1937 - Convention Report

              TWENTIETH PROVINCIAL CONVENTION 53
has co- operated on no less than twenty- two committees and commissions annually
since 1931. One Constituency Convener makes the suggestion that any of our
W. I. members who may be planning a trip East this summer be sure to visit
the International Peace Garden, the most wonderful in the world, situated be­tween
Manitoba and North Dakota, the 3,000 acres which have been set aside
as a Centennial Peace Memorial, wdiere trees, shrubs and flowers are being
planted from all over the world.
For those who are going West, let me remind them of the Pan Pacific
Women's Association, whose main object is " Peace." The fourth triennial
Conference takes places in Vancouver, July 21st to 24th, 1937. Miss Violet Mc-
Naughton is asking for any outstanding programs or posters, or any other feature
suitable for an exhibit in connection with the peace work of the Women's
Institutes. Would delegates have these addressed to Mrs. Ferguson who will
collect and send on. I will close this brief report with many thanks to all who
have co- operated in this important work, and very best wishes for its continued
success.
THE ANNUAL CONVENTION AT OLDS, JULY 13 to 16, 1937
Margaret Cravath Bell, Supervisor of the A. W. I. G. C.' s
When we arrived at Olds on Tuesday morning there was the photographer
ready to take our photos; and we not even organized. Well, I protested, but he
would take it, and when we gathered at 1 p. m. there were 124 girls there, and
many Supervisors, and Mrs. Wood as a special surprise for the girls. It was a
grand picture, and if he hadn't taken it that day the rain would have prevented
it. as it rained all the time, except to clear long enough to have our sports contest
on Wednesday afternoon. We were glad to be under cover most of the time.
The spirit of the Convention was especially happy; everyone seemed to be
having a good time; even the two sick girls were brave as could be, and never
complained. When our banquet speaker failed to arrive because of the rain, our
girls just filled in with proper talks, and everything went along beautifully. The
spirit of co- operation was very strong. The Executive handled every crisis with
tact and wisdom that would have been a credit to our women. I feel that this
Coronation Convention was quite outstandingly a success. I had been told that
there were one hundred at a Convention at Banff, so was quite overjoyed when
our registration showed twenty- four over that number. We had to have four
demonstrations; I had hoped for that and had invited Mrs. Wood to surprise the
girls and take one of the demonstrations. Hers was very interesting— making
vanity sets by darning cable marquisette. The Misses Mclntyre and Switzer,
with their usual charming manner, gave a popular demonstration in " Batikiug"
and " Art in Dress." Miss Jean Moore gave the demonstration in Fiber Rose
Making; but the classes were so large ( 28), that I had to help, and we had to
call in the other Directors that were available; but if the number of beautiful
corsages that were worn at the banquet meant anything, this demonstration was
very popular. Outstanding lectures were given by Betty Thompson; Mrs. R. E.
Wood; Mr. Kemp, on " Some Interesting Flowers"; Miss Ferris; Miss Mclntyre:
Miss Switzer, and Mrs. E . J. Bell. An afternoon was made especially bright by
a musical presentation and history of some old Scotch songs by our President,
Mrs. Wm. Stewart, who was an honored guest on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mrs. F. G. Grevett gave a splendid acount of the Vimy Trip, illustrated with
lantern slides.
It was a matter of great delight to me that the prizes went into so many
different Clubs; it means that all were trying and doing their best. The co­operation
shown by Mr. Murray and all the staff is a great factor in making the
Conventions such a success. Lest I forget, we went to the picture show in the
school van and cars kindly contributed by members of the staff. Here's hoping
that our next Convention may be as happily successful as this one was.