The Rural Voice, 2001-04, Page 53Book Review
Tales of rural life remembered in
From This Place
Reviewed by Deborah Quaile
The Federated Women's Institutes
of Ontario (FWIO) has produced a
collection of stories that chronicle the
lives of some of their oldest•members
in a new book entitled, From This
Place: Recollections
of the Lives of
Women in the 20th
Century.
As a result of an
International Year of
Older Person project
known as "A
Grandmother's
Legacy," each WI
branch in Ontario had
the opportunity to
recognize their oldest
member. Over half
the branches
participated in the
project, culminating
in 126 stories with
illustrations and
period photos.
It's unfortunate that
there are no actual photos to illustrate
each writer's story, but the chosen
pieces significantly enhance the work.
The legacies are nostalgic accounts of
women who experienced life in the
20th century, chronicles of changes in
people and places through World War
I, the prosperous '20s, the Great
Depression, World War II, and the
boom of some decades that followed.
These ordinary women are found to
be truly extraordinary through their
achievements. Most spent a great
portion of their daily lives dedicated to
home, family and community. There
are tales of making straw and feather
mattresses, cleaning coal oil lamps,
milking by hand, butter churning, and
growing bounteous gardens. The hard,
repetitious work was, however, often
extremely satisfying as each woman
fed, clothed and cared for her family.
From This Place also shows that
the cyclical nature of women's work
was relieved by other endeavours. As
children and young girls, and later as
adults, they established and upheld
community ties through school, church
and group -organized events. They
found time to visit neighbours and
friends, and take in gatherings and
local dances, enjoying food, fun,
music and fellowship. There is a
strong sense of the courage, dedication
and good humour of many of the
contributors. Some of
the stories are a little
rough, but the natural
flavour of each writer
is preserved. Other
tales are so intriguing
that their very brevity
leaves the reader
hungry for more. The
sheer joy of life
derived from honest
farm living is evident
in the clean
writing styles.
As 21st century lives
race farther from those
delightful days, the
stories seems to take
on an even more
mystic beauty.
The title of the book was taken
from the legacy submitted by member
Grace Arnold. In her own way, Arnold
summed up what the book was all
about. Her account evokes clear
images of changes and constants, in
people and places.
From This Place is a social history
that deserves a place on the bookshelf
of anyone interested in Ontario's rural
roots. As a celebration of the lives
of ordinary women in the 20th century,
voices clearly ring out about ways of
life that have all but disappeared.
From This Place is available in
softcover from the FWIO Provincial
office by phone, fax (519-836-9456)
or email. The Federated Women's
Institutes of Ontario is an organization
that focuses on personal growth and
community action. For further
information on the FWIO or the book,
call 519-836-3078.0
is PLRc
Recollections of tbeLkVcs of Wumrn
in the 1Ctb Century
ear2arwn,
From This Place FWIO Provincial
Office: Guelph (519-836-3078) (email:
FWIO@sentex.net) Softcover. 172
pgs., with illustrations $15 (plus
taxes.)
News
Grey County will
host 2004 IPM
Grey County has won the right to
host the 2004 International Plowing
Match and Farm Machinery Show.
"You could feel the room bursting
with energy," said Debbie Fawcett,
bid co-ordinator of the February 24
presentation by 150 Grey County
residents at the Ontario Plowmen's
Association annual convention in
Ottawa.
"I've never been so proud to be
part of Grey County as I was during
the bid presentation," said Grey
County OPA director George
Ottewell. Taking part in the
presentation were MP Ovid Jackson,
MPPs Bill Murdoch and Jim Wilson,
Grey County Warden Rod Knott and
Bid Chairman, Al Bye.
Grey County presented all 450
OPA delegates with an innovative
mini -CD put together by the county,
the Town of the Blue Mountains and
Blue Mountain/Intrawest. The
computer disc contained the full
version of the bid presentation, the
new county tourism video, an
accomodation directory and a link to
the County's website.0
Rural economy hurt
by cheap -sake feds
The whole rural economy, not just
farmers, was hurt when the federal
government decided to give just $500
million instead of the expected $900
million to help cash-strapped grain
and oilseed farmers, Huron County
politicians were told March 17.
Wayne Hamilton, Ontario
Federation of Agriculture regional
director, told municipal, provincial
and federal representatives attending
the Members of Parliament dinner
that $30 million is the likely share
Huron farmers would have received
if the federal government had
provided the $900 million expected
instead of the $500 million
announced by federal Agriculture
Minister Lyle Vanclief. Hamilton
bases his projection on the fact
Ontario was expected to receive $300
million of the $900 million and
APRIL 2001 49