Product of Newfoundland

Product of Newfoundland is a blog about Newfoundland stories, trivia and culture.

About Newfoundland

Newfoundland is the island portion of the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador. It is on the east coast of Canada and has a population of just under 500 000 people. It has a challenging climate, a complex history and a unique culture. The island has customs, folklore and language not found elsewhere today.

It’s an interesting, and sometimes infuriating, place to live.

About The Blogger

My name is Robert Hiscock and I’m a product of Newfoundland. I grew up in a small Bonavista Bay community called Happy Adventure. People said it was named by pirates. So, like any good child of the 80s, I spent my time imagining I was a Goonie.

I Ieft Happy Adventure to attend Memorial University in St. John's. When I was done there, I began working in communities all around the island.

My first ‘real job’ had me teaching elementary school science in a tiny island community with no cars. It was, I think, the best job I ever had — I got to make kids say 'Wow!' on a daily basis!

At about the same time I started teaching, I began writing Product of Newfoundland. It became a bigger deal than I’d ever anticipated. When it started to swallow my life, I retired the project.

But, obviously, I’ve decided to return.

Like many bloggers, I’m no expert on the things I write about. I ask questions, read a lot and share what I’ve learned. Sometimes you’ll probably disagree with things I say, or think I haven’t got it quite right, and you may be correct. Feel free to offer constructive criticism and alternate takes whenever you like.

I’m almost always working to a soundtrack of local music. So, along the way, I post notes about some of my favourites in the Best Kind page of the blog.

These days I’m based in Gander, NL and when I'm not writing, you might find me tweeting Newfoundland trivia (@NfldFactory), sharing photos (Instagram) or, maybe, getting another tattoo.

While I’m the voice of Product of Newfoundland, I certainly don’t do it alone. I’m supported by a great team, including my partner of nearly 20 years, an enthusiastically cuddly black lab named Murphy and a charming chocolate lab named Tucker. I’m thankful for my parents, siblings, extended family and friends who always try their best to answer my strange Newfoundland culture questions and let me share pieces of their stories here.

Thanks for checking out Product of Newfoundland — one of the best things about writing this blog is getting to meet other people who get as excited about this place as I do. It’s a fantastic community.