MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR SMUG 2016

President Maurice and Vice President Leah present annual documents to director

There it was, SMUG's 9th annual Christmas party and for the fourth time held at wonderful Razzy's Roadhouse. We began the morning by catching up on the up-coming birthdays for the remainder of December. Elizabeth Dec 23, Gloria Dec 25, Marina Dec 27 and Peggy wasn't with us this morning but we sang to her as well, Dec 31.

Everyone was in great singing form and couldn't wait to get at it and we did almost all of Ron Tallon's Christmas Book, led by Kendal. President Maurice arrived after being caught up in traffic for almost an hour and he conducted the annual meeting, appointing Leah as Vice President and getting everyone in the room to say nice things about your director, which were more appreciated than any of you will ever know. Then Leah and Maurice presented the annual document to the director which again was loaded with great comments from all. Leah did a Robert Service thing and wrote a wonderful poem for the occasion which was read by our President. Thank you both for that and thank you all for the thoughtful gift which Diane and I will get to enjoy soon. I hear James Hill is returning to PEI to play at the Confederation Center in March. Looking forward to that.

We had a splendid lunch too, laid on by Razzy's great cooks, and served by Jessica who said it was awesome to come into the room of such wonderful singing. Something that I gather doesn't happen there very often. Razzy's cooks sure know how to cook a steak right.

I wish you all, and your families the best Christmas ever and look forward to getting back together the first Saturday in January 2017 to do a stint "In The Circle" (which was passed by motion at the meeting).
HAPPY NEW YEAR

              ODE TO SMUG

Seems like many years have passed

When you took on the fearless task

A few of your friends met in Al’s shop

And a musical group began to pop!

Of musical interest, this group of men

Could sing and play with any great band

But the ukulele was the number one choice

After all, it didn’t make a very loud noise!

Wasn’t long before the word got around

And many new members were quickly found

From four members then, to now twenty nine

David leads our SMUG team, with pleasure divine!

We play Saturday mornings at The Lodge downstairs

David goes early to open and set up the chairs

The camaraderie is wonderful, the music a delight

The treats on the break are a much loved sight.

Sometimes we forget all the work that is involved

To keep us in music, and to keep issues resolved

To organize gigs, from spring to fall

David relentlessly manages it all.

We thank you dearly, from here to the moon

For the time that you give freely  to make us croon

This appreciation comes from us all so sincere

Merry Christmas David and family, and a Happy New Year!

Hugs from your SMUG family

Author   Unknown (A.K.A.Cousin Leah)

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS 8 YEARS AND OBSERVE HOW MUCH MORE SOPHISTICATED SMUG HAS BECOME IN 10 YEARS(since 2007)  DON'T FORGET TO DOUBLE CLICK TO SEE A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE SMUGGERS.

Everybody but the Bass Player who took the photo

Everybody but the director who took the photo

LEFT BATCH

CENTER BATCH

RIGHT BATCH

SMUG CHRISTMAS 2015

SMUG CHRISTMAS 2014

SMUG CHRISTMAS 2013

SMUG CHRISTMAS  2012

SMUG CHRISTMAS 2011

SMUG CHRISTMAS 2010

CHRISTMAS 2009 THE DIRECTOR FORGOT TO BRING THE CAMERA

SMUG CHRISTMAS 2008

SMUG's LAST PERFORMANCE 2016 AT 501 QUEEN MERRY CHRISTMAS

Well here we are at 501 Queen where we have performed so many times before. A great audience of full of fun types who seemed to enjoy our Christmas program. I think there were 20 in the audience for this evening performance, but there were 25 SMUGGERS out for the first time ever. Kathleen Wells said we were awesome and that's what we want to hear.Shirley Jorgenson, who coordinates the various entertainment for the home introduced us at 7 o'clock and we never looked back until we finished the program at 8 o'clock. At that time we all sang Happy Birthday to Kelly who will become a bit older in January, but Mom and Dad are going to be in Florida then so we did a very special celebration tonight. Kelly was surprised for sure. Many great comments after the performance from the residents were very well appreciated by us all.
May I say how heart-warming it was for me to have such a great turnout of SMUGGERS for this final event. Only sorry there wasn't adequate room for all to properly participate.Having said thet, the singing was beautiful.....congratulations on a wonderful effort by everyone.

SMUG'S CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCE AT THE MOUNT

Sister Mary Deighan and Kendal  harmonizing

Today SMUG was proud to be invited back to The Mount to offer the residents a taste of Christmas on this the first day of December.A good turn out of residents sang and clapped for us for an hour. Many residents dropped by following the performance to thank us for coming on this,another day of terrible weather on PEI. Sister Mary was in her usual form and made us all feel at home with her genuine charm. Sister Mary and I grew up on the same street in Summerside and indeed one of her brothers and I went to school together and were Air Cadets for several years at Summerside Air Base. It was our pleasure to bring a bit of Christmas music to these appreciative residents.

SMUG APPEARS 7th CONSECUTIVE YEAR AT FIRST BAPTIST COMMUNITY DINNER

We enjoyed the first winter storm of 2016 tonight as 20 Smuggers made it out through the weather to participate in our 7th Community Dinner at First Baptist Church. While the turnout for the supper was not quite as large as past years, they were an enthusiastic group who enjoyed singing along with our Christmas Music.SMUG was treated to a lovely Turkey dinner as well and hopefully everyone made it home safely over the terrible slushy roads. Our thanks to the people at First Baptist who always make us feel so welcome at their annual dinner.
All of the photos taken have been published here and can be enlarged by double-clicking.

A THOUSAND WELCOMES.......GREAT TO BE BACK IN 2016

Our first Gathering in the fall 2016 and how good it was to be getting together again. We started on page one of our regular songbook and sang and strummed for almost two hours.......those old familiar songs we love so well.It was wonderful to have Janet MacQuarrie and David Stewart join us for the first time.Two very accomplished ukulele players that we hope to see a lot more of on Saturday mornings.

The highlight of the morning was Barry's Chocolate Chip Muffins and Cinnamon Sugar Cookies that were loved by all. Wonderful of Barry to get up and bake them at 5 o'clock to be sure they were fresh. Leah, are you ever lucky!

A great turnout for the first go in the fall when we know so many are away. Can't wait until next week to finish the Regular Songbook......maybe?