Women’s Institutes of Ontario, PART FOUR

Pelham Women’s Institute organized March 31, 1934.

Tweedsmuir Village History begun January 3, 1951

History of our Branch

Pelham Women’s Institute

Our branch of the Women’s Institute was organized at Law’s School on March 31, 1934, with Mrs J.D. Martin of Welland in charge of the meeting. The first president was Mrs Charles Lynes and the secretary Mrs Earl Bissell. There were  36 members during our first years. Later there were about half that number, and at the present time we have 22.

In following the prescribed program as suggested for the W.I. many interesting and enlightening afternoons have been spent. Among our speakers were Mr. L.B. Duff. Mrs. L.G. Lymburner, the agricultural representatives of the time, and of course, our county presidents.

As most institutes, we have kept up our financial obligations by the holding of bake sales, teas, card parties and dances. Of late years the dances have been the most popular source of income, both from the standpoint of finances and from the satisfaction and entertainment afforded to all ages in the community. With the money thus made we have been able to give yearly to such worthwhile causes as Children’s Aid, Institute for the blind, Red Cross, Welland Hospital and many others equally deserving. When such special appeals as the Manitoba Relief Fund and the Hospital for Sick Children were made, we were able to respond. At the present time we are hoping to make a substantial contribution towards a hall which can be used by all the people hereabouts.

We realize that making money was never intended to be the chief aim of the Institute and have not expended all our efforts in that direction. Paying visits to such industries as the Sovereign Potteries in Hamilton was a source of interest to all who attended. The Horticultural Gardens run by the Niagara Parks Commission, The Atlas Steel plant in Welland, a trip to Rochester in lilac time and the Winter Fair in Toronto were some of the more entertaining of our activities.

We presented a pen to the Entrance pupil with the highest standing from the four schools of the district.

One of our members held several classes in smocking for any who wished to learn.

It is difficult to cover seventeen years of Women’s Institute work with a few words, but we can truly say that they have brought real pleasure, in association with friends and neighbors and at the same time a feeling of accomplishment for the general good of the community.

Women’s Institute War Work

Unfortunately, during the war years, our institute was at its lowest ebb. Despite the fact that quantities of knitted garments and sewing done for the Red Cross were considerable. In this we must acknowledge the welcome assistance of several women in the neighborhood who were not members, but who contributed a great deal to the work.

Various projects were undertaken such as dances, sales, tea and card parties from which we realized a fair profit. This enabled us to give generously to the Red Cross, to send boxes overseas, to equip utility bags and to furnish a variety of comforts to the forces.

There were no munitions plants or was industries near St Catharines, this being a purely agricultural area.

The labour problem being what it was during the war, many women took over a man’s work in the harvest field in the daily routine of a farm.

Singer’s Corners Institute maintains Tweedsmuir book
Welland Evening Tribune, Thurs,March 31, 1977

Singer’s Corners Women’s Institute was formed 23 years ago May 4, 1954, with 16 members. The first president was Mrs Roy Singer and the meeting was held at the home of Mrs Percy Singer. There are now 26 members.

Through the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario, the branches provide scholarships for girls to the University of Guelph. Through fees to the Associated Countrywomen of the World funds  are available to train women in health services, who the work in their own native villages to improve health and nutrition standards.

Singer’s Corners branch maintains a Tweedsmuir History book which traces and records the history of its area and events of local importance, thus providing an on-going record which will be if value in years to come.

Throughout the year , the branch holds ,monthly meetings with programs on agriculture and Canadian industries, citizenship and world affairs, education and cultural activities, and family and consumer affairs. Problems in the community and country as a whole are discussed, and suggestions are dealt with in the form of resolutions sent to the appropriate agencies.

During 1976 the Singer’s Corners branch presented a scholarship to a student at E.L. Crossley Secondary School. At Christmas time several elderly area residents were cheered with boxes of holiday goodies.

This branch took part in the “Needlepoint for Beginners” course sponsored by the home economics branch of the ministry of agriculture and food. Twenty-three women took part in this course.

To raise funds, a cooking demonstration was sponsored, featuring Elena Turroni, a caterer from Welland. From the proceeds of this very entertaining evening a donation was sent to the Jo Lavey Foundation, to be used in the fight against retinitis pigmentosa, a disease which results in blindness.

The present executive of the group includes past president– Mrs Roy Shoalts Jr.; president-Mrs Mike Bronn; first vice-president Hardy Damude; second vice-president-Mrs Ron Lahey; secretary treasurer-Mrs Walter Swick; alternate secretary-treasurer-Mrs Everett Daboll; district director-Mrs James Nelson’ Alternate director -Mrs Ken Jenter; public relations- Mrs John Wilson and Press representative-Mrs R. Covington.