Growing Up in Deer Harbour

Growing Up in Deer HarbourNot many people these days can say they grew up without electricity or running water. We had no vehicles, TVs, or video games. We had no internet. But while things like running water would have been convenient, I actually miss how simple life was back then. I miss waking up before school and rowing the boat out to set lobster traps. I miss having a small house full of brothers and sisters. I miss looking out at the harbour and seeing boats come in. I

Not many people these days can say they grew up without electricity or running water. We had no vehicles, TVs, or video games. We had no internet. But while things like running water would have been convenient, I actually miss how simple life was back then.

I miss waking up before school and rowing the boat out to set lobster traps. I miss having a small house full of brothers and sisters. I miss looking out at the harbour and seeing boats come in.

I grew up in Deer Harbour, a picturesque fishing, saw-milling, and boat-building community located on the east side of Random Island, Newfoundland. While only a few cabins dot the landscape today, it was once a busy fishing outport. Born in 1947, I spent 17 wonderful years in Deer Harbour before we were forced to resettle to other parts of the island.

Although I've been living in Alberta now for 40 years, I still think back to my life in Newfoundland every single day. I have visited Deer Harbour many times since leaving, often wishing I could relive those days.

In this book, I share some of the many memories I have from growing up in Deer Harbour from 1947 - 1964. Whether it was waking up early to thaw out the kettle for a drink of water during the winter or fishing all day during the summer, there was always something to do.

While we can't travel back in time, I hope this book gives you a glimpse into the past.