STORMY DAY JAM

After a long stormy day yesterday and a blustery cold morning , a few die hards from SMUG turned out for coffee, cookies, muffins and cheese from the kitchen of Darlene and Bob Acorn, and even jammed for an hour and a half, mostly from Jim Beloff's new Ukulele Daily songbook. It was our first time using the new book which has been acquired by most of our members. The morning only saw 10 Smuggers out, but we had a ball trying new pieces we had never played before. The book might begin to take over at least half of our Saturday morning time limit of two hours and a half. Our thanks to Jim and Liz Beloff for creating this wonderful book, so useful to new and old ukulele jammers alike.

AN UNEXPECTED PLEASURE

On Thursday this week, February 24th, a panic email message from Sharon, the activity director at Andrews of Stratford came to us asking if we could provide some music for their monthly birthday party at Andrews. The booked performer came down with the flu and wasn't able to be there. A quick survey found eight free Smuggers who were more than willing to play and have some fun with the residents of Andrews. As always, Sharon took many wonderful pictures during the party, but room here hardly permits all to be downloaded. SMUG did about 20 numbers for the hour long party and discovered that music really can be made with only 6 ukuleles and a bass. We finished up the party with great birthday cupcakes served with some liquid refreshments.
SMUG is aware that The Andrews Strummers, the ukulele group from Andrews of Stratford, are ready to provide music for some of the future birthday parties as they come along monthly at Andrews. The group have been practicing diligently every week and have now grown to 12 members or more, and having a wonderful time.

Winter Concert Amid Construction

LINDA THANKING SMUG FOR THEIR WONDERFUL ENTERTAINMENT


SMUG returned to the Garden Home today amid a construction project that has been going on since last summer. Originally we thought tomorrow, February 24th, was the day we were to appear, but making contact the first of this week discovered that today was their day for us and tomorrow was their moving day. Consequently we were missing several Smuggers due to previous commitments but pulled it off in great style nevertheless, and with great pride amidst wonderful applause and clapping and singing during our performance. Linda Harding, the activity director, welcomed us heartily and following an hour of songs we were graciously treated to cookies and ginger ale. A wonderful time was had by all, certainly SMUG, and we promised to return later in the year.

BACK IN THE SADDLE IN 2011

CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

A happy group of upbeat SMUGGGERS has begun another season of performances and first off at Andrews of Stratford amoung our friends the Andrews Strummers, most who attended our Friday afternoon performance along with many of Andrews' residents and friends. Activity director, Sharon Woods-Bryenton took gobs of photos, too many to reprint here, but great to have such a great variety to choose from. The one hour performance of 22 familiar songs finalzed at 3:15 with cookies and refreshments fresh from Andrews' kitchen served by Sharon and her volunteers.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL a Happy 2011.........

SMUG held the third annual Christmas Bash this morning at the Masonic Lodge with 20 out of 21 Smuggers assembled for a two hour jam of Christmas songs and carols,interspersed of course, with coffee and cookies. After very appropriate words by Ron and a major presentation to the director,( see card below about David's Ukes) a draw was held for a SMUG licence plate; which found the lucky recipient happened to be our own Pastor Dennis Wells. Pastor Wells seemed pleased, and the director was certainly pleased with the kindness of the group.

The special highlight of the morning was the return of our dear friend,and tenor extraordinaire, as well as long time Smugger, Harley Ings, back after a lengthy illness. We are so pleased to have you back Harley and look forward to starting new programs including you for 2011.

The traditional meal of Greco Pizza arrived around 11:30 and with some added liquid refreshments we devoured pizza and chocolates before noon and were on our way, finishing up a year with double the presentations of 2009. We are also happy to have added four new Smuggers to our group, and hope more will join us in the coming year.






Hazel welcomes Harley back to SMUG

ANDREWS CHRISTMAS PARTY 2010

Yesterday, Andrews of Stratford held the annual Christmas party for the residents and their families, where all had a rare opportunity to hear and see Andrews Strummers in action. Accompanied by Andrews choir, under the direction of Betty Folland, and with Shirley Beck on piano, the choir rendered twelve Christmas songs to the delight of those attending.Solos were performed by Jean and Chuck MacKeen ,as well as Sterling Squarebriggs. We were also privileged to hear Chelsea Sanderson sing "O Holy Night" as well as perform an Irish Jig to "Christmas in Killarney". Edward Herring gave a trumpet solo " Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" and the concert wound up with four great renditions by The Andrews Strummers.

Of course the highlite of the party was a brief visit from Santa Claus who brought along gifts for everyone. We were then treated with a welcome lunch of sandwiches and sweets from the kitchen of Andrews. The attendance at the Christmas Party grows each year as Activity director, Sharon Woods-Bryenton, continues to make life interesting for those who live at Andrews.

The Strummers have been playing together now for two months and it is amazing how much great music they can provide and add to the enjoyment of living at Andrews. We are privileged to have members of SMUG, Dennis Wells, Kendal Godkin, Darlene Acorn and Leah Ziegler on our teaching staff, who meet every week with the Andrews Strummers and jam in the activity room for about an hour. The ukulele is the easiest instrument in the world to play, as well as the most fun. Andrews Strummers are
a testimony to that fact. We have had as many as 12 residents out to jams over the past fall months.Ukuleles are being supplied by Andrews and Dennis Wells, but several of the Strummers have purchased their own personal ukulele. All residents are encouraged to turn up for the weekly jam on Wednesday mornings at 10:30.


ANDREWS STRUMMERS

ANDREWS CHOIR

CHECKING HIS LIST

SANTA ARRIVES.....FINALLY

FIRST VISIT TO CORRIGAN HOME

SMUG played their final Christmas Concert of the season yesterday at Corrigan Home. The small community-care facility in the heart of Sherwood had asked several months ago if we would come and play for them, and we chose our Christmas program to do so. We discovered only a dining room available that would be large enough to accommodate SMUG and an audience, and only with the tables removed. However when we arrived there yesterday with 14 Smuggers, we soon discovered that "Small is Good", and we had a warm welcome by director Terry Howatt and her staff, along with most of the home's residents. As we went through our program there were many enthusiastic ladies and gentlemen who sang along and appreciated our effort with fine applause. Everyone agreed that a return to Corrigan Home would be in the making soon. One of the residents was kind enough to let us use her room adjacent to the dining room to put away our coats, cases and all of the necessary junk we seem to travel with.Very kind and warm words from many of the staff and residents who attended left everyone there with the warm feeling of Christmas.