Activities for the department included its annual pancake breakfast, entering a team in the Nova Scotia ball tournament and winning it, putting two department trucks in the annual Crapaud parade, holding the annual lobster party for members at New Glasgow, renting ice time at the South Shore Actiplex for a Christmas skate (Santa was there for the kids) and then taking Santa to the South Shore Villa to visit the residents there.

The fire department’s  annual Christmas party was held at the Red Rooster restaurant, at which time Harold Taylor, a member of the department, received the Arnold Moore Memorial award.

The department had a good year overall and is now working with the village council on purchasing a 2005 truck to replace the ’87 International. This is in the early stages and will be a great improvement for hauling water.

All in all, the department is in good shape for equipment. Fire chief is Raymond MacDonald. 

In other community news, the members of St. John’s Anglican Church Women Crapaud met at the home of the president, Marilyn Myers, for their March meeting, opening with a prayer by Myers, followed by the hymn, It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Fire Going.

Devotions were led by Fran MacKinnon, who read from books entitled  Encouraging Words for Women and Easter Ideals. 

Roll call was answered with a verse of Scripture, and the minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. 

The president thanked everyone for their help serving lunch at the curling bonspiel and the Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. 

The treasurer gave the financial report. 

Following the meeting, the members worked on baby blankets for the nursery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. 

This was followed by a delicious pot luck supper. 

Upcoming events in the area and beyond include the monthly ceilidh to be held at the community centre in Kellys Cross on Sunday, April 19, 7 p.m., with house band of Gordon Myers and Pastime With Florence Larkin, Vincent Gallant, Louis and Glenda Blanchard and Ralph McQuaid. Guests include Burnell McDonald, Theresa Hudson, Gerald Tierney, Ward and Allan MacDonald and friends, Anne Stewart, Fraser Squires, Elmer Dorion, Stan Chaisson and Sarah Sonier. Admission is $5, which includes lunch. There will be a 50/50 draw but no open mike. 

The  Bonshaw Garden Club will meet on April 20, 7:30 p.m., at the Bonshaw Community Centre. This  is a planning meeting only to discuss trips for the summer. 

Grace Christian School, 50 Kirkland Rd., West Royalty, is presenting The Hiding Place, Corrie Ten Boom’s incredible life story brought to life on stage, on April 24-25, 7 p.m. The cost is $10 per person or $40 for a family of five. Tickets are available at the school office at 628-1668 or by e-mailing nthompson@

gracechristian school.ca.  Coffee tea and dessert will be available at intermission by donation. 

The annual variety concert, sponsored by the Marshfield WI, will be held on Saturday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., at the Carrefour theatre, Charlottetown, with a number of Island entertainers. Tickets are $12 and $5 for children 12 and under. 

The South Shore Chamber of Commerce April meeting will be on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Crapaud Community Hall. The guest speaker will be Grace Kimpinski, executive director of Child Find P.E.I. Everyone is welcome to attend. 

Tryon Baptist Church will be having a concert featuring well-known performers Jericho Road on Sunday, May 3, 7 p.m. The music played by the four talented musicians is always excellent. Admission is free with an offering taken for expenses and church projects. Refreshments will be served following. For information call Annette Wells, 658-2822. 

Looking ahead, reserve July 6 for the Argyle Shore Women’s Institute strawberry and ice cream social at the community centre in Argyle Shore. 

For those following the trip of Joe and Mary Beth Amelia on their long sailing adventure around the eastern half of North America, they have spent the winter in St. Petersburg, Mar-athon, Key West and Dry Tortugas. They again crossed the Gulf of Mexico and the east side of Florida, where they are now turning north and will begin their trek home to P.E.I., with an expected arrival date sometime in July.  

To contact Marion MacDonald regarding upcoming events or column suggestions for Crapaud Tidings, write P.O. Box 115, Crapaud, COA 1J0, or call her at 658-2028 or e-mail mmacdonald61@eastlink.ca.