Guardian Newspaper Front Page 1992

     Thanks to my friend Stacy for giving me a copy of the August 27, 1992 Guardian newspaper which shows me front page putting my hat on Premier Harcourt's son.

Review of Period Fashions - 1864 and Beyond

AN EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE I.O.D.E. AND THE WATERMARK THEATRE, HOSTED BY ARNOLD SMITH.

     We had a great time at The Watermark Theatre on Saturday evening with our period fashion show.  

     The evening started with a vignette from the new Watermark Theatre play, "What to Wear to the Birth of a Nation".

     The fashion show was narrated and presented by myself.  The first period dress to be modeled was worn by Prince Edward Island's Lt. Governor's wife, Her Honour, Mrs. Frank Lewis.  During the show we saw many dresses and outfits made by myself and my sister Anita.  In addition to our fashions were the dresses created and modeled by many of the people who took the period costuming class (taught by A.B. White and myself) at my house last winter.  We ended the fashion show portion of the evening with Gracie Finley modeling a light yellow gown I made for my sister Vivian.

     The next item on the agenda was Intermission - an opportunity for those attending to see displays; mingle with models and see them up close; and to have tea and dessert served by the ladies of the I.O.D.E 

     The last item on the agenda was Period Dance - English and Scottish Dance and Quadrilles presented by the Beaconsfield Assembly Dancers.

     We had a great evening with a full theatre - thanks to all who participated.  
     Below are photos from the evening.

Historic Reproduction Clothing Fashion Show at Watermark Theatre

     The Watermark Theatre in conjunction with the I.O.D.E. are joining forces to present a fashion show from the past, featuring style from the 1860's to the turn of the century.      
     Arnold Smith with a group of ladies who have been working to create these fashions will model them at the Watermark Theatre in North Rustico.  There will also be a static display of vintage clothing too delicate to wear that will be on view at the Seniors Club just across the lawn where Tea and Sweat Bread will be served.  
     The Beaconsfield Assembly will be performing English Country Dance, Scottish Country Dance and Quadrilles.
     Please join us on Saturday, June 14th at 7pm.  Tickets are available from The Watermark Theatre (902) 969-3963 or Sandra McCormick (902) 892-3929 or any I.O.D.E. member.

Susan Baker Reproduction Dress off to France

     I was commissioned by Laura Robinson of the Royal Military College of Canada, Kingston to produce a dress for the character Susan Baker, the Blythe's family's house-keeper, in the book, Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery.   
     The dress is currently on display in the Normandy area in France; later in June it will be at the L.M. Montgomery Institute on Prince Edward Island; and later on in Ontario.

    A description of Susan Baker’s Skirt & Blouse

          In Rilla of Ingleside the character Susan Baker is described as wearing plain, simple, practical style clothing.  She is not a slave to fashion and would dress in a sensible, serviceable style.

          The skirt is ankle-length with enough fullness to allow ease of movement - it is tapered to the waist with fullness gathered into the waistband.  The collarless blouse is a basic period style with straight sleeves with button cuffs and slight tapering to fit.  There are no embellishments and the buttons are simple in style.

          The colour of the skirt is a light shade of khaki and the blouse is a darker shade with small print design.  The colours were chosen to be symbolic of the khaki uniforms worn by the soldiers fighting in trenches on the European front in WWI.  Susan Baker in her way was doing her bit for the war effort on the home front.

Farmers Bank of Rustico celebrated 150 years since charter

     I recently had the honour of chairing an event at the Farmer's Bank of Rustico whereby we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the bank's charter in 1864.
     Here's the story published in the Guardian newspaper a few days after the celebration.

     For more than 20 years I've been a  member of the Farmer's Bank of Rustico board of directors and have participated in many aspects of developing the Farmers Bank Museum, Doucet House and Acadian culture.  

     Over the years I've studied Acadian costuming and from that knowledge put on workshops at the Farmers Bank - we made all the costumes used on the site.  I was also involved in the restoration of the 1772 Doucet Log House from the conservation report, through restoration, to planning events and activities at the house, including a Fall Flavours event whereby I make an Acadian meals in the large sandstone fireplace and outdoor bread oven. 

     Below are a few photos over the years...

Below: the Doucet log house prior to restoration - the Farmers Bank is in the background.

Above: the Doucet House restoration complete.  Below: Fireplace and Bread Oven.

Below: Making Acadian Costumes - we had fabrics specially woven for skirts.

Millinery Course

     The past few weeks I've been taking a hat making ( aka. Millinery ) course in Charlottetown.  We learned how to make this hat.  

      We took buckram (a stiff piece of fabric ) then took strips of platted ( braided ) straw, sewing one strip on at a time.  Trim was applied, the inside was lined and artificial flowers arranged.  There's still for work to do on the hat before it can be officially worn.