Spooky and seasonal events on tap this month

By Chad Feehan
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
October 6, 2023 Edition

The recreation and community safety committee report at Mount Pearl city council Tuesday featured a number of events sure to get citizens in the mood for autumn.

The annual Fall Craft Fair will take place on October 9th at the Reid Community Centre from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those looking to spend their Thanksgiving Monday soaking in the colors and smells of the season will find crafts, decor, and homemade treats. Admission is $2 for adults and admission is free for children under 12.

If you’re in the mood for family friendly frights this Friday the 13th drive right on up to the Team Gushue Complex parking lot at 7 p.m. for a drive-in screening of Disney’s The Haunted Mansion. Those looking for more hockey-mask-and-machete oriented scares will have to look elsewhere.

Councillor Chelsea Lane introduced a brand-new feature to the city’s seasonal programming: The Haunted Walk. Running daily from October 20th to the 29th at 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., participants will traipse around the pond awash in moonlight, taking in some truly spooky sights.

“This is going to be a first for us, but it’s going to be absolutely phenomenal,” Lane said. “It’s going to be both spooky and exciting.”

Closing out the announcements, the 31st Annual Christmas at the Glacier will run from October 18th to the 22nd. The annual fair will feature craft and art in the holiday spirit like it has for the past 30 years.

Admiralty House staff hoping to provide a good scare

Mark Squibb
October 6, 2023 Edition

Things are getting spooky over at the Admiralty House Communications Museum, but that’s about all you can expect this time of year.

Staff, with help from the Association of the Arts in Mount Pearl (AAMP), are reviving the Admiralty House Haunted House of yesteryears.

“Whenever I tell people I work at the museum they tell me, ‘Oh yeah, I went there once for the Girl Guide Haunted House back in the early 2000’s,’” said assistant director Tim Elliott. “And so, we thought that if that’s what people know us for, why not give it a bit of a revival.”

Staff are leaning into the museum’s nautical history in planning the haunted house.

“We’re calling it the Admiral’s Curse Haunted House, and a journey through a haunted shipwreck is the narrative that we’re going with,” said Elliott, who noted the museum building was originally built by the Marconi Telegraph Company as a top-secret wireless station for the British Royal Navy. “So, we thought, why not lean into the nautical theme a little bit.”

The Haunted House (or Haunted Shipwreck if you prefer) will run from Friday October 20th until Sunday October 22nd at a cost of $5 for adults and $3 for children under 10.

General admission will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a more family friendly option available from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday.

“For the afternoon sessions, we’ll have the lights on really, really low, we’re going to turn the volume down a little bit, we’re going to tell the actors to take it easy, so parents of little kids can still take them through without experiencing a full throttle haunted house,” said Elliott.

A few seasoned volunteers have already stepped forward to help with the venture, but more volunteers are needed, Elliott said.

“We have a great core of volunteers for the plan and design, but right now we’re still recruiting for actors and people who want to be in the haunted house itself,” he explained.

If you’re interested in lending a hand, you can call the museum at 748-1124 or e-mail ahcm@mountpearl.ca .

The museum is hosting a number of other free activities in recognition of spooky season, including a ghost story mug-up that was held earlier this week and a free-to-attend presentation by Black Cat Cemetery Preservation on Friday the 13th.

The museum’s staff will be handing out treats on the big day, and hope to set up a photo booth, constructed out of set pieces from the haunted house, so visitors can get pictures while decked out in their frightful best.

City preparing for new municipal plan and transportation plan

By Mark Squibb
September 29, 2023

A new municipal plan and transportation plan are in the works for the City of Mount Pearl.

“The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Municipal Plan and Integrated Transportation Plan will be released in the coming days,” said councillor Mark Rice during last week’s meeting. “This is a large piece of work for the City, and we are anticipating and looking forward to the proposals.”

The Integrated Transportation Plan was one of the plans identified in the 2023-2027 strategic plan council passed earlier this year. Other plans that fall under the umbrella of that document include a new traffic calming policy, infrastructure plan, two different investment attraction plans, and a five-year economic development strategy.

The new municipal plan, meanwhile, will outline Mount Pearl’s policies for land use and development. Its current municipal plan was passed in 2011.

Once proposals have been submitted and vetted by staff, the engineering committee will make a recommendation to council to award the contract to the most compliant bidder, or bidders.

‘It’s been a super trip’

Waterford Valley Rotary applauds two new Harris Fellows

By Mark Squibb
September 29, 2023 Edition

Waterford Valley Rotary Club members Gary Ball and Dennis Rousell joined the ranks of Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, Ghandhi, and King Charles, among others on Wednesday when they were inducted into the John Harris Fellowship at a Rotary meeting at Smitty’s Restaurant in Mount Pearl.

“One of the highlights of being president of the Rotary Club is the opportunity to recognise a person, or persons, whose life demonstrates a shared purpose with the objective of Rotary, that is, ‘Service Above Self,’” said club president Rick Tiller. “Dennis and Gary have shown exemplary leadership in steering our club to where it is today. The club is 46 years old, and we’re advocating for environmental projects at the Waterford River and for mental health awareness, and the two of these gentlemen have been instrumental in making these causes happen. Dennis and Gary, in my opinion, and in the opinion of a lot of other people, exhibit the true ideals of Rotary, which is ‘Service Above Self.’”

The men were presented with an official certificate from Rotary International and a pin bearing the emblem of the Paul Harris Fellowship.

“This emblem is known all over the world in Rotary,” said Tiller. “If you go to the upcoming international conference in Singapore, people will know what it is. If you go to a Rotary meeting in Ottawa, people will know what it is. If you go to a meeting anywhere, they’ll know you’re a Paul Harris Fellow. It’s one of the most recognisable pins in the Rotary world.”

The Waterford Valley Rotary Club boasts some 16 members, and Tiller said he would like to see more members inducted into the fellowship, which was founded in 1957 in honor of Rotary founder Paul Harris.

“This Club is one of the most committed groups of people I’ve ever worked with,” said Tiller. “And this club is comprised of many members who have decades of Rotarian experience and many who are, in my opinion, deserving of being Paul Harris Fellows.”

Tiller said he believes it possible his club’s entire membership could be inducted into the Fellowship by 2027, when the Club celebrates it’s 50th anniversary. With Ball and Rousell’s induction, the club now has six Harris Fellows.

“I never expected anything like this,” said Ball. “This represents everybody in this room. It really does. It’s because everybody came together and worked together that got this club to where it is here today, and why I’ve got this. I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished over the last number of years. It’s been a super trip all the way.”

Two members of the Waterford Valley Rotary Club, pictured here with their wives, were inducted into the John Harris Fellowship at a Rotary meeting this week. From left are Marcie Rowsell, inductee Dennis Rowsell, inductee Gary Ball, and Brenda Ball. Mark Squibb photo

130 trees planted at Mount Pearl Summit Centre

September 22, 2023 Edition

Some 50 volunteers planted 130 trees and shrubs at the Mount Pearl Summit Centre last Saturday as part of TD Bank’s commitment to plant one million trees by 2030. Mayor Dave Aker said the annual TD Tree Day is a chance to “celebrate the forest within the community,” and thanked the volunteers who participated in the event, including little Lincoln Noseworthy, Serena Benoit, and Arlo Noseworthy, pictured here with councillor Chelease Lane, Mayor Dave Aker, and councillor Bill Antle. Submitted photo.

Mount Pearl handing Frosty a loan to get him back on his feet

By Mark Squibb
September 22, 2023 Edition

Although you’re likely to see Christmas merchandise on the shelves any day now (and maybe you have already), winter still seems too far off to think about yet.

Mount Pearl council, however, is already looking ahead to winter — or at least the City’s landmark winter festival.

Council this week unanimously approved a $25,000 loan for the Frosty Festival board. The loan is part cash, amounting to $15,000, and part Glacier Arena pay forgiveness, worth another $10,000.

The Pearl followed up with staff following the meeting, who clarified there is an expectation the loan will be repaid.

There was no discussion on the matter, though mayor Dave Aker spoke to the motion briefly.

“We’re navigating post-COVID, and we’re navigating through a lot of inflation, which has really driven up costs,” said Aker. “But we’ve got a really healthy Frosty Festival, and we’ve got a solid board, and we’re working together to make sure we have one of the best festivals that we can possibly deliver. But it is a new environment out there, so this motion I think sets the table going forward for a good working relationship.”

The Frosty Festival has been held annually, with two exceptions, since 1983. Last year’s festival marked the triumphant return of Frosty after the festival had been cancelled for two years due to COVID-19.

Last November, council approved a one-time donation of $30,000 to help Frosty get back on his feet following COVID.

Under a previous agreement between the City and the Frosty Festival board, the City paid an annual operating subsidy of $35,000.

That memorandum of understanding (MOU) ended in March 2022.

Last year, the city and the Frosty Board agreed to hammer out a one-year MOU regarding the upcoming festival, but the details are still being worked out.

The $25,000 loan approved by council this week exists outside of the MOU.

Mount Pearl preparing the ground, literally, for Canada Games

By Mark Squibb
September 22, 2023 Edition

Councillor Bill Antle noted during this week’s city council meeting that work is continuing at the Team Gushue Baseball field in preparation for the 2025 Canada Summer Games, as the City received a shipment of 53 containers of clay and brick earlier this week.

Recreation Director Jason Collins said that preparing for the Games has been a joint effort by staff across all departments.

“We started yesterday clearing sand, and as councillor Antle referenced, a lot of clay has arrived, so hopefully that will start going down later this week,” said Collins. “Actually, someone was down from Baseball Canada the other day and they seemed very impressed with what was happening and with what the field is going to be like.”

Collins said an employee of Halifax Seed, the company supplying the clay, will visit Mount Pearl next week.

“They’re going to work with staff and work with our baseball association on building mounds and giving them some tips on how to maintain the clay, because it is very different than dealing with sand,” said Collins. “It’s certainly been a group effort, and I do think our staff are really enjoying the chance to build something. They’re really enjoying it, and so it’s great to see.”

The 2025 Games will mark the fourth time since their inception in 1967 that Newfoundland and Labrador have hosted them.

The province hosted the Summer Games in St. John’s in 1977 and in 1999, and the Winter Games in Corner Brook in 1999. The 2025 Canada Summer Games will be hosted by the City of St. John’s from August 8-24, 2025 with Mount Pearl, Conception Bay South, Paradise, and Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove also hosting some of the competitions.

Watch for the signs, says Rice

By Mark Squibb
September 22, 2023 Edition

It’s not unlikely that you’ve gotten stuck in traffic due to construction in Mount Pearl in recent weeks.

Councillor Mark Rice asked residents during this week’s public meeting to play it safe and abide by all signage posted in construction areas.

“We’re trying to finish off a lot of construction in the area,” said Rice. “And there’s quite a bit of construction on the go, so that means manhole covers are protruding through the ground, and there’s open pits and holes. So, if you go along Ruth Avenue or up Farrell Drive or across on Roosevelt Street, there’s always construction. There’s companies, like Dexter Construction and other companies, moving along and trying to get those areas done before the winter sets in… So please abide by the signage. The signs are there for your safety.”

Rice also asked residents to pay attention to the onsite workers directing traffic.

“Safety is our utmost concern in the city, and we don’t want to see anybody get hurt, so please be patient and cautious as you slowly drive through those construction areas,” said Rice.

Provincial champs Mount Pearl Blazers Boys 15UA team

September 22, 2023 Edition

The Mount Pearl Blazers Boys 15UA team are the provincial champs in the tier 1 U15A division, winning the gold medal game in St. John’s on August 27. The team includes, starting in the back row from left: Jayden Hanlon, Connor Holloway, Connor Coates, Dane Munn, and Cole Hickey; in the middle row from left: coach Chris Buott, coach Bryan Power, Evander Norman, Ben Kennedy, Matthew Abbott, coach Chris Abbott, and coach Greg Hogan; and in the front row from left: Hunter Hogan, Jaxson Power, Noah Murrin, William Buott, and Brady Nickel. Photo courtesy of Mount Pearl Minor Baseball.

City encourages residents to get in a pickle on Park Avenue

By Alexandra Brothers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
September 15, 2023 Edition

The City of Mount Pearl has expanded its pickleball offerings.

The racquet sport has been spreading across North America nearly as quickly as Covid, but with much more beneficial outcomes.

The City initially made courts available at the Reid Community Centre for its converts and enthusiasts, and now residents can get involved with it on their own time at a brand-new outdoor court on Park Avenue. The Mount Pearl Tennis Club also has two courts set aside for pickleball play.

“Pickleball is a cross between ping pong, tennis, and badminton,” said councillor Bill Antle. “It’s quite interesting and it’s a growing sport, so if anyone wants to take a chance and learn how to do the sport, on Park Avenue it’s free, take your own paddles and off you go,” he said.

Director of Recreation and Public Safety, Jason Collins, said the reason the sport is gaining such popularity is that it is easy to pick up. He encouraged those who are unfamiliar with pickleball to look it up to see how fun it is. Collins reported the new pickleball court is being well used and is in high demand this season.

The new sport is just one of many recreation activities the City offers. Councillor Antle commented that all of Mount Pearl’s recreation programs are going strong. Collins added that the Reid Centre is continuing to expand its offerings each year and that registration for its various offerings has been blocked solid already for the fall season.