This property holds a special place in my heart and in the history of my family. In the early 1900s, Western Newfoundland was on the cusp of becoming a beacon of opportunity for many. With its abundance of natural, renewable resources, the region offered sustainability, hope, and the ability for people to build a future for themselves.

The soil here is rich, perfect for growing root crops, while the flourishing logging industry was transforming Western Newfoundland into a vital hub. The pulp and paper mill in Corner Brook began producing newsprint that reached many parts of the world. The Humber River served as a natural route, carrying timber to the Bay of Islands, where the mill still operates today.

It was during this time that Chesley Cross moved his family to a place called Cache Rapids. The abundant salmon stocks, nutrient-rich soil, and vast forests enabled him to establish a small sawmill and farm to support his growing family. By 1943, Chesley and his wife, Blanch, had nine children—the oldest just 13 years old and the youngest only 1.

Winters in this region were harsh, with heavy snow and temperatures well below zero from December to April. Homes were heated with wood and insulated with sawdust from the mill. On a bitterly cold night—January 4, 1943—Chesley and Blanch put their children to bed as usual. But in the early hours of January 5, tragedy struck. While lighting the fire to warm the house, an explosion occurred, engulfing their home in flames.

A neighbor, hearing the explosion, rushed to the scene, but the house was nearly gone by the time he arrived. Braving the inferno, he managed to rescue three of the eleven people inside. Sadly, eight lives were lost that morning, and one more succumbed later to injuries. The only survivors were my great-uncle, Melvin Cross, who was just 3 at the time, and my late grandmother, Verna Hope Anstey (née Cross), who was 13.

The loss was devastating, not only for my family but for the entire community. Yet, ironically, my grandmother’s middle name was “Hope,” and she truly embodied it. Just three years after the tragedy, she married my grandfather, William Anstey, and together they built a family of five children. My grandmother became the “hope” of our family, and without her survival, none of us would be here today.

If you were to delve into your own family history, you might discover a moment when your lineage faced a similar brink of extinction—some stories are told, while others are lost to time.

Today, my great-uncle Melvin, now in his 80's, is the last living member of Chesley Cross’s family. He resides in Deer Lake with his beloved wife, Wavey, and has three children of his own. Despite enduring such profound loss, Uncle Melvin has lived a full and meaningful life.

Western Newfoundland remains a place of natural beauty and resilience. The salmon still thrive in the Humber River, and our peaceful property in Reidville is just 16 minutes from the Deer Lake Regional Airport and 30 minutes from Gros Morne National Park. It’s the perfect family getaway—a place to explore the rugged beauty of Western Newfoundland and unwind in hot tubs overlooking the stunning Humber River.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story. May it remind you of the strength of family and the power of hope.

God bless,
Dwayne Anstey