I wish to thank the sixty-three seniors who contributed to Not Too Long Ago. It is said that experience is a great teacher. If so, your experiences are about to give readers a great education in Newfoundland and Labrador history and culture.
All of you have greeted me in your homes, and offered an open invitation to return. I would like to thank you for their hospitality.
On behalf of generations to come, I congratulate you on your contributions to this book.

Producing Not Too Long Ago took the cooperation of many people across the province. This would not have been possible without those who know our communities and who know our seniors. I wish to thank Joan MacLean of Northwest River and Janet Skinner and Donna Paddon of Happy Valley-Goose Bay. In Cartwright, Jessie Bird also recommended many wonderful people to be interviewed.

Across Newfoundland, contributors were recommended by our network of seniors, peer advocates, community leaders and personal contacts: Barbara Barrett of Arnold's Cove, Linda Bath of Bonavista, Dorothy Bonnell of Bell Island, Peggy Doucette of Port au Port, Theresa Greeley of Gander, Evelyn Grondin-Bailey of Burin, Harriett Greene of Port aux Basques, Stella Hollett of Burin, Catherine Pennell of Trepassey, Philip Power of Grand Falls, Gladys Snow of Rocky Harbour, and Jim Young of Twillingate. Thank you all.

I would like to thank Coordinator Doris Hapgood, the teachers, and the students of the Rabbittown Learners Programme who workshopped the material. Thanks to Pam Rideout and Janet Goosney of Teachers On Wheels and the other members of the Seniors Resource Centre Literacy Committee. Thanks to our readers: Hazel Blackwood, Evelyn Percy, Rick Simon, Brigitta Schmid, and Mary Woodruff. Don McDonald and David White of the Literacy Development Council also offered valuable feedback and comments. Thanks to volunteer Jerry Cranford for the design and layout of the book.

Financial Support for this project has been provided by the National Literacy Secretariat (Human Resources Development Canada) and the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Garry Cranford
Writer/Researcher