Winter Concert Series
Up Coming Events
Saturday, May 5th
8pm
The NSLC A Place for Dory Mates Concert Series presents
Ruth Minnikin
Lockeport Legion Branch 80
10 (advanced)
15 (door)
Available at
The Town Market
A Bringing it Home Event
Growing up in Lockeport (population of approximately 700 people) and within a fishing family who has made its living from the ocean for hundreds of years, I have always had a tight connection to our local traditions. Whether it was the adhering to and giggling at all of the superstitions believed to assist in a good trip, watching the breakwater for the boats to come back safely, listening to the marine forecast while I ate my breakfast, or just enjoying a salt fish supper (of course with fried pork scraps and onions) I was steeped in the traditions that make us who we are. Sadly, the fishing industry is not as strong as it was when I was growing up. Many young people have moved away, and those with the stories of the "good old days" are passing away before we realize their mortality and chronicle their stories.
For those not raised in Lockeport and who didn't hang out with their grandparents I will explain what a "dory mate" is.
In the age of sail large schooners would leave fishing ports headed to the Grand Banks in search of cod. It would be pretty hard to fish off the side of one of these vessels so small dories were lowered to the water. Two men would be in the small boat and they would use trawl to fish cod for 10-12 hours at a shift. So the fella you shared the dory with you had to really like... so friends would often want to work together or those working together would become friends. Therefore your “Dory Mate” became another name for a best friend, mainly used by men. My grandfather, who passed away November 2008 and those of his age (although my dad will still throw out a “dory mate” here and a “mug up” there) used that term as one of our local sayings.
So.. “A place for Dory Mates” is a tribute to those old dudes who risked their lives supporting us and growing our community. We can all get together reminisce and listen to the remaining old guys and gals spin their tales of days gone by. Each month in "A Place for Dory Mates" will happen. Keep posted for details and location.
We will definitely have "grog", if we serve "grub" then we can have a bit of a "mug up" while we listen to the music. How Lockeport is that pard!!!
When I come on town I'll see you up street
Errin
