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Showing posts from July, 2012

Empty Nets - a reflection on our culture, our fish

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July 2nd should be marked every year until fishery is treated with the respect it deserves

NDP MP reflects on the cod fishery 20 years later: Where are we now? By  Shane Belbin The following article appears in the Tuesday (July 3rd) edition of The Muse, Memorial University's student newspaper. The scene at the Delta Hotel St. John's has changed a lot in the 20 years since July 2, 1992; but according to NDP MP Ryan Cleary, not much else has changed. It was there that then federal Fisheries Minister John Crosbie announced that the 500 year old Newfoundland and Labrador cod fishery would be closing. Cleary remembers that day well, as he attended the event as the Fisheries Reporter for St. John’s newspaper  The Telegram . Now as a politician, Cleary notes the importance of remember the event to further change. “July the second should be marked every year until our fishery is treated with the respect it deserves,” said Cleary. To this end, Cleary organized a collection of speakers ranging from politicians, union representatives, and those who saw their li

St. John's ranked 4th most colourful city in the world

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As VOCM reports, the colourful row houses of the City of St. John's have been recognized worldwide. A recent article from worldgeography.com has named the capital city the 4th most colourful city in the world. From cities in Italy to India, Mexico to the Netherlands, 11 colourful destinations have been listed. St. John's is the only Canadian city on the list. Here's the text that went with the 4th most-colourful city designation: The city of  St. Johns  on the island of Newfoundland is arguably Canada’s most colorful city, a characteristic in contrast to its otherwise chilly climate.  The cultural gem of its province, St. Johns features many museums, art galleries and urban parks throughout its hilly coastal environs.   In the hip sections of the city, low-rise buildings have been painted in a vibrant array of colors, a visual quality that is noticeable even from the ships that pass by.  When it comes to color, there’s nothing dull about this ham

'Dead men can advance no further'

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Today is Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador, the most solemn day of the year. Today is also Canada Day, the country’s 145th birthday — a day of celebration. The tragedy for Newfoundland at Beaumont Hamel, France during the First World War is often overshadowed by the nation’s birthday. At midday we’re supposed to switch from a Memorial Day focus to Canada Day focus. Which is hard to do.  July 1, 1916 was the bloodiest day in Newfoundland and Labrador history. Of the 801 Newfoundland officers and men who took part in the assault at Beaumont Hamel — most of whom were in their late teens or early 20s — only 68 answered the roll call the next day. The Commander of the 88th brigade — Brigadier-General Cayley — wrote to then-Prime Minister of Newfoundland, Sir Edward Morris. He wrote about the courage and discipline displayed by the members of the Newfoundland Regiment in their first battle on the Western Front at Beaumont Hamel. He wrote: “It