Community Profiles
Ming's Bight
Trail: Dorset Trail HWY 410
Mayor: Earl Regular
Deputy Mayor: Stella Sacrey
Councillors: Ted Sacrey, Mary Elms, Dion Regular
Address: P.O. Box 69, A0K 3S0
Telephone: (709)254-6516
Fax: (709)254-6516
Availability: Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Introduction:
The community of Ming's Bight is said to have been settled around 1857. Fishing is said to have been the reason for the settlement of the community. It is believed that the French hired people to tend to their nets and such during the winter months these people decided to settle there and so the community began. Ming's Bight has much to offer for those who like to explore the past. Small canon balls which have been found, would lead one to think that some type of fighting took place around this community in the past.
Population:
The town has 347 people.
History:
The community of Ming's Bight is located on the northeast side of the Baie Verte Peninsula, approximately 64 km from the Trans Canada Highway, off Highway 414 onto Highway 418.
The community is built in 2 sections. One section is known as "La Mees" which is where it is believed the French stayed when they fished from the area. The "Bottom" is the other section, which is the area that one first sees when entering the community by road. A large rocky hill separates both sections of the community.
The soil is hard and composed mostly of rock and is not very good for vegetation. A few people do set small potato gardens which yield a crop for a family's winter eating.
Being open to the Atlantic Ocean causes cold winds to blow across the community, especially during the winter months. In the spring and summer month’s icebergs are a familiar site within the harbour. On a windy day, one can taste the salt spray from the ocean.
In 1902, fine grained gold was discovered from the surface of the Goldenville Claim, located between Ming's Bight and Baie Verte.
In 1906, the mine was responsible for the first gold brick ever produced in Newfoundland; however it closed shortly after this. In the mid- 1980's, Nova Gold carried out some exploration in the area.
Tourism, Recreation
Ming's has much to offer for those who like to explore the past. The community boasts a picnic area and children's park. Also the citizens are quite friendly and love to take tourists out for an evening "jigging" off the favorite fishing banks.
Goldenville Mine Site Trail is also located in Ming's Bight.
There are several clubs and organizations operating within the community such as Firettes, where the requirement to join is that your husband be a volunteer fireman; Dart leagues, Church groups like: Youth group, Home League, W.M., Men's Fellowship, Brownies, and Beavers. The majority of these groups make use of school and recreational facilities to hold their meetings and fun nights.
There is a recreation committee formed which plans events throughout the year, such as celebrations for civic holidays and is responsible for the upkeep of the community ball field, outdoor skating rink, and swimming area.
Forestry Industry
Sawmill(s).
There are 3 commercially run sawmills located in or around Ming's, with one of these operating a logging business and employing workers seasonally. Mills are opened for business during the months of April through to November.
Education
There is no school located in Ming's Bight.
Postal Service
There is no Post Office as such located in Ming's Bight;
Media Data
Newspaper(s).
Television.
Entertainment.
Health & Welfare
Due to the size and population, the community does not have its own medical facilities.
Fire Protection
The fire department is completely volunteer.
Transportation & Geography
Community travel.
Bus & Taxi Services.
Airport.
Utilities & Power
Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro.
Water Supply & Sanitation
Pond water supply.
Garbage collection.
The community's water supply originates from Middle Brook Pond and Bear Pond located outside the community. Both of these sources are protected. The water is treated with chlorine and is inspected every three months. All homes are connected to the main supply. The force of the water is gravity flow and there are no problems with freeze-ups in winter or dry-ups in the summer. The cost of the community's water supply is $180 per year for residential and $300 per year for commercial. The final phase of the water/sewer system will be completed in 1995.
Council provides a weekly garbage collection service which is tendered out to individuals within the community. Garbage is carried away by pickup truck to a supervised area located about 1 mile outside the community.
Social & Cultural Data
Churches
There are 2 churches located within the community, The Salvation Army and Calvary Pentecostal Tabernacle. When Ming's was first mentioned in the Canadian census, the citizens were of Roman Catholic faith, however a church was not established.
The Salvation Army built its church in 1934 and has a membership of approximately 200 today, holding 3 worship services each week and a variety of other meetings such as Home League, Men's Fellowship, and several meetings for the youth. The Pentecostal faith built its church in 1958, and has a weekly attendance of 130. They also hold 3 worship services each week and several group meetings such as W.M., Men's Fellowship, and Youth Groups.
