Eleanor Wiersema
The 88th Northwestern Area Women’s Institute convention was held Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Vicker’s Heights Community Centre in Thunder Bay.
Members from the Rainy River District, Thunder Bay District, and Dryden were in attendance (the Kenora W.I. District no longer exists as two more branches, Barclay and New Prospect, have disbanded).
Although numbers were down, the weather was beautiful and the atmosphere congenial. The theme of the convention was “Going Green.”
The program was full with business, a banquet and entertainment by a local country western band, the Wannabees, a speaker on “Going Green” (Maggie Milne Chicoine), a workshop on making greeting cards, and the election of a new executive for 2009.
Rebecca Johnson, deputy mayor of Thunder Bay and a longtime W.I. member, gave the address of welcome. She congratulated W.I. on its 111 years of existence—and for getting on the bandwagon and going green.
Joy Trimble, our W.I. provincial president from Orangeville, Ont., reinforced this in her address. She challenged each W.I. member to change something in her everyday life that would have an impact on the environment and reduce our carbon footprint.
A few things she suggested were using one-half cup of vinegar in washing machines instead of fabric softener, a ball of tin foil in the dryer to reduce static cling, and buying Fair Trade chocolate and coffee.
She also said all Canadians should avoid bottled water as it takes as long as 100 years for the plastic bottles to break down in landfills.
Since W.I. is both a national and international organization, Trimble announced the upcoming Federated Women’s Institute of Canada convention will be in Prince Edward Island in 2009 while the Associated Country Women of the World (A.C.W.W.) convention in 2010 will be held in Hot Springs, Ark.
Leila Pettigrew, our international officer, spoke on our more recent project—Canada Comforts. We support a group of women in Victoria, B.C. by knitting, crocheting, and sewing items that are sent on request to Third World countries.
This project has been well-received in our area as it has been all across Ontario.
At this time, there is a great need for children’s sweaters sizes two-10.
Meanwhile, the A.C.W.W. project is sponsoring an orphanage in India (money is needed for this project).
The new executive for 2009 are Ellen Chojko-Bolec (president), Jean Wilson (first vice-president), Sheri Stamarski (Tweedsmuir curator), and Gerd Hamilton (regional provincial board director).
Ellen Chojko-Bolec also is the area voting delegate.
The position of secretary/treasurer is still to be appointed.
