Celebrate Outport Culture with the Town of Bay Roberts
Curiosity and excitement has been growing over the proposed plans for Pigeon Inlet. This blog has been designed as an avenue for the sharing of thoughts, opinions and suggestions. From time to time, we will invite guest writers to express their feelings and ideas on the project concept. These may include representatives of Council, the Steering Committee, and the Russell family. We welcome and appreciate your ideas, as well.
Do you remember when TV was new, boats and trains provided travel, cars were scarce, paved roads were scarcer and 20 miles was far away? Those were the days when we would listen to the Gerald S. Doyle Evening News or Ted Russell bringing us yet another ‘tale from Pigeon Inlet’ through the medium of radio.
Most ‘baby boomers’ can recall one or two stories involving the notable characters from Pigeon Inlet. Uncle Mose, Grandpa Walcott and Skipper Lige Bartle became true to life characters through the stories of Edward (Ted) Russell, native son of Coley’s Point, Bay Roberts. These fictional creations were somewhat real to us, because they portrayed, in a typically humorous fashion, the Newfoundland outport people of the 40’s and 50’s. We could relate to the characters, because we all knew someone in our own community who displayed those same characteristics. Although we didn’t realize it at the time, they would become valuable snapshots of our cultural heritage.
About three years ago, I had an idea – ‘We should bring Pigeon Inlet to Bay Roberts.’ At first, I was focusing on the creation of a village that would resemble Ted Russell’s Pigeon Inlet – a place where visitors could walk back in time and experience life as it was in Newfoundland, in the Confederation era. As I shared the idea with others, it became evident that this had the potential of becoming a major tourism attraction for our town and the province.
Thanks to the efforts and support of our Tourism Committee, Town Council, Pigeon Inlet Steering Committee, and the Russell family, this project is becoming a reality. On June 27, 2008, the birth date of Ted Russell, the Town of Bay Roberts invites you and your friends to join with us as we begin to “Celebrate Outport Culture” at the official launch of the Pigeon Inlet project. The celebrations begin at the Visitors’ Pavilion in the late afternoon and end with a Gala event at Ascension Collegiate, that evening, featuring Kelly Russell (Ted’s son) and other local entertainers.
Our 2008 summer production of A ‘Time’ in Pigeon Inlet commences on July 16, continuing on August 2, 9, 16 and 23, at the SUF Hall on Patterson Street. The ‘Time’, featuring Kelly Russell, will include enactments of Ted Russell’s works, storytelling, participatory songs and dance as well as traditional Newfoundland food.
As all details are not yet finalized, please check with www.pigeoninlet.ca or this blog for updates.
We are extremely excited about this venture and the many possibilities for expanded tourism and economic development in our town, region and province. We hope that you will choose to experience a step back in time during the summer of 2008. We look forward to meeting YOU at the ‘TIME’.
Clarence G. Mercer
Councillor, Town of Bay Roberts
Chairperson, Pigeon Inlet Steering Committee
We hope to see many visitors at the “Pigeon Inlet Time” this summer!
CONGRATULATIONS on initiating your new Blog. And even more congratulations for taking on this new and exciting Pigeon Inlet project. As Ted Russell’s daughter, I can assure you that he would be so honored to know that such an enterprise is underway.
Family members (including myself) will be in Bay Roberts on June 27 to take part in the festivities. We hope that many others will join us on this special day.
I am the oldest daughter of Ted Russell now living in Idaho, USA. We are all looking forward to this upcoming event to honor our father’s legacy. Congratulations on this great Blog with all it’s updated information. Thank you for all your hard work in planning and putting this event together.