Blog Archives
Summer Squash & Other Healthy Foods Growing in Roddickton!
Roddickton-Bide Arm is a region of the Great Northern Peninsula where hay is baled, and sheep would go to pasture. There is a tremendous opportunity to grow more agricultural products and ranch animals.
There are a number of individuals that are hobbyists farmers, planting root crops for subsistence, while others are growing on much larger scale. I enjoy purchasing fresh herbs, spices, teas and other organically grown items from Elsie and taking a walk on her trail of memories (See past article at: https://liveruralnl.com/2014/09/21/fresh-vegetables-herbs-teas-creams-and-a-blast-for-the-past/).
Recently, I dropped by the large greenhouse of Calvin’s on Route 433 outside the Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm. Last year they experimented with growing grapes. This year, many new items are growing including yellow summer squash, depicted below:
I was impressed by the range of product from cauliflower, zucchini, green onion, tomato, squash, greens, carrots, flowers and many more root crops and berries.
The friendly and knowledgeable staff are more than helpful, taking the care to find exactly what you are looking for to eat a little healthier. The cauliflower was so sweet,likely the best I’ve ever tasted.
Buying local creates jobs, builds a stronger economy. Sourcing your food locally helps with food security, reduces reliance on green house gases and gives you an understand of where your food came from, how it was grown and handled. Basically you can trace it from the source to your plate.
I encourage you to visit local farms, farmer’s markets, greenhouses, community gardens, grow your own and/or share with a friend or neighbour. We have incredible opportunity to grow good nutritious foods on the Great Northern Peninsula. We’ve been doing the basics for centuries.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-White Bay North)
Iceberg Festival Returns in June for 7th Season! You won’t want to miss something 10,000 years in the making!
This year’s festival runs from June 5th to June 14th, 2015. Be sure to check out their website http://theicebergfestival.ca/ for updates. The Great Northern Peninsula is known as iceberg alley and the ideal location to experience their beauty.
Check out their current schedule of events, with more being added http://theicebergfestival.ca/schedule/.
- Kitchen Parties
- Iceberg, Whale & Seabird Tours
- Mummers
- Vikings
- And lots more
Enjoy local foods, traditional music, awe inspiring icebergs. An authentic event that has truly been 10,000 years in the making. Join us for an incredible experience on the Great Northern Peninsula.
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-White Bay North)
Active Roddickton-Bide Arm
The Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm has placed a real focus on recreation and engaging the community in a variety of activities and utilizes assets such as an outdoor swimming pool, arena, playground, network of trails and other social commons. It is important to have a committed group of volunteers in that place focus on recreation. This Town has adapted to share knowledge with the greater community by having a FB Group called “Roddickton-Bide Arm Recreation” which has 177 members. More people are encouraged to join and participate, as recreation and healthy living is for those of all ages.
Recently they have hired a “Get Moving” Coordinator that hosts a series of activities from games day, healthy cooking classes, snowshoeing runs and winter boil-ups. A great mix of exercise, healthy living, education, culture and fun! These initiatives are very progressive and attractive for current and future residents.
In September of 2014, I participated in their first ever Fun Run/Walk of 3 or 5 KM in distance. In high school, I ran on the senior cross-country run team. I found out that day, its been more than a decade since high school and no one should just start with a 5 KM run, without training for it first. I had much fun and placed 6th overall, but certainly had some muscle strains and knee aches for many days after. As a politician, I do a lot of door-to-door visits with constituents and residents across Newfoundland & Labrador, which is great activity, but those who run daily will undoubtedly get better results, as they do not contend with the many cups of tea and sweets offered at the household visit.
Cloud River Academy has an incredibly dedicated and committed physical education teacher that is present at virtually every town or school event that has a recreation focus, from the volleyball tournaments to the figure skating events, hockey tournaments and snowmobile races. The presence certainly means a lot for greater community engagement and promoting active lifestyles for our youth but all residents of the greater community.
Despite chilling temperatures, more than 100 spectators and over 2 dozen participants, competed in the annual Roddickton-Bide Arm snowmobile races to find out who will be “King of the Clouds”?
A small group of volunteers continue to make big things happen in small communities. Those on the recreation committee deserve much praise, they are making it happen! Roddickton-Bide Arm is a picturesque Town, which is the perfect venue if you love the great outdoors. Your experience and adventure awaits!
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-White Bay North)
@MitchelmoreMHA
The Mayflower Inn & Adventures has been in business for more than 40 years…
The Mayflower Inn is Roddickton’s longest continuous running business, opening its doors in 1974 with just eight rooms. The family business, a key employer in the region is in its second generation, expanding in size and services to include outfitting and adventure tourism operations. This past November, I the privilege of wishing Trevor and Shanna Pilgrim much success on their current milestone and look for all they will bring to the Great Northern Peninsula as they achieve new accolades.
This business has been recognized by its peers and was honoured with Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador’s Tourism Business of the Year Award in 2009. The Pilgrim’s continue to be innovative with significant room upgrades and an offer of unique packages and tours, such as the “Iceberg Trails and Teasures Tour”.
Their 40th Anniversary celebration brought local school groups, residents to enjoy tours, teas and an adult wine and cheese. It also was the official launch the opening of their new gift shop with locally produced products, books and other wares. The shop presents a warm feeling that is steeped in tradition with its displays pertaining to the rich forest history of this Lumberjack Town.
The Mayflower Inn can be that perfect escape to relax and unwind, or experience a unique adventure. The Town of Roddickton-Bide Arm offers an expanse of walking trails, interpretation about wildlife, lumbering history and the story of resettlement, as well local attractions like the Underground Salmon Pool. The business is at the heart of the French Shore and a short drive to French Shore Interpretation Centre in Conche and the unique glass art studio, known as Glacier Glass in Englee.
Supporting locally owned and operated small businesses are key to maintaining and growing sustainable rural communities. The Mayflower Inn and Adventures has been a pillar in the community for 40+ years and a place you too can experience in 2015. Congratulations!
Live Rural NL,
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-White Bay North)
Christmas Parades on Great Northern Peninsula Exude Community Spirit
The month of December marks a number of community events from Christmas concerts, annual award nights, church functions, tree lighting, breakfast/brunch, socials, appreciation dinners, Santa visits, dances, hockey tournaments and of course the Christmas parade. On the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula there is so much activity. It shows signs of an active volunteer base, supporting strong, vibrant communities as each place offers something unique to bring together residents to enjoy a sense of community, a sense of involvement and just exudes the spirit of Christmas.
I plan to focus, primarily on parades given they were hosted in St. Anthony, St. Lunaire-Griquet, Flower’s Cove, Conche, Englee, Main Brook, Roddickton, Bide Arm, L’Anse aux Meadows, Hay Cove, Noddy Bay, Straitsview, Savage Cove and Anchor Point.
St. Anthony (December 13th)
St. Lunaire-Griquet (December 13th) – Held on December 20th, 2014
Weather postponed the St. Lunaire-Griquet Christmas parade and the event was held the following Saturday and I was unable to attend. If there are people who have photos this parade and are willing to share, please email mitchelmorec@hotmail.com.
Flower’s Cove (December 13th) – Held on December 14th, 2014 which enabled me to attend.
Conche (December 19th, 2014)
Englee (December 19th, 2014) – Held on December 22nd, 2014
This event was originally scheduled for December 19th, but weather greatly impacted the viability of a successful parade. The event was held on Monday, December 22nd and I was unable to attend. If anyone has a few photos they would like to share, please send to mitchelmorec@hotmail.com.
Main Brook (December 20, 2014)
Roddickton-Bide Arm (December 20, 2014)
L’Anse aux Meadows, Hay Cove, Noddy Bay, Straitsview (December 20th, 2014)
If anyone has photos of this event and would like to share, please send to mitchelmorec@hotmail.com. I had committed to attending the Roddickton-Bide Arm parade several weeks in advance.
Savage Cove Christmas Parade (December 21st, 2014)
Town of Anchor Point Christmas Parade (December 23rd, 2014)
There was much time, organization and volunteer efforts put forward by many community leaders, business and residents to ensure these Christmas parades and a host of other activities were successfully held on the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, some for 50 years. The people of the Peninsula continue to make big things happen in small communities!
Let’s keep building in 2015!
Live Rural NL –
Christopher Mitchelmore, MHA (The Straits-White Bay North)
