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Hardships and Blessings Seniors tell their stories North Harbour to AdmiralÕs Beach by Una Hynes ST. JOSEPHÕS LITERACY NETWORK National Library of Canada Cataloguing in Publication Hardships and blessings : seniors tell their stories / [edited by] Una Hynes. ISBN 0-9731015-0-4 1. Readers for new literates. 2. ReadersÑNewfoundland--History. I. Hynes, Una, 1949- II. St. JosephÕs Literacy Network PE1126.N43H364 2002 428.6Õ2 C2002-902366-1 _____________________________________________________________________ ________ Copyright © 2002 by Una Hynes ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of the work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any meansÑgraphic, electronic or mechanicalÑwithout the written permission of the publisher. Any request for photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and retrieval systems of any part of this book shall be directed to the Canadian Reprography Collective, 379 Adelaide Street West, Suite M1, Toronto, Ontario M5V 1S5. This applies to classroom use as well. Printed in Canada by Robinson-Blackmore Cover Photo: ÒSunset over Salmonier ArmÓ by Augusta Gough ST. JOSEPHS LITERACY NETWORK Una Hynes PO Box 24 St. Josephs, St. MaryÕs Bay Newfoundland A0B 3A0 E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (709) 521-2708 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This book was made possible through the financial support of the National Literacy Secretariat. It was realized, as well, through the collective input of various people interested in preserving our history and culture. In particular, I wish to extend thanks to the representatives from the Seniors Connection, St. CatherineÕs Academy and Health and Community Services. As mem- bers of St. JosephÕs Literacy Network, your knowledge and interest gave this project direction and focus. To the Staff of Health and Community Services, Eastern Region- St. JosephÕs office: for allowing the use of office space for meetings and workshops. To the learners/interviewers for your dedication to this project in meeting and exceed- ing our Literacy objectives: Rosalind Philpott, Mary Dobbin, Ann Marie Reardon, Brenda Kielley, Mary Ryan, Joan Downey, John Downey, Carol Ann Nolan, Sharon McEvoy, Lindsay Hynes. Sincere thanks to Brenda Kielley, my very competent transcriber and invaluable assis- tant. Your professionalism, organization and expertise throughout this project were the driving force behind us all. A special thanks to the seniors in each community who so willingly shared their per- sonal life experiences and historical remembrances. Your sincere Òfrom the heartÓ sto- rytelling will be treasured and enjoyed. I want to thank all those who have so generously submitted pictures for inclusion in this book. We hope you enjoy this random depiction of people, places and events throughout the area from North Harbour to Admirals Beach. SENIORS Gabriel Ryan Larry Ryan Mary Nickerson Ann Daley Hilda Daley Gerald Linehan Philomena Dalton Michael Drohan Imelda Philpott Mary Hickey Patricia Singleton Florence Hanlon William Gough Gertrude Daley Elizabeth Wade Annie Bonia Beatrice Ryan Mildred Butland Angela Parrott Joseph Nolan Kathleen Nolan James Nolan Weldon Dunphy Joseph Ryan Hilda Dinn Theresa Linehan Gus Dalton Theresa Power Annie Nolan Mary & Albert McDonald Mary Downey Pauline Power Rita Linehan Madeline & Arthur McEvoy Betty & Frank Linehan Theresa Bonia Thomas Linehan INTRODUCTION Oral histories are being used to achieve goals of higher literacy standards in many Newfoundland and Labrador communities. Recording history provides an identity for people within their historical and current life contexts. The St. MaryÕs Bay area is full of history, but like most rural Newfoundland and Labrador communities, the number of seniors continues to decrease. Each time we lose elderly residents, a special part of our local, historical mosaic goes with them. How often have we noted the particular storytelling or musical abilities of seniors or marvelled at their memories and abilities to recollect events from their childhood. We often hear the phrase, Òsomeone should record that song or write down that story or itÕs going to be lost forever.Ó This oral history book evolved from the desire to do just that - to preserve those remembrances, to create a book of stories that provides a con- nection between the past, the present and the future. The past has shaped the pres- ent and will design the future. We occasionally need to pause and replay past events to realize that our greatest wealth may well be discovered simply by looking behind us. This book offers us an opportunity to embrace the living voices of our parents and grandparents as they tell their stories. It is hoped that these stories, which are person- al accounts and remembrances, will be read and cherished by children and grandchil- dren of future generations. This oral history book will provide a different literacy category that can promote a greater community involvement in literacy development. To meet our literacy objec- tives, learners/interviewers and seniors worked closely together through many drafting and editing processes. The final version is an easy-to-read book suitable for adult liter- acy programs. We have at all times tried to preserve the storytellerÕs own words. Changes have been made to enhance clarity and understanding. Facts, dates, etc. have not been chal- lenged, but are printed as personal remembrances. Una Hynes TABLE OF CONTENTS Mary Hickey................................................................................................................... 9 Thomas Linehan.......................................................................................................... 11 Patricia Singleton......................................................................................................... 14 Pauline Power.............................................................................................................. 15 Mildred Butland............................................................................................................ 17 Joe Ryan...................................................................................................................... 18 Philomena Dalton ......................................................................................................... 20 Imelda Philpott............................................................................................................. 22 Joseph Nolan............................................................................................................... 23 Rita Linehan................................................................................................................. 27 Annie Nolan................................................................................................................. 28 James Nolan................................................................................................................ 30 Florence Hanlon ........................................................................................................... 31 Elizabeth Wade............................................................................................................ 33 William Gough .............................................................................................................. 35 Hilda Dinn.................................................................................................................... 37 Theresa Linehan.......................................................................................................... 39 Gus Dalton................................................................................................................... 40 AFishermanÕs Glory.................................................................................................... 43 Mary Downey............................................................................................................... 45 ColinetÕs Logging Industry ............................................................................................ 47 Betty and Frank Linehan .............................................................................................. 48 Madeline and Arthur McEvoy ....................................................................................... 50 Kathleen Nolan............................................................................................................ 52 Angela Parrott.............................................................................................................. 53 Weldon Dunphy........................................................................................................... 54 Beatrice Ryan.............................................................................................................. 57 Annie Bonia .................................................................................................................. 59 Gerald Linehan............................................................................................................ 61 Hilda Daley ................................................................................................................... 63 80 Years Young............................................................................................................ 65 Theresa Bonia .............................................................................................................. 66 Gabriel Ryan...............................................................................................................