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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 23 4111111111,' 1111.11k. SATISFIED CUSTOMERS We Have 'em Because We Stress SERVICE after the Sale Milt Robbins & SON LTD. * CCM Bicycles * Evinrude Snowmobiles * Lawnboy & Toro Lawnmowers * Homelite Chainsaws REPAIRS AND SERVICE FOR MOST OTHER MAKES Serving Exeter and Area for 19 Years AND PROUD OF IT MILT ROBBINS Section 2, Pop 3 THE .EXETER TIMEs.dpV2cATE JUNE 28, 1923 SORORITY FOUNDERS - Since its organization in 1947 in Exeter, Beta Sigma Phi sorori- ty has been an active community organization. Pictured above are the ladies who were instrumental in organizing the original chapter; back row left - Edith Hunter, Helen Wes tcott,JeanBrock,Mary Goodwin, Anna Brock Bernice Cann, Irene Sweet, Margaret Sangster, Ruth Hess, Ilene Bonnallib7Mary Bailey, Barb Dinney, Gwyn Whilsmith, Dean Snell, Ada Dinney and Pauline Follick. Front row left - Norma Wilson, Marion Bissett, Marg Melville, Mrs. Fred May, sponsor, Irene Beaupre, founder, Mrs. Amy Milner, direc- tor. Sit and Knit Club' became Sorority lo DIANNE JEFFERY SHARON O'TOOLE DONNA JONES MARY JANE TAYLOR In the spring of 1970 there were 25 members of Ontario Alpha Pi ready for admittance to an exemplar chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. To qualify as an exemplar, a member must have completed the four study books of Beta Sigma Phi, Consequently, Xi Gamma Nu chapter was formed with the first meeting being held at the home of Mrs. Joe Wooden. Mrs. Wooden was elected president and her executive included Mrs. Ted Jones, vice president; Mrs. Don Gaiser, corresponding secretary; Mrs. Richard Weber, recording secretary and Mrs. Bill Essery, treasurer. The first endeavor of the exemplar chapter was to build and enter a Humpty Dumpty, float for the Exeter Fall Fair parade in September, 1970. It won first prize and the winsome figures from it were donated to the children's section of the Exeter Public Library, group received its charter and Exeter's first chapter of Beta Sigma Phi came into being under the name of Ontario Alpha Pi. Although there is an emphasis placed on cultural and social activities the main thrust of the sorority is in its social service, Right from the • beginning members of Alpha Pi started to work for the betterment of the community. Their first project was to clean up and beautify the then, almost unused Victoria Park on Huron Street. Since then they have added swings, slides and sand- boxes, erected signs and installed' a wading pool for young children. To raise money to furnish a room in the new South Huron Hospital, the girls sold, tickets on a pony, donated by Albert Etherington. It was won at the 1950 Exeter Fall Fair by Bob Pooley. For many years this chapter has donated a scholarship to the girl with the highest standing going into nursing from South Huron District High School. In the ensuing three years the chapter has had several money- raising projects, including a bike- a-thon and the publishing of a cook book. - Most of the proceeds from these schemes have gone to the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Association in which the group has become actively involved with members attending the annual conference in Toronto, Xi Gamma Nu has also given financial support to the Exeter Figure Skating Club as well as to other charitable causes in the district. ElSie Tuckey was presented with a twenty-five year mem- bership pin by Donna Jones at the Annual Founders Day Banquet April 1973. The present slate of officers includes President, Carol Reid, Vice-president, Bev Delbridge; Recording-secretary, Rollande Duffy; Corresponding-secretary, Marion 'Finney, and Treasurer Dianne Wooden. Gifts have been given to Huronview, and the Children's Aid Society as well as to many other charitable organizations. Exeter Swimming Pool received support from the sorority; a heated crib was donated to the hospital, and a course in Babysitting was sponsored by the group. Annual social events include the Sorority Dance at which a sweetheart is selected and crowned; a Mother's Day Tea in May, and the yearly Founder's Day Banquet. During the 25 years since its inception sorority members have often attended performances of ballet and theatre as a group and continue to support the Arts wherever possible. The present executive consists of President - Dianne Jeffery; Vice-President - Mary Ellison; Secretary - Alice Beer; Treasurer - Sharon O'Toole. From a small group of friends, 'The Sit and Knit Club', who got together once a week to sit and knit or just chat, grew one of Exeter's most thriving social service organizations . the Ontario Alpha Pi Chapter of the international sorority, Beta Sigma Phi. In 1947, Irene Beaupre, whose father owned the store at the north end of Exeter, persuaded her friends to organize them- selves under Beta Sigma Phi to • which she had belonged in Washington when she worked, there during the Second World War. So it was that 26 formal in- vitations were accepted to attend a dinner and pledge installation, June 17, of that year at the Central Hotel, Exeter. Mrs, F.A. May and Mrs. F.J. Milner were invited to be the chapter's first sponsor and director, and Irene Beaupre was elected president. Shortly after that date, the new Second chapter formed in 1970