intal (Entertainment

What did a person do in Stanley Bridge for entertainment during the winter months?

One of the earliest forms of entertainment for the people of Stanley Bridge during the winter months was singing instruction held at the senior school. The presenter, that is the leader, would strike his tuning fork, sing a line, and the people would repeat. He would do this until a verse was learned.

According to a copy of an 1892 newspaper The Spectator (see enclosed) the local people had an evening of grand music and literary works. At the turn of the century the Hope River Literary Society was active with two of its members from Stanley Bridge, Mrs. Dave Fleming and Michael Coughlan. By the 1920’s it appears there was a Drama Club formed for the purpose of preparation and presentation of a Three Act Play. Titles of some plays were The Scarecrow Creeps (1920’s), Aunt Susie Shoots the Works (1945), Mr. Bean from Lima and The Darling Brats (1952). Preparation for the play became part of the local winter activity for many years. Monies raised would be used to financially assist winter activities. Play practices commenced in the homes. When the lines were memorized, the cast members gathered in the hall. Someone in the group had to be responsible for lighting the coal/wood potbellied stove early in the day. The greedy stove would require constant attention for the day in order to heat the large room. The gas lights needed naphtha gas and most of these lamps were taken from home by men who participated in the play. Great co-operation existed among the players of this willing troupe. Travel was mainly by horse and sleigh. This was an occasion for the horses to be housed in a barn close to the hall and brought out again at ‘going home time’. Snow had also to be shoveled from the doorway. Dedication and love of the activity was the theme of this era!

During public presentations, fudge was sold to those in attendance. As a rule no entertainment was given between Acts. Many invitations were received for those plays to be presented in neighbouring Districts. The players received 20% - 30% of the door proceeds. One record indicates that the ‘take-home’ proceeds amounted to $5.30. The local players presented their plays in such communities as Fredericton, Hunter River and Wheatley River. One cast member said that one year they travelled to over twenty places. This would be a difficult time for those who were farmers. May and June would be the time for touring with their play and this would conflict with the planting of the crops.

After the years of presenting three act plays, it was decided to change to ‘One—Act Plays’ com— bined with entertainment. The ‘One-Act’ play would not require the time to memorize the lines or the number of people to practice. The one—act plays were not taken on the road but were pre- sented in the local hall for one or two nights. The Women’s Institutes usually sponsored these plays and the proceeds were used for their volunteer donations.

The parlour social gave an evening of entertainment which included skits, contests, group Singing, charades, or volunteer entertainment. At the end of the evening a bountiful lunch or meal was served which helped to raise the attendance and receipts. An auction of cakes or baked goods was sometimes used as another method of raising money for foods or clothing needed for the War effort.

With the opening of the present bridge in 1978, a variety concert was provided for those attend— ing the official day's parade and supper. The variety concert idea has continued since that time and has been held annually with the exception of the last two years. Within those years the House Party Band sponsored concerts for four years. This was during July or August and was

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