A Time That Was: Christmas in Newfoundland

by Gary Collins

A collection of true Christmas stories by Gary Collins, Newfoundland and Labrador’s favourite storyteller!

Gary Collins invites us to live again the gone forever. These stories embody the soul of Christmas in outport Newfoundland, and each one carries a message that rings true every time: all roads lead to home.

Christmas, with all its lights and music and gift giving, is also a time to remember days long ago. Community togetherness and the strength of family come alive in these pages, where Gary Collins, in his inimitable style, reminds us of the poverty of possession and the wealth of sharing.

Stories include . . .

The Christmas Rescue
Mummer in the Barrel
The Christmas Salmon
Flowers for a Queen
Concerts and Times

. . . and many more!

181 pages, Paperback

Published October 19, 2015

About the author

Gary Collins was born in Hare Bay, Bonavista North. He spent forty years in the logging and sawmilling business with his father, Theophilus, and son Clint. Gary was once Newfoundland's youngest fisheries guardian. He managed log drives down spring rivers for years, spent seven seasons driving tractor-trailers over ice roads and the Beaufort Sea of Canada's Western Arctic, and has been involved in the crab, lobster, and cod commercial fisheries. In 2016, he joined the Canadian Rangers.

Gary's writing career began when he was asked to write eulogies for deceased friends and family. Now a critically acclaimed author, he has written twelve books, including the children's illustrated book What Colour is the Ocean?, which he co-wrote with his granddaughter, Maggie Rose Parsons. That book won an Atlantic Book Award: The Lillian Shepherd Memorial Award for Excellence in Illustration. His book Mattie Mitchell: Newfoundland's Greatest Frontiersman has been adapted for film. His first novel, The Last Beothuk, won the inaugural NL Reads literary competition, administered by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Gary Collins is Newfoundland and Labrador's favourite storyteller, and today he is known all over the province as "the Story Man." His favourite pastimes are reading, writing, and playing guitar at his log cabin. He lives in Hare Bay, Newfoundland, with his wife, the former Rose Gill. They have three children and three grandchildren

Reviews

[Noelle Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good collection of true Christmas stories. For anyone who really likes Christmas, I would definitely say read this book.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Newfoundland is a truly wonderful time of year and “A Time That Was: Christmas in Newfoundland” by Gary Collins does a fantastic job of bringing back memories of years gone by. A time when neighbor helped neighbor in times of need and when mummers knocking on your door was the highlight of the season. It reminded me a lot of the Christmases I spent in a small outport community as a child. Visiting house to house or visitors stopping by and all the glorious food and drinks and baked goods; sitting by the warm wood stove at Nan and Pop’s house; the tinsel and lights and old-fashioned ornaments on the tree. I could picture it all in my head. We didn’t have much but we had each other. Nothing has ever come close! This book took me right back there. A very enjoyable read!

[Brittany Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the short stories. Gives insight to what traditions used to be compared to my own traditions growing up that are different to even today. Highly recommend for a Christmas nostalgic read of my home ❤️

[Harold Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newfoundland Christmas stories but not "Santa down the chimney."