BEST FOR LAST

By Andrew McCarthy | 08 Mar 2020

For many years McCarthy’s Party Tour guests would often introduce themselves at our welcome reception with a disclaimer; suggesting they’d seen every other province in the country, and this was their final foray in Canada. To which our Mother would respond; “Well you certainly saved the best for last!”   “… last foray into Canada…”…

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FUTURE’S SO BRIGHT

By Andrew McCarthy | 23 Feb 2020

Newfoundland & Labrador’s history serves as a constant reminder of man’s capacity to evolve, and an era when we celebrated our ability to invent, create, design, expand, improve and change the world around us. An island off the eastern most shores of Canada, Newfoundland has long been recognized as a most valuable strategic asset, and…

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DEFIB MY HEART

By Andrew McCarthy | 16 Feb 2020

Our guides hail from all corners of the province and most are active in their local community. Many of these rural towns are currently focused on the acquisition of defibrillators for their recreational centers. This issue was tabled at our annual guide meeting where we discuss the tour year, make suggestions, and offer ideas to…

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HALF AN HOUR LATER

By Andrew McCarthy | 08 Feb 2020

We used to give the boys in Vancouver a shocking tormenting; often asking if B.C. meant ‘Before Christ’, and frequently suggesting; “If anyone needs an extra half hour in their time zone it must be you crowd!” We found wonderful friends “out west”, and while most understood the humour regarding Newfoundland’s unique time zone –…

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SPOONFUL

By Andrew McCarthy | 02 Feb 2020

Our sister in law Lori McCarthy is hosting a ‘Cod Sounds’ spoon carving course on the 22nd of March. We were confused when she first told us, asking; “What is spoon carving?”  She provided a quick demonstration and its exactly what it sounds like – whittling a spoon from a piece of wood. We watched…

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CALM TOM

By Andrew McCarthy | 26 Jan 2020

We were so fortunate to spend time with Justin Fong at this year’s ‘Destination St. John’s’ Christmas Party . He is a talented and delightful young man – as you might well imagine given the wonderful creativity and brilliance he’s introduced to the ‘Quidi Vidi’ brand and their ingenious assortment of craft beers.   “……

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VIKINGS -VS- RAIDERS

By Andrew McCarthy | 18 Jan 2020

The term “Viking” is somewhat irksome when used to describe the ‘Vinland’ settlement in  Newfoundland and Labrador. The image it conjects are mostly Hollywood fabrications, and even the fake helmets ascribe to a much earlier period in Norse history. The term “Viking” means “Raider” and while they certainly earned a frightful reputation for their devastating…

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TWENTY TWENTY

By Andrew McCarthy | 12 Jan 2020

The year ‘Twenty Twenty’ should be recognized as a critical juncture in the evolutionary history of man; a point in time that provides us with a state of near “Perfect Vision.”   “… near perfect vision…”   Looking back, we obviously see an accurately detailed world. Our history has been perfectly documented – affording us…

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PITCHED

By Andrew McCarthy | 05 Jan 2020

We stopped on Newfoundland’s ‘Great Northern Peninsula’ so a guest could photograph the beautifully stacked piles of firewood lining the sides of the highway. As luck would have it, there was an elderly gentleman working this lot. Anxious for a break and an excuse to talk, he marched towards us with purpose; “Mind all the…

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MUM’S THE WORD

By Andrew McCarthy | 29 Dec 2019

James was spending the day with his Grandmother and as soon as he got aboard her vehicle he reached for the radio. Not to change the station or turn up the volume – he shut it off, stating; “The thing I like best about driving with Dad is that all we do is talk. It…

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YOUR WORSHIP

By Andrew McCarthy | 22 Dec 2019

The Town of Bay Roberts have made sound investments in Newfoundland & Labrador’s tourism industry. They’ve developed many unique experiences that are affordable to operate. Embraced cultural change and incorporated its dynamics within their programs. And perhaps most significantly, attracted a staff who are particularly suited to their roles. As our father often reminds us;…

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GUT BUSTER

By Andrew McCarthy | 15 Dec 2019

We did some laughing with a local character on one of our City & Cape Tours last week. Our friend is a professional fish fileter who works at the new processing facility on the south side of St. John’s harbour. Located alongside the ‘Small Boat Basin’ and all the fishing action, he can often be…

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GROUNDED MEAT

By Andrew McCarthy | 08 Dec 2019

Our parents went moose hunting last week. No kidding. A couple in their mid 70’s drove a total of 14 hours, all the way across the island and then way “Down” (North) to meet their friends Eric and Ann Cunard in snowy, Plum Point, Newfoundland. Without any of us “boys” along, they planned to hunt…

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FACADE BOOK

By Andrew McCarthy | 01 Dec 2019

We encourage our guests (past and future) to follow McCarthy’s Party Tours Facebook Page, as well as the blogs on our family’s web site – www.mccarthysparty.com We post fun and informative stories (we call them “yarns”) every week, and there’s lots of daily updates; including beautiful photos, special interest pieces, and local news broadcasts. We…

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MERRY BREW YEAR

By Andrew McCarthy | 27 Nov 2019

From “Mummering” to “Tibb’s Eve”, much of Newfoundland’s holiday revelry is focused on “A couple of ‘S’wallys’. McCarthy’s Party Tours invites you to start a new family tradition with your friends and colleagues on a;   ‘Merry Brew Year Tour’     “… Christmas revelry…”   Join us for a memorable ‘Excursion Around the Bay’…

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