Kicking the concern and other strange Newfoundland Christmas customs.

Not every mummer story has a happy ending. In 1860 a group of mummers killed a man in Bay Roberts , NL — that was only one incident in a string of violent behaviour.

On Dec 12, 1942, 99 people died in a tragic fire at the Knights of Columbus Barn Dance— and it may not have been an accident.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that ol’ Rockyfoot was not drawing near.

The story of a terrifying Newfoundland shipwreck, a harrowing rescue and a song that still gets sung today.

When World War II came to Newfoundland Botwood was forever changed — and Bob Hope got to add a joke to his repertoire.

On November 2, 1878 a giant squid came ashore in Thimble Tickle, Newfoundland. It became a world record holder, inspired a life-sized sculpture and appeared on a stamp. It also became dinner.

Old time magic for Halloween in Newfoundland

Murder, macabre justice and mayhem! In 18th century Newfoundland there was a punishment worse than death — the gibbet.

There are mysteries in the deep but from time to time the come to the surface — here are 10 times Newfoundland sea serpents and lake monsters made the news.

The truth is out there… maybe in Gander, Harbour Mille or Random Island, NL

Re-telling of a folktale about how the devil came to leave his mark in a rock outside Fortune Harbour, Newfoundland.

On October 19, 1936 some parts of Newfoundland thought the world was ending. Literally.

Haunted, historic and open to the public — five of the most convenient places to encounter a ghost in Newfoundland.

A little more than a century ago a newspaper’s bizarre tale of a pirate treasure and spectral dogs on the shores of Quidi Vidi created a sensation in St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Tall tales of rum runners and pirates  have obscured the truth behind this Brigus landmark. The real story illustrates the tremendous changes Newfoundland’s rural communities have faced.

On September 14, 1896 St. John’s city workers made a gruesome discovery under Military Road.

The first time Queen Elizabeth II appeared on a postage stamp it was in 1932… and it was in Newfoundland.

Trivia about the Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial bird — the Atlantic puffin.

Eleven facts about Terra Nova National Park.

Not what I expected! 15 years ago I asked Newfoundlanders to select the island’s most amazing places. Their choices surprised me!

Just over 300 years ago dreaded pirate Bartholomew Roberts set his sights on Newfoundland and began a 2-week reign of terror. Maybe.

170 years ago a ship sank in Petty Harbour inspiring a song we still sing today.

In 1905 something shiny and new — in the form of an unusual iceberg — appeared outside of St. John’s harbour and some people were convinced it was a miracle.

Did an Irish monk visit Newfoundland, carve his story in the rocks and leave again, 500 years before the Norse set up camp at L’Anse aux Meadows?

Newfoundland’s rabbits (aka snowshoe hare) and George Street United Church have exactly one thing in common — the Hon. Stephen Rendell.

90 years ago Newfoundland got mad. Mad enough to riot, trash the legislature, force the resignation of a prime minister and make headlines around the globe.

London! New York! Baccalieu! From globe-trotting music hall hit to kitchen parties in the cove, there’s a strange story behind ‘Jack Was Every Inch A Sailor’ becoming a Newfoundland folk music classic.

On March 30, 1826 Mark Rudkin shot John Philpot in a duel. It was Newfoundland’s last death by duel but was it murder?

91 years ago Hollywood came to Newfoundland and it ended in tragedy — some 27 people died in what would become known as The Viking disaster.

Unusually named and unusually tasty! How did the Newfoundland’s most beloved berry — the bakeapple — get its name?

In Newfoundland they are mopes and dogberries, but they might be grosbeaks and mountain ash, to you.

In WW2 two US Navy ships ran aground in a deadly accident off Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula. The heroic actions of the people of Lawn and St. Lawrence are still being talked about, and for good reason.

Old-fashioned winters are overrated — February 1921 was avalanche after avalanche in St. John’s. Newfoundland has a deadly history of avalanches.

Mar Falten! That means it’s Valentine’s Day in Newfoundland! Beware people with apples — check out these old Newfoundland love spells and charms to find out why.

Candlemas is upon us! Throw your cod-oil lamps and candles away. Find the nearest bear — she may have good news!

Newfoundland dogs — small talk for your next Robbie Burns night thanks to Sir Edwin Landseer.

The story of the Labrador retriever starts on the rocky coast of Newfoundland where a hard working fisherman’s dog travelled the Atlantic to win the heart of an English aristocrat.

From superstitions to magic, Old Christmas Day (January 6th) in Newfoundland comes with a set of strange customs and beliefs.

1918 went out with a bang in St. John’s — Cabot Tower exploded.

Tibb’s Eve and mummers? Sure. What about playing for Christmas cake and choosing champion of the bay. There are many strange Newfoundland Christmas customs.

The story of Newfoundland’s first bank robbery.

The personal experiences of people who experienced the 1929 Newfoundland tsunami are fascinating, unbelievable, and heartbreaking).

The National War Memorial in St. John’s, Newfoundland is an impressive monument. Check out these facts, in which we touch on phrenology, leading-lights and lick-ability.

In a roundabout way, the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake may have led to a classic Newfoundland kitchen party song and a successful Canadian folk-rock band.

After mapping and naming the Newfoundland coast, Capt. Cook brought the word tattoo to the English speaking world.

Phantom weather lights, jack o’lanterns and carving far-creepier-than-anticipated halloween turnips in Newfoundland.

Mockbeggar in Bonavista, Newfoundland has reputation for being a haunted places... for good reason. Ghosts and mystery bodies abound.

The Newfoundland-Nova Scotia ferry was torpedoed and sank in 1942 killing 137.

In 1884, a ship was found drifting off Newfoundland—lamps still burning on the table, crew vanished. Was it ice, mutiny, or murder? A century later, a new clue washed ashore.

Was Happy Adventure, Newfoundland named by pirates?

In 1888 the crew of ship Augusta encountered a sea monster off Newfoundland.

Before the Titanic, another White Star ocean liner saw tragedy off Newfoundland. Majestic struck and sank the fishing schooner Antelope.

Newfoundland is one of the foggiest places on the planet -- here's why. Plus, make fog in a jar!

Sheila's Brush is a piece of Newfoundland weather folklore associated with St. Patrick's Day... but where did it come from?

Tuckamore tress may be the perfect symbol of resilience.

A button, a penny, a straw? In Newfoundland Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday) comes with a dangerous(?) fortune-telling tradition.

Mar falten is a traditional Valentine's Day greeting in Newfoundland.

The story of wolves and coyotes on the island of Newfoundland, from the Newfoundland wolf to the arrival of coyotes and coy-wolf.

It’s Robert Burns birthday. Take a moment to remember the Scottish poet and celebrate Newfoundland all at the same time.

Newfoundland has no groundhogs but plenty of February 2, weatherlore.

My great-grandmother believed it was important to start the new year in new clothes. This year I’m keeping the tradition with a new hat (a Christmas gift from my sister).

Mummers, Tibb’s Eve, Dark and Light Fruit Cake, Old Christmas Day… These are some of my Newfoundland Christmas traditions.

The only thing more certain than Tibb’s Eve in Newfoundland is a Newfoundlander asking what Tibb’s Eve is.

Back to the beginning.

This golden fruit might just be THE berry of Newfoundland... even if it is an acquired taste.

Jake, my first dog, changed my life.

Dogs are amazing listeners.

Take a deeper dive into the surprising story of giant squid in Newfoundland

Five facts about the Newfoundland half-hour time zone.

5 smouldering facts about Bonfire Night in Newfoundland.

Video of black and yellow Labrador retrievers diving.

This year Halloweenining was harder.