Westcott W.I. Branch History

              Westcott Women's Institute
from 1993 to 2003
From 1993 to 2003, Westcott W. I. continued with many of the same projects and educational
topics.
We continued to staff the hospital gift shop once a month, and serve lunch for funerals, wedding
open houses, and 80th and 90th birthdays including our own member, Dorothy Harrison.
We knitted squares for Zambia and sent postage for mailing. The fun things included pot luck
suppers with our husbands at Murphy's, a trip to the library where interesting videos were shown,
tour and lunch at St. Ann's Ranch at Trochu, a trip to an ostrich farm, the opening of the
Rockyview Wildlife Recovery centre ( Old Westcott Church) south of Madden, and the Ginger
Tea Room in Okotoks with a stop in Bragg Creek on the way home.
1994 A motion was made by Jean Ford and seconded by Bea Weidner that we serve only two
tea items at our monthly meetings!!
In August we were saddened by the death of our provincial president from the area, Holly Hallett.
The Bara Rose Girls Club was started at Zella. Many of our members supported their annual
breakfast and made donations.
Other money projects included " Bob the Beaver" federated bale- out, and " Wiggles the
Bookworm" which was a centennial convention fundraiser.
1996 Our meetings were changed to Tuesday, as Mondays were often holidays.
Bernice Rule was welcomed into our membership.
1997 All provincial groups were asked to calculate and report volunteer hours as the provincial
grant fund is based on volunteer time.
Squares for the Zambia project ended but volunteers began to knit " preemie" toques and slippers
for local and Children's' hospitals.
1999 Four members were lost during 1999 - Charter member Ellen Wilshusen passed away,
Eileen Woytowich and Bernice Rule moved away, and Jean Ford moved to Eckville. We enjoyed
a lovely day at Sylvan Lake, toured a pottery craft ship and had tea with Jean in her new home.
Sandi Toth joined and became our secretary.
2000 The next year Brenda Elliott and Oro Findlay joined our group.
2001 Some of our more interesting meeting topics included honey production in Alberta, wind
power used in the south, autobiographies give by each member, discussion about water, and a
report that the Ozone hole is decreasing in size.