HEY, SASKATCHEWAN WE ARE SENDING YOU GIFTS — AND THIS TIME WE’RE SENDING INSTRUCTIONS

Dear Saskatchewan,

We are sending you our very best — again! The last time we did this you were in the middle of a depression. I believe we were too but we wanted to share what we could, our very best, our very sustenance — salt cod!

We heard you didn't quite know what to do with it. Our fault, we didn't send instructions. Folks tried frying without soaking and rehydrating the fish. Inedible! Rumour has it some folks even tried to shingle their roofs with the dried, flat precious protein that Newfoundlanders had come to rely on. So, this time we are sending instructions.

Russell Wangersky and Leslie Vryenhoek are heading your way. Keep an eye out for them. They have lived through a lot of the tough times here in Newfoundland and Labrador, too.

As a matter of fact, we are in a really, really tough time right now, but we are going to send them to you even though, as writers and journalists, they are a vital and crucial part of our cultural sustenance.

As the new editor-in chief of The Regina Leader Post and The Saskatoon Starphoenix, Russell will give you his best, and that is pretty darn good! You got plans for more hydro projects? He'll give you the best “dam” information possible.

He did it for us. Other times he might tell you stories, taking you along on journeys, always letting you see in unexpected ways. Go with him.

Novelist and activist Leslie has taken us on great journeys, too. Really good journeys. Go along with her. She has surprises for you.

So, Saskatchewan, how lucky are ye all to be getting our very, very best. Keep an eye out for them. And fair warning, we are gonna want them back! This is a temporary loan.

In friendship from Newfoundland and Labrador,

Gerry Rogers, filmmaker and former MHA Peg Norman, shop owner, muckraker St. John’s