TIME had come to have our 2013 ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC, which has traditionally been held at the Campbell Summer Cottage in Stanhope, but the weather forecast all week was for heavy rain and high winds on Saturday. As we plan to take a summer holiday after our performance next Sunday, it was time to pull our picnic together, with the thought of doing the Stanhope event when we all return in September.
 |
| Maurice Barry and Caitlin |
Sharon Woods-Bryenton, the activity director at Andrews of Stratford got wind of this and suggested we can always come to Andrews.....and we took her up on the offer.
 |
| LEAH DIANNE and AUDREY |
God was good to us and gave us the nicest and hottest day of the summer for the Picnic Day. When we left for home the temperature in my car was 31 degrees Celsius, but fortunately the high winds that were forecast kept us cool even though the clothespins were needed to keep the pages from flapping.
 |
| JOANN ANN RALPH VERAand MARY |
We got together at 10 a.m. and went over our Church Program for next Sunday at St. Andrews United Church in Vernon Bridge, which took up 20-30 minutes. Many of the residents took advantage of the beautiful day, donned their sun hats and joined us on the deck.
 |
| MARY HARLEY AND EVERETT |
When the rehearsal was over we took out our Yellow Daily Ukulele Book and sang songs until Diane brought the pizza at noon.It was great to have so many of the residents come out to listen to our outdoor efforts. Their big applause is always appreciated and always wonderful to have Joe and Adele dancing to much of the music.IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE HARLEY BACK IN OUR MIDST AGAIN, NOT HAVING SEEN HIM SINCE WE VISITED HIM IN HIS HOME AT CHRISTMAS.As we broke up for the day he was promising to join us next Sunday in Vernon Bridge.....we all hope he will.
 |
| OUR HOSTESS: SHARON WOODS-BRYENTON |
We all enjoyed pizza,along with lemonade, tea, coffee and fresh cookies compliments of the kitchen staff.
 |
| OUR DANCERS: ADELE AND JOE |
When it was all over we cleaned up and some of us sat on the deck, in the shade, and chatted over a coffee or tea. The stupid photographer forgot to take any photos of the actual picnic, so if anyone can send me some photos, and there were lots taken, I will add them to this album downloaded here.
 |
| FRIENDS AT ANDREWS |
In the process of cleaning up the only thing left behind was Mary's music stand. Thanks for putting your name on it Mary.....everyone should put their name on their stand as well as their tuner and the program books they are using.
 |
| FRIENDS AT ANDREWS |
 |
| Add caption |
We all want to thank Sharon for making this day possible. We always feel so at home at Andrews and Sharon is always there looking after her guests as well as constantly attending to the residents. We are so fortunate to have her as a friend and member of SMUG as well as Retrofrets and WineSing, when she is able to join us.
 |
| LEAH NORMA and KENDAL |
 |
| PASTOR DENNIS |
 |
| A bunch of Smuggers |
 |
| A Bunch of Residents |
 |
| another bunch of Smuggers |
 |
| A bunch of everybody |
 |
| Another great Bunch |
 |
| And a Bunch again |
 |
| A bunch of Backsides |
 |
| A bunch of Hungary Smuggers |
 |
| Sharon and Mary |
 |
| Mary and Ann......wow! |
 |
| Diane and Harley |
gn: center;">RON MAURICE AND BARRY
WINESING gathered tonight at Ron's apartment, River Ridge Apartments, to play some gospel tunes on the lawn for the residents on this beautiful evening. A great turnout on the lawn and under the canopy as well as many on their decks turned out for the 1/2 hour program that we hope might have left them wanting more.Suggestions of River Ridge forming an ukulele orchestra was bantered about after the performance as many came to us to chat.
We had a great turnout of Smuggers today when the tulips were in full bloom, and SMUG tip-toed thru them along with a full auditorium at the Garden Nursing Home today. We hadn't been back to the Garden Home since Christmas and the residents were genuinely glad to have us in for an afternoon performance, followed by the usual treats provided by the kitchen. Linda Harding, the activity director, welcomed us and had very nice words for SMUG that made us feel at home in the presence of so many residents that many of us recognized. We were treated to a yodelling solo by one of the residents and serenaded on ukulele by another. Some of the residents were quick to invite us to return following our performance which we managed to extend to an hour thanks to the help from participating residents.
Everett MacDougall, surrounded by his family, celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday at Andrews of Stratford. WineSing were privileged to play for a brief period while Everett danced with two of his close friends. Messages were on display from the Queen, the Prime Minister, and the Mayor of Stratford, while local members of the legislature, Alan McIsaac, Bush Dumville and James Aylward were present for the occasion. As was expected a large gathering took place between 2 and 4 o'clock as throngs of well-wishers lined up to congratulate Everett and join in with birthday cake to celebrate the occasion. Everett, who was still curling at the end of the 2013 season, is in excellent health and no one would expect he has reached the wonderful age, nor that he is even close to it, a tribute to hard work and activity all of his life. WineSing would like to thank Everett's son, Noel, and the rest of his family for allowing us to be a part the this great day we will all remember.
WineSing played an hour program on Friday for the residents of the Meadow Unit at Beach Grove. It was great to see so many familiar faces in the audience. We had an opportunity to play for Jean Robinson in her room before prior to the performance. It was a memory we won't forget and hope that Jean will remember as well.The Residents of Meadow joined us in singing most songs and Ann took time to do a long,long step dance for those assembled which stole the show and provided thunderous applause. Ron, in his closing remarks, reminded the staff and residents that "we will return!"
