Stella Reddy's Story of Hope

It’s The Weekend!

Wow, where is the time going? You would think that, being retired and spending most of my time at home these days, I would be bored and time would go slowly. Nope! It goes by faster now than when I was working. Always so much to read, listen to, and do! I made bread the other day, made an apple pie on another and even went shopping yesterday and hubby and I will do more tomorrow. Sunday is the Christmas Parade! The next month will go by quickly.

I learn something new every day: New Today: Canada’s Bill C-9, the Combating Hate Act, aims to strengthen laws against hate crimes and protect access to religious and cultural spaces. It introduces new offences for displaying hate symbols and removes barriers to prosecuting hate propaganda. The bill seeks to make communities safer. I hope it passes!

Weekend Plans

I am excited for tomorrow evening, hubby and I are decorating our space for the holidays! I usually do the tree alone, but I asked hubby to help me this year, as my hands and back are getting too bad to stand there and fluff out the branches and decorate them. It took me two days last year. I want a real tree, but they are so messy! I love Christmas and decorating for it, but it’s been hard for me the past few years. I have some new things to put up this year!

We Got Some Moose!

Hubby came home the other day with a load of Moose meat that one of his co-workers gave him. It will last us a while! There are some sausages, ground for burgers, a nice-sized roast, and even a couple of huge steaks. It tastes good, you can taste the “wild,” and it’s good for you! There are quite a few restaurants here where you can get a Moose Burger! Moose meat is nutrient-dense, lean, and healthy, making it an excellent alternative to beef or pork when prepared safely.

I have family members who still go Moose hunting, even hunt for Caribou, though it wasn’t something I got into, as I don’t like guns. Guns are not something I feel comfortable handling. Believe me, one of my uncles tried! I was very close to my uncle on my Mom’s side. I was a tomboy, and my uncle would take my brother and me with him everywhere when I was a kid.

In the summer, we would go hunting, fishing, and birding, and in the winter, we would go ice fishing, snowshoeing, go on skidoo, and rabbit snaring. This uncle was the one who taught me how to play Darts, and we would play Pool on the table he later got. He had everything in his basement, and I spent a lot of time there. I miss him…

Moose hunting season in Newfoundland and Labrador stretches from September into March, a tradition as rugged as the land itself. With the highest moose population density in North America, hunters here have an 85% success rate, whether using a rifle, a bow, or a muzzleloader. More than a sport, it’s a way of life — families stock their freezers, outfitters guide visitors, and communities carry forward a practice rooted in resilience. As always, safety and respect for the land remain at the heart of the hunt.

Newfoundland is also the only place in the world where non-residents can hunt Woodland Caribou. With success rates near 100% and bulls weighing up to 500 pounds, these hunts are legendary. More than a trophy, it’s an adventure across bogs and barrens, guided by outfitters who know the land. In a province where caribou herds are part of the cultural fabric, the hunt is both rare and unforgettable.

Christmas Traditions in Newfoundland

There’s the laughter of mummering, when friends arrive disguised in lace curtains and lampshades, daring us to guess who’s behind the mask. There is a Mummers Parade in Bowring Park every year, and I’ll see some on Sunday in the Parade. It’s silliness, yes, but also a reminder that joy can be found in the unexpected.

On Tibb’s Eve, December 23, kitchens and pubs fill with chatter as the season truly begins. It’s a night of gathering before the quiet of family celebrations, proof that resilience is often found in community.

Children still leave out Purity syrup for Santa, a sweet local touch that shows how traditions adapt yet remain rooted in the home. And when Old Christmas Day arrives on January 6, we mark the end of the season with one last gathering, holding onto the warmth just a little longer.

These customs — from house visiting to meals of fish, lobster, or moose — are more than festive quirks. They are threads of resilience woven through generations, proof that even in long winters, Newfoundland’s spirit shines bright. I truly love this Province and am so looking forward to the coming Christmas Season.

Are there any traditions you hold dear for the coming holidays? I would love to hear them if you want to share!