The Winter Rose Trust Fund

On January 27th, 2008, I wrote an article called “Wings of Desire (Pink Wings)”, for the Gimme A Dream site. As an after thought, at the bottom of the article I placed a banner for the “Winter Rose Trust” and a link to the Winter Rose Trust Site. The after thought came from singer/song writer, cancer survivor and an internet friend, Phil Planet, who had read a comment I had made on the Winter Rose site during one of my infinite web surfing travels.

Phil graciously thanked me for my comments and asked if I would mention the site on my web log. Well we all know where this is going! I had already posted the “Wings Of Desire (Pink Wings)” only a few minutes before so I said I would add a note to the Dare To Be Pink Cancer Fund Raiser the I wrote about.

I also placed the Wings on a post here on the Magdalen Islands site because Amanda is a Magdalen Islander and there were ties to Prince Edward Island. Also there is a lot of cancer on the Magdalen Islands.

I also said that I would do a review of his site. This is the review, BUT it isn’t a review.... In the three days, that I have known the “Winter Rose Trust” Site, it has grown tremendously. How can I write about something that keeps on changing. It is a great, good change, but change nevertheless.

So I’ll give an overview of the site, that will remain the same. Phil Planet is a British singer/song writer, but principally he is a cancer survivor. However, he was asked to write a song about surviving cancer. As a survivor, he felt the subject was negative and he wanted a positive outlook so he wrote a song about another survivor, the winter rose.

This song is dedicated to cancer research. It can be heard at the Winter Rose Trust site. BUT more importantly, it can be purchased for only $2.00 and downloaded from the site. Because I am the site monitor for Canada. Yes, Canada has its own web site for this fund raiser. It is at http://www.ca.winterrosetrust.com/

On top of writing this post for the “Winter Rose Trust”, I decided that the Gimme A Dream site was declaring the month of February to be its “Cancer Be Gone” month. Every post that is written will have the “Winter Rose Trust” banner and link at its bottom. As an extra effort, the Gimme A Dream Craft Site will also have the banners placed at the bottom of each post. Triple the effort, the Magdalen Islands web log which is guaranteed to have at least one post each and every day for the 29 days, will receive the banners.

I intend to write articles dedicated to my mother, Magdalen Islander, Marion Clark Currie, cancer victim. Mostly they will be amusing stories about her life and the way she choose to live it. Mum was a happy person and there are incidences that are going to be forgotten, if they are not wrote down for generations to come. I hope that no one minds my thoughts on the matter.

PLEASE go to the Winter Rose Trust Site and purchase the song Winter Rose for just $2.00. Click on the flag of the country where you would like your money to go. Then click on donations. Pay through PayPal. It isn’t much and the money goes to such a great cause.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1881, during a special session at the Municipality of Etang-du-Nord, it was proposed by Louis V. Boudreault and seconded by Sosime Fougere, that John Burke be named Municipal Councilor in the place of Nectaire Arseneau who had resigned.


- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1902, a letter was delivered to the Prime Minister of Canada. His response was:

Dear Mr. Delaney,

I have received you letter dated January 30, 1902. You were mistaken in your opinions concerning Mr. Lemieux, representative of the Iles in Ottawa. I have a lot of esteem for him and I am sure that he desires only to work cordially with you, if you give him the opportunity.

Believe me, sincerely yours.

Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1939, at 23:30 the islands hospital received its first patient who was in need of an emergency operation.

In 1992, some of the original acrobats from the Magdalen Islands triumphed in Paris at the Festival of the Cirque de Demain ( Tomorrow's Circus). The three islanders, Alain and Damien Boudreau and Jeannot Chaisson, gave a choreographed presentation and returned with a second place silver medal. Jeannot Chiasson presented a number on a bicycle and won the bronze medal. These four (?) acrobats were part of a group of artists from the province of Quebec.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

Island's Equestrian Takes First For Fund Raiser

Wings Of Desire (Pink Wings)

It is the hearts and the desires of all the world to find a cure for cancer. Slowly, ever so slowly, mankind is making progress. Through the generous donations and volunteer work, cancer is being slowly pushed back, hopefully into oblivion within my time.

The Wings of Desire were a part of the Provincial Old Home Week Equestrian competitions of Prince Edward Island. The competition, “Dare To Wear Pink” category, is run on several different levels. All the proceeds, entry costs for both the competitor and spectator go to Breast Cancer Research.

The western novice category last summer was won by Magdalen Islander, Amanda Currie-Poirier. She worked hard to find pink items to use and she wasn’t shy about wearing them either. Her horse, Casper’s Haunting You, is a gray Newfoundland pony and is not a stranger to th show ring, but Amanda decided to enter him in the western pleasure, whereas he had always been shown in the English pleasure category. This is a picture taken just after the showing of the competition.

My mother, my niece’s grandmother, succumb to breast cancer turned lung cancer, on October 30th, 1982. This “Dare To Wear Pink” is for her memory.

Winter Rose Trust - Trust in Phil Planet - Cancer Survivor

On This Day In Islands History

In 1974, the G.C, Grosse Ile, with captain Philippe Cummingings, sank near Grace Harbour, Newfoundland, with a load of 425,000 pounds of red fish on board. The crew, after having taken the lifeboat was rescued by the Portuguese trawler the Aida Peixoto.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1970, Captain Willie Arseneault died at the Hotel-Dieu in Montreal, at the age of 66 years. He was an instructor of navigation for 20 years and he had formed, for the most part, the fishing mariners an captains during the 1960's.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1981,C.F.I.M. the islands radio broadcasting company started its activities with a local initiatives project. The entitled project had as its objective the installation, training and radio production to set up the essential tools for the placement of the radio station C.F.I.M. radio waves for the following September.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

A Heavenly Moon Over Old Harry

I took this shot at 7 am this morning while opening the gates to let the horses into the field. It was beautiful and near full. It must have been an astoundingly bright night last night. There was a dusting of the purest white snow on the ground and trees that twinkled this morning, after the sun rose.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1983, in an article in Le Radar, the weekly newspaper for the French speaking population of the Islands, wrote of the eventual demolition of the old Presbyter of Amherst. They were advocating for it's survival the same year. For the most part, those who did not pay for it's maintenance, wanted to keep the building standing. The others, the church goers, didn't have the financial means to maintain the building.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

This reminds me of the difficulties that the Anglican Church is having here in Grosse Isle and again here in Old Harry. The churches are suffering from the lack of funds required to maintain the buildings. I'm guilty of not holding up my end of the financial burden. On my behalf, I'm not making the money that the churches are making, even without the volunteers. However, it still stands that the church at Old Harry is having difficulty maintaining its congregation each Sunday and therefore there is very little in the collection plate. I love the little church and would really hate to see its destruction, but I know I can't help, at this time. I have been asked to create a souvenir booklet of the Magdalen Islands and the proceeds of the sale going to the churches. I was going to pass on it but this post has made me stop and think about it....

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1986, the editor of the Islands French news weekly, The Radar, Mr. Achille Hubert, received the Communications Prize for 1985, from the hands of the Minister of Communications of Quebec. The laureate attributed a grant of $2000 as well as a souvenir plaque. This prize for written journalism is known to support the regions of development in the fields of communication and the medias.

In 1987, five horses arrived by ferry on the day to open the Equestrian Center in Etang-des-Caps on the Amherst Island.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

The "La Chevauchee des Isles Enr" was the islands largest equestrian center housing more that thirty horses for the pleasure of riding. The large west beach was used as well as the hills and forests of the Basin in Amherst. Today, only four horses exist at the center and they are private family owned. The center no longer gives trail riding tours but instead concentrates on supplying needed resources to the Islands farming population.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1920, Mr. Alphonse Desjardins opened the doors to the first Caisse Populaire, at his residence. Twelve persons present themselves, to carry out the first payment on the social activities, subscribed in the meetings of the preceding December 6 foundation. The first deposit of 5 cents would be carried out some days later.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

Mr. Alphonse Desjardins created the first of the islands Caisse Populaires (CP) which are considered credit unions with the rest of the world. Here on the island the CP have flourished, particularly in later years. Now there are Caisses in Grand Entry, House Harbour, Grindstone, Etang-du-Nord and Amherst, with all but the one in House Harbour having the same foundations.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

I missed a day so I'll slip it in here unnoticed:
Monday, Janruary 22, 2008

On January 22, 1880, the municipal council of Alright, recorded this: In the oath of office : I the undersigned have been duly named mayor, swear that I will fill my exercises to the best of my capacity and my knowledge. As well, may God be with me, helping me.

Francois Turbide, Maire.

Spoke before P.L. Joncas, J. P.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1948, by the decree of the provincial government, which proclaimed that the flag known under the name as the fleur-de-lise, would be accepted as the official emblem of Quebec. The adoption of the blue flag, a white cross and the four lily flowers, was the result of a long opinionated public campaign.


- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

Our Precious Weather

Just thought I'd put out a few more weather shots. I took these an hour ago. It is snowing but not really very windy, so it is really very pleasant outside. I was out with gloves or a jacket for quite a little while, taking thirty or forty shots of the weather, the horses and dogs.

It gives you an idea of where the snow is all going in the shot of the Sand Cove Road sign. It certainly hasn't blown away as you'd expect for the Magdalen Islands. If this keep up, we'll be driving through tunnels in Grande-Entree, by March.


Now you know, this is just about all of Old Harry. In the far distance, you can't see where we call "Out The Road", but it is there. What these pictures are of is "Over The Road". That is how the generations past referred to Old Harry. We are in Sand Cove, which is a "suburb" of Old Harry. That is a chuckle, really, but there you go. How else can Old Harry be explained.

Grosse Islers used to fondly call people from Old Harry, "Old Harry Sand Fleas" and those from Old Harry would justly return that it was better than being a "Grosse Isle Picker!" This was a generation or two ago. Now we tend to be more formally and politically correct. "Pickers and Sand Fleas" are not heard of anymore. Our quaintness is gone.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1993, the first annual Canadian sail board championships was held on the Magdalen Islands. The organization, Madelivoile had been chosen to be the hosts of the championship competitions, which would take place in the frame of the PRO-AM of the islands, from August 30th to September 6th, 1993. The islands are considered the paradise of sailboarding because of it many natural conditions favorable to the practice of this sport.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

This Magdalen Islands Blog Doesn't Pay

By this time, those of you who frequent these hallowed halls of the Magdalen Islands blog, know that it is not generating any income. Not for itself and not for me. That is going to have to change to some degree this year.

Perhaps you will notice a donation box, sometime in the future. Or perhaps you will notice more advertisements. More than likely I'll slip in a post, that has absolutely nothing to do with the Magdalen Islands except that I, as a Magdalen Islander have noticed something important that will help someone.

It is certain, that in these "posts" you will see a lot of links. The reason for this is that the major search engines require links of the type that I don't have in this blog, in order to make it more favorable to well paying advertisers. This web log is not valued very high and yet it has a lot of content, that is of interest. On the ranking systems, it rates at a zero level, or not at all. That needs to change!
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Lately, I have noticed something totally related to the Maggies. Here on the islands, there are a lot of internet users. They are members of certain social networks, like Facebook, YouTube and MySpace. That is a good thing, but those two networks are generating approximately 20 million dollars a month each and they are not helping their users, their members.

I joined them and still have my accounts open, but..., I have also joined Yuwie. This is important for one reason. Yuwie Pays! In fact, it is the the first social network that pays it's members to blog. They pay their members to post messages! They pay the members to visit each other and say "Hi, want to be friends!" Yuwie pays to see your pictures and videos.

Yuwie pays!!!

If anyone is interested in making some money while meeting people from around the world, try Yuwie. It is completely free to join. I've review the network in my other blogs, Gimme A Dream and Unique Items, if you want to have a bit more information.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1663, the country of New-France, in cooperation with the one of Miscou, conceded the Magdalen Islands and the Isle of Saint Jean (PEI) to Francois Doublet of Honfleur.

In 1954, the Islands first arena open in Grindstone, with a hockey game. The teams playing were "les Flots" from Etang-du-Nord against "Notre-Dame" from Fatima.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1922, it was ordered and held by the law of the Council of the Municipality of Amherst as follows: This council considers that the doctor A Gallant has declared at the meeting holding that he accepts the indemnity of $900 authorized by this said regulation, as compensation for the mileage on route by course, that this indemnity given to him will be paid annually for three years, that this said sum that he is paid as follows : $300 for the first of June, $400 for the first of September and the balance in the course of the month of December.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

The Weather

Sunrise over Saint Peters By-The-Sea Church at Old Harry, this morning at 8:00 am.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1933, it was marked by the day that an automobile first drove to Pointe-aux-Loups. The passengers were Father Alphonse Arseneault, the priest in charge of House Harbour, accompanied by William Arseneault and his son Regis. Theodore (Uriel) Harvie was also amongst the first to make this first drive. The journey to one and a half hours to complete as opposed to a full day by horse.

In 1982, a severe winter storm hit the islands that lasted many days. The thermometer attained record lows for the islands at this time. The winds raged at 80 to 100 kilometers per hour. The electricity was cut all over the islands. Hydro-Quebec had to transport eight diesel motors and full hydro electric crews from Gaspe to the islands by airplane, to replaced poles and lines blown down by the storm.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1918, two men were heroically saved after they swept away from land while on the ice, near Grand Entry. Allen Clark (my grandfather Pop) crawled across the ice, with a rope, to the men, while Jack Keating fed the rope out. Clark and Keating received the medal of Carnegie for their heroism.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1947, tragedy struck Amherst Island when five members of Lucien Cormier's family perished in a fire at their home. The five victims were : the wife of Lucien, Georgiana Borne - 51 years, and his four children, Henri-Paul - 19 years, Denise - 16 years, Marie-Berthe - 8 years and Marie-Paul, - 6 years.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

- From Deux siecles d'Histoire, Iles de la Madeleine 1793-1992, by Chantal Naud

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

An Unexpected Find In an Unusual Pond

An email came through this morning from the ZIP Committee of the Islands that was found interesting and up to date on the water ways of the Magdalen Islands.

Good morning to all,

A simple message concerning an accidental capture Sunday, by the meshes of a fisherman's smelt net.

It is called a lumpfish, or more commonly called the 'big hen of sea' (Cyclopterus lumpus). This fish generally lives waters that are not very deep, in the Atlantic, where it holds up itself to the rocks, to the seaweeds or to the lobster traps, with its ventral plunger, while awaiting an appealing meal to pass him nearby.

This accidental capture was made in the Oyster Bassin. This is proof that our inside waters are very valuable and sometimes present an unsuspected biodiversity....

Then, it is for good reason for that we collectively work in favor of the harmonious and durable development of these interior waters, with respect to the usages, the resources and the environment. Excellent week to all!!!

Yves Martinet, directeur
Comité ZIP des Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Bureau 209, 330 Ch. Principal, Cap-aux-Meules, Qc
G4T 1C9
Tél./fax.: (418)986-6633
Courriel: carto@zipdesiles.org
Site: http://www.zipdesiles.org

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1990, Maria Arseneau and Avila Chevrier celebrated their seventieth wedding anniversary. Mr. Chevrier was nicknamed the living encyclopedia because of his interests and of his exceptionnel curiosity, that made him a door to the history of our country. Mrs and Mr Chevrier celebrated their seventy-third wedding anniversary on the year of the Magdalen Islands bicentennial.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1967, The G.C. Colonial ran aground off the shores of Newfoundland. The crew of the 97 foot trawler was saved thanks to is motorized lifeboat.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1895, the government sanctioned the law, voted on in 1894, to discretely re-purchase the lands of the Magdalen Islands.

- from the official website of the Magdalen Islands
Ephemerides by Lise Bouffard

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

In 1987, there was a general assembly for the foundation of the Corporation for the access and the protection of Brion Island, held at the Carrefour Unite, in Grindstone. The December before in 1986, his honour Judge Frederic Dorion authorized the government of Quebec to acquire Brion Islands from the Texaco Company for the sum of $395,000. In the establishment of the value of the island, the judge advantageously favoured the usage of the conservation the would be used in the form of recreation.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1928, Magdalen Islands mail was brought to the islands for the first time by plane. Pilot, Romeo Vachon flew a single-engine Fairchild plane that was registered to G. -CAIP, on the account of the Company, Canadian Transcontinental Airways accros the ice covered Gulf of Saint Lawrence to deliver the mail. He repeated the trip nine times during that winter, dropping it by parachute on several occasions because the temperature was such that he could not land.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

The son of Romeo Vachon has put a biography up on the world wide web and the links are provided in the story. To the right is a plane, a Fairchild G-CAIP which would have been similar to that which he flew to the islands. Links provided show the plane dropping mail to the North Shore during the same year and the same month. The photo is courtesy of RON DUPAS MENU and the Fairchild company.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

Trader's Currency Token of the Magdalen Islands

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The Magdalen Islands had only one coin - a 1 Penny token issued in 1815 by Admiral Sir Isaac Coffin.

The obverse of the coin depicts a seal on an ice floe. It is inscribed 'MAGDALEN ISLAND TOKEN 1815'. The reverse of the coin depicts two gutted fish similar to that depicted on 1/2d. tokens from Prince Edward Island. The reverse inscription is 'SUCCESS TO THE FISHERIES', which refers to the fishing industry essential to the islands' economy.

This coin is very sought after by collectors of British Empire coins, not just those of Canada, as this piece is very rare.

After the American Revolution, the Magdalen Islands were granted to Sir Isaac Coffin, who only once visited his American possessions; this was in 1815. Before starting, he ordered a large number of these coins and a coining press from Sir Edward Thomason, of Birmington. These, he brought to the Islands, where the coins were distributed. It was originally intended to strike half-pennies also, but none were struck.

The Musé de la Mer in Amherst, Magdalen Islands has one or two of these coins on display. There is a photograph of one of the coins at the Council of Anglophone Magdalen Islanders or C.A.M.I. of Old Harry, Magdalen Islands.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1867, Father Charles-Nazaire Boudreau, the first priest to originate from the Magdalen Islands, did up the annual tax accounts for the factory in House Harbour. It is the last time they are done up in the louis, shellings and deniers money exchange.

This information was loosely translated from:
- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

Of course, in 1867, Canada became a nation under one rule. Quebec was one of the four first provinces to join the Confederation. The money would have all become the same used in all united provinces.

Father Charles-Nazaire Boudreau was born in 1822, to Benoit and Genevieve Boudreau. After his studies at Saint-Therese college, near Montreal, and Prince Edward Island, he was ordained as a priest at Rustico, in 1846. He was named Priest in Charge at Amherst in 1849 and lived 39 years in the service of the people of the Magdalen Islands. He was the only priest on the islands during the years 1874 and part of 1875.

This information was loosely translated from:
- From Deux siecles d'Histoire, Iles de la Madeleine 1793-1992, by Chantal Naud

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1948, The lighthouse keepers of the Bird Rocks and of Brion Island and their families were returned to the main islands. Mr. Reid Turnbull was at the time the keeper of the lighthouse on Brion Island and he stayed there with his wife and two children. Mr. Alfred Arseneau was the keeper on the Bird Rocks with his wife and their four children. The ship Le Sorel arrived at the Bird Rocks first to pick up the Arseneau family and then sailed to the west end of Brion to retrieve the Turnbull family before setting sail for Grindstone, where the two families debarked.

This information was loosely translated from:
- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

Although the fact does not say why the families were brought from the lighthouses concerned, I am assuming that the Canadian Government decided that the lighthouses were not needed during the freeze up months of the year. This fact was perhaps the first year that the keepers did not remain at their posts all year long. Due to all the tragedies on the Bird Rocks and the winter retrieval of one of the keepers on Brion, perhaps the Politicians of the day decided since there were no ships in the area, there was no need to keep the lights working.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

In 1981, The Villa Plaissance opened its doors to elderly persons.

- from the official website of the Magdalen Islands
Ephemerides by Lise Bouffard

Villa Plaissance was the first senior citizens home, for elderly people who are not critically ill enough for the third floor of the hospital for the chronically ill, but are incapable of caring for themselves or their families are incapable of caring for them any longer could go for adequate specialized care. For the past few years, fund raisers have been taking place to build a new care facility to take the place of the aging building that is the Villa Plaissance. There are now several homes for the elderly, which have varying amounts of care given.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1919, the old convent, Notre-Dame des Flots was inaugurated by the Sisters of the Notre-Dame Congregation. This convent had been constructed by the perishers of House Harbour under the leadership of Father Samuel Turbide. Today, the convent has been transformed into a hotel called" Chez Gaspard".

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

In 1997, Father Francois Boudreau died at the age of 82.

- from the official website of the Magdalen Islands
Ephemerides by Lise Bouffard

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1960, the people of Grindstone created the parish of Saint Andre and appointed Abby Lionel Lafrance as the Priest in Charge. The construction of the church began on April 26th, 1967. The cost of the construction was around $345,000. It was necessary to take out a loan so that the church could be built within ten years.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1910, the under water telecommunications cable between the Magdalen Islands and the bay of Cape Saint Lawrence, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia was ruptured by shoal ice in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. This telegraphic cable was the only means of communication with the mainland, during this era. Because of ice conditions, ships and boats rarely sailed in the Gulf and airtravel had not yet started, so mail could not be dropped off.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1794, the first parish assembly was held at the church at the foot of the Demoiselles mountain. The verbal process of this assembly is written in an absolute order is accurately preserved in the parish registers of Amherst Island.


- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1913, The priest Samuel Turbide brings to the convent the bulletin marconigramme. For the most part, the news is political in nature. This bulletin was composed by Joseph Lebourdais, son of Augustus Lebourdais, father of modern Islands communication.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

This activity on it's own does not seem so special. However, coupled with the fact that the under water cable had been severed in 1910 and there was no communication at all to the islands for a while, this action seems quite amazing, given that it was a simple broadcast of political news.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

Snow!

Once again, it snow the whole day, but it was mostly a light snowfall. It has left many people stranded in their driveways and it will be several days before things get back to normal.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1889, the Islands Municipality instructed the town crier to relay a public message. The record contained the note, "I, Alexandre Therriau, the under signed, public crier, living in the parish of House Harbour, certify under my office oath, that I have published the public notice annexed to the present while posting a copy at the place fixed by the council and have read it in a strong and intelligent voice, to the door of the School House in Grosse Isle, the third day of the month of January, eighteen hundred eighty-nine. In faith, I give this certificate. Alex Terriau.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

It does not say what the notice was about, that he stuck on the door of the Grosse Isle schoolhouse. I'm assuming that it is an invitation to join the Municipality of the Magdalen Islands or what would later become the regional government, because the original East End Municipality started in or around that date.

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

Second Storm of the Year

• Feels Like: -16
• Wind: N 69km/h
• Wind gusts: 81km/h
• Sunrise: 7:54
• Sunset: 16:27

• Relative Humidity: 86%
• Pressure: 99.13 kPa
• Visibility: 0.2 km
• Ceiling: 0 ft

The weather outside is horrible. It has been storming, snow and blowing snow, the entire day. Even the horses refused to go out. The temperature outside the airport is -5C, but it is probably warmer here in Old Harry, since we're more sheltered with forest.

I've wrote a whole story on the storm of '82 on the Gimme A Dream Site that is quite interesting because I rambled off topic in several areas, talking about disasters and house fires and traffic jams in Grande-Entree, lol! Dare you to take a look!

For the entire Weather forecast for the Islands see the Weather Network.

Island Made

This is a quilt block 12"x12" of Grosse Isle's third Anglican church, the Holy Trinity, which was built in 1928 after the second church blew off it's foundation on Grosse Isle North.

It was built in 1928 and has undergone renovations to the doorstep and the steeple. In the seventies someone decided that the original steeple was too high and became damaged by the high winds far too often so villagers were contracted to cut the steeple down. Most people say that the church is not as attractive as it once was because of the renovations.

The interior sports beautiful stained glass windows that were donated in memory of villagers and hard-wood stained walls, domed ceiling and floor. It also has the only pipe organ on the islands.

The photo to the right is how it looks now and the two below are stained glass windows from within.

Click on the images for a more detailed image.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1875, the villagers of Etang-du-Nord created the new Municipal Corporation. On the second day of January, Mister J.B. Painchaud, Mayor of the islands and village of Amherst and Prefect of the Magdalen Islands, conveyed a public assembly to elect seven councilors for the new municipality of Etang-du-Nord.

- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!

Island Made

This hand-crafted beaded choker was made of blown glass beads in variegated blues and variegated blue through purple glass seed beads. It was macramed with off-white number 10 cotton twine.

On this day in Our Islands History

In 1875, the first council for the Committee of the Magdalen Islands was sanctioned by Law 37, Vic. ch. 43, which came in force on the first of January, 1875. The council was comprised of the municipalities of Amherst, Etang-du-Nord and the Island of Alright. This first council was composed of Charles E. Chaisson, Prefect, Edouare Borne, register officer, Nectaire Arseneault and Charles Chaisson, councilers.


- From the chronicle's of historian Father Frédéric Landry
Événements Historiques Agenda (Septembre 1993 à Septembre 1994)

If anyone has any ideas on the subject, please feel free to make suggestions in the comment section of this posting!