History Supplement of the Alberta Women's Institute

              HISTORY

SUPPLEMENT

OF THE

ALBERTA

WOMEN'S

INSTITUTE

65th ANNIVERSARY CONVENTION JUNE 3-6, 1974

OLDS COLLEGE

THEME: "YESTERDAY

-TODAY-TOMORROW"

It was a Convention of festive celebrations, reminiscing, good fellowship, informative discussions, active participation and excellent speakers. An informal atmosphere was maintained throughout the day. All enjoyed the cafeteria style meals and the spacious and beautiful college grounds. The Past Presidents who attended included: Mrs. A. B. McGorman, Penhold (1949-1953); Mrs. T. H. Howes, Millet (1955-1959); Mrs. W. R. Ford, Coutts (1959-1961); Mrs. M. G. Roberts, Drumheller (1961-1965); Mrs. J. Bielish, Warspite (1965-1969); Mrs. C. Alexander, Cayley (1969-1973). It was disappointing that Mrs. J. P. Ferguson, Trochu (1938-1937) and Mrs. W. M. Stewart, Peace River (1937-1941) and Mrs. S. Lefsrud, Viking (1953-1955) were unable to attend. Of the fifteen Past Presidents who have served during the sixty-five years six are deceased. The Past Presidents attending were introduced during the afternoon session of the first day. They were honored guests at the banquet and each was presented with a corsage. Following the banquet each gave the highlights of her term. A skit "65 Years in Review" was a highlight of the evening program. It portrayed history in music, dance, song and action in eras from 1909-1974 to include the formative years, the roaring twenties, the depressing thirties, the war years, the prosperous years and through the centennial year up to the present time, the seventies. Activities, accomplishments and projects were mentioned. Mrs. Lynne Fair and Mrs. Celia Taylor sang songs of each era with Mrs. Mary Mercer accompanying at the piano. Because 1974 is the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Alberta, tribute to them was given by Mrs. J. T. Morrisroe and accepted by Cpl. W. M. Patzwold of the Olds Detachment. A 65th Anniversary souvenir plate designed by Mrs. J. Bielish was sold at the Convention. It proved a popular sales item. The fifty dozen ordered were soon sold and more were ordered. In all 1400 were sold. An excellent display of handicraft was enjoyed by the delegates. Mrs. J. Bielish, Chairman of Northern Canada Women's Institutes with the help of slides showed the work of our Women's Institute members in the North. Presentation of Handicraft, Quilt and Creative Writing awards proved an exciting time for the recipients. A quilt donated by the Kinniburgh Branch to be raffled netted $864.00. The money from the ticket sales was donated to the Provincial Office Fund. The Memorial Service in remembrance of departed members was most impressive. 41