The cheers and applause and singing of 'Auld Lang Syne' was done and Bill was standing on the stage getting the attention of all those in the Pub, as Chelsea Dove set up the cameras that would stream the next part of the festivities over the Tuckamore Bay website to the entire world.
Chelsea joined Bill on stage.
"We already have like one hundred thousand people waiting to view."
"What?"
"This is a big moment, Bill."
She kissed Bill on the cheek.
"Good luck."
Chelsea kissed Matty, as she joined her husband on stage.
"Now do I have to worry about you and Chels?"
Bill rolled his eyes.
"Good."
"But she is cute."
Matty slapped his chest.
"She is too young for you."
She kissed Bill quickly on the lips.
"You ready for this?"
Bill shook his head.
"Nope. That is why you are staying here with me."
"That was not the plan."
Bill smirked.
"Is now."
He turned back to those in the Pub. After getting their attention, he spoke.
"Okay everyone.
Chelsea informs me that there are a lot of people waiting for us to start this stream. I ask that all spirits be sure that they are not visible."
"Dey cants see us on cameras, Willam," Nanny Dove yelled.
"But dey can 'ears us."
"That is what I am afraid of."
He looked at Matty.
"We are asking all of you spirits to please save your comments until after we stop the stream."
"What stream," one of the spirits yelled.
"Ise don't sees no stream, or lake or pond. Can't even sees da ocean from 'ere."
"Luke Dove," Nanny Dove yelled.
"Youse 'ad little to say when yuse was alive. Now youse found yer tongue?
Zip it."
Laughter filled the pub. It took Bill a moment to get it under control.
"Okay. let's get serious here."
He reached in his pocket and took out a small scarlet colored box. He opened it and showed it to all those gathered.
Chelsea walked up, with a hand held camera, to get a closer look. The multi TV screens showed the case and the two gold coins inside.
"Now we had planned to present everyone with these, but I have decided that over the next couple days, I will personally deliver them to each and every family in the Bay. I really don't feel comfortable with letting the world know about these coins."
Bill closed the case and returned it to his pocket. He looked at Chelsea.
"We ready?"
Chelsea's husband, Lance, was sitting at a table in front of the stage, where he would control the stationary cameras. Chelsea leaned over the table and entered a few commands on the MacPro laptop and took the handheld camera, next to her.
She looked at Bill.
"You ready. You have almost a quarter million viewers waiting."
"Lets do this."
Chelsea hit enter and all the screens in the Pub came alive with a picture of Bill and Matty.
Bill looked out over the Pub.
"Happy New Year," he yelled.
The Pub erupted in cheers and applause.
Chelsea panned the Pub to get the reaction.
"My name is Bill Williams and I am the Mayor of the amazing village of Tuckamore Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. The most beautiful place in the world."
Another huge cheer.
"And this beautiful woman is my loving wife Matty."
Another loud cheer, as Matty waved to everyone and kissed Bill quickly.
Bill waited for the noise to settle.
"This is a very special night for Tuckamore Bay and a historic night, not only for the Bay, but for the province of Newfoundland and even the country of Canada."
While Bill spoke, Chelsea got Matty a stool and a microphone.
"Tuckamore Bay is an amazing community."
As Bill spoke, pictures of the houses and buildings of the Bay appeared on the screens, as well as pics of many of the residents.
"Tuckamore Bay was founded in 1798 by Issac Matthew Dove and the men, women and children of Tuckamore County, England. Though their story was a tragic one, the end result was this amazing village, that we all now reside in."
As Bill spoke, a slideshow showing a quick history appeared on the screens and was sent on the live stream.
Most everyone sat back at their tables, as Bill spoke and the slideshow continued.
"So, it goes to show that even out of tragedy, they can be a silver lining."
Bill sipped on a bottle of water, on a stool near him.
"It was just seven months ago, that I saw Tuckamore Bay for the first time and I have to honestly say that when I stepped out of my truck and gazed down over this little village, I fell in love, not only with the village but soon after, with the people and one person, in particular."
He turned and blew a kiss to Matty.
"Love you," Matty smiled.
"But even in the midst of all this happiness, there was a looming fear of disaster. Tuckamore Bay was one of several communities that were slated for relocation. In essence, that would mean that the Bay would be shut down and all the residents relocated to other cities and towns, in the province. It would have meant the end of an era and sadly, the end of Tuckamore Bay."
Matty stood up and walked to Bill, taking his hand.
"All of us, here in the Bay, though it was the end of a way of life that had survived for over two hundred years, but because of the love, trust and belief, shown by this amazing man," Matty looked at Bill and smirked, "and of course his money, we were able to do what no one believed we could, not even many of the people of the Bay itself."
Bill continued.
"The men, women and children of Tuckamore Bay are the most amazing people you will ever meet. I know they are the most incredible I have ever met and believe me, there is no amount of money that could have saved Tuckamore Bay, if it were not for the trust, loyalty, determination and plain stubbornness of each and every one of the amazing people of Tuckamore Bay."
"It was not an easy journey," Matty added.
"Things happened so fast and furious for so many months, that there were times we were all ready to throw our hands in the air and say, 'fuck it'."
A huge cheer went up from the Pub, as Matty put her hand over her mouth, realizing that she had just swore.
She looked at Bill, laughing. "Sorry."
Bill shrugged.
"Welcome to the Bay."
Another large cheer.
Clayton Rideout jumped to his feet.
"Tree cheers fer da Bay."
Chelsea caught it all, as the entire Pub raised their drinks and cheered for the Bay
Bill had to wait again, for the noise to subside.
"As my potty mouth wife so eloquently said, there were many times we all just wanted to say fuck it..."
Another huge cheer.
"And ... and ...and ..."
Bill held up his hands.
"And ... as I said, many many times, move to Jamaica and buy a condo. But I didn't and though the world seemed to constantly want to stick it to us, we would not give up and that is why tonight is so very special to me, Matty, and our whole family here in the Bay.
We have fought hard to be where we are right now and we have a very special guest to help us celebrate this historic event."
Chelsea had already focused on Wike Rideout.
"Ladies and gentlemen and all of you wonderful people out there, watching on live stream, may I present the Premier of our amazing province of Newfoundland, Mr. Daniel Best."
Wike jumped to his feet and booed the Premier, amid the laughter of the others.
Cindy stood up and slapped Wike across the back of his head.
"Wycliff Rideout. One more word from youse and Ise will bes sending' youse 'ome.
Now sits down."
Wike sheepishly sat down, a huge smile on his face.
"Loves ya Danny Boy."
Cindy rolled her eyes.
"Ise so sorry, Daniel."
Daniel smiled.
"Would not have been the same without a comment from Wike."
Wike raised his beer, amid the laughter and applause.
Daniel stood in front of the stage, with Bill and Matty behind him.
"Welcome to all the wonderful people of Tuckamore Bay and to all those people out there watching through the TB website, I welcome you as well."
There was a round of applause and a few cheers.
Daniel waited until it quietened sown again. He looked down at his wife.
"Why don't you join us, Wendy?"
Wendy shook her head and held up her hands, but Daniel walked off stage, as Bill got her a stool.
Daniel took her hand and walked her up to the stage.
Chelsea passed Wendy a microphone.
"You sleep on the couch tonight, Mr. Premier."
Laugher erupted through the Pub.
Daniel shrugged.
"My beautiful wife, Wendy."
Wendy stood and waved to those gathered.
Wike jumped up and whistled at Wendy.
Cindy jumped up and slapped him across the head again.
Wendy winked and blew him a kiss.
"Welcome to the Bay, Mr. Premier," Matty laughed.
Daniel gained his composure again.
"Something tells me this is not going to help my popularity vote."
Laughter again.
"Anyway," Daniel sighed, half laughing.
"As Bill said earlier, this is indeed a historic moment in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Not only is this the first time that a village has fought so hard to become independent, but it is the first time that any community has basically become self sufficient and self governing.
Never before, apart from our First Nations, has a collective group of people gained the power over their own destiny."
Daniel took a document from a stool next to him.
"I hold here, in my hand, a decree that the community, known as Tuckamore Bay, on the west coast of Newfoundland, by reinstatement of a document penned in March of 1798, by King George III of England, has all mineral, forest, farming and fishing rights returned to them. It also decrees that the community of Tuckamore Bay, by agreement with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and by unanimous agreement by all representatives of all the districts of Newfoundland and Labrador, is to be self governing and as such, has the right to amend and create laws, as they see fit to continue to strive."
Daniel turned to Bill, who joined him.
"A further agreement between the Newfoundland and Labrador government and Tuckamore Bay has decreed that the Bay will continue to follow the laws of both the province and country of Canada."
Bill laughed.
"With a few exceptions."
A huge cheer went up from the Pub. The villagers knew Bill was referring primarily to their smoking rules and their ability to sell self made items, including cigarettes and beer.
Daniel offered Bill his hand.
"Congratulations, Mr. Mayor."
Bill shook the Premier's hand and then held the document high.
A huge cheer erupted from the Pub, as everyone got to their feet.
Bill returned to his stool, as Daniel continued.
"Of course ... of course, it goes without saying that the village of Tuckamore Bay is no longer on the official list of communities to be relocated."
Another loud cheer and applause.
Daniel held up his hands. Slowly everyone got back in their seats.
Daniel sipped his water.
"This is water," he assured everyone.
"Sure it is, honey," Wendy exclaimed, holding up her wine.
Daniel laughed.
"Well it is New Years."
He picked up another document from the stool.
"Greenwood, British Columbia, has the reputation of being the smallest incorporated city in Canada. With a population of just 675, it has held that honour for many years."
Daniel looked at the time on his cellphone.
"But as of 12:45 a.m. on Friday, January 1, 2021, that is about to change."
Daniel held up the document in his hand.
"This document, approved by the Department of Municipal Affairs and the entire elected body of the Newfoundland and Labrador government, decrees that the village of Tuckamore Bay is fully incorporated and as such, is now the smallest incorporated city in the country of Canada."
Everyone in the Pub were on their feet again, cheering and clapping and hugging each other.
Matty walked to Daniel, hugged him and took the document, turning to the Pub and screaming in joy.
Chelsea jumped on stage and whispered something to Matty, amid the noise.
"Yes," Matty yelled.
"Chels just informed me that Tuckamore Bay is now the 4th smallest city in North America."
Another huge cheer.
It took nearly ten minutes for those in the Pub to return to their seats.
"Wow," Daniel smiled.
"What a night."
Chelsea hurried up the stairs and spoke to Daniel.
Daniel nodded.
"It appears we have a very special guest who wants to say a few words."
Daniel turned to the screens on the wall, as the face of the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, appeared.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Cindy stood up and wagged her finger at Wike.
"Not a word from youse, mister."
The Prime Minister laughed.
"Thank you Cindy."
"Youse welcome," Cindy laughed, as she sat down.
""I do not want to interrupt your celebration, but I just wanted to congratulate Bill, Matty and all the people of Tuckamore Bay for being a true inspiration, not only to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, but to the country of Canada and by the numbers I see, watching this streaming, the people of the world.
I see you now have over ten million people watching this broadcast. Congrats on that."
The Prime Minister sipped some water and continued.
"I also want to assure the people of Tuckamore Bay that you also have the support of the Canadian government, as well as the support of the Canadian people. You have overcome immense hurdles to be where you are today and truly, you are a shining example of what can be done, when people unite as one, toward a singles cause."
Wike stood up and started clapping, soon followed by the rest of the Pub.
The Prime Minister waited until everyone sat again.
"Premier Best, I applaud what you have done for, not only Tuckamore Bay, but for all of Newfoundland and Labrador."
"Thank you Mr. Trudeau."
"And, for Bill and Matty, you are truly a prime example of what Canada stands for and certainly a prominent example of the grit and determination that Newfoundlanders have been known for.
I applaud what you have done and I hope that when I come to Newfoundland, in the late spring, you will allow me the opportunity to visit your beautiful village."
Matty stood up.
"It would be our pleasure, Mr. Prime Minister."
"I look forward to it."
The Prime Minister picked up a glass of wine and held it to the screen.
"To Tuckamore Bay.
Congratulations."
He sipped his wine and waved goodbye.
A loud cheer erupted, as he disappeared.
Bill joined Daniel on the front of the stage.
"On behalf of all the residents of Tuckamore Bay, I want to thank our Premier Daniel Best for being here tonight and to our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, thank you for the kind words.
And to all those out there, who took time from their own celebrations to join us here tonight for this historic event, all of us here in the Bay thank you and we raise our glasses to you."
Chelsea panned the Pub as everyone raised their glasses and drank.
"And," Bill continued, as Matty joined him, "we all hope to see you here in the Bay.
Good night."
Everyone yelled, "Good night," as Lance shut down the stream.
Bill looked out over the Pub.
"Okay. To all the residents of the brand new city of Tuckamore Bay."
He raised his beer in the air.
"Let's parrrrrrrrrrtaaaaaaaayyyyy."