Goulds Elementary staff members served up a delicious dinner for sick children and their families at Ronald McDonald House this last March through the organization’s ‘Home for Dinner’ program. On the menu was lasagna, garlic bread, rolls, and lots of desserts, including cakes, muffins, cookies, and ‘dirt cups’— cups filled with cookies, gummy worms, and other tasty treats. The meal was sponsored by Frontier. From left to right are Donna Dalton, Krista Finn, Allison Lee, Jaime Snow-Parsons, Wanda Cassell, and Jill Hann. Those interested in participating in the ‘Home for Dinner’ program can contact Ronald McDonald House Charities NL. Submitted photo
Petty Harbour fielding new microbrewery application at old church site
By Mark Squibb
Members of Petty Harbour-Maddox Cove town council will once again be voting on whether or not to approve a microbrewery at the former Roman Catholic Church on Cribbies Road.
The previous application was narrowly defeated last November after three members of council voted in favour of the application and three members voted against it. A tie-vote, according to provincial legislation, results in a defeated motion. Deputy Mayor Richard Raymond, councillor Ed Dyke, and councillor Irene Stack voted against the application. Councillors Agatha Balsom, Kayla Parsons, and Dave Balsom voted in favour of the motion. Mayor Ron Doyle was unavoidably absent from the meeting.
Petty Harbour resident Nancy Hannaford, who last year circulated a petition signed by 118 residents opposing the microbrewery application, said that minor adjustments found in the new application do not address concerns such as increased traffic, inadequate parking, increased noise, light, and odour pollution, and potential environmental impacts.
In a letter addressed to the Town she also argued that, given the building’s history as a church property, the “proposed development desecrates a sacred or historic site, erasing its cultural significance.”
Town staff could not tell the Irish Loop Post how many letters council received in regard to the application until that information has been tabled at an upcoming council meeting.
While the window for public comment has closed, council is still undertaking a preliminary review of the application.
Witless Bay Kin Club hosts provincial conference
By Mark Squibb
The Witless Bay Kin Club hosted the All Newfoundland and Labrador Spring Zone Conference in Gander this last month.
Over 130 Kin members, including District Governor Bill McFadden of Nova Scotia and Vice Governor Craig White of St. John’s, attended.
Witless Bay Kin Club President Adam Carey said the conference is an opportunity for Kin members to meet with other Kin, discuss the club, hold meetings, enjoy some live music, and have a bit of fun.
Carey said fellowship and camaraderie are a big part of being a Kinsman, but the main goal is to serve the community, and, true to the Kin spirit, members raised over $3,000 in memory of Aurora Keats, a Grade 9 student killed in an ATV crash in Gander this past March, during the conference. The family asked that the money be donated to the local gymnastics club of which Aurora was a member.
One of the topics at the conference was how to entice younger folks into joining a Kin club. To that end, the Kin Club of St. John’s is looking to begin a Kin Campus Club at Memorial University for students. It will not be limited to Memorial students only.
Carey said that interestingly enough, the Witless Bay Club boasts a younger demographic than some of the other clubs across the province.
The Witless Bay Club is busy throughout the year, from organizing the annual Santa Claus Parade, hosting dart tournaments and selling 50/50 tickets for different community causes. Just recently, the club opened a new, walk-in community pantry, free of charge to those in need.
“There’s a little bit of work involved in it, but at the end of the day it makes you feel nice that you can help people out and do things for your community,” said Carey.
The club currently boasts 8 full-time members, and anyone interested in joining it can email witlessbaykin@gmail.com for more information.
U11 Southern Shore Breakers girls’ hockey team undefeated
The U11 Southern Shore Breakers girls’ hockey team has gone undefeated this season, with a record of 24 wins, one tie, and zero losses. The girls capped off their phenomenal season by taking home the U11A Girls Metro Hockey League championship banner by besting Paradise Warriors in Paradise. The girls also went undefeated in the Paradise Ice Breaker and the Christmas Cup tournaments. In the back, from left, are Larry Sullivan, Regan O’Rielly, Kevin Whelan, Ian Kieley, and Hailey Drew. In the middle, from left, are Melia Costello, Amelia Trahey, Jada Noseworthy, Cierra Frampton, Claire Whelan, Allison Drew, Macy O’ Rielly, Charlotte Chubbs, and Mary Costello. In the front, from left, are Emma Dort, Maddyn Kieley, Danica Picco, Natalie Earle, Lauren Sullivan, Abbi Ward, and Olivia Frampton. Missing from the photo is Junior Coach Kate Sullivan. Susan Marie Photography
Goulds Lions Club celebrated its 49th Charter Night
The Goulds Lions Club celebrated its 49th Charter Night this past March, marking nearly a half a century of volunteer work in the Goulds and beyond. A number of Lions were recognized during the event. Barbara Hearn was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship, Pat McGrath was awarded the Judge Brian Stevenson Fellowship, Pat Putt was named Lion of the Year, Trudy Condon was named Rookie of the Year, Derrick Rideout was awarded Life Membership, and Carl Chafe was awarded the Lion Max Simms Memorial Camp Fellowship. Derrick Rideout, Clev Ingram, Lloyd Gillard, Jim Linthorne, and Ron Pond received service pins, while Clev Ingram, Emily Chafe, and Danny Campbell received President’s Appreciation awards. Zone Chair Judy Sparkes, District Governor Brad Moss, and chairperson and past president Jeff Marshall acted as Master of Ceremonies. Pictured in the top photo, are, from left: Lion Danny Campbell, Lion of the Year recipient Pat Putt, and Lion Dawn Hynes. And in the bottom photo, from left: Lion Dawn Hynes, Melvin Jones Fellowship recipient Lion Barbara Hearn, District Governor Brad Moss, and Lion Danny Campbell. Goulds Lions Club Photos
Goulds charity game raises over $15,000
By Mark Squibb
Residents of the Goulds and beyond raised a total of $15,280 to split among three different charities at the 9th Annual St. Kevin’s High Alumni Hockey Charity Classic on March 7.
The lion’s share — $11,680 — will be donated to the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund. Some $3,000 will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters, while $600 has been earmarked for the Newfoundland and Labrador Down Syndrome Society.
This year’s amount pushes the total donation amount raised over the last nine years to just over $60,000.
A number of door prizes— including an autographed Mitch Marner jersey and Shoreline Epoxy gift certificate valued at $3,000 — were also awarded.
Organizer Jason Snelgrove said the organizers are thankful for the tremendous community support and are looking forward to the 10th annual event next year
Witless Bay approves hose and ladder testing for firefighters
By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay council earlier this month approved a round of hose and ladder testing for the Wit-less Bay Volunteer Fire Department to be completed at a cost of $1,487, plus HST.
Council also approved the purchase of a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) pack to a maximum pur-chase price of $500, HST included, for the department.
RIT packs contain important fire rescue tools.
Council also directed Fire Chief Jack Gatherall to visit a property to determine if emergency ve-hicle access was impeded by the storage of materials on an adjacent property. If so, the proper-ty owner will be advised to move the material. Council did not identify either address.
Bay Bulls approves additional bills for Northside Road project
By Mark Squibb
Bay Bulls council last week approved two change orders for the Northside Road upgrade project.
The first was for installation of additional culvert and additional rockfill at a cost of $6,885, plus HST. The second was to increase the area of the retaining wall installation to match the supplier’s pre-cut paneling. This move increased the area by 65.2 metre squared for a cost of $63,244 plus HST.
As the original tender came in underbudget, the change orders will be absorbed by surplus funding.
The $1.8 million project has been split between all three levels of government, with the province footing 50 percent of the bill and the federal government footing 40 percent of the bill, leaving the Town on the hook for only 10 percent ($184,088.)
Fermeuse church sold to numbered company
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic church in Fermeuse.
The St. Charles Borromeo Catholic church in Fermeuse has been sold.
The church was sold for $43,000 to a numbered company that was incorporated in February of this year.
The provincial government’s Companies and Deeds register names 8 Hayward Avenue, St. John’s as the company’s address. The company also boasts a Churchill Square mailing address. Sijith Mayyattil Antony is listed as company director. He could not be reached for comment by press time.
The Roman Catholic Episcopal Corporation of St. John’s confirmed the sale, which closed on February 21.
Neither Fermeuse Mayor Jerome Kenny nor the Holy Family Parish, which oversees church functions from Cape Broyle to Renews - Cappahayden, would comment on the sale.
Construction of the church was completed in 1926, and the building was recognised federally as an historic place in 2006.
Master Mariner eager to steer the course in Avalon for the Conservatives
By Mark Squib
Branden O’Brien, 30, has announced his intention to seek the Conservative nomination in the district of Avalon.
O’Brien was born and raised in the Goulds, and now resides in Paradise. A graduate of St. Kevin’s High School, O’Brien went on to pursue a career in the marine sector, earning a Nautical Science diploma from the Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland. In 2023, he achieved his Master Mariner’s designation, and in 2024, captained his first vessel. O’Brien is currently completing a Master of Maritime Management at the Marine Institute while also teaching at the Offshore Safety and Survival Centre in Foxtrap.
“I was very fortunate in my career and very fortunate with my upbringing, but I found that it’s getting harder and harder to get by,” said O’Brien. “And I thought that it doesn’t need to be this way. And hearing so many people complain about the way things are going, I’ve always been someone to think, ‘If there’s something to do to improve it, why aren’t we improving it?’ I saw the issues we were having, and I didn’t agree with the course we were on, and I had this ‘Eureka’ moment and thought, ‘If I’m not willing to throw my hat into the ring and try and do something to change things and try and help us out, why should I expect anyone else to do it?”
He believes that his nautical experience would benefit him in Ottawa.
“You take all this counsel into consideration, but at the end of the day, the captain is the one who has to make the final call,” said O’Brien. “Indecision, or flip-flopping on an issue is one of the worst things you can do for the crew, or, in this case, a riding or a constituency… I’ve had a lot of experience with oil and gas, search and rescue, science exploration. I’ve spent the last eight summers in the Arctic… I think we can use some of that experience to help solve some of the issues we’re facing as a country.”
O’Brien allowed it’s a gamble to seek the nomination, but said he has always had both a desire to help others and an interest in public policy.
“I said to myself, if I don’t do this now, will I ever do it, and will I have that regret that I could have done something differently?” said O’Brien. “If in four years time things haven’t changed, and I didn’t step up to try and change things, I would be almost resentful of myself for not putting my name forward. At least now, if I go for it, I know I’m going to give it my best effort and do everything in my power to make the riding, the province, and the country better. It sounds a little idealist, I suppose, but truly, that’s what I think.”
Should he be elected, O’Brien said he would champion the province’s natural resources sector.
“I’ve had lots of friends that have had to move away to find work opportunities, and I don’t think there’s any need for that,” said O’Brien. “We’re natural resource rich. There should be lots of opportunities here for high paying jobs. There should be lots of opportunities for industry. And over the last little while seeing how almost apathetic and indifferent the federal government has been to Newfoundland and Labrador’s resources, I think that’s a huge, huge mistake, and a detriment to the people of the riding. The Conservative Party is committed to sustainable, natural resource development and that’s who I align most with.”
O’Brien said when it comes to the country’s leadership, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre is the man for the job.
“I think Poilievre is consistent,” said O’Brien. “From day one, he’s been a champion for Newfoundland and Labrador’s natural resources. He’s a big believer in developing industry, in developing manufacturing, in getting Canada back to where Canada should be.”
An advocate for community involvement, O’Brien has volunteered with the Heart and Stroke foundation since he was 12 and is a member of the Goulds chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
He also volunteered with the St. Kevin’s Parish 2017 Chase the Ace fundraiser, which drew massive crowds to the Goulds each week in search of the elusive Ace. His mother Carol was the announcer.
As of print deadline, the Conservatives had not set a date for the nomination vote.
