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.toked in the large ovens at the Peel Memorial ospital, the Peel Manor and the Ontario aining Centre; also, the gravy was made s-ady for use in these kitchens by their cooks. Four kitchens were set up by the Con- mers‘ Gas Company. Each branch had its wn kitchen, but pooled the food. Two gas at water heaters were set up at the central ,oint on each side of the hall and were run '1; a temperature sufficient to make all the tea :_ d coffee (Instant). It took two full days to set up tables and hairs and cover the banquet. The 4-H girls ame in and served the meal which had to be erved and cleared away in 55 minutes. This .- as accomplished. As chairman of this committee, may I say at I have never had a greater challenge, of co-operation and co-ordination reigned suâ€" reme and we felt it was a great accomplish- ll eat for our Women’s Institutes. Financially, each of these four branches ealized $600 for their work. This proved to '- enough for a year’s earnings, and many elt it was enough catering for the year, too. a: a a , Following the banquet, Mrs. Dixon received . letter from Mayor Prouse of Brampton in hich he wrote: “I am writing to compliment you personally and your Women’s Institutes generally for the manner in which the Brampton banquet was tendered to the ploughmen and other visitors. “Let me say that I have had nothing but complimentary remarks extended to me as LMayor of the Municipality for the tremendous display of efficiency linked with good food served warm and tasty. Dr. Feuerlein. Presiâ€" dent of the World Ploughmen‘s Association has asked me to express these remarks to you as has Col. Con Smythe who indicated that he had attended banquets the world over and wanted me specifically to tell you that he felt this was the best handled banquet he had ever attended." AMATEUR ORCHESTRA By Mrs. George Holt N 1955 WHEN Mrs. W. W. Campbell of I Stroud was District President of South Simcoe, she and her executive, after conâ€" sulting all branches, decided to have a Variety Night Concert to raise the district's financial status which had become alarmingly low. When the decision of the twenty branches became unanimous. with each branch contributing a number not more than ten minutes in length. a committee was appointed to plan Thornton’s participation in the program. This committee met and after some deliberation decided to have a Novelty Band, Mock Orchestra, Hill- WINTER l964 hilly Group, or whatever name would be the most suitable. Mrs. Willis Smith was the pianist and leader of the group, and so “The Smithettes“ seemed an appropriate name. As one member could do a little “calling off" we decided to have enough in the group so that we could finish off With a square dance. We had comb and kazoo players. a washboard, cymbals (saucepan lids), a ukelele, a guitar, and bells on a broom head. Half of us dressed as cowgirls, while the other half were garbed as cowboys, thus in the square dance we could assume our proper positions. For the dance, the music consisted of the pianist and one assistant. while the other eight danced. Our rehearsals were held in the homes and we enjoyed every minute of them. Our first public appearance, if we might call it that. was in Cookstown Town Hall in January 1956 when we were honored by be- ing put on the program as the first item, and each performance was repeated to the over- flow audience in the basement of the hall. The whole “Variety Night Concert" was taken to other villages in the district. Stroud and Bondhead, later that spring. because of the popularity of the idea. In September 1956 our local group. the Thornton Smithcttes, entertained at Simcoe Manor at Beeton with the same cast. In 1962 when it was our turn to visit the elderly citizens again. we decided to re-cast our Smithettes. as we felt. after six years. repeti- tion would be acceptable. This time, the wash- board and combs were replaced by triangles. Our first performance was for our own Insti- tute‘s Annual Family Night, in January. fol- lowed by our Simcoe Manor visit the same month and then again in November at a local community presentation for newlyweds. Who knows what the future holds? ADELAIDE HOODLESS â€" HER MESSAGE FOR TODAY By Aldene Rowe The following article is taken from a paper given at an Institute meeting by Mrs. Llo_i'(l' Rowe, Public Relations Officer for the District of Thunder Bay Northâ€"Editor. OW OFTEN DO we day-dream about H what might be? What ifâ€"‘? I wonder how it would be ifâ€"? I have been in- dulging in this pastime and wondering how Adelaide Hoodless would feel if she were to come back today as president of our Women‘s Institute which she founded sixty-five years ago. Would she pick tip the reins and continue on the path already laid by our present day leaders? Would she be satisfied with the progress that has been made since her day? Would she suggest any changes? 27