I am looking through my grandmother’s large, cumbersome photograph albums. There are wedding pictures, family pictures, but the snaps that really hold my interest are ones from my grandfather’s workplace. In the 1940s my grandfather was a contractor with Bowater’s. He would travel into the woods with a camp (I mean camp houses, not tents), a crew of cutters and a cook and stay in the forest for about three months.
Author Archives: Helen Jayne Reid
Following up on my story about the 2002 Broadway Fire, here are some pictures that were sent in from the event. Thanks to City Councillor Gary Kelly who unearthed these photos. He can’t remember who took them, but whoever it was, thank you!
One summer morning in 2002 my mother was trying to reach me. I had worked a late shift the night before and I was sleeping deeply. She was calling incessantly, absolutely out of her mind, because Broadway was burning down and I lived in an apartment above (what used to be) the Newfoundland Emporium. By the time she reached me she was frantic. Why hadn’t I answered the phone? Why was I answering it now? Didn’t I know that Broadway was burning down?
To begin near the beginning:
It is summer, moon-lit night in the small town which will soon become a collection of four smaller towns. It is late night, early morning – a time when most respectable people are sleeping, or trying to, tossing and turning as they might. Over on the Westside shop keepers dream in rooms above their shops, dream of money and goods from overseas and the millworker wives. Read More
On cool overcast days in June I have this friend who never fails to call and say, “Let’s go get some popcorn chicken and head on up to Three Bear Mountain.” Why he likes to do it, I don’t know and it doesn’t matter because I like doing it too. Plus when we have take out I know he’s not going to attempt the steep unofficial trail behind The Pipeline. Though many people use that steep trail, I enjoy the stairs and clearly laid out trail beside the old hospital.
June 21st is the first official day of Summer in the Northern Hemisphere and I’m sure we’re all ready for it (despite the forecast…). June 21st is also International Go Skateboarding Day. I’ve heard rumours that you might see groups of skateboarders rolling through our City streets showing off their energy and passion for their sport of choice. If you see groups of skateboarders go by, snap some pictures! We’d love to see the creative things they do.
Photo by Naoki Tomeno.
I spent last Saturday morning with a family friend. She presented me with a purple silicone bracelet. One side says WHAT WOULD YOU DO, then you flip it around to read WHILE YOU STILL COULD? This wasn’t just a philosophical exercise. We’d met to talk about her husband who had died of ALS. While our conversation may not have seemed the cheeriest I did walk away with a sense of contentment and hope. If she could walk that journey and exude hope, why couldn’t I?
It is November 2004 and a stressed out bride, in full make-up and veil, is storming up a hallway of the Glynmill Inn. She is wearing jeans and a t-shirt and carrying a cup of coffee.
Photo – Allison Crowe European Tour Poster 2008
If you read Allison Crowe’s blog 7 Thumbs Up you’ll find entries about Allison’s day-to-day life including cooking, crafting and walking her mini Dauchshund, Link. What you do not see a lot of about, however, is music which is misleading. “Music is my whole life,” says Allison. When she isn’t doing the things she’s blogging about Allison is busy making music.
Who knew they were so organized?
As seen on a side door of Coleman’s on Caribou Road.
Photo by HelenJayne Reid.
