features Historical Events & Achievements Cupids was the first year-round set- Ship Harbour, Placentia Bay, provided a tlement in North America and its secret mooring spot where US President success led to the eventual settle- Roosevelt and British Prime Minister ment of Europeans across Canada. Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter on August 14, 1941, a policy that was adopted by WWII Allies and inspired the Dr. J.M. Olds introduced the idea of founding goals of the United Nations. group medical coverage to the conti- nent when he instituted the “blanket contract” to residents of the Terry Fox started his cross- Twillingate area in the 1930s. People Canada Marathon of Hope on paid 44 cents per year for member- April 12, 1980, by dipping his ship in return for free hospital services foot in St. John’s harbour. when needed. The final Canadian leg of Rick Hansen’s Wireless communication worldwide Man in Motion wheelchair across continents began marathon began at Cape Spear in 1986. at Signal Hill, St. John’s, in 1901. Civilian aviation in North America began with the first such airport built The world’s first nonstop transat- in Harbour Grace in 1927. That airstrip lantic flight got liftoff from Lester’s was instrumental in Amelia Earhart’s Field in St. John’s in 1919. record-setting solo flight. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment First evidence of European presence in brought its world-renowned history the New World exists at L’Anse aux of bravery and sacrifice to the Meadows, NL, where Norse Vikings esteem of the Canadian Armed landed around 1,000 AD. Forces. As the country marks its 150th birthday July 1, we look at all the ways Newfoundland and Telegraph communication between Gander was the location of the highly Labrador has contributed to the national mosaic Europe and North America was made classified Ferry Command during and what it means to be proudly Canadian. It possible by a transat- WWII, which enabled the faster, safer lantic cable landed delivery of military aircraft from facto- was hard keeping it to just 150, and we invite at Hearts Content, readers to contact us with your suggestions. ries in North America to the front lines NL in 1866, which in Europe. In addition to Gander, Goose relayed messages Bay, Stephenville and St. John’s have from the Old World historically been key locations for to the New World. Britain, Canada and our Allies. 64 July 2017 1-888-588-6353 www.downhomelife.com July 2017 65 Arts and Literature TV and Movies NL writers, and writers inspired by NL, who’ve made an impact on the Canadian liter- ary scene include (but are not limited to) Michael Crummey, Kathleen Winter, Michael Actor, writer, director, Ever since Bob Cole Winter, Lisa Moore, Wayne Johnston, Donna Morrissey, Cassie Brown, Ray Guy, Bernice producer Allan (“Hockey Night in Mogan, Ed Kavanagh, Kevin Major, Kenneth Harvey and Robert Chafe. Hawco continues to Canada”), we can add to the Canadian hardly turn on the TV or movie and television Artists from this province who’ve received accolades nationwide radio without tuning landscape. His TV series and beyond include Christopher Pratt (and his ex-wife Mary into a NL native. Linden “Republic of Doyle” ran five Pratt, who is “from away” but has been inspired by her NL MacIntyre (“The Fifth seasons and airs in several countries. experience), Gerald Squires and David Blackwood (inset). Estate”), Gwynne Dyer His series “Frontier” dramatizes (world military history & Canada’s early fur trading history and global affairs journalist), Sculptor Morgan MacDonald beautifully captures the spirit of his sub- the Hudson’s Bay Company; and his Andrew Younghusband (“Canada’s jects, immortalizing their impact on the world. His work is showing up across next project is a series based on NL Worst Driver” and “Canada’s Worst Canada, from The Rower at Quidi Vidi; to the Sealers Monument in Elliston and sev- writer Lisa Moore’s award-winning Handyman”), Tom Power (host of eral provincial war memorials; to the slain Mounties in New Brunswick and, his cur- novel, Caught. rent project, a solemn reminder of the Fort McMurray wildfire. “Q”), Tom Harrington (“Marketplace” and “The World This Hour”) and Rex Petrina Bromley is representing Murphy (“The National” and “Cross Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada Country Checkup”). in her role with the Broadway hit musical Music “Come From Away,” about Gander and The Newfoundland and Labrador film area’s heartwarming response to 9/11. industry brings together unique loca- There aren’t enough pages in this issue to list all the incredible musical talent from tions and a supportive, talented com- Newfoundland and Labrador, from long established artists to rising stars. But here are Other NL-born actors munity that helps produce such a few who are known across Canada. who are recognized Canadian films as Maudie (2016, star- Canadians in their ring Sally Hawkins), The Grand Great Big Sea – Alan April Wine drummer Jerry Mercer field of success Seduction (2014, starring Taylor Doyle, Sean McCann (1973-84, 1992-2008), known for his include Mark O’Brien, Kitsch), Rare Birds (2001, starring and Bob Hallett – beat long drum solos, was born in Shawn Doyle, Andy William Hurt) and The Shipping News a path across Canada Newfoundland and Labrador. He was Jones, Gordon Pinsent (inset) and (2001, starring Kevin Spacey). and back many times, the first Canadian to be honoured Natasha Henstridge. performing sold out with a Legends Award at the Cape shows to expatriate NLers and Breton International Drum Festival Without Newfoundland and Labrador fans who just love the party atmosphere (2010). comedians, would there be anything and their genuine, downhome sound. funny to watch on CBC these past He’s a hometown hero, two decades or more? Newfoundland Singer/songwriter Terry Kelly of St. John’s, but the late Ron and Labrador spawned these comedi- blind almost since birth, produced the Hynes was also an ans: Mary Walsh, Cathy Jones, Mark world’s first music album featuring liner inspiration and a Critch, Shaun Majumder, Susan Kent, notes in Braille. The next year he was mentor to other Rick Mercer and Jonny Harris. appointed to the Order of Canada. Canadian songwriters. 66 July 2017 1-888-588-6353 www.downhomelife.com July 2017 67 Politicians Animals & Leaders Several of Canada’s beloved Athletes creatures are associated with Newfoundland and Labrador: We may only have a the Newfoundland dog, the Representing Canada at the Olympics, few seats at the fed- Newfoundland pony, we can count curling gold medalists eral table, but we’ve the Labrador Brad Gushue, Mark Nicols, Jamie Korab produced some of Retriever, the and Mike Adam (Torino, 2006). In the loudest and Labrador figure skating, silver medalist Kaetlyn proudest – and the Husky and the Osmond (Sochi, 2014). In paraswim- most entertaining – Atlantic puffin. ming, gold medalist Katarina Roxon politicians the coun- (Rio, 2016). And in hockey, silver medal- try has ever seen. ist Dwayne Norris (Lillehammer, 1994). Topping the list is for- mer premier Joey Smallwood, who Harry “Moose” Watson of St. John’s was captain and lead scorer of brought this province the Canadian Olympic hockey team that won gold in France in to the union and is said Culture & 1924 – the first year that hockey was added to the Winter to have coined the phrase Olympics. “Atlantic Provinces”; former federal Traditions fisheries minister Hon. John Crosbie; and former premier Danny Williams, Local restaurants Mallard Cottage, Marg Davis of Fox Harbour helped Canada win the silver medal whose spat with Ottawa was heard Raymond’s and Merchant Tavern in the 1978 World Women’s Softball Championships in El from coast to coast to coast, and who are on this year’s Canada’s 100 Best Salvador – the best finish Canada has ever had in the event’s famously removed the Canadian flag Restaurants List. 52-year history. from all provincial buildings in protest. Mary Brown’s (best legs Rod Snow of Bonavista had a lengthy rugby career that included Gen. William Keir “Bill” Carr was the first in town) has spread its playing for team Canada from 1995-2007 and he was one of the commander of the revamped Canadian battered wings from first players inducted into the Rugby Canada Hall of Fame. Forces Air Command in 1975 and is Newfoundland and known as the “father of the modern Labrador across There have been 28 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians draft- Canadian Air Force.” Canada and into the ed to play with the National Hockey League, doing their part to US (two former NL politi- ensure Canadians are represented in the NHL. Standout stars cians opened a franchise in Gen. Rick Hillier was the Chief of include Stanley Cup winner Daniel Cleary (2008, Detroit Red Florida this spring). Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces Wings), Stanley Cup winner Michael Ryder (2011, from 2004 to 2008. Just prior to that Boston Bruins), John Slaney (scored the winning posting he commanded the NATO Residents of this province are goal for team Canada over Russia in the 1991 IIHF ISAF in Afghanistan, known the world over for speaking Junior World Championships), and Alex Faulkner leading a multina- Canada’s unofficial third language. (inset), the first NL native to ever play in the NHL tional unit fighting We even have our own dictionaries. (first drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1960). the Taliban. 68 July 2017 1-888-588-6353 www.downhomelife.com July 2017 69 Putting Canada on the World Map Natural Resources Codfish was the first natural Newfoundland and Brimstone Head on Fogo We harbour 46 National Historic Labrador resource that every nation, including Island is internationally Sites.