really a two-layer cake, was made and decorated, placed on a stand and dressed up with frilly tissue paper, taken to the Hall and auctioned. The highest bidder (male) and the owner of the cake would then eat together. A Community Shower, also known as a "Time" was usually given to a couple after they were married, and did not differ basically from those given today. An old-time wedding custom was the shivaree; neighbours would arrive at the home of the newly wed after dark, banging pots and pans, ringing cow bells, making a fine old racket, until the couple put in an appearance. Church Teas were very popular; these were held outdoors at the church grounds. Over 500 people might attend, including whole families. The women of the church took everything needed for this tea ??? food, dishes, equipment ??? from their homes. Trestle tables were used, with benches, and a big tarpaulin was available in case of rain; in later, years a big tent was used, (for a mammoth church tea, see the account of the 1906 celebrations in the chapter on Church History). Church teas died out not long ago, when so many women went to work outside the home. Their place is taken by various fund-raising affairs, such as lobster, turkey or beef suppers, held in halls or community centres, where there are better facilities, including refrigerators and dish?? washing arrangements insisted on by the Department of Health. New Year's Eve used to be celebrated with dances in peoples' homes; Stanhope still sees the New Year in with local parties. On Christmas Eve in other days, children would hang up their stockings, and all they were going to get as Christmas presents would be in the stocking, with an orange in the toe ??? a rare treat then; there was no pile of wrapped gifts under the tree in early days. The depression of the "dirty thirties" did not hit rural P.E.I , as hard as some places, thanks to the diversified family farm. The self- sufficiency of older days was still in evidence, as well as the pioneer tradition of thrift and "make do". Eat it up, wear it out, Make it do, or do without At this time, P.E.I , was able to send food and clothing out west; as one old-timer says, "In the Depression, we had enough of everything here ??? except money". 37