Notes from the Rotary Meeting 12.30pm Thursday, July 22, 2021
President Chris began the lunch with the Rotary grace.
Club Business
Summer Social
Gerry asked for suggestions for a summer social. A BBQ or other activity has been suggested at the Port Authority or at a member’s cabin. Gerry would like any members’ thoughts so a plan can be made for a club social during the summer.
Congratulations were given to Ron and Eudevilla on their 60th wedding anniversary today July 22nd.
Program
Olaf introduced the guest speaker George French of the Corner Brook Museum & Archives. The hope had been to hold the meeting at Bartlett’s Point Park with George giving a talk on the Bartlett family and a history of the park area. The weather didn’t cooperate, so the meeting was held at the Glynmill Inn, with George giving a most interesting talk after we had eaten, on the Bartlett family and the settlers in the Birchy Cove area. He began by speaking of the arrival of Mr. Bartlett from Brigus in May 1879 to take charge of the district around Birchy Cove, Bay of Islands. Sergeant Bartlett retired in 1918 in Curling (Birchy Cove). He had lived in the government area where a courthouse and jail had been constructed at Trinity Point. Inspector Bartlett had a wife and 6 children. George referred to other early families dwelling in Birchy Cove such as the Allen. Earl and Barrett families.
Over the years the Bartlett family acquired much land. George explained how much of the information had been gleaned from an old map on linen 10 feet long
The house at Bartlett’ s Point was built in 1923 and from the archives descriptions of the land and house can be found. The house was three generational and was the first place to have a telephone in the Bay of Islands and had a dumb waiter. The Bartlett family was involved with businesses and in farming its extensive land making the family self-sufficient.
George went on to tell the story about the POWs from WW1.
A German boat was fishing when war was declared so the boat was seized, and the German crew were interned for the duration of the war. During their stay they were set to work, and one task was to help by build a wall which still stands. George spoke of a letter one of the internees wrote when back in Germany about the good food they had had in Curling such as cod fish, rabbit pie and cabbage.
The talk was fascinating about the early days in Birchy Cove now Curling.
George concluded by talking about the Museum and the virtual programming planned, for the summer.
Chris thanked George before the meeting was adjourned