TWO SENIORS' HOMES......... TWO DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

In the last two days SMUG performed their Christmas Selections at two Seniors' Homes, 501 Queen Street and The Garden Nursing Home. It's a year since we have been to these two homes and the residents were ecstatic to have us return with our very popular Christmas selections. Kind words were said and SMUG went away feeling just that way.....SMUG ... THE GARDEN HOME ....

... 501 QUEEN STREET ...

BEACH GROVE HOME AT CHRISTMAS 2013

Our annual trip to Beach Grove Home today saw the activity room eventually filled to capacity, even out in the hall, as the staff kept bringing residents from all over the home. Our Christmas program as well received with continuous rousing applause and joyous singing as well. Karen was most gracious in her kind remarks as she thanked the group for coming back to Beach Grove again.

TO BELFAST WE WILL GO! TO BELFAST WE WILL GO!

SMUG finally made it off to Belfast and The Dr. John M. Gillis Memorial Lodge. After a stormy day on Wednesday when we had planned to get to the Home, we were forced to cancel due to blinding driving conditions. However today arrived big and bright and off we went with a great contingent of 18 Smuggers, armed with book and ukulele, we pulled another one off in fine style with the help of Bob and Darlene just home from the far north. We were pleased too, to have Lynda Sharpe, pianist and organist, lend her fingers to some rocking Christmas music that was enjoyed by almost all of the residents at the home. Owner and administrator, Douglas MacKenzie, thanked us for coming again and provided a great lunch of juices, cakes and cookies, along with two kinds of fudge and cheeses......this always makes our day brighter. Thanks to everyone at the home, both staff and residents, for their kind and generous hospitality.

FIRST BAPTIST CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY DINNER

SMUG were privileged tonight to do a return Christmas Performance at First Baptist Church, as the Congregation served a wonderful turkey dinner to the people of the neighbourhood of downtown Charlottetown,( which they refer to as The Community Dinner). We too were able to partake of a gorgeous meal although most of the group wanted to sing rather than hold up for dessert (which looked fabulous!). Kathy Neily welcomed the 100 or so guests as well as SMUG, then asked the blessing before the meals made their way to the tables. Kathy also gave us thanks for attending and providing some background entertainment for those assembled for the forth year in a row. Many were singing along with the group as well as dancing in the aisles. We had 18 Smuggers out that were well practised for the occasion as we begin a Christmas season filled with many performances of our Christmas music. We are pleased to learn that our First Baptist contact Smuggers, Darlene and Bob Acorn are returning tonight from Iqaluit to remain with us after a year and a half contribution to the Northern city. Since Kathy Neily again issued an invitation for next year, Bob and Darlene will be able to again participate, and we look forward to their return to SMUG.

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OKTOBERFEST PROGRAM AT WHISPERWOOD VILLA

This is one of our lovely Frauleins, Peggy, unfortunately the photographer didn't get a photo of Fraulein Number 2 who directed the Oompa music for the morning, as well as performed a great Hula dance for the group gathered. Thanks Kerry for your assistance and to both of you for being such good sports.

 

 

 

 

 

SMUG made an Oktoberfest appearance at Whisperwood Villa this morning to a rocking number of golden oldies and polkas to help set the mood. We performed our selections for an hour,after which we had our traditional coffee/tea and cookies. Peggy and Kerry were the perfect hostesses as always and joined in the fun and made us welcome in their home once again.

 

 

                          A Special thank you to Soo Lee for providing photos and this video.



 10 a.m. Ready To Roll

Dennis thanking Julien and Soo Lee for coming

Yep, that's Emily all right, way at the back!

Our newest Smugger, Julien, flanked by Mary and Elizabeth

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAY PARTY AT ANDREWS WAS EXTREME

The monthly Andrews Birthdays were celebrated today with singing, much dancing and great Birthday Cakes and Cookies. Happy Birthday was sung to the four celebrants; Hilda, Sybil, Elsie and Margaret. We also discovered that Doug and Rosemary Hill are celebrating their 63rd Anniversary today, so Sharon led us all in a rousing rendition of Happy Anniversary which was a first for SMUG. Rosemary is a new resident in Andrews and we hope to see more of her in the activities that take place daily. The full house was most appreciative of SMUG and the program we brought to them today. As Andrews now has a large group of Andrews' Strummers, SMUG doesn't have that many opportunities to perform in that lovely setting. It's great to have Sharon join us when we are there too, and to see so many familiar faces that we all have come to know over the many years of taking part in some of these celebrations. Karen saw to it that SMUG were well supplied with treats and drinks.

SPRING PROGRAM REHEARSAL WITH OUR NEW FRIENDS

Barry welcoming our new friends, Bob and Joan

This morning we were privileged to have Bob and Joan Barrett join our rehearsal. They come from Montpelier, Vermont, where they are members of the Montpelier Ukulele Players, and Bob is the director and founder of the group. Coming together in 2010 after Bob and Joan had seen the film, "The Mighty Uke", Bob felt it was time to bring a group together in Montpelier to play on a regular basis. They have performed in all sorts of venues in the area and this summer took a group of 19 to Nashua NH for the first Ukulele Picnic on August 27th. They estimated 300 to 400 turned out to enjoy the program which ended up with maybe 100 ukulele players on the stage playing "This Land IS Your Land" Bob and Joan have been vacationing here in a cottage close to Souris for the past week and enjoying our good weather. Joan said it was a little cool in the mornings, but great fun for all. We sincerely hope Bob and Joan might return at some time in the future, or some of us may well venture in their direction. We were badly down in numbers this morning which found us a bit rusty, but we all had fun singing, playing and meeting our new-found friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMqVYplpRyE

Joan and Bob  chatting with Ron

Allright, back to work

Yes, those were good muffins, Jane

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Kitchen bosses

Gloria, Joanne and empty can!

Happy SMUGGERS

Jane and Kendal discuss the muffins