Blog Archives
Mummer’s Walk A Big Hit at Green Island Cove
Nearly forty mummers braved a -16 temperature with a wind chill that reached -31 to keep the tradition of mummering alive and well with the 4th Annual Mummer’s Walk at the Green Island Cove Lion’s Club.
Mummers came from near and far from communities of Anchor Point, Savage Cove, Flower’s Cove, Green Island Cove, Green Island Brook, St. Lunaire-Griquet and many citizens from surrounding communities visiting the Lion’s Club, such as Sandy Cove, Deadman’s Cove and even from mainland Canada to see what the Mummer’s Walk so all about and enjoy the fun!
The rig-up started shortly after 2 PM and just after 2:30 PM, Sabrina and I started the event noting the original idea of hosting a community event that would bring people together and would encourage more active mummering in rural Newfoundland & Labrador, especially since we remembered large groups of mummers from our childhood.
The first was held in Flowers Cove, followed by Anchor Point and last years was in Savage Cove.
This years event all started with the talented Way Brothers performed a couple of traditional tunes on the guitar and accordion, including the famous Simini tune, “The Mummer’s Song“.
The group broke out into dance on the floor. It was great to see such a crowd turn-out and participate in the Mummer’s Walk and a number of youth watching the festivities. These are the future generations to learn the tradition and pass them on.
Due to high wind we opted to get rides to the head of the Cove and walk back to the Lion’s Club. Some Mummer’s jumped in the pans of trucks and we were off…
The residents, especially seniors were perched at their windows anxiously waiting for the long line of mummers to pass by their homes.
They were people waiting in vehicles, residents waving from windows or door steps, excited to see the large group of mummers. A group this large, likely not seen for decades in the community of Green Island Cove.
The walk was a lot of fun. We would all return to the Green Island Cove Lion’s Club and have hot chocolate, Purity Syrup and Chocolates for a treat. It was a great time to mingle and talk about going mummering tonight or another in Christmas.
So if you hear knocks on your door, please let the friendly mummers into your home and enjoy the tradition that is forever in our hearts and souls, making rural Newfoundland and Labrador that perfect place to celebrate Christmas and the place we call home.
Below is a sampling of some other photos I managed at the event:
A big thank you to all who took the time to dress up and participate, the Green Island Cove Lion’s Club for providing the venue, all the visitors who came to the event and watch, Ryan and Monty for playing a couple of tunes, Loomis for coordinating music, logistics and bringing lots of spirit and to anyone else who helped in any way. I encourage you all to go Mummering this Christmas. I’ll be doing my part to continue to keep the tradition alive.
We’ll keep you all posted on the 5th Annual Mummer’s Walk in the New Year….
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay NorthRelated articles
- 4th Annual Mummer’s Walk Location and Date Announced (liveruralnl.com)
- Creative Christmas Floats at St. Anthony & St. Lunaire-Griquet Parades (liveruralnl.com)
- A Rural Newfoundland Christmas Tree – Salt Cod Drying on the Line (liveruralnl.com)
Underground Salmon Pool – A Natural Wonder
The Underground Salmon Pool is the only known place in the world where Atlantic Salmon swim through underground river caves to get to their spawning grounds. Hiking & walking interpretative trails. Guide service provided by Mayflower Adventures in Roddickton. (According to the Province’s Tourism website www.newfoundlandlabrador.com.)
I encourage residents and visitors of Newfoundland & Labrador to enjoy this natural wonder. Interpretative panels explain the nature of the old growth forest, the rich lumbering history of the Canada Bay Area and the boardwalk offers incredible viewing vistas.
Here are some photos taken on a visit, where I captured anglers casting in designated area, birds, squirrels, views of salmon, natural erosion of limestone and the underground river. There are two entry points if you take Route 432 (Grenfell Drive) you will see the signage directing you to this destination.
Share your angling stories in the comments section. Have you visited the Underground Salmon Pool? If not, add it to your next “To Do” list. You simply could not be disappointed if you like the beauty of the great outdoors!
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay NorthIn Honour of Remembrance Day – Recognizing Korean War Vet, Frank Slade
Frank Slade of St. Anthony, served with the Royal Canadian Regiment in the Korean War, followed by two years in Germany. This past Memorial Day he was awarded a Korean War Service Medal in conjunction with 60 years since the end of the war. I was privileged to be in attendance for his receipt of such an honour.
I have had the pleasure to meet Veteran Frank Slade on a few occasions. I remember my first visit to his home during my campaign in Election 2011. For those of you have been, one could spend hours chatting and viewing the displays. His home is like a museum, with Mr. Slade presenting the oral history. I spent quite the time during my first visit, but looked forward to others, as I enjoy learning more about people and their life experiences.
Frank Slade also wrote the following poem in honour of Remembrance Day:
The reason I wear a poppy on this 11 November day, To remember all those brave men who lie in graves so far away. I remember some, but there are many. Especially on this day I remember, my buddy Donald Penney. Cruel men like Hitler and Hussein is the reason men die in far away land. I don’t understand, I cannot say, why they cause men to die this way. In a war you cannot run, you cannot hide, you have to stand and fight the opposite side. On land, in air, or sea, those men died for you and me Some were lucky, some were not, they had to fight if they agreed or not. War is a terrible thing we know so many innocent had to go. To me war isn’t very nice, too many have to pay the price. To bad wars have to be, to take someone dear from you and me. I’m proud to wear a poppy remembering those men. I hope and pray All wars will end. – F. SladeI encourage everyone to talk with our veterans who are still with us. But also take time on Remembrance Day to reflect upon those that gave freely their tomorrows, so we all could enjoy our today. Lest We Forget.
Live Rural NL – Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay NorthIcebergs are your doorstep
In June the icebergs scatter the coves, bays and shores along the Strait of Belle Isle and surround the entire Great Northern Peninsula.
These icebergs were taken from the doorstep in L’Anse au Clair, Labrador this past summer:
The Peterman Ice Island left these icebergs in Goose Cove, Newfoundland on the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula in July 2011.
The Great Northern Peninsula hosts an annual iceberg festival, which is scheduled to run from June 6th to June 15th, 2014. Check for updates at www.theicebergfestival.ca.
Icebergs are at your doorstep on the Great Northern Peninsula. You can see them on boat tours, at Festivals, with binoculars, on walking trails, up close or on the distance.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay NorthMitchelmore recognizes Barbara Genge Induction into Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame
I made the following statement in today’s House of Assembly:
NOVEMBER 4
Christopher Mitchelmore MHA, The Straits-White Bay North Private Member’s Statement Barbara Genge – Tourism Hall of FameMr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Barb Genge, a successful entrepreneur, engaged community leader and champion for sustainable development for being inducted into the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame.
Barb is President of Tuckamore Lodge Ltd., an award-winning hunting, fishing and adventure tourism lodge located in Main Brook, which is considered one of the best outfitting lodges in all of Canada. She believes in full economic utilization, without abuse, of nature’s resources and operates her lodge by these principles.
Barb is an inspirational entrepreneur and true leader of the north, exhibited through a lifetime of advancing the profile of tourism on the Great Northern Peninsula. She was a founding member of Viking Trail Tourism Association and its predecessor which levered millions in funding for Viking Millennial Celebrations at L’Anse Aux Meadows. She served 15 years as an Economic Development Officer at White Bay Central Development Association establishing community partnerships and investing millions into environmental and tourism related-projects.
In addition, she is a recipient of the Sustainable Tourism Award, Entrepreneur of the Year, and PRIDE award for excellence in tourism.
I ask all hon. Members to join me in congratulating Barb Genge on her business and community success.
Thank you.
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA The Straits-White Bay North
