The Our Town - Clarenville Blog by Paul Tilley

July 1 was much anticipated this year.   The day had two very distinctive parts: Part 1, the somber remembrance of the tragedy of Beaumont Hamel and Part 2 - the joy of Canada Day. This year - and next year are significant for each of the two parts.   This year marked the 100th anniversary of Beaumont Hamel and it brought out several hundred residents to honor the Newfoundland men and women who gave their all in WW1.   Next year marks the 150th anniversary of Canada and this year's pre year celebrations brought out many young and old alike. Part 1: Beaumont Hamel #WW100 Video 1 - 100 for 100 - Men from this region who took part in WW1 and Beaumont Hamel Video 2 - July 1 Commemoration Part 2 - Canada Day #149 Celebrations with a performance by Quickdraw and fireworks in the Park

Out of the Ashes Every once in a while there is a 'magic moment' where time and place come together to form a perfect bond around some memorable event. The quickly organized and most excellently executed, Music for Friends: Fort McMurray Fundraiser that took place on the evening of Monday, May 16 in Clarenville was just such a moment - a 3 hour 'moment' that showcased some amazing talent by generous hearts.    The event was in response to the devastating Fort McMurray fires, and with all of the proceeds raised being forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross Fort McMurray Relief Fund, it was a great cause to help Newfoundland socalled "third city".   The event was the brainchild of Todd Cole and the staff at the Clarenville Town Office with the support of the Town Council (aka: The Citizens of Clarenville) - and their efforts coupled with the staff of the Eastlink Events Centre - They brought the idea to reality by signing on the entertainers, promotin...

On Thursday, Feb 25, the Clarenville Chamber of Commerce celebrated the achievement of small businesses in our region, and recognized the contributions of key community builders with its 9th annual Business Excellence Awards. See full coverage in THE PACKET Here are video segments of this year's recipients: VIDEO SEGMENT 1: Small Business: Community Vet Hospital  VIDEO SEGMENT 2:   Medium Business: Eastlink VIDEO SEGMENT 3:  The Corwin Mills QC Community Cares: Clarenville Habitat for Humanity   VIDEO SEGMENT 4:  The 2015 Inductee to the Business Hall of Fame: Mr. Owen Blundon OWEN BLUNDON Bio Owen is the oldest son of Chesley & Effie Blundon from Shoal Hr. At a young age he showed signs of wanting to own his own business selling animal feed while still in school. He went to Horwood High in Clarenville where he met his wife Marlene Lethbridge. After high school Owen went on to Trade School to take a Carpentry course. O...

R alph Lethbridge is not your typical 71 year old  Entrepreneur, Husband, Dad and Grandfather.   He's what we call in Newfoundland & Labrador - a "Character".   He is Boonie. Boonie Lethbridge is one of those characters that you will find throughout small town Canada.   Boonie (as he is affectionately known) has been the go-to person to buy real, local Christmas trees in the Clarenville area since 1984.   EVERYONE knows him and kids in particular love him because he bears a striking resemblance to Santa!! That's not the only resemblance - his heart is as big as Santa's too!   His trade-mark white beard is the reason, and very few people remember seeing him without it.  Over the past few years several prominent citizens of Clarenville have died from ALS, including Corwin Mills,  Dolores Balsom &  Pat Cole . T his fall after the death of Mr. Mill's,  Dolores' husband Alex and Boonie were chatting.  Boonie suggeste...