Saturday Morning "IN THE CIRCLE"

THE CIRCLE

Every Saturday morning since the Christmas break we have met "In The Circle" at the lodge for a go at various pieces from one of our song books. Some of the selections are older and in our "regular songbook", which we have put together since our inception in 2008 and some are newer from Jim Beloff's ukulele books, the leap year edition being the most recent. Everyone gets a chance to pick the songs and we get to try a lot of new pieces that way. The usual coffee break is always very popular around 10;30 and we then return for the second half of the morning from a different book. As we have no gigs booked in the near future we can afford the time away from practicing, which for many of us is a pleasant change, and also an opportunity to set an easier pace when members are away during winter months. Anyone wishing to sit in during these relaxing mornings is most welcome.

Ann,Dennis and Maurice

Ron,Joanne and Jane

Dianne and Audrey

Hazel looking for her selection Beloff #1

Norma back again

Leah cleaning up after her Gorgeous Lunch

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR HARLEY AND ANNA

What a wonderful morning SMUG had as we made a visit to Harley and Anna Ings and sang a booklet of Christmas selections together. Harley has not been able to attend SMUG for quite a while and the group wanted to recognize HARLEY AND ANNA at Christmas. We landed at their home in the pouring rain at 10:30, sang for almost an hour then all departed for Razzy's Road House for a $ 3.99 steak . It was in my college days that I last had a $3.99 STEAK IN A PUB....delicious. What a great way to end a great year,2012 HARLEY has had several operations in the past year or so,and unable to attend SMUG but was so glad to have us come and to again sing along with us the many Christmas selections that he has enjoyed with SMUG as well as other choirs he has been involved with in the past. THE ABOVE PHOTOS WERE ALL TAKEN AT RAZZY'S, WHILE THOSE BELOW WERE TAKEN AT HARLEY AND ANNA'S HOME ON BRACKLEY POINT ROAD. THIS IS HARLEY OUR GRACIOUS HOST FOR THE MORNING. ANNA CAN BE SEEN SINGING ALONG AS WELL IN THE OPENING VIDEO.

5th ANNUAL SMUG CHRISTMAS PARTY TIME

Yesterday SMUG had their 5th annual Christmas party complete with a great jam session from our new "blue book". We played many familiar selections that just rolled off the group as we went from page to page and year to year so that we now look to many future and similar sessions! When the pizza arrived the photographer was so overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of the SMUGGERS he forgot to take pictures of the great party time and hopes he will be forgiven. The "BIG PICTURE" turned out pretty good. Next Saturday we have a very special day planned again and look forward to publishing with many photos of the special day it will be.

THE TABLE IS READY.......BRING THE SMUGGERS

The pizza has arrived

Waiting for the pizza

Norma and Hazel compare notes

THE SECOND WEEK OF CHRISTMAS

SMUG's last performance of 2012 took place at the Garden Nursing Home last night. We have made many trips to the Garden Home over the years and a large turnout of jubilant residents are always present to sing along and clap and clap during our performances.Leah's mother and my aunt(the same person) is always there as well and enjoys seeing her daughter perform. Sorry I couldn't add captions to some of these photos, but I haven't learned how to do it and not mess up the format. You all probably know that the photos will enlarge if you click twice on them. This is SMUG's Christmas program at Andrews of Stratford, which for some of us is our second ukulele home, as we are there every week with the ANDREWS STRUMMERS enjoying a weekly jam. Sharon plays with us and turns on the Andrew's hospitality every time we are there. By that I mean the weekly coffee, muffins and cookies...we love it! This is at the Sunday night Benefit Concert for our friend, Nancy Rackham, who has had a very serious stroke. Nancy is a musician who plays with the Just For Fun Band and teaches piano, as well as being a church organist and involved with so many musical endeavors on the Island. The Benefit was held at St. John's Anglican Church in Milton and played to a full church as everyone was entertained by many local groups.