Every drive through Newfoundland’s Humber Valley elicits a little chuckle, an opportunity for personal reflection, and a special offering of thanks to our mother, Regina McCarthy, founder of McCarthy’s Party Tours.
“… share that joy…”
We often share that joy when we enter the city of Corner Brook on the first evening of our ’12 Day Newfoundland and Labrador Comprehensive Tour’, asking our guests;
“Do you know what a Newfoundland man does better than any other fellow on the face of the planet?”
“What he’s told!”
“… a matriarchal society…”
Quickly explaining that Newfoundlanders live in a matriarchal society where women make most family decisions. And thank God for that!
McCarthy’s Party Tours would not exist if father had his druthers back in the day. Despite his trepidations, our Mother was committed to her business plan, and though she only greeted a single tourist in her first year of operation, this guest was a Harvard University professor whose endorsement proved to be a significant influencer on future travelers and her ultimate success.
“… learned our real history…”
Growing up in a tourism environment provided us with such great opportunities. We learned our “real” history and came to appreciate what it truly means to be a Newfoundlander. Public speaking was a birthright as we were expected to engage with guests from an especially tender age. Independence and personal responsibility come naturally when 36 guests are placed in your charge for 12 days of touring. Respect for our business partners was absolute, and our “why” became infinitely obvious with so many communities relying on tourist dollars as their primary economic driver.
There’s no doubt we’ve been blessed, but perhaps the greatest gift was an opportunity to grow up looking at Newfoundland & Labrador through the eyes of a tourist. Life on an island has many wonderful attributes, but the isolation eliminates any kind of reasonable comparable. While its difficult to refute the province’s natural beauty, the look of astonishment when guests first gaze upon the ‘Humber Valley’ provided an unassailable proof that we cherish to this very day.
“… through the eyes of a tourist…”
Great job Mother; and to all the women whose brave, new tourism experiences provide the backbone of our industry – from Jill Curran and her Ferryland Lighthouse Picnic, to Gina Noordof at the Norseman Restaurant, Kim Wiseman’s ‘Here to Stay’ 911 dinner theater, Viola at Skipper Bens, Ethel Young and the Plum Point Motel, Shirley Letto with Northern Light Inn, Glynmill Inn’s Connie Rose, our sister in law Lori McCarthy from Cod Sounds, Sinbad’s Marie Gill, the Swyers Sisters in Bonavista, and so many others – we salute you and everything you do.
Long live the Queen!
This is a wonderful tribute to your mother. I love the photo with the teapot. I am privileged to call your mother a friend.