The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

A Useful Institute Hall By Kathryn Hansuld Lamb in Ontario is 0Wned by the Rothsay branch near Palmerston. Back in 1943 only a handful of members remained in the Rothsay lodge of the Cana- dian Order of Foresters. It was rumored that their hall was to be sold for a commerc1al feed establishment, or perhaps a mill. Because the hall stood next to the United Church, many people were wgrried at the prospect. Then, too, the Foresters’ Hall had been practically the only place where social gath- erings could be held. The Orange Lodge had its owu hall but it was used mainly by that group, The hall was badly in need of repair and brightening up; the walls were dark and un- attractive; the roof leaked and the Wind got in through the cracks. But it was a hall, and better than none at all. The people turned to the only community group, the Women’s Institute, to purchase the hall. As the Institute was, at that time, an affiliated unit of the Red Cross, it was felt that Institute funds should not be used for the purchase. So with some hesitation, a canâ€" vass of the district for a radius of about eight miles was underaken by the Institute. The purchase price for the hall was $250, and with the lamps, lanterns, chairs, stove and other furnishings, the entire cost totalled $308, The canvaSS realized $322, and the town- ship made an additional grant of $100, The extra money was immediately put into im- provement of the property. The first project undertaken was patching the roof and putting in a new ceiling, which brightened the interior as well, Other im- ONE or THE raw Women’s Institute halls Women's Institute Hall at Rothsuy. 32 GOLDEN WEDDING IN NOVEMBER By Mary Bell Holden You want a story, children? \Vell, Here is a love-tale I can tell. He said "I love you" in the spring, When high romance was in the air And young green leaves were murmuring And I wore rosebuds in my hair ’ And earth beneath the plow smelled S“'€El, And oh, my heart rejoicedâ€"until '- A small voice whispered, "Spring's a cheat' He thinks he loves you now. But will His love burn bright when no flowers Elm, Their heady fragrance on the air, When there's no flash of bluebird‘s wing? Spring weaves her charms into a snare. The heart she wakes, too oft she breaks. Beware, take care!" He came again. It was the fall. Not when the elm grove was ablaze And zephyrs sighed, and over all Was hung a dreamy autumn haze... But on a bleak November morn Of raw north wind and creaking boughs. My old grey coat was sadly worn But fine enough for milking cows! No flowers Were tucked behind my ear . .. He said, "You're going to marry me! \V’e've waited long enough, my dear." And the wind sang right merrily... And now our golden wedding day is just i i “(Eli away. You ask, and does he love me still? \Veil ‘ n, he doesn’t say! I think he thinks I know. my dears; It’s been a happy fifty years. ‘k ‘k * provements in the past 15 years he. been the installation of hydro, a new h.- «and floor, a new roof and red imitation l: : :ld- ing. The ceiling and walls were paint. :wri‘ and the woodwork and furniture. ' own There is an excellent stage of nature .-1ned panelling with sliding doors at 0361' rear and side entrances. The kitchen facilities are not 6 Vil'alc. consisting of a two-burner hot plate u heavy Wiring and open shelves. Curtains at . um. dow show the women's touch since i. r, hall was taken over. The women are U 0‘” caretakers, even to scrubbing and we is the floors. The hall is in constant use. Since ‘3?! “19 Institute has held all its monthly w WINES there where a large framed portrait :' Mrs Adelaide Hoodless looks down from i - “'3” The Junior Farmers also meet thr Rent from presentations and dances, for W“ Ch the hall accommodates 200, helps with ".u'llllen' ance costs, and helps fulfil the 13mlWe for which the Institute purchased the Mallâ€"10 meet a need in the community. HOME AND COUNTRY