After sold-out shows in St. John’s and Halifax in 2019, well known Afro-German-Caribbean disco and funk vocal group Boney M. featuring Liz Mitchell return to Atlantic Canada for seven ‘Holiday Favourites and Classic Hits’ shows this November and December.

Tickets for Halifax, Moncton, Charlottetown, Truro, and Sydney go on sale this Friday, September 23 at 10 a.m. and tickets for Corner Brook and St. John’s go on sale this Friday, September 23 at 12 noon.

Tickets for the Corner Brook show will be available online at cbciviccentre.com

Tickets for the St. John’s show will be available at the Mary Brown’s Centre Box Office (50 New Gower Street), by calling 1-709-576-7657 and online at mbcentre.ca

Originally founded in Germany by writer and producer Frank Farian, Boney M. was one of the disco-oriented pop acts which dominated the European charts throughout the late seventies and early eighties with a string of hits well remembered to this day. The band has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and their discography of hits is extensive. The group had eight #1 hits on the European charts, including Daddy Cool, Sunny, Ma Baker, Belfast, Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring, Rasputin, and Mary’s Boy Child. In addition to the successes of Boney M’s singles was the success of three #1 albums in the European market.

Now in the 21st Century, there is obviously no doubt that songs from the past are far more popular than ever before. Boney M’s international success during the past thirty-five years has proven that their hits belong to the collection of timeless classics. In 2022, Boney M. featuring Liz Mitchell is still a phenomenal live act drawing huge crowds across Europe.  The live show is as spectacular as ever and they are currently making live appearances in concert halls, arenas, and festivals around the world.

Boney M. live in Atlantic Canada is presented by VaughCo Entertainment: vaughncoentertainment.com

The Salvation Army in Conception Bay South have faithful church attendees from all over the world these days, says Major Chris Pilgrim. 

With the largest online following of any church in the province – averaging 2000+ following and watching the service at home from the church’s location in CBS every Sunday on Facebook and YouTube – Pastor Pilgrim shared it all came about because there was a need. 

‘The first lockdown’

“When we had the first lockdown, we felt the need to do something when it came to holding church services, but how could we do it when we weren’t allowed in our buildings?” he opened.  Having a “somewhat musically gifted family,” Pilgrim decided to try holding services from his living room. 

“There were five of us and we just decided that we would give it a try so we went live on a Sunday evening just with our family and from there it just took off.”

The response has been amazing, he added. 

“It’s just incredible how the audience just gravitated to the ministry that we were putting out. I guess the old traditional songs that we were singing and our style of worship people enjoyed and it brought about, I believe, some encouragement and a message of hope that people needed during some of the darkest times that they’d ever seen.”

Challenging place

 Keeping the faith, so to speak, helped cope with “the uncertainties that the pandemic brought,” he added.  

“At least they had something to look forward to on Sunday, particularly to those who were faithful church attenders for years and all of a sudden church doors are closed and they can’t attend. It put some in a very challenging place and we were able to provide a service that brought about some hope and gave folks something to look forward to every Sunday, even if it was from their homes.”

The buildings may have been closed, he added, but church services could continue. 

Online presence

Even though church has resumed, they still keep up their online presence, he added. “We have a worldwide following, or a global following. Every Sunday when we go live we have a thousand plus viewers. We’re huge on YouTube as well, with 6,000 hits each service. By the end of the week through Facebook Live we get 20,000 plus views.”

Receiving messages from all over the world is inspirational, Pilgrim added,  “It is just truly remarkable how far reaching this is. It’s brought us to a whole new era of ministry that we never, ever felt we would get to. But it’s just incredible to know of the following and the interest and the encouragement that people give us weekly and the thrill for us is that we know they have the privilege of enjoying church from the comfort and safety of home.” 

Pilgrim says he recognizes many are still struggling. Is there a message at this time of year he’d like to get out to those in need?

“Christmas has become commercialized as we all know, and I think it’s taken the joy out of what this season should be about. You know the old Christmas song that says that this is the most wonderful time of the year? I think many people would push back on that and say, ‘not a chance,’ with the commercialism and the hustle and bustle of it all it’s taken some of the joy away.” 

The message he would put forth is simple. “Get back to the basics of what this season is all about, where it all originated and that is the birth of Jesus. He came to give us hope, peace, joy and love, not just this time of the year, but throughout our lives in the midst of the chaos,” he shared.

“We can gravitate to that message to find peace, he added. Remember Matthew 1:23 which says, So all this was done that it might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ Pilgrim shared. “God is with us. And we can, I think, hold fast to that message all throughout the year and hold to it through a pandemic or whatever it is that we’re going through. I guess that’s the message I wanted to bring out. That’s the truth of it for us.”  

NTV’s Sunday Service

NTV has been helping connect viewers to their faith as well, airing Sunday church services from local parishes each Sunday morning at 10:30 A.M. 

Lindsey Andrews, the General Manager at NTV/OZFM and The Newfoundland Herald, shared that the Sunday Service homepage has received over 15,226 page views since the program launched back in April 2020.

It started off with four churches in rotation, Andrews explained; Salvation Army in CBS, Bethesda Pentecostal Church on MacDonald Drive in St. John’s, St. Mark’s Anglican Church on Logy Bay Road in St. John’s and St. Peter’s Parish Roman Catholic Church in Mount Pearl.

 A number of months ago, the United Church in Cowan Heights was added to the rotation as well.

“NTV is very proud, in these pandemic times, to be able to help folks stay connected through their faith,” Andrews shared.

“It has been simply amazing to realize that so many of our viewers watch the weekly Sunday Service program. NTV genuinely appreciates the commitment of the five church denominations for providing their services for us to broadcast,” he added.

This time of year especially, when so many usually attend church services with family, having access to options is important. Spreading a message filled with peace, joy, and hope is always important, but it’s perhaps even more special and more needed at Christmas.

Blessed Christmas

Andrews says he knows the good that has come out of helping local churches spread their message of hope, because he hears regularly from appreciative viewers. It means so much, he shared, to know how much joy NTV has helped spread when it was needed the most.

Any final words, we ask. Andrews nodded. “On behalf of all of us at NTV, have a blessed Christmas season.”

Fore more visit: ntv.ca/category/programs/sunday-services/

Students and staff at Frank Roberts Junior High in Foxtrap organized what they called a Passion Project, raising $2,850 (and rising) so students could prepare cards and stockings for guests at The Gathering Place in St. John’s. 

The gifts would be given out on December 19th at the Christmas Dinner as well as on Christmas Eve. The purpose of the school’s Passion Project? To demonstrate compassion and hope for those in need. 

When The Herald reached out to Paul Davis, Executive Director at The Gathering Place, he shared that his team and those who benefit from the kindness of others, were very grateful for such efforts especially at Christmas. 

Shifting needs 

“This is a very busy time and with the weather changing it creates more challenges. The challenges change as the seasons change, as you can imagine,” he began. 

Colder weather means the needs “are shifting” and having access to shelter and warm clothing becomes part of the focus, he added.  But, Davis continued, “The Gathering Place has become a very busy place throughout the year, and the demand for services continues to grow over the last number of years.”

There may be a notion that there’s no homelessness or hunger or need throughout NL because of the way we are as a people – naturally giving –  but that’s not the case. 

“There are also people who are housed, but it is precariously housed, meaning they live in less than ideal housing arrangements. That exists in Newfoundland, Labrador,” he said.  

Aiding those in need

The history of The Gathering Place goes back to the establishment of the Presentation Sisters and Sisters of Mercy back in the early 1800s, Davis continued. 

“They made it their mission for so many years to assist those in need and to help with food and nourishment and the very basics of life’s needs.” 

When the denominational education system was reorganized in the 90s, things changed as congregations began working together. “Making a pot of soup or a pot of stew or something a couple times a week to feed those in need was really the start of The Gathering Place but since then, it’s grown,” he said.

There was an understanding that there were needs for nourishment, yes, but also for other services and programs. 

“I quite often say, The Gathering Place is so much more than a soup kitchen. We’ve grown into a social space for one thing. We have case managers, and they deal with individual matters pertaining to income support, housing or, I should say, lack of housing challenges. They deal with referrals to deal with mental health and addictions. Sometimes people have legal issues, and it doesn’t have to be criminal. It could be property issues or the passing of a close family relative, and they have some legal matters that need to get sorted out.” Any personal areas where people sometimes need extra help, the case managers are there. Having a close relationship with Eastern Health has helped, he added. From dental services provided from a state-of-the-art dental clinic (at no cost) to music and art and empowerment programs, The Gathering Place is there to help “our most vulnerable and marginalized citizens,” Davis said. Shower facilities. Laundry facilities. Anything that can help “normalize” life is so important, Davis shared. 

‘A major operation’ 

“Most recently added to The Gathering Place was a shelter, which was added in October 2020. It’s designed for short visits, but unfortunately, far too often guests end up staying longer than expected or staying longer than what’s ideal because of circumstances.” 

If people want to give time, money, clothing or food; what is it that is required this time of year? 

“All of that’s important. We have about 250 volunteers who are regular volunteers and they come once a week and several of them come more than once a week. They help out primarily in our kitchen and our dining room. Our kitchen is producing about 3,000 meals a week right now, and we provide breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, 365 days a year. So it’s a major operation,” he said.

Kindness wanted 

Such efforts come with a cost so financial support is important, he added. So is volunteer support. Many groups, organizations or companies will come in and assist in the dining room,  especially this time of year, Davis shared, and such support is always welcome. Ocean Choice International, for instance, provides fish for their Friday meals.

The Gathering Place “greatly appreciates everybody who makes donations,” Davis added, but space is limited. 

Right now, they are interested in receiving  “specific items that will assist in cold weather. Coats and gloves and those kinds of things,” Davis shared. 

Anyone who would like to help can donate right on the website, kindnesswanted.ca, or they can call the office at 709-753-3234. There’s also a growing social media presence too via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, Davis added. 

The most important thing to remember?  Kindness matters. It doesn’t matter what time of year, Davis added. 

“In 2014 there were 400 registered guests. By 2019 that grew to 900. Today there are 2,000 registered guests and an estimated 1,000-plus unregistered, so the need is great.”

“If I can’t help, I won’t hurt,” is a long-held personal philosophy of mine, so is “kill them with kindness.” 

With few exceptions, a dispute with me will have me saying, “well, bless your heart” even if it’s through clenched teeth. I’ll resort to a comical retort before uttering something nasty, at the very least.  

busy being fabulous

I’m also the first to admit my flaws are many. I’m often much too busy being fabulous as I like to say – or busy being busy, as others claim – and those who could use a little more of me just being present, quiet and still don’t always get what they wish for. 

Also, much to the horror of my clean-freak kin, if cleanliness – as in freshly dusted surfaces and Pine-sol-clad hallways – are next to godliness, I’ll never, ever call Mount Olympus home. 

My purse is such a state that if any ne’er-do-well were to snatch it, they’d give up searching for valuables and return it to save themselves the hassle. You get the picture. 

Even though I’ve long accepted myself – and the flaws and fabulous that come with that – I also humbly admit I’ve been putting a lot of work into finding the best me over the years. 

I’ve always been a person of great faith, but I also believe in the power of positive thinking and manifestation. You know, be the person you want to attract and remove as much of the ‘haters gonna hate’ energy as you can if you plan on living your best life, and all that good stuff. 

personal goals

Combining peaceful religious conviction with uplifting self-help strategies can help achieve personal goals. Focusing thoughts upon any desired outcome makes sense to me, and so all that law of attraction stuff has been helpful.

When I turned 50, I was reminded that it’s highly likely that I’ve lived longer than I’m going to. That was an eye opener. So was the realization that the dash that exists between our birth year and our death year is where all the important stuff happens and so I’ve made a commitment to live that dash and to follow my dreams and to ask for what I want  because no one else will. 

Why does all this matter as we head into Christmas and the new year? Well, being at peace with the things out of our control helps. 

Accepting God’s plan adds peace, but there are things we have control over too. I’ve all but eliminated the doubters and the bring-you-downers and the bullies from my life. My circle might be smaller, but it’s way more healthy for me.

‘I will attract’

While muttering “I will not chase, I will attract,” and “I am enough,” have been powerful and uplifting, so has focusing on my faith.  Matthew 15:11 reminds me to be kind; “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth,” will never lead  me astray.  

Often the missing puzzle piece at Christmas as we search the stores for that perfect present is the knowledge that the best gift to give and receive costs so little. That gift is kindness and love. 

NTV’s Chief Meteorologist Eddie Sheerr was visiting family in the states, there to celebrate American Thanksgiving, when we spoke via Skype for The Herald’s cover story. Wife Susan was home alone with the two wee ones, Emily and Allie, for a few days and it – understandably – took her a few extra minutes to be able to join in on our call.

Bittersweet reunion

“It’s bittersweet being here. I’m happy, it’s been 635 days since my last visit, and it’s great to see everyone, but I miss my girls,” he said sincerely. 

Susan, with her hair in a practical though preciously sweet mom-approved pinned-up ponytail, sighed – just a little.

“There’s lots of bittersweet when you have kids. It’s been hectic heading into the holidays, but of course it’s going to be a fun year because Emily’s really excited. She’s talking about Santa. She’s already excited seeing the lights up and so she’s aware of what’s going on this year. Allie, of course, won’t be – she’s too young –but we’re excited,” Susan said.

‘Life in general’

Eddie nodded. “It’s fun just to have the girls around. But life in general, with the two of them at the age they are, is hectic,” he admitted.

Still, the two of them are nothing if not grateful and blessed. 

“It’s different with two and it’s different going through the baby/newborn stage again because we learned so much with Emily. So there’s a lot less panic when it comes to settling Allie when she needs something. But, you know, as Susan said too, it’s hectic, because the difficulty level hasn’t gone up by a factor of one. It’s gone up by a factor of like 10.”

The two of them laugh – one only a parent can get. As a mom myself, I feel their joy as well as their parental pain.  

What’s it like to be state-side visiting family after such a long time away? “Indescribable,” Eddie said. 

The last time he saw his nieces, they were one and three. Now Maddie and Riley seem so grown up, he shared.  

“The differences in them now are just incredible. And it was like, ‘wow.’ It did my heart so good – filled it – to get to see them and hold them and hug them again and spend time with them. And I don’t know if I really was able to fully comprehend how much I missed them.”

Giving thanks

Still, there’s that ease of settling back in with family that so many of us who have lived away know. “It’s also strange because, on the one hand, it’s been a while since I’ve been home. On the other hand, like it just feels like everything was on pause and that we just resumed everything. It fills my heart. It’s weird. It’s very strange. This whole pandemic has been very strange.”

While he’s there to celebrate Thanksgiving, hanging out is important too. 

“It’s just good to see my nieces and my brother and to be together with my parents.”

Of course travelling with two small girls wasn’t wise, so they are at home with Susan. How’s she doing?

While Eddie’s away

“Mom has been here helping out on-and-off since Allie’s been born, and she’s here this week while Eddie’s away. So that’s been a great help because of course, we don’t have any family on the Avalon. So having the two children with just myself and Eddie has been difficult, and having a toddler in daycare who’s always sick and trying to balance all that has been difficult,” she shared honestly. 

Eddie, who is obviously still suffering from a handed-over head cold, smiles at his wife over our Skype call.

Finding the time

Eddie is passionate about his family. He’s also very passionate about the weather, though he admits it can be difficult to balance it all.

“It’s challenging to find the time that I would like to have for posting about weather and getting the most out of my workday. Emily, at least a little bit, is getting a bit easier to parent. But Allie is, obviously, very, very little still. And so, the two of them, and Susan too, have to be a priority and parenting needs to come first. I know that people rely on me,  but I’m a one man show and there’s only so many hours in the day.” 

Eat, drink & be merry

Anything special planned for the holidays? “Survive,” Eddie said. We all laugh. “Eat, drink and be merry,” Susan added in a way that really said ‘they’ll not be much time for any of that.’ Some ‘I hear ya’’ and ‘been there’ laughter.  

“We’re just honestly trying to survive right now, you know? These few days without me is really hard on Susan. It’s tough on your own. She’s got her hands full and I’m very appreciative that I’m able to go down and see my family while she does it all.”

Teaming up

Their only wish? To get through the holidays by “teaming up.” 

“We will be a good team and will be a good parental team. But, you know, essentially, like anything else right now, it’s just about survival and getting through the days. You know, anyone with newborns will tell you, it’s not that easy much of the time,” Eddie said.

The Sheerr’s share they feel the love from the community.  NTV viewers always support their family, they say.

“We would like to, first of all, say thank you for all the kind words and well-wishes. It means a lot to Susan and I. You know, it’s hard to put into words how people have welcomed me and welcomed Susan and our family into their homes every night and really made us part of their extended families. So it does mean a lot and we are very appreciative of it.”

But then, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are known for their kindness, Eddie continued. “Newfoundland and Labrador is a lovely place for that. Everyone is very close knit and a tight group. And even if you’re not family, you feel like family, and that’s part of what I love about the province.” 

‘We are done!’

Susan says she shares in her husband’s sentiment regarding caring viewers.

“Just thank you for all the love and support. It’s great to see it and growing up in Newfoundland, I’m not surprised by that because  I’ve seen it before, but it is nice to feel it. So just a big thank you to everyone. The love and support really helps.”

There’s one more thing they feel compelled to share. “Oh. Tell everyone from us, ‘this is it! Two is plenty! We are done!’” Susan added with a laugh.

“No. There won’t be a third,” Eddie shared, adding; “We’re done here. We have two healthy girls who are, knock on wood, really amazing. We will stop at this point. We’re good.” 

Spend any time with the divine Shelley Neville and you can’t help but be swept up in an aura of awesome. The class. The humour. The passion. The talent. The love for what she does and the people around her. It’s all there and then some.

Annual extravaganza 

As Neville prepared for her annual extravaganza performance of O Holy Night – a concert filled with all the favourite Christmas songs and packed with unforgettable show-stopping performances by Shelley’s family (her hip-shaking Dad John along with her incredibly talented brother Johnny) and friends (Cory Tetford, David Pomeroy and Neville’s long-time stage partner Peter Halley return) she sat down with The Herald’s Managing Editor to talk cherished concert festivities as well as fabulous fashion!

As we flutter around her brilliantly decorated home and, most importantly, play with the ginormous collection of glorious gowns, Neville talked about the show’s show-stopper and namesake, O Holy Night. 

“I think it’s a song that is simply powerful. It’s like an operatic piece, but then it’s very quiet and sentimental, too. That’s what I like about it – that the song takes you through a journey. Then the words and the sentiment of the song is so special. Christmas can be hustle and bustle; decorating trees and buying gifts. But really, it’s about one night, one holy night,” she said beautifully.

From gown to gown 

As we shift from gown to gown, trying them on as we both ‘ooh and ahh,’ Neville shared the true sentiment and motivation behind the show, O Holy Night. 

“Myself and Dad and Johnny got together last night and rehearsed, and we talked about Mom a lot because I always will do a tribute to Mom in the show,” she shared. In fact, O Holy Night is dedicated to her mother, Sylvia.  

“Christmas Eve was a time that Mom and I would go to church together and I would sing O Holy Night and she would always say, ‘sing out loud,’ before I’d get up.”

The year she lost her mother, Neville found it hard to go back to church. 

“That was our time. After, we’d go back to the house with Dad and everyone and we’d all have a big party. But when Mom died, I wasn’t sure what to do, so I got together my family and friends and said, ‘I’ll do a concert and I won’t feel so sad’ and that’s why it started.” 

That was 14 years ago. “I do O Holy Night for Mom, because I wanted to continue to sing that song in her memory.”

Plus, performing O Holy Night inside a church, at First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity (formerly Cochrane street United Church) over Christmas is simply a glow that rivals even the most sparkly of gowns. 

“It’s a little girl’s dream as a singer to get to sing inside a church on Christmas Eve. And to sing O Holy Night? It’s simply the best feeling in the world.” 

Take in the beautiful Christmas tradition of O Holy Night, an unforgettable Christmas concert event, 8pm December 19, 20 and 21 at First Light Centre for Performance and Creativity (historically known as Cochrane Street United Church) located at 81 Cochrane Street, St. John’s. 

For more information visit eventbrite.ca

Newfoundland and it’s celebrated at The Rooms

Newfoundland’s history with Giant Squid is etched in many minds throughout the province, especially when visiting The Rooms in St. John’s. 

The one on display was caught by fishermen in Hare Bay 40 years ago, but the first giant squid ever scientifically documented and photographed was discovered in Newfoundland in 1873 and articles describing encounters with these “hitherto mythical devilfish” go back quite a ways. 

‘How glorious’

On the day The Herald’s Managing Editor Pam Pardy visited The Rooms (on her 52nd birthday!) it was also the giant squid’s 40th. There were crafts – from caps to ink-art – and all hands, young and old, were eager to participate. Jason Sellars, the way-cool Art Educator with The Rooms, began by showing how to master Gyotaku, the traditional Japanese method of printing using fish – or in this case squid – a practice which dates back to the mid-1800s. The reason we’re sticking our hands all over a dead and gutted squid, dipping it in ink and putting it on a piece of paper? 

“We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of the giant squid being in the Museum of Newfoundland Labrador and now being in The Rooms permanent collection. It’s on display here and has been one of the most popular exhibits we have. Kids don’t forget seeing it and adults love it, or they are kind of equal parts grossed out and thrilled at how glorious it is,” he opened with a laugh before covering his hands in black ink and dead squid bits.

‘Hands in’

Before trying my hand at the craft, I watch Daphne Rayner, visiting family  in NL from her Ontario home, create her dead fish masterpiece.

“This is great! I’m loving it! If it’s crafts, I love to be hands in,” she said.

Next it’s time to make a polar fleece squid hat! (The pattern is scaled down special for Herald readers. *Use Polar Fleece! It stretches and can fit any child or any adult with ease! Trust me!) 

“It’s a no-sew pattern, so it’s a great craft to do with kids, and this type of hat was really popular in the 90s when Polar Fleece was invented. I came up with this easy pattern so kids could leave The Rooms with a nice, warm fleece hat for the winter that looks like a giant squid,” he said.

Fun to be had

Crushed that you missed the giant squid celebrations? Don’t be! Besides the fact that Sellars and team re-created the squid hat pattern for Herald readers to do at home, there’s so much more fun to be had at The Rooms all year-round.  

“We have programs every week of the year, so check out our calendar and find out what’s on the go. There’s lots of Christmas programs and all kinds of things happening in the New Year as well,” he said.

Check out what’s on the go at The Rooms by visiting their Event Calendar at www.therooms.ca/events-calendar

Fergus O’Byrne and Jim Payne are legends in the traditional music world. O’Byrne even claims that he and Payne enjoy “bringing young people over to the dark-side of music: the folk side,” as often as they can. 

Rum Ragged young guns

Aaron Collis and Mark Manning, two members of the highly popular band Rum Ragged, were two “young guns” influenced by the two “old geezers” and the four have now joined (dark folk-side?) forces to bring traditional Christmas music to areas of the province. With tunes taken from two Christmas CDs – Jim Payne & Fergus O’Byrne’s A Lovely Time of Year and Rum Ragged’s At Christmas, the foursome will travel to George’s Brook, North River, Bonavista, Corner Brook, Mount Pearl and St. John’s between Dec. 9-21st.  

We ask O’Byrne where the motivation for the musical merging came from. 

“The b’ys with Rum Ragged had recorded several of Jim’s songs so we suggested to the two of them last year, would they like to collaborate,” he said. They joined forces for several successful shows at the Arts and Culture Centres back in June, he added, sharing there’s an interesting history. 

“The first time I met Mark he was only a teenager and I visited his school to perform. He remarked that the first time he ever came on stage, I backed him up. I’m not sure what he sang but that was his introduction to being a folk musician.” 

As for Collis?  “I first met him when he was 10 or 11. Aaron’s parents used to drive him to St. John’s to attend Young Folk at the Hall events and from there he obviously developed into what he has become,” O’Byrne shared.

Hitting the road

The connection Rum Ragged has with Payne is that they have recorded many of his songs. “When they first met with Jim,  four hours later they were coming out with a fistful of music. So it’s interesting to work with Aaron and Mark because they keep Jim and I fresh and working with younger musicians who are coming up with different ideas on what we’re doing is a good combination.”

Plus, all four are fabulous singers, so the acapella Christmas carols are “strong,” he added. O’Byrne says their shows include music that “hasn’t been played to death.” 

“It’s a great mix for the audience, for sure. People say, ‘Oh gosh, I never heard that before,’ but it’s been around for a couple of hundred years, but we’re bringing it to light.”  

Another great thing about this tour? “We’re very much interested in providing live performances for people in places where they don’t have to drive far. So we bring music into the communities and provide good entertainment and a safe night out in their own hometown.” 

O’Byrne says he’s excited to hit the road, and from the ticket sales so far, it seems fans are eager as well. 

“We hope folks come out for a great night of live music.” 

 For more visit www.singsonginc.ca 

There’s fun to be had whenever NTV’s Sharon Snow and OZFM’s Danielle Butt get together. It doesn’t matter if it’s work-related, the pleasure is evident as these two long-time co-workers turned friends unite.

One of the places these two fabulously brilliant, talented and stunningly beautiful ladies have a chance to let their hair down is anytime they share the coveted cover of The Newfoundland Herald.

“It’s always fun doing things with friends who lift you up and support you,” Snow begins as the two pose for picture number one the day of the Christmas Cookbook photo shoot. 

Butt and Snow give one another the once over (hair in place? Earrings straight?) and then easily strike a pose and smile for the camera, joking and having fun between setting swap outs and clothing changes. 

Enduring friendship

The glorious red fur coats the two ooze into thanks to the kindness of Always in Vogue, are swapped mid-way through the photo shoot to make sure they both get a chance to experience each jacket.

Sitting on the back of the truck on photo day in a field behind Snow’s house, they share a laugh and a nibble of the food the chefs brought that day to help merry up the backdrop.

When asked how their friendship has endured, it’s an easy answer.

“We just have fun and enjoy one another’s company. From working together on Places to Go and Made Right Here, to weather hits, we’ve had many chances to work together,” Butt shared.

 “Even Christmas is a time to work together. We do the Christmas Parade every year – I host and Sharon is in the parade – and there’s the Salvation Army Dream Tree and the Christmas Kettle. These things are growing traditions here at the company that we get to be involved with together,” Butt added. 

RELATED: NEW & POPULAR
Writing World | Linden MacIntrye’s The Winter Wives
CONCERT | Johnny Reid Announces NL Tour
CONCERT| Alan Doyle to Make Live Theatre Debut

 Of course, while work is always busy for both women, they always make time for family around Christmas too. 

“We always talk about the value of Christmas memories. Danielle has granddaughters now, one born on her birthday, so Christmas is even more special now,” Snow said. 

Alice and Charlotte certainly make the holidays a little more merry. From baking to heading out around the bay to celebrate at Gunner’s Pond, Butt  shared she can’t wait for family time. 

Snow shared that heading home to Fogo is still a big part of her Christmas tradition. So is making the annual gingerbread house.

“Myself and the kids actually decorated a gingerbread house for one of The Herald covers. It happens every year with my cousin Darlene and her kids, who are about the same age, as Jorja and Ethan, so we do that together every year. Actually, we missed one year and we vowed we’d never let that happen again because we always have a blast.”

‘Kids make Christmas’

 Butt smiles, eager to begin such traditions with her own young granddaughters. “Alice loves to bake. And she’s just so cute. Kids make Christmas so much fun,” Butt said.

Butt also has a very special role come Christmas and that’s being Santa’s little helper around the NTV studio.

“Santa comes into NTV every year to read children’s letters to Santa and I get the honour of helping out with that. That’s always so much fun.”

 Now that her kids are older, is it still Christmas around the Snow household? Is it still magical? 

“Oh yes, absolutely. The kids are big on Christmas. Ordinarily, we would have the house decorated by now. Jorja’s birthday coming up, she will be sweet 16, and we’ve been doing some renovations, so it’s been busy, but we will start decorating soon,” Snow said.

 The tree decorating is always a special time. “We select a Christmas movie and will have a hot chocolate and treats. We spread everything out and the cat goes crazy. It’s a happy, happy time,” Snow laughed. Butt can relate, sharing a photo of her adorable pup, Stevie Nicks. Is Stevie excited for Christmas? 

“Stevie is excited for everything. And yes, she has a couple of outfits for Christmas,” Butt admitted with a laugh.  

The two women say that this year is special for so many across the province and around the world. “We’ve just all been through so much. It’s time to enjoy family and embrace Christmas traditions, whatever they happen to be for us,” Snow said. 

Butt couldn’t agree more.

“Just do what works for your family. Bring in new traditions. Celebrate with family. Enjoy the time you get to spend with one another.”

Time together

And spend time with co-workers you love too, they add. 

Butt smiles across the table at Snow before speaking. “We like each other. We enjoy each other’s company. We hike. We laugh. We share. And we lift each other up, because why not?”

Another great memory? A recent work-related road trip to commemorate 9/11. Snow gets the last word. 

“It was nice to get outside of the building together and be together. While we were still working, we really enjoyed each other’s company. It was fun that we could do a road trip like that for something so meaningful and share it with someone who means so much.”     

From lost loved ones to broken hearts and failed grades – doesn’t matter the woe when it comes to grub. If there’s a tear to be shed or a bawl to be bellowed, it’s usually done over either a bowl of some appropriately titled comfort food or a steaming mug of tea and a piled up plate of homemade sweets.

Perfect pick-me-up

If you are a parent, I guarantee you’ve hustled to the kitchen to rustle up a favourite meal for a child in need. My oldest child’s favourite Mommy meal is baked beans. Anytime that kid had a crisis, the beans went right in soak. My daughter’s go-to is homemade chicken soup, and it’s literally good for the soul as well as a perfect pick-me-up when feeling a wee bit under the weather. 

You don’t even need to eat the food to get the feels either. Anytime I smell fish frying I think of my Mother pouring love into her perfectly pan-fried to perfection portions of fish fillets, and who hasn’t thought of Nan when they smell Sunday dinner or catch the whiff of freshly baked bread? 

You knows you’re a family favourite when you get invited over for a sometimes scarce meal of turr or a fresh but dear feed of lobster or halibut. From births and baptisms to sick bed sides and funeral homes – if comfort or care is needed throughout the province then there’s a filled-to-the-brim tupperware or reusable multi-purpose ol’ Quality Street tin to the rescue. 

Our NL food brigage is a real cradle to the grave crowd. Have something worth celebrating? Let’s eat cake, and lots of it! Feeling down? Come here I feeds ya and fills ya up, me ducky, luh! 

Home-made grub

Of course the reverse is also true. I always knew I was in the dog house if rabbit was served or if there was no reminder to save room for dessert, though thankfully those times were few and far between. 

Food is part of our memory banks when it comes to Christmas too. From baking cookies for family and friends – and Santa too of course – to stogging the freezer with moose for the bay-crowd kin guaranteed to drop in on Tibb’s Eve for a swalley and a bowl of stew, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians show their love with home-made grub. 

But of course love doesn’t only come from a nose covered with flour or hands made raw from all the veggie peeling. Sure it wouldn’t be the holidays if you weren’t filling the pantry with on-sale tins of milk for the tea lovers or buying back-up bottles of Purity syrup for the youngsters, now would it? 

It all boils down to what’s on the stove on boil, I suppose. From fish on Christmas Eve to turkey on the table come Christmas Day – family around a table filled with food simply means the world.