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BETWEEN THE LINES Mrs. Keith Hiepleh President Fedora tad Women 's Institutes of Ontario Dear WI Members: Attending meetings in the winter months is often a chal» lenge. With several centimetres of snow arriving weekly and ground-drifting taking place in open areas. highways and particularly less travelled roads can become impassable very quickly. Similarly. driveways leading to our homes become clogged with snow repeatedly. Foresight is there- fore necessary to ensure that one arrives on time for meet» ings scheduled a great distance from home. February 8th. I was invited to attend the official Opening of Federated Women's Institutes of Canada 85th Anniver- sary Exhibition. “For Home and Country" 1397â€"1982. in the foyer of Ottawa City Hall. Upon arising very early that morning, I discovered a metre high snow drift in front ofthe garage door and another larger drift in the driveway. It was impossible to get the car out of the garage until the snow was removed. Anticipating a possible problem. my hus- band. the previous evening, had placed the truck in the driveway near the mad and I was able to use it for transpor- tation. Fortunately there was no delay at the airport and I arrived in Ottawa on time. The opening ceremonies took place in spacious Whitton Hall. Ottawa City Hall. Approximately one hundred and fifty guests consisting of Women's Institute members from several provinces. government officials. ambassadors‘ wives and numerous other people were graciously wel- comed by Mrs. Emmie Oddie. President FWIC. the only national rural women’s organization in Canada. Greetings were extended from the Associated Country Women of the World by the Honourable Martha P. Bielish. LED. Vice President (Canada) ACWW. The guest speaker, The Honourable Eugene Whelan. M.P. Minister of Agriculture, praised the initiative and hard work of the Women‘s Institute members in promoting the dialogue on “Producer - Consumer Relations". The latest statistics rc- veal that women living on a farm spend on an average thirty hours weekly in the barn and fifty-three hours in the home attending to various chores; women who accept positions do make sacrifices. Her Worship. Mayor Marion Dewar. proclaimed Feb- ruary 7-13 as WI Week in Ottawa. This proclamation was followed by words of praise to the Women‘s Institute or- ganization in adapting to change by The Honourable Pauline McGibbon. C.C,. L.L.D., former Lieutenant Gov- ernor of Ontario. who officially opened the 85th Anniver- sary Exhibition. The Exhibition was divided into three sections. Founding and Hisrory. Work and Pr0jects and thirdly, Awards. Hon- 4 ms and Achievements. Some of the interesting items loaned for exhibit included a capy in oils. painted by Toronto artist Miss Marion Long. ot' the original portrait of Mrs. Adelaide Hunter Hoodless. a black and white portrait of Erland Leg several Handbooks â€" the oldest Handbook displayed dated 1907. Educational Committees pamphlets; Provincial WI publications; photographs: documents; boobs; afghans: m] paintings; A House Log and a large wall hanging illustrating straw weaving made by a W] member in Saskatchewan for the 60th Anniversary of FWIC. Following a tour of the Exhibit. several Ontario am Quebec Branches served a sandwich lunch to the guegi Credit for coordinating the display was given to Mrs. Jan: Morgan. Public Relations Officer for FWIC. The exhibitio clearly illustrated the commitment of Women‘s lnstilu. members to seek a better life for rural women throng homemaking. health and educational knowledge. Two days later. Mrs. Helen Duffield. Officers‘ Confe ence Secretary-Treasurer and i met with the University v Waterloo conference co-ordinator and his secretary at it- University to finalize arrangements for the 34th Annu Ot‘ficers‘ Conference. Public Relations Officers and Brant Members-at-large will be attending this year‘s special trai- ing forum to develop their leadership qualities and becon better informed Wl members. - Later that same day. I had the pleasure of presenut several awards at the College of Family and Consumi Studies. University oquelph. The winners and guests we» welcomed to the Awards reception by Dr. Janet Wardlavâ€" Dean of the College. Nineteen students were selected for the 1981 FWl‘ Macdonald Awards and eighteen winners were present I receive their cheques and certificates. Ms. Joyce Canning. Regional Supervisor. Home Economics Branch, assistt with the presentations. It is the interest from the Adelait Hoodless Scholarship. established at the time of the 50 Anniversary of the first Women‘s Institute. that has mat the Macdonald Awards possible. All students from Ontari admitted to the first semester of the degree program at tl College of Family and Consumer Studies may procure . application form for the Macdonald Awards from the Assi tant registrar, after the beginning of the semester. An added highlight at this year's Awards reception w. the presentation of the Helen M, McKercher Scholarsh‘ certificates to Anne-Marie McHugh and Ms. Joyce (‘3' ning. The winners are enrolled at the University of Guelp‘ Miss McHugh. majoring in Consumer Studies/Clothing. expected to receive her Masters of Science degree in Augu . 1982. Ms. Canning is enrolled in a Masters program 1 Extension Education with time of completion not yet esta - fished. This past winter as l have travelled in a heated vehic ‘ great distances to various meetings. I have often thought i I Mrs. Hoodless and Mr. Erland Lee. co-founders of the \‘ l and the 10] women who braved that stormy night of Fe - ruary 19. 1897 to attend the memorable meeting at Squire . Hall. Stoney Creek, Ontario, when the first formal organ ‘ zation of a Women's Institute took place. Let us ever i mindful of the first Women's Institute pioneers who pave the way for the promotion of better living. Harmonizin home and community life is still today’s aim for Women Institutes,