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 November 2019.
Foresters Falls: Six members of the Foresters Falls Women’s Institute joined the ladies from Queens Line Branch at 12:00 p.m. on November 20, for lunch at the Foresters Falls Fire Hall. Our branch was the guest of Queen’s Line branch and enjoyed a delicious lunch. Following lunch, Sheila Broome once again taught a Christmas craft. This year we painted a snowman with lots of laughter and amazement at our skills. Everyone was pleased with their finished product and praised Sheila for her patience. Betty Black thanked the Queens Line branch for the lunch and the craft lesson on behalf of our branch. The Ode was sung and the Mary Stewart Collect repeated in unison. Each branch then held their meeting. Betty welcomed our ladies. The Roll Call, “a recipe exchange”. Recipes were collected from both branches to be copied for each member. The minutes of the October meeting were read and approved. The correspondence was read. A cheque from North Renfrew District was received. One half of the 2018 quilt sale proceeds and the profit from the 2018 Area Convention divided among the five branches in our District made up the amount of the cheque. Volunteer sheets were completed. A motion passed to pay all bills. Motion passed that the branch donate $50 to both Beachburg and Cobden Fairs. Motion passed that branch donate $150 to the Cobden Food Bank. Motion passed branch donate $50 to the Foresters Falls Volunteer Fire Department, for the use of the Fire Hall. Christmas gifts for the members in Retirement and Nursing Homes was discussed and plans made. Betty Black thanked Eleanor Waite for laying the wreath at the Remembrance Day service. Plans were made to sell tickets at the Cobden Christmas Market. Motion made to adjourn the meeting.
Greenwood: Members met for their meeting with the President Sheila Kenny presiding. The meeting opened with the Institute Ode, followed by the Mary Stewart Collect. Roll Call was “What is your favourite healthy food?” Motto, “Eat right. Live well”. Elaine Hennessy introduced the guest speaker Jennifer Layman, who is the Publisher of Health Matters magazine. Jennifer advised that a private individual helped her to get started with the magazine. It takes approximately two and a half to three months to do each issue, which comes out three times per year. She is planning to publish it four times a year in 2020. There are many people and health organizations that advertise in each issue. Jennifer talked about several people that she had interviewed and then published their stories in different issues. Many of these stories were heartwarming, and some rather sad. It takes 40 hours to put the magazine together before sending it to the printers. Jennifer told about Wendy Murray, who invented the first s stretcher for babies. Some other people had stories about mental illness, Dr. Keon who founded The Heart Institute, Sharon Carson who is a runner, Dr. Glover who is a Dentist in Arnprior, Debbie Robinson whose son Lucas was born so prematurely and all the surgeries he had gone through, and Julie Keon who talked about Death and Dying, just to name a few of so many interviews. Another feature in the magazine is the Facts Page. Jennifer said she spends many hours on the Internet to find the final information. The magazine is delivered all over the world and many requests are received to have it in doctor’s offices, Health Fair, and schools, stores, etc. Irene Kumli thanked Jennifer and presented her with a gift. Following the Institute Grace, refreshments were provided by convenors Irene Kumli and Elaine Hennessy. The business portion of the meeting continued with Teuna Cotnam reading the minutes of the previous meeting. Gail Fletcher gave the Treasurer’s Report. A motion was passed to pay $150 to the Greenwood United Church for rental of the church hall. Also a motion was passed to pay Tinus de Haan for filling up the barrels with water at the Memory Garden . Members were asked to bring an item for the needy family for Christmas, or food donation for the Food Bank, or a purse with toiletries for Bernadette McCann House. Kathy Bennett will be in charge of buying the bulk of items for the needy family. Sharon Cotnam and Charlotte Cotnam-Isea will be in charge of the Christmas dinner meeting. Sharon advised we will meet again in the French Cultural Center on December 17 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wilkie’s Bakery will be catering the meal. The Door Prize was won by Mary Cameron.
