WOMEN 'S INSTITUTE Women 's Institute was organized at the home of Mrs. Leslie G. Ramsay ( Hilda Cameron ) in November 1925, Miss McKenna , the Supervisor, drove from Charlottetown that afternoon. There were no paved roads and the road was muddy and soft, so much so that the 18 women who came, walked, mostly through the fields. All who were present joined the W. I . with Mrs. Joseph G. MacLellan as President and the Teacher, Miss Evelyn Pillman , ( Mrs. Neil Simpson ), as Secretary . The school was their mam project and through their efforts, the classroom was enlarged with a new hardwood floor and new porch erected. Later they bought land from Mr. Shea which enlarged the school grounds. They also erected a new fence around the grounds. Money was raised by card parties in the homes, concerts in the hall, ice cream socials and suppers. The first three act play to be presented in Indian River , 1927, was directed by Mrs. Simpson and sponsored by the W. I. Mrs. Simpson was the teacher at that time. The name of the play was "When A Man's Single". The following actors and actresses took part; Grace Easter , Irene Cameron , Ethel Mann , Nina Ramsay , Harry Easter , Norman Ramsay , Bernard MacLellan (at the shore), and Gerard MacLellan . In 1935 the Charter Members had worked long and faithful for School and Community. Not many young women were joining or helping so the Institute, disbanded. As the years went by everyone realized there was a need for the Woman of the District to be organized, and in December, 1952 they reorganized at a meeting at the home of Mrs. L. G. Ramsay . Mrs. Keith Mann was elected President and Mrs. Ramsay Secretary . A new double room school was built in 1952. The members directed their efforts to supply¬ ing the school with necessities, books, pictures, maps. Every month, when they visited the school, they brought supplies for the wash rooms and treats for the pupils. One report of work accomplished for the year reads like this: 1964, programs prepared and passed to members at December meeting. Ex¬ change of gifts to members for Christmas; also gifts donated for patients at Riverside Hospital. Members attended Leadership Course at Hunter River . March, books were donated to the school, and members visited both class rooms. June, trees were planted at the school, which were received through the 4-H Club. Sponsored Swimming Classes. The old cemetery on the was cleaned up and a fence put around it with a sign " Cemetery". During World War II the members sewed and knitted articles for the servicemen, and sent many food parcels to Britain and elsewhere. Some of our members attended Civil Defence Meetings and participated in Civil Defence Courses. At the present time we contribute to U.S.C. also , Salvation Army, Cancer Society, etc. Collect fees yearly for Fire Protection from Fire Control Unit; Sponsored a First Aid Course held at the school. In 1975 Women 's Institute will celebrate its 50th year since first organized. Rita MacLellan was spon¬ sored by our Institute in the Beauty Contest on Centennial day 1964, at Kensington . 85