A TOOL OF THE DEVIL

An old blueberry warehouse — converted by the local community into a recreation center — is surrounded by dozens upon dozens of cars. The thin strident sound of amplified fiddle filters through plywood walls as we walk through the parking lot. We open the door and a blast of sound from the fiddle, piano, and several guitars

hits us straight on. (5)

The fiddle, once considered ‘a tool of the devil’ by some religious denominations, has been a source of entertainment brought by the early British settlers of our area that has remained popular to this current day. Before the advent of TV and radio, fiddle contests and step-dancing competitions were some of the most favored forms of entertainment on the Island. (6) The Log Hall in Monticello and the Goose River Blueberry Building have been two places in particular where ‘old time fiddling’ has

been kept alive. Jenny McQuaid relayed the history of the Monticello Ceilidh:

When the old schoolhouse, which was restored by the local history society, proved to be too small for community gatherings, the society built the present Monticello Log Hall. In 1991 with the larger facility, and in keeping with the goals of the society, the group decided to try and revive traditional entertainment where all generations could come together to share their music, dance, and camaraderie. The experiment worked so well that other communities in the area followed Monticello’s lead and established their own ceilidhs. ( 7)

There has been many talented musicians play at the Ceilidhs in Monticello over the years. Fiddle players, piano players, mouth organ, banjo, and mandolin players have all contributed to the ceilidhs. The Log Hall has also been witness to such performers as Richard Wood and Ashley MacIsaac.

Some of the fiddlers in the local area over the years include Temple O’Hanley, Ronnie Maclnnis, Lawrence Gills, Angus MacIntyre, Connie Gallant, Albert “Laughie” MacKinnon, Clifford Dwan, Mel “Roddie” MacPhee, George “Mel” MacPhee, Theresa Wilson, Maggie Butler, Hilda MacPhee, Jimmy Lewis, and Larry Gorman. Paul Gillis, who lived in the Greenwich Road, repaired shoes and was remembered as a local fiddler who used to go around to many of the local dances. Paul, famous for asking musicians to “Sound your A,” was unique in that he was physically challenged and could not walk. He crossed his legs and pulled himself around using the strength of his arms. Anna Rattray recalled Paul Gillis, and her childhood memories of him:

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