My hometown is Cartyville, a small community on the west coast of Newfoundland. Growing up in a three-generation family may have been a contributing factor that impressed on me the importance of my heritage. Now I find that passing the legacy of my heritage on to my grandchildren is a special summer activity. Our 11-year-old grandson, Liam, recently spent a week here in Cartyville with his grandfather and me - in fact, this is the ninth summer he has done that. One day of that week is always set aside as Liam’s Heritage Day. Early that morning we set out - our backpacks brimming with Vienna sausages, juice packs, marshmallows and chocolate chip cookies. We hike across the now deserted fields that were once alive with farmers tending their vegetable gardens and harvesting hay. We stop to look at the remains of old barns and foundations of old homesteads. The smell of wild roses permeates the air - the same rosebushes a farmer’s wife so tenderly cared for so many years ago. We listen to the robins singing from their nests in the old spruce trees – the only sound now where once the air was filled with children’s laughter. We chat about the way of life that used to be. As we come to the end of these fields we find ourselves at the top of a 50 metre cliff overlooking beautiful Bay St. George. Conversation turns to the fishermen who once eked their living from these waters. Now only a few pleasure boats can be seen. Next we slide down that steep cliff (oh yes, Grandma slides down too) to the beach below. We gather driftwood and get our fire started (hotdogs and s’mores over an open fire, yum yum!!). Then it is time for our leisurely stroll back to the old homestead with more memories tucked away. What could possibly be a more enjoyable and worthwhile summer activity than passing the legacy of my heritage on to another generation?   Submitted By: Muriel Chislett