Thursday 30 July 2015

Across the Tickle-Long Island                                                       Barbara Colbourne

Long Island Day 2015

The Long Island Volunteer Fire Department is very pleased to have put off another annual Long Island Day celebration on Saturday, July 18.  The official start to the festival started on Friday with a sale of moose burgers, fries, hot dogs at lunchtime, a parade throughout the island and children's activities in the afternoon. This is the Fire Department's annual fundraiser that brings in funds to keep the department going for the entire year. The usual activities of games of chance and food booths entertained the visitors all day long. Volunteers of the Firettes, Fire Fighters, and all Long Island residents donated most of the food and all the labour serving in the booths. The children enjoyed the pony rides, feeding and petting the lambs and looking at the male and female turkeys, along with ducks, quail and a chick. The weather was not that great, with temperatures around 15 degrees, but the rain kept off and did not deter the crowds. The ferry was load and go from 11:00 to 4:00 PM and logged moving 137 vehicles and 331 passengers from Pilley's Island to Long Island throughout that day. MP Scott Simms was pleased to visit Long Island, which is part of the new part of his district that he will be running for in the Fall federal election. Scott proved that he is a great sport and a down-to-earth person throughout the day with his remarks to the people and allowing himself to be dunked in the dunk-tank three times, despite the cold temperatures. He raised $133.00 for the department. Brian Warr also visited and expressed his desire and dedication to be the Provincial Liberal candidate for the upcoming Fall election. Mayor Daniel took the opportunity to thank some of the people who was instrumental in getting the Long Island lighthouse tower erected, once again, on Long island. Special thanks to the businesses who donated funds or services for that.
Many thanks to corporate sponsor INVESTORS GROUP, Division Director Jeff Colbourne, out of Calgary, Alberta, for his generous donation of $2500  to the Long Island Fire Department and $2500 to the restoration of the Long Island Lighthouse. This is the second year that Jeff has given back to his home town and the whole community is very grateful. Mayor Daniel carried around his firetruck donation bucket all day long and at the end of the day collected an astonishing $1700.00 in that bucket. Many thanks to all our friends of Long Island for their contribution to the bucket and to all the activities on Long Island Day. Fire Chief Leroy Bromley is very pleased to announce that at the end of Long Island Day the goal of $15, 000.00 for a down payment on a new fire truck has been reached. Saturday festivities was capped off with a sold-out dance at the Recreation Center with music by DJ Michael Murray. The whole Long Island Day weekend rounded off with a spectatular array of local musical talent from the Grand Falls-Windsor-Green Bay area in a Gospel Sing at the Faith pentecostal Church, Long Island. Onstage was a total of 15 guitars and an accordion. The church hosted a barbecue with burgers, hot dogs and drinks after the service.

Jeff Colbourne, Calgary, Alberta, gives back to his hometown at Long Island


Mayor daniel took in aprox. $1700.00 in his firetruck fundraiser bucket at Long Island Day. Thanks everyone for the donations.


Laura Oake, our student worker, and Saff Colbourne, visiting from Calgary, AB, volunteer at the games booth.


 Leah Oake visiting home with her parents had to wear her fur hat to keep warm on LI Day.
Our BBQ chefs, Wade Oake, Ken bromley and Leslie Hurley.

Mr. Hewlett (left), visiting from South brook, 95 years young, enjoyed Long Island Day


  Bentley Parsons of Grand Falls-Windsor enjoyed the pony ride at Long Island Day.
Haylee Parsons, Grand Falls-Windsor enjoys the sights and sounds of Long Island Day

Brian Warr, running for the Liberal Nomination in our district visits long Island Day.

Nicole Bromley with her cousin, Brody Meon of Alberta, who is visiting his family at long Island.

Courtney Slade volunteers at Long Island Day. Thank you, courtney.

Petting the cute little lambs.

Scott Simms, MP, volunteers at the Long Island Day dunk tank. He went down three times, making $133.00 for the fire department.

Delicious lobster for lunch.

Barbara (me) serving up fisherman's brewis, a very popular dish at the Long Island Day food booths.