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The Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation, incorporated in 2009 as a not-for-profit, registered charitable organization, has been established to help people better understand and appreciate the tangible and intangible artistic and cultural heritage of Bay Roberts specifically, and outport Newfoundland in general.
Newfoundland and Labrador has changed a great deal since becoming part of the Canadian Confederation in 1949. The Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation honours the characteristics of our culture which have always made our province a holdin' ground, as Bay Roberts native son, Newfoundland writer Ted Russell, describes it.
The Foundtion was delighted when the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation announced the latest designations under Provincial Historic Commemorations. Ted Russell was named a Person of Provincial Significance. Clarence Mercer, as Chair of the BRCF accepted the plaque outlining the designation at a ceremony at The Rooms in St. John's on June 8, 2011.
The Foundation seeks to highlight characteristics of Newfoundland through presenting literary works, art works, music, crafts, storytelling, theatre, food, and other tangible and intangible means of expression.
The Pigeon Inlet Quilters donated the "Pigeon Inlet Quilt" which is based on Ted Russell's "Tales from Pigeon Inlet."
As part of the Foundation vision the main exhibit room in the the Bay Roberts Visitors' Pavilion on Veterans' Memorial Highway was named The Holdin' Ground Room on June 27th, 2008.
The inspiration for the designation is Ted Russell’s play “The Holdin’ Ground”, which elaborates on the bond that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador feel with their home. The strength of the bond defines who we are as a people and draws us back when we leave, as many of us have over the centuries. The exhibits in the Pavilion recognize the diversity of people, places, and things, expressed through works of art, literature, music, language, stories, and inspirations that contribute to Newfoundland and Labrador‘s strength as a “Holdin’ Ground."
Main Goal - "But we'll do it. Yes sir! You watch," Uncle Mose
 Councillor Clarence Mercer, having visited other provincial and national sites, was impressed with the manner in which these communities preserved and presented their traditional culture to the public through heritage villages. He had a dream of developing a similar concept for the town of Bay Roberts. He wanted to present cultural history for present day residents, former residents (and their descendents) who have moved to other communities and to the mainland, as well as for tourists who visit the town.
His vision went beyond establishing a physical "heritage village;" he wanted to immerse visitors in the past. He realized that the works of Ted Russell, who was born, grew up, and was educated in Coley's Point, portrayed a traditional life style and culture that was typical of the municipality at one of the most interesting times in the province's history. (Ted Russell's works are set during the Commission of Government, WWII, Confederation, and early post Confederation period.)
He brought his idea to the town's Tourism Committee and then to Ron Delaney, Director of Development, Tourism, and Recreation. A meeting of like minded people was called .... and the dream began to take shape. At Councillor Mercer's suggestion, a steering committee was formed, and they adopted as their motto a quote from Uncle Mose - "But we'll do it. Yes sir! You watch."
The Board of Directors
The Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation has a General Manager, Sandra Roach, and is managed by a Board of Directors that currently has eight members. The Board of Directors acts in accordance with the Foundation By-Laws.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Councilor Clarence Mercer
Chairperson |
Clarence G. Mercer, Chairperson is a retired teacher, who held a variety of teaching
and administrative responsibilities during his 30 years as an elementary / intermediate educator in Harbour Breton, Clarke’s Beach, and Bay Roberts.
For the past 35 years, he has served as organist and choir director for Central United Church, Bay Roberts. Following his retirement from the teaching profession, he became a volunteer member of the Bay Roberts Tourism Committee and has served as its chairperson for the past four years. In 2005, he was elected Councillor with the Town of Bay Roberts and has served as council liaison for the Tourism Committee and the Heritage Advisory Board and currently sits on the town’s Economic Development Committee.
Clarence is responsible for instigating the Pigeon Inlet Project, the main objective of which is to develop the living heritage village of Pigeon Inlet in the Town of Bay Roberts. In that regard, he has served as chair of the Pigeon Inlet Steering Committee, Pigeon Inlet Inc., and is currently the chairperson of the Board of Directors of Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation Inc.
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Ron Delaney
Vice Chairperson |
Ron Delaney, Vice Chairperson is Director of Recreation, Tourism, and Development with the town of Bay Roberts. He is well known for his ability to organize and inspired others to organize
events such as the Bay Roberts Festival of Lights, the Bay Roberts Winter Lights, Klondyke Days, and the Klondyke Concerts. He is very involved with provincial and national tourism and travel organizations. In addition, he has been Chairperson of the Baccalieu Trail Board of Trade, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Cupids 400 Inc and the Northern Avalon Tourism Association. |
Margaret Ayad |
Margaret Ayad has worked extensively with small businesses and tourism organizations
within the Baccalieu Trail region. She has been a past member of the Board of Directors of the Baccalieu Trail Board of Trade, Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation and the Board of Directors of the Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs (NLOWE). She is owner and operator of Baccalieu Consulting, a design business which specializes in web site design and graphic design for organizations and small businesses. She was project manager for The Baccalieu: Crossroads for Cultures project, which dealt with the 17th century history and culture of the Baccalieu Trail region. |
Agnes Butler |
Agnes Butler is a dedicated and tireless community volunteer who has been a key member of many town committees for a number of years. She was a founding member of the Klondyke Days celebrations for the town of Bay Roberts.
She is currently a member of the Tourism Committee, well as being a member of the Beautification Committee which is a sub- committee of tourism. She has been involved with the enhancement projects for the Klondyke Causeway and the Arnies Pond area of the Shearstown Estuary. She is recognized within the community for her organizational ability, her attention to detail, and her creativity. |
Edmund J. Dawson |
Edmund J Dawson is a Senior Financial Advisor with the Investors Group. His offices are located in Bay Roberts. Although his successful business is very time consuming, he is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the province. His activities in the community have included a long time involvement in planning and organizing Eastern School District Heritage Fairs. |
Marilyn Dawe |
Marilyn Dawe has worked in the heritage field for over 35 years - 18 years with the Provincial Historic Resources Division and 19 years with Parks Canada. In these positions, she played a major role in the interpretive development of both Provincial Historic Sites (Cape Bonavista Lighthouse, The Mockbeggar Property, The Hiscock House, Hearts Content Cable Station, Quidi Vidi Battery, and the Commissariat House) and National Historic Sites (Red Bay, Port au Choix, Ryan Premises, Castle Hill, Hawthorne Cottage, Cape Spear and Signal Hill). In a voluntary capacity Marilyn was President of the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador for a number of years and received an Honorary Life Membership from that organization in 2005. She has volunteered with the CBN Skating Club for over 25 years. Recently retired, she has just started volunteering with the Bay Roberts Heritage Society, The Bay Roberts Heritage Advisory Committee and the Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation. |
Ruth Murray |
Ruth Murray has been a tireless community volunteer with the town of Bay Roberts. She is currently Co-chair of the Bay Roberts Tourism Committee, as well as being a member of the Beautification Committee which is a sub-committee of tourism. She has been involved with town enhancement projects such as the Klondyke Causeway development and the new signs and park area by Arnies Pond in the Shearstown Estuary. She has been involved with the town's Cleaner and Greener Awards. Nursing is her profession, and she brings her caring for people and enthusiasm for life to all her activities with the Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation. |
 Andrew Mercer
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Andrew Mercer is a music teacher in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He work for the Center for Distance Learning and Innovations (CDLI) where he teaches music to students in rural and isolated communities via the Internet.
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GENERAL MANAGER |
Sandra Roach |
Sandra Roach is a graduate of Memorial University with BP Ed. and BEd. degrees. She has run her own businesses, including Classy 'n Sassy Jewellery and Wedding Decoration and Design. She has worked as a Tourism Officer with the Bay Roberts Visitor's Pavilion, is a volunteer with the Bay Roberts Special Events Committee, is chairperson of St. John, the Evangelist Altar Guild, and a member of the "Just for Fun" church fund-raising group. She was honoured to be a member of the Parish team which traveled to Guatemala in March 09, through the Arms of Jesus Mission to build homes and teach life skills and music at the mission school. She enjoys singing and was a member of the Musical Friends Quartet.
Sandra brings her great enthusiasm to her position as General Manager of the Bay Roberts Cultural Foundation. She is dedicated to keeping the town vibrant and alive with exciting activities, and most importantly to helping to preserve our precious tangible and intangible artistic and cultural heritage.
Contact: Telephone: 709-683-1195 Fax: (709) 786-2128
Email: sroach@pigeoninlet.ca |
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