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Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
On May 24th weekend...go jump in the brook!
Here's an activity that my daughter, Meredith Quinton, enjoys on May 24th weekend.
My favourite memory isn't just one memory, it's a tradition. Every year at my grandparents' summer home, in Portland, Bonavista Bay, my siblings and I all get our swim suits on and jump in the little brook on their property. It's the sort of thing we do :)
My favourite memory isn't just one memory, it's a tradition. Every year at my grandparents' summer home, in Portland, Bonavista Bay, my siblings and I all get our swim suits on and jump in the little brook on their property. It's the sort of thing we do :)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Here's my May 24th weekend story. What's yours?
For the past 15 years or so, we've been spending May 24th weekend at my parents' getaway in Portland, Bonavista Bay. The kids love it. We beachcomb, ride bikes, and dare each other to jump in the cold brook! My favourite part is late afternoon - cocktail hour. I sit with my father in the screened porch and listen to "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" by Jimmy Buffet. This is the first year my son Drew won't be joining us. He'll be on a school trip in Florida! Could our weekends together in Portland be winding down?
What's your favourite memory of May 24th weekend?
What's your favourite memory of May 24th weekend? When and where was it? Who were you with? What were your doing? Why was it so special?
We'd like to know! Share your story by commenting below or email diana@storiesworthtelling.ca. Your story will be posted to our blog on May 16th, to celebrate International Day of Sharing Life Stories.
We'd like to know! Share your story by commenting below or email diana@storiesworthtelling.ca. Your story will be posted to our blog on May 16th, to celebrate International Day of Sharing Life Stories.
Friday, May 7, 2010
What is Intangible Cultural Heritage?
During our weekly run and gab session, I was telling my friend about my involvement with the Intangible Cultural Heritage program. She chuckled at the 10-syllable phase and asked, "What exactly is Intangible Cultural Heritage, anyway?"
I realized that my friend was probably not the only person in this province confused by the term and its meaning. Since I'm chair of the celebration and transmission committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), I figured it's my duty to explain the concept.
Examples of intangible cultural heritage are story telling, building boats and homes, fishnet making, mat hooking, and singing.
According to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador:
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is hooked on Intangible Cultural Heritage. In fact, ICH is a key initiative of the Provincial Strategic Culture Plan. The program is managed by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Presently, our committee is working on profiles of people in the community who pass on elements of ICH. We plan to communicate their stories through the ICH newsletter, partners in the community, and through the local media. It's time to make Intangible Cultural Heritage a little more tangible by focusing on everyday people with skills to share.
I realized that my friend was probably not the only person in this province confused by the term and its meaning. Since I'm chair of the celebration and transmission committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), I figured it's my duty to explain the concept.
Examples of intangible cultural heritage are story telling, building boats and homes, fishnet making, mat hooking, and singing.
According to the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Intangible cultural heritage (ICH), sometimes called “living heritage”, comprises those non-tangible or physical aspects of a culture that define us. They can include traditional knowledge and skills, beliefs, oral traditions, customs, languages, music, dance, and celebrations. ICH is dynamic in that it is transmitted across generations and shaped anew as each generation innovates, experiments and adapts to changing social norms and values. Aspects of ICH can often be at risk of disappearing due to the increasing influences of globalization and mass media.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is hooked on Intangible Cultural Heritage. In fact, ICH is a key initiative of the Provincial Strategic Culture Plan. The program is managed by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Presently, our committee is working on profiles of people in the community who pass on elements of ICH. We plan to communicate their stories through the ICH newsletter, partners in the community, and through the local media. It's time to make Intangible Cultural Heritage a little more tangible by focusing on everyday people with skills to share.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Women entrepreneurs: Find your story
Earlier this week, I participated in a free teleseminar delivered by Lisa Bloom, a storyteller and professional certified coach. Lisa works with women entrepreneurs who are dealing with the stress of balancing the demands of their personal lives while building their business; women who are looking to be excited and fulfilled by their lives instead of feeling worn out.
Lisa was promoting her new teleseminar: Success Story Secrets. Although I haven't bought into the seminar, I was impressed by the points she raised.
She encouraged listeners to find their own stories - to do a little sole searching and to have the confidence to tell their own story to others. This style certainly fits many people, including me. Personally, I'm a lot more comfortable telling my story to potential clients, rather than trying the hard-sell approach of pushing services on clients.
To help develop your story, Lisa suggests answering the following questions:
1. What activities would you be involved in if you didn't have to worry about money?
2. What was your passion when you were a child or a teenager?
3. When have you felt really good about about a job or a hobby? When did you think, I'm good at this, and it matters to me?
4. What makes you laugh?
5. Ten years from now, what do you want to remember about this time in your life?
Lisa also talked about the types of stories you can tell:
1. Personal story
2. Branding story (the product or service that tells the best story gets bought)
3. Business story (stories to share with the team you work with)
4. Coaching story (how do you define your life? Coming up with this story helps spread positivity throughout all aspects of your life).
If you are interested in this approach, visit Lisa's web site.
Lisa was promoting her new teleseminar: Success Story Secrets. Although I haven't bought into the seminar, I was impressed by the points she raised.
She encouraged listeners to find their own stories - to do a little sole searching and to have the confidence to tell their own story to others. This style certainly fits many people, including me. Personally, I'm a lot more comfortable telling my story to potential clients, rather than trying the hard-sell approach of pushing services on clients.
To help develop your story, Lisa suggests answering the following questions:
1. What activities would you be involved in if you didn't have to worry about money?
2. What was your passion when you were a child or a teenager?
3. When have you felt really good about about a job or a hobby? When did you think, I'm good at this, and it matters to me?
4. What makes you laugh?
5. Ten years from now, what do you want to remember about this time in your life?
Lisa also talked about the types of stories you can tell:
1. Personal story
2. Branding story (the product or service that tells the best story gets bought)
3. Business story (stories to share with the team you work with)
4. Coaching story (how do you define your life? Coming up with this story helps spread positivity throughout all aspects of your life).
If you are interested in this approach, visit Lisa's web site.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Jim Edwards’ new skiff reminds us of our heritage.
This story is about Jim Edwards, boat builder from Notre Dame Bay. I wrote it for Wooden Boat News, March 2010 (photo courtesy of Jim Edwards).
As Jim Edwards puts the finishing touches on his new 20-foot skiff, he thinks about his childhood in Change Islands, Notre Dame Bay.
“Change Islands was a nice little place to grow up in the 1960s and 1970s,” said Edwards. “Everybody knew each other. We didn’t have to lock anything up. It’s still a lot like that today.”
Like many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, the main livelihood in Change Islands was fishing. Processing was done in the Changes Island Fish Plant. But the scale of the industry has become much smaller since the cod moratorium in 1992.
“Before the moratorium, there were 100 fishermen and 600 people in Change Islands,” explained Edwards. “Today, there are 20 fishermen and 200 people in the community. I’m one of the 20 remaining fishermen.”
Despite the changes to the fishing industry over the years, Edwards has never considered leaving Change Islands. He continues to fish from April to September with his brothers-in-law, Stuart Diamond and David Diamond. They own a 19-foot fiberglass speedboat, a 35-foot longliner and a 45-foot longliner.
“I’ll stay here as long as I have something to do to make a living,” said Edwards determinedly.
During the winter months, Edwards is often in his shed building boats. He has built 10 punts, and built and repaired 10 speed boats. He has also built two longliners (36-foot and 42-foot) with Stuart Diamond and David Diamond.
“Years ago, the boats we built during the winter were used for fishing,” explained Edwards. “But now, I build boats for myself.”
Edwards first learned about building boats when he was 15 years old. His uncle, Francis Edwards, asked neighbour Bert White to help him repair his speedboat. Edwards watched the men work and was soon hooked. He tried his hand at building his own boats.
“The boats weren’t perfect as first, but I kept trying new things to make them better,” said Edwards. “Boatbuilding is still a learning experience for me.”
When designing his boats, Edwards makes a model using the three-quarter scale. His uncle, Arthur Coward from Greenspond, showed him how to do this. Edwards cuts his own timbers. He’s always on the look out for good spruce and juniper.
Edwards’ new skiff is a smaller version of the 25- to 30-foot vessels traditionally used in the Newfoundland fisheries. “I’m making the skiff to show my young nephews who have never seen one before,” explained Edwards.
To power the skiff, Edwards purchased an old marine engine from a gentleman in Northern Arm. “It’s a 4 HP Acadia,” said Edwards. “This type of engine is hard to get these days, but fishermen were throwing them over the wharf a few years ago.”
Once Edwards completes his skiff, he will be building a 15-foot punt for the 2010 Fogo Island Punt Race. Edwards and David Diamond have participated in this race since its inception three years ago. Edwards was also part of Shorefast Foundation's documentary Cranky that highlighted participants from the punt race.
“It’s a hard 10-mile row,” Edwards laughed. “But so far, we’ve gotten one of each metal: bronze, silver and gold.” Edwards and Diamond placed second in 2007, first in 2008 and third in 2009.
Although he hasn’t tried to win any metals for his boat building skills, Edwards gets satisfaction from knowing his work will be enjoyed by his nephews and others in his community. His work will live on for a good many years to come.
As Jim Edwards puts the finishing touches on his new 20-foot skiff, he thinks about his childhood in Change Islands, Notre Dame Bay.
“Change Islands was a nice little place to grow up in the 1960s and 1970s,” said Edwards. “Everybody knew each other. We didn’t have to lock anything up. It’s still a lot like that today.”
Like many communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, the main livelihood in Change Islands was fishing. Processing was done in the Changes Island Fish Plant. But the scale of the industry has become much smaller since the cod moratorium in 1992.
“Before the moratorium, there were 100 fishermen and 600 people in Change Islands,” explained Edwards. “Today, there are 20 fishermen and 200 people in the community. I’m one of the 20 remaining fishermen.”
Despite the changes to the fishing industry over the years, Edwards has never considered leaving Change Islands. He continues to fish from April to September with his brothers-in-law, Stuart Diamond and David Diamond. They own a 19-foot fiberglass speedboat, a 35-foot longliner and a 45-foot longliner.
“I’ll stay here as long as I have something to do to make a living,” said Edwards determinedly.
During the winter months, Edwards is often in his shed building boats. He has built 10 punts, and built and repaired 10 speed boats. He has also built two longliners (36-foot and 42-foot) with Stuart Diamond and David Diamond.
“Years ago, the boats we built during the winter were used for fishing,” explained Edwards. “But now, I build boats for myself.”
Edwards first learned about building boats when he was 15 years old. His uncle, Francis Edwards, asked neighbour Bert White to help him repair his speedboat. Edwards watched the men work and was soon hooked. He tried his hand at building his own boats.
“The boats weren’t perfect as first, but I kept trying new things to make them better,” said Edwards. “Boatbuilding is still a learning experience for me.”
When designing his boats, Edwards makes a model using the three-quarter scale. His uncle, Arthur Coward from Greenspond, showed him how to do this. Edwards cuts his own timbers. He’s always on the look out for good spruce and juniper.
Edwards’ new skiff is a smaller version of the 25- to 30-foot vessels traditionally used in the Newfoundland fisheries. “I’m making the skiff to show my young nephews who have never seen one before,” explained Edwards.
To power the skiff, Edwards purchased an old marine engine from a gentleman in Northern Arm. “It’s a 4 HP Acadia,” said Edwards. “This type of engine is hard to get these days, but fishermen were throwing them over the wharf a few years ago.”
Once Edwards completes his skiff, he will be building a 15-foot punt for the 2010 Fogo Island Punt Race. Edwards and David Diamond have participated in this race since its inception three years ago. Edwards was also part of Shorefast Foundation's documentary Cranky that highlighted participants from the punt race.
“It’s a hard 10-mile row,” Edwards laughed. “But so far, we’ve gotten one of each metal: bronze, silver and gold.” Edwards and Diamond placed second in 2007, first in 2008 and third in 2009.
Although he hasn’t tried to win any metals for his boat building skills, Edwards gets satisfaction from knowing his work will be enjoyed by his nephews and others in his community. His work will live on for a good many years to come.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Joe Goudie: a boat builder with a modern approach for traditional canoes
This story is about Joe Goudie, boat builder from Labrador. I co-wrote it with my colleague, Gina Pecore, for Wooden Boat News, December 2009 (photo courtesy of Joe Goudie).
A few years ago, Joe Goudie and his son were paddling through rapids on the Churchill River. With water levels low and rapids raging, their canoe - loaded down with supplies - smashed against the rocks and tore apart.
Luckily, Goudie and his son managed to make it safely to shore. Assessing the damage, they discovered the wood in the canoe had cracked to pieces but their supplies were still dry. The surprised paddlers inspected the wreckage.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Goudie recalls. “When we took a close look I realized the wood in the canoe was shattered but the canvas still held everything together.”
The canvas he refers to is actually canvas that Goudie stretches over his canoes (replacing the traditional birch bark covering) and then coats with a special linseed oil mixture. Goudie knew the technique gave his boats a tough shell but that day on the Churchill proved the method was better than he imagined.
From his experience, you’d expect Goudie - a native Labradorian - to have built boats since he was quite young. Not so. Goudie only started hand-crafting canoes when he retired in 1996.
Born and raised in Mud Lake, Goudie completed his education in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. He’s enjoyed a varied and colourful career. He served with the RCMP auxiliary, worked as a broadcaster with CBC, and was town clerk and town manager of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In 1975, he was elected to Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly and held several ministerial posts.
After leaving politics in 1985, Goudie went to work with the Department of National Defence. Today, he is a consultant for Parks Canada and a community liaison officer for the potential establishment of Mealy Mountains as a National Park.
Creating the Grand River canoe
Goudie has always maintained a strong connection with the outdoors. As a First Nations person, he wanted to sustain the tradition of canoe building in Labrador.
When he began boat building in 1996, he already had a lot of common sense when it came to canoe design and construction. However, Goudie was eager to find an “expert” to teach him the modern interpretation of the traditional craft. “The only expert I could find was Jerry Stelmok in the United States,” he laughed.
In 1997, Goudie opened his own shop, the Grand River Canoe Company. Grand River was the name formerly used for the Churchill River. Today, he builds 16-foot canoes (for one person) and 18-foot canoes (for two people). The canoes can accommodate a motor.
While at the Wooden Boat Museum conference in October, Goudie described his Grand River boat-building method. Before he starts building a canoe, he carves a half model to make sure his design is just right.
Different types of wood are chosen to build each canoe. Goudie prefers to use cedar because it’s lighter than white spruce. He also uses white cedar but he’s heard the material is dangerous to work with because it’s hard on allergies. He uses a homemade kiln to dry the wood and to manage the moisture content. The steamed ribs are then bent over a solid building form creating the desired canoe shape.
Once the hull is shaped, Goudie covers it with a canvas. He mixes linseed oil and other materials, such as silica flour and “paints” the canvas with the concoction, filling in all the cracks. After several coatings, the canvas becomes smooth and tough.
“The technique is better than paint,” explained Goudie. “It also replaces having to do many, many coats of paint!” If his episode on the Churchill River is any indication, there’s no doubt Goudie is right.
A few years ago, Joe Goudie and his son were paddling through rapids on the Churchill River. With water levels low and rapids raging, their canoe - loaded down with supplies - smashed against the rocks and tore apart.Luckily, Goudie and his son managed to make it safely to shore. Assessing the damage, they discovered the wood in the canoe had cracked to pieces but their supplies were still dry. The surprised paddlers inspected the wreckage.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Goudie recalls. “When we took a close look I realized the wood in the canoe was shattered but the canvas still held everything together.”
The canvas he refers to is actually canvas that Goudie stretches over his canoes (replacing the traditional birch bark covering) and then coats with a special linseed oil mixture. Goudie knew the technique gave his boats a tough shell but that day on the Churchill proved the method was better than he imagined.
From his experience, you’d expect Goudie - a native Labradorian - to have built boats since he was quite young. Not so. Goudie only started hand-crafting canoes when he retired in 1996.
Born and raised in Mud Lake, Goudie completed his education in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. He’s enjoyed a varied and colourful career. He served with the RCMP auxiliary, worked as a broadcaster with CBC, and was town clerk and town manager of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In 1975, he was elected to Newfoundland and Labrador’s House of Assembly and held several ministerial posts.
After leaving politics in 1985, Goudie went to work with the Department of National Defence. Today, he is a consultant for Parks Canada and a community liaison officer for the potential establishment of Mealy Mountains as a National Park.
Creating the Grand River canoe
Goudie has always maintained a strong connection with the outdoors. As a First Nations person, he wanted to sustain the tradition of canoe building in Labrador.
When he began boat building in 1996, he already had a lot of common sense when it came to canoe design and construction. However, Goudie was eager to find an “expert” to teach him the modern interpretation of the traditional craft. “The only expert I could find was Jerry Stelmok in the United States,” he laughed.
In 1997, Goudie opened his own shop, the Grand River Canoe Company. Grand River was the name formerly used for the Churchill River. Today, he builds 16-foot canoes (for one person) and 18-foot canoes (for two people). The canoes can accommodate a motor.
While at the Wooden Boat Museum conference in October, Goudie described his Grand River boat-building method. Before he starts building a canoe, he carves a half model to make sure his design is just right.
Different types of wood are chosen to build each canoe. Goudie prefers to use cedar because it’s lighter than white spruce. He also uses white cedar but he’s heard the material is dangerous to work with because it’s hard on allergies. He uses a homemade kiln to dry the wood and to manage the moisture content. The steamed ribs are then bent over a solid building form creating the desired canoe shape.
Once the hull is shaped, Goudie covers it with a canvas. He mixes linseed oil and other materials, such as silica flour and “paints” the canvas with the concoction, filling in all the cracks. After several coatings, the canvas becomes smooth and tough.
“The technique is better than paint,” explained Goudie. “It also replaces having to do many, many coats of paint!” If his episode on the Churchill River is any indication, there’s no doubt Goudie is right.
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