AWI President's Newsletters

              Sorry to bidfarewell.... the new branch in District
Five - Prairie Rose- who has found it necessary to
disband after one year. We are sorry to see them
leave our organization, but wish them well as they
travel in a different direction.
Congratulations to Shirley Thomas for taking on
the duties of Constituency Convener for Twin
Bow, District Four.
Program Reminders - remember to leave a
program night free after your District Meeting to
share the Literacy Project Information. I will be
presenting the initial information at each District
Workshop Meeting this Spring and from there your
delegate will take back the kit provided by FWIC
for you, as a branch, to review and decide how you
might promote Adult Literacy in your community.
Projects to Consider - Did you know that hospitals
like to receive knitted slippers for children and
adults? The paper ones are no longer provided in
most hospitals and they love to have some on hand
for those who forget their slippers when being
admitted. The easy envelope slippers are a good
way to use up those wool scraps! Also, babies
( especially preemies) need little toques to retain
their body heat immediately after birth One ball of
Baby Wool will make four little toques - or once
again, use up those lovely scraps. If you would like
the pattern for these toques, drop me a line with a
self- addressed, stamped envelop and I will forward
a copy that was given to me by Valerie Nixon from
District One — who has made dozens for hospitals
in her area.
ACWW Mini Conference
Ten members from Alberta attended the mini-conference
held in Saskatoon November 12 - 14.
A great opportunity to network with other WI
members and members of other farm- women
organizations. Noel Whamond, Secretary of
ACWW attended all the way from Scotland. A
delightful lady who shared information from the
executive of ACWW. The various projects
undertaken by ACWW throughout the world were
described by Charlotte Johnson ( former FWIC
President). I would urge any of you who are
ACWW members to share project information from
the publication " The Country Woman" with others
from your branches. It became apparent that many
of us do not know the broad variety of projects that
are supported throughout the world - many more
than just the ones that Canada supports.
June 2001 will be the time when women from
around the world gather in Hamilton, Ontario at the
ACWW Triennial Conference. Information will be
available in the Country Woman publication as well
as in my newsletter or the Home and Country.
Quilters take note that Ontario has offered a
competition for quilt blocks to support the 2001
ACWW Conference. Quilt blocks will be made
into quilts , wallhangings and cushions and will be
raffled with the proceeds going towards Conference
costs.
• no entry fee - blocks become the property of
Ontario Coordinating Committee
• size - 14" finished ( worked area 13 Vi" square
with Vi " left for seam allowance)
• material - 100% cotton
• color - principle colors light to medium blue
and rose on a white background ( other colors
can be used in conjunction with the main
colors)
• design - pieced or applique or trapunto ( you
may enter one of each design)
• please do not quilt the block
• each entry must include the members name,
address, telephone and name of Society in a
sealed envelope securely attached to the back of
the block forjudging purposes
• blocks will be judged on workmanship and
color combination
• prize money for the top five blocks will be $ 20,
$ 18, $ 16, $ 14, $ 12
• entries must arrive by the Is' of March, 2000
• mail your blocks to: Mrs. Leila Pettigrew, 1665
Merlye Ave, Vickers Heights, Ontario, POT 2Z)
• enter a block or two and maybe yours will be
the winner and more importantly, it may be
purchased by a sister somewhere in a distant
country who visits the conference
As the holidays approach, I wish you all a happy,
safe season. Be sure to take time for yourself:
reflect on the positives; and dream about the
future. We have one opportunity to celebrate
the turning of a century - enjoy to the fullest all
the good the future holds for us.