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Not the Almonte Band–Horizontal, sepia photograph showing a small group of women wearing white aprons and party hats seated in chairs with musical “instruments” made out of household items. On the back is a hand-written note: ” Given by G.F.D – February 12, 1925. It was a ‘hit.’ “Sister Susie’s Kitchen Band.” Photograph by unknown, ca. 1925. St. Stephen’s Mission Collection P0574-00001
Author’s Note- Sister Susie’s Kitchen Sewing Shirts for Soldiers was a popular WW1 song and the name caught on everywhere..
“Susie’s Kitchen Band” Concert a Success-Almonte Gazette– December 1918
The entertainment given by “Susie’s Kitchen Band” on Friday evening was a splendid success. Days before almost every seat in the hall had been taken, and “standing room ” was the condition that faced the late seekers after seats.
The stage was brightened by decorations of sunflowers, hollyhocks, and other similar and appropriate embellishments. The “company” of which wore disguises were about thirty, all of whom were occupied seats on the stage. They were furnished with “instruments” of kitchenware ranging from pepper shakers and egg-beaters to corn -popper violins and dinner horn trombones. The possibility of extracting ‘music” from such an outfit seemed almost as futile a proposition as an endeavour to extract “sunbeams from cucumbers”, but the result from the many selections given were of real merit. The majority of the numbers were of the ‘minstrel variety’ and these appealed to and greatly pleased the large audience.
Mr. J. H. Martin was director, and filled the role to perfection. There was a lot of guessing as to who the different members were and many were way off. Here they are:
Mrs. Conn, Mrs. P. Jamieson, Mrs. W. E.. Scott, W . G. Kelly, Mrs. Bothwell, Mrs. Illingworth, Mrs. C. James, Misses E. Davis, Ruby Williams, H. Miller, E. Roberts, B. Saddington, L. Hanly, L. Lyons, F. Abbott, E . Boyes, L. McNeil, E. Lyons, B. Plunkett, M. Darling, E. Coulter, R. Dunlop, L. Turner, E. Rowland, E. Paul, D. Oliver, L. Kellough, F. Anderson, Messrs. J. Jack, G. Hudson, H. Wylie and V. Young.
Miss McCloy, of Ottawa, gave several recitations which called forth hearty encores; Miss Viola Barker sang a solo and she too was recalled, and the dancing by little Misses Audrey Beth and Margaret Williams were also popular.
With Mrs. Maxwell as accompanist, drew forth the evidence of genuine enjoyment her performances always give. Messrs. A. J. McLean and W. Morton were the drummers for the evening, and Mr. Geo. Clement had the management of the stage, and always fills it with care. The “Band” have been requested to do the entertainment for the benefit of the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, and have consented to do so Thursday evening of next week.
Sister Susie’s Sewing Shirts For Soldiers
Sister Susie’s sewing in the kitchen on a “Singer”,
There’s miles and miles of flannel on the floor
And up the stairs,
And father says it’s rotten getting mixed up with the cotton,
And sitting on the needles that she leaves upon the chairs.
November 29 1918–Almonte Gazette
For the Hospital-– “Susie’s Kitchen Band” concert will be repeated on Thursday, Dec. 5 for the benefit of the Rosamond Hospital. Admission, 25 cents, seats reserved.
December 19-1918–Susie’s Kitchen Band has been asked to put on their entertainment at Pakenham on Friday evening of this week and they have accepted the invitation.
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