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HOBBIES KEEP HER YOUNG In September 1936 Mrs. Lila Steele bundled her 3 month old baby up and started out on a horse and buggy trek to the small eastern village of Lanark to titke part in a Senior Proyect being taught by the Home Economics Branch. It‘s not unlikely she had doubts about how valuable the 3 day Training School would be and probably wondered if her lime might “Qt be better spent at home meeting the demands of .cr family of ll. but she realized her responsibilities .0. The newly formed W.l. branch to which she be- .nged, was anxious to learn the skill of glovemaking 1d the Home Economics Branch was offering it the Mince. Mrs. Steele, chosen to attend Training School 1S "the sewer in her group” and seemed like a likely .ader. So she learned the craft, took her knowledge ink to her branch and taught its members. End of try, not exactly for this onejust happened to run full :lc. 40 years later Mrs. Steele had a chance to return favour to the Home Economics Branch. by teach- ; the local Home Economist the art ofglove making. 'vlryna Hagarty happened to be attending a 4~H eating at the home of Mrs. Steele when she became crested in some of the beautiful leather crafts the .tv was working on. Inquiring if she might consider lilting her, the instant reaction, “We‘ll arrange a or: to get together." Now several months later. Miss (gurty is grateful to Mrs. Steele and has gloves to ‘JVC it. While the story of Mrs. Steele‘s life may parallel lltl experience of many of the W.l. members, it would :niize the younger members and I‘m sure be an im- ctus for both ages. Dedicated to the idea that only :c body need ageâ€"not the mind. Mrs. Steele is cer- tnly evidence of this. Mrs. Lila Steele saves the scraps from leather glove making. to be used for other crafts. Born in Mississippi. Ontario into a farm family ofS Mrs. Steele learned the meaning of homemaking early when she was called upon to care for the family and home after the death of her young mother. When her youngest sister entered high school she was relieved of these responsibilities and was able to marry at 2] and moved onto a nearby farm where she is presently liv- Ing with her son and his family. Over the years Mrs. Steele. like many Women‘s Inâ€" stitute members elsewhere has taken an active role in the community. When physicians were scarce she actEd as a doctor to her neighbours and has assisted in delivering at last count 25 babies. An avid sewer ‘ilnCt: her childhood she is a seamstress for many and reveals that she has only bought one dress in her lifetime. Her homemaking skills and concern for people probably fostered an interest in the Women‘s Institute. She recallsjoining the Mississippi Branch on the night it was organized in June. 45 years ago. Still an active life member she reveals why her initial interest in it. “I joined because I felt it would improve my mind and keep in touch with my neighbours." After so many years and countless more meetings her attitude has changed little. She feels it “broadens your mind in so many ways and teaches you cooperation," You can go out to a meeting feeling tired and come home feeling twice as good." She points out the importance of at» tending meetings and the need ot‘a social hour to fos- ter this. So the rough ride to Lanurk 40 years ago has cer» tainly proved worth it for Mrs. Steele. Today she makes leather products for all her family as well as many l0cal people. Word of her skill is widespread and She has mailed her Crafts in every dirEction throughout Canada. Her latest businessâ€"hobby venture is the making of cushions of all sizes and material for customers far and wide. This being the result of taking a more recent Home Economics Branch course. Next she would like to learn how to crochet. And chances are that by the time this article is printed she’ll be doing just that. At age 82 Mrs. Steele is looking forward to learning an ever growing list ofsitills and new experiences both in- side and outside of Women’s Institute work. THE PAST HISTORY Lucan WI. Tweedsmuir History Curator. Mrs. Frank Hardy and her committee planned a meeting to include pictures. displays and books. Roll Callâ€"“A business and owner in Lucun prior to I950". information to be written which will be added to Tweedsmuir book. Mottoâ€"Historyâ€"mirror ol‘lhe past. guide and inâ€" spiration for the present and future. Meetingâ€"Resume of the history of the community since 1836 when surveyed by the Canada Company. Originally named “Marystown” after the surveyor‘s wife Mary McDonald the name was changed to “Lu- can" after Lord Lucan of lreland. and incorporated as a village in |872. Tweedsmuir Historyiis on display at the local li- brary where the librarian frequently turns the pages and the book is available to the public during library hours. Displaysâ€"of scrapbook and envelopes containing historical data along with a memorial book containing 738 historical obituaries and 98 names and dates of deaths of former residents k) Lu