by ELAINE HESSESSY
Women’s Institute News
Greetings from the Women’s Institute for the District of North Renfrew. The following branches have reported on their meetings and activities for the month of March 2019.
Forester’s Falls: On a sunny, warm first day of Spring, Wednesday, March 20, five members of the branch met at Grants Settlement Farm, 43 Dittburner Road at 1 p.m. Jason and Amber Finan and family have operated the farm for the past 12 years, but it has been a working farm since 1845. They produce and sell in season horse hay, pasture raised beef cattle, farm produce, maple products, and display the talents of local artisans in their 19th century log Maple Store and sugar shack. They are also dealers for a wide selection of maple syrup making equipment and packaging. Jason explained the process to make the tasty syrup we all enjoy. It takes 40 litres of maple sap to make one litre of syrup. The harsh weather this winter has delayed the start of his production about three weeks. We followed the process from sap to finished product as Jason patiently answered our many questions. It was a very interesting afternoon and we all left with some delicious maple treats. The farm is hosting a Maple Weekend on April 6th and 7th to showcase their opening to the public.
We moved to the home of Betty Black for the business portion of our meeting. Vice-President Betty Black welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with the singing of the Ode and repeating the Mary Stewart Collect in unison.
The Roll Call “A favourite maple treat”. The most popular treats were maple syrup, maple fudge and maple taffy.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The correspondence was read. A thank you was received from Shirley Bennett for the Christmas gift she received. Forms to complete annual reports were handed out. Volunteer sheets were completed and the recent issue of the Home & Country Rose Garden was given out.
Members were thrilled to learn that Christine Reaburn had received the 2019 Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Canadian Woman of the Year Award on the 100th Anniversary of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada.
The Fair List was discussed. Joan Smithers reported on the District Directors’ meeting she had attended. Our branch is hosting the District Annual on Thursday, May 16. Plans were discussed for the event.
Tentative plans for the April birthday party at Caressant Care Nursing Home in Cobden were made. We hope to have some members of Mine Road to provide the music on either April 2nd or 9th.
A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Betty Black served a delicious maple cheesecake and tea.
Greenwood: President Charlotte Cotnam-Isea welcomed everyone to the meeting, followed by the Institute Ode, and Mary Stewart Collect. Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Teuna Cotnam. The Roll Call was “What is your bed time routine that ensures a quiet drop off for a good night’s sleep”? Some answers included taking a warm bath, reading, making sure the room is dark and quiet, and a Yoga type exercise. Motto: “Life is short. Break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss quickly, love truly, and never regret anything that made you smile”. (Author Unknown). Pennies were 25 cents if you get less than 7 hours of sleep, and 10 cents if you get more than 7 hours. Gail Fletcher gave the Treasurer’s Report
Sharon Cotnam advised that Harvey’s Restaurant in Pembroke is now using glass and china plates, cutlery and paper straws in order to cut down on recycling. A new Government Bill is being passed to make recycling and garbage disposal better.
A motion was passed to sponsor the Cobden Fair and give a donation of $50 and have our branch name in the Fair Book. Charlotte Cotnam-Isea had Applications for the Scholarship Awards, and the two students who win would each receive $500. Names can be submitted by the student’s Mother, Guardian, Grandmothers, or Aunt and they all must be a W.I. member. Applications must be completed by September. Charlotte also advised that some of the FWIO By-Laws have changed and she passed around pages with the changes.
Highlights from the District Director’s Meeting were given by Doreen Jackson, Iris Biggs and Elaine Hennessy. The Greenwood branch will be responsible for choosing the District quilt, getting a license, having tickets printed, reserving venues, and setting up a schedule for all District members to sell tickets on the quilt.
The Theme this year for the Bernice Noblett Award is “Fall Is Upon Us”. The 3 items are as follows: A short one-page story about a favourite memory, handwritten on unlined paper, mounted on bristol board. It will be judged on content, cursive and decoration. A cake or 6 cupcakes decorated in various colours of Canada’s Fall season, to be judged on décor only. Two potholders or hot pads, quilted, either machine or hand done, using Fall Theme and colours.
Doreen Jackson conducted a Quiz pertaining to sleep, and the winner was Sharron Jansen.
The Door Prize was won by Kathy Bennett. Following the Institute Grace, refreshments were served by convenors Doreen Jackson and Jill Laverdure.
Queen’s Line: Seven members met at the home of Ruby Bennett on March 20th. After the welcome, Ode and Collect, we answered the Roll Call “Why do you appreciate being a Canadian”? The Motto was “The past cannot be changed, the future is still in you power”, was answered by Lianne Oates. The minutes from the Feb. meeting were read and adopted. The financial statement was given, and plans were made for donations in April. Information from the District Director’s Meeting were given, and discussed. Future of the Tweedsmuir History, plans for the 2019 Quilt Raffle, details of the 2019 North Renfrew District Annual in May, suggestions for ROSE programs were discussed. We were reminded that we are to pay our annual fee in April, and that the April meeting is April 17th. As there was no other new business, the meeting was adjourned. The program was Tweedsmuir History, and Ruby Bennett, as Tweedsmuir Co-ordinator had many of her history books available for us to look at and reminisce about. She also told us she was continuing to work on the last two farm histories on the Queen’s Line. The Tweedsmuir Histories area good source of information about the area, farms, residents, schools, churches, and businesses. A light lunch was served.
