Planning for 2010

Evaluation

Over the next few weeks, there will be an evaluation of the show in 2009, and an attempt to improve it for 2010.  An analysis was completed of all the evaluation forms that were returned over the summer.  They were amazingly positive. 99% of those attending the show thought that show overall and the entertainment were “excellent or very good.”   There were a few suggestions  about how to improve the  seating arrangement, the location, and the food; but even in those cases – the positives were very high.

Food was rated Excellent or Very Good by 91%

Seating arrangement was rated Excellent or Very Good by 90%

Location was rated Excellent or Very Good by 87%

Most of the complaints about location related to the heat.  As a result, we are looking into acquiring air conditioning for next summer.

In our menu, we attempted to provide typical Newfoundland meals: Jjigg’s dinner and turkey dinner, served with pea soup, bread and butter, and bread pudding with rum sauce.

Some Newfoundlanders like their pea soup very thick and served with “dough boys” or dumplings.  The pea soup that Noble’s Catering served was a little thinner and without dumplings, since it is difficult to make dumplings that are not soggy for that 100 people.  This led to the best comment for the summer on the evaluation forms:   “I haven’t seen pea soup this thin since the depression!”

We do take all comments seriously.  If you attended over the summer and did not complete an evaluation form, please email you comments to:

sroach@pigeoninlet.ca

T-shirts, hats, and jackets.

Wescal Sports has developed Pigeon Inlet T-Shirts, hats and jackets.

Edmund Dawson - Super Model

Mr. Edmund Dawson, member of the Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation Board of Directors and sponsor of Pigeon Inlet modeling the T-Shirt and Hat.

More photos of T-Shirts and Hats.

We hope to see everyone at the new productions!!

Opening Night – June 27th

Pigeon Inlet opened again this year on Ted Russell’s birthday.  The audience and cast joined in singing “Happy Birthday.”

Happy Birthday

In addition to a new location, Pigeon Inlet has a number of other new features this season.

Guest Performers

First, there will be a special guest or guests each Saturday night.   For Opening Night the special guests were the Traditional Music Group from the Amalgamated Academy in Bay Roberts.

Amalgamated Academy Traditional Music Group

For July 4, the special guest will be Frank Maher.

Frank Maher

Frank Maher was a member of Figgy Duff. He received the 2002 Tradition Bearer Award from the Celtic Roots Festival in Goderich, Ont., and the 2003 St. John’s Folk Arts Council Lifetime Achievement Award.

For July 11, the guest will be Con O’ Brien.

Con O'Brien

Con O’Brien is lead singer and guitarist in the Irish Descendants, who have toured the globe playing traditional music. The group won a Juno award in 1995 for the best roots traditional album – “Gypsies and Lovers.”

New Menu

Newfoundland Pea Soup

Either Traditional Jigg’s Dinner with Pease Pudding OR

Turkey Dinner with Gravy, Newfoundland Dressing, and Figgy Duff

Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce

Additional Play

“Algebra Slippers” will be alternating with “The Hangashore.”

Painting on Tickets

A professionally framed, limited edition print of Gerry Squire’s painting of Ted Russell will be on tickets.  The print can be viewed while attending the ‘Time.’

Photos from Opening Night

Brandon, Luke and Naomi

Fresh Bread and Newfoundland Pea Soup, Jigg's Dinner with Pease Pudding

News from Pigeon Inlet.

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Sylvia Ficken’s Sketches this fall.

Plans are also underway to hold a exhibition of Sylvia Ficken’s sketches this fall. Her black and white sketches were included in the books: The Best of Ted Russell#1 and Stories from Uncle Mose (the Best of Ted Russell #2. The books were published by Harry Cuff Publications Ltd.

Summer of 2009.

Kelly, Tonya, and the Pigeon Inlet Committee are already discussing “Times” and other events for next summer. We should be ready to make plans public in the near future.

Official Pigeon Inlet Logo.

Pigeon Inlet Logo

The Pigeon Inlet Committee has officially adopted a logo that will be used on all materials and correspondence.

Community Involvement in Pigeon Inlet

Younger members of the community have become involved. Mrs. Wendy King of Coley’s Point Primary has received funding for her students to study “Pigeon Inlet” and the writings of Ted Russell under the “Cultural Connections: K-12 Arts and Cultural Strategy” sponsored by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education. Kelly Russell will be visiting her classes and performing his father’s stories, as well as demonstrating his musical skills. The children will learn about Newfoundland culture as illustrated in Newfoundland literature, foods, and music.

Older members of the community are also excited by the Pigeon Inlet Project. The Regional Quilters’ Guild has formally adopted the name: Pigeon Inlet Quilters.

The Time in Pigeon Inlet Over for Summer 2008.

Welcome to the Time from King David

Thank you to everyone especially our audiences and our sponsors for making “The Time in Pigeon Inlet” such a tremendous success this summer. August 23rd was the final performance of Pigeon Inlet for the Summer of 2008. The performance brought an end to a very busy summer for the Manager, Kenny Sharpe; Artistic and Musical Directors, Kelly Russell and Tonya Kearley Russell; the Pigeon Inlet Players; the Caterers, Skipper Ben’s from Cupids; and all the members of the Pigeon Inlet Committee.

During the summer evaluations were accepted each night and guest comments were recorded to ensure better productions in the future. For the most part, the comments were highly favourable, with almost all persons either agreeing or strongly agreeing that the food, the music, the acting, and the dance were excellent.

Keep checking back at www.bayroberts.com and www.pigeoninlet.ca and this blog for updates and future events which are in the planning stages.

Below are photos from the August 23rd Time.

Audience

Kelly Russell performing "Smokeroom on the Klyle."

Tonya Kearley Russell thanking people for their contributions over the summer.

Meggie - Naomi Russell and Liz Walcott - Melissa Dawe

Ally Dawe and Melissa Dawe of Pigeon Inlet Players

Jethro Noddy : Richard Porter and Ben Walcott: Stephen Power

Pigeon Inlet Flash Presentation.

A Pigeon Inlet Flash Presentation has been assembled from the shows so far this summer. You will see photos from various shows, as well as photos and information about Kelly and Tonya Kearley Russell, Pigeon Inlet Players, and Ted Russell.

A Time in Pigeon Inlet.

Sold out again!!

Even with 40 extra tickets per night, the “Time” in Pigeon Inlet has completely sold out again !!

Everything was moved to St. Matthews Hall which is much larger than the SUF Lodge (the original location .) The first “Time” was held at St. Matthews Hall on Saturday, July 26. All the remaining “Times ” for this summer will be held in the St. Matthew’s Hall, which is adjacent to the War Memorial on Water Street in Bay Roberts.

St. Matthew's Hall

We hope this summer’s productions are just a taste of what is to come in the future!!

Larger Venue – More Tickets

The “Time” in Pigeon Inlet is being moved to a larger venue! It will now be held in St. Matthew’s Hall on Water Street in Bay Roberts. More tickets are available.

For further information and to purchase tickets:
Toll Free: 1-866-786-2126 Tel: 709-786-2126 Fax: 709-786-2128
[Leave voice mail outside regular office hours and we will get back to you.]
If you have a problem getting through, keep trying!
Email:pigeoninlet@bayroberts.com

The “Time” – for the first time.

July 19th, 2008 – the first “Time” in Pigeon Inlet was held in the SUF Hall in Bay Roberts.

While guests were arriving, the Pigeon Inlet Players accompanied by Kelly Russell, performed traditional Newfoundland music.

Pigeon inlet Players - Stephen Power, Luke Walsh, Colin Brown, Meggie Burton

The Audience

Once the audience had been escorted to their seats and served with drinks and water, the buffet began.

Melissa Dawe, one of the Pigeon Inlet Players, serves water.

The guests enjoyed the extensive buffet of traditional Newfoundland food, including salmon and fish and brewis, as well as contemporary Canadian food and salads.

Scoff at Time

Tanya Kearley Russell got the “Time” underway.

Tonya Kearley Russell

Ally Dawe and Melissa Dawe of Pigeon Inlet Players performed. Ally sang Ted Russell’s favourite Newfoundland song: “Let Me Fish off Cape St. Mary’s” by Otto Kelland.

Ally Dawe and Melissa Dawe of Pigeon Inlet Players

Kelly Russell told a couple of his Dad’s stories from the “Chronicles of Uncle Mose.”

Kelly Russell - Tall Tales and Chronicles

Russell’s in the Corner – performed “Smokeroom on Kyle” and other selections, including “Saltwater Joys” by Wayne Chaulk.

Tamsym and Naomi Russell with Dad, Kelly Russell

The Time featured an adaption of Ted Russell’s play “Algebra Slippers.” Ally Dawe was the narrator and Kelly Russell supplied the “Chronicles of Uncle Mose Theme” from the Fishermen’s Broadcast on CBC.

Ally Dawe - narrator and Kelly Russell - accordion

In their kitchen, Liz and Ben Walcott (Grandma and Grandpa Walcott) discussed the shortage of supplies.

Liz Walcott (Melissa Dawe) and Ben Walcott (Richard Porter)

Ben Walcott went to the store to barter with Josiah Bartle, the merchant.

Ben Walcott (Richard Porter) and Josiah Bartle (Stephen Power)

With the help of Ben’s friends and the school teacher… and ALGEBRA, Josiah got more than he bargained for!

(l-r) Schoolmaster - Luke Walsh; Meggie - Naomi Russell ; Polly - Tamsyn Russell; Aunt Sarah - Meggie Burton; Ben Wallcott - Richard Porter

Ben returned home as a proud man!

Liz Walcott - Melissa Dawe and Ben Walcott - Richard Porter

Newfoundland dancing – Tanya led Pigeon Inlet Players and “volunteers” from the audience in a Newfoundland dance.

Newfoundland Dance - Mayor Glenn Littlejohn of Bay Roberts (in background over Richard Porter's shoulder) and others participate.

To end the evening, everyone joined in an enthusiastic version of “The Ode to Newfoundland.”

The Avalon Ambassadors join in singing "The Ode to Newfoundland"

Uncle Mose – as popular as ever!!

The tickets for the five productions of the “Time in Pigeon Inlet” SOLD OUT in a week! CONSIDERATION IS BEING GIVEN TO PUTTING ON ANOTHER SHOW. Please call and leave you name at the Bay Roberts town office if you are still interested in tickets. [Toll Free: 1-866-786-2126 Tel: 709-786-2126 Fax: 709-786-2128 - Leave voice mail outside regular office hours and we will get back to you if the show does go ahead.]

The Other Side of the Coin -David French – another son of Coley’s Point

David French, who was born on Coley’s Point in 1939, represents the other side of the Newfoundland experience. After WWII, his family left Coley’s Point and settled in Toronto – “amidst a thriving community of Newfoundland exiles.” – to quote his website [www.davidfrench.net] Note that we are “exiles” when we leave our “holdin’ ground.” His best known plays are perhaps “Leaving Home” and “Salt-Water Moon.”

David French, Order of Canada ,2001

Victoria Loyal Orange Lodge# 3 is being converted to Victoria LOL # 3 Museum and Playhouse, and it will be featuring the works of David French, as one of Canada’s most popular and critically –acclaimed playwrights.

The official opening was Saturday July 12, 2008 at the Victoria LOL 3 # Museum and Playhouse located at the corner of Patterson Street and Smith Street Extension in Bay Roberts. [Just up the street from the SUF Lodge where the "Times" will be held.] During the summer, Victoria LOL will be open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 PM—5:00 PM to view exhibits. They will also be offering Carriage Rides. For more information contact Brenda Mercer – eem@nf.sympatico.ca

Victoria LOL #3, Patterson Street - Built in 1870s

Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Jamboree

The Bay Arena on July 26 and 27.

The Bay Roberts Special Events Committee will be hosting the Bluegrass and Old Time Country Music Society of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Jamboree in the Bay Arena on July 26 and 27.

The Society has the complete schedule of events for the weekend online. Schedule of Events >>

There are many things to see and do in Bay Roberts and in surrounding communities this summer.

Where to Stay

http://www.bayroberts.com/accom.htm

http://www.northernavalon.com/accom.htm

Holdin’ Ground 3 – the Launch

The Pigeon Inlet Launch at the Visitors’ Pavilion

The afternoon launch at the Visitors’ Pavilion was an inspirational occasion for all who were present, and on a number of occasions, members of the Russell Family were brought to tears along with the audience.

During the launch the Pigeon Inlet Players entertained.

Pigeon Inlet Players

A few of the afternoon’s highlights were:

Councilor Clarence Mercer’s obvious joy in seeing the first phase of his dream come true. [Clarence is the Pigeon Inlet Committee Chair and the originator of bringing Pigeon Inlet to Bay Roberts.]

Councilor Clarence Mercer, Chairperson Pigeon Inlet Committee

Dr. Elizabeth Miller (Ted Russell’s daughter) expressing the family support for the project.

Dr. Elizabeth Miller

The extent to which the Russell family was moved by the event. Many times tears were flowing. It must have been an unforgettable birthday for June – who shares a birthday with her father on June 27th, the date of the launch.

Russell Family - (l-r) Ken Baikie (grandson), June Baikie (d), Rhona Hulsey(d), Peggy Vachon(d)

The overwhelming support for the Pigeon Inlet concept from all four politicians who spoke.

Deputy Mayor Melvin Walsh of the town of Bay Roberts [which has given financial and moral support from the beginning];

Deputy Mayor Melvin Walsh

Roland Bulter, MHA, for the District of Port de Grave

MHA Roland Butler, Port de Grave District

The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister for Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector, and MHA for the district of Harbour Main

The Honourable Tom Hedderson

Fabian Manning, MP for the district of Avalon

MP Fabian Manning, District of Avalon

Unveiling of Exhibits.

The summer exhibits based on the life and works of Ted Russell were unveiled. The set up and design of the displays was arranged by Betty Jerrett of the Bay Roberts Heritage Society. The sketches by Silvia Quinton based on Ted Russell’s radio plays are part of the exhibit and can be seen in the background of the photos, along with the display cases with artifacts.

Unveiling two display cases of memorabilia- (i-r) Ruth Murray (committee), Peggy Vachon (daughter), Agnes Butler (committee) (i-r) Ruth Murray (committee), Peggy Vachon (daughter), Agnes Butler (committee)

Unveiling the life-size cut out of Ted Russell at 17 years old. At the time, he was leaving Coley’s Point to go teaching on Pass Island, an isolated island in Fortune Bay. The cutout was prepared by Hillery Cass, who is well known for her work in museums across the province, including The Rooms in St. John’s.

Unveiling Ted Russell (l-r) Agnes Butler (Committee), Rhona Hussey (daughter), Betty Jerrett (committee)

Russell Children with life-size cutout of Ted Russell

Unveiling the large storyboard of Ted Russell’s life story – teacher, magistrate, director of co-operatives, MHA and Minster, insurance salesman, author, university professor. The storyboard was design by Margaret Ayad of Baccalieu Consulting.

Unveiling Ted Russell Storyboard (l-r) Margaret Ayad (Committee) Dr. Elizabeth Miller (daughter)

Renaming the exhibition room of the Visitors’ Pavilion – “The Holdin’ Ground”

Text from plaque:

The main exhibition room of the Bay Roberts Visitors’ Pavilion was named “The Holdin’ Ground” on June 27th, 2008. The inspiration for the designation is Ted Russell’s play “The Holdin’ Ground”, which elaborates on the bond that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador feel with their home. The strength of the bond defines who we are as a people and draws us back when we leave, as many of us have over the centuries. The exhibits in the Pavilion recognize the diversity of people, places, and things, expressed through works of art, literature, music, language, stories, and inspirations that contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador‘s strength as a “Holdin’ Ground.

Unveiling room sign which was designed by Rick Snow of Bay Roberts:

Unveiling of name. Harold Stanford (Committee), Dennis Miller (grandson)

Unveiling the text about plaque (l-r) June Baikie (daughter) Edmund Dawson (Committee and Sponsor)

Kelly Russell and family cutting the ribbon to declare \”the Holdin\’ Ground\” open, assisted by Clarence Mercer, Committee Chairperson

See more photos from the launch and photos from the Buffet Dinner and the Gala Concert.

Join the town in celebrating at one of the “Times” this summer. Two are already sold out!!