashberryinfo.aspx
Live Rural NL 0
Christopher Mitchelmore
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Scenic Gros Morne National Park
- A view of Norris Point, Gros Morne National Park
There is always a scenic photo to be taken when you visit Gros Morne National Park. These are some from my March 21, 2011 visit. The view of the bay is breathtaking. The little wharves represent the imporance of fishing to the local economy. Although, the tourism industry has grown immensely attracting more than 180,000 visitors annually, the fishing industry is a mainstay for many families.
A wharf in Norris Point, Gros Morne National Park
Boat in the Bay
Fishing Boat
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Live Rural NL retaliates against Ellen’s stance of “Stop Seal Hunting in Canada”
Dear Ellen Degeneres -
I am deeply disappointed that you have chosen to become the latest celebrity to advocate against the Canadian Seal Hunt, joining forces with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). You have joined a growing list of mis-informed celebrity predecessors, including Beatle Paul McCartney and Playmate, Pamela Anderson. We only need to remember then Premier Danny Williams taking on Paul McCartney and Heather Mills-McCartney on Larry King Live. Danny Williams not only illustrated how un-educated Paul and now former wife was on the matter of the seal hunt, he also embarrassed them in terms of knowing their Canadian geography. Mr. Williams invited them to come to Newfoundland & Labrador to see for himself. Paul remarked along the lines that he was already there when really he was in Prince Edward Island, another province.
PETA is an organizations that uses images of baby seals and presents mis-information to create a cash infusion. Their website states: “PETA is drawing global attention to the annual slaughter of tens of thousands of baby harp seals”.
This statement is false! Myth: The Canadian government allows sealers to harvest white coat seals.
Reality: The harvesting of harp seal pups (white coats) and hooded seal pups (blueblack) is illegal in Canada and has been since 1987. The seals that are harvested are self-reliant, independent animals. (Source: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/seal-phoque/index-eng.htm)
Ellen your website states: Seal hunting is one of the most atrocious and inhumane acts against animals allowed by any government.
The Canadian Department of Fisheries and Ocean’s manages the seal hunt, which is sustainable. One only has to look at the harp seal population growth. In the 1970′s there were less than 2 million seals, now in 2011 there is more than 9 million harp seals. The government allocates an annual harvest quota that is supported by scientific research. The Seal Hunt is HUMANE, STRICTLY REGULATED and ENFORCED. How is harvesting seals any more atrocious and inhumane than the fish that is caught, cows, chicken, pigs, moose and other animals that are killed for human consumption? What about cattle that are ranched and grown strictly for human consumption? They have no chance for anything but ending up as some form of beef, maybe a burger? Unlike seals, they are self-reliant, independent that can fend for themselves.
The seal hunt has been around in Newfoundland and Labrador for centuries. Without the seal meat, oil and skin for clothing many people of the rural communities would be burdened with economic hardships and other woes. The sealskin boot has provided the warmth and protection from the elements of surviving in a difficult winter climate. The seal skin is water-resistant, protecting the feet from getting damp when cutting firewood to heat one’s home. Seal skin provided necessary protection that may have saved human lives.
My father was a fisherman, his father and his father before him. They have all harvested seals to aid them in providing for their families. My father had prepared seal skin to be made into boots. I still proudly wear them, as winters in Northern Newfoundland tend to be very stormy. I walk knee-deep in snow, many days throughout winter to reach my car. I understand the deep-rooted tradition and the necessity of the seal hunt to ensure life in rural regions could continue. How dare you make such uninformed comments that continue to negatively impact the fishers in rural regions.
I ask that you do further research on this matter and re-consider your stance on the seal hunt. I invite you to come to Rural Newfoundland and Labrador to experience for yourself first-hand the seal hunt. You should use your celebrity status to do good instead of blatant abuse.
Live Rural NL -
Christopher Mitchelmore
Sandy Beaches at Norris Point, Gros Morne National Park
- Tropical Paradise on March 21, 2011 at Gros Morne?
- Footprints
On March 21, 2011, I was pleasantly surprised to walk the shores and find a beautiful sandy beach. The Town was quiet as I met very few people during my stroll on the beach this afternoon. I screamed of being a tourist with my Nikon DSLR camera and the fact that Norris Point is small enough that everyone knows everyone in the community during the off-season.
An amazing view...
The Town of Norris Point may be small in population (pop. 850 in 1996), but during summer, like Prince Edward Island the tourists will out-number residents by a grossly disproportioned amount. Tourists at Gros Morne National Park exceed 180,000 people in season.
Looking onwards, towards the Mountains
There are many reasons to visit Norris Point. One I recommend is to take time to tour the shoreline. You will be surprised by the furry of activity from the fishers, sea life, birds and sounds of the water gently rolling over the sandy beaches.
Live Rural NL 0
Christopher Mitchelmore
Vernacular Architecture thrives in Conche, NL
The road to the French Shore will ultimately take you to Conche, NL. This is a must see Town on the North Eastern part of the Great Northern Peninsula. One must stop at the French Shore Interpretation Centre, where you will get the opportunity to see a 222 ft tapestry that has been embroidered on Jacobean linen by local women of Conche and designed by J. C. Roy.
After a visit to the centre, I recommend you take some time to explore the colourful homes and outer dwellings that scream Rural Newfoundland & Labrador.
Crab pots by Store, with snowshoers in the background
Traditional Home with Porch
An old red shed that has seen better days
A restored home
- A view of Conche
I have only shared a sample of the many wonders one can find in the Heritage Corridor of Conche. One must see it for themselves to truly understand the marvels of its beauty.
Ski-dooing in Rural Newfoundland…
Da' Yammie, Conche, NL
Ski-dooing in Bide-Arm
NL Moose Soup on Saturday
Saturday in Rural Newfoundland, has long been known as Soup Saturday. In September 2009, I returned to my community on the island of Newfoundland. Since that time, I continue my previous tradition of visiting my grandmother who makes soup every Saturday to enjoy a drop.
Moose Soup from Grandma's Kitchen
She makes traditional split pea soup, turkey neck, rabbit, partridge and my favourite – Moose Soup.
I love the flavour of the all the garden vegetables mixed with salt meat (beef) and of course the moose. I also love the fact that she adds macaroni noodles. Those who know me well, know I enjoy macaroni in my soup. In fact, my Aunt Viola always added extra to her soup when she knew I was coming over.
- Moose Meat from the Soup
When I enter my grandmother’s kitchen on Saturday, she had the moose meat placed on the table, salt & pepper shakers are always in the same location, homemade bread is sliced and strawberry flavoured drink mix readily available. One has to dig in and can not simply stop at one bowl.
- Freshly Sliced Homemade Bread
Soup is a great dinnertime meal (we do not call it lunch in Rural Newfoundland), especially when it is complimented by some of grandma’s freshly baked bread.
- Tetley Tea & Biscuits
We continue the conversation over a cup of Tetley Tea after our meal and marshmallow biscuits that I’ve enjoyed at grandma’s ever since I can remember.
Irish Road Trip….with Great Friends!
The Irish Coast
Banana's Make a Useful Stand for "Gertrude Prudence Spencer" GPS
The Coast
Sheep along the coast
As you can see from the image to the left, some of the sheep are quite fearless, as they veer just to the edge of the landscape. The sheep were fearful of my presence and move further away. I was fortunate to also get some images of a rainbow that was off in the horizon.
A Rainbow
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Dining in Galway…
Irish Harp Beer
Late Wednesday afternoon we checked into Sleepzone. The room for the night cost 1 Euro each, or the equivalent of $1.36 Canadian. Sadly, I paid significantly more for parking that night.
Irish Stew and Veg
- Bailey’s Cheesecake
I highly recommend the cheesecake, as the perfect way to end a great Irish meal.
The Long Way to Muckross House
Pathway through Killarney...
We took the Long Way to Muckross House. My mom and I can certainly laugh about this mis-adventure. We parked in a vacant lot near a gate to the park. We passed a small home and trailed to the nice lake, followed a path passed an old church, cemetery and many fenced pastures that enclosed many cattle. It felt like an eternity, after already spending most of the morning on our feet.
Church & cemetary near Muckross House
Muckross House
Horse & Buggy Rides Available
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Charles Fort, Kinsale – Ireland
Mosaic of Charles Fort, Kinsale, Ireland
A view of the ruins
View of the Harbour
The design reminded me of a family vacation of Fort Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
We must preserve our local sites, as we are quickly losing values of the past that make rural Newfoundland & Labrador unique. Deep Cove Winter Housing site and Flower’s Island are two examples within a 25km radius of my home. It is time to ensure History is preserved and the
- More Ruins
story-told appropriately.
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Canadian Learning Passport – Liberal Election Announcement
For more than a year I worked with volunteers and also delivered Junior Achievement programs to local high school students to facilitate the “Economics for Success” program. It teaches grade nine students many lifelong lessons. They consider their skills, talents, values; dream careers; budget; practise interview skills and even get a job with a salary. They certainly learn the value of a post-secondary education from the occupations provided as the incomes are much higher than entry-level positions.
I grew up in a rural community, wanting to pursue opportunities that were not available to my parents. I always dreamed of working in Europe and exploring parts unknown. Little did I know that in 2007 these dreams would become a reality as I lived and worked in Europe, travelling to 25 countries. My parents supported my sister and I. They believed that they should do all they could to assist us through a post-secondary education. At the age of 13 I lost my father (the breadwinner), this left my mother with a significant challenge of being a single parent without meaningful employment, yet still wanting to provide for her child.
I graduated high school like many students, faced with a tough decisions of whether to enter the workforce, obtain a post-secondary education, or neither. I was terrified of the high debt load I would accumulate having to move away from my rural community to live in the city, pay rent, utilities, groceries, tuition, books and other living costs. It is a scary reality. Many of my peers also choose this route, while others did not – a limiting factor could be the debt burden upon graduation. Five years in the workplace, gives them valuable work experience, seniority and income without the debt. This sounds wonderful, but most of these individuals have to move away from their friends and family.
How can a student graduating with $50,000 in debt after 5 years of post-secondary get ahead? Students are crippled with debt repayment that could range in $400-600 a month for a period of 9 years. How can one afford a car? rent? a home? or support a family? I opted to work part-time jobs throughout the school year and work multiple jobs during the four-month summer break.
Post-secondary education costs must be reduced to ensure that Canadian debt load is more affordable. The Provincial Government of Newfoundland & Labrador has made great strides in making education more affordable. They have continued a tuition freeze. Memorial University has the second-lowest tuition in the country, with some universities in Quebec posting nominally lower rates. Moreover, the provincial government has implemented up-front grants as part of the Students Loan Program, reduces the NL portion of the student loan debt for those completing their program within the appropriate timeframe and eliminating the interest on the NL portion of the student loan. The Provincial Government should be commended for investing in our education.
It is time for the Canadian Government to take a similar approach – wake up and smell the coffee. It appears that Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff‘s election announcement of the Canadian Learning Passport is a step in the right direction to make post-secondary education more affordable for all Canadians which promised $1,000 per year for up to 4 years for all Canadians and $1,500 for individuals from low-income families (up to $6,000). The program is estimated to invest $1 billion annually in the future generations. This investment will have tremendous long-term benefits for all Canada.
The Canadian economy needs to continue to produce educated and innovative individuals to further stimulate new economic growth for the future. I would like to be informed of the stance relating to education policy from other major political parties.
I have paid the price of a post-secondary education, and regard the education as worth every penny. I certainly encourage more youth to choose to obtain a post-secondary education and to also get out and vote. The 18-29 demographic, historically yields low-voter turnout. We need to stand up and be connected and have a stronger voice for matters that affect Canadian families.
Live Rural NL 0
Christopher Mitchelmore
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Where are our Local Farmer’s Markets?
Kinsale, Ireland
After a walk through the enchanted forest we took the Hyundai Getz to the coast. A one-hour drive on very narrow roads led us to Kinsale, Ireland.
Fishy Fishy Cafe
Stone-baked pizza at the Kinsale Market
the vendors.
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- Experiencing the Newfoundland – Ireland Connection (liveruralnl.com)
- A quiet evening at the Pub – Cork, Ireland (liveruralnl.com)
A quiet evening at the Pub – Cork, Ireland
The Corner House The decor
The decor
Enjoying a Pint of Beamish!
Another Pub...one promoting Guinness
Good music, good grub, good company and good drink in a comfortable space. It is time for Rural Newfoundland & Labrador to embrace pub culture. Pubs feel like a local kitchen party, once a common past-time. The local lounge, club and bar should consider adapting to be more generationally friendly, especially with a rural aging population.
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Experiencing the Newfoundland – Ireland Connection
I visited Ireland in 2007. We celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin with local Irish men. This happened because the week before Jen and I were in Stockholm, Sweden and starting talking to them in the street. I am glad she did, because we had a truly authentic Irish Paddy’s Day experience with the kitchen party at an Irish residence, to whirly burgers and more. Thank you James, Elmo and others. Jen & I will never forget the times at McGowens.
We returned again in April, after missing our cheap flights with both of us over sleeping; as we all celebrated the end of the semester the night before. This resulted in us taking multiple trains, underground, bus, ferry, shuttle and tram. We travelled from England to Wales to Ireland to dock in Dublin, Ireland 12 hours later than expected, but we made it. My final visit to the island was in December 2007 when I flew to Edinburgh alone prior to Christmas. There I met the Dodgemeister and a Swedish Princess. After a couple of days I took the train to Glasgow and the ferry to Belfast, Northern Ireland. On the ferry, I watched Meet the Robinson’s, one of Pixar’s excellent movies. It is right up there with Despicable Me. After arriving in Belfast, I was able to experience the Christmas Markets around city hall and enjoy many hours of excellent shopping.
As you can see, my previous trips to Ireland and Northern Ireland resulted in multiple forms of transit. Never though, did I ever rent a car and attempt to drive on the left hand side of the road, until November 2010.
Hyundai Getz
My mother must have been very trusting or scared for her life constantly. After we landed at the Cork airport, I picked up my rental car from the Budget Kiosk desk. After getting in and driving one car it had an incredible beeping noise that would not go away. I check all doors, windows, handbreak, but nothing seemed to stop it. So back to the Kiosk and they exchanged my Nissan for a little Hyundai Getz.
Side View of the Hyundai Getz Street In Ireland
Our flight was delayed from Paris, coupled with the delay with changing the rental car pitted me in the second largest city in Ireland during rush hour traffic with no experience driving on the left. I have to say it was quite the daunting driving experience, but after getting parked that night each successive day seemed like a breeze.
I love Ireland, it is like a second homecoming, as the beauty of the land reminds me of being in rural Newfoundland, only the grass in Ireland is Emerald Green, even in November. In 2007, I made multiple trips, but never really experienced Ireland, as I did not venture outside capital cities. Therefore, I decided it was important to see the countryside and the best way to achieve this was to rent a car, as it allowed me the freedom to explore the tiny villages and rural castles.
Prior to leaving I downloaded maps on my GPS (Gertrude Prudence Spencer, I mean Global Positioning System) as I felt that getting use to the narrow roads, new landscape and driving on the left would be enough for me to manage without having to find my destination. It would have been almost impossible to manage without the GPS, driving as much time would have been lost trying to find locations.
Street In Ireland
I enjoyed taking “roundabouts” (traffic circles), claiming to be “roundabout king”. I am sure though maybe I received a horn once or twice.
