MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ANDREWS OF STRATFORD

SMUG's last Christmas event of the 2017 Christmas Season, and the last event of the year happened today in the first snowfall of the season at Andrews of Stratford. Activity director, Sharon, introduced the 16 of us at 2 PM and we played Christmas tunes until the cookies and drink arrived around three. A wonderful turnout of residents from the home who all joined in the singing for a steady hour. Our Best Wishes to all at ANDREWS OF STRATFORD, staff and residents alike.Special thanks to Sharon for taking and sharing most of the photos with us. A reminder that all photos can be enlarged  by double clicking on them.

" BUILDING A BRIDGE " AS SMUG HAS 10TH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

With 10 more Smuggers than last year, SMUG once again returned to Razzy's Roadhouse for the Annual Christmas Sing-Along and Dinner . The picture taking area seemed to have shrunk as we tried to squeeze 31 Smuggers into the small end of the room, but we did succeed and some are only seen as peeking through heads. So, I printed all of the photos. As usual Dennis did the honours of directing the sing-song of carols for about an hour, after which the food was ordered and very quickly brought to the tables close to the noon hour.

President Maurice and Vice-President Leah performed the annual year-end ritual of embarrassing the director with their kind words and very generous gift from the whole group. Diane and I sincerely thank you for your thoughtfulness, and wish you all well as SMUG moves in to the second decade. Maurice also read a poem "Building a Bridge" by W.A. Dromdool, a most appropriate listen for us all......well thought out Maurice!  Treasurer Mary had counted the Toonie Bin and a report on the contents was passed on to the group. As our numbers increase it is hoped the Toonie Bin will hold a bit more to cover what are really only small costs, but of course growing each year.

Yesterday SMUG played at 501 Queen Street under the direction of Kelly Galloway.We were introduced by Cindy Murnaghan, the resident organizer, and yours truly was the fill-in bass player for the afternoon, and being totally absorbed in the music, forgot to take photos. But my thanks to the many who turned up for the concert(22), especially Kelly for taking over directing for the day when we know it is a busy time for her. SMUG had the largest turnout of residents and friends we have ever seen there. Even asked for and received an encore. All because of Kelly's fine directing, I would say.

OUR WONDERFUL EFFICIENT SERVERS

SMUG BRINGS CHRISTMAS TO THE MOUNT

SMUG made a sixth appearance at The Mount today to provide a Christmas program for the many residents of the home. The activity director, Charmaine MacGregor introduced us at 1 p.m. and on we went with some great Christmas tunes until around 2 p.m. Everyone sang along and some even danced to some of the lively pieces.There was an excellent turnout of Smuggers and every one seemed to have a lot of fun.The photographer lost his camera early in the event and therefore few photos got taken, but the camera was returned to the house tonight by a watchful Nicole Phillips. Thanks Nicole. That might have been the second camera gone!
Our thanks to Irma for sending more photos(some quite rare) along to help support the blog this morning.

Eighth year returning to First Baptist Community Dinner

As always we never get enough photos when we are performing,but here are a few of a great evening at our 8th annual Community Christmas dinner at First Baptist Church. And for icing on the cake, they gave each of us a huge take out meal to take home for our own suppers, which in my case was more than enough for Diane and me, and was very unexpected .Thanks to all of you who turned out to make this event another successful Baptist Christmas Event for those so less fortunate. It was a treasure to be able to be there for them. After eight years I haven't fallen off the stage! I have a sneaking suspicion a 9th year could possibly happen......everybody on side? I think we could find room for another 5 or 6 Smuggers on that stage.