The Citizen, 2004-03-18, Page 7UFO day
It was time for members of the Majestic Branch of the WI to pull up their socks and complete
on-going projects during their Unfinished Objects day (UFO) on March 17. The women were
working on completing projects such as dishcloths, crossstitching, towel toppers, socks and
blankets. Taking a quick break are members from left at back: Claudette Armstrong, Leona
Armstrong, branch secretary-treasurer and Kathy Bridge, branch president. Front left: Edna
McLellan, alternate district director, Ruth McArter, guest, Lucy Hesse, district president, Joyce
Triebner, guest. (Elyse DeBruyn photo)
Titres
DOUG GOUGH,
R.I.B. (ONT.)
CAIB, Manager
IVES INSURANCE BROKERS LTD.
BLYTH OFFICE
184 Dinsley St. W. Box 428
Blyth, ON NOM 1H0
Tel: (519) 523-9655
Fax: (519) 523-9793
All Classes of Insurance
WWW.IVESINSURANCE.COM
Slop Smoking. Guaranteed...
...or it's FREE. Tried everything to U
quit but nothing works? X Smokers
is different — it works or it's FREE!
We've helped thousands who've
tried cold turkey, the patch,
Zyban®, hypnosis, or acupuncture
to finally break free for good. With
our 94 percent graduation rate, you
have nothing to lose. Quit
completely or it's FREE!
An easy, comfortable way to quit. Wish I'd known about it years ago.
Pat Feeney, Dublin
Never tried to stop before, but if you follow the program it works.
Graeme Craig, Walton
Totally amazed how easy it was to quit a 25-year, pack-a-day habit.
Maryann Feeney, Dublin; 345-2930
FREE INFORMATION SESSION in Dublin. Call to register.
ONE YEAR SUCCESS
70
25
ar=i
, la • al , r
de 4dP +
To reserve your place,
call London area: 457-6399 or
loll-free: 1-866-976-6537.
WIN A FREE PROGRAM AT
www.11sEa.sy/tWorks.com
80
a, ec. P.50
5 40 u 30 .6-,20 Q. 10
The Sky's the Limit!
The "employment' section of the Classifieds can help you reach new heights. Whether you're looking to recruit
qualified personnel, land the right job, or train for a new career, your opportunity is waiting in the Classifieds.
The Citizen 523-4792 CLASSIFIEDS 887-9114
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2004. PAGE 7.
Changing world challenges long-time lobby group
By Bonnie Gropp
Citizen editor
Huron East public works co-
ordinator, John Forrest, explained to
municipal council Tuesday evening
that he is looking into purchasing a
refurbished "Muffin Monster" for
the Seaforth sewage treatment
plant.
The piece of equipment, which
functions as a sludge grinder, has not
been touched since 1995.
Forrest estimates the total cost to
be approximately $10,000.
***
In discussions about the gas tax
rebate for municipalities, councillor
Mark Beaven and mayor Joe Seili
feel Huron East won't be "seeing a
dime".
According to Beaven, "rural
Ontario is going to be
shafted"because areas with public
transit, like Toronto, will receive
higher percentages of revenues
realized by the tax. Councillor
David Blaney noted that a third
possible eligabilty factor currently
being reviewed is "miles of road"
within a municipality.
***
Huron East has agreed to grant its
animal control officers a $1 an hour
wage increase and, effective Jan. 1,
2005, they will be provided the same
wage increases as all other full time
municipal employees. During 2003,
the animal control officers billed
Huron East for 172.75 hours.
***
Last year the municipality ,
financially supported groups and
organizations with grants totalling
$28,000.00 . For 2004, and in light
of tax levies and deficits, council has
set a budget of $23,000.00.
sure that its stellar history can
sustain it.
"I dare say that if Institute is here
in another 10 years I will be
surprised. It's just the way things are
M-T pays
acounts
During the Morris-Turnberry
council meeting on March 2,
councillors approved the general
accounts payment of $582,989.89,
the recreation accounts payment of
$10,000 and the park account
payment of $59.19.
***
Council supported the purchase of
the firefighers uniforms for the
wingham area fire board by paying
the township's share of $2,049.
* **
A $300 donation was authorized
by council for the Belgrave, Blyth
and Brussels school fairs.
*5*
Councillors also authorized a $100
donation to Huron County Farm and
Home Safety.
* * *
Council authorized another
donation for $30,000 for the 2004
operation expenses of the North
Huron Wescast Community
Complex.
*5*
Council decided to write off
$12,228 uncollectible fire calls.
* * *
In two months, council will
reconsider the request by the County
of Huron to receive urban data and
perform a comprehensive review of
the numbering in the urban areas.
going."
Amalgathation may help the
District internally but it's not going
to strengthen membership," said
McMahon.
"The organization has changed
just as the world has and people are
changing right along with it."
"It's not an organization for
working people. For many organizations the
changing world has made it difficult
to keep membership strong. But for
one long-time group long-term
survival may be impossible.
With the disbanding of yet one
more Women's Institute Branch, this
time in Molesworth, the Huron East
District is looking at possible
amalgamation with Perth North and
Perth Central.
"Huron East is down to five
branches as of April. Provincial fees
are getting high as membership is
declining. We are recycling people
for executive positions and it is
thought that with amalgamation
there will be more to draw from for
these spots." said Lucy Hesse,
Huron East president.
The reason the District would
form a "marriage" with the two
Perth Districts is so it could remain
in Guelph Area and because of the
bonds that have been formed.
The announcement of Molesworth
WI was just one more on a growing
list over the past decade. Majestic
WI president Kathy Bridge said that
when she was president of Huron
East District almost 10 years ago
there were 13 WI branches.
"The age factor of our members is
against us. but also the organization
has more political involvement. It
used to be fun going to meetings but
now there are all these rules and
regulations we must follow," she
explains.
Also, with many of today's
women working outside the home
they simply don't have time to
become involved.
Margaret McMahon, a former
member of the now defunct Ethel
WI. who moved on to Molesworth
said there is a consensus among
some members that the organization
has lost its original intent and
purpose.
"It was started for home and
country and to teach homemaking to
women. That's not needed today.
You can learn to cook off the
internet."
In the case of Molesworth,
Huron East council briefs
McMahon said only two members
were against disbanding, both
younger women. "The age of our
members was a big issue. Many of
these women are in their 70s and
80s. They don't want to hold office
anymore."
Also, she said the steady increase
in fees has been discouraging. "I am
generalizing but that was a comment
some made."
The move was not unexpected, as
Molesworth branch had considered
folding a year ago. However, with
McMahon, who is currently branch
secretary/treasurer and public
relations officer, past president of
District and first vice-president of
Guelph Area set to move up as
president they held off.
"I told them not to stay on for me.
There are other avenues I can
follow." Besides moving on to a
different branch, McMahon could
become an associate member.
While the number of branches in
Huron East has dwindled, some have
managed to maintain a consistent
membership. Majestic in Brussels
has about 20, while Howick and
Fordwich are also larger branches.
The average, however is eight to 10
members.
Bridge said Majestic, though not
aggressively, does try to attract new
people, reaching out to retirees and
opening meetings to the public. They
also offer educational courses that
are open to everyone and publish a
brochure.
"However we are not pushing
anyone to join when they attend a
meeting."
A UFO (unfinished objects) day is
a regular Majestic event. People are
encouraged to bring an item they are
working on, whether it's knitting,
needlepoint or painting, and come
for a morning of socializing.
While members joined for the
interaction and education, WI has
benefitted community both locally
and abroad. The list of
accomplishments from lights on
school buses to sizing of clothing,
which came from one-time Majestic
member Wilma Hemingway, is
endless and often without fanfare.
However, McMahon for one isn't
Public works wants
Muffin Monster