HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times-Advocate, 2002-11-27, Page 35Wednesday, November 27, 2002 35Exeter Times–Advocate
SH Hospital Auxiliary helping hands for 50 years
By Sandra Forster
TIMES-ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER – The South Huron Hospital Auxiliary has
been helping make patient’s and staff’s life easier for
the past 50 years.
On Nov. 12, members celebrated at an anniversary
tea in the Exeter Legion.
Dignitaries including MP Paul Steckle and MPP Helen
Johns praised the auxiliary’s work. South Huron
Mayor Rob Morley thanked the volunteers for the spe-
cial quality of care given in a small town hospital.
One of the past presidents, Olga Davis gave the auxil-
iary’s history. On Nov. 10, 1952, the auxiliary began
with 237 members paying a 50-cent membership fee.
There are now 30 charter members still living, some
in nursing homes.
Events
The auxiliary’s first fund-raiser was a Tag Day on
Dec. 20, 1952 when $604 was collected.
The first rummage sale was in May 1953 at the
Exeter Co-op, raising $591. Subsequent rummage
sales were held in the Exeter Legion.
High school girls pursuing a nursing career were
awarded Auxiliary Bursaries, beginning in 1957. RNAs
in training received magazines, candy, fruit, corsages
and graduation gifts.
The practise of selling cigarettes from the tuck cart
begun in 1963 was discontinued in 1969 due to health
concerns.
July 24, 1969 saw a flood destroy or damage several
history and minute books stored in the hospital base-
ment.
The Candy Striper program started in 1975 for high
school girls was changed to Teen Volunteers and boys
were welcomed.
A yellow smock with the Auxiliary crest made auxil-
iary helpers recognizable when working in Emergency
reception weekday mornings.
Starting in 1979, volunteers manned the gift shop
seven days a week.
The first male member joined in 1980. Charlie Smith
took on the task of treasurer.
Equipment
Since 1961, the auxiliary has supplied the hospital
with much-needed equipment: a sterilizing autoclave,
refrigerators, hospital beds, chairs, bedding, curtains,
desks, a piano, whirlpool bath, defibrillator, cast cut-
ter, Resusci-Annie, blood pressure machine, physio-
therapy and ultrasound equipment, monitors, air con-
ditioners and a traction unit.
The auxiliary’s much-needed and greatly appreciated
work will no doubt continue for another 50 years.
South Huron
Hospital Auxiliary
charter members
gather to cut the
50th anniversary
cake at the Exeter
Legion Nov.12.L-R
Back:Burdene
Morgan,Flora
Dewar,Hilda Taylor,
Grace Pym,Marion
Skinner.Front:
Lillian Campbell,
Mabel Stanlake,
Gretta Richards,
Anne Cann,Elsie
Westcott,Ada
Dinney.
At left:
Hospital
employees in
period cos-
tume serve tea
and dainty
sandwiches.L-
R Back:Clara
deVries,
Marlene
Moore.Front:
Judy Grenier,
Maureen Cole.
At right:Grand
Bend harpist
Wendy
O’Connor
provides sweet
music for rem-
iniscing.
Photos by
Sandra
Forster
ELIMVILLE - Elimville Women’s Institute held
an afternoon meeting at the home of Marguerite
Butler Nov. 20. Eight members were welcomed
and served dessert.
President Shirley Cooper opened the meeting
with a reading ‘Remembrance Day’ and led in the
Institute Ode and Mary Stewart Collect.
The roll call was answered by naming a health
procedure not available 50 years ago. Everyone
agreed that we’re fortunate to have so much help
available but still have praise for some older
remedies, for example, mustard plaster, ginger
tea etc.
Delegate to London Area Convention, Shirley
Cooper, reported a worthwhile, informative meet-
ing attended by 206 members. Eleanor Williams
of Woodham is the new area president. Branch
members are encouraged to write their stories of
personal wartime experiences and submit them
for consideration to be printed in a forthcoming
book. This is a project of the Federated Women’s
Institute of Ontario.
Muriel Parsons and Shirley Cooper reported on
the recent Huron South District board meeting.
Hours spent walking as a health related activity
are to be recorded and reported to the district
president. Plans for 2003 indicated that
Hurondale W.I. will host the District Annual in
May; Zurich W.I. will arrange the summer picnic
and Grand Bend W.I. will prepare the fair display
list.
Marjorie Johns gave details of plans to celebrate
the 100th anniversary of Huron South District. A
banquet and evening program with speaker Mark
Winegarden will be held Jan. 9 in Dashwood hall.
Hopes are high for a good attendance of former
and present members, husbands and friends.
Tickets will be available in early December.
Relating to the theme ‘Travel, Travel’, program
convenor Marguerite Butler showed a video titled
‘The Living Edens’. The group enjoyed seeing pic-
tures of Alaska and the wilderness area of Mount
Denali, the tallest peak in North America with its
volcanoes and glaciers. It was interesting to see
the activity and behaviour of the animals and
birds, learning how they exist in -60˚ weather.
The next meeting will be held Dec. 4 at Grace
Pym’s home.
Plans underway for WI’s 100th anniversary