As a proud Newfoundlander living in Maine for the past 45 or so years, there is no greater promoter of her home province.
Izer, who is from Sunnyside, hosts what is called the Newfie Picnic at her home in Lisbon, Maine, each summer. Ex-pat Newfoundlanders and Labradorians from all over the United States and some from Canada attend the event, along with a number of non-Newfoundlanders who usually end up getting Screeched-in before the night is over.
The event has been running annually for 35 years.
And most every year Izer asks what is currently called the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation to send her something to use at the event to help promote the province. It’s usually a request for some pamphlets, tourism guides or maps.
Some years the department is really co-operative, sometimes it seems, not so much.
This year Izer asked the department for some large Newfoundland maps or posters to use as a background for people wanting to take photographs.
“We are wondering if you have very large Newfoundland maps and posters you can mail to me,” Izer wrote. “This is an annual event and taking photos with NL posters, etc., would mean so much to all. We have been promoting our province for years here in Maine, as well as across the USA.”
The response she got did not sit well with her.
“Thank you for reaching out to our office. Unfortunately, we do not have any posters to mail out for your event, but I have sent you a couple of copies of our 2017 Traveler’s Guide and Road Map to use at your event,” the email read. “I highly recommend checking out the Downhome shop to see if they have posters or anything else you can use for this event: www.shopdownhome.com.”
Izer and others who attend the event find that response difficult to understand as the event is not only well-attended, but has a large social media following which helps promote the province, and the event is often covered in the media.
The provincial government uses large maps and posters, she said, when they attend major conferences and trade shows so it shouldn’t be a big stretch to find a few extra items for the well-established Maine event.
“I really don’t think Tourism (department) understands how big these events have gotten,” she said. “The name Newfie Picnic can be misleading, it could be taken as a family picnic or something like that. The last few years we have gotten over 100 people. We get American friends also who are looking for information on Newfoundland and Labrador.
“So far as referring me to Downhome shop, that is not right. Our funds are limited and we are promoting our wonderful province, which we do because Newfoundland is so special to all of us, especially those away from home.”
Another event Izer has been attending for the past seven years is the annual Newfoundland Day in Maine. This year it was held at Mel’s Hilltop Restaurant at Poland Spring Resort. The annual event draws ex-pat Newfoundlanders together from all over New England.
“We love getting together with Newfoundland and Labrador friends who have been coming to these events for years, and each time we meet new folks from back home,” she said. “We dearly love that. I also wish I had kept track of how many honorary Newfoundlanders I have created by Screeching them in.”
On Friday, however, as part of Tourism Awareness Week 2017, the department announced $600,000 for the province’s four Destination Management Organizations — each to receive $150,000.
Legendary Coasts — Eastern Destination Management Organization; Adventure Central — Central Destination Management Organization; Go Western — West Destination Management Organization; and Destination Labrador.
A news release stated that these four organizations are partnership-based, not-for-profit industry associations that engage with tourism operators and stakeholders in their respective regions, and provide market readiness, destination development and marketing support to their members and partners.
Izer said the annual events in Maine cost the province nothing other than a few posters or pamphlets, and the promotional value for the province is priceless, yet they don’t seem to see it that way.