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 May 2022.
Forester’s Falls: Six members of the Forester’s Falls W.I. met in Trinity United Church at 1:30 P.M. on May 5, 2022. President Betty Black welcomed everyone to our first meeting in over two years, and opened the meeting with the singing of the Ode and repeating the Mary Stewart Collect in unison.
The correspondence included a thank you card from the Bennett family for the donation the branch made to Trinity United Church in memory of their mother, Shirley Bennett, an Honourary Life Member of our branch. Cobden Agricultural Society thanked the branch for the donation made to the Fair 2020 and hoped for support for 2022. An e-mail from District Secretary Ruth Douma was also read in which she informed us of coming events in the District.
It was moved that the branch donate $50.00 to Beachburg Fair and Cobden Fair as our donation for 2022.
It was moved that the branch Officers retain their positions for the year 2022-2023.
Alisa Page reported on the District Directors meeting she had attended on May 4, 2022. The District Annual will be held at Greenwood United Church at 5:30 P.M. on June 7, 2022 hosted by the Greenwood branch. The cost of the meal will be $10.00 and five members plan to attend.
The Roll Call will be the total number of years the members of the branch have belonged to Women’s Institute. Our branch is in charge of the Quilt Raffle and it has been deferred to 2023, as there will be more time to sell tickets.
The Fair List was discussed again and members reminded of the items needed.
Plans for the coming year were discussed and it was decided that we will have meetings every second month of the year. After much discussion and a few changes, the plans were completed.
A motion was made that the meeting be adjourned, followed by a social time.
Greenwood: Members met for their May meeting with the President Bev Smith presiding.
The Roll Call was “Name a flower or shrub that you have seen in your yard or community that is currently in bloom”. Pennies were 25 cents if you have started your planting, and 10 cents if you haven’t.
The Secretary Charlotte Cotnam-Isea read the minutes from the previous meeting. The Treasurer Gail Fletcher gave her report.
Charlotte Cotnam-Isea went over the items required for the display at the Beachburg and Cobden Fairs, and some members will donate the items required.
Doreen Jackson said that Tinus de Haan had inquired if water was needed this year for the Greenwood W.I. Memory Garden. Charlotte Cotnam-Isea advised she would like to see the garden continue, and perhaps a Work Bee could be held to do the Spring cleanup. She passed around a sign up sheet so members could advise what weeks they could do weeding and watering during the summer months. Tinus de Haan will provide the water for the barrels.
Since the branch will be hosting the District Annual on June 7, 2022 the remainder of the meeting was planning for this event.
Jane Haley held a Spring Trivia Quiz and the winner was Cathy Green. The Door Prize was won by Susan de Haan.
Following the Institute Grace, refreshments were provided by the convenors Mary Cameron and Jane Haley.
Queen’s Line: The Queen’s Line W.I had their first in person meeting since Dec. 2019, on May 18, 2022 at the home of Lianne Oattes in Forester’s Falls. After reciting the Ode and Collect, seven of our members answered the Roll Call: “What have you done to save the environment” ,and discussed the Motto “Watch your footprints, someone may be following in them”. We will review the minutes at the next meeting, as our Secretary is traveling. A report of our finances was given. Discussion of our monetary commitments, donations and income sources took place. A report of the District Directors’ meeting was given, which included information about the District Annual. The District Annual meeting is on June 7, 2022, at the Greenwood United Church. Members are still deciding whether they can attend. Some decisions for our W.I. Fair Display at the Beachburg and Cobden Fairs were finalized, and several entries will be brought to the next meeting on June 15, 2022. We have decided to have a luncheon pot-luck for our June meeting. After adjournment we had a lovely lunch and conversation with members.
