BLIND AND CANNOT SEE, DEAF AND CANNOT HEAR

SMUG were at Central Queens United Church in Hunter River this morning, performing a total of 10 selections that seemed to delight the congregation. In the absense of the minister, The Reverend Barbara Wagner,the service was conducted by Mr Roland Easter with SMUG doing two anthem selections and the message brought by our own "Pastor" Maurice Steeves.Christine Belanger was the organist, assisted by Nancy Rackham. Maurice told the congregation the most wonderful story of how his father was both deaf and blind,his mother deaf, and what Louis Braille was eventually able to do for them to enable them to communicate. This heart-warming tale which began in the very early 1900's, tells of how his father was sent off to a school for the deaf in Saint John, where Maurice's mother and father met and eventually were married. Maurice explained Braille and how Louis Braille put it together to enable the world of blind people to read.There were samples for those assembled and Maurice explained the process and how a typewriter was eventually invented also to make putting Braille down on paper so much easier to process.The Braille passage that was sent around for the congregation to see said : "Count Your Blessings", one of the hymns sung in the morning service.

David MacIntyre Benefit in Winsloe

SMUG played at the Lions Club Hall in Winsloe last night, to a very packed house which was a benefit for local resident, David MacIntyre. David, who is going to Poland to receive treatment for MS. has suffered for many years. The entertainment began at 7: 30 featuring the JUST FOR FUN Band which gave way to many other local performers throughout the evening. Smug performed four numbers at 8:30 but there wasn't opportunity for the photographer to record the performance on film. It was wonderful to see the support in the community for David as he travels overseas to take this new treatment which everyone is hoping will provide him with relief.It was reported this morning by Allison Coles, one of the organizers,that over $22,000.00 was raised last night for this worthy effort.

Leah and Norma discuss their new Ohana Tenors


Getting Ready

SMUGGERS ARRIVING AT LIONS HALL IN WINSLOE

I SAW THE LIGHT AT LEAH AND BARRY's

Leah and Barry were our hosts today, offering a mixture of sun, cloud, chocolate cake,( compliments of Joanne,) and coffee, along with their always gracious hospitality which we have enjoyed for the past three summers. The rain threatened when we arrived but the sun soon came out and we were well protected on their comfortable deck.

O CANADA........HAPPY CANADA DAY

While Her Majesty, The Queen, and His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, graced the Canada Day celebrations in the nation's capital, Ottawa, SMUG performed in the enthusiastic Canada Day celebrations and parade in the streets of North Rustico, P.E.I.
With the advantage of a new trailer,and a beautiful July day, Allison Coles took SMUG to Rustico to perform for the citizens of that Acadian community on the Island's North Shore. Allison put together a lively program that will be well remembered by the huge turnout. The crowd showed their appreciation with clapping and singing along as we toured through the streets for an hour or so! Our trailer was only large enough to hold 10 Smuggers, but when our kitty grows we may purchase a trailer three times the size and add a sound system, so that all members of SMUG may ride along and even be heard, as they move along the streets of PEI in many of the annual community parades held each year.