Winter, 1933.39 t__________fl//â€"flâ€"â€"â€"____â€Cwâ€"leâ€"â€"â€"â€"â€"fâ€"_News Flashes From the Institutes WHOLESOME FAMILY LIFE (Continued from page 1, col. 1) tions and everyone works. When the furniture is placed to suit the group, then the accessories and pictures are considered. These mean much to the appearance of the room. Perhaps more discussion will come up With these than ith the furniture. If one is blessed with too many accessories and pictures, the number necessary to create good design in the mom could be used now, the rest put away to be brou ht into use when a. change is wante . ‘ > Light in the room is considered throughout the study of the room: For instance, if no one plays the piano, there is no need that the piano have the best lighting in the room. If u member of the family reads in the daytime, then We would plan for a place for that activity at a Window. It is not enough to make the room look beautiful, it should meet the needs of the family. So the true test of the work will be their living .in it. They may ï¬nd that changes Will be necessary. But there will be an earnest consideration of the situation This ï¬rst day's work is done with the Department instructor present. To follow up the idea of learning by doing, at least five other rooms are done in the community without the in- structor. Later a return visit is made by her. To each hostess a question- naire is sent. The answers to these give us a bird’s eye view of the work and also give us an idea of how the work is progressing. 0n the other hand, it helps the woman in that she has one other form of expression. We have made return visits in only one district as yet for this year's workiEast Middlesex. To date, sev‘ enty-six percent of the hostesses have returned their questionnaires. We are indeed pleased with this, but are looking for the remainder in the near future. Not only are we pleased with the number but also with the quality of the reports. We have a right to believe that these women are recog- nizing that the key to a well furnished house is not money but rather knowl- edge and judgment. So a home conference is really a. form of study where the problem at hand is studied, not one made for the occasion. (Contributed by Miss Esther A. Slicter, Women’s Institute Branch.) FIRE SUFFERERS AIDED When ï¬re swept the Fort Frances area in the Rainy River District in October last, many families found themselves suddenly homeless, but cer- tainly not friendless. The Ontario De ai'tment; of Agri- culture coâ€"operute with the Ontario Branch of the Red Cross Society through which an appeal for help was made to Women’s Institutes. From the Women’s Institute Branch, appeal was made to three convention areas through the area conveners on Relief. Funds, as well as bales of clothing and bed- ding, were quickly forwarded to the committee in charge of supplies at headquarters. We gratefully acknowledge gener- ous bales from Institutes in the Lon- don Area, the Listowel Area, the gentral Area, and from the Hamilton rea. Central Ontario Institutes contri- buted $22.85; the Barrie convention area, $25.00: individual contributions, $6.00; making total cash receipts $53.85. Twenty-three Institutes and several individuals made acce table contribu- tions of clothing, be ding and footâ€" wear. Transportation charges on the goods forwarded in response to our request were provided by the Provinâ€" cial Board. ' We are pleased to pass on the exâ€" pressions o gratitude to all Institutes and individuals, whether donations were made through the Women’s Inâ€" stitute Branch or some other source. (Contributed h Miss M. Viola Powell, Women’s nstitute Branch) Aldershot, Wentworth Co.â€"Followa printed programmes which are care fully planned for the entire year, and has adopted the plan of providing transportation to the meetings. This year, the membership has almost treblcd doe large] to this plan. Deccw Falls, elland Co.â€"Con- centrated on “Old Clocks". This aroused the members to the beauty and value of their old possessions which might be restored to useful- ness. An address was given on ‘clocks', and a review of the life of Abigail Becker. Greater respect for the pioneers of the country was in- duced by this review. Kentvale, St. Joseph Islandâ€"Had a roll call when each member named a good Canadian book to read. Pa era were given on books by Canadians and the value of good literature in the home. Current events and a question box furnished additional information. This Institute utilizes the travelling library service and also supports a local library through which there is an exchange of library books with other libraries. Bin-wick, York (Emâ€"Held an edu- cational meeting on Historical Re- search at which there was a book dis- play. One volume was 189 years old, and several volumes well over the cen- tury mark. Articles over 100 years old included wooden clogs, a Dutch Bible and a complete set of Robert Burns’ poems. Letters dated 93 years ago were displayed. This re- sulted in an appreciation of their forefathers and an added respect for articles of historic signiï¬cance. Agincourt, York Co.â€"Is studying the historic background of Canadian cities. One city is selected each month. This is stimulating interest in Canadian history, with the result that books on the subject are being sought in public libraries and are being read with new interest. Delhi, Norfolk Conâ€"Created deï¬nite interest in music by having a musi- cal evening. Papers were given on the beginning and development of music and some compositions of the masters were played. This resulted in a deeper appreciation of good music and requests for further study of the subject. Orkney, Wentwortli Co.â€"Gave a practical demonstration of “good neighbours". One afternoon, instead of the regular meeting, the members helped to prepare a house for a family which had recently lost their home through fire. Baskets of fruit, quilts, and household furnishings were generously given. Pusliuch, Wellington Co.â€"Held its annual At Home with about seventy visitors. A guest speaker gave an address on Peace. In addition to the music and other items, the members dressed to represent people of important countries and presented music or readings of the countries represented. Fontbill, Welland GILâ€"Celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 1938. A re- same of the accomplishments of the Institute was presented by the secre- tary. Eight of the charter members, the county secretary of 25 years ago and the present county oflicers con- tributed to the ï¬ne programme. Adol hustown, Lennox Co.â€"Heard an ad ress from the district presi- dent, in which she prepared the Insti- tute for the district annual meeting by speaking of the business which would be dealt with and explaining some of the items on the agenda. Conway, Lennox Co.â€"Demonstrat4 ed. in a convincin manner, the cultural value of muSIc. Four schools were represented in a musical recital which was given in the early summer by the music instructor. The Insti- tute ï¬nanced the rental of the hall and no admission fee was charged. This recital showed the value of musical instruction in the schools. It also created much interest in the parents and some members of the school board, who, formerly, had been unsympathetic toward the work. Odessa, Lennox Co.â€"â€"Dcvoted its agricultural meeting to the study: honey. The roll call was answei ed _ Y giving a way to use honey. All I!)- formaï¬ve paper on bees and their product was given by one of the mem- bers who is engaged in the honey in- dustry. A demonstration of interest was a honey sandwwh 5 read. This spread was1 use: for t e luncheon hour refies men s. , Islington, York (Joâ€"Enlisted the services of a local lawyer to putline some points relative to women s_ pro- perty rights and joint ownership of property The subject was so ably presented that deï¬nite interest was aroused and the members decided to devote a period of time each month to some phase of legislation. The re- presentative of the legalrprofcssio‘n generously agreed. to direct their study as for as possible. Trent River, Peta-borough Co.â€"'Is contributing to a better community life through its work on beautiï¬cation installation of street lights and ran signs for safety. Sports and recre- ation are also given Institute support by the upkeep of the rinks for Com- munity Night celebrations. Contri- butions are also made to the hockey teams and a community get-together each month. Havclock, Peterborough Co.â€"Showe interest in Child Welfare by re- viding milk for 22 school chil ~ren who are in need of additional nourish- ment. _ Westwood, Peterborough Co.â€"List- ened to a well prepared paper on the control of ragweed, which gave practical helps for the elimination of this weed. Amherst Island, Lennox Co.â€"Had a splendid response to the school pro- gramme meeting. The teachers of four schools directed their pupils in presenting the programme empha- sizing health rules. The large at- tendance of parents was an indication of their interest. Maple Leaf, Lennox Co.â€"Studied community needs from a carefully prepared paper by one of the mem- bers. This resulted in the Institute applying for a travelling library as a means of meeting a felt need for the young people. , New Dundee, Waterloo Co. â€" Be- came interested in legislation in an unusual way. Following a paper which dealt with laws, especially af- fecting women and children, the members listened to an address on “\Vhat is expected of the wife of an M.P. and how she occupies herself while Parliament is in session". Haysvil'le“ Waterloo Co.~Conduct- ed a patriotic sing song in connection With the Peace Education Programme. The sipging of the members was in recognition of King, country, flag and home. An address was 'ven on the topic, Let’s Know Our ountry. Maple Grove, Waterloo Co.â€"0b_ served the Yuletide month with gift exchange and donations for cheer baskets._ The story of Christmas and its signiï¬cance was told and carols were sung. Mill Creek. Waterloo Co.â€"Devoted 011% meatlng to Home Economics with a discussion on housewives and separ- ate allowances. An unusual feature of the programme was the preparation and calculation of the cost of mate. rials for a supper dish. Six members took part in this demonstration and the ï¬nished dish formed a part of the refreshments at the tea hour. Gordon Lake. Algonia District,â€" Leamed, at the annual meeting many Shh?†are rm *3" rope ‘ , cus ms an ani ' isiiBSouipt Africa. mals ° Bm' 31' iv". Algoma Dist ' _ PWï¬tEd by a home nursing 1222159 under 8 Departmental instruct“);- .B‘“'k's F3118. Parry Sound Dis: trictâ€"lillected two women to the tOWTIShllJ council for 1939 one of Wham headed the polls iiver the councillors. Ride of interest to know that this councillor is the grandam of the Parry Sound - men's Institute, south “met Wu' COMMUNITY LIFE INSTITUTE HAD BUSY YEAR The Ontario Association for Adm, Education (0.A.A.E.) represents the Adult Section of the Ontario Edu_ cutional Association, and is cum. posed of representatives of Vflrioug' organizations with adult education] interests, which have no separate 35¢. tions within the 0.E.A. The purpose of the Association is to shoulder re. aponsibility for providing conuan education for young people who have left school early. Its aims are stated as: ' "1. To stimulate interest in and de. velopment of Adult Education. 2. To foster Adult Education re. search. 3. To eta-ordinate Adult Education locally, prairincially and nationally." One of its three major Problems is Rural Adult Education. The Women's Institutes of Ontario have a representative in this Associ- ation, Mrs. Wm. Elliott of Gnlt. Mrs. Elliott is also a member of the advisory council of the Community Life Training Institute. The purpose of this Institute in to enrich the cultural and recreational life of rural Ontario. In April, a meeting was held in Hamilton, when a name was chosen, a constitution drawn up and an Executive and an Advisory Committee formed. The secretary has reported that dining the summer seven playground for children had been organized am ried onâ€"six of them in Oxford County where nearly 400 school chil- dren took part. The activities ill- cluded instruction in arts and crafts, puppets, music and games. Belore starting the school, a training when] for volunteer leaders was most ‘- cessfully carried on in Wood. with an attendance of people. During the summer months. a Creative Leisure Institute was licld in Alma College, St. Thomas, with an attendance of 36 pupils. Insiiuc- tion was ‘ven in I'eCI‘EDLIUII. dramatics, fol dancing, glove mak- ing, weaving, puppets and making musical instruments. During the past fall, County Ite- creation Schools were held in l'rvi-tli County and in Oxford County. These are leadership schools designed Ill train leaders for the home groups. The schools run for five weeks, with a meeting one evening each week and include singing, folk dancing, wood carving, lino cutting, makin mllSlL'nl instruments and dramatics. ne oi the most important values of these schools lies in t e factthat they are carried on as community projects, which means that; the young people are using the larger units of organization and learning how much more mal‘ be d_one by co-operation than could pos- Sibly be achieved by individual eflori. In Simcoe County, a county drama league has been formed. Instruction will be given in Midland Barrie, Cold- water and Orillia. A drama festival in February or March on a county basxs will conclude this seasons activities. They have also organized ï¬ve three- day schools in Kent, Oxford and Wellington Counties. These schools are expected to lay the ground Wka for a supervised winter study PW flame. The courses of study 9!! community organization, co-operiitive economics, and recreation. Abulletin for leaders called "Com- munity Recreation†has been issued. The ï¬rst two issues deal with the facilities provided by the Travelling ibraries and the Art Gallery of Tgronto. A radio list which is called Listening Guide, giving wortliwlillE Programmes, is also issued. There seems much sea a for the work of the Community Iiife Tram- mE Institute which is being carried on so well. 40 young