Point May, Newfoundland and Labrador
Encyclopedia
Point May is the most southerly community on the Burin Peninsula
in Newfoundland and Labrador
with a population of about 150-250 people. It is a Catholic
community with a church, town hall, fire hall, two stores, softball and soccer field. It is known for its close proximity to the French
islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, where the smuggling of liquor and tobacco
has been a way of life since before Canada
was a country.
Point May's main economic staple is its fishing, as in many other small, outport Newfoundland
towns. However, since the decline of fish stocks and government intervention the residents of Point May have suffered and many have moved away.
Point May has a rugged and diverse landscape. Flat in comparison to most of Newfoundland and Labrador
, Point May and its surrounding area is lined with marshes and peatland, perfect for bakeapple berries and partridge
hunting. Because it is so close to the ocean, it is also an ideal spot for hunting saltwater ducks.
Its landscape is ideal for camping, cabins, fishing, and pretty much all outdoor activities imaginable. Point May is actually separated in two by a river which is crossed by a bridge. Each area of town has its own sub-name such as Micks Cove, Lories, and Mossy Hill.
Point May and its people are known for their "times". During holidays (mainly Christmas
) the town is one big party with lots of song and dance and alky (liquor smuggled from St. Pierre). People of all ages gather at the Town Hall to celebrate whatever occasion.
Sports are also very popular. The softball
team "the Point May Tappers" traveled throughout Canada
to participate in national tournaments. Hockey
(both road and ice) is also very popular and kids can be seen playing nearly everyday of the year.
As time goes on, many rural communities in Newfoundland
are being lost as people are leaving their homes to find work elsewhere. The fear is that this traditional way of life will be lost and rural communities such as Point May will be lost.
Burin Peninsula
The Burin Peninsula is a Canadian peninsula located on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador....
in Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
with a population of about 150-250 people. It is a Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
community with a church, town hall, fire hall, two stores, softball and soccer field. It is known for its close proximity to the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon, where the smuggling of liquor and tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
has been a way of life since before Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
was a country.
Point May's main economic staple is its fishing, as in many other small, outport Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
towns. However, since the decline of fish stocks and government intervention the residents of Point May have suffered and many have moved away.
Point May has a rugged and diverse landscape. Flat in comparison to most of Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
, Point May and its surrounding area is lined with marshes and peatland, perfect for bakeapple berries and partridge
Partridge
Partridges are birds in the pheasant family, Phasianidae. They are a non-migratory Old World group.These are medium-sized birds, intermediate between the larger pheasants and the smaller quails. Partridges are native to Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East...
hunting. Because it is so close to the ocean, it is also an ideal spot for hunting saltwater ducks.
Its landscape is ideal for camping, cabins, fishing, and pretty much all outdoor activities imaginable. Point May is actually separated in two by a river which is crossed by a bridge. Each area of town has its own sub-name such as Micks Cove, Lories, and Mossy Hill.
Point May and its people are known for their "times". During holidays (mainly Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
) the town is one big party with lots of song and dance and alky (liquor smuggled from St. Pierre). People of all ages gather at the Town Hall to celebrate whatever occasion.
Sports are also very popular. The softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
team "the Point May Tappers" traveled throughout Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to participate in national tournaments. Hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
(both road and ice) is also very popular and kids can be seen playing nearly everyday of the year.
As time goes on, many rural communities in Newfoundland
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador is the easternmost province of Canada. Situated in the country's Atlantic region, it incorporates the island of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador with a combined area of . As of April 2011, the province's estimated population is 508,400...
are being lost as people are leaving their homes to find work elsewhere. The fear is that this traditional way of life will be lost and rural communities such as Point May will be lost.