Elaine Hennessey, Contributor
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 Oct. 2022.
Forester’s Falls: On Oct. 19, 2022, five members of the Forester’s Falls W.I. went on a scenic road tour to the Coronation Cider Mill in Bristol Que. It was a cool, damp day as we travelled through the countryside of Pontiac County. Coronation Hall was built in 1938 and named in honor of the coronation of King George VI. The hall was the vibrant centre of the village for dances, parties and weddings until it closed in the late 1960s and was then largely forgotten. The property was purchased by the Graham family in 2003 when they established Third Line Orchards. In 2008 they opened the first commercial cidery in the area. Mr. & Mrs. Graham gave us a tour of Coronation Hall and explained it is being used today for events and they have made only minor necessary changes. It boasts the original floor. We then proceeded to the cider mill where they explained in detail the process from the orchard to the cider. A delicious soup and sandwich lunch with apple crisp for dessert was enjoyed in the tea room. The tea room also showcases a variety of the products—jams, marmalades, BBQ sauce, hard cider, cider, pies, muffins and cookies are available for purchase. After lunch a brief meeting was held. The results from the local fairs were discussed. The branch placed 2nd overall at the Beachburg Fair and received $29.75 in prize money. At Cobden Fair the branch also placed 2nd overall and received $52.80 in prize money. A motion was passed that the branch purchase a wreath for $30.00 for the Remembrance Day service in Cobden Nov. 11th. Joan Smithers volunteered to lay the wreath. Plans for the Christmas meeting on Nov. 30th were discussed. We will entertain members from Alice, Locksley-Rankin at this meeting to be held at the home of Alica Page. Calendars for Caressant Care Nursing Home and articles for the Food Bank should be brought to the meeting. The branch is responsible for the organizing of the District Quilt Raffle for 2023. Queen’s Line branch will entertain our branch on Nov. 16/22 in Trinity United Church at 1:30 P.M.
Greenwood: Gail Fletcher introduced the guest speaker Pam Gaudette. Pam has been a retired Nurse for 8 years. Since retirement she developed an exercise program for the 50+Active Living Centre in Pembroke, and teaches classes one day a week. These are low mobility exercises and focus on stretching, joint mobility and to improve and maintain flexibility, and increase circulation. Here are 4 types of exercise: Endurance or aerobics which increase breathing and heart rate. They include walking, jogging, dancing or swimming. Strength exercises help make muscles stronger such as the use of weights, resistant bands or thera-bands. Balance exercise help prevent falls. Flexibility exercises stretch muscles and helps the body to stay limber. Always remember motion is lotion for the joints and any movement is better than no movement. Pam had members take part in an exercise program for about one hour. Gail presented her with a gift in appreciation. The Institute Grace was repeated followed by refreshments provided by the convenors Gail Fletcher and Carole Whitmore. The business portion of the meeting then took place with Past President Sheila Kenny presiding. The Roll Call was “What we are thankful for, other than our families”. Motto: If we count our blessings, one by one, we would not have time to count our problems. The Secretary Charlotte Cotnam-Isea read the minutes from the previous meeting. The Treasurer Gail Fletcher gave her report. Charlootte advised that money had been received from both the Beachburg and Cobden Fairs for the branch display. Jill Laverdure advised that her husband Dave, had cut the grass and picked up the garbage at the Greenwood W.I. Memory Garden. A motion was passed that $100.00 be donated to the Days For Girls Project. Helen Coburn inquired if the branch could somehow help the people in Ukraine. Gail Fletcher advised the Pembroke Fire Dept. was collecting winter clothing for Ukraine. Members agreed to drop off items at Sharon Cotnam’s and she offered to take them to the Fire Dept. as the deadline was Oct. 24th. The door prize was won by Alanna Morris.
Queen’s Line: Seven members met at the home of Ruby Bennett. Roll Call was “Name your favorite Fall fruit or vegetable”. A variety of both fruits and vegetables were named: pumpkin, apples, and squash. Motto was “Poor is not the person who has too little but the person who craves more”. Our opinion was that during these difficult monetary times, higher costs of food and housing, many people have too little and craving more might be justified now. Donations for the remainder of the year were to Cobden Legion for Remembrance Day, Cobden Food Bank, and household items for women leaving Bernadette McCann House. The branch is entertaining Forester’s Falls W.I. in November and decisions were made for this event. Also discussed was the commitment for the North Renfrew District Annual in May 2023; time, place, date, and final decision will be made in the future. After the business meeting members enjoyed a lunch and conversation to get caught up on neighbourhood news.
