February Founders’ Month, was marked by giant Women’s In- stitute Birthday parties held all across the Island on February 12th. Local branches celebrated by themselves or joined with other Institutes. Wondrous were the stories recalled of early days in the Women’s In- stitute, as old minute books were dug out and eagerly read. Mrs. Herring had requested that pictures of the celebrations be sent to her to be placed in a special Jubilee Memory Album.

Special Jubilee spoons with the Women’s Institute crest were or- dered and sold as souvenirs. Every district convention featured the Jubilee theme in a fascinating variety of interpretations.

The Charlottetown Guardian-Patriot featured a full page reviewing the achievements of the organization in the earlier years, and carried other relevant articles as well. Special information booths and displays, set up at the Lobster Carnival in Summerside and Old Home Week in Charlottetown, kept Women’s Institute before the public.

J UBILEE DAY

The most exciting day of all was Jubilee Day, June 2, 1973. Festivities began in early afternoon as hundreds of members converged at Queen Charlotte High School to be bussed to the Research Station on Mt. Edward Road. There they were welcomed by Dr. Lloyd MacLeod. Later the president, Dr. Leone Ross, planted a Jubilee Tree in the newly opened picnic park.

Then it was back to the busses for a drive to Fanningbank (Govern- ment House) where we were graciously welcomed and hosted at a de- lightful afternoon tea by His Honour Lieutenant-Governor George Mac- Kay and Mrs. MacKay. At this time the Prince Edward Island Women’s Institutes‘ Centennial gift of a hand made quilted night spread, made by Mrs. Keith Warren of Margate, and hooked stair treads for the bedside steps, designed and hooked by Mrs. Wilfred Pickering, were presented to the Queen’s bedroom and accepted on Her Majesty’s behalf by Mrs. Mac— Kay.

Busses were filled again for the return trip to Queen Charlotte Junior High School where everyone was served a hot chicken dinner. The huge birthday cake was cut by Mrs. Gordon MacMillan, representing the Cornwall-York Point Women’s Institute. Candles were placed on in- dividual cupcakes and a “Passing on the Light” ceremony provided a fitting tableau for the rousing “Happy Sixtieth Birthday Song”.

The evening’s program featured a play, The Quiet Revolution, prepared especially for the occasion under the direction of Ronald Ir- ving, Artistic director of Confederation Centre. Participating in the play “How It All Began” were members of East Baltic W.I. who provided their own stimulating and entertaining skits. Cornwall W.I. provided the choir and Lillian Lea was soloist.

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