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llenora Disirici Wl The Dryden Observer extended a heart- felt thanks to the three Branches in Kenora District - Barclay. New Prospect and Oxdrift a for baking some IZOO short- bread cookies for the bonfire after the Santa Claus parade. Phelps WI, iiipissing Al the suggestion ul' one member, the Phelps Branch sponsored a Fall Fair last year to celebrate the 100th anniversary ol’ the founding of Phelps Township. Other community groups ~ the Volunteer Fire Department, Library, Golden Age Club, Recreation Council. Vets Club and TOPS Club - wholeheartedly participated in planning the celebration. Phelps Central School was the centre of WI activities, including a Senior's Tea. Tweedsmuir History Book displays and craft. garden- ing and children‘s work exhibits, The weekend festivrties also included a teen dance. a pancake breakfast, a scavenger hunt, a silent auction, a dance and horse- shoe tournament. a parade, a baseball tournament, an ecumenical church serv- Icc and. nicourse, fireworks! A special fund raiser for the Phelps wt was the sale of note cards depicting picâ€" tures olcarly schools and buildings in the Township A Fall Fair for l999 is in the works! Furdwich WI members made candle craft gifts to be used in the Family Lifestyles Sections at thiL= 1999 International Plowing Match being hosted in Dashwood In Huron County. From left to right are Fordwich members Sharon Agla, Leone Foerter, Lavina Rattan and Jean Clarkson. Submtlted by Leone Faerie: Fomwlch wt, Huron East 14 Home 8. Country, Spring 1999 Birr Wl, Middlescn East Each year, this Branch sponsors an essay contest in the London and area schools. The $25 prize for last year's essay “Things I am Grateful for in My Life" went to student Angela Stanley, For more inl‘ormation on how to organize an essay contest in your area.call Eileen Van Meet at (5 l9)438â€"4826. Hinchinbrooke Public School Librarian Glenda Young (centre) was presented with a copy of For Home and (ountry' The History of the Women's instiv rules in Ontario. Godfrey Wl President Cindy Lowery (left) and Parham WI President Mary McCourty (right) presented the centennial history on behalf of the two Branches. v t L~_._L_.'___â€"‘L._.'_._ A_, â€"«..__._..Aa_ Tcamworth WI, Lennox~Addington This Branch presented a Friend of WI Award to local realtor Robert Storring for his many selfless hours donated to Branch efforts. During a tour of the Wellington County Adminis- trative Building, two Damascus WI members » Anne Calder (left) and Gwen Wilson (right) <Spent time in jail. After their release, they both stated the cell was very small and extremely uncomfort- able. Definitely not a place for someone with claustrophobia! The tour was the Branch ’5 Citizen» ship and Legislation meeting for the year. Submitted by Dianne 0n. Damascus WI, Wellington North. Last fall. Rosiin WI and community members rehearsed diligently for a Christmas performance of a dramatic reading of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. Judy Maddren of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation spearheaded these readings across Canada during the past nine years. Many communities received the scripts and the guidelines for reading, The money raised must go to a charity supporting Dickens' concern for children, the homeless and the sick. Proceeds from the December performance were presented ta Dr. Douglas Macintosh from the Oncology Clinic at the Belleville General Hospital and a local organization called "Huntingdan People Helping People. " Presenting the cheque from left to right are Lesley Hancock - FRO, Pat Isaac - President and Alta Vance â€" Chair, Trent Valley Area. Submitted by Lesley Hancock. F'FIO, Floshn WI. Hastings Ea‘