2025 Clyde River Lecture Series

The Clyde River History Society invites you to join us for an exciting 11th season of history lectures.

This year, we’re revving things up with two fascinating themes: the electrifying history of rock ‘n’ roll and the iconic cars that drove its golden era. Rock music didn’t just change the world—it had the wheels to match, and we’ll explore how these two cultural forces shaped a generation.

For years, we’ve wanted to feature a lecture on the natural history of Prince Edward Island, and this season, we’ve found the perfect guide to bring PEI’s landscapes, wildlife, and natural wonders to life.

Join us at the Riverview Community Centre, 718 Clyde River Road, Clyde River for three afternoons filled with stories, discoveries, and conversation. Everyone is welcome, and refreshments will be served.

Phase II – 35 year of performing rock n’roll in PEI – Gerry Hickey, Lead Singer
Saturday, January 25th, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Phase II is an Island Rock ‘n Roll dance band that has been entertaining PEI since January 1990. The final group that played their last gig on New Year’s Eve 2024 included: Pat King – Keyboards; John McGarry – bass; Peter Burke – drums; Blaine Murphy – lead guitar; Keila Glydon – vocals; Jeanie Campbell – vocals; and Gerry Hickey – lead vocals – front man. Phase II were recently recognized as the recipient of Music PEI’s Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the City of Charlottetown.

Here is a excerpt from a recent article in The Guardian:

The band began in 1990, one week after another long running band called The Blue Crystals played their last official New Year’s Eve dance. When Ron MacLean, founder and drummer of the Blue Crystals announced that he was retiring, the other four members of the group decided to continue playing. They picked up a fine drummer named Larry Hume and began playing under the name Phase II on the first Friday night in January of 1990.

Blaine Murphy, lead guitarist and Gerry Hickey, lead singer have been playing music together for a total of 46 years: eleven with the Blue Crystals and thirty-five with Phase II. They’ve seen many changes in the music business on PEI during that time. They have also had a great deal of fun, learned hundreds of great songs, and made many lasting friendships.

Says Hickey, “This is a rock n’ roll story worth telling. When I met Blaine Murphy, he was twenty-seven years old and was a well-established and highly respected musician. I was a twenty-nine-year-old schoolteacher who had never sung into a microphone. It’s been quite a ride.”

Kate MacQuarrie – An illustrated look into the Natural History of PEI
Saturday, February 8th, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Join award-winning biologist Kate MacQuarrie for an illustrated look into the Natural History of PEI. From the formation of our sandstone some 300 million years ago, through the last Ice Age and changes brought about by more recent land use and settlement, Kate will share the fascinating – and sometimes surprising! – story of PEI.

Kate MacQuarrie is an award-winning biologist and naturalist with more than 30 years’ experience working in the forests, sand dunes, and natural areas of Prince Edward Island. She holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from UPEI and led Island Nature Trust for nearly a decade before becoming PEI’s Director of Forests, Fish, and Wildlife in 2003. In her spare time, Kate offers walks and talks on topics including edible plants and fungi, wildlife tracks and sign, and the natural history of PEI. Last year, more than 1,000 people participated in her in-person events, and thousands more follow her via her website and social media. Kate has just completed a book on Wild Foods of PEI being published by The Acorn Press this spring and has a few others in the works.

Austin Bowman – Cars of the 50s – Models and Innovations of that Time
Saturday, February 22nd, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Austin Bowman will take us on a nostalgic ride through the 1950s, showcasing the iconic cars that put Rock ‘n’ Roll in gear and took it on the road. We welcome you take along photos of your beloved cars.

Note: Originally, Rudy Croken was going to present on this topic but he is not able to participate. We reached out to the PEI antique car network and we will now have Austin Bowman present in his place.

Please note that we space the lectures two weeks apart to allow for storm dates on the following Saturdays. If you have any questions about the 2025 history lectures, please contact Vivian Beer – vivian@eastlink.ca