NO MAN IS AN ISLAND......with DIANNE SUTTON 2011

Attached is a video taken at the Campbell summer home in Stanhope in August 2011 during the visit of Dianne Sutton and her daughter ,Jessica, from South Carolina. Dianne is the director of Yesterukes, and has become a good friend of SMUG over the past four years. The video was taken by Jessica during our annual SMUG picnic.  We just received this video from Dianne last night.

JAMES HILL GIVES A WORKSHOP AT INDIAN RIVER

James and Anne practising for their Indian River evening on the deck at Heidi and Rob's home

About 20-25 PEI ukulele players were treated to a workshop by James Hill at Indian River Church last Saturday afternoon, August 25..James, along with Anne Davison(Janelle) on cello, provided a most interesting hour or so of new and fun things to do on the fretboard of our ukuleles. In his words: "The ukulele is an easy instrument to learn to play, and many start out learning to chord and strum where there is a steep learning curve for a short while but then it quickly levels off".  "As a result, interest  wanes because the player is not advancing in new skills and learning". James taught us some inversion chords and we spent time doing a  "Premiere Performance" of "All Night Long" from his Ukulele in the Classroom book. James then spent some time explaining the value of jazz chords and the great sound that comes from incorporating some of them into well known classics like "Sway" which we all gave a try. The time finished up with James and Anne doing a selection for us from a previous performance "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" A fabulous ending to a great workshop. Those of you who were able to make the evening performance of James and Anne I understand were thrilled at the variety of entertainment they provided. Unfortunately a previous commitment prevented us from making it. We give thanks to Heidi Litke for providing the photos you see here.....she took a ton of them. I'm sorry you can't double click to enlarge them, because this can't be done with the small resolution.I hope Heidi might use her influence to persuade James and Anne to do something like this again on PEI in the future.

ANDREWS OF STRATFORD ANNUAL FAMILY BARBECUE

ANDREW'S STRUMMERS put on a "Real Big Show" today as Andrews of Stratford held their annual outdoor barbecue and family picnic. Wonderful food compiled by chef Terry and served by the staff of Andrews.The STRUMMERS sand and played two sets, one before the meal was served and one following which had the visitors singing clapping and rolicking in their seat. Just We`Two (Ann and Molly) did several numbers also in the dining room while dinner was being served in there.  Sorry I missed getting all the photos I should have as well as some names of those who participated.  Rain was threatening during the barbecue and eventually a few drops drove most inside. But still a lot of fun had by all who visited and all who participated. The members of SMUG who direct and support th ANDREWS STRUMMERS were out in full support of the event.

FIRST TIME AT ST.ANDREW'S UNITED CHURCH IN VERNON BRIDGE

St. Andrews Church-Vernon Bridge

Lynda prepares the musical part of the service while Ann and Sharon discuss the good fun at Saturday's practise.

Today was SMUG's first opportunity to participate in the service at St. Andrew's United Church in Vernon Bridge, PEI, a beautiful country church just outside of Stratford. The service was conducted by the United Church Women, perhaps better known as the UCW. The St. Andrew's organist and choir director, Lynda Sharpe, had asked SMUG some time ago if we would participate in their special summer event. At the time we had our bookings for July and planning to take the month of August off, but in the end we agreed to take on one more summer event.  The group performed the best I have seen and heard them and we were all pleased we had agreed to accommodate Lynda and the UCW.  Maybe the best part was that Lynda accompanied us on the Grand Piano, and can she ever play!!!. I hope we might have more opportunities like this in the near future.. Our thanks once again to Sharon for helping us out when so many are away in the summer months.The raves and reviews following the service were strong and welcome, so much so that I know some left with pretty swelled heads.

The morning service was conducted by Mary's sister Helen MacLeod, assisted by other members of the UCW. The program in lieu of a sermon was a talk and slide show by Adam Drake, a young member of St.Andrew's who is studying in England to become an optometrist. Adam spent time this summer in Africa helping to fit glasses on those less fortunate and also help the physicians restore the sight of the many who might otherwise be going blind; young, as well as the old.

SUNDAY AT CENTRAL QUEENS UNITED

This was SMUG's fourth appearance at Central Queens United Church in Hunter River PEI. There was a large congregation this morning, not sure if so many turned up on this beautiful July Sunday morning to see and hear SMUG or not, and although the director could not see it happen, members of the congregation were reported to be dancing in the aisles! It was a fun morning and the minister, The Reverend Barbara Wagner, was very generous in her praise and hoped SMUG would return to Central Queens again.

CENTRAL QUEENS UNITED CHURCH 2012 SATURDAY PRACTISE

PRACTICING FOR THE CENTRAL QUEENS EVENT.......GOOD FUN.. GOOD FOOD  OUTDOORS~AT BARRY AND LEAH"S BACK DECK

ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC IN BEAUTIFUL STANHOPE PEI 2012



The Old Guys saying "Goodby and Thanks for coming"


CLICK ON THE VIDEO BELOW


This was it, the annual trek to Stanhope for the jam/picnic. It was great. We`had two hours of great singing and playing just like we had last year when we entertained the director of the Yesterukes, Dianne Sutton and her daughter Jessica from Laurens, South Carolina. This year though we had sandwiches for the picnic and the girls brought great desserts. It was Allison's birthday next Tuesday and we forgot to sing "Happy Birthday" to the Grand Master. Forgive us Allison; it was the year past the big,big one so not as important anyway. You really don't look that old you know.


Just have to give a big thanks to those who brought along "stuff" and made the day so delightful.It would be great to find new venues to do this from time to time.