One visit to the Newfoundland Chocolate Company’s Torbay Road location  – which also just happens to be a café and chocolate factory besides hosting a delectable storefront – and you are hooked and enthralled with all the possible chocolate delights! 

From their take on fish and chips to bars that proudly display their NL heritage and celebrate the dialect (like ‘God Love  Your Cotton Socks,’ ‘You got Me Drove’ and simply ‘Skipper’) the merry crew at the Newfoundland Chocolate company have an edible something for everyone. 

Supporting Ukraine

Christina Dove, CEO/Owner of NL Chocolate Company, takes a moment from the magical mixing and creating out back in the factory to talk chocolate and giving back. Take their Ukraine Bars, for example, she begins proudly. “We started making and designing the bars and the labels because we wanted to be able to give back and do something where one hundred per cent proceeds go to the Ukraine Red Cross and they’ve been going so well,” she said.

In fact, it was the bars in support of Ukraine that brought The Herald over to visit. Dove had heard that The Herald’s Managing Editor, Pam Pardy, had a son on the HMCS Halifax and that Pardy was looking for local items to add to her lad’s next box of morale mail headed to the Canadian Navy ship stationed at the ready on a NATO mission in water near Ukraine.

“I heard that the captain was from Newfoundland and that many of the crew on board are from this province, and after 14 years in business, one of our main values is to reach out to the community and provide any kind of support or awareness that we can.”

It was hearing of a mom who wanted to send a loving ‘care package’ from home that pulled at her heartstrings.

“They are over doing a humanitarian mission with NATO so I asked myself, ‘how can we help?’”

Dove donated 271 (one special ‘Skipper’ bar was tossed in last minute for the NL-born captain, Dale St. Croix) NL Chocolate chocolate bars with local sayings – enough for every person on the ship and a few left over for good measure. 

Dove smiled from ear-to-ear, proud to have been able to do “something.”

“This was an awesome opportunity to include something sweet from home with the next morale mail shipment. I was happy to be able to give back and thank them and show them that we actually support them and love them and we are so thankful that they are carrying the responsibility for all of us, and it’s a heavy responsibility to be over there so supporting and helping in any way we can is what we all should be doing,” she said. 

Carve a capelin

Dove proudly provides a tour of the premises. She holds one special chocolate mould that bears a striking resemblance to a capelin. She laughed. 

“My dad used to always go down to Middle Cove to catch capelin and the whole house used to smell like fish and we’d all smell like capelin going to school, so I never liked them,” she said.

She had an idea, however, and created the flopping fishes out of chocolate.  

“I carve a lot of our chocolate moulds – I do a lot of creating here – and so I thought I’d carve a capelin and make a chocolate capelin, which is actually the best way to enjoy them I think.”

From their chocolate fish and chips to their artisan boxed chocolates made from fresh, local ingredients, to fresh on-site made Gelato, there’s something tantalizing for all taste buds.

“We have a lot of fun with our products, like we created bergy bites which are marshmallow and  chocolate and we make puffin eggs which are solid chocolate and we do all kinds of snack foods now too. People are in a rush and come in grabbing popcorn or chips or bark and of course all that is covered in chocolate,” she shared.

There’s bakery-fresh goods too like oat cakes and muffins, and everything that goes onto their goodies includes chocolate and – where possible – ingredients fresh from home. 

There’s one more ingredient too, and that’s a whole lot of love! 

Edible goodness

Dove acquired her love of edible goodness the old-fashion way – she inherited it. 

“Ted Dove is my dad and he started making fudge years and years ago, it was called Poppy’s Old Fashioned Fudge, and it was always popular, so I guess I got my love of creating sweets from him,” she said.

The fudge has long been a family tradition, but so is the love of this province and its people. “Dad still comes in to talk to everyone and all the staff will say ‘oh Poppy was in today,’ and that’s always great to hear.” 

For more visit newfoundlandchocolatecompany.com 

The race does not always go to the swiftest or so we are told in Ecclesiastes. The cold reality is that it usually does and smart money bets it that way. 

Those words are a grim reminder that the bloody war in Ukraine continues to ooze across that smashed nation and there seems no sign in sight of the Russians even thinking about a cease fire.

Moral support for Ukraine fighters after the Russian invasion is all over the place but they, the Ukrainian fighters,  are essentially on their own. I know you do not like to hear that, in fact I don’t like writing it; but it is true. Also true is that as horrible as it is in Ukraine the lead story these days is from Texas and yet another attack by a gunman on children. Such is news.  

Uneven Struggle

Now the last two world wars were settled and won by the guys with the most men and the most bullets. You look back to history and it is but a rare conflict where that does not happen. The great exception was Vietnam where the Americas were beat up despite the fact they had every weapon on the face of the earth but lost anyway because they just were not sure where to point those guns. That tragic war was fought in jungles often and all solders were not in uniform. 

It was an uneven struggle in terms of weapons, but it was not at all like the Ukrainian situation. Russian invasion is more a conventional battle where raining firepower on towns and cities is not necessarily doomed to failure.

Fighting Alone

Moral condemnation of the Russians will not win the war. In the absence of a sea-change in how the war is going the Russians should win because the Ukrainians are fighting alone. Yes, generous nations like Canada are doing what they can to help with weapons and sheltering people forced from their homeland. It is admirable and they are doing remarkably well at saving people, but I am reminded of what Winston Churchill said after the Allies were squeezed and driven out of Europe by the Germans at Dunkirk. While England marvelled at how the English were able to get many soldiers out of harms way, he said, ‘’ Wars are not won by evacuations “ 

path of victory

I look at the situation and I watch the Russians and I watch the battles and I wonder where the path of victory lies without the current limited war becoming something else. How long does the informal coalition of forces against the Russians hold? Ukraine will continue to exist I expect but not with its present borders. That is not a popular position but in war the good guys do not always win. 

 Not long after their Royal Highnesses, Prince Charles and wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, touched down in St. John’s to began a three-day Canadian tour, The Herald spoke with premier Andrew Furey. “I think it was a great moment for the province. How special to come out of COVID-19 and have a live event like that where everyone is gathered safely and respectfully to celebrating our history,” he said. While there’s good and bad in the history books of this province and nation, taking time to honour the past while celebrating the present and future is an important balance, he added. “To have the royals here was absolutely fabulous and coinciding with the Come Home Year, to not only welcome them to Newfoundland Labrador but to welcome them back home was an honour,” he said. Not to mention the fact that with 40 international media in tow, the eyes of the world were literally on this province of ours. 

In great spirits following the Charles and Camilla touch down, the premier joked how local treasure and comedian Mark Critch got to enjoy a full-circle moment during the royal visit. As a child – as portrayed on his popular series Son of a Critch – the star had enjoyed an encounter with the People’s Princess, Lady Diana. The premier laughed. “Well, you know, we were watching the show, and it seems that (Critch) gave flowers (to royalty) when he was a kid so we thought he should do the whole thing again and come full circle. So it’s the circle of life.” 

Furey has demonstrated his dedication to the arts industry in this province, and including many artists from different disciplines was important during this latest royal visit, he added. From culinary and visual artists to musical and brewery masters, Furey explained that showcasing “as many as possible” was important.    “I think we put on a good display and I know the royals were quite fascinated by (what they experienced) and we’re quite impressed.” In fact, he continued, a later conversation with his father – a senator in Ottawa, the Honourable George Furey – cemented this fact. “I had the benefit of having a follow up because my father saw (their royal highnesses) later in Ottawa, and they were over the moon with their reception and their experience in Newfoundland and Labrador,” he said proudly. 

There’s certainly much to be proud  of, including the fact that this province was the first in Canada to welcome Ukrainian refuges. 

“We wanted to do something right away, as soon as we saw the mass number of immigrants and the refugees displaced from their own homes because of the war in the Ukraine,” he stated. NL  took “a bit of a different approach, albeit with some degree of skepticism from other provincial leaders,” he added, and “set up a desk in Warsaw.” “Because I knew from my previous experience and my previous work life that refugee camps require a significant amount of bureaucracy.” That’s why “having a helping hand in navigating the complex paperwork matters,” he said. “Because of that. We were able to arrange the first flight of 166, and there are many, many more who want to come…Many have been matched with families and jobs here in the province, which, of course, gives them a sense of security in what has to be an incredibly stressful time for them.” 

Seeing the warm welcome those from Ukraine have received from the people of this province is “humbling” the premier added.  “It’s a beautiful world moment and one that we’re very humbled to play a part in and very proud that the idea started here and has really made a splash on the world stage.” 

With 2022 being the summer to come home following two years of stay where you’re at pandemic caution, we ask what the premier hopes to see happen. Come Home offers an “opportunity to relaunch Newfoundland and Labrador as a world class hospitality and tourism product,” he began. NL was “incredibly compromised by the pandemic,” he added, but things have changed. “We knew that we needed something to catapult, to relaunch, to reset and show the world that we were open for business and that we had the best product in the world that everyone deserves to have a look at and come and see. And equally, considering what everyone had been through for the last two years, we felt that there would be significant demand (to visit here) because people have been pent up at home and wanting to travel and Newfoundland and Labrador is on many bucket lists.”

 Come Home Year offers a reason to come, he added. The venture has been an overwhelming success from the get-go, he added. “We’re hearing stories from Marine Atlantic that they are fully booked,” he said. Provincial parks are packed. Festival tickets around the province are selling out. All signs point towards this being one busy and celebratory summer, he shared.  “Following the pandemic, previous lives need to be reinvigorated and we need to celebrate who we are and where we came from and open our hearts and doors to the rest of the world emerging from the pandemic.” 

At one recent Newfoundland Growlers hockey game, announcer Chris Ballard paused to welcome some newcomers to our province who had also been invited to the game that night. 

Following the formal introduction, those gathered to cheer on the home team stood in unison and gave the many Ukrainian refugees in the stands a standing ovation that seemed to go on for at least three minutes. 

It’s little wonder that Newfoundlanders were welcoming to come from aways seeing how our ‘put the kettle on,’ mentality for strangers and loved ones alike has long been celebrated around the globe. There’s lots to be proud of certainly. 

Commitment to Kindness

From our commitment in battle over 100 years ago as proud members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment to our demonstration of colour-blind humanity following the sinking of the Truxton & Pollock near St. Lawrence to our hospitality following the tragedy of 9/11, Newfoundlanders & Labradorians have stepped up and dusted off the welcoming mat. It doesn’t matter how you get here, as no matter the method of entry, the welcome is always the same. 

Remember ‘the boat people?’ In August of 1986, 155 refugees from Sri Lanka were found adrift near St. Shott’s by a local skipper, Gus Dalton. Starving and dehydrated, Dalton said at the time that he knew helping the ‘boat people’ was simply “the right thing to do.” 

In fact, this province has long demonstrated a commitment to kindness and the fact that it continues is a tradition to be proud of. The fact that NL was the first in this country to welcome Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country in droves following the brutal Russian invasion should only add to that pride. 

Of course, this province needs workers to add to our population deficit, so it’s a win/win situation. Minister of Immigration, Gerry Byrne, said that many of the 166 people who arrived as refugees had jobs they could go to once they rested up from their travels. That’s great news. 

But more than the need to contribute to the NL economy or population census numbers or the need to earn a living is the need to belong, and that doesn’t seem to be an issue at all for these recent arrivals. 

One Facebook group, Newfoundland & Labrador Help/Host for Ukrainians, has over 10,000 members as of press time. 

Wrote one woman shortly following arriving here with her six year-old son, “I do not have enough words to express my gratitude … I want to add that Canadians, you are incredible people! Thank you for everything!” 

Wrote another, “Some days ago I was in Odessa, Ukraine. Today I am in Newfoundland. Still, I don’t believe how I made (it) alone with my pets, but I don’t feel alone. The whole way I got support (from) everyone I met and I am still feeling it. It is amazing!” 

At the Growlers game following the arrival of the refugees, Ukrainian flags joined our own provincial and country’s throughout the stadium, and as the National Anthem rang out, the words “stand on guard…” felt particularly moving to all gathered. That long-lasting standing ovation was simply more proof that welcoming newcomers to our country and province is a long-held NL tradition we have no plans on abandoning.

Pam Pardy, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing pghent@nfldherald.com

This is an important time for our world. This is serious business. We are going to find out something about ourselves here on earth over the next weeks and months. 

There’s emerging from the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine a deep question that speaks to the notion of who exactly we are and what it means to be human.

It also asks of us if we know the difference between right and wrong. We do not know the answer yet, but we will. 

Witness to war 

The central question is whether Russian President Vladimir Putin can do whatever he likes in Ukraine and get away with it as long as the shooting stays within Ukraine. Can Putin bomb that nation into oblivion while the  world stands by and watches? 

In the 21st century is it possible that one nation can take over another while the world stands around and talks about it and waves flags and gives standing ovations? What if Putin ups the ante and takes to using chemical weapons against the Ukrainians? Will there be action then or more talk?

Is there any point at which the world yells STOP!!!!!  I ask the question today honestly and I have no answer at this stage. Perhaps the nations of the world standing together WILL solve the situation. Perhaps the economic squeeze on the Russians from so many directions will do the trick. I do not know. 

Line in the sand

I do know from our history books how we in a self-congratulatory manner talk of World War II when Hitler invaded Poland. It was the place in time where words stopped, and a line was drawn in the sand and England declared that if the Nazis did not withdraw from Poland a state of war would exist. They did not withdraw. The world went to war. 

Today we know the hearts of most of the rest of the world is with Ukraine, but this is 2022. The world is not going to war over it … at least not yet, because hanging over it all is the grim spectre of a mushroom cloud. There has been massive support both moral and in “military materiel.” That however is not the question. 

In the 21st century is it possible that one nation can take over another by force of arms? That’s the question. 

Imagine if you will, rockets and shells from a foreign power landing on Elizabeth Avenue or West Street. Imagine Newfoundland refugees and the images of a Newfoundland civilian population being targeted and apartments bombed, and thousands of people including women and children dying. 

What would you want from the rest of world? Speeches? Flags? Moral support?    

We do not know how this will end, but before it is over, we will know a lot more about ourselves and who we are.  

The latest come to us from the horror that’s the still a developing situation in Ukraine and references Vladimir Putin trying to extricate his nation from a conflict he had to win quickly or risk not winning at all. Putin was, according to commentators, looking for “an off ramp.”

‘Off ramp’

I had visions of Vlad rolling down some road in a tank looking at signs to get him off the highway he had driven his nation on to. Pretty soon the media was all on board with the “off ramp” metaphor. 

Locally a few months ago in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic everyone was jumping onto a phrase from government talking about “an abundance of caution.” It was government describing why it was making certain moves. The media again brought into it at full speed. Everything was from “an abundance of caution.”  New phrase was born again. 

In that same year another phrase cropped up in government circles off a press release and moved within days into the media. It may have been related to COVID as well and it was “the gold standard.” It was used to define some test or course of action as being the very best. It was “the gold standard.” Get it?  It was like, as good as gold.

Now to be fair, all good new phrases did not come from government. There was one that started as a media phrase that spread back to government. The road runs two ways. The phrase was about “drilling down” on a story. CNN used it a long time ago. A lot of media used it and it was effective, but then government kept using it. They were “drilling down” on everything. Closely examining this, that, and the other thing. Everybody was “drilling down.”

‘A go forward basis’

Now none of that was illegal or even immoral for that matter. You would not call it theft. You would call it “modelling.”

It sounds better. Everybody tries to get an edge. I do think however some sort of line was crossed when the phrase “on a go forward basis” raised its ugly face and appeared from government into media circles. What it meant was government had decided on some controversial matter and was implementing it on “a go forward basis.”

What does that mean? It means the government has decided to do something and you can like it or not like it, but they are proceeding with it on “a go forward basis.” In other words, get out of the way.  

P.S. I hope Putin finds his “off-ramp.”

NTV’s Jim Furlong can be reached by emailing: jfurlong@ntv.ca

In Ukraine, the implications of what is happening are staggering and mind numbing. You almost have to avert your eyes. Long lines of refugees, children separated from their parents and bombs raining down on a decent people. It’s hard to believe it’s even happening in the 21st century.  

Remember, just a month ago, we were all writing about the Ottawa trucker protest. We thought it was important. There were calls for Prime Minister Trudeau to resign. Calls for the government to be replaced by a committee of protesters. 

We thought it all so vital and we see now in the great scheme of things, it was not vital at all. Some people’s lives were upset and disrupted by the blaring of truck horns on Parliament Hill. 

After a few weeks, the police finally moved in, and it was all shut down. 

No people were killed, there were no real injuries, and the tanks of the military did not roll in the streets. Some protesters went to jail, and some more are still headed there, but the sun still comes up in the morning.

Now all of that seems long ago and irrelevant. I am not even sure what it was all about. I get the feeling there was no clear answer from the protest itself. 

It was many things to many people.  To some it was a good time. I know someone well who was visiting Ottawa and went to Parliament Hill to check things out. It was a couple of days before authorities finally moved in. 

My friend said there was music and food and beer and a few draws. There was dancing and a concert stage and “a good time was had by all.”

Network reporters were there when the whole thing was shut down. They were dutifully listening to their anchor desks telling them to “be safe out there.” 

Luckily, there were no bombs or air strikes or missiles to bother them. That’s not the case in Ukraine. 

The Russians made good on their threat and promise to invade, and the pictures of death and destruction are agonizing. So too are pictures of refugees and separated families and children with that tragically sad look of having no idea of what is going on. We are so lucky here in Canada that the issue is bouncy castles and hot tubs and whether or not you are required to vaccinate. 

NTV’s Jim Furlong can be reached by emailing: jfurlong@ntv.ca

When times are toughest, try a little humour. Comedy eases tense situations, including living through the unknowns of COVID-19. During the early days of the pandemic, my daughter and I ended each day with an episode or two of The Office so our brains were not filled with COVID stats and fear come bedtime. 

While the antics of Michael Scott and  Dwight Schrute didn’t totally ease tensions, it certainly was more pleasant heading off to bed wiping away tears of laughter instead of the alternative. Now, with what’s going on with Ukraine, I’m searching for something to ease my fears. 

Total Strangers

While I don’t personally know anyone living there, my son is in the Canadian military and his Navy ship is set to sail overseas any day now and I’m torn between wanting to absorb every bit of news coming out of the war zone and trying to avoid it all altogether. 

Then, as I was preparing to head out the door for the day, something on the news caught my attention. Total strangers were parking their cars along the Poland-side of the Ukraine border with signs offering rides and shelter to those fleeing Russian bombing and aggression. 

My heart melted and I couldn’t help but wonder if the Newfoundland example during 9/11 had anything to do with such gestures. 

Then, word that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had not only given his people a voice, but provided the world something to cheer about too. 

As anti-war protests pop up around the globe in support of the Ukrainian people, and as Canada prepared to send weaponry and military resources, Zelenskyy stood tough, a symbol of firm and spirited resistance against Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

And who exactly is Zelenskyy besides a top target for Russia? Before becoming president, the now president appeared on Dancing with the Stars, shakin’ what his momma gave him to Blue Suede Shoes all decked out in hot pink satin. He was also a famous comedic actor too, well known for his role on the comedy show, Servant of the People. Zelenskyy played a foul-mouthed teacher who unexpectedly found himself president of his country after a video of a rant against corruption in government went viral. 

Running a life-immitating-art campaign for office, Zelenskyy then turned his show’s name into a political party and defeated former Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko in 2018 with more than 70 per cent of the vote. 

Far from taking a page from  Donald Trump’s how-to, Zelenskyy has shown true leadership after turning television tactics into election triumph. While facing real danger for not just himself but his family as well, Zelenskyy told U.S. officials, “I need ammunition, not a ride,” when they offered to whisk him and his wife and children to safety. 

On the second day of Russian attacks, Zelenskyy said, “The world saw Ukrainians are strong. Ukrainians are brave. Ukrainians are on their native land and will never give it to anyone.” 

Eases the Mind

While Zelenskyy may have first picked comedy and celebrity, he is of Jewish heritage and had family members killed in the Holocaust and, he proudly has shared, his grandfather fought in the Soviet Army against Nazi Germany. 

Now, as he posts selfie videos shot defiantly in Kyiv as Russian forces fight to overtake the city, he shares messages of strength and hope to his people and to the world, proof that Ukrainian’s former funny man is nothing to laugh at. 

While none of this eases the mind totally, seeing total strangers helping neighbours in need and knowing the leader of a country under seize is displaying admirable traits helps when it’s time to turn on – and off – the news of the day. 

While refusing to sit this one out in a bunker isn’t funny in the least, it does make the fact that my lad is possibly on his way there with the Canadian military feel a little more like personal pride than petrifying fear, and that at least is something worth feeling positive  about.

Pam Pardy, The Herald’s Managing Editor, can be reached by emailing pghent@nfldherald.com