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WOMEN’s INSTITUTE CENTENNIAL Celebration 8: FWIC CONVENTION ’97 By Lynn Lodge Ithough the formal opening ofthe 1997 Women‘s Institute Centennial Cele- bration and the Federated Women's institutes of Canada (FWIC) Triennial Con- vention was still hours away. the morning of Tuesday. June l7. saw the lobby of the Hamilton Convention Centre bustling as delegates began arriving. They came from across Canada. Scotland. England. Wales. ireland, New Zealand. South Africa. Germany and the United States, Volunteers scurried to direct people to the registration desk. hotels, tour buses and disâ€" play and business rooms. Down the hali approximately seventy women rehearsed for the first time lt'tgelhcr as the Official Conven~ tion '97 Choir. under the direction of Betty Walther and accompanied by Marlene Mathcson at the piano. The choir managed to find \time rehearsal time every day of the Convention and performed at all the major activities in the Hamilton Place Theatre. What a thrill for Marie Harris to hcar her winning WI Centennial Sting before this huge audience of members. The opening night in the Hamilton Place Theatre was full of pomp and ceremony. including the trumpet t'anl’arc. the parade of flags. the piper. the dignitaries welcoming addresses attd the national President Let the celebralians commence! A trumpet fanfare opened the ceremonies. Charlotte Johnson’s address to the cutting of the magnificent anniversary cake. with its myriad of sparkling candles. horse and buggy figures and the space shuttle. to commemo- rate the theme “Indebted to the Past - Committed to the Future." A special guest at the opening was itillyear old Mrs. Helen Baufelt of Thorold. Ontario. A very articuv late. long-time WI member. she emphatically told a media representative that she never stops praising the Women's Institute. If you wanted to be moti- vated to return to your Branch t'ull ofenthusiasm for our second century. then the first speaker on Wednesday moniing. Mr. Norm Rebin. l'ullilled your purpose with his t'aslvpaced and funny. but also scriom address. “Speak the truth with unfettered courage so that none of your crit- ics can silence you” he urged. congratulating the WI on their many programs throughout the years to help families. and especially childrcn. "Kids tell us the biggest reason for suicide is loss ot‘hope.They need models and Handicraft: Hooked Rug 0 Isabel Annie, Pickering, Ontario. Hmeytlalian.OntarioSouth mentors to look up to and must be inspired to hope and dream in technicolour." He made 11 clear that the Women’s Institute is an organi zation with a vital role to play in the future of the world. Working with schools. govern ments and political bodies on future longâ€"term planning is a goal the Institute can aspire to. Dr. Linda Ambrose. author of For Home and Country: The Centennial History of the Women ’s Institutes in Ontario. spoke on the Con- vention theme “Indebted to the Past." She asked: what is the nature of that debt?. what do you owe the past? She stated from the past comes three things which you are celebrating this week: the WI's cast of heroes; the Wi's model of continuity; and. the WT‘s spirit of unity. Rosalie Wysocki. one of Canada's leading motiva- tional speakers. encourged members to become more efâ€" fective and more productive. As members we are to re- mind ourselves “to welcome change“ and “everyday ex- pect something wonderful to happen. If ll hasn't happened by noon. make it happen." . Perhaps you came to the Convention to see what FWIC. the national organization. is all about? Throughout the week FWIC Presr dent Charlotte Johnson capably chaired many of the sessions and communicated her love for this organization and all its achieve- ments across this great country. It was also a great opportunity to hear incoming President Mildred Keith of New Brunswick. Delegates could meet and talk with all the Provincial Presidents. hear short summaries of the last Continued on page 7 F‘ch TWEEDSMUIR CGMPETITION WINNERS: Smamrfinlzine Wilson Competition:- " ' ' Essay with Photographs - . “WI e A; Family-Altair" Community History: Photo’Hlslory crummy-Old Buildings in Your Province - Joan Chalmers, Rld'itnonit Hill. Ontario. VaiIdoItVifi, YoIIIGi'antra' ‘ .' Cultural: Ono‘s-Act may: (a hurtinmtia’wirlrtuitient) - matings bampbeti. Round Hill. . Alberta, Round Hill Wt .F'wicsisiiciairroiact: "action cranium in The anniversary cake was rte-Signed and decorated by Jean Gingench of - . , . . Baden, Ontario. From left to right are Chariotte Johnson - FWIC Presrdent, i ' “Gems‘HlWWI-Gfllflam Grace Sutherland â€" President. Kemble WI. and June Williams v Presrdent. m aims r Stoney Creek Charter Wt. . ‘2 7: I . 6 Home 2. Country. Fall ‘97