Port Au Choix -
The centuries-old bond between Port au Choix and France was celebrated at the town's recent Heritage Day.
Port au Choix Heritage Committee chairperson Stella Mailman said the town has been celebrating such days for 10 years and opted to hold this year's event on July 31 to coincide with a visit from Etienne Bernet and Marie HÉlÈne Dejardins of the MusÉe des Terre-Neuve et de la pÊche, or Museum of Newfoundland Fishery in FÉcamp, France.
The visitors came to town to gather information about the history of French fishing in the area, were treated to a meal of local treats such as blueberry cheesecake and fish 'n brewis, and were given a special, symbolic present to mark their visit.
"They were presented with a little gift from the Heritage Centre, an inukshuk each," Mailman told The Western Star. "We presented them with that because the marker means we've past this way, we were here."
Perhaps one of the most interesting parts of the day involved a demonstration from town resident Dean Rumbolt, who poured a cod jigger from a traditional mold which is over 200 years old and has been used by his family for generations.
Mailman said witnessing such a process by someone using similar methods to the ones used by their ancestors left a big impression on Bernet and Dejardins.
"That went over excellent, the people from France told us they were really thrilled," she said. "They had seen one in Conche and the other one was here. They don't even have one back in France.
"They were delighted to see it in such wonderful shape and still useable."
The history of French presence in Port au Choix dates back as early as 1504 and many current residents in the town can trace their own descendants back to these early settlers who often deserted their ships to settle in the area.
During their visit, Mailman said the French museum representatives showed her pictures from the town taken during the 1800s and were happy to see first-hand many of the land markings in the photos.
"They were just overwhelmed to hold pictures and to stand on the very same ground that their ancestors long before them stood," she said. "They couldn't believe it, to take a step back in time. And they said the hospitality was unbelievable."
Over 140 residents attended the Heritage Day celebration this year, making it in Mailman's estimation the most successful one to date. She believes holding such events is very important way to promote the Northern Peninsula town as a tourist destination.
"When people can go away with good memories about how they were treated good and the hospitality, it does wonders for your town," she said.
