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Wellington Wli celebrates I 95 years Prince Edward County’s first . branch struggIes to exist with small membership By Rick Frallck Gazette Staff The Wellington Women's Institute â€" the first branch established in Prince Edward County â€" celebrated its 95th anniversary last Tuesday. determined to celebrate a 100th in five years, despite declining membership. Currently, there are only eight members in Wellington W1. including president Iris Walker. “We're certainly hoping for more,“ she said, as she busied herselfcuuing an enormous birthday cake during an afternoon picnic at lakeside park. “If you look at the min: utes of meetings from the 19305, for example, there were lots more members then." But Walker acknowledges that attracting members in the modern era. when most women work full-time outside the home, is difficult. In January of 1908. the Wellington WI became the first branch in Prince Edward County. Organized in the Masonic Hall, the first meetings were See WI page 3 Gazette photo by Rick Franck Hee Haw â€" Hazel Conley. as Grand Ole Opry legend Minnie Pearl, got lots of laughs at the Wellington Women’s Institute 95th anniversary celebration last Tuesday at Lalmslde Park. WI from page 1 held in the Fitzgerald Block. later in the Alexander Hotel, until that was destroyed by fire, and then in Wellington Consolidated School, after it opened in 1922. They rented a shop for $60 a year. and supplied the community with a travelling library filled with $200 worth of donated books. » After the municipal library was built in 1928. “/1 began meeting there, until 1939, when the room was needed for military purposes during the Second World War. Village council offered the town hall rent free, and they have met there ever since, although the facility is no longer rent free. In 1919, Wellington WI donated $1,000 to the Prince Edward Hospital to help furnish the operating room, In 1954, $900 was donated toward fumishing a semi«private room at the hospital. _ In 1921, they paid for the beautiful gates to the cemeâ€" tery in Wellington and also equipped the domestic science room at the school. Radios were purchased for the school and the salary of a school nurse was paid for one year. Linen supplies were also purchased for the health unit. In 1941, the Tweedsmuir Book â€" the history of com- merce, farming, etc. in Wellington - was started by Mrs. Ellie Philips. It is now on microfilm at the Ameliasburgh Museum. In 1962, evening classes were started by WI in the town hall, and were very popular on Wednesday evenings. They were cancelled in later years due to a lack of provincial support. Though small in number, Walker says there is a strong will to continue until at least the mom anniversary. Many donations are still given by WI to the same groups that ben- efited in earlier years. Women interested in joining W1 are invited to contact Mary Ellen Closson at 968-3320. She‘s in charge of mem- bership for the whole of Prince Edward County. A local WI website is expected to be up and running in the near future. And don‘t forget the much-anticipated annual Wl craft show at the Prince Edward Community Centre, this year on Thursdav. Julv 31. db -20 ~ 0 =1 - ~‘____ In January 1908 the Wel- lington W.l. was the first branch to come into exis- tence in Prince Edward County. Organized in the Masonic Hall, the first meetings were held in the Fitzgerald Block, later in the Alexander Hotel, until that was destroyed by fire, then they met in the Con- solidated School. They rented a shop for $60 a year, and supplied the __ community with a travelling Library, then donated books valued at. $200. After the library was built, in 1928, they 95 Candles â€" Wellington Women's Insti- tute president Iris Walker cuts the remain- der of the 95th anniversary birthday cake during a celebration last Tuesday at the lakeside park. WellmgMfiWJfllilgrs ellington Women’s Institute President Iris Walker, weic , nniversary celebration which was held-yesterday at the Wellington Park. supplies met there until 1939. With thestart of World War II, the room was needed for' military purposes. The Town Council offered the Town Hall “free” of rent, and they have met there ever since though not free of rent now. In 1919 they donated $1,000 to the Prince Ed- ward Hospital to help fur- nish the operating room. In 1954 $900 was donated towards fumishing a semi- private room in the hospi- tal. ' In 1921 they paid for the beautiful gates to the Cemetery, also equipment for the school domestic Science room. Radios were purchased for the School, and the salary of a school nurse was paid for one year, and also linen for the health unit. . In 1941 the Tweedsmuir book, the history of Commerce, farming, etc. in Wellington, was started 95,th members to the 95‘“.- rw: ‘77ka . .06‘1331’03 by' Mrs. Ellie Philips. It is now on microfilm in the Ameliasburg Museum. In 1962 evening classes were started by the W.I. in the Town Hall, and were very popular on a Wednesday evening. Due to lack of provincial Sup- port in later years they were stopped. Although we are small in numbers in 2003, there is a strong will to continue until at least our 100* an- niversary, and many do- nations are given to the same groups, as in earlier years. We have fun too!