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June is Women 's Iné?fdte month Tavistock WI was hostess branch Town Hall special program for 4-H Nancy Muir, Lakeside WI, program for Oxford North District Women's Institute 84th district annual at Grace United Church in Tavistock May 23. Ann Slater, afternoon speaker, told about the Oxfam Canada Women in Agriculture Study Tour to Nicaragua. Nicaragua is basically a rural country of 43 million people and about size of combined New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. There have been big changes in literacy rate and economics since the revolu- tion in 1979. However now its economies are in chaos and a plann- ed cutback on farm subsidies caused much anxiety and hardship. Although Nicaragua's only exports are agricultural products the govern- ment priority is to make sure their own people arefed. Inflation rate last year was 30,000 percent. Banks are asking for loans to be paid in pro-- duce rather than cash. The Nicaraguan people want peace and advise us not to listen to American news about Nicaragua. Vivian McDonald, president chaired the meeting - assisted by Audrey Armour, secretary treasurer. Reports on resolutions, public reations and programs were given. Lois Elliott, provincial board member, brought greetings from FWIO. June is WI promotion month. There are two videos at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) office available for institute meetings. In February, 1990 a leadership conference is being planned. Plans being made for June WI month in Oxford North include a craft and demonstration dessert lun- cheon June 20; on June 16 at Embro members and interested people; float for July 23 at Hickson Fair, bus tri s to Agriculture Museum at Mi ton, catering for senior picnic and Tweedsmuir history program at East Nissouri Church on June 8. Laurine McIntosh, London area president told the group that being a delegate - the way you handle yourself reflects on your organiza- tion. London Area Women's In- stitutes will be hosted by Oxford North District at Embro Arena on ' Oct. 12. This is the first year London area is trying a one-day conference as opposed to two-day ones in the past. She urged members to practice good listening, take notes and report as soon as possible. The entry submitted by Audrey Ar- mour in the "Folklore" contest will be forwarded to London area. Kintore WI offered a humorous skit and Braemar WI conducted a sing song. Displayed were knitted ar- ticles made by 4-H members and a demonstration of spinning wool was given by Ann Slater. All 14 Institutes in Oxford North District were well represented. Representatives were present from the county conference and OMAF. All gave greetings at the noon hour luncheon. Officers elected were: Vivian McDonald, Kintore WI, past presi- dent; Donna Kittmer, Lakeside WI, president; Pat Smith, Hickson WI, first vice president; Marlene Matheson, Brookdale WI, Second vice president; Audrey Armour Grace Patterson, secretary- treasurer; Mary Nicklas, Princess Elizabeth WI, asstistant secretary; Donna Kittmer, Lakeside WI, district delegate; Pat Smith, Hickson WI, second district delegate; Loreen McNabb, Embro and West Zorra WI, alternate district. delegate; Joyce West, Lakeside WI, P.R.0.; Mary Moore Braemar WI, Tweedsmuir history curator; Jessie Thornton, Kintore WI, resolutions; Brooksdale WI ."93'? honors member BROOKSDALE --- About 40 members attended the recent annual meeting of the Brooksdale Women's Institute. Entertainment included piano selections by Scott Innes, a duet by Brian Innes and Michelle Matheson and songs by Laura Zilke and Kathy Lupton. Mrs. William Green and Helen Piett will be the group repre- sentatives to the Institute Con- ference at Ridgetown College. The two 4-H units beginning this month are Working With W001 with leaders Sue Butt and Peggy Green and Landscaping with leaders Joan Morris and Peggy Green. Laura Green is in charge of selling carnations for multi le sclerosis. Carol Innes sold af-- fodils for the Cancer Society at the end of the meeting. The group's slate of officers for . 1989-90 include Mrs. James Matheson, past president, Mrs. William Matheson, president, Mrs. Bert Drenth, first vice- president, Mrs. Alex Fraser, se- cond vice-president, Mrs. Grant Innes, third vice-president, "Mrs William Green, secretary, Mrs Glen Morris, assistant secretary and Mrs. Robert Morris, trea- surer. Also serving on various com- mittees are Mrs. Leslie Shelley, Mrs. Helen Piett, Mrs. Russell Thomson, Mrs. Willis Bean, Mrs. Bruce McLeod, Mrs. Hilton Mor- ris, Mrs. Holgar Lange, Mrs. Stuart Piett, Mrs. John Turvey, Mrs. Lorne Walters, Mrs. Phillip Meadows, Mrs. Donald Manson, Mrs. John Innes, Mrs. Murray McCorquodale and Mrs. Allan Shelley. Also at the meeting, Irene Matheson, of RR 2 Embro, was presented with a certificate of merit in honor of her many years of service to the WI. apiordinator; Vicki McKay, Innerkip Eliiabeth w1, Braemar WI, Mona Pelton, Embro and West Zorra WI, coordinators. Gladys Stock, Princess Renny Hettinga, program Auditors, Marjorie Spearin and Margaret McLeod, Kintore; safetv representative, ' Braemar WI. Norma Howe, The Bea_con Herald / Thursday March 23 / 1989 h ""1: ,_. Photo by Thelma Hiuser Life membership presented The Brooksdale Women's Institute recently presented a WI Life Membership to Betty Gill, centre, of RR 1 Embro. The address was given by Rosina Morris, left, and Doris Shelley, right, presented the pin. The membership is given in rec- ognition of 25 years' service to the WI. WI honors member for longtime service BROOKSDALE -- The Brooksdale United Church was the setting of the Women's Institute member's banquet March 16. Following the meal. President Marlene Matheson extended a welcome, followed by the in- troduction of the head table by Irene Drenth. Greetings were given by Rev. Keith l-Iagerman, of the Brooksdale church and also Vi- vian McDonald, director of the Ox- ford North W.I. 'Mr'. Hagerma'n'T sang several" English, welsh and Irish ballads accompanied on the piano by his wife. The Women's Institute Life Membership was presented to Betty Gill, of RR 1 Embro. The ad- dress was given by Rosina Morris, and Doris Shelley presented the pin. The Life Membership is given in recognition of 25 years' service to the WI. Helen Turvey introduced the guest speaker, Rev. Roger McComb of Ingcrsoll who spoke about "Life." He stressed to remember the 4 -- "H" he tries to apply in this hectic world. "Be Human, be Humorous, be Hugg- ed, be Happy." ' a" "We should learn the art of laughter" he concluded. The courtesy remarks were given by Joan Fraser.