A TOUCH OF ROYALTYAT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Home & CountryROSE GARDEN | SPRING/SUMMER 2019

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE DATESPlease send stories and photos for consideration in the Home & Country ROSE Garden to the FWIO Provincial Office or andream@fwio.on.ca no later than the content deadline dates below. Please review the Editorial and Graphic Guidelines before making a submission.

Fall/Winter 2019 - Aug. 31, 2019 Spring/Summer 2020 - Feb. 1, 2020

The Home & Country ROSE Garden is published twice a year by the

Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario.

Editor Andrea Morrison

andream@fwio.on.ca

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Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:

Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario

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Email: fwio@fwio.on.ca www.fwio.on.ca

Annemarie McDonald, Guelph Area Voting Delegate (left) and Alyssa Gomori, Museum Curator (right) pose with Her Majesty (a life-size cardboard Queen Elizabeth II), who was the most photographed guest at this year’s Annual General Meeting. Read more about the January 2019 AGM on page 4.

WHERE’S ADDIE?Adelaide Hoodless – “Addie” – is hidden somewhere inside this issue of the Home & Country ROSE Garden! Can you find her??

CORRECTIONIn the Fall 2018 issue, pictured in the Chapman WI story on page 11 is Margaret Coulson, Chapman WI Tweedsmuir Coordinator.

CONTACT INFORMATIONFWIO Provincial Office (see left)

Administrator of FWIO Kim Sauder: kim@fwio.on.ca

Program & Communications Manager Andrea Morrison: andream@fwio.on.ca

Museum Curator Alyssa Gomori: curator@fwio.on.ca

Digitizing Coordinator Linda Mitchell Ph: 613-848-0220 linmitchell22@gmail.com

International Officer Elsie Stephenson Ph: 705-866-2435 ertoivo@persona.ca

Membership Coordinator Sue Cushing Ph: 705-778-2327 susancushing72@gmail.com

Tweedsmuir Coordinator Eleanor Williams Ph: 519-229-8200 willy@quadro.net

Advocacy Committee advocacy@fwio.on.ca

HOURS OF OPERATION

The FWIO Provincial Office is open Monday to Friday

from 10am to 4pm.

The Erland Lee (Museum) Home and Gift Shop are open Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm (or by

appointment).

Inside: 4. Annual General Meeting 5. Big Hearts Help Bring Comfort 6. Advocacy – Call to Action 7. Digitizing Update 8. Bond Head WI Calendars Capture

Community History 9. St. Vincent WI Celebrates 100th

Anniversary 10-12. Down the Garden Path 13. Books, Blankets & Bears 14. Scholarships 15. Woman of Excellence Award 16. Shop the Gift Card Way 17. International Connections 18-19. All for a Good Cause

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Mark your calendars!

Welcome, green grass, fruit blossoms and everything springing to life again.

This edition will find myself and other WI Members just returning from the ACWW Triennial Conference in Australia. Thank you to those members supporting our Category 1 Society.

Congratulations to Christine Reaburn for receiving the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Canadian Woman of the Year Award. Please stay tuned to the FWIO website for a celebration in August.

The volunteers are constantly busy at the Erland Lee Museum keeping everything in pristine condition, getting quotes for maintenance and updating of our home. Workshops and our Pancake Breakfast are just a few of the many events we hold to enhance our community involvement.

This year, some of the projects we will be completing are topping up the insulation in the attic to lower our heating cost, replace some windows, resurface the floor in the Carriage House and add more gravel to the parking lot. The perimeter of the property has already been trimmed and pruned as well as dead trees removed. With all the outside lighting upgraded and working, “The Lee” looks spectacular at night.

We wish to thank Hollie and Marlene Archer, Judy Sowden and Dan Lee, and the Friends of the Lee for their monetary donations and expertise.

Your continued commitment to educating your communities

on Lyme Disease will allow us again to donate much needed funds for research. Your Advocacy Committee has also contacted the Minister of Health, College of Nurses, College of Pharmacists, and College of Physicians and Surgeons (all of Ontario) for their support with Lyme Disease.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the Area Conventions this year and please visit our website for the dates.

Mark your calendars for November 27, 28 and 29, 2019 for FWIO’s AGM in Brantford at the Best Western, hosted by Hamilton Area.

The Board has decided that when a Provincial Conference is taking place, that year the FWIO AGM will only be a meeting with no workshops. The next Provincial Conference will be in 2020 in beautiful Huntsville.

I wish to share with you a few lines from the WI (Women’s Institute) Centennial Song. Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, Erland and Janet Lee founded WI in 1897. FWIO and FWIC were both formed in 1919.

Now is the time to celebrate Achievements commemorate With honour and with pride

This centennial salute Of the Women’s Institute

Women of the World ARISE!

Yours for Home and Country,Linda Zelem

by FWIO President Linda Zelem

VoiceDEER RIDGE

The next FWIO Provincial Conference will take place June 5-7, 2020 at the Huntsville Legion in beautiful Muskoka! The theme of the 2020 Provincial Conference is "BE THE CHANGE, MAKE THE DIFFERENCE". The Northern Area Women's Institute looks forward to seeing you there for lots of fun and exciting speakers, tours and fellowship! Stay tuned for registration details!

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The Annual General Meeting of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario was held at the Best Western Brantford Hotel and Conference Centre on January 9, 10 and 11, 2019. We were pleased to welcome WI Members from near and far to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year and elect new Provincial Officers.

New faces elected to the Board were Kathleen Beall (Guelph/Central Areas), Ellen Chojko-Bolec (Northwestern Area), Ada Haasnoot (Simcoe/Grey-Bruce Areas), Margaret Ogar (Southern Area) and Valerie Smith (Trent Valley/Kingston Areas).

Congratulations to Linda Mitchell, who was elected as FWIO’s Digitizing Coordinator after having been appointed for one year.

Thank you to FWIO Past President, Margaret Byl, who served as the AGM Elections Officer. We also thank Margaret for her service to WI as President-Elect to the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada (FWIC).

The AGM was also a time to express appreciation to FWIO’s outgoing Provincial Officers. Thank you to Twyla Banbury-Campbell, Sue Cushing, Glenna Smith, Elizabeth Sutton and Rie Van Steeg for your service and dedication to the FWIO Board throughout your terms. Following the AGM, Sue accepted a one-year appointment to the position of Membership Coordinator, while Glenna continued as Chair of the Erland Lee Museum Committee.

Thank you to the Area Voting Delegates who completed their terms in 2018: Nancy Wood, Margaret Ogar, Ada Haasnoot and Valerie Smith.

We also welcomed the new Area Voting Delegates who were elected at their Area Conventions in the fall: Michelle Phillippi (Grey-Bruce), Linda Bates (Kingston), Shirley Ashton (Southern) and Wilma de Wolde (Trent Valley).

Greetings were brought by Joan Holthe (FWIC President), Phil McColeman (MP Brant), Will Bouma (MPP Brantford-Brant), John Utley (Brantford City Councillor, on behalf of Kevin Davis, Mayor), Ava Hill (Chief, Six Nations of the Grand River) and Cheryl Sullivan (Vice President, Ontario 4-H Council).

Roy Weber of Community Charity Services and Joy Trimble, FWIO Past President and program representative,

provided information on the new features to FWIO’s fundraising program, Shop the Gift Card Way.

Barbara Jean Dickson of Two Cousins Natural Skincare led a fascinating discussion on the History of Soap Making and answered several questions from the audience. Barbara uses only the freshest, natural ingredients in her products, which are food grade, not cosmetic grade. This means that most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery or whole food store.

Kelly Moody of the Haldimand Norfolk Beekeepers Association helped us understand why real honey and bee products are so pricey: there is so much involved in getting honey from the hive to your morning toast. She discussed how climate change is making it more difficult for bees to thrive, as well as some of the pesticides that should be avoided.

Other guest speakers included International Indigenous speaker, Cindy Martin, and Dr. Colin Elkin, Chiropractor from Elkin Natural Health Centre in Brantford.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Annual General Meeting. The Hamilton Area WI has graciously offered to host the next AGM, which is scheduled for November 27, 28 and 29, 2019 in Brantford (turn to page 16 for details). We hope to see you there!Pictured: Several FWIO Past Presidents were on hand at this year’s AGM, which recognized the 100th Anniversaries of both the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) and Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada (FWIC). From left: Evelyn Peck, Margaret Byl, Marg Harris, Joy Trimble, Christine Reaburn and Elsie Stephenson.

FWIO Annual General Meeting

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Big Hearts Help Bring ComfortIn September 2018, tornados touched down near Ottawa, causing unimaginable damage to many communities. WI Members across the province quickly reached out, looking for ways to support fellow Members in the areas affected.

One special project involved the Coningsby WI (Wellington-Halton District, Guelph Area) which has Members belonging to the Erin Village Quilters group. The Branch wanted to show their support by sending quilts to those affected, with the hopes that they would provide some comfort. With the help of several WI Members, the 18 quilts made their way from Wellington County to the FWIO AGM in Brantford, to Eastern Ontario, where they were given to the Dunrobin WI (Carleton District) and the Calabogie WI (Renfrew South District), two Branches impacted.

On February 10, 2019, a Winter Carnival was held in Dunrobin for families affected by the tornados. The Dunrobin WI provided cookies and also used the opportunity to gift 10 quilts to the families.

“There was genuine astonishment and real pleasure evident in the recipients' eyes, at the thought of people so far away wanting to help out this way” said Beth McEwen, Branch President.

As a result of donations made to FWIO’s Disaster Relief Fund, $3,350 was also forwarded to the Eastern Area Women’s Institute to support special projects initiated by the Dunrobin and Calabogie WI’s in the aftermath of the tornados.

Thank you to all WI Members for your kindness and support.

This year, Women’s Institute Day was celebrated in an extra special way in the Municipality of Brighton. On February 19, 2019, Members of the Community-York Road WI and the Codrington WI (Trent Valley Area) gathered with Mayor Brian Ostrander and members of town council to raise the Women’s Institute flag outside the municipal office. The occasion recognized the history and contributions made by WI Branches throughout the Municipality, over the years.

Mary Shortt, FWIO President-Elect and Member of the Community-York Road WI, shared that in 2017-2018 the two local Branches donated nearly $12,000 to charities, 4-H clubs and scholarships to graduating students. Time given to the community through volunteering totalled 3,654 hours.

Community-York Road WI President, Sharon Rusk, presented the Brighton Library a copy of the book, Ordinary to Extraordinary, a compilation of stories by WI Members, published in 2017 by FWIO.

Additionally, to thank all Members for their service to the community, the Mayor declared the entire week in honour of the Women’s Institute.Pictured (L-R): Debbie Dupuis, President of Codrington WI and Mary Shortt, FWIO President-Elect, Mayor Brian Ostrander, Councillor Ron Anderson and Councillor Mark Bateman during the flag raising ceremony outside the municipal office on February 19, 2019. Credit: Metroland Media

Pictured: Quilts gifted at the Dunrobin Winter Carnival

Municipality Declares February 19th “Women’s Institute Day”

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This year, the Board voted to change Advocacy at FWIO and there is now an Advocacy Committee. The committee consists of 3-5 members with a mix of Board Directors and members at large.

Advocacy is about lobbying for and achieving change in government policy, programs, services, regulations, laws or communications. FWIO is an important public voice for rural and urban citizens and Lyme Disease is currently a rural issue that will soon change. Our WI Branches are well positioned to take this issue further and make some noise - this means many voices from many areas across Ontario.

LETTER WRITING – We suggest that our Branches have a letter writing campaign to your local health agencies (e.g. clinics, emergency & urgent care centres, health units), MP and MPP. A copy of our letter is now available on the website. It can be used as an addendum or example for any letter you write.

POLITICAL CLOUT! This is an election year! At every opportunity, query your Federal Candidates on what they know is being done to combat Lyme Disease. Are they aware of the FEDERAL FRAMEWORK ON LYME DISEASE ACT, 2014? What is the next step?

PUBLIC EDUCATION – Hold ROSE Programs or Tick Talks. Contact your local health unit or Lyme Disease group. There are several links on our website under Advocacy that offer tons of information and resources. Have lots of pamphlets on hand. Ask someone who has been infected and is willing to share their experience to speak at your group.

FUNDRAISE – Make donations to G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab at the University of Guelph.

These actions will create a strong voice on this issue in your community and across Ontario and will generate a more public image of WI. Make sure that your efforts are recorded in the local press.

Let’s work together to protect Ontarians from Lyme Disease.

FWIO Advocacy Committee advocacy@fwio.on.ca

AdvocacyCall to Action 2019-2020

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Digitizing Update By Digitizing Coordinator, Linda Mitchell

Digitizing Year 2We have completed year two of the three-year Digitizing Project funded by the grant from Library & Archives Canada through the Documentary Heritage Communities Program.

Our focus for Year 2 was mainly in the Southwestern area, including Hamilton and Niagara. We received many Tweedsmuir Books throughout the area from the various Districts and Branches. We also received Books from the Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum, Flamborough Archives, Stratford Perth Archives and Erland Lee Museum. Thank you to everyone for the many hours spent preparing their books for digitizing.

This year, we digitized 72,109 pages of Tweedsmuir Books. Alyssa Gomori also uploaded 4,227 pages previously digitized, but not available online. Thus a total of 76,336 pages were uploaded to our Virtual Archives this year.

Once the books were digitized, those in need of repair were taken to the bookbinding company. The repairs have now been completed. All of the Tweedsmuir Books received in Year 2 will be returned this spring to their original destination.

Digitizing Year 3The focus for Year 3 is on the Northwestern Area, which includes the WI Districts of Thunder Bay, Rainy River, Oxdrift (Kenora) and their Branches. I have reached out to a couple of District Presidents in the Area and have shared information with them about the Digitizing Project. They are discussing the information with their Members and I am awaiting their response.

Privacy ReviewsPrivacy Reviews still need to be completed on many of the Tweedsmuir Books. We will continue to assist Members with this task.

Library & Archives Canada EventAn invitation was received from Library & Archives Canada to attend the announcement of the 2019-2020 Documentary Heritage Community Program Funding recipients. I attended the event. The opportunity to gain further knowledge and understanding of the government organization providing our funding and how the funding process works was invaluable and appreciated.

Dr. Berthiaume, Librarian & Archivist of Canada, spoke at the event and discussed the impact of the DHCP and future plans for the Program. He said that “the rise of the digital technology has triggered a great democratization of knowledge. While national archives and libraries were previously places reserved for researchers and graduate students, the internet now enables everyone, not just in our country but around the world, to have full access to our documents.”

Dr. Berthiaume shared that, this year, they decided to give out grants to a greater number of recipients but, in most cases and in order to do this, allotting fewer dollars to each recipient. I noted on the list we received at the event, 11 of the 12 projects for preservation of documentary heritage receiving grants for 2019-2020 received $49,900 or less for the year. FWIO is truly fortunate to have received funding of $100,000 for each of the 3 years. The next funding cycle will be launched in the fall of 2019.

Following the meeting and a tour of TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, I was pleased to have an opportunity to speak to Dr. Berthiaume. I thanked him and Library & Archives Canada and expressed gratitude on behalf of FWIO and all its Members for the funding we have received through the Documentary Heritage Communities Program.

Instructions and forms for the digitizing project are available in the Member's Section of the FWIO website at fwio.on.ca under the Tweedsmuir drop down menu. Linda Mitchell can be reached at 613-848-0220 or linmitchell22@gmail.com.

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If Ontario’s barns are its “castles,” as some have stated, the rural churches are its cathedrals – erected by early settlers as a testament to their faith in a new land.

The Bond Head Women’s Institute (Simcoe South-Kempenfeldt District, Simcoe Area) completed a series of calendars on the “Disappearing Barns of Bradford West Gwillimbury,” a five-year project - with a break in 2017, to put together a Canada 150 Sesquicentennial Calendar.

Barns were chosen, said President Leila Lloyd, because they are “the backbone of the Scotch Settlement and the Bradford area. If you turn the clock back 100 years, every farm would have a beautiful barn.”

But with family farms disappearing, farm amalgamations, and spreading subdivisions, many of the barns have fallen into disrepair. The calendars were a way to document a fast-disappearing way of life. The ladies of the Bond Head WI photographed the historic barns of old West Gwillimbury township, creating a series of colourful and collectible calendars.

This brought the Women’s Institute to its 2019 calendar project – the Historic Churches of Bradford West Gwillimbury.

“With the family farms disappearing, the small churches are disappearing,” said Lloyd. “People went to the local church. It was the social highlight of the community.”

Building a place of worship was often the settlers’ first concern after clearing their land and housing their families. In the Scotch Settlement area of West Gwillimbury, families returning from Lord Selkirk’s failed Red River colony arrived circa 1819, and built their first log church in the early 1820's.

That church is the Auld Kirk, replaced first by a frame structure and then, in 1868, by the brick church that still stands on Line 6. The designated Heritage Site graces the cover of the calendar.

“We remember the church dances, dinners, bazaars, bingos and barbecues,” said WI Member Mikki Nanowski. “Churches represented the heart and soul of the community.” The calendar is dedicated to that era.

Each page featured a different historic church, that had its roots in the 19th Century, with a brief history of the church and its current status – from those that are still thriving, to those that have closed their doors, reflecting Ontario’s changing demographics.

The calendars were available for only $20 each, and thanks to a tremendous effort by the Members, all but a handful were sold by the end of 2018, raising well over $2,000 for the Women’s Institute, the charities it supports, and its long-term project: the creation of a museum in Bradford West Gwillimbury. Credit: Miriam King/BradfordToday.ca

Pictured inside St. John’s Presbyterian, Members of the Bond Head Women’s Institute reveal their 2019 calendar on the Historic Churches of Bradford West Gwillimbury. Miriam King/BradfordToday.ca

Bond Head WI

Calendars Capture

Community History

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The Headquarters Fund currently sits at $603,980 est.

Your support will ensure that WI continues long into the future.

Online donations to FWIO can be made at www.canadahelps.org – Muhammad Ali

"Don’t count the days; make the days count."

Local Artist Donates Painting to MuseumOn December 19, 2018, local artist, Doug Mays, donated his beautiful watercolour winter scene of the Carriage House at the Erland Lee Museum. It now hangs in a place of pride in the Gift Shop so that all visitors to the Museum will see it. Doug has visited the property several times and has painted other scenes which are equally as stunning. We thank Doug for sharing his talent with us and capturing the beauty of the Carriage House.

Hampstead WI Sponsors 4-H Life Skills ClubsHampstead WI (Huron Perth District, Guelph Area) sponsors life skills 4-H clubs in Perth County. During the 2018-2019 winter months, a Stratford area life skills 4-H club met in Stratford Parkview United Church kitchen, where all 25 4-H members participated in their “Batter Up” club meetings.

In mid-January, leaders Heather Peters and Amy Halls asked for assistance at their pie making meeting. So, with rolling pins and pastry blenders in hand, former 4-H leaders Helen Anderson and Winnie Trachsel responded. The members brought a pie plate and filling for the pie. Pastry dough was made from scratch, rolled out, put into plates, filling added and the remaining pastry dough was used as a lattice topping. Each member then baked his or her pie at home.

This was a wonderful opportunity for Helen and Winnie to observe what the Hampstead WI sponsorship dollars can do for life skills 4-H members in Perth County.

St. Vincent WI Celebrates 100th AnniversaryThe Members of St. Vincent WI (Grey County District, Grey-Bruce Area) were feeling rather royal as they celebrated their Branch’s 100th Anniversary in 2018. Originally the St. Vincent Red Cross Society, Members kept busy sending socks, pyjamas, pillows and food boxes to support troops during the war. The group evolved into the St. Vincent WI and took an active role in the community. Today, the Branch is a fellowship that strives to live by the words of the Mary Stewart Collect. Although they are now smaller in number, they remain very active, welcoming a new Member this year and extending an invitation to all.

Pictured (L-R): Doug Mays, Linda Zelem (FWIO President) and Alyssa Gomori (Museum Curator).

Pictured: 4-H members proudly display their pre-baked pies.

Pictured seated (L-R): Alma Mackinlay, Sheila Carmichael and Shirley Moore. Standing: Louise Long, MeriDiane Carroll, Marion Koepke, Freda Skippen and Fern Vereshack.

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Over 150,000 Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) children were removed from their families and sent to live in 139 Residential Schools from the 1880’s until 1996 when the last school closed. They were prohibited from speaking their own language and practising their own culture and religion. Over 6,000 students died from neglect, suicide and disease. When they returned to their families and communities, most were unable to communicate and fit in as they had been educated “to get the Indian out of the child”. It is estimated that there are currently 80,000 residential school survivors alive in Canada.

While the event was free, audience members donated $867 to the Mohawk Institute Residential School “Save the Evidence” project. Following the event, a cheque was presented to the Woodland Cultural Centre on behalf of the event’s three sponsors.

Cherry Valley WI The Cherry Valley WI (Prince Edward District, Trent Valley Area) makes an effort to include adults with intellectual disabilities in the Branch’s regular meetings and all activities, where possible. To recognize these actions, the Branch was presented a plaque from Community Living Prince Edward.

New Dundee WIOn November 20, 2018, in partnership with the New Dundee Board of Trade and the Optimist Club, the New Dundee WI (Waterloo District, Guelph Area) presented a free educational event. Held at the New Dundee Community Centre, approximately 175 people attended from New Dundee and surrounding communities. The focus of the evening was to learn about The Path to Understanding and Reconciliation and featured two noted Indigenous speakers.

Barry Hill, a Mohawk from Six Nations of the Grand River, is a respected farm leader, community champion, and advocate for Ontario’s native farmers. Hill spoke on Indigenous History, from the arrival of the first Europeans to present day, through interpreting the stories in the stained glass windows of the Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks in Brantford, where he serves as historian and church organist.

Roberta Hill from Six Nations (no relation to Barry Hill) is a survivor of the Mohawk Institute Residential School in Brantford and spoke about her experiences while attending the school from about age 6 to 10 until she and some of her siblings were sent to foster homes. Her stories were heart-wrenching and revealed a lot of the hidden history and abuse of our Indigenous neighbours.

Pictured: Karen Doehn and Nancy Birss, Committee Co-Convenors presented a cheque for $867 to Carly Myke, Outreach Coordinator of Woodland Cultural Centre, for the “Save the Evidence” project.

Pictured: Michelle Guernsey, support worker, presenting the plaque to Cherry Valley WI’s President, Mary Lou Cameron.

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Prince Edward District WIThe Prince Edward District WI (Trent Valley Area) held a Victorian & Edwardian Era Clothing Show on October 25, 2018, with help from the Ameliasburg Heritage Village.

Pictured Left: Laural Flone and Cindy Donafeld, dressed according to Victorian standards.Pictured Right: Laural Flone, assisted by Marg Stather, puts a petticoat over the steel covered hoop. She is wearing a blue silk covered boned corset over a white shift up top. All items were handmade.

Springbrook-Wellman’s WIFive Members of Springbrook-Wellman’s WI (Hastings District, Trent Valley Area) were treated to an informative tour of Belleville’s main fire hall. They were shown the information centre that processes incoming calls for the entire Hastings County. They also saw where the firefighters train, eat and sleep. The company is working to restore this original fire engine (pictured) in their spare time.

Pictured (L-R): Janice Gannon, Jane Schuell, Trudy St. Croix, Jean Pollock and Donna Russett.

Simcoe North District WIOn October 3, 2018, Eady-Grenard WI hosted a Women's Institute Annual Fun Day! Members of the 3 other Branches in Simcoe North District (Simcoe Area) - North River WI, Ebenezer WI and Jarratt-Creighton WI - were also in attendance. Pictured: Members of Simcoe North District WI were ready for Halloween!

Vittoria WIThe Members of Vittoria WI (Norfolk District, Hamilton Area) were proud to place 1st in Norfolk District’s display at the Norfolk County Agriculture Fair in October. The Fair is 177 years old and the WI takes part each year to promote themselves. The chosen topic, “bees and honey”, was fun and educational for Members to research while putting the display together.

Pictured: Vittoria WI’s 1st Place “Bees and Honey” display at the Norfolk County Agriculture Fair.

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Cathcart WIOn November 17, 2018, the Cathcart WI (Brant District, Hamilton Area) held a "Women in Business" afternoon at the Etonia Hall in Princeton, with three excellent guest speakers.

Anne Vernon, an Interior Designer and Floral Designer gave a demonstration on redesigning a room, and also created a gorgeous centerpiece for Christmas, which was raffled off.

Lori Brown, discussed the hard work and dedication that goes into her Artisanal Chicken Farm business , Hidden Root Farms in Brant County. She started her flock at 300 and now raises 6,000, which she sells to area restaurants and farmers' markets.

Members of the Cathcart WI were pleased to donate profits from the event to Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention Services in Brantford, and welcomed Joanna Skinner who shared information on the services offered.

Participants also enjoyed lunch, a silent auction and raffle.Pictured: A representative from Nova Vita accepting a donation of $228 from the Cathcart WI.

Women Inspiring Women WIThe Women Inspiring Women WI (Brant District, Hamilton Area) of Paris hosted their second annual Quarter Auction on February 23, 2019 at St. James United Church in Paris.

The doors opened at 6:30pm, giving everyone time to purchase bidding paddles and to browse the vendors’ tables before the auction began at 7:00pm. What better way to raise money than when you have fun doing it!

Items and services up for bid were donated by Branch Members and various businesses and organizations such as Epicure, Tupperware, Poppies and Peonies, Bottoms Up, Pies and Tarts with Love, Young Living, Scentsy and others. Proceeds were approximately $900, which will be used to support the many

community agencies and services they support.Pictured: Everyone had fun raising their paddles in support of their community.

Vernon WIThe Vernon WI (Carleton District, Eastern Area) held their Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on March 16, 2019. A full house of ‘green’ St. Paddy’s day enthusiasts enjoyed a chicken a la king lunch with homemade desserts. They were entertained by the Vernon Ukulele group, as well as jokes (in the spirit of the Irish) that were delivered by various Vernon WI Members. Overall, it was a great day with good food, lots of laughter and time to catch up with friends. Vernon WI is able to support the local hospital, care centre, food bank and Rural Ottawa South Support Services (ROSSS) from events such as these held throughout the year.

Pictured: The Vernon Ukulele group entertaining guests at the Vernon WI’s luncheon.

Chapman WI & Harts-Riggs WIMembers from both the Chapman WI and Harts-Riggs WI (Hastings District, Trent Valley Area) attended a ROSE Session to learn about the history of Ireland. Beautiful photos were shown and everyone enjoyed an Irish-themed luncheon.

Pictured: Carol Paranuik (Harts-Riggs WI), presenter Joanne Keller and Barbara Rivers (Harts-Riggs WI).

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Books, Blankets & Bears

Victoria II WI Since 2012, Victoria II WI (Lennox & Addington District, Kingston Area) has been providing books, blankets and bears for Emergency Services to give to children who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event. It could be a medical emergency in or around the home, a motor vehicle collision, a fire or any other event the Emergency Services Department may have to deal with. These packages bring a sense of comfort, ease anxiety and prove that people really care. In total, 17 packages were recently provided.Pictured: Victoria II WI Members Bonnie Magilton (centre left) and Valerie Smith (centre right) with Emergency Services staff.

Norfolk District WIOn February 19, 2019, Norfolk District WI (Hamilton Area) donated over 40 books, blankets and bears to the Norfolk General Hospital Emergency Department to celebrate the founding of Women's Institute 122 years ago. Following the presentation, a few Members went on to attend the Canfield WI luncheon, with guest speaker Karen Richardson, Curator of Haldimand Museum.

Pictured: Norfolk District WI Members presenting their packages to Norfolk General Hospital.

Grand Bend WIAt their March meeting, Members of Grand Bend WI (Huron District, Southern Area) donated teddy bears, books, blankets and bags to members of the Grand Bend Fire Department. When necessary, these items will be given to children in traumatic situations.

Pictured (L-R): Mark Pedlar, Elaine Wardle (Branch President) and Calvin Thornton.

Vickers Gardens WIThe Vickers Gardens WI (Thunder Bay District, Northwestern Area) presented the Thunder Bay Police Service with 32 books, blankets and bears to celebrate the anniversary of the Women’s Institute on February 19th. These items will be given to children who are experiencing trauma. The packages were received by Constables Wayne Robinson and Larry Baxter.

Pictured: Vickers Gardens WI Members presenting their packages to the Thunder Bay Police Service.

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ScholarshipsCongratulations to all those who received FWIO scholarships in 2018!

90th Anniversary ScholarshipKim Sheldrick, Vernon WIThe 90th Anniversary Scholarship assists a WI Member who seeks self-improvement and personal enrichment through the education system as a full or part-time student enrolled in a certified course. Value: $1,000

FWIO Provincial ScholarshipErin Parna-GileThe FWIO Provincial Scholarship assists a first-year student furthering their formal education on a full-time basis at a post-secondary institution. Value: $1,000

Helen M. McKercher ScholarshipJanet OkrafkaThe Helen M. McKercher Scholarship assists a graduate student pursuing a post-graduate degree in Family and Consumer Studies, Home Economics or in a related program. Value: $1,200

Ontario Women's Institute ScholarshipCarolyn Wyse, Kathleen Morgan and Tianxue HeThe Ontario Women’s Institute Scholarship assists students studying at the University of Guelph in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences. Value: Up to 3 awards of $1,000 each.

For more information on scholarships, please visit www.fwio.on.ca/fwio-scholarships.

Pictured (L-R): Kathleen Morgan, Glenna Smith (FWIO Scholarship Committee Chair) and Tianxue He.

Southern Area WI Presents Maryn Pardy ScholarshipAt the 104th Southern Area Women’s Institute Convention held in St. Pauls Station on October 20, 2018, the Maryn Pardy Scholarship for an active 4-H member in Southern Area was awarded to Adam Reid. Adam is enrolled in his first year of the two-year Agriculture diploma program at the University of Guelph – Ridgetown Campus. Adam is a very active 4-H member with Chatham-Kent and Essex 4-H associations. He volunteers for and is a member of many organizations in his community of Chatham-Kent. Congratulations, Adam!Pictured making the presentation to Adam are Southern Area WI President Michelle Loosemore, Kent District WI President Shirley Ashton and Scholarship chairperson Eleanor Williams.

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Fighting for Home & Country:

Women Remember World War II

Was: $20.00 Now: $10.00

From This Place: Recollections of the

Lives of Women in the 20th Century

Was: $17.00 Now: $10.00

For Home and Country: The Centennial History

of the Women’s Institutes of Ontario

Was: $10.50 Now: $5.00

*All prices include tax

Order online at www.fwio.on.ca/catalog or contact the Provincial Office: Phone: 905-662-2691 | Email: fwio@fwio.on.ca

Save on FWIO Books!Ordinary to

Extraordinary: 150 stories as unique as the

women who lived them

Was: $20.00 Now: $10.00

Pictured: Gail Irvine and Rob Flack, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair President.

Woman of Excellence in Agriculture AwardFWIO congratulates 2018 winner, Gail IrvineThe Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario, in partnership with the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, was pleased to recognize Gail Irvine as the winner of the Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award for 2018. A retired sheep breeder from Selwyn, Ontario, Gail is also a Member of the Selwyn WI (Peterborough District, Trent Valley Area). “Gail has accomplished so much for the agriculture industry, her community and in people’s personal lives,” said Rita Saler and Evamary Bonner, WI Members who nominated Gail Irvine. “She has touched, taught and mentored many individuals young and old and has had such a positive impact and influence on all of them.”

Gail, a former teacher, and her late husband, Bob, began farming in 1972. They started out with beef cattle and soon turned their efforts to raising Dorset sheep at Rocky Lane Farm. The Irvine’s showed frequently at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and, throughout their farming career, Gail focused on continuous herd improvement, seeking out superior sheep genetics from across Canada and around the world. She also participated in industry initiatives with breed organizations and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In 2012, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency honoured the Irvine’s with a Long Service Award for their contribution to the industry.

Gail has long been involved in 4-H as well. She was a sheep club 4-H leader and she continues to support 4-H through award sponsorship and by providing lambs for club projects. Gail has retired from farming but is still active in the community.

The Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award was begun in 1996 to recognize the significant contributions made by women in agriculture. Gail was honoured at the Excellence in Agriculture luncheon on November 7, 2018 at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto.

Gail is a very worthy recipient of this prestigious award and we thank her for her many years of volunteer service!

Nominations for the Woman of Excellence in Agriculture Award can be submitted annually to the FWIO Provincial Office. Please see www.fwio.on.ca/agriculture-award for more information.

15

Shop the Gift Card WayChanges have recently been made to our gift card fundraising program, which benefit both you and FWIO!

Detailed instructions can be found in the Members Section of the FWIO website.

How the Gift Card Program Works

• You choose gift cards from grocery, gas and coffee retailers you already shop with every month.

• You receive your selected cards every month in the mail.

• You pay by automatic bank withdrawal, credit card or postdated cheque.

• A discount is given by the retailers, which is passed on as an annual rebate to FWIO and participating members.

Here are some of the highlights of the changes:

• 40% of the annual proceeds comes back to the participating members as a rebate, while 60% goes to FWIO.

• Minimum monthly order is now as low as $100 (an order of $200 every other month).

• You can change, hold or cancel your order at any time – you are not locked in.

• You can pay with automatic bank withdrawal, credit card or postdated cheque.

• New retailers this year – Walmart, Costco, Petro Canada, Canadian Tire and Esso.

To start on the program, please complete the order form and return to:

Community Charity Services 69 Arthur Street South Elmira, ON N3B 2M8

For more information, please contact Community Charity Services at 1-866-669-2276 or visit www.loyaltyfunding.ca.

Don’t Miss the FWIO Annual General Meeting!

WHEN: November 27, 28 & 29, 2019 WHERE: Best Western Brantford Hotel & Conference Centre, 19 Holiday Drive, Brantford, ON

The deadline to register with the Provincial Office is Friday, November 8, 2019. Look for the registration form soon on the FWIO website and in future E-Blasts.

Open Provincial PositionsIt’s never too early – or too late – to consider getting involved at the Provincial level!

In accordance with Area bylaws, nominations for Provincial Positions can be made at Area Conventions. Elections for the following Board, Coordinator and Officer positions will take place at FWIO's Annual General Meeting on Thursday, November 28, 2019.

President-Elect

Southern Regional Board Director (Hamilton Area)

ACWW/International Officer

Membership Coordinator

Public Relations Coordinator

Tweedsmuir Coordinator

For more information, please contact the Provincial Office or visit the FWIO website at www.fwio.on.ca.

16

ACWW has now launched a new way to support projects. It is called the WE Fund. WE stands for Women Empowered. ACWW Societies can now donate funds to one or more of the six Priority Focus Areas rather than trying to adopt or partially fund a specific project. Since the launch of the WE Fund, more than 28,000 pounds sterling has been raised. The amount raised in each Area is as follows:

Education & Capacity Building 7,146 pounds sterling 12,854 to go

Nutrition, Good Health & Wellbeing 5,205 14,795

Sustainable Agriculture Training & Development 2,236 17,764

Income Generation & Livelihood 2,095 17,905

Sustainable Water, Sanitation & Energy 7,169 12,831

Maternal & Reproductive Health 4,207 15,793

The amounts donated to the six pots that represent these six focus areas are continually updated on the ACWW website: www.acww.org.uk/projects. This will greatly increase our impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Pennies for Friendship Plan was launched in London, England in 1939. Thus far in 2018, Pennies for Friendship raised 90,104 pounds sterling. Branches in Ontario donated over $18,000 to Pennies for Friendship this year.

There are four International Days that WI Branches can celebrate. On March 8th, International Women’s Day, celebrate the achievements of women and create a more gender inclusive world. On ACWW Day, April 29th, people celebrate ACWW’s international work and raise funds for ACWW. International Day of Rural Women on October 15th recognizes the major role that rural women play in ensuring food security and in development and stability of rural areas. United Nations Day on October 24th highlights the work of the UN and its specialized agencies, such as World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Economical & Social Council (ECOSCO) and Conference of Non-Government Organizations (CONGO).

ACWW Canada Area Conference 2020 will be held in Sidney, B.C. at the Shoal Centre located at 10030 Resthaven Drive from June 13-15, 2020.

Elsie Stephenson can be reached at 705-866-2435 or ertoivo@persona.ca.

By International Officer, Elsie Stephenson

Renfrew North District WIEach year, the Renfrew North District WI (Eastern Area) holds an annual quilt fundraiser. This year's quilt was won by Marian McWade of Cobden, who is pictured receiving the quilt from WI Member, Ruth Douma.

17

Women Empowered WIOn March 2, 2019, the Women Empowered WI (Lincoln-Niagara District, Hamilton Area) held its 2nd Annual International Women’s Day Expo in Niagara Falls. The theme for this year’s expo was “Fighting Depression and Anxiety” and featured numerous vendors, including health and wellness booths.

Proceeds from the event were presented in the form of a $500 donation to the Pathstone Foundation, in support of Mental Health Awareness.

Search for the Women Empowered WI on Facebook and the FWIO website to learn about the exciting programs offered by one of our newest Branches!

Pictured: Women Empowered WI Members Terry Biggar, Rosemary Evangelista and Margaret Byl presenting the donation to the Pathstone Foundation.

Wellington-Halton District WIWellington-Halton District WI (Guelph Area) is pleased to be fulfilling their purpose of supporting home and community by presenting a cheque to each of the 4 hospitals in the Area: Georgetown, Milton, Fergus and Guelph.

Pictured: Kathy Kerr (left) presents a cheque for $500 to Sandra Taylor from the Georgetown Hospital Foundation.

Cornell WIMembers of the Cornell WI (Oxford District, Southern Area) recently gathered together, along with friends and neighbours, for a ROSE Program Sewing Bee to cut out, sew and stuff 110 medical dolls. They will be donated to the Children's Hospital at the London Health Sciences Centre. These dolls help children become more familiar with medical procedures in a way that does not scare them. Since they are blank on both sides, children can indicate their feelings by assigning different emotions to each side of the doll.Pictured: Cornell WI Members, friends and neighbours show off the finished dolls.

Aughrim WIMembers of Aughrim WI (Lambton District, Southern Area) have been busy tying a quilt for the Women's Interval Home. The Branch was able to finish the quilt in one night with many out to help.

Pictured (L-R): Vera Brasjen, Nola Tait, Janet Loosemore, Jane von der Recke, Liz Hayward, Margaret Anne Aright and Michelle Loosemore.

18

Guelph Area WIA workshop organized by Glenna Smith, Donna Thompson and Annemarie McDonald on making mesh produce bags to help eliminate the use of plastic bags in the produce section of grocery stores was held in November 2018 in Bloomingdale.

Each District was asked to send two or three Members to learn the techniques and then return to teach Members in their own Districts. The hope is that each District will make bags to sell, with the profit split between the Area and the District.

The reusable bags are made out of a mesh fabric with a drawstring closure. They can be sewn in various sizes and are sold 3 for $5.

Pictured (L-R): Eleanor Berry, Sharon Agla, Pauline Weiland and Jean Rickert. Seated: Donna Thompson.

Howick WIMembers of the Howick WI (Huron Perth District, Guelph Area) participated in the “Stuff the Truck” campaign by donating items to support 10 local food banks in Huron County.

Every December, CKNX AM920 radio station host, Buzz Reynolds, lives in a 53-foot tractor trailer at the Valu-Mart in Wingham until it is filled with non-perishable goods.

Margaret McMahon, Branch Secretary, did an on-air interview to promote the Women’s Institute and explain the work the WI has done in communities throughout Ontario over the last 122 years.Pictured (L-R) making the presentation are Gwen Catherwood, Heather Stinson, Darlene Harding and Margaret McMahon.

Emsdale-Scotia and Area WIOn behalf of the Emsdale-Scotia and Area WI (Parry Sound District, Northern Area), President Penny Appleyard, presented a cheque for $250 to the Canadian Guide Dog School for the Blind near Ottawa, Ontario. Penny has been a Guide Dog user for the past 15 years. The school relies solely upon donations from the public to ensure that everyone who is in need of a Guide Dog is able to receive one. Guide Dogs who graduate from the program are placed with a person who matches their personality.

Pictured: Penny Appleyard presents a cheque to the Canadian Guide Dog School for the Blind.

Trout Mills WIMembers of the Trout Mills WI (Nipissing District, Northern Area) recently presented a $100 donation to Mathilde Bozinet for the Nipissing Serenity Hospice. The hospice is in the process of being built in North Bay, Ontario.

Pictured (L-R): Carol Desjardins, Rosemary Wickman, Mathilde Bozinet, Ruth Ranger, Hilda Duquette and Beulah Hamilton.

19

HospitalityHOMES

Ontario Prince

Edward

Island

ManitobaNewfoundland

and Labrador

New Brunswick

QuebecBritish Columbia

Nova Scotia Alberta

HAS GONE NATIONAL!Hospitality Homes are open to all WI Members and their companions for $15 each per night. If you would like to be added to the list or if you need to take

your name off the list – please let Gillian Catto know.

To obtain a copy of the Hospitality Homes Unity List, visit the FWIO website, email Gillian at gilcat89@outlook.com or send three standard stamps to

Gillian Catto at 89 Ellmen Road, Whitefish, ON P0M 3E0.

*Please check the FWIO website and E-Blasts frequently for updates to this list.

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Upcoming Events at the Erland Lee Museum2019 Board Listing

President Linda Zelem

President-Elect Mary Shortt

Northern Ellen Chojko-Bolec

Nancy Plummer-McDermott

Eastern Valerie Smith

Cheryl Sullivan

Southern Margaret Ogar Barbara Stones

Western Kathleen Beall Ada Haasnoot

To purchase a full-colour advertisement in the Home & Country ROSE Garden, please contact 905-662-2691 or visit

www.fwio.on.ca/fwio-newsletter for more information.

“Famous Hamiltonian” Celebrations

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Saturday, August 3, 2019 Sunday, August 4, 2019

Community Archaeology August 2019 (dates to be announced)

Candlelight Spirit Walk Friday, October 25, 2019

Kids Halloween Party Saturday, October 26, 2019

Kids Christmas Program Sunday, November 24, 2019

Saturday, November 30, 2019 Sunday, December 8, 2019 Sunday, December 15, 2019

For more information or to register for a workshop or event, contact: Phone: 905-662-2691

Email: erlandleemuseum@fwio.on.ca

Website: www.fwio.on.ca/erland www.facebook.com/ErlandLeeMuseumHome

www.instagram.com/erlandleemuseum

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