Rural Newfoundland and Labrador has taken plenty of hits over the years. Randy Simms, host of VOCM’s Open Line, stated in February 2008, "Let's get on with it; let's appreciate our history and accept the fact that rural communities are gone."
Unfortunately, ill-informed comments like Ms. Snow’s 2008 slur on rural Newfoundland and Labrador paint a very grim picture. It’s too bad, though, that negative opinions of rural life spread through the airwaves, while hard-working people like Gwen Goodyear in Wesleyville struggle to promote what they’re trying to do to better the life of those “stuck” with rural living.
Ms. Goodyear, who spends half of the year in the U.S.A. and the other half of the year in Newfoundland and Labrador, is the new program director with Beothic Arena in Wesleyville. Her goal is a simple one, but getting the message out isn’t — to produce and promote activities to get everybody in her area out, active and socializing.
Ms. Goodyear, who’s originally from St. Mary’s, is organizing a plethora of different activities to stimulate the local area. From a mixed youth softball team to floor hockey; to a quilting course and senior’s exercise program, to a craft fair and live professional wrestling show, Ms. Goodyear is putting it all on the line.
She’s no radio host, and doesn’t have the means or budget to promote what she’s trying to do, but that hasn’t stopped her from trying.
Ms. Goodyear said direct communication is a problem for her, and she’s struggling to overcome that barrier. She has a message to send, but just needs a means to relay it.
Rather than complain about it, Ms. Goodyear has made calls to local media outlets, and has contemplated ideas like setting up a Facebook account to let people know what she’s doing, and about the programs she’s running. Unlike people with a more adequate means to make a difference, Ms. Goodyear said her goal is to start the summer programs this year, and to have them run every year thereafter.
Ms. Goodyear is adamant about getting people out and giving them something to do. Whether it’s physical fitness, or just a socializing activity, she wants the people of New-Wes-Valley and the surrounding area to get involved. From ball players to quilt makers, Ms. Goodyear has something in mind for everybody.
So how does word spread about Ms. Goodyear and her planned activities for the summer? Well, if she wants to provide programs for rural Newfoundland, then word should spread in typical rural living style — word of mouth. If a local quilt maker in Lumsden wants to sell something at a craft fair, then that person should call Ms. Goodyear and relay the word to her neighbour, who then would relay it to a sibling, who then would pass it on to their children, who then would pass it on to a friend, and so on down the line.
When a person in rural Newfoundland tries to get people out, and coordinates activities for those living in rural Newfoundland, everybody should jump onboard to make it viable and successful. Do a bunch of youth from Greenspond think they can take down the floor hockey team assembled by Ms. Goodyear? According to the enthusiasm in Ms. Goodyear’s voice, a challenge wouldn’t go unheard or unanswered.
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