On behalf of all of us here on the Port de Grave Peninsula we want to congratulate Dr. Iris Petten, President of the Port de Grave Peninsula Heritage Society.
Taken from the Memorial University Facebook page:
Dr. Iris Petten received an honorary doctor of laws degree this morning!
Dr. Petten is an entrepreneur, a corporate executive and a community volunteer and a person who takes a special interest in promoting and supporting women in leadership positions.
She also steered Memorial’s Board of Regents as board chair with a steady hand for nine years. Her dedication to our university has been invaluable.
During this morning’s convocation ceremony, Dr. Petten addressed the assembled graduates and guests in the Arts and Culture Centre auditorium. She shared some of the knowledge she gleaned along her personal path of growth and success.
“I learned how [my mentors] pushed me beyond my comfort zone. When they pushed me hard and expected me to learn more, to live up to the job at hand, I grew as a person. The best lessons I learned came from reaching beyond what I knew, and avoiding staying with what I was comfortable with.”
Exciting times ahead on the Peninsula! Along with our Come Home Year Celebrations Aug. 3rd to 7th, we will be celebrating the Queen’s Jubilee, we are now in the planning stages so stay tuned!
UPDATE: On May 28th, we had several people show up and picked areas for cleanup. We want to thank them and looking forward to seeing more people tomorrow! Drop by the Annex Building to pick up your t-shirts and supplies. I will be there from 9 to noon.
The Port de Grave Peninsula Heritage Society is very proud to announce that we have received funding from the Come Home Year Cleanup Project sponsored by the MMSB Board and the Gov’t of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The purpose of this is to clean up the garbage on our roadsides, and public areas. We are also asking residents and businesses to cleanup their private properties.
Every Saturday, starting on May 28th, and ending on June 18th, we will have a scheduled event from 10 am to 12 noon, for those who would like to join us. We will have refreshments, water, juices and snacks available for you, this can be picked up by the Canon Richards Tearoom, or call me and I will drop it off to you.
We will be supplying garbage bags, rubber gloves, safety vest, and hopefully we will have some reacher grabber tools. Next week sometime we will be placing two dumpsters, one by St. Mark’s Heritage Church and one by Ship Cove Pond. You are welcome to use these to put your garbage in. Please note: Under the rules of MMSB propane tanks and rubber tires are not permitted, so please refrain from throwing these items in the dumpsters. The garbage you pick up on the road if you are able please drop it off to a dumpster or leave it on the side of the road and we will make the necessary arrangements to pick it up.
We have a limited number of t-shirts and security vest available, so please contact me and let me know your t-shirt size.
Of course, we will have to report exactly what we did, I will have a form ready for you fill out, I will have this available next week and I will share it with you on Facebook.
Posters are in the mail, I’m also attaching a copy of the poster. We are asking all those who are able both young and old to participate. When you go for a walk grab a garbage bag, a pair of gloves and pick up the garbage on your route.
Why not make this a family event? Gather your family and friends and join in making our community a place we can all be proud off!
Please contact me by email joyce@pdgphs.com or call/text 680-1231 and tell me the area that you will be taking care off. We don’t want everyone going to the one place!
We have a group who has indicated that they will cleanup Short Beach.
Thanking you all in advance and we do need your help, we can’t do alone!
Canon Richards Tea Room- Saturday April 30th, 2022
The Prowse association with Port de Grave NL began when Robert Prowse and his family left Torquay Devon in England in 1798 and came to St. John’s as a boy aged 10. He became the youngest clerk with the firm of John Hill and Company who at the time had a fishing branch operation at Port de Grave. The Company at the time was not doing well at port de Grave so Robert Prowse was sent there to wind up (close) the business. Robert Prowse did just that but afterward he took over the operation himself first with another firm but them entirely on his own.
He built a family home in the center of the harbour at Port de Grave in 1824 on the property of one Mary Butler (Butler being a very common name at that time in Port de Grave (Gerald Andrews Book “Heritage of a NL Outport” ). Robert married and the family eventually consisted of three sons and three daughters, one of the sons Daniel W Prowse went on to be known as the very famous Judge Prowse, lawyer, politician, historian, essayist, and office holder. This very famous individual was indeed born at Port de Grave and lived on the property knows as the Marsh, most recognisable by locals as prowse marsh or mash.
Over the years, much has been written about the Prowse family and their association to Port de Grave. Members of the family has retained that close association to the place where their ancestors settled and subsequently adopted Port de Grave as their town and all of them are very proud of their roots.
On Saturday, April 30th, 2020, the Port de Grave Peninsula Heritage Society hosted a luncheon for members of the Prowse family, Thomas, Daniel, Rebecca, Viola and Rachel. Some 30 people were in attendance, including Directors of the Port de Grave Peninsula Heritage Society. A wonderful lunch was served which included seafood chowder.
Iris petten, President of the Society welcomed the Prowse family and various individuals spoke at the event which included Mona Petten a founding Member of the Heritage Society and she spoke of her long association with members of the Prowse family, as did Edwin Hussey and his many hockey games played on Prowse Marsh. Both Thomas and Daniel great, great grandsons of Daniel W Prowse also spoke and expressed their pride at being in the place where their acestors first settled to do business in the new world.
Later the family was given a tour of the Peninsula including the area of Prowse Marsh, Green Point, Hibbs Cove and the Harbour Authority Building.
Yet again, the Heritage Society has demonstrated the importance of inclusion for all, especially for those who claim such an attachment to this area of our great province. Communication with the Prowse family members has continued over the years and in fact the links have grown as more younger family members take up the torch.
As always the Heritage Society lives upon its slogan “ that to know your past determines aspects of your future”. Together we have created a lasting legacy which shall continue for generations to come.
Judge Prowse was greeted at the court with the following:
Good morning to your worship
Good morning Judge Prowse
Gerald and Rose Andrews presented Gerald’s book Heritage of A NL Outport : The Story of Port-de Grave, to the familyDaniel ProwseIris presented Thomas with his PDG Peninsula Heritage Society Membership CardDirectors and the Prowse Family
The Port de Grave Peninsula Heritage Society was saddened to hear of the passing of one of its members. Grace Tilley passed away at the age of 87. Grace was long time member and supported the Society any way she could. By coming to Canon Richard`s Tearoom for weekend meals, any fundraising she always did her part.
Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this difficult time. We are very thankful to the family for acknowledging the Society in a way to remember Grace. Please note that any monies received in memory of Grace will be issued a Charitable Tax Receipt.
The Honorable R. John Efford (January 6, 1944 – January 2, 2022)
He was Port de Grave through and through.
Independent to the core.
John knew when to collaborate and cooperate but he never lost sight of the fierce independence that drove the community of Port de Grave.
While he carried the mantle of provincial and federal governments, he knew that the people of his place had their own way of doing things, whether through the Harbour Authority, the Heritage Society, the communities of faith and their churches, or other groups. He found ways to remember that as he steered and supported investments in the community.
Salt water in his blood.
John always knew where he came from. His touchstones were this place, the people who live here and those who came before him. Those who shaped Port de Grave’s survival and its prosperity.
The fishery has always been the lifeblood and backbone of this place, and he knew that Port de Grave was the epitome of communities that cling to the rock, on the edge of rich seafood resources. From Hibbs Hole to the Grand Banks, he instinctively knew how fishers and their families could survive and thrive.
He loved the saltwater. He knew our water’s edge and the fishing grounds are just as important as the land where we built our homes. He loved being on the water in his boats.
Driven by enterprise.
As a salesperson who broke Canadian records in dry goods, and a business owner, he knew the essence of enterprise. He knew that customers, real people, one by one, shaped success. He was realistic and entrepreneurial, knowing when and where there was opportunity.
Like our fishing families, who must quickly adapt to changing demands for seafood, and the best resource available at the time, he knew to fish where the fish were.
He is the essence of those of us from Port de Grave and the Peninsula.
Resourceful.
Curious with that razor wit.
Independent.
Certain.
Faithful.
Grounded.
As we close out this Christmas Season, be it known January 6th, John’s birthday, we celebrate our heritage together with John’s colorful light and joyful sound forever in our hearts.
On John’s birthday Thursday, January 6th the family will ring the bell at St. Mark’s Heritage church at 5pm in memory of John and his contribution to his community of birth – Port de Grave. We ask that you stay in your vehicle if you would like to join the family during this act of remembrance.
Port De Grave Peninsula Heritage Society Inc. 