"So what's dis big ting wese all 'as to watch television fer?" Clayton Dove asked of Lindsay, as she passed him a beer.
"Youse knows as much as Ise do, Clayt. Youse got da same text dat Ise got. Da same text dat everyone gots."
Lindsay showed her cellphone message to Clayton.
"All Matty says is we all 'as to watch CTV at seven thirty."
She looked at the clock over the bar.
"And that bes in a few minutes, so youse best get a seat."
Lindsay got everyone's attention in the Pub.
"Okay all of you. Sit down and bes quiet, while Ise turns on the televisions."
Everyone gathered in the bar sat, as Lindsay opened the remote control on the Pub's iPad and turned on the six big screen televisions mounted around the Pub.
A message flashed on the screen.
"Okay. Everyone shuts up and listen."
A man's voice came over the television.
"We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for this special message from the Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Premier Best is broadcasting from his home in St. John's.
Wheel of Fortune will return tomorrow night, at its regularly scheduled time."
The message disappeared from the screen and a picture of a desk, with bookcases in the background, filled the screens.
"'e bes a ghost," Wike Rideout barked out.
There was a splatter of laughs, until Clayton spoke up.
"Unless youse wants to be a ghost dere, Wike, Ise bes shuttin' up 'bout right now."
Premier Best walked into the scene and sat at the desk. He folded his hands and sat straight, staring at the camera and prompter that were a couple feet from him, out of the viewer's vision.
"I apologize for interrupting your usual Monday programming, but I felt that the events of the day, the historic events of today, had to be delivered to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, by myself and not through channels of here-say and gossip."
He took a deep breath and continued.
"Earlier today, two of my highest ranking ministers handed in their resignations.
Deputy Premier Christine Young and Environmental Minister Calvin Parsons, both presented me with documents, announcing their immediate resignation from their posts with the government and their intention to leave politics for good."
A huge cheer went up from those in the Pub.
Lindsay grabbed a Sonic Blaster air horn and let rip with a loud blast to quite everyone down.
" ... citing personal reasons for their quick and unexpected resignations.
Both Mrs. Young and Mr. Parsons will be missed by our party and they leave behind huge shoes to fill. I wish both the very best, as they leave behind their political careers and begin their new lives in the public sector.
A slight shuffle of cabinet has been put into effect immediately.
Elizabeth Morrow, will step down from her post as Minister of Tourism and she has accepted the post as the new Deputy Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The position of Minister of Tourism will now be filled by Mr. Gerry Byrne, the MHA from the district of Corner Brook and the position of Minister of the Environment will be filled by the MHA for Grand Falls - Windsor - Buchans, Mr. Christopher Tibbs.
I congratulate all three on their promotions and I am sure that they will carry on the pride and tradition and work ethic of their predecessors.
Elections in the districts of Humber - Gros Morne and St. John's Central will be held in December, at a date to be determined by Elections Newfoundland and Labrador."
"Maybe Ise shud run," Wike barked.
"Maybe youse shud stop runnin' off at da mouth," Lindsay barked back at him.
"Or youse will be cuts off, Wycliff Rideout."
Premier Best took a drink of water and started talking again.
"In 2017, it was decided by the government that a new stage of relocations be started to better centralize the population of Newfoundland and Labrador, into larger centres and allow the government better use of the taxpayers monies.
Twenty locations were cited and to date, seven have been relocated and the remaining thirteen, with one exception, are in the process of shutting down and the residents relocated.
That one exception is the village of Tuckamore Bay, located on the Great Northern Peninsula, just south of the community of Rocky Harbour.
As of today and with the support of the entire Legislature of Newfoundland and Labrador, the village of Tuckamore Bay is officially off the government's relocation list."
A huge cheer went up in Dove's Pub and through every house in the Bay.
Those in the Pub got to their feet, hugging each other and shaking hands, cheering and yelling all the while.
Lindsay, once again, blasted the air horn.
"Pipe down. Daniel nots be finished yet."
"So, once again, to all the residents of Tuckamore Bay, most of who I am sure are at Dove's Pub, right now watching this together, and to those at home.
A heartfelt congratulations.
And in particular to Matty Dove and Bill Williams, whose undying efforts have turned this once small fishing village, into a thriving community, I salute you both and wish you all the best in the future."
Premier Best took another sip of water and a deep breath, before continuing.
"Mineral and fishing rights have always been a provincial jurisdiction, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, but today, in an unprecedented move by the government and special decree, the village of Tuckamore Bay has been granted exclusive rights to any and all mineral and fishing rights, within the designated boarders of their village."
Another huge cheer erupted in the Pub.
Premier Best drank some more water, as if waiting for the noise to subside. He held up a document.
"This is a copy of an actual decree, signed by King George III, proclaiming that all lands homesteaded by Issac Matthew Dove, shall remain as his, as long as his descendants occupy such lands. This was dated April 1798.
In an unanimous vote by the government of Newfoundland and Labrador, we, the government, representing the peoples of this great province, have agreed to recognize and uphold such decree.
Negotiations, to determine the actual boundaries of Tuckamore Bay will commence in the near future, with government representatives and representatives of Tuckamore Bay in attendance ."
Premier Best stood and walked around his desk, leaning against the front of the desk, as the camera moved back, to get him fully in the frame.
"As of today, the city of Greenwood, in the province of British Columbia, has the distinction of being the smallest incorporated city in Canada.
As of 12:01 am, on January 1, 2021, that distinction will disappear, as the village of Tuckamore Bay will officially become an incorporated entity and as such will be the smallest incorporated municipality in Canada.
With this new standard, the municipal government of Tuckamore Bay, shall be recognized and allowed to participate in any and all decisions pertaining to their immediate and surrounding areas.
They will also have available to them, certain provincial and federal funding programs, if and when such programs are needed."
Premier Best picked up a document by his right side.
"I have here in my hand, a signed agreement between the provincial Tourism Department and Tuckamore Bay Welding and Fabrication. This agree is for the period of five years and is worth over one million dollars annually, to maintain and upgrade any and all metalworks in provincial parks within the boarders of Newfoundland and Labrador and also has a crossover clause, by agreement with the federal Department of Tourism, to maintain and create new metalworks for the two National Parks in Newfoundland, namely Gros Morne National Park and Terra Nova National Park.
All works for these Parks will be on a contractual basis, as negotiated with the Federal Department."
Premier Best put down the document.
"This is a historic day in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador. A new era of association and sharing between the Newfoundland government and the village of Tuckamore Bay, has set a precedent for future programs regarding the peoples of this province and the way the government handles the relocation of our smaller and historic communities.
Tuckamore Bay has proven that with the right attitude and the right leadership, even the smallest of communities can band together and save their way of life.
I, once again, salute and congratulate Tuckamore Bay for their exemplary determination and work ethic, that has not only saved their community, but has ensure that the future of Tuckamore Bay will be a bright and prosperous one."
Premier Best walked around the desk and sat again.
"To Matty Dove, Bill Williams and all of the residents of scenic Tuckamore Bay, I personally wish you all the best and I look forward, once again, to visiting your beautiful village."
The screen went dark and the next scene showed Bill and Matty, sitting together on a couch.
A huge cheer went up from the Pub.
Bill and Matty watched the festivities from their computer, occasionally wiping tears from their eyes.
After a few minutes, Matty held up her hand.
Lindsay blasted the air horn again.
"All of youse, shuts the fuck up," she demanded.
All those in the Pub sat at their tables. Lindsay and a handful of women walked table to table, pouring champagne into fancy plastic flutes.
Matty kissed her husband and stared at the computer.
"Bill and I wish we were there with you all, right now. This is a magical moment for the Bay and we both recognize the fact that none of this could have happened, without the support and hard work of each and every one of you.
Bill and I are beyond proud of our Tuckamore Bay family and we are both here fighting back the tears."
Matty wiped her eyes.
"And not doing a very good job."
Bill took over.
"This has been a stressful, but rewarding day. A day that finally, Tuckamore Bay has been recognized for what it is ...
an amazing tight knit community that refused to be pushed aside and we have all proved that no matter what shit is thrown at us, we simply push it aside and continue on.
And now look at us. We have risen above all the bullshit and we are what we always knew we were. A village, but more so, we are a family.
Apart from the day that Issac Dove founded our village, this is the most important day in the history of Tuckamore Bay and with that in mind, Matty and I have decided that every October 19th shall be known as Tuckamore Bay Discovery Day and shall be a municipal holiday for all residents of the Bay."
Another huge cheer went up in the Pub.
Bill and Matty waited until the Pub settled down again.
Matty spoke.
"October 19th, 2020, the day that Tuckamore Bay was discovered once again and recognized for what it is.
Our home.
Now, I know you will all want to have a beer or two, so, since we could not celebrate today, we are giving everyone the day off with pay tomorrow, to basically sober up."
Another cheer.
"Lindsay," Matty called out.
"Ise here me love."
"Crank up the music, love and open the bar. Drinks are on me and Bill for the rest of the night."
Another loud cheer.
Matty yelled to get everyone's attention.
She and Bill picked up their champagne glasses.
"A toast," Matty yelled.
"To the greatest place on Earth. Tuckamore Bay."
"Tuckamore Bay," everyone yelled, as they drank.
Clayton Rideout picked up his beer.
"Matty. Bill. Without youse two, dis little village of ours wud be 'istory. Dere were times when wes all figured da twos of youse were jest a tad off yer rockers, but youse jest kept goin'."
He raised his bottle.
"Wese loves youse both. Each and ev'ry one of us does. To the saviours of Tuckamore Bay and the best friends and family dat anyone cud ever knows."
Clayton wiped a tear from his eye.
"To Bill and Matty."
"Bill and Matty," everyone yelled, both in the Pub and in the houses watching the streaming from St. John's.
Bill and Matty both wiped their eyes, as the tears flowed.
"We love you all," they yelled above the noise in the bar.
Lindsay walked around the bar and stood in the Pub, where Bill and Matty could see her.
"You knows that we all loves you. You both are the heart and soul of this wonderful little village."
"We love you too Linny," Matty cried.
Lindsay looked around.
"Friday night, we are going to throw the party of all parties for you two. Just to show you both how much we really love you.
So youse two bests be 'ome by den."
"We will be Linny," Matty assured her.
Matty took a deep breath.
"Now go and enjoy yourselves. Bill and I will see you soon."
Matty raised her drink.
"Long live Tuckamore Bay."