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FTER seeing a picture of the Goshen Women’s Institute orchestra, we asked one of the members, Mrs. John E. Miller to tell us something about it. Following is her reply1 “We started about five years ago. The idea of forming an orchestra came to us on the way home from the Ottawa convention Where we had been urged to find the talents of our members and to make use of them. It so happened that Mrs. Wesley Miller, a charter member, came back to live in the communit}r after being in Manitoba for some years. She had taken violin lessons as a child and played well. We discussed the possibility of an or- chestra and Mrs. Miller promised to play her i'iolin at the next meeting. We now have a second violinist, Mrs. Frank Bennet who also plays the guitar, mandolin and accordion. Mrs. Lawrence Seeley who plays the Spanish guitar promised to bring it to the next meeting too. Another member, Mrs. Stewart McLaren Played the piano and I could help a little at 'he piano when needed. “It happened that the next meeting was Held at my home. As the ladies were tuning their instruments the question aroeeiwhat instrument would I play? Just in fun I said 'Why the washboard, of course.’ (My son used 40 play it.) So I had to produce the washboard ,nd hunt around for metal thimbles. We all had no end of fun at this meetingiafter our =ousiness session of course. Everyone seemed to feel better for it. We realized we had lound some talent and we decided to make sfuture use of it. “We played at all our Institute meetings that fall and for our own parties and dances and entertained other groups as well. Our audiences seemed to get such a kick at listen- mg and also watching ‘mere women’ playing the instruments and producing old favorite FALL 1957 â€"Ottuwa. Evening Journal Photo The Goshen Women's Institute Orchestra. An Institute Orchestra tunes like ‘Turkey in the Straw'. The Irish Washerwoman', ‘Crooked Stovepipe', ‘Little Burnt Potato' and many others. At one of our meetings we decided to call ourselves ‘The Goshen Women’s Institute Orchestra‘. “The first time We played at a gathering other than for Institute groups was at a Ladies' Aid Party in the church hall. We were a mystery item on the programme. Three of us dressed in men’s attireâ€"dress suits and top hats. We could not find a suit for Mrs. Wesley Miller so she was gowned in a long black velvet party affair with flowers in her hair. and was introduced as ‘the only lady in the group‘. Mrs. McLaren could not be with us on this occasion but Mrs. Lorne Cram of North Horton Institute made an excellent substitute. We all had such fun, the surprised audience included. Following this party we were invited to many others and were always well received. “We now have the Hawaiian guitar played by Mrs. James Robertson and she is also our ‘caller’. (We presume this means a caller for square dances. _) Mrs. McLarcn and Mrs. Wesâ€" ley Miller are joint leaders and when we go out of the community the arrangements are usually made by myself. We have been inâ€" vited to entertain for various groups. include ing the Renfrew Curling Club. the Renfrew Hospital Board arranging their nurses“ Christâ€" mas party, special parties of other Institutes and the Renfrew Senior Citizens. The elderly people square-danced to our music and some of them step-danced. Our audiences seem appreciative and we enjoy ourselves too. “I would like to mention particularly the garden party of the Local Council of Women of Ottawa. For this party we wore houseâ€" dresses, large white aprons with handmade lace around the bottom and sunâ€"bonnets, each of us wearing a different colour. Our costumes 21