Fun Seekers – Dunrobin: WISH Clue #1
Pam Smith-Hlady (Captain) Jane Hillary, Adele Muldoon and Jean Sullivan
In response to the 1st clue of the WISH Scavenger Hunt, The Fun Seekers Team plowed their way through the snow on Feb 4th to gather with our plaque honouring the Dunrobin and District WI. This plaque was installed on the corner greenspace in Dunrobin in May 2018 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Dunrobin and District Women's Institute.
It was no easy feat getting a picture next to the plaque as the amount of snow on site following the January 16th storm presented a challenge. However, on the second try, after ensuring proper footwear, and our trusty ski poles we made it to the plaque!
We attracted the attention of many passersby, as the site is at a main intersection. We’re pretty certain there were horn honks and waves, as folks wondered what those four fine beauties were doing posing outdoors on a day with a -20 wind chill!!
Dunrobin WI is extremely proud of the corner greenspace as prior to 2016 it was simply an empty lot. The Women’s Institute beautification began with a Christmas tree in 2017, and evolved to an annual Christmas tree lighting event complete with carol singing cookies and hot chocolate around a permanent tree.
After a devastating tornado tore through Dunrobin in 2018, this site became a gathering place to celebrate community resilience and rebuilding. It has become somewhat of a park as the West Carleton Warrior’s minor hockey team has planted trees and recently the Beaver Scouts added a Library Exchange Box. The site with our donated benches is also used as a frequent resting spot for cyclists along the Thomas Dolan Parkway. Our members have added a flower garden and continue to plant shrubs and perennials regularly in addition to the ongoing maintenance. We held our summer meeting with a picnic on site in July 2021and this spring plan to add a rose garden in memory of our WI Sister Joan Plouffe, who passed away Feb 2, 2022.
Site background: The site of our plaque is very prominent being located on main street Dunrobin. Historically, it was the location of Younghusband's Store that once stood there from 1861 and was the heart of the village for many, many years. A mall replaced the corner store in 1988 and housed several small businesses including a grocery run by descendants of the original store owners. The mall, completely destroyed by the 2018 tornado has been rebuilt but remains empty waiting hopefully for the return of businesses when the pandemic is over. Of equal historic significance for our WI chapter, the lot is located directly across from the site where the first meeting of the Dunrobin and District WI was held on January 9, 1918. The host was Mrs. H.S. Kennedy and eleven members were present.
