What to do on a rainy night and day in Woody Point.

by Keith and Heather Nicol    

       Despite the forecast of cloud and rain we headed to Woody Point in the afternoon of August 18 to see the last “Charlie and Mena” show of the season.  The “Charlie and Mena” concert features Charlie Payne on various accordions and singer Mena Lodge on guitar and is part of Gros Morne Summer Music.  They were joined by guitarist Darren Vincent and they put on a fine performance featuring Newfoundland music. It was held at the Heritage Theatre in Woody Point which is a great old building that Charlie Payne carefully restored. Before the show we ate at the popular Loft Restaurant and enjoyed a halibut supper and fisherman’s platter, both delicious. Then it was show time and Charlie, Mena and Darren played lots of lovely nostalgic Newfoundland songs as well as a few fast paced jigs and reels that got everyone’s feet tapping. That evening we stayed at the Blanchard House Bed and Breakfast (http://www.crockercabins.com/Blanchard_House.htm) which is a perfect place to stay in Woody Point since it is comfortable and central to everything.  The house was built in 1904 and has many furnishings which add to the historic nature of the house. 

Check out the historic Blanchard House Bed and Breakfast in Woody Point

     The next morning the rain was still falling in earnest. After a filling breakfast prepared by Ruby Sharpe at the Blanchard House we asked her about what we might do on a wet day in Woody Point and she gave us a map and pointed out many craft shops and art galleries.  We never knew there were so many artists in this community and many have their own shops which display their work. If you are interested in prints and paintings,  check out the Christine Koch Studio or the Sorensen’s Studio of Fine Arts. If you lean toward fibre art then the Molly Made Fibre Art Studio is well worth a visit. They even sell kits so that you can make your own hooked rugs. Aunt Maggie’s Homespun sells wool and owner Margaret King makes a wide variety of sweaters, slippers and caps. The Galliott Studio on the waterfront is another place worth checking out. Jennifer Galliott makes pottery, weaves and paints and she has combined this with a cafe so you can sip a coffee while you view her art. If you want to see an antique display, then head across the street to Aunt Janes Bed and Breakfast. Or if you are after interesting gifts and other crafts then the Old Loft Craft shop, Seaside Souvenirs or Hunky Dory Folk Art and Things have beautiful and unique selections. And once you have visited all of these locations then you can always head to Parks Canada’s Discovery Centre which is just outside Woody Point. They have interpretative displays on numerous topics like geology, glaciation and vegetation , their own art gallery (which is definitely worth a look) as well as a gift shop. So if you get caught on a rainy day in Woody Point you should definitely be able to see and learn lots.

The Molly Made Fibre Art Studio is just one of the many galleries and craft shops in Woody Point