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Pres/dent G o ' on the e 0 Hello Everyone! The rolling hills and deep valleys of Headwaters here in Dufferin County is home to the Niagara Escarpment, the source of four major river systems and farms that feed and sustain our quality of life. When you receive this issue spring should be showing new beginnings. Wl has done so much for me. The first time I visited and toured the provincial office I noticed the pictures of all the Past Presidents of FWIO. I recognized many of them and had met several as well. I thought to myself, i could never be one of those women. Years later, here I am and I have this organization to thank for the many experiences gained, the opportunities given and the learning received. I thank the Members and Branches in my District and others for the many cards and phone calls received offering congratulations and words of encouragement. i will do my utmost to serve FWIO to the best of my ability. Since the Provincial annual meeting in January l have attended the annual meeting of the Agricultural Adaptation Council, to which FWIO belongs. The guest speaker was Mr. Harvey Hartman, Founder and CEO of the Hartman Group speaking on the topic of "Today's Consumer Reshaping Tomorrow's World". i also attended the annual meeting of Ontario 4-H, where awards were presented to 4â€"H Leaders who had completed 25, 30, 35 and 50 years of leadership. Guest speaker Col. Chris Hatfield, (the first Canadian Astronaut who walked in space) told what it was like traveling to the space station, What it is like to live thore, the effects on your body and the awesome view of earth. A special thank you to the Branches who supported the now completed FWIO project, "Grandmothers of Rwanda”. There is a new ACWW Canada Area project for the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) Sisters in India for their orphanage where they provide food, clothing, educational materials and medicine for children. Our new FWIO project is Canada Comforts, which will support a group of women in Victoria, BC by knitting, crocheting and sewing items that are sent on request to third world countries. For further information on these projects, please contact your Area Voting Delegates, Regional Board Directors, the FWIO website or contact the provincial office. Asspring approaches DistrictAnnuals arein the planning stagesand the Branches are planning their year's program. | wish all of you exciting and successful events including the ROSE Sessions that are planned in your communities. lam looking forward to meeting many of you at the Provincial Conference in June. which Kingston Area is busily planning for us to "Go Green". Take time to laugh for it is the music ofthe soul! YOURS FOR WI. Joy “"3" turns As you may know, Volunteer Week is celebrated each April. One week hardly seems like enough time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of volunteers - especially when we're talking about WI Members! And, although we couldn't celebrate with each of you last month, we’re pleased to offer this toast to all the wonderful. hardworking, dedicated and enthusiastic WI Members who are making a difference in their communities across Ontario. Written by Suzanne Hartgraves, Unpublished, Cottonwood, CA, 1996 Raise your glasses in the air And give three rousing cheers To all of the extraordinary super volunteers They always share their time With enthusiastic hearts They appear from out of nowhere To do their special parts Whenever there’s a project or a task to be completed You can always count on them They never are defeated Their smiles are genuine And their attitudes are winning Surely they must be the ones Who keep this old world spinning So if there is a job to do- Don‘t shrink back in fear Just see out the expertise- Of a Volunteer! -fizfifiiss?