2000 - Present

2001:

Population: There are 360 residents at Elliston.

 

In July, the Peter Tucker Memorial Shooting Challenge is instituted and becomes an annual event.

 

In August, Attractions Canada films a public announcement segment on Elliston’s root cellars for broadcast in both English and French.

 

On August 18th, 2001 the musical group The Fables performs at Elliston Municipal Park.

 

On December 6th, the Province of Newfoundland officially become the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

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2002:

A cruise ship Le Levant visits Maberly on May 29th.

 

The town council erects street signs displaying the names of the various roads and lanes.

 

The Discovery Shooting Club opens on December 1st.

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2003:

Heritage signs are erected depicting the history of Elliston throughout the community and it is completed in 2005. A visitor information point opens, and the restoration of the historic Orange Hall begins.

 

The local wharf, which was severely damaged in a 2002 winter storm, is torn down.

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2004:

The first edition of A Measure of Success: The Story of Elliston 1806-2003, by Neal Tucker, is published becoming the first book ever to be published in the community.

 

The town of Elliston adopts its first town flag designed by Myron Coles.

 

In the fall the work commences on three projects: stabilization of the Ryan’s Building, construction of permanent game booths at the park, and fish flakes at Maberly/Coles' Gulch. Work is completed in 2005.

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2005:

On June 17th, 2005 the musical group Shanneyganock performs at Elliston Municipal Park.

 

Also in June, the CBC television program Land & Sea with host Pauline Thornhill films an episode at Elliston. It airs on February 27th, 2006 under the appropriate title of Root Cellar Pride.

 

North Side road is completely resurfaced for the first time since initially being paved in 1973.

 

The Orange Hall is restored and the restoration of the Ryan’s Building begins in earnest with the exterior being completed in early 2006.

 

The Discovery Shooting Club launches its own website on September 15th at www.discoveryshootingclub.com.

 

On September 27th Elliston elects a new town council composed of the following: Gary Baker, Mayor; Derek Martin, Deputy Mayor; Alfred Chaulk, Ray Childs, and Myron Coles, Councillors.

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2006:

Population: There are 306 residents at Elliston.

 

Elliston has been a permanently settlement for two centuries.

 

A revised second edition of A Measure of Success: The Story of Elliston is published specifically to commemorate Elliston’s second Come Home Year encompassing a full 200 years of local history.

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In the spring, Nanny Hayley’s Root Cellar Kitchen, opens at the Orange Hall.

 

Elliston’s Second Come Home Year and 200th anniversary takes place in July.

 

In September, the Discovery Shooting Club incorporates as the Discovery Shooting Club, Inc. becoming an independent organization.

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2007:

In June, Land & Sea returned to film a segment at Elliston that concerns the 1914 SS Newfoundland Sealing Disaster. It airs on March 3rd, 2008.

 

Work on the Ryan’s Building continues throughout the year with the vast majority of the work nearing completion by December.

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2008:

Work on the Ryan’s Building (Elliston Adventure) is completed early in the year and it is opened on June 11th.

 

In the spring the Elliston Heritage Foundation forms. It is incorporated as an independent organization on June 26th. Mrs. Sheilagh Guy Murphy becomes a honourary Director (later Honourary Chairperson) and then Hon. John Crosbie, Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador, becomes their patron. It comes to an end in 2014 and is replaced by the Home From The Sea Foundation.

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2009:

The Discovery Shooting Club becomes a sponsor of the Elliston Community Website assisting in the furtherance of the area.

 

On July 28th and September 2nd, town meetings take place at the Elliston Recreation Centre to discuss the future of the town of Elliston and its debts. Amalgamation with another municipality is an option put forward by Government.

 

On September 29th only Myron Coles and Derek Martin put their names forward for the municipal election. They are elected by acclamation. A by-election is later held on October 27th and Alf Chaulk, Gary Baker, and Ray Childs are elected.

 

In the fall, Elliston hosts a new festival, the Roots, Rants & Roars Festival.

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2010:

A feasibility study goes forward concerning the possible annexation of Elliston to the town of Bonavista.

 

Hurricane Igor strikes the Elliston area on the morning of Tuesday, September 21st. More than 197 mm of rain falls until 1:30 PM when the measuring equipment stops functioning. Several roads/bridges are washed out isolating people, without electricity, in different parts of the community for several days. It is a week before all businesses and schools reopen. It also cancels the planned Roots, Rants & Roars Festival.

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2011:

Population: There are 337 residents at Elliston.

 

On May 8th, Mothers’ Day, the uninsured Cole family home burns to the ground leaving 11 homeless and receives national coverage. A campaign to rebuild the home is initiated and is successful. An open house is held on November 26th and the family is given the keys to their new home.

 

Bright White Productions film a segment of a documentary in Elliston during the third week of July regarding the Seal Hunt. They return during the third week of October to finalize. CBC airs on March 18th, 2014.

 

Main street is resurfaced on July 8th & 9th.

Just prior to the anniversary of Hurricane Igor the damaged sections of road throughout Elliston/Maberly are paved.

 

Hurricane Ophelia strikes on October 3rd but damage is minor. However, the newly paved road next to the Ryan's Building sustains moderate damage.

 

Elliston’s Mayor, Gary Baker, dies on October 21st after serving the town of Elliston for many years. Derek Martin later becomes Mayor.

 

In conjunction with partners in St. John’s the Elliston Heritage Foundation’s Home From The Sea campaign is launched, on December 2nd, to raise funds for a memorial sealers’ statue, interpretative walk and interpretation centre for Elliston. More than a million dollars is raised by the end of the year.

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2012:

Blair Templeman is elected to the Elliston Town Council in a by-election on Jan. 20th.

 

On June 22nd the Home From The Sea campaign announces it has raised 2.1 million dollars for the Elliston Heritage Foundation.

 

A new business, Collins Quick Stop, opens on July 19th.

 

Tropical Store Leslie hits on Sept. 11th but damage to the area is very minor causes by wind.

 

On Sept. 19th Bernie Harberts and his mule Polly, from North Carolina, arrive in Elliston as part of their tour around Newfoundland.

 

On Sept. 21st a ground breaking ceremony is held for the sealers’ interpretation centre. Then Lieutenant Governor John Crosbie, Premier Kathy Dunderdale and other invited guests including Myrtle Stagg & Neal Tucker of the Elliston Heritage Foundation speak. The event is covered by NTV and CBC.

 

2013:

The Memorial School/Church Hall that opened in 1923 is torn down during February/March to make way for the new Sealers’ Interpretation Centre. The building’s exterior is nearly complete by November.

 

The Elliston Community Website hosted at www.rootcellars.com since September 25th, 2000 was semi-retired on March 31st. Its official successor, www.townofelliston.ca (i.e. this website), was launched on the latter date (Easter Sunday).

 

The Gary Baker Memorial Campground is dedicated on May 25th.

 

On June 10th the area is hit with a sudden thunder/lightning storm. The loudest clap of thunder most can remember is heard/felt as far as Bonavista and TBN. Lightning strikes in Port Union and several people suffer damage to electrical equipment.

 

In July a new slipway is under construction and is completed in August.

 

On September 24th municipal elections take place and the following are elected: Geraldine Baker, Derek Martin, Blair Templeman, Myron Coles & Ray Childs.

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2014:

On January 4th a massive power outages strikes the island of NL resulting in roaming blackouts. This area is fortunate and is only without power for 15 hours in -13 degree weather.

 

The Elliston Business partnership forms to promote local business and incorporates on March 5th. Unfortunately, it fades away in little over a year.

 

Christina Marshall-Jeenes broadcasts live from Elliston for the NTV News regarding the SS Newfoundland Sealing Disaster on March 11th.

 

On March 12th Reg Sherren with CBC’s The National films a short documentary on the SS Newfoundland Sealing Disaster that airs on the tragedy’s centennial on March 31st.

 

On May 30th The Grand Seduction premieres at the Garrick Theatre in Bonavista and other selected theatres. Part of the movie was filmed at Maberly on August 15th, 2012.

 

The Sealers Memorial statue, name monument and interpretation statue opens to the public on June 19th. Hundreds attend the event and it makes both the NTV and CBC News.

 

A replica World War One trench opens to the public on July 1st, at the Discovery Shooting Club, with representatives from Elliston, Bonavista and Trinity Bay North on hand for the event. This story also makes the NTV and CBC News.

 

July has consistent temperatures in the mid to upper 20’s and is one of the hottest in recent memory.

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On July 19th, after 14 consecutive years, the Peter Tucker Memorial Shooting Challenge comes to an end on one of its most successful years marking the end of an era.

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In September the Elliston Heritage Foundation is voted out of existence and the Home From The Sea Foundation supersedes it. Its new mandate is to oversee the sealers’ centre and related monuments.

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On October 14th, the Discovery Shooting Club establishes the Great War Living History Committee that seeks to honour the WWI contribution of the Bonavista Peninsula. It is one of the more active groups in NL commemorating the centenary period (2014-2018).

 

A by-election is held on November 10th and Jabez Chaulk is elected.

 

In November the local cenotaph is upgraded with a new base installed and site refurbished.

 

2015:

In May Parks Canada, For King & Empire and Great War Living History Committee participated in a First World War filming event at the replica trench located at the Discovery Shooting Club.

 

July has temperatures dipping into the single digits for most of the month in stark contrast to the previous year.

 

Elliston has a quite warm Christmas Day with the temperature reaching 8 degrees.

 

At the end of December Ray Child retires from council after serving for 24 years.

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2016:

Population: There are 308 residents at Elliston.

 

On January 18th, a massive iceberg arrives off Elliston and becomes grounded remaining for months. It is June before it breaks into two pieces with one large fragment remaining until approximately mid-June. This iceberg makes the national news!

 

On April 20th, a snowstorm hits the area dumping 41cm of snow along with winds of 120 km/h. A shed in Maberly is blown over a cliff!

 

Three Snowy Owls appear in Elliston for a short time in April.

 

The Great War Living History Committee dedicates a 25 year time capsule in Bonavista on July 1st to mark the 100th anniversary of Beaumont Hamel. Included are a number of photos of the Elliston area. For more information on the Time Capsule project Click Here.

 

On June 30th, a cruise ship, Ocean Endeavour, arrives at Elliston ferrying passengers ashore by zodiac.

 

A woman falls over a cliff at the Puffin Site on July 18th but fortunately survives.

 

A special WWI battle demonstration is organized on July 23rd at the Discovery Shooting Club. Click Here for a video.

 

Early on August 27th Newfoundland is subjected 34,000 lightning hits over a few hours. Elliston is not spared but no damage reported.

 

A super moon occurs on November 14th with the moon being the closest to earth since 1948.

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2017:

On March 11th a massive windstorm hits Newfoundland causing a great deal of damage. The measuring equipment in Bonavista broke down but the winds were hurricane force.

 

In late March/early April the Elliston area is racked by a blizzard making spring seem like mid-winter.

 

On April 5th, a Polar Bear arrives in Elliston and comes ashore on North Side. The bear is eventually shot and killed in Little Catalina on the 8th.

 

A craft shop opens in May, the Home From the Ice Floes Craft Shop, at the former site of Hayley’s Foodex.

 

On June 20th the temperature hits 32 in Elliston.

 

A partial solar eclipse occurs on July 21st.

 

A peninsula wide art exhibition, the Bonavista Biennale, takes place with a few exhibits in Elliston. The most notable locally is “The Green Chair” by artist Mr. Will Gill situated on an ocean swept rock off Maberly. Despite predictions to the contrary it is still in place at the end of the year.

 

In September the existing council is elected by acclamation with one exception. The position vacated by Blair Templeman is filled by Alf Chaulk.

 

For the first time in very long time there is no Santa Claus Parade in Elliston due to rain.

 

This year we have a white Christmas.

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2018:

During the second week of January temperatures rise to 12 degrees and almost all the snow melts. It seems like spring but Winter returns with vengeance shortly after.

 

By March 1st the Green Chair in Maberly is damaged by sea ice becoming a stool and the next day it is completely gone.

 

A Polar Bear is spotted on North Side on March 8th making its way to the main road. Unlike in 2017 not many people saw it and it disappeared shortly afterwards.

 

On June 27th there is major blast across from Discovery Shooting Club at about 8:15pm related to the road work beginning on Catalina Road. The blast was heard/felt throughout Elliston and the power went out momentarily.

 

After more than 30 years Catalina road is completely rebuilt and paved during June/July. The road is basically shut down from late June to August 4th only being open overnight. Paving operations begin on August 21st and is complete by August 24th.

 

New businesses open. The Puffin Cafe in late June and the Puffin’s Nest in July.

 

The Discovery Shooting Club replaces its entire firing line.

 

Within a two-week period in July two people fall/break ankles at puffin site.

 

Marijuana is legalized in Canada on October 17th.

 

Nov. 11th marks the end of the First World War’s 2014-2018 centenary and Great War Living History Committee formed for local commemoration officially concludes its initial mandate. The group continues but at a reduced capacity.

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2019:

On February 20th the temperature drops just below -15 and the chill in the -20s/-30s.

 

The old Muddy Brook Pond Road is upgraded.

 

The Bonavista Biennale again takes place with a few exhibits in Elliston.

 

In August, Artist Stephanie Peters paints a mural on the cement portion of the Elliston Recreation Centre depicting an ocean scene.

 

On Christmas Eve we experience the first significant snowstorm of the winter. It marks a period of heavy snowfalls that extends into 2020.

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2020:

We experience Snowmageddon on January 17 - one of worse winter storms that Newfoundland has ever experienced. Locally Peggy Burridge’s house burned to the ground due to snowed in roads that blocked the path of firefighters that morning.

 

COVID-19 pandemic begins with the first death in China on Jan. 9th and changes life as we know it.

 

Newfoundland & Labrador’s Government ends Discovery Day (i.e. June 24th) in name instead calling it - June Holiday

 

During the summer, Tourism Elliston attempts to close the Puffin Site, but it was soon determined they have no authority to prevent the public from accessing a public site.

 

All festivals in Elliston are cancelled due to the pandemic.

 

Due to COVID-19 July 1st public memorial services are cancelled. This is the first time since they began more than a century before! Former members of the Great War Living History Committee make a Covid-19 tribute video Memorial Day 2020 (Newfoundland).

 

Discovery Geopark becomes Newfoundland & Labrador’s first United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized Global Geopark - July 10th

 

Despite COVID-19 lockdowns NL become part of the Atlantic Bubble. Residents of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland & Labrador can travel within the four Atlantic provinces without having to self-isolate beginning on July 3rd. It ends on December 7th due to increased infection rates.

 

On August 15th a seal arrives at beach and stays for a few days.

 

On August 24th masks become mandatory in all public places.

 

The second wave of COVID-19 hits Canada on September 24th.

 

Newfoundland & Labrador’s Government ends the use of one time use plastic bags on October 1st.

 

A COVID-19 vaccine becomes available and the first shot is administered in Canada on December 14th. The first in NL is on December 16th.

 

A new variant of COVID-19 arises in the UK and spreads to Canada (Ontario) in late December.

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2021:

Much like 2020 the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic dominates the year:
 

• A week into February Covid-19 is discovered at Mt. Pearl Senior High in Mt. Pearl and with many cases resulting. People are told not to visit the St. John’s region unless necessary.
   

• February 12th the UK variant is detected in NL and Alert Level 5 is reinstated (i.e. lockdown). The provincial election set for February 13th is cancelled and all voting takes place later by mail in ballet. By the end of the month, the alert level is downgraded to Level 4 except for the Avalon Peninsula that stays at Level 5 for another two weeks.
   

• In April/May vaccines become available on the Bonavista Peninsula and a second dose a few months later.
   

• On June 23rd NL is open to Atlantic Canada. By the summer all of Canada is permitted to enter.
   

• Mask restrictions are lifted in NL on August 10th but are again required by September 18th.
   

• On October 8th vaccine passports become available to download in NL to show you have been vaccinated. By October 22nd the vaccine passport must be shown to enter restaurants.
   

• In November vaccines are approved for ages 5-11 and in December Covid-19 booster shots become available for all individuals over 18.
   

• In December a new highly contagious variant (Omicron) of COVID-19 is surging in Canada and it is first detected in NL on the 16th. On December 23rd, alert level 3 is declared for all of NL. Even fully vaccinated travellers must quarantine for 5 days.
   

• Newfoundland and Labrador reports its single-day COVID-19 record with 194 new cases on December 28th. It is broken on December 29th with 312, again on the 30th with 349 cases and on the 31st it was broken once more with 431.

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Outside of pandemic news:

 

In August, Disney is filming scenes for, Peter Pan & Wendy, near the end of the Elliston to Spillars Cove trail. It airs on Disney Plus on April 28th, 2023.

 

The Bonavista Biennale again takes place with two minor exhibits in Elliston.

 

September 11th Hurricane Larry hits but damage in Elliston is almost zero.

 

In September the existing council is elected by acclamation.

 

On October 29th the NL health care system (primarily Eastern Health) suffers an unprecedented Cyberattack wreaking havoc with the entire health care system.

 

December 12th Elliston's Santa Claus Parade returns after not being held in 2020 due to Covid-19.

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2022:

Newfoundland and Labrador declare 2022 to be an official Come Home Year.

 

In January Covid-19 cases continue to rise and several deaths result in Newfoundland due to the Omicron variant. Nevertheless, by February, Covid-19 restrictions are beginning to relax.

 

On March 4th there is a huge jump in fuel prices to $190.5. By March 10th gas prices hit or surpass the $2.00 mark! $2.03 in Bonavista.

 

Newfoundland and Labrador lift the Public Health Emergency for the first time in two years on March 14th. Masks in public are no longer required.

 

By late March there are so many cases of Covid-19 local events such as bingos and church services are cancelled. However, no official measures are put in place to combat it, but many people choose to keep wearing masks.

 

New “Welcome to Elliston” signs are installed on May 3rd & 4th for the Come Home Year.

 

The May 24th long weekend is warm and sunny unlike the usual cold/wet/snow weather.

 

Masks are no longer required to be worn inside K-12 schools in Newfoundland and Labrador as of May 24th. Public Covid-19 updates are reduced to once a week.

 

In late May, several camping sites at Elliston’s municipal park are upgraded at a cost of $72,822.00.

 

In mid June the Elliston Time Capsule is established at the Discovery Shooting Club. Neal Tucker and family seal the site to be opened in 100 years on July 1st, 2122. This the first and only project of this nature undertaken in Elliston’s history.

 

Temporary closures of emergency services at Bonavista Hospital began on June 22nd and continue periodically into 2023. A sad situation.

 

On July 4th there is a thunderstorm that results in hail.

 

July sees the first Bird Island Puffin Festival since Covid-19 (cancelled in 2020-2021). It also proves to be last.

 

In July/August there is a heat wave with temperatures consistently in the mid to upper 20s or more with high humidity.

 

Queen Elizabeth II dies on September 8th with the distinction of being Britain's longest-serving monarch (1952-2022).

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2023:

A sad occurrence takes place on February 20th when Charles Marsh from Elliston is turned away from the Bonavista Hospital because of a temporary closure of emergency services. He dies en route to Clarenville Hospital.

 

On March 12th a Polar Bear is sighted in Melrose. The next day it travels overland to Sandy Cove, goes out to sea and eats a seal at Sandy Cove.

 

On March 14th an otter is spotted in Maberly.

 

As of April, everyone must dial 709 before making local calls.

 

The old Bird Island Puffin Festival is replaced by a one day Bird Island Family Day event held on July 15th.

 

On May 5th the World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 global health emergency as over, but the public health threat posed by the virus remains.

 

King Charles III's coronation is held on May 6th.

 

On May 15th filming for Cold Harbour takes place at Elliston.

 

Elliston experiences an awful wet spring with temperatures often in the low single digits. By July it experiences a heat wave with temperature in high 20s low 30s along with high humidity.

 

In late July work begins on replacing North Side’s water lines and goes as far as Bradly Tucker’s by August 30th. Work is completed by GerGar Enterprises Ltd. The second half of the North Side contract is awarded to Sweetland's Aggregates Ltd. but no works takes place in 2023.

 

On August 6th, a quad drives over the temporary above ground water line bursting it but it is repaired later that day.

 

The Bonavista Biennale takes place from August 19th to September 17th with exhibits in Elliston.

 

Half of North Side is repaved on November 21st and the remainder is scheduled to be completed in 2024.