Richmond Hill
July 01, 2008 01:39 PM
Keely Grasser, Staff Writer
Calling all Newfies — or those who wish they were.
Royal Canadian Legion branch 375 is hosting a Newfoundland scoff and dance Saturday.
It is a chance for all to get a taste of the Rock and have a lot of fun, legion spokesperson Frank Blackwood said.
The evening will start out with a Jigg’s Dinner, which is comprised of salt meat (beef) and cabbage.
It is a traditional Newfoundland meal, Mr. Blackwood said.
After dinner, Wayne Evans, a DJ who hails from the Rock, will spin Newfoundland folk, as well as Irish, Scottish and rock music.
Duo Claude and Aggie will also perform.
“They have the real Maritime blood,” he said.
Want to become an honourary Newfie?
A screech-in’s the way to do it, and the legion’s hosting one that night.
“It’s where you become an honourary Newfoundlander for life,” Mr. Blackwood explained of the four-step process.
First, he said, the soon-to-be initiated must kiss a codfish, as tradition goes. Unfortunately, it’s hard to get codfish, so they’ll replace it with dried capelin, a small fish from the smelt family.
Following that, one has to eat a “Newfoundland steak”, also known as bologna.
And it’s pronounced ba-lon-ey in Newfoundland, he stressed, not bo-lon-na.
Thirdly, one must down a shot of Newfoundland screech, the famed-but-strong rum, Mr. Blackwood said.
Lastly, in order to become an honourary Newfie, you must recite the phrase: Long may your big jib draw.
It’s a nautical term, Mr. Blackwood said, that roughly translates to “good luck”.
The end of the ceremony will be marked by everyone being patted on the behind with a paddle from a boat from Newfoundland, he said.
Mr. Blackwood said he’s had a lot of curious people asking him about these Newfoundland traditions, but he encourages everyone to come out and check them out.
He said anyone who does always finds them to be great fun.