AFTER: In 1993, the sawmill burned down but it was rebuilt a month later and it is still in working order today.

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY: MAY

Did you know...

• In May, people would wear blue ribbons to represent the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Flowers would be brought to school and placed by the statue of Mary.

• On May 1st, 1903, Samuel Davis drowned when "The Challenge", his father's schooner, was caught in a squall and the foreboom swung around and knocked him overboard. His father was Robert Davis.

• On May 24^th, people from different communities would go to various locations and have a garden party in celebration of Queen Victoria's Birthday (Victoria Day).

Three Little Babies From Bay d'Espoir

You can smile if you mind too, but perhaps you'll end in tears. Those three little babies from Bay d'Espoir, all in their early years.

As they were wandering through the woods, not knowing where to go. Not knowing they had to face such bitter frost and snow.

Wednesday evening around three o'clock, their mother's started to roam, as their little babies were course North-West, and wandering away from home.

They went their way through the dark woods, till an open spot they found. A cold dry stick was laying there, where the three little babies sat down.

Now all the men started to search, the wind was blowing cold. About ten o'clock, the wind did change, and it came on rain and snow.

They searched the woods until midnight, but no sound could they hear. Their mother's now were in awful dread about the big black bear.

Thursday morning around three o'clock, men were called to lend a hand, from St. Alban's and St. Joseph's Cove, to search the wooded land.

They searched the brooks, the black dense woods, like wise the happy ground. A mile and a half from their native town, "the three little babies were found."

Sam and Stan were almost dead, while Johnny, he lay cold, on that wet and marshy ground covered with frost and snow.

Now my song is ending, I have no more to say. Those little babies brought to their home, it was an awful day.

The nurse was called to do her best, and try the utmost skill, and save the lives of the little ones belonging to Mr. Leo.

By: Doris Collier

The Bay de Nord Micmac Cross

One of the most extensively reported principles of Micmac spirituality is their adoration of the "Bay de Nord Holy Cross" as a religious monument. Although it has Christian qualities, principles of belief connected with the Cross imply aboriginal spiritualism. The Cross is formed out of smooth rocks that are worn down from the effects of the climate. The large rocks are about ten to twenty pounds each and had to be transported over a great distance to the site because their are none like it in the area. The Cross is laid out as if it were constructed from a set of rosary beads. Although the Cross is only roughly drafted, it is still very noticeable. It is located on a barren stretch of land about twenty square feet on the top of a large plateau, accessible only by climbing a steep ravine just north of Bay de Nord. Not much is known about the Cross with regards to when it was constructed or how it was constructed but the Cross is held in magnificent adoration by the Micmac Indians.

It is rumored that the Cross was first rediscovered in 1830 by a hunter. A later visitor to the Cross from Conne River, Melvin Jeddore was quoted saying, "If you pick up one of those rocks lying there, you will find a hollow or depression under it where it has been worn down because of the wind I guess. Now it must have taken a long time to do that."

The people of Micmac descent today visit the Cross with great respect and reverence. The journey is usually by boat and made by everyone from grandparents to grandchildren. While there, religious devotions are performed by moving around the Cross on their knees and reciting the Rosary. The Micmac also believe the Cross protected and cured the people. Because of this belief, people would bring a rock to replace the one they took from the formation to place in their home to ward off such things as bad health, fire, bad luck, and misfortune. A removed rock was considered "A Charm."

The sick would also visit the Cross to seek spiritual healing. A brook near the Cross, aptly named Cross Brook, is considered to have a powerful healing effect partly because it never runs dry in the warmest summers or turns to ice during the coldest winters. One reported miracle was of a Conne River resident Mary Benoit, who was cured of partial blindness after visiting the Cross.

The symbolism of this cross is still present today. People of Micmac decent visit Bay de Nord annually on the Feast of St. Anne (July 26^th) to show their respect. The rocks are worn down now from the effects of climate but the shape of the Cross is still quite evident.

Sources:

On the Country, the Micmac of Newfoundland,

by Doug Jackson, pgs. 149-152.

Encyclopedia of Newfoundland and Labrador, Volume 1, pg. 151.

TRADITIONAL MEDICINES

Mi'Kmaq people have gathered plants and herbs from the land for the healing of many different illnesses and injuries. They found many ways to utilize animal parts in their healing practices. For example, beaver gulls were used as a source of energy and bear fat was mixed with plants as a medicine. Sometimes these remedies worked just as good or better than prescription drugs such as penicillin.

FOR YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

TRIVIA

What year did Swanger's Cove become a part of the Municipality of St. Alban's?

Who was the first person born in Morrisville?

When was the Southeast bridge built in Head of Bay d'Espoir?

In the summer of 1954, Conne River got its first telephone and post office. Who was the first telephone operator and post master?

What year was the road to Morrisville paved?

Who were the first settlers in St. Veronica's and

who was the first baby to be born in St. Veronica's?

TRIVIA CONTEST

Who were the first and last couples married by Father Michael Hayes?

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 contest is:

Father Nolan was the first person to have a motor boat in Bay d'Espoir. The lucky contest winner is Lola Sutton.

DEAR READERS

In our April issue, it was brought to our attention that the answer to our last months trivia should have been The Ascension Church instead of St. Luke's Church. Also, the Ascension Church that is located in Morrisville today, was built in 1956 instead of 1958. Thanks for your input and please continue to do so.

Happy Mother's Day to all moms!! Youth Service CanadaHOME REMEDIES:

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1.) Eat dry bread and flour and drink black tea.

A. Constipation B. Diarrhea C. Piles

2.) Boil sheep manure and drink the liquid.

A. Measles B. Heartburn C. Headache

3.) Put black mud or baking soda on the infected area.

A. Pink Eye B. Cold Sores C. Insect Bites

4.) Put cod liver oil on the affected area and wrap it in birch rind.

A. Ingrown Toenail B. Eczema C. Burns

5.) Scrape the inside of the bark from a spruce tree and place it on the infected area.

A. Sore Lips B. Sunburn C. Athlete's Foot

6.) Get a potato skin, salt pork or a snail. Rub the area with it and never look at the object again.

A. Blisters B. Warts C. Acne

MAY 24^th WEEKEND

TRADITIONThe motorcycle gang, "Freedom Creed", began arriving in St. Alban's on May 24^th weekend 1977, and continue to do so today. As you can see from the picture, a favorite place to stop and eat was Isadore's Restaurant, which was open from December 22, 1976 to December 31, 1991.

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

S.C.C.D.C. Business Support Network , St. Veronica's Con. . Cranberry Gardens

Trans Island Funeral Service Ltd. , Buffett's Gas Bar , The Pub Lounge

St. Alban's Building Supplies , Bay d'Espoir Bus Ltd. , Town of St. Alban's

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 , Riff's Limited , Milltown Foodtown

Claudine's Barber Shop , St. Alban's Leo Club , Bank of Montreal

Sears - St. Alban's

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.

Trivia Solutions:

1. 1971 2. Harold Kendell 3. 1973 4. Noel Jeddore 5. 1974 6. Alfred and Jane Barnes;

Lizzie Barnes (daughter of Alfred and Jane Barnes).

Multiple Choice Solutions: 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. A 6. B