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he Education Committee in our Sub- division (22) dispersed our February ‘blahs' by holding Tâ€"Shirt Magic Work- shops for over l00 women in three locations. Picture 30 women choosing and cutting their patterns, taking a turn at the iron, and then patiently drawing paint lines around intricately cut patterns as they cre- ate garments for themselves or their children and grandchildren. As I partici- pated, I couldn‘t help but draw parallels between this event and the makeâ€"up of the Women‘s Institute organization The fashion parade ending the event, for example, displayed as many different decorated garments as there were women in the room, Some creations were very floral; some glittered brightly, Other gar- ments were more conservative with smaller, wellâ€"organized patterns; and still other patterns were happily scattered in rakish abandon. Each garment expressed the owner's personality. and all were acceptable;just as all sorts of personalities and individuals are encouraged and accepted in our organization, Each woman scanning the other‘s crea- tion gave generous, positive and complimentary remarks about the garâ€" ment‘s design and originality Again, I could find parallels in our organization as members support, encourage, help, and willingly share their knowledge with one another. How could we be any other way? Deep down people want to identify with a group, to make a contribution, to express themselves and to exercise their creativity. They want to strive with others to partici- pate. to belong and to be involved. Isn't that what we're all about in the Women‘s Insti- tute? Amid allthe activity andsharing ofideas, news and laughter, these workshops will long be remembered as community events, The bonding agent used to adhere the ma- 6 Home 5 Country. Summer ‘94 terial to the T-Shirt reminded me of the bonding we enjoy as members of the Women’s Institute organization. As memâ€" bers. we are well aware that ‘a better world can be built only on coâ€"operation, not isolation.’ Recently, I received a call from a New Branch Organizer who had organized a new Branch the night before with the Pro- vincial Board Director. Both women attended, having their husbands drive them through a snow storm to get to the meeting (sounds like Erland Lee's meeting in Feb» ruary of 1897!), The second call came from a New Branch Organizer preparing for a talk to an existing Branch on encouraging present members and recruiting new ones. The key word in both conversations was loyalty. ‘To be loyal is to be involved, to be a participant and to belong.’ Interest- ingly, the new Branch members set their membership fee at $20 (so they would have some money in their Branch after paying fees to their District and Area, as well as to the FWIO, FWIC and ACWW). Here, by alty was the cement that held their group together. While the existing Branch ex- pressed concern that the WI fees were too high and kept women from joining, none of the newly organized Branches have made this comment, and they were willing to pay even more! At preSent, the fee per meeting of the Women's Institute organization is compa- rable to today’s cost of a loaf of bread. a litre of milk, a 454 gram block of butter, or a muffin and coffee â€" that‘s reality! Surely, members of the Women‘s Institute would like to be known as people of reality - keeping up with today's world and pro- gressive vision oftomorrow. Remember, loyalty has given the Women ’5 Institute its sense of permanence in our communities. Hilde Murden is the New Branch Co-ordr‘naror for the Federated Women's Institute: of Ontario. FWIC Competitions: Winning Entries from Ontario The following Women's Institute memâ€" bers won the FWIc competitions, outlined below, at the provincial level In Ontario. These entries were sent on to be Judged at the national travel. Senator Catrina Wilson Competition: Essay on 'A Little Known Historical Event" 1. Eleanor McLean - Eallinafad WI, Halton 2. Loreen Ambler - Vandort WI. York Centre Cultural Project: Children‘s Book - "There's a Hallyhoclr Looking in My Window" 1‘ Ann Falday-Flussell I - Elora WI. Wellington Centre 2. Nancy, Franklin - Pittsburgh Wl, Frontenac 3. Shirley Davidson and Carol Turner - Manotick WI. Carleton West Tweedsmulr Competitions: Community History - "An Album Tour of My Community" 1. Grace Scott ~Woolwieh Everlalthlul WII Waterloo N 2. Rosella Clancy - Stirling WI. Hastings West 3. Jean Ratclilte v Kirirron WI, Perth South Hand/craft Competition - “Slur/ed Toy” 1. Mary Jane Wingfiald - Asngrove Wl, Hanna 2‘ Phyllis Reynolds - Adolphustown WI. Lennox-Addington Cultural Competition â€" "A Humoumus Incident that Happened In My Family' 1. Margaret Amoit - - Hudson WI, Temiskamlng South 2, Eleanor MeKeown - Greenoek WIr Wellington Centre r-'wrc Past President's Essay: Essay on “Family Lila in the Year 2000' Tanya Gregson - Grade 5 Student lmrn Hillsburgh Marilyn Sharpe is the Unity Convenorfor the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario.