Home & Country (Summer 2007)

              Home and Country Summer 2007

sacks are a feasible replacement for plastic. Not so! The manufacture of disposable low grade paper products is equally costly, both to the environment and in its production. Forests are consumed, chemicals are required and toxins are released, nor does paper break down effectively without intervention. A quick scan of the kitchen points out just how we consumers take packaging for granted. Almost every item purchased comes in some form of plastic, much of it unnecessary. A package of meat may come in four layers of plastic; the original wrap, often on a plastic foam tray lined with plastic, a second plastic bag to prevent contamination of other products, a disposable grocery bag to carry it and a fourth to prevent freezer burn if the meat is to be stored properly in the freezer. Add a fifth layer if the chicken casserole is covered by a piece of plastic in the fridge. All of the plastic destined for the landfill! There is no simple solution. The best approach is to minimize the number of plastic bags we use. A single item purchase does not require a disposable plastic bag to carry it. Free grocery bags can be replaced by washable cotton sacks, or baskets such as are available to consumers in some grocery chains. We are spoiled. It is time to rethink the consequences of this `plastic' age! wi

Helen Coonan
1927-2006

In Memoriam

Katherine (Kay) Gibson
1911-2007

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e l e n Shapka was born to Anastasia (Kivic) and Jacob Shapka in November 1927 in southern Alberta. They moved to Wandering River when she was small. Prior to her marriage to Bryce Coonan she was a supervisor in schools. Helen and Bryce farmed in Wandering River and raised four sons. Helen was a charter member of the Wandering River W.I. She held executive and convener positions in the branch and was the Constituency Convener when it was the Athabasca Constituency. She won AWI awards for her creative writing and handicrafts. She attended many Provincial Conventions and Constituency Conferences. At the time of her death she was compiling the third volume of history which the Wandering River WI will complete. Helen was active in the Anglican church and in recreation particularly curling. She died in a car accident in Wandering River on 20 October, 2006. She was predeceased by her husband in 1995.

K

ay passed away at the age of 95. She was born in Nanton, Alberta. She was an active member of the Women's Institutes. In April 28, 1948 she became a charter member of the Conquerville WI. She served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Auditor and on other branch committees. She belonged to the United Church Women's Group, Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed Golden Age activities. She loved bowling, knitting, crocheting and won many red ribbons for her craftwork. In 2004 she entered a craft in the Constituency Conference and won a prize. She transferred to the BCWI when she and her husband Gene left the farm and moved to British Columbia in 1971. She is sadly missed by a daughter, son and their families and by all who knew her.

Lillian Violet Jenkins
1907-2006

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Ridgewood WI Celebrates 60 years
Front left to right: Evelyn Cressey, Nellie Moore, Vivian Stickland, Dorothy Bickley, Faye Mayberry. Back row: BeverlyThomson, Trudy Downey, Yvonne Hogberg, Lynn Armstrong, Vi Moore.

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ongratulations go to Ridgwood (Red Deer) WI for 60 years of service to their community. wi

illian passed away at the age of 99 years. She was born in Bristol England and immigrated to Canada in 1924. At age 15 she apprenticed as a dressmaker and continued to sew and knit until a few years ago when her eyesight began to fail although her mind remained very sharp. She was a charter member of Bow Island WI. She was their first President when Bow Island reorganized in 1948. She continued to be a loyal member for 60 years. She donated quilt tops for Bow Island WI to be completed for the quilt raffle fundraising. She was a member of the United Church Women and International Order of Daughters of the Empire. She and her husband Haskill farmed in the Bow Island area until retiring to the city in 1957. She is sadly missed by her family and many friends.

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