1939 - Convention Report

              30 A L B E R T A WOMEN'S INSTITUTES
the year's work of one, the Gordon W. I., and trust they will continue to func­tion
successfully. Regret some of the Branches are opposed to the Provincial
fee, but hope that they will still carry on as members of the W. I. This Con­stituency
has around 250 members and all doing splendid work in their locality.
Red Deer Centre— Mrs. William McFarlane convenes eight Branches of
wide- awake women doing all possible for Home and Country with Provincial
and Constituency fees paid. Congratulations on the organization of the North
Red Deer Branch, also the Hillsdown Valley on their decision to carry on as
an Institute after discussing several times the advisability of disbanding.
Penhold are still working hard and are very proud of their Hall Garden.
Red Deer East— Mrs. J. H. Brown, Convener. Has five Branches, with
around 100 members doing splendid community work. Demonstrations were
held during the year in carding, spinning and dyeing of wool with rugs and
other articles being made. Quilts, Afghans and layettes also kept the members
busy. One Branch presents W. I. babies with $ 1.00 while another gives to the
new baby an engraved spoon. Donations have also been sent to the Radium
Fund.
Red D^ er West— Mrs. J. McTavish, Convener, reported eight active
Branches during the two- year period with 121 members and all dues paid.
They raised nearly $ 1,000.00 and much of this being spent on flowers and
fruit for the sick, Christmas hampers, mothers' bundles, food and clothing,
first aid kits and School Fair prizes. They also supplied hospitalization for
a sick child. Members are interested in the Rocky Mountain Hospital and
have assisted with donations. One Branch entertained its members with a
trip to the Lacombe Experimental Farm and after a pleasant visit there re­turned
to Sylvan Lake, took in a show, and arrived back home very glad that
they were members of the W. I.
Ribstcne— Mrs. T. A. Wright is Convener of three Branches with 22 mem­bers.
This district also has difficult times but in spite of conditions have as­sisted
locally with school and community affairs, helped to provide clothing
for babies and fruit for the sick. I wonder if we realize and appreciate the
work some of these Branches have done and are doing?
Sedgewick-^- Mrs. M. A. Johnson convenes five Branches with! 92 members
and they are very busy improving their schools, halls and cemeteries. Argyle
W. I. celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1938 with its first President, Mrs. Fleming,
giving a brief history of their early years and later cut a beautifully decorated
birthday cake. Lougheed had their coming- of- age party when one of their
first members, Mrs. Gill Sedgewick, was the guest speaker. Congratulations
and best wishes for many more years of service in the W. I.
Stettler— Mrs. W. McDonald reports five Branches with 100 members.
Foremost has disbanded for the present but hope to re- organize. Members
have raised $ 870.00. All locals are working hard improving their cemeteries,
communities and schools. Stettler is responsible for the caretaking of the
cemetery. A donation to the Radium Fund was sent from Scollard.
Wetaskiwin— Mrs. M. Grant convened four Branches in 1937 and seven
Branches in 1938 and one prospect, Mulhurst wishing to: organize. Branches
are interested chiefly in health problems, have given much thought and study
to the subject and have donated liberally to the Radium Fun, are also inter­ested
in handicrafts and have wonderful exhibits at Conferences and Conven­tions.
Falun W. I. made and raffled a bed- spread to assist a seriously injured
man, also sent several members to Olds Farm Week. This Constituency has
raised almost $ 890.00, expending over $ 820.00.
In closing my final' report as Director, I wish to express my appreciation
and thanks to all who have assisted in making my service a pleasure, and
trust my successor will have the same joy and happiness with the members
of District No. 3.
Service is the rent we pay for our space on earth.