Times-Advocate, 1978-04-13, Page 6Page 6 Times-Advocate, April 13, 1978
About 200 members gather to mark Wl 75th anniversary
Thursday night was an
evening of memories for the
190 women who attended the
75th anniversary party of
the South Huron District
Women’s Institute.
The nine local groups
which belong to the district
include Seaforth, Elimville,
Crediton, Zurich. Hensall,
Kippen East, Grand Bend,
Dashwood and Hurondale.
Members of these in
stitutes met at the Pineridge
Chalet, Hensall for dinner
and an evening devoted to
recalling past highlights of
the local institute movement
and to a reminder there are
many challenges ahead.
Mrs. Grace Drummond,
district president, told the
institute members the last
75 years were "years of
great achievement and
progress" but now the
women must go forward,
"knowing greater tasks lie
ahead."
Mrs. M. Connolly read
congratulations from a
number of well wishers, in
cluding Helen McKercher
former head of the Home
Economics Branch, and
Jack Riddell, MPP for
Huron-Middlesex, who
forwarded an honorary
scroll from the province.
Following an opening sing
along presented by Ellm-
ville W.I., Mrs. Arthur Run
dle, the Tweedsmuir curator
for the district, reviewed
highlights in the
organization’s first 75 years.
In 1900, 12 women in Hen
sall organized the first local
women’s institute, with
Mrs. Wm. McCloy as presi
dent.
They were soon followed
by Exeter, who organized
their institute in 1901 and
Bayfield in 1902. In 1903 the
three groups began their 75
year tradition when they
agreed to meet together an
nually - the beginning of
Sorority
pick slate
The March meeting of Xi
Gamma Nu was held at the
home of Eileen Ross. Plans
were made to attend the
Spring Fashion Show being
sponsored by Clinton Beta
Sigma Phi.
Maude Connon presided
over a quiz which reviewed
famous persons from the
study book. Eileen Ross
presented interesting
biographical details on the
life of Sarah Bernhardt.
On April 4 the chapter met
at the home of Phyllis John-
son. Hay township.
Members received tickets
for the Mexican Fiesta
Dance on May 13 and
registration forms for the
Beyond the Stars Workshop
May 6. Volunteers were re
quested to assist Beth
Jamieson with the Blood
Donor Clinic on May 8. All
chapters will attend
Founder’s Day at the White
Carnation with Goderich as
hostesses.
An interesting program on
David Ben-Gurion was given
by Phyllis Johnson and
Diane Jefferey. Following
this Louise Giffin conducted
the election of officers. The
officers to be installed on
May 2 are; president, Glen
da Wagner; vice president,
Jay Skillender; secretary,
Mary Ellison; treasurer.
Phyllis Johnson.
The evening closed with
refreshments prepared and
served by Yvonne Reynolds,
Louise Giffin, Phyllis John
son and Diane Jeffery.
z------------------------------------X
Decorate your home
with beautiful
CUSTOM
DRAPES
South Huron District.
In 1912. Bayfield disband
ed their institute, but the
gap was filled by Egmond-
ville women who met for
two years. Over the years,
district branches were
organized, disbanded and
reorganized.
In 1914. Zurich and Grand
Bend both started women's
institutes, and both are still
active.
For the first 19 years of
the South Huron District.
Mrs. Al Hastings of Exeter
Rebekahs
fete official
Pride of Huron Rebekah
lodge entertained at a ban
quet for DDP Bertha
McGregor at the Exeter
United Church. Wednesday.
Noble Grand Joyce Morgan
presided for the meeting
following the banquet
assisted by Vice Grand
Shirley Cooper. A bus is
planned for members to go
to Huronic Lodge. Clinton on
April 17 for the visit of
Assembly President Jean
Bolton.
An invitation was extend
ed from Stratford Lodge for
May 16.
Birthday wishes were
sung for Sisters Aldeen
Skinner, Evelyn McAllister,
Myrtle Orr and Ruby Bell.
Grand Master John Broad
foot was also a guest and
spoke briefly. Guests were
present from Hensall and
Clinton.
Marjorie Arthur capably
presented two monologue’s
and Elaine Skinner favoured
with two solos.
A very successful dessert
euchre was held on March 29
with 23 tables. Jean Noels
received high prize; Norma
Ashton, Clinton, second;
Ruby Beaver , lone hands:
low prize was won by Gladys
McDonald.
A surprise tally was won
by Olive Thomson. Exeter
and Anna Keller, Exeter had
the closest birthday.
Jean Noels won a centre
piece donated by Mary Gar
diner.
were lost, leaving a gap in
the early history of the
organization and its
member institutes. ed 62 members and a budget
However, by 1907, the of $112, part of which was
South Huron District claim- spent on periodicals to give
acted as district secretary.
Unfortunately after her
death, her minute books
W.l. CELEBRATES — The Huron South district of the Women's Institute held a banquet at the Pineridge Chalet near Hensall,
Thursday evening, in commemoration of their 75th anniversary.Prior to the startof the celebration, Mrs. Alma Rundle— curator
of the Huron-South district, Mrs. Verna Maluske of Chesley, — the evening's guest speaker, Mrs. Mary Connolly, — secretary
treasurer and Mrs. Grace Drummond, talked things over. T-A photo
Hosted by Women Together
Garden expert to share knowledge
George Blais, popular host
of C.F.P.L.’s radio show
"Greening Up" will be in
Exeter at the Town Hall.
Wednesday .April 19 at 9:30 to
share his expertise in hor
ticulture.
Besides hosting "Green
ing Up”, Mr. Blais brings 30
years of experience in gar
dening and horticulture. As
sales development manager
for Canadian Industries
Limited, agricultural
chemicals division, he ac
tively develops and
promotes fertilizers and
pest control products for
farm, garden and
professional growers.
Gardening is also his hob
by; he owns a private
greenhouse, and extensive
gardens surround his home
and cottage.
He is a member of the On-
tario Horticultural
Recommendations Com-
mittee and a director of the
Edwards Gardens in Toron
to. In his busy schedule of
activities Mr. Blais also lists
membership in a multitude
of flower societies, the Golf
Course Superintendents’
Association of America, and
Garden Writers of America.
Women Together are
sponsoring Mr. Blais’ visit
to Exeter, and because of
the wide interest in garden
ing at this time of year, men
are welcome to attend the
gathering.
There will be free baby
sitting at the Presbyterian
Church for mothers with
small children.
members some 'current
reading material.
Up until 1926, the annual
meetings were always held
in Exeter, but after this, the
member groups took turns
hosting the event. The only
time this policy changed
was for four years during
the Second World War - then
the meetings were held in
Hensall, the most central
area for members in the
days of gas and tire ration
ing.
In 1924, another milestone
was the formation of the Ex
eter Junior Women’s
Institute, which disbanded
1969. In 1928, Seaforth also
organized a junior branch,
which became a senior in
stitute in 1942.
Today there are no longer
any junior W.I.’s in the dis
trict.
It was during the war
years that district women
embarked on one of their
more ambitious projects -
war relief work. In 1940,
they prepared one ton of jam
to be sent to soldiers
overseas - in the following
two years, they sent over 9,-
000 pounds each year,
preserved in large cans and
pails.
Over the years, the dis
trict has sponsored many
workshops, short courses,
and taken part in a variety
of competitions. In 1966,
women pitched in to help
with the International Plow
ing Match, which was in
Seaforth and they’ll do this
again in September near
Wingham. After 75 years the
group is about to launch the
second volume of its
Tweedsmuir history, and
provides the money for two
student bursaries annually -
one to a 4-H club girl having
completed 12 projects, and
one to a ward of Children’s
Aid who plans further educa
tion.
Following an
memoriam presented by the
Dashwood Women’s
Institute, Mrs. Herbert
Maluske of Chesley, past
president of the Federated
Women’s Institutes of On-
tario, spoke of some of the
highlights of the Associated
Country Women of the
World conference, held in
Kenya, Africa last fall.
The conference attracted
women’s institute members
from 74 countries around the
world and convention
delegates were taken on
safari to meet Kenya’s
proud Masai warriors and
see the country’s wildlife in
its natural habitat.
The 75th anniversary par
ty concluded with a
humorous skit presented by
members of the Crediton
Women's Institute on the
possibility of training
husbands to help around the
house.
in
LIFE MEMBERS — Only five ladies of the Huron South district of the Women's Institute have
been accorded life memberships and three of these ladies were present at the 75th anniver
sary banquet. From left to right are Mrs. Jack Maclean, Mrs. Harry Strang — Hurondale and
Mrs. Alma Rundle — Hurondale. Not present were Mrs. Wilfred Mack — Crediton and Mrs.
Thomas Meyers of Zurich T-A photo
* ■■
t--If
MANY HAVE TRIED TO DUPLICATE
THIS GREAT EVENT . . . BUT THERE'S
ONLY ONE MOONLIGHT MADNESS
FRIDAY, APRIL 21
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/ YE5 BUT / A
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