PRESERVING THE
PAST | PRESERVING THE
PAST | |
| C.O.B.R.E.C. | APRIL 1999 ED.# 4 |
BEFORE:
Causeway bridge built in 1956.
AFTER:
Causeway bridge 1999.
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY: APRIL
Did you know...
Let me tell to you a story about some years ago when there were the steamers that used to come and go. Since there were no roads then across the barren ground we depended on the coastal boats the lifeline of this town.
Now everyone was anxious when they heard the whistle blow as they waited on the little nap till the steamer came in slow. They pulled in by the crowded wharf as the crew leaned on the rail and threw ashore the tie up rope that was wrapped around the snails.
Now when the final whistle blew they lowered down the steps, and the passengers got off the boat with one hand on their hips. The other was on the hand rail as they all came ashore, and headed up the gravel road to the corner store.
Now the merchants stood there waiting as the hatches unfold, and the crane hoist up the slings of freight through the narrow hole. Finally, they lowered it on the trolley that was pushed into the store, where it was unloaded and they headed back for more.
Now everyone was busy as they sorted out the freight, and loaded the pickup trucks that sagged down with the weight. Then they went on with the load up to the warehouse door, and piled the goods up inside before they went back for more.
Now when the boats were unloaded and the hatches all laid back, the ladders were hoisted up and laid down in the rack. The men release the tie up rope that was looped around the snails as the steamer pulls off from the wharf and round the point she sails.
By: Willie Willcott
"PROFILE"
JENNY COLLIER
Jenny Collier was born on September 30th, 1930 on Red Island, Placentia Bay, Newfoundland. Her parents were Tom and Jane Norman, of Red Island. Besides Jenny, there were fifteen other children in her family. At the time when Jenny lived on Red Island, the total population was three hundred. Since then the island has been resettled; no one lives there today. Jenny grew up in a five bedroom house that had no indoor plumbing or electricity. The house had to be heated with two wood stoves (one in the back kitchen and one in the living room). Jenny recalled how they had a huge vegetable garden that provided the family with plenty of food. Each child had to take part in tending to this garden. On the way to school in the morning, Jenny had to bring fertilizer (manure) in a hand bar on her back to the garden. During lunch break, she would bring the empty buckets back so they can be refilled for her to drop off on the way back to school. This continued until the garden was fully fertilized.
When Jenny was eighteen years old, she
began her career as a telegraph operator. She
worked on Red Island for two years until she left
in 1950. After this, she traveled to many places
in Newfoundland such as
Harbour Buffet, Baie Verte,
Springdale, and Pelley's Island
to relieve other operators. In
1950, Jenny moved to St.
Alban's where she worked in
the telegraph/post office for two
years with Martin Davis and
Beatrice McDonald. She stayed at Ambrose
Willcott's boarding house. Jenny had to give up
her job in 1953 to look after her sister in Harbour
Grace who was sick and had four children that
needed care. After a three year stay, she returned
to St. Alban's in 1956 and married Mr. Mike J.
Collier where they raised eleven children.
Jenny has remained in St. Alban's ever
since and over the years she has contributed
much of her time and generosity to the
community. Along with raising eleven children,
she has become a volunteer to many
organizations that has kept her extremely busy
over the years.
In June of 1985, Jenny became a Communion Minster. In her spare time, she visits shut-ins at St. Alban's and residents of KM Homes where she administers Holy Communion and says prayers with them. Jenny says that she enjoys this part of her work because she knows that all of the people look forward to her weekly visit. She is also on the Finance Committee of the Sacristy Group. For her many selfless acts, Jenny was awarded the 1986 Citizen of the Year award presented by the Lion's Club.
At St. Ignatius Church, Jenny volunteers
her time as an usher for church collection and
reading during Mass. In 1993, Jenny was the
President of The Catholic Womens League and
served on the committee for several years. She is
also a member of the Parish Council. Jenny
works with the church bingo committee and is
the Secretary for the Seniors Club. When there
is T.V. bingo for the Recreation Committee, she
volunteers her evenings to call the bingo.
Although this keeps her busy, she still finds time
to canvass around the community for different
organizations such as The Heart and Stroke
Foundation, The Lung Association, The Cancer
Society, The Diabetes Foundation, The MS
Society (Multiple Sclerosis), and The Hip Hip
Hooray walk that raises money for hip and knee
replacements. Through her generosity, Jenny
prepares meals for families of funeral parties to
help in their time of need.
Jenny is quite a remarkable woman and has what many call a "heart of gold". She has contributed much time and effort to the community of St. Alban's and still continues with her generosity today.
For Your Entertainment
Fill in the blanks
1) ______ is the date of the Feast of The
Assumption.
2) Cock and hens are ______ .
3) ______ was used to rhine sticks with.
4) Nicholas Crant owned the first ______
in 1882.
5) ______ was put on the babies bottom to
help relieve diaper rash.
6) ______ shut down its pulp and paper
project in 1956.
7) When your ______ is itching it means
you will walk on strange ground.
8) ______ was used to keep students notes
on before they had exercise books.
Bay d'Espoir Blueberry Crisp
2 cups blueberries
1 cup of flour
� cup of butter
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp. lemon juice
Wash 2 cups of berries and spread them in a
greased casserole dish. Sprinkle 2 tbsp. of lemon
juice. Cream the butter and sugar. Add flour and
rolled oats until mixture becomes like crumbs.
Sprinkle over fruit and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
Trivia
When did Milltown and Head Bay d'Espoir
combine into a local Improvement District?
In 1885, the first teacher in St Alban's was?
Who were the original settlers of St. Alban's?
In what year was Conne River "recognized" as
a native community under a Federal/
Provincial Agreement?
When was the Community Council formed in
Milltown?
What year did the school burn down in
Morrisville?
Trivia Contest
In 1911, who brought the first motor boat to
Bay d'Espoir?
Enter this contest to win a prize!! Test your
knowledge of local history. ( The answer will be provided in our next issue.)
The answer to last months trivia is:
The first Anglican church was built in Morrisville. It was built in 1926 and it's name is Ascention.
This is the Ascention Church in Morrisville.
which was built in 1956.
Special thanks to these organizations/businesses for making this newsletter possible:
Bay d'Espoir Crime Prevention , Fabric Designs , Warehouse 2000 Ltd.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 61 , Cohen's , Hartery's ESSO
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 53 , Kendall's Store , Snook's Foodland
Trans Island Funeral Service Ltd. , St. Veronica's Con., Cranberry Gardens
St. Alban's Building Supplies , Buffett's Gas Bar, The Pub Lounge
Ann & Doreen's Unisex , Vancor Motel Ltd. , Germaine's Flowers
Newtel Communications , Kendell's Auto , YES Productions
Regional Resource Center , St. Alban's Inn St. , Joseph's Cove Con.
Barbara's Hairstyling , Bay d' Espoir IGA , St. Alban's ESSO
The Looney & Twooney , NF & Lab. Hydro , Cooper's Auto Repair
St. Alban's Drugs Ltd. J & G Convenience , Golden Fried Chicken
V. J. Shoes and Variety Bayside Marina Ltd. , A & D Ultramart Ltd.
Motel Bay d' Espoir , Images Hairstyling , Strickland's Groceteria
Yvonne Willcott ,
We would love to see your business or organization's name here. Please help support this newsletter so we can continue to bring the unique history of Bay d'Espoir into your homes.
Thank you, Y.S.C. Participants
Dear Readers:
The producers of this newsletter would greatly appreciate any comments or criticisms that you
might have regarding the information you have just read. If any of the information is false or does not
address the full story we would love to hear from you. Thank you for your overwhelming support and
response towards our newsletters. Please continue your feedback and feel free to contact us at: 538-3236.
Mailing address: C.O.B.R.E.C. YSC
P.O. Box 189
St. Alban's, NF
A0H 2E0
If you would like to view previous issues of our newsletter visit our website at:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Farm/9336/past.html.
Fill in the Blanks Solution:
1. August 15th 2. Clams 3. Shimmy 4. Horse 5. Flour 6. Bowaters 7. Foot 8. Slates
Trivia Solution:
1. 1969 2. Ms. Julia Smith 3. Thomas and George Collier 4. 1973 5. 1952 6. 1946
|ISS#1 |
|ISS#2 |
|ISS#3 |
|ISS#5 |
|ISS#6 |