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Women‘s Institute plugging away The organization, more than 100 years old, has done a lot of good, but, relentlessly, its membership is shrinking and aging. White lines down the centre of provincial highways are just one of those things that have always been there, right? BY SANDRA COULSON Free Press Lifestyles Reporter The pasteurizing of milk is so routine these days that many people have forgotten why it‘s important. Its membership is shrinking and aging along with the shrinking and aging rural popâ€" ulation in Canada. But it claims a proud hisâ€" tory of making a difference to the everyday lives of people across Canada and overseas. Music on the school curricuâ€" lum is just a regular part of growing up. _ _ M _ The Women‘s Institute is a rural organization now in its second century. But to the Women‘s Instiâ€" tute, these are markers not only of social progress, but also of its history. f Two intersections of Highway 7 are a concern The January meeting of Browns Women‘s Institute was held on Wednesday January 15 at 10 a.m. in the school. The coâ€"president Liz Harrison presided and welâ€" comed everyone back after the holidays. She announced the Lakeside W.I. will be havâ€" ing a Luncheon and Euchre at the Parish Hall, Lakeside on Saturday February 8, with Neighbourhood Watch wants flashing lights Huron South district celeâ€" brates its 100th anniversary today with a dinner at the Dashwood Community Centre. Perhaps significantly, the evening isn‘t exclusively about the history of the Women‘s Institute. The guest speaker is Mark Winegarden, who biked across Canada with his 12â€"yearâ€"old son to raise awareness of diabetes. Johns says it‘s a worthwhile subject because diabetes affects so many people. "We‘ve learned to accept it. I guess it was always the women‘s role. But let me tell you, when you want a job done, it takes women to do it." The Women‘s Institute story begins in 1897 in what is now Stoney Creek, southeast of Hamilton. A broadâ€"minded farmer named Erland Lee invited the social reformer Adelaide "They‘re leaders in a lot of things, but it doesn‘t come out that way," says Marjorie Johns, president of the Huron South district of the Women‘s Institute. "The government takes over and everyone thinks the govâ€" ernment (thought of it)." She‘s not upset about the often forgotten role of Women‘s Institute. lunch at 12 o‘clock and euchre at 1:15 p.m., snow date February 10. Notice was given of the Oxford District 100th anniverâ€" sary being held at Elmhurst Inn, Ingersoll on June 9. Ladies Day Away will be held on April 18 at 10 a.m. at the Dundas United Church, Woodstock. Judy Newman will be giving a demonstration on refinishing furniture, as one of the courses offered, also scrapbooking is being offered. There was a letter from Home Support Services askâ€" ing if we would cater for the As lobbying grew for this and other causes, provincial and national bodies were formed. Branches spread to Scotland and England and the Women‘s Institute joined the Associated Country Women of the World, based in Britain. But accomplishments are tinged with some sadness. After the speech, Hoodless and Lee sat in the Lees‘ dining room, drawing up the constituâ€" tion and bylaws for this new organization while Lee‘s wife Janet wrote it out in longhand. Erland Lee was treasurer of the Farmers‘ Institute and the new group took the parallel name of Women‘s Institute. Their aim was to improve living conditions of families and communities. Women were informed about sanitaâ€" tion, childâ€"raising techniques and other matters of "domesâ€" tic economy." Pasteurization was high on the agenda because Hoodless‘s infant son had died from drinking infected milk. "We‘re getting to celebrate something we‘re never going Branches sprang up quickly after the founding. Hoodless to come from Hamilâ€" ton to speak about the need for an educational society for poorly educated rural women. meal on May 30 at Kingsway Lodge at 12 o‘clock.. The answer was yes. The Pennies for Friendship was how many homes can you see from your home? In St. Marys the ladies could see quite a few. The roll call was ‘give a security preâ€" caution for your home‘ and was answered with motion lights, leaving a light on, using a timer, putting rods in track of sliding doors. Citizenship, Culture and Community group was in charge of the program with Carol Miller presiding. Betty Barons read a poem "Yes We Can." BROWNS WI The branch . has given money to a nursing home for a patient lift, to poor teens for Christmas gifts and to the local library. "It gives you a good feeling that you‘ve done something that you wanted to do and you‘re not getting paid to do," Lovie says. Cassie Lovie, 54, joined three years ago â€" "I had been thinking of joining some volâ€" unteer group," she says â€" when the Grand Bend branch put a display in a plowing match. Now she‘s on the comâ€" mittee that plans the monthly meetings. Grand Bend‘s major fundâ€" raiserâ€"is at the community‘s Thanksgiving farmers‘ market. Lately, monkey dolls made from men‘s long grey socks â€" an old craft revitalâ€" ized by the group â€" are big sellers. to get to celebrate again," Johns says of her branch‘s centenary â€" not only because few live long enough to see two such anniversaries, but also because branches are closing. But the Grand Bend branch is bucking the trend with some younger members â€" meaning women in their 50s. Six are left in the Huron South district after two recent closings. Others are ‘iffy.‘ \ Carol called on Sheila Greason to give an account of Neighbourhood Watch in their area. It was first sponâ€" sored by Uniondale W.I. There are Block Captains on each road, which covers Highway 7 to Oliver Sideroad and from Cobble Hills Road to Highway 19. Signs ‘Neighbour Watch‘ are up in this area. Right now they are lobbying for flashing lights at Highway 7 and Cobble Hills Rd., and at Highway 7 and Highway 19. Ruth Gill gave us more safety tips for the home. The next meeting will be on February 19 at 10 a.m. in the "We‘re having a hard job finding younger members because younger mothers are so busy. I have a daughter busy with dance and hockey ~"My mother belonged when I was a teenager. I changed townships and wanted to get to know the rest of the women in the area and thought that was a good way." She likes the social aspect of the group and learning old skills updated to new times or hearing speakers on modern issues such as phone scams. "We try and keep abreast of the times because the times surely are changing and it‘s hard to keep up with it." When she joined the Crediâ€" ton branch, it had 35 members, but only 14 are active today. Jane Dearing joined the Crediton branch 38 years ago to get to know her neighbours. Johns joined the branch in Elimville near Exeter in 1949, the year after it was formed, because of the opportunity to learn, enjoy fellowship with other women and pick up homemaking skills. Recently, she travelled to England and Scotland, where she visited branches. It gave her a sense of the worldwide ties. "You kind of feel part of something bigger." The next euchre party will be this Thursday, January 23 at 8 p.m. in the school. Euchre party The regular Euchre party was held on Thursday January 9 in the school at 8 p.m. The prize winners were as follows â€" ladies high Kathy Jeffrey, lone hands Ina Pickell, low Betty Barons. Men‘s high Terry Barber, lone hands Doug Kennedy and low Jim Kennedy. Door prize winâ€" ners were Jean Sims and David Arthur. School, when the speaker will be Jackie Rowe from the Garlic Box. "What the future brings, I‘m just not sure. There are so many other things out there you can join. I just know I‘m going to keep going as long as it‘s going, because it‘s done me a lot of good." and they just don‘t have the time to come out. 4 WOMEN‘S INSTITUTE CAUSES Since 1897, the Women‘s institute has advocated to have: P white lines painted down the centre of provincial highways P» fluorescent paint on the sides of rail cars : %s, » garments labelled for quality » music on the school curriculum P a law forcing traffic to stop when a school bus is stopped » breathalyser and blood tests for drivers » poison containers marked » milk pasteurized » dental and medical inspections in schools ‘ » war memorials set up P» bread wrapped P» white lines pa centre of provinc