Changes on comments and Postings

You have noticed we have changed the format of this little newspaper.  Folks were having problems making comments on the posts so I removed the comments section.  You can make comments to me via email.  If you want your comments posted I will do so in a "Letters to the Editor section.  Also it is not my intention to update this site every day.  To help readers stay on top of postings I now intend to post only on weekends so you will have fresh local news at the beginning of each week.  Thank all of you for the many emails.  It lets me know that folks are interested.  If you have a story you think I should cover drop me a line and let me know renews-news@hotmail.com

Clara Dunne Update

As a result of our earlier story on Clara she created a website to showcase her talents.  You are a wonderful crowd out there.  Her new website was voted most outstanding website in its first week of operation.  She has over 800 visitors in that week and lots and lots of well wishers have signed her guestbook.  She has also received orders for prints.  Clara is a wonderful lady.  If you haven't done so already drop by her website, see her great talent and meet her family.  You'll be entertained and touched and inspired.  Visit Clara at:
http://www.claradunne.webs.com/  Again thank all you readers for supporting her.

Social Club Embroiled in Controversy

In November of 2009 The Captain William Jackman Social Club received a government grant of $21,000.00 for a project called “Harvesting Our History”. The project is to compile and collect historical information from the community and to enter that information into a computerized database to be located in the town. The database is to be available for use by organizations and the general public. A committee of local seniors, from the club, had been appointed to carry out the project.

When the money was received the executive deposited the funds to the regular club account, which contained the club's operating revenues and expenses. This was contrary to the wishes of the funding agency and contrary to normal accounting practices. The committee, to avoid confusion and misdirection of funds, also insisted on a separate account with a signing officer from the committee and one from the executive. The club executive refused and fired the committee.

The new project committee consists of the vice president of the club, and the secretary/treasurer of the club. They are signing officers for both the club account and the project monies and the secretary/treasurer handles the accounting for both. A situation that does not allow for any checks and balances to prevent misdirection of funds.

In addition these two individuals, both from outside the province and both living in this community for just three years, have now taken responsibility for collecting historical information from the town. They have taken over from the fired committee who were all born and raised in this community. Between them these former committee members not only have a lifetime of knowledge about the history and culture of our community and the people but they also have a large volume of already collected materials. To duplicate that information would not only be impossible but an unnecessary waste of money and time.

The fired committee has met with council to make the town aware of what should be achieved under the “Harvesting Our History” project however at this point in time – four months into a twelve-month project – (1) thousands of dollars have been spent on computer equipment and rent; (2) Nobody has been appointed to collect data (a job that is to be carried out voluntarily under the contract); (3) No computer software group has been approached to set up the database; and (4) Nobody has been assigned to do data entry which is just as well since no database exists and no data has been collected.

The people of Renews-Cappahayden will be watching closely how this project unfolds. The money is after all taxpayers money, not club money. $21 thousand dollars is a lot of money for a small town, and we have a lot of history to collect.

In the meantime to add to the executive’s woes three members of the board of directors have resigned in protest over the executive’s handling of the project leaving just five members on the board – one short of the necessary quorum to conduct business.

Renews Talent - Artist: Clara (Maher) Dunne

Clara is one of the very talented people who make Renews home. It's a great delight to showcase her creations to visitors to this site.I spoke to Clara about her work and this is what she had to say:

"Painting is a hobby for me not a business, but I do sell prints and originals of some of my work when someone wants one. I completed two Visual Arts Courses and took painting lessons in portrait and landscape from renouned artist Gerry Squires in 1975 and again in 1995. Frank LaPointe another highly acclaimed artist was also an instructor for those courses. I starting drawing as a young child living in Aquaforte and have always enjoyed escaping into my art. I now reside in Renews. I've illustrated several books. My daughter Danielle co-illustrated one of those. She is quite artistic as well. I work in watercolor as well as acrylics and usually do my painting in the winter months. Once summer comes my garden is my canvas."

Click on the image above for a slightly larger view of the paintings. Then for more on this talented lady and her work visit Clara at her own web site here: http://claradunne.webs.com/

Port Kirwan Come Home Year

If there is anyone out there connected to the upper end of the southern shore who hasn't heard of Port Kirwan Come Home Year I'll be greatly surprised. They have a very talented committee who have done an outstanding job preparing for and promoting the event and their town. A year of fundraising has been a part of the preparations and that alone has provided a variety of entertainments for residents of the area. This promises to be the outstanding event on the southern shore this summer. If you haven't already made vacation plans you should consider taking in this event. The little town of Port Kirwin is big league when it comes to family fun. For more on this event visit this site: http://www.freewebs.com/port-kirwan/

Good Luck Port Kirwan. You are going to "rock the shore" this summer.

Marion Ryan (Hawkins) Passed Away

Marion Ryan (Hawkins) passed away on April 7, 2010 after a long struggle with cancer. Marion was 52 years old. She was the wife of Jerry Ryan of Fermuse. For more information, and to leave a message of condolence you can visit this site: http://www.faheysfuneralhome.ca/obits.php?atn=shw&obtid=67

Our hearts go out to the Ryan and Hawkins families during this sad time in their lives.

A Grand Trail

The following excerpt is from an article in The Telegram by Charlotte O’Dea about the East Coast Trail. I have selected the portion that applies to Renews:

"As we drove into the small village of Renews, we caught sight of a sign for the East Coast Trail and decided to hike the portion of the trail that leads towards nearby Fermeuse. A lovely century-old green-and-yellow house, called Emerald Cottage, stands before the entrance to this section of the East Coast Trail. The trail begins very humbly in a small hollow surrounded by grassy knolls. As we followed its gradual climb between a few rocky outcrops, nothing in its modest appearance prepared us for the superb view it was about to provide.


When it came, it took our breath away. We were suddenly perched on the edge of the continent, between the earth and the sky and the stunning blue of the Atlantic Ocean.


As our eyes tried to take it all in, we could feel the sea pulling us toward its wide horizon of endless possibilities. In that instant, it was easy to understand the powerful attraction these waters must have exerted on the hearts and minds of our seafaring ancestors.


An interesting interpretive site informed us that we were standing on a historic site called The Mount. Several cannons still stand on guard, enduring reminders of Newfoundland's often embattled past. These guns were sent to Renews in 1778 to defend its harbour against attacks by American privateers who seized and burned local fishing boats and took their crews prisoner.


Not wanting to let a good story go unembellished, local lore has it that during these skirmishes, the people from the south side of Renews stole the gunpowder used for the cannons in the hope the American raiders would capture them and take them back to the States. Is this true? Maybe not, but as Mark Twain said, never let the truth get in the way of a good story.


From The Mount, the East Coast Trail heads out of the harbour, sheds its modest beginnings and becomes a drama queen.


Over and over again, we found ourselves on the edge of high cliffs while, below us, jagged Cambrian rocks jutted out into the rolling sea like steadfast guardians of the island. Looking down at this treacherous rocky coastline, it was easy to see why Newfoundland is often called "the Rock." The meadows, the small spruce trees leaning away from the ocean winds, the berry bushes that cling to the thin soil - these are all camouflage to lull us into forgetting that we are in fact standing alone in the middle of the Atlantic on a big piece of sedimentary rock sheared from the continent billions of years ago.


For the next few hours, we followed this spectacular coastline, rising high above cliffs that plunge dramatically into the sea, then dipping gently into small coves with names such as Boat Bottom Cove, Sculpin Bay, Capelin Cove. The soothing sound of water rolling over the smooth pebbles and the bright sunlight shimmering off the water were irresistible enticements to sit awhile, which we did, like two lazy seals warming our backsides on the sun-baked rocks.

For a few glorious hours we had stood on the edge of our continent, on the same high cliffs that welcomed ancient explorers to the new world."

Fire Lights up the Sky

As I started writing this item the sun was setting on a beautiful clear evening here in Renews. Then suddenly billows of smoke began rising into the sky from the area of the Mount. Within minutes the whole Mount area was in flames and as darkness closes in it is still an awesome sight as it smoulders away. Residents were concerned at first, and phones were ringing but it turned out to be a controlled burn to get rid of all the old grass so that the area will be green and fresh for visitors this summer. But even the burn meant we were treated to a grand evening display.

Renews Council

I attended a council meeting this week and had my first opportunity to see our new town council in action. I was very impressed with the decorum and professionalism displayed by members of council. Despite some challenging issues Mayor Donna Dinn was poised and proficient. Questions were answered in a frank, forthright manner and dignity was maintained throughout. My compliments to Mayor Donna, to councillors Henry, Jocelyn, Charley, and Mike and also to town clerk Susan Perry who had her homework done and all the answers at her fingertips. The Town of Renews-Cappahayden is in good hands.