WHY UKULELE ?

It goes without saying, without the ukulele there would be no Smug Ukulele Band, or simply SMUG as we are now called. Back in the mid 70's Chalmers Doane,the innovative head of the music department for the Halifax city schools, introduced an ukulele program in those schools. Sometime thereafter, I think 1976, Mr. Doane brought a touring group of ukulele players to Charlottetown to participate in the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade. They had been featured on the CBC morning broadcast the morning of the parade and appeared on a float during the parade the same morning. When I saw the group playing I couldn't believe this wonderful fun sound was actually coming from these little toy guitars, nor could it have been the same music I had heard that morning on radio......but it was, and it blew me away. So much so, that a trip to Toombs Music Store that afternoon found me going home with an ukulele and a book to spend the weekend learning how to play chords(My wife and family were at Girl Guide Camp for the weekend).Since that time there has always been a ukulele hanging on the wall, in the boat, in the trunk of the car or at the cottage.Yes, I had several of these wonderful little instruments which I have learned are much more than a toy, and a joy to own and play anytime, anywhere. Anyone can learn to play an ukulele.

YesterUkes in Print

SMUG of Charlottetown P.E.I. sends off congratulations to our friends the YesterUkes in Laurens, South Carolina, for the great article published about them in Sandlapper Magazine which hit the newsstands in South Carolina last week. Dianne Sutton, their leader, has sent a copy of the magazine to us in the mail. If past experience with the mail route is any indication, it may be well into spring before it arrives. You can preview the article by going to their blog: www.yesterukes.blogspot.com

Their recent blog shows us some of the unusual "white weather" they are enjoying this winter.

A Second Visit To Park Royal United Church

Once again SMUG had been invited to perform at the regular Sunday morning service at Park Royal United Church in Charlottetown, and obviously back by popular demand following their mid-summer performance in July. Most of the same selections were again chosen and again the ministerial assistant, Barbara Cairns, conducted the service. Leslie Hiscott was the choir director and it was his invitation that brought us back to Park Royal.We missed a few of our regular Smuggers but were delighted to have Mary Weeks, our newest Smugger, play with us for the first time.

Early Sunday morning rehearsal

SMUG in full flight


Ralph checking his notes and Maurice looking for "something"


Ron Tuning up before the performance

Bob with our newest member Mary Weeks



Allison and Vera in the choir room relaxing before the service.

FULL HOUSE AT ST.PAUL'S ANGLICAN

Smug was honoured again today by being invited to lead the 10 a.m. Sunday morning service in song at St. Paul's Anglican Church in Charlottetown. The service was billed as "The Smug Service" . The Reverend Jay MacDonald conducted the service and the Eucharist. Smug performed 11 selections under the direction of Allison Coles; an exuberant congregation joined us in many. A brief reception was held in the fellowship hall following the service where many kind words were appreciated by the Smuggers present.Several mentioned that we should be the "Sunday Morning Ukulele Group". Smug has two more church services coming up, one at Park Royal United Church on November 15th and another at Central Queens United Church in Hunter River on November 22nd.(Both on Sunday!...Oh. well) Several other invitations have been put on hold for a time to let the Smuggers catch their breath and prepare for the Christmas season.

STOOPING TO HELP A CHILD

Smug provided the evening entertainment at The Potentate's Annual Reception and Banquet. Illustrious Sir Sam Nahas, Philae Potentate for 2009, made a presentation of flowers to our own Mary Lynn Ross after his address for the evening. He told members of the Island Shrine Club how much their work was appreciated by the members of Philae. Both Mary Lynn and her mother spoke and gave thanks to the Shriners for all of the help Mary Lynn has received from The Island Shrine Club and Philae over many years. Smug provided a fresh new program for the evening which resulted in a standing ovation and a curtain call ending with Jester Hairston's "Amen"

St. John's Church in Milton

Smug performed today at St. John's Anglican Church in Milton, PEI. In the mind of this writer, it was our finest effort yet. With 15 Smuggers turning out to perform 10 selections, it proved once again that practice makes (almost) perfect. Smug was under the capable direction of Allison Coles, and The Reverend Evelyn Knorr performed the service. Her kind words towards Smug in her remarks, once again, made us feel just that way. She also added that we would be welcome to return again.
Unfortunately this performance was to be the last for Rob and Heidi Litke who are getting ready to perform at the Ukulele Ceilidh in Liverpool in late October after which they will be returning to Denver for the winter. We have enjoyed having them with us for the past month and hope next summer when they return to the Island they will join with us again. Smug's next performance will be the Potentate's Visit on October 10th, 2009.

New Beginnings

Smug was privileged today to have two visitors, who we hope will become regular members, at least for the spring,summer and fall seasons.They were Heidi and Ron Litke, summer residents on PEI from Denver, Colorado. Heidi plays a wonderful ukulele(s) and Rob a wonderful bass, which was a first for Smug, and gave the group a rich sound that suggested a bass has been needed for some time. Heidi and Rob treated Smug to a couple of duets after morning coffee and Joanne's coffee cake. The Smugulele that followed took a different turn with some impromptu jamming, which included the trying out of Heidi's Beansprout Banjo ukulele, and enriched with Rob's bass playing. Heidi is a partner in the Beansprout Company along with Aaron Keim. She has also directed the Denver Ukulele Orchestra for two years. Heidi and Rob have been regular attenders at the International Ukulele Ceilidh in Liverpool,Nova Scotia, since its inception and are looking forward to a return in October, having made many friends at the Ceilidh over the years.Heidi tracked down several members of Smug through the Ceilidh committee earlier this week. They are both Canadians from Ontario and discovered PEI during a summer golf excursion.Rob and Heidi moved to Denver in 1986 after completing their education where Heidi first worked as a Forest Ranger. Members of Smug who attended this morning's Smugulele were delighted to have them join in the fun and look forward to having them become members when on the Island. Smug are presently preparing for a performance at St. John's Anglican Church in Milton on Sept 20th.