Both Cassie and Joe were very clear in pointing out that Sunday was not a day for any social or recreational activities when they were children and young adults. Sunday "doings" were very strictly con?? trolled by the older people in the community: there were no games, no cards ("Devil's picture books"), only religious books might be read, and all work possible was done on Saturday. During the winter months skating was a very popular activity; on a moonlit night one might see as many as 20 to 30 people skating on the mill pond or on Parson's Creek. There were no rinks at that time, but whenever conditions were favourable, people took to the ice. Another popular winter sport was ice racing on ; any afternoon, when the ice condition was good, the men of the distrct would gather and race their prize horses against each other; as many as 12 horses competed. For the children, favourite winter activities were sleighing, skating, and later, hockey. The local community hall was the place for Christmas concerts and basket socials, where the entertainment was of the singing, dancing and dialogue variety. Cassie's father, George Henry Douglas , was noted for his recitations, and Cassie herself first recited a poem at a community concert at age six. (see Marshall history). The following account, taken from The Daily Patriot, Feb. 10, 1898, will give an idea of the old time concerts. Entertainment at The entertainment and basket social at Stanhope hall on Jan. 31st. was as usual a decided success, weather and roads being all that could be desired The large hall being filled to its utmost capacity. The committee wish to thank their friends of Grand Tracadie who ably assisted in the program. Mr. A.C. Douglas , on being called to the chair, opened the entertainment by calling on the choir, under the leadership of Mr. J.K. Bearisto , who sang one of his choice selections called "Rally at the Stanhope Hall". At the conclusion of the program the sale of baskets took place. Mr. Peter Brodie of Stanhope , assisted by Mr. M. Ready of Grand Tracadie , ably performed their duties as auctioneers. The sum realized being about $50. PROGRAMME SONG ... Jock o' Hazel Dean ... Bruce Leitch READING ... Pledge not with Wine... Miss Maggie Ready SONG... Miss Cassie Carr RECITATION... Just What I Wanted... A.C. Douglas DIALOGUE ... The Canvassing Agent ... Miss Katie B. Carr , Mrs. M. MacLeod , George H. KieUy , Horace Brodie SONG ... Bonnie Dundee ... Bruce Leitch READING ... My Diary ... Frank Webster SONG... Sister Sail ... John K. Bearisto 187