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Where do we begin to say how wonderful it was to welcome so many Members, companions and friends to the Ottawa Valley for Conference 2017. Your participation and enthusiasm as we came together to celebrate WI's 120th Anniversary and Canada's 150th celebration of Confederation was contagious and we hope each and everyone who attended returned home invigorated. Who will forget the excitement on Tuesday evening as the Canada 150 project concluded with the Book Launch and the eagerness not only of the authors but all in attendance to obtain their copy of "Ordinary to Extraordinary". What a pleasure it was to welcome and to have presentations from Ruth Shanks, AM, President, Associated Country Women of the World (ACWW); Sheila Needham, President, ACWW Canada Area; Linda Hoy, President, Federated Women's Institutes of Canada and Nancy Jo Prue, Indiana Extension Homemakers Association Exchange to Ontario. Also joining us was Jo Ellen Almond, President, ACWW USA Area. The Committee extends thanks to Members who gave presentations - Margaret Christenson (Indiana Exchange 2016), Irene Robillard (navigating the provincial Virtual Archives); Arthena Hecker along with the President of Collette Canada (the FWIO Travel Group); the Provincial Board and Coordinators for their information and answering questions and for a look at some of the achievements over the last 120 years. Who will ever forget the presentation by the Master Warrant Officer on her experiences on Canadian Bases and on overseas deployment! We also heard from the Renfrew County Health Unit and the Pembroke Detachment of the OPP. Wednesday evening's entertainment was pure Ottawa Valley - the songs, the fiddling and the step dancing. We thank those who entered the competitions and the results are as follows: Card: 1st - Dianne Nel 2nd - Evelyn Arthur 3rd - Patricia LaMarche Pot Holder: 1st - Jane Darlow 2nd - Helen Gunn 3rd - Evelyn Arthur Quilted Tea Cosy: 1st - Margaret R. Neill 2nd - Jane Darlow 3rd - Dana Fleming Viewers Choice: Card - Evelyn Arthur Pot Holder - Helen Gunn Quilted Tea Cosy - Shirley Slater The winner of the Early Bird draw for the refund of the Registration Fee was Annemarie McDonald, Silver-Wood WI, Wellington-Halton District who donated her refund to the Provincial Digitizing Fund. The display and sales tables added colour, information and a chance to purchase, thanks to each of you for your contribution to conference. We also thank the Members who introduced and thanked the speakers; who looked after the roaming microphone; and to those who acted as scribes recording the daily activities. The companions had the opportunity to explore the Valley Bio Seed Company, Bonnechere Caves, the Whitewater Historical Society Museum in Foresters Falls, the Whitewater Brewery, the RCMP Horse Breeding Farm, Pembroke Hydro Museum, the downtown Pembroke Murals, and the Canadian Airborne Forces Museum and Garrison Petawawa. The Friday tours to Ottawa visited the Canadian Museum of Nature, Rideau Hall, the RCMP Musical Ride Centre and Museum and the Canadian War Museum. Till we meet again, Conference 2017 Committee FWIO Provincial Conference By Christine Reaburn, Provincial Conference Committee Chair ACWW Canada Area Conference Acclaimed Canadian journalist and human rights activist, Sally Armstrong, was keynote speaker at the ACWW Canada Area Conference, held in Pembroke June 23rd-25th. Sally spoke about the state of women globally and how things are actually improving thanks to women being able to better communicate with each other and the world. Pictured: Sally Armstrong (left) with FWIO President, Margaret Byl (right), holding her book, "Ascent of Women". Everyone was pleased to welcome Sally as a new WI Member at the Conference. 4