Times Advocate, 1993-01-13, Page 6Pape t?
Times -Advocate, January 13, 1993 EAMJLY
Womens Institute marks 90th year of growth
By Adrian
Harte
T -A Editor
DASHWOOD -
January 9, 1903,
ninety years ago,
the South Huron
District Women's Insti-
tutes organized into a group
which exists to this day, and
which celebrated its anniversary
last Tuesday at the Dashwood
Community Centre.
Eight Women's Institutes current-
ly make up South Huron District,
and about 100 women with their
spouses and friends represented
Elimville, Crediton, Dashwood,
Grand Bend, Hurondale, Kippen
East, Seaforth, and Zurich. Ac-
cording to Dolores Shapton, who
presented a brief history of the dis-
trict at the event, there are currently
172 members, 69 of them life mem-
bers, 19 honorary:members.
President of the district, Lois
Hodgins of Crediton explains that
while membership in the Institutes
is perhaps not as high as it once
_ was, the organization still plays a
very active part in the rural life of
Ontario, as it does in this area.
"Basically, its farm -oriented, or
rural oriented folk...I think most
have a rural background," said
Hodgins of the membership today,
saying they carry on the tradition of
fostering "an awareness of just gen-
eral good living".
"It's been a good organization be-
cause It's survived over 90 years,"
said Hodgins, pointing to some of
the achievements the Institutes
have made over those years.
We now take for_granted that our
bread comes wrapped up when we
buy it, or that there are centre lines
on our roads, but there was a time
when the Women's Institutes lob-
bied hard to see such reforms intro-
duced.
Today, the lobbying goes on for
reforms of the Land Act, better re-
cycling for old tires, more highway
signage, package dates on frozen
foods to guard against freezer burn,
and to see more family oriented
programming on prime time televi-
sion.
"They , put on such goshawful
shows," said Hodgins, adding that
the Institutes are also petitioning
for the return of religion to schools.
"A lot of people are going to
Christian schools because they
have banned religion in public
school - so much so they can't even
have religious hymns at Christmas
time," said Hodgins.
Through funds raised by catering
for banquets and dine-rs, the Wom-
ens Institutes also 'ther com-
munity programs, as hom
care services, the Christmas Bu-
reau, 4-H clubs, school projects,
fair prizes and the making of agri-
culture kits for the schools among
the many projects.
The Institutes not only work for a
better future, but have also appoint-
ed themselves custodians of- our
past. Tweedsmuir Histories, col-
lected by each Institute group, arc
often praised as being some of the
most complete collections of rural
history in Ontario.
Information
meeting on
French
immersion at
Lucan school
LUCAN - The Middlesex Board
of Education wants to spread the
word atdjut its French immersion
program and is scheduling informa-
tion meetings for interested parents.
Meetings arc being held in three
schools, including at Lucan Public
School on February 15 at 7 p.m.,
(or on February 22 as a reserve
snow date).
Parents with children already en-
rolled in the French immersion pro-
gram, teachers and the board con-
sultant will be available at the
information session to provide a
general overview of the program
and to answer any questions inter-
ested parents may have.
All parents with children enrolled
in kindergarten are being invited to
attend. Registration forms will be
distributed to all kindergarten stu-
dents the day after the parent infor-
mation evenings. The deadline for
applications is February 28.
Anyone seeking further informa-
tion can contact Elaine Marentettc,
at the Middlesex County Board of
Education at 471-3510.
"1f it hadn't ben kept, a lot of
things would have been lost," said
Hodgins of the tidbits of informa-
tion tucked away in the bound vol-
umes.
The volumes kept locally, for in-
stance, played a largepan in the
preparation of the books for the re-
cent township sesquicentennials.
"They've been a strong organiza-
tion and we feel people would gain
a stronger lifestyle in their homes if
they would be part of it," said Hod-
gins, saying each Institute is always
looking for new members and new
visitors.
Tuesday's anniversary event was
attended by Lorene McIntosh, who
brought greetings from the board of
the Federated Womens Institutes of
Ontario, and by Margaret Dale, the
_London Area president.
The South Huron District High
•School choir provided the music
:for the evening, which Hodgins de-
scribed as "just excellent, excellent
entertainment."
Huron South District of
the Women's institute
celebrated its 90th birth-
day in Dashwood last
Tuesday. In top photo,
from the left, president
Lois Hodgins welcomes
London area president
Margaret Dale and Lau-
rine—McIntosh, a board di-
rector for district 23. At
the right is curator Do-
lores Shapton.
In the bottom photo the
executive is shown. From
the left are president Lois
Hodgins, curator Dolores
Shapton, vice-president
Eleanor Roeszler, new
branch organizer Marion
Dougall, public relations
officer Mona Alderdice
and secretary Fern Dou-
gall.
Maude and Harry Hoffman of Dashwood register with Donna Lovle at last Tuesday's 90th anni-
versary of the Huron South Women's Institute district.
NOTICE
Dr. David Hodder
Is pleased to announce the
Relocation of his
medical practice,
February 2, 1993 to
286 Main St.
Exeter
235-1440, 235-2290
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NOTICE
After 38 years of family practice I have decid-
edto retire to Oakville at the end of January.
Dr. David Hodder will be taking over the
practice and Barb Tiedeman will continue
working in the office. all charts and histories
will be kept and available.
I would like to thank Barb, Grace, Helen and
Ruby for their support over the years, and
also my colleagues and friends who have
made the past 38 years memorable ones.
Thank you all
Dr. Wally Read
IIIIIIIII�IIIIIII
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Attention: to Anyone with
Family Connections
If r02\
in Usborne
7A
f o' 'Between the Fences"
Supplementary Book is being compiled
1. All the one -room school pictures. Kirkton, Woodham,
Eden, Bissett's etc.
2. Community Activities
3 Family Histories: 1) a new family storey
2) Additions to your story
3) Family pictures
soon as possible, and no later than Aptlt 1
It ary Blacker, Kirkton, Fern Dougall, Exeter
° 1:601#471*
FABRICS
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Join .our two new
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