The motto of the Women’s Institute is “For Home and Countryj’ and by joining the institute, women united as one body, all working and giving to the project no matter how large or how small. To achieve this goal work must be done in many ways by helping the sick and the underprivileged, and by helping our schools; contributing to making life for the Children and teachers more pleasant. The Women’s Institute was instrumental in sponsoring and promoting the initial Music Program in Freetown School, and also in sponsoring swimming classes for the children at Staverts’ Shore. The ladies saw that transportation was provided to the classes, mostly by the private family car. In recent years, the Women’s Institute was instrumental in getting people to chaperone the swimmers on school buses.

A school committee from the Institute visited the local school frOm 1932 until the school was closed, and was instrumental in supplying books, maps, toiletries and numerous incidentals to improve the facilities. Besides this, it made numerous donations to prize lists at school closings and helped in many ways towards the success of the Christmas concerts that were held annually for many years.

In 1957 the Birch Grove Hall had deteriorated to a low state of repair. Some of the foundation had fallen in, the building needed painting inside and out, and the stage curtain was worn out. In 1958, the Women‘s Institute undertook to repair the hall, and in 1960, it was the winner in its class in the Rural Beautification Competition, and the following spring hosted a beautiful wedding reception.

A film projector was made available to the community through the generosity of the Institute. It also promoted Safe Driving Courses, Baby Sitting Courses, Bicycle Rodeos and assisted in forming a Boy Scout

Troop.

Birch Grove Women’s Institute has also been very active in conducting collections for a number of

agencies including the Salvation Army, Cancer Fund, The United Appeal. It has also been instrumental in providing Christmas treats for many who would otherwise be forgotten, and made donations to encourage 4H Club Work, and also to the Prince County Hospital, the RBI. Sanatorium, and many other deserving

groups.

Through the years, there have been many ways of making money. In the winter months there were parlor socials and many pantry sales held in Kennedys’ Store in Kensington. Quilt making was a monthly event. Material then was 23“ a yard. Who would ever think then that someday a yard would change to a meter? Lottery tickets on a quilt were 10“ each and one project realized the sum of $23.00. Then came the time when the members saved their old woolens and gathered in the Freetown Railroad Station to pack them for shipment. Hazel Paynter supplied the large grain bags to pack them in. Then they would wait for the shipment of pretty blankets to arrive including the premium blanket which was sold and the money therefrom was used by the Institute. The Travelling Apron was another means of raising funds. It would go from door to door and money was sewed on it with a patch. Another fund raising project was the community concerts, put together with much local and some outside talent. These productions usually played twice in the hall besides travelling to other communities. In latter years, a number of Card Parties were also held.

When the Institute celebrated its 20th Anniversary, there were eight Life Members present: Mattie Rogers, Mattie Campbell, Jennie Lewis, Ethel Curley, Lillian Scales, Rene Arbing, Bertie Jardine and Nettie Auld. Since I952, Hazel Paynter, Annie Paynter, Joyce Campbell, Blanche Jardine, Mary MacEachern and Jean Schurman have become Life Members.

In 1983, a new venture was carried out across the Island when Women’s Institutes were twinned with other communities. Freetown Women’s Institute was twinned with Darnley. Darnley would come to Freetown for a meeting, and then Freetown would go to Darnley for a meeting. This provided an excellent opportunity for an exchange of ideas and views on common problems.

Other members of the Institute in 1983 are Pat Ackerman, Janice Baglole, Kay Baglole, Margaret Banman, Jane Buell, Mona LeForge, Ina MacLean, Honor Paynter, Connie Reeves, Dorothy Reeves and Donna Reeves.

The executive in 1983: President, Honor Paynter; Vice-President, Margaret Banman; Secretary, Blanche Jardine; Treasurer, Mary MacEachern; Asst.—Treasurer, Connie Reeves; Auditors, Ina MacL/ean, Kay Baglole; Directors, Jean Schurman, Pat Ackerman and Dorothy Reeves.

In summation, many interesting things are happening with the Women’s Institute from sea to sea at all levels, local, provincial and national. Community concerns are being expressed, studies initiated, programs developed, projects undertaken and objectives of the organizations continue to be realized. Each and every Women’s Institute member can be a part of this no matter how large or small the project. Institute work is not all hard labor, it is a lot of sharing, good times, friendly times, times of tears, laughter, and fun filled

meetings.

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