Bonfire Night

Tonight is Guy Fawkes night, also known as Bonfire Night. This was a big deal growing up. Ad Hoc fires in abandoned lots made way for more organized community events. That was a good move looking back. The community fires were safe and organized, music, hot chocolate, marshmallows and weiners. The backyard ones not so much. There was a driven determination late October to collect green boughes to let them go blasty. Old tires and anything that had the words "Do not dispose of or incinerate in fire" would be collected to be disposed of and incinerated in the fire. I can't say it was smart, I'll blame it on the fumes from burning tire rubber. If nothing else it was fun as hell.

Are these traditions disappearing? Mummers and Bonfire night, are they fading into our past as we become more Canadian?

Newfoundland and Labrador's Representation in Cabinet

With the prospect of Newfoundland and Labrador being represented by an MP from elsewhere in Canada we face the prospect of being a colony of a different sort. If you think it is important that NL be represented by a Newfoundlander or Labradorian let your government know:

Look up your MP
http://canada.gc.ca/directories-repertoires/direct-eng.html#mp

You can send your comments by e-mail to pm@pm.gc.ca or write or fax the Prime Minister’s office at:

Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa
K1A 0A2

Again with the Elections

This federal election campaign is seeing a great number of NLDL members being actively involved in various campaigns. What are your thoughts on the prospects for Newfoundland and Labrador after the October 14 elections?

Speak for Ourselves - CLCC launches campaign

The NLDL has had a strong supporting relationship with the Community Linkages Concept Committee (CLCC) chaired by Ray Johnson of Buddy Wasisname fame. The CLCC recently launched the "Speak for Ourselves Campaign." Reporter Dave Barlett spoke with Mr. Johnson The Aug 30 Telegram.

So how about it? What is your response to Ray's Questions? What is your impression of life in your community? Are you living away from your home? What would have allowed you to stay? What would bring you back? What future does your home community have in the oil years of Newfoundland and Labrador? What do you think?

If you prefer e-mail us at nldl_nl@yahoo.ca or the CLCC at tellus@clccnl.ca

(NOTE: It is important to note that the CLCC like the NLDL is not supported by any political party or interest, nor any business or industry. It is wholly supported, like the NLDL, by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.)

March Characters Seals, Sealers, and Opportunists

I love March; spring and the promise of rebirth. March is bittersweet though in Newfoundland and Labrador. Every year about this time we are visited by quasi-celebs who like to increase their public profile by getting a photo-op with a whitecoat.

Can they even find us on a map? Oh well luckily a well padded pocketbook can find a helicopter that knows the way.

The question of the week is "Should Newfoundland and Labrador End the Seal Hunt?"

(As suggested by the VOCM question of the day for March 3)

Buddies with La Belle Provence?

Any deal with Quebec has a tendancy to make us cringe in Newfoundland and Labrador. Memories of deals past I guess. This one is interesting in many ways, Quebec is set to develop Hydro South of Labrador. The bad? Are we going to be arguing the 1927 Privy Council border again (deep sigh). The good? There will quite possibly be a road right up around Southern Labrador - do we dare mention Fixed Link??

Romaine Complex Details

What are your thoughts?