If you think politics and religion are subjects that should never be discussed in public – you might want to throw “rum in the mix” when you’re visiting Newfoundland. Newfoundlanders take their rum very seriously, even forgoing the best kind of a soiree just because the host didn’t offer their favorite brand at the bar.READ MORE

What a “goings on” we’re after having at my parent’s place in Topsail this year. I’m not certain how closely you’ve been watching our weather in Newfoundland, but 2018 has been brilliant thus far. You know, if you really, like weather! We saw a fair bit of frost in the late fall, and a midREAD MORE

On December 12, 1901, Guglielmo Marconi received the first, transatlantic, wireless message at Signal Hill in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It was an extraordinary accomplishment, one that ensured Newfoundland’s role in global communications would be heralded for many generations. But like everything associated with this island and its people, it’s the many periphery elements that make thisREAD MORE

Today is my brother Mark’s birthday. Something I wouldn’t normally remember since we weren’t much for celebrating such occasions in our house. Mother believed that age was far less important than how you spent your time, and since we were always working on our family business together, we learned to celebrate life accomplishments instead. TheREAD MORE

Brother Mark took everyone from our tour department out for lunch and an impromptu review of our preparations for the upcoming tour season. Everyone was most appreciative of the lovely meal and the conscientious staff at the Sheraton who allowed us to carry on with our meetings even after the restaurant closed for the afternoon.READ MORE

Carl laughed when I started to introduce yet another “Great story” to a group we were escorting across the island last year; “Have you ever told a story that wasn’t a “Great Story”, Andrew? I dare say you’d make rocks look interesting!” Funny you should mention that Carl, because I do have some interesting geologyREAD MORE

Remember the story I wrote about the Hutton Family – ‘Somethin for Hutton’? Well, I just found the lyrics to the song Carl Hutton wrote after we co hosted our first island wide tour this summer. Those of you who met Carl will certainly appreciate the words and the link to his original recording –READ MORE

We recently discovered that my mother’s people have a strain of aboriginal blood coursing through their veins – just as I suspect many Newfoundlanders can also claim. It seems that our great, great, great Grandfather on the Murphy side of the family (Catalina / Gambo ) married a girl by the name of Alice MacDonaldREAD MORE

Ironically, one of the most frequently asked questions by summer tourists is how we manage to navigate the streets of St. John’s during the winter months. In fairness, even on the hottest day of July, this must seem like a legitimate concern when you consider the steep inclines in the down town core, how narrowREAD MORE

I recently met Zack Werner, and like most celebrity encounters in Newfoundland, it made for a great conversation and a brilliant story to share. Last week, I was heading for Green Sleeves Pub on George Street in St. John’s, Newfoundland, to celebrate ‘Musician Appreciation Night’ with my good friend Erin O’Mara. Many of you willREAD MORE