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