Submitted by Elaine Hennessy
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 Nov. 2018.
Greenwood: President Charlotte Cotnam-Isea welcomed everyone to the meeting, including one visitor. The Roll Call was “What type of art painting do you like”? Motto “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try”. (Gail Devers). Elaine Hennessy introduced the guest speaker Jayne De Roy who is the owner of Purvis Gallery & Framing. Jayne was born and raised in Pembroke. She joined the family business in 1988, doing custom picture framing. Her goal was to become a certified picture framer by studying the identification, treatment, safe handling, and storage of fine art, objects, documents, photography and collectibles. She achieved the designation and is now qualified to do ‘museum-standard’ framing and mounts. Jayne talked about preserving pictures and their framing. Pictures must be kept in dry places and not in rooms where there is a lot of humidity. For fabrics, they must be stabilized to prolong their life. In restoration, holes must be mended and stains removed from the cloth with special solutions. Many collectibles have high monetary value and also sentimental value. With restoration, many pictures can be brought back to their original condition. Jayne advised that basements, attics and garages have temperature fluctuations, and these are not good places to store items. Also insects and pests can get into closets and large trunks. Everything needs to be stored in a clean, organized, and climate-controlled room. Old photographs can be restored, but heat, light and humidity can damage them, which causes a chemical reaction. Jayne passed around several old photos that she had restored. When storing photos the humidity must not be higher than 55 percent with a temperature not to exceed 24C. For textiles, cotton, silk and rayon, etc. make sure it is clean. For numerous paintings they can be store wrapped and then stood up on blocks. Ceramics must be cleaned with a damp cloth. Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol may be used. Irene Kumli thanked Jayne and presented her with a gift in appreciation. Teuna Cotnam read the minutes from the previous meeting. A Thank You card was received from Iris Biggs for the donation to the PRH in memory of her late husband Gary. Also a Thank You note was received from Emma Jeepes for the branch donation to the Candle Lighters. Treasurer Gail Fletcher gave her report. A donation will be given to The Grind to help people in need. Members will also bring an item of clothing and/or toys to the Christmas meeting for a needy family Following the Institute Grace, refreshments were provided by convenors Irene Kumli and Elaine Hennessy.
Forester’s Falls: Six members of the branch plus seven members from Queen’s Line branch, and one visitor, met for lunch at noon in Trinity United Church on Nov. 21. Forester’s Falls provided the main course and Queen’s Line provided the dessert. After a delicious lunch, President Alisa Page welcomed everyone and opened the meeting with the singing of the Ode and repeating the Mary Stewart Collect in unison. A brave Sheila Broome was the craft instructor with help from Mary Campbell. The project was to teach 12 ladies to paint a picture with a Christmas theme. There were a few gasps of disbelief at the suggestion, but the instructors paid no heed. With a lot of laughs and encouragement, everyone was truly impressed with their finished product. Marion Horner presented Sheila and Mary with gifts from the group and thanked them for their patience and guidance. The groups then separated to conduct the business portions of their meetings. Roll Call was “What did you growl about today?” Answers included computer businesses that can’t seem to fix the problem, the winter weather, not having enough time in the day, and having to get out of a nice cozy bed on a cold morning. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. A letter was received from the President of FWIO with highlights from the past year. An email was received encouraging members to participate in a global survey on the living conditions of rural women for ACWW. It is important to have our voices heard at the United Nations. A list of the officers for the Eastern Area was also received. Quilt tickets were handed in. We will be selling tickets at the Christmas Farmers’ Market from 3-6 P.M. on Friday Nov. 30th. A schedule was arranged. Gifts for members in Nursing Homes were decided. Volunteer sheets were completed. The 2019 Fair List was discussed. Plans for the Dec. meeting were finalized. A motion was made to pay all bills. Carried. A motion was made for the meeting to be adjourned.
Queen’s Line: Oct. & Nov. Our Institute has had two joint meetings this fall. On Oct. 24th we hosted Greenwood W.I. for a luncheon, craft session and comradeship. Before our guests arrived, Queen’s Line conducted a short business meeting. From the minutes we reminded members to hand in their quilt raffle tickets, and were told Sheila Broome has sent in suggestions for the W.I. display at the Agricultural Fairs. Donations to the Cobden Legion for a wreath at Remembrance Day, and the Forester’s Falls Fire Hall were made. After a pleasant luncheon, Sheila Broome organized the group in making a Hallowe’en craft. With lots of laughter and angst, everyone produced a pumpkin made from a round slice of wood. We all enjoyed our visit and interaction with Greenwood W.I. On Nov. we had a joint meeting with Forester’s Falls W.I. in Forester’s Falls. A delicious lunch of soup, bread and sweets was served. After our lunch we were guided in painting a Christmas pine bough picture by Sheila Broome. During this event we chatted and worried about our abilities, but eventually everyone finished a painting which we will be pleased to hang in our homes. After this craft, each Institute conducted their own short meeting. Following the reading of the minutes and financial report, we were given the list of items for the W.I. Agricultural Fair display. Donations of food for the Bernadette McCann House were brought to the meeting. Plans for our Christmas party on Dec.19th were finalized.
