In Northern Bay, in addition to fairies (little ones and big ones) <G> and Jack O'Lantern, ghosts in the graveyards and miscellaneous spirits, we had Hollies. This article, written by Nadine Howell for a class project, will elaborate: The Hollies Of Northern Bay Sands By: Nadine Howell, Grade 7 There are many spooky stories told about Northern Bay Sands. These stories include pirates, lost treasures, spirits, and Jack-O-Lanterns, but NONE is more frightening than the Hollies with their screeching cries. Many a tough man weakened at their knees and felt the cold pierce his heart when one heard their horrifying cries, like voices echoing from the grave. While others have said they were friendly and were looking for companionship. Mr. John Hogan, an old bachelor fisherman, tells he was never so happy when his buddies, the Hollies, were aboard with him or assisted him to haul up his boat on a stormy, dreary morning. Who were the Hollies? According to the history of Northern Bay, Newfoundland, they appeared here about the early 1800's after some 450 fishermen lost their lives in a huge hurricane in Conception Bay. Most of the bodies washed up on the shore of Northern Bay Sands because of the easterly winds and currents. I heard my great grandfather say that for years afterwards many a bone and skeleton were uncovered after the storm changed the sand around. He even told me, which I didn't believe, that as boys they would play soccer with the skulls of the dead seamen. History has it, on the upper part of the park there is a huge grave where many people and various body parts are buried. In fact, the first settlers there who buried those people were forced to move out because of the spirits and the screeching, mournful voices that haunted them on stormy nights. In fact, my father tells me it was only several years ago, on a windy, stormy night, he heard the screams loud and clear. These screams usually lasted for hours and died out around dawn. It is important to note, these deadly cries were never heard in the daytime. Hence, one cannot conclude that it was the wind. Most older people believe these wandering souls are the dead seamen who were either never found or never properly buried. They are spirits who are caught between life and death, seeking to be found so they can be finally put to rest in peace. To this day many people in this local area will not cross the sands in the night time, and very few on a stormy night. I know that Nadine's article is based on fact as I personally have chatted with those Hollies. The strange thing is that they only seemed to appear only after I had been sampling vintage Screech or some such. QUESTION: Are Hollies a local Northern Bay phenomenon or do you folks from other area's of Nfld. have them too. If not, perhaps a local version with another name? Matt