Members of the Southern Shore Crush U17 girls’ softball team were named provincial champions after a competitive weekend of softball in Outer Cove. The girls finished third in the round robin tournament and went up against Conception Bay Centre in the semi-finals. The Crush prevailed after a close game that went an extra inning and then met the undefeated Outer Cove in the finals, whom they bested 10-0. Pitcher Kate Dalton was named the team’s Player of the Game. The same Crush team placed second in Women’s Provincials two weeks ago and will compete at the Eastern championships hosted by Portugal Cove-St. Philips on the weekend of August 16. In the back row, from left, are Gracie Doyle, Brooklyn Dicks, Jane O’Driscoll, Paige Pomroy, and coach Colin Chaytor. In the front row, from left, are Jorja Crane, Jane Coady, Alexis Chaytor, Rachel O’Brien, Sophia Penney, Charlotte Penney, and Kate Dalton. Submitted photo
Organizers pretty pleased with how Ferryland Days turned out
The Ferryland Flyers were named inaugural Dicker Barnable Memorial Softball Tournament champions. In the back row, from left to right, are Colin Swain, Andrew Kelly, Daniel Byrne, Patty O’Leary, Kaleb Swain, Shayne Kavanagh, and Connor Swain. In the front, from left to right, are Emily Kavanagh, Jenna Freeman, and Abby Boland. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
Following the Ferryland Days festivities held this last week, committee member Katie Barbour said things went off even better than expected.
“The weather was fantastic, every event that we put off was successful, everybody was in good spirits, there were no issues,” said Barbour. “It was all positive. It was everything we wanted it to be.”
Barbour said the goal of the committee was to host an inclusive festival with a little something for everyone, and said that all events, ranging from a free senior’s lunch at Bernard Kavanaugh’s Million Dollar View Restaurant to a youth sports day at the local field, were all well attended.
Also well attended was the first annual Dicker Barnable Memorial Softball Tournament.
“Dicker Barnable was fundamental in keeping the Farm — our local softball field — in tip top shape,” said Barbour. “He spent his whole life dedicated to the sport and recruiting young people to play… so it was a real honour to create a tournament in his honour.”
Eight teams from along the Southern Shore competed. Fittingly enough, the Ferryland Flyers took home the inaugural trophy.
The community breakfast, Song & Stories session, and Thursday night community concert were also very well attended.
The festivities culminated in the Shamrock Folk Festival Outdoor Dance on Saturday night and an all-day concert Sunday. This year makes the 39th year for the folk festival.
The committee is already looking forward to next year’s festival.
“We’re eager to get the ball rolling and start planning for next year,” said Barbour.
Young entrepreneur opens museum for second summer
Fourteen-year-old Jaden Melvin outside Melvin’s Mini Museum in Bauline East. The museum is now open for it’s second season. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
Fourteen-year-old Jaden Melvin might just be the province’s youngest museum curator.
Melvin runs Melvin’s Mini Museum out of his garage in Bauline East.
Over the years he has collected many a relic of everyday life, which he now displays proudly at the museum.
“I have fishing gear, make and break engines, old bottles, old farming gear, an old stove,” said Melvin. “I have a little bit of everything.”
Folks can visit the museum to have a look at the artifacts and learn more about the olden days in coastal Newfoundland.
The make and break engines, said Melvin, are a particular favourite of visitors.
Make and break engines, also called putt-putt engines, were known for their distinct thudding sound, a rhythm that was once synonymous with small harbours and coastal outports.
In fact, Melvin had to close his museum last Saturday to participate in the 5th annual Dildo Make and Break festival. Melvin was one of seven boaters to parade across the cove — and certainly the youngest.
The museum is typically open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., although the schedule varies from time to time. Melvin’s rule of thumb is that if the door is open, the museum is open. This summer marks his second year of operations.
“I’ve been collecting now for about five years,” said Melvin. “And so, I said, ‘I might as well open up a museum.’”
Admission is by donation.
Mutual aid agreement with Ferryland good news for region, says Gatherall
By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay Fire Chief Jack Gatherall says a mutual aid agreement between the volunteer fire departments in Ferryland and Witless Bay approved earlier this year and since put into effect is good news for the entire region.
“There’s only so many volunteers, and so much equipment, and so much water to go around, so if we can utilize those resources, it keeps everyone safe,” said Gatherall.
The agreement means that if Ferryland firefighters need extra equipment or bodies to help battle a blaze, the members of the Witless Bay Fire Department will lend a hand, and vice versa.
“This is going to lead to better protection for everybody and a better response as a whole,” said Gatherall. “Fires and other large incidents were not meant to be handled by 10 people. These incidents require large numbers of personnel.”
Gatherall said that, as per the agreement, no area will be left without adequate fire protection.
“When a call for help comes in, it’s going to be up to the fire chief of that jurisdiction to make sure they have proper staffing in their area,” said Gatherall.
The two departments hope to schedule a group training session in the future, he added.
A thorn in the side of both departments — especially in hot, dry weather conditions ripe for forest fires — is a lack of fire hydrants along the Southern Shore. Firefighters often have to draw water from ponds and streams to battle blazes.
“Both have great, successful fire departments, and well-trained members, but the problem is that there’s not a lot of water sources in our region, and further down the Shore there are lots of areas that don’t have town water,” said Gatherall. “This means we only have a limited amount of water on our truck until we can get more water.”
The two coverage areas converge near the La Manche Road suspension bridge.
The Ferryland brigade and the Fermeuse Volunteer Fire Department have a similar mutual aid agreement in place for that part of the Shore.
Bay Bulls to address tangly intersection
Bay Bulls councillor Jason Sullivan.
By Mark Squibb
Bay Bulls council has approved the reconfiguration of a troublesome intersection.
During a meeting held earlier this July, councillor Jason Sullivan moved that council approve a reconfiguration of the intersection of Southside Road, Quays Road, and Lower Road.
“I think this needs to be fixed,” said Sullivan. “It’s a tangle that doesn’t need to be there.”
Deputy Mayor Jason O'Brien said that he himself had met oncoming traffic heading in the wrong direction.
Councillor Ethan Williams seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously, except that Mayor Keith O’Driscoll was not in attendance and thus did not vote.
Councillor Corey Ronayne allowed the suggested fix will be an easy one.
Lower Road and Quay’s Road both intersect Southside Road from opposite directions, creating a tangled web of possible routes drivers may take.
Cape Broyle Chase the Ace heating up
By Mark Squibb
The cards are heating up as the Cape Broyle Church Committee’s Chase the Ace enters it’s thirty-sixth week this weekend with only 16 cards left and a jackpot approaching 20K.
Committee member Wayne Kenny says he couldn’t tell you exactly how many people have been showing up these last few weeks, as it’s hard to count heads when you’re cutting cards, but said that as the jackpot grows, the crowds have been getting bigger.
Kenny said the committee is especially thankful for a core group of supporters who have been chasing the elusive Ace from the get-go.
“We’re very thankful for the people who did come out over the long, cold winter,” said Kenny. “There’s a core group of people who have been supporting us since day one, and we’re very, very appreciative of those people. They’re out almost every week. Now that the jackpot is growing and we’re getting more people, we’d like to thank the regulars, the people who have been out all winter.”
Some folks have begun coming from as far as the Goulds to chase the ace — you’ll likely remember that a Chase the Ace game hosted by St. Kevin’s Parish some years back drew thousands of folks to the Goulds as the jackpot hit millions.
The Cape Broyle Church Committee, meanwhile, began raising funds in August 2022, and last year successfully raised enough money to purchase the Immaculate Conception Church at a cost of about $77,700. The committee continues to raise money for ongoing maintenance and repairs, as well as to pay the monthly bills for heat and insurance. Just recently, the committee arranged to have some of the historic stained-glass windows removed and sent for repair.
Down the road, the committee hopes to upgrade the church’s electrical system and install a septic system, amongst other upgrades.
Kenny said the committee aims to repurpose the building so that it can be enjoyed by the entire community, while also staying true to its religious purpose.
“We’re trying to turn this into a multi-functional building,” said Kenny. “We do have church services every week, but we also trying to expand it’s usage, while still maintaining the sanctity of the church, as it is. We’re slowly turning this into something more than a church building. We want it to be part of the community again.”
Chase the Ace is held each Sunday evening at Riverside Lounge. The doors open at 6 p.m., and the card draw is at 7:45 p.m.
This Sunday’s jackpot starts at $17,741.
Kenny said the committee is very happy for the support from Riverside Lounge, who have allowed the group to host the card game each Sunday evening.
Mobile Central High players selected to compete at Women's National Championships
Two basketball players from Mobile Central High have been selected to compete at the 2024 15U and 17U Women’s National Championships, which will be held in St. John’s this August.
Abby Mullowney (left), 16, will play with the 17U team. Gracie Dalton, (right), 14, will compete with the U15U team.
“I’ve had these kids since they were both eight years old, and we’re in the gym two or three times a week,” said coach Gerilynn Devereaux, who has seen them put in the hard work both on-and-off the court over the years. “They’ve won some wonderful banners and accolades along the way, and both girls are leaders on their teams,” said Devereaux. Both girls have made National teams before, although this is the first time they will be competing at a national level in their home province. Submitted photos.
Bay Bulls opts to pay as they go on snow
By Mark Squibb
Bay Bulls council has decided to not take advantage of a provision to re-new it’s current snow clearing contract, but instead will issue a new tender for the upcoming winter season.
The motion to call a new tender for snow clearing and ice control was approved unanimously at last week’s public council meeting.
“I think we need to get back to the hourly rate just because certainly I don’t think anybody saw the prices coming that we got last year, so we’re going to have to revisit that,” said councillor Jason Sullivan. “Our winters are getting milder but our costs are going through the roof.”
Council awarded the snow clearing contract to Southeast Construction at a bid price of $329,900 plus HST back in October. Council paid an additional $5,000, plus HST, for additional work following a particularly rough storm in February and another in March.
“That backfired,” summarized Deputy Mayor Jason O’Brien. “We’ll pay as we go. That will work better for the town.”
Southern Shore team named 2024 top fundraiser
Members of the original Rays of Hope fundraising team, established in 2020, include, from left: David Horne, Beverly Corrigan, Bradley Murphy and Shane Mahon. In front is Jessica Summers. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
The Southern Shore “Rays of Hope” squad has been named the Melanoma Canada 2024 Top Fundraiser Team.
“I’m pretty proud of the team, no question,” said Beverly Corrigan, who for the last five years has organized a Strides for Melanoma fundraising event on the Southern Shore in conjunction with Melanoma Canada.
At the core of the fundraising team are a number of Special Olympians and their families.
Corrigan said the award came by way of the hard work and dedication of volunteers.
In 2020, the Rays of Hope raised approximately $4,300 for Melanoma Canada. Donations would continue to grow year over year, and in 2024 Southern Shore volunteers raised over $16,700 for melanoma treatment and awareness, helped in part by the introduction of a 50/50 ticket draw.
Melanoma is a kind of skin cancer. Most melanomas are caused by exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.
To protect oneself, Corrigan recommends applying broad spectrum sunscreen at least 15 minutes before heading out — and re-applying it frequently— and to avoid the sun as best you can during peak hours, which are typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Corrigan also recommends wearing proper UV light blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, as ocular melanoma is a risk.
Witless Bay fire department records improved emergency response efforts
By Mark Squibb
Witless Bay Fire Chief Jack Gatherall says that with training the department has improved its responses to fire emergency calls.
“Our members have demonstrated exceptional dedication and skill in their response to emergencies, and it is evident that the aggressive training initiatives we have implemented are paying off,” Gatherall wrote in a report, which was read aloud at last week’s public meeting by new councilor Justina Nawaz. “We have observed a marked improvement in our response to fires, with over five recorded structure fires and seven vehicle fires being successfully managed since the start of the year.”
As per the report, the department has responded to 146 emergency calls for service, a significant number of which were fire related, since the beginning of 2024.
Gatherall’s report also noted the department is practicing water drafting— the use of a hose to suck water from a pond to fight fires elsewhere— due to limited availability of pressurized hydrants, and that the department has officially placed its rope rescue gear into service following the successful training of 11 members in low-angle operations.
Later in the meeting, council approved a request from the department for hose, fittings, and ladder testing at a cost of $3,387, plus HST.
“They know better than us what they need to keep on top of their training,” said councillor Ralph Carey, who moved that council approve the request.
