Institute members have always recognized and supported the need for continuing adult educa- tion. First Aid Courses began in 1953 with Helen MacEwen as the first instructor. The mobile handicraft van, which operated from 1963 to 1967, was popular in the rural areas, and Institute members took advantage of the courses offered. The instructors, Louise Larkin and Bertha Blanchard, offered courses in quilting, hooking, leather making and tooling, embroidery, and brass and tin crafts.

The Sterling Women’s Institute has been and will continue to be involved in education, support- ing programs and policies that impact positively on the home and our Island community.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS of STERLING WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

Celebrations of special Institute milestones serve many purposes. The year’s accomplishments are recounted with pride, outstanding leadership is recognized by bestowing Life Memberships on deserving members, opportunities are afforded to share with husbands and guests memorable evenings, and these occasions are used to pay tribute to the memory of departed members. Highlights of some of these anniversaries are as follows.

June 19, 1938 marked the 25th Anniversary of Sterling W.I. This memorable occasion was cel- ebrated with a banquet at the Old Spain in Charlottetown for the twenty—four Institute members and their guests. Trips to Charlottetown would not have been a common occurrence in 1938, and a banquet at the Old Spain was even less common. These special anniversary celebrations of Sterling W.I. were to be traditions that would be continued every five years.

At the April 1950 meeting, a motion by Mrs. Hilda Fyfe which was seconded by Mrs. Alma Fleming, asked the Institute Members to agree to the purchase of the first Life Memberships in the Institute. These were presented to Mrs. John McGuigan and Mrs. Wallace MacKay, Charter Members of the Institute. Plans were then approved to have the presentation at the 37th Birthday party of the Institute, on June 19, at the home of Mrs. Maud MacEwen.

The 40th Anniversary of Sterling Institute was held at Lake View Lodge, catered by Mary Stewart. The President, Mrs. Hilda Fyfe, presided and Mrs. Agnes (John) McGuigan, a Charter and Life Member, presented an updated history of Sterling W.I. Mrs. Margaret (ThomaS) Bolger, a Charter Member was an invited guest as were the two Provincial Institute Supervisors, Mary Robin and Maylea Manning.

Dalvay House was the venue of the 50th Anniversary of Sterling W.I. held on June 22, 1963. Mrs Gladys Ferguson, the President, welcomed all guests especially two charter members Mrs. Margaret Bolger and Mrs. Emma (John) Quinn. The guest speaker was Mrs. Loretta (Michael) Doyle, a Provincial Past President.

The 60th Anniversary of the Institute was a special occasion to honour with Life Memberships a number of well—deserving dedicated members namely, the President, Mrs. Annie Douglas, Mrs. Hilda Fyfe, Mrs. Alma Fleming, Mrs. Jean MacEwen, Mrs. Gladys Ferguson, Mrs. Marion (Gordon) Fyfe, Mrs. Ethel Henry, and Mrs. Irene MacLeod. The appropriate toasts, speeches, entertainment, birthday cake and social discourse made for a very memorable anniversary.

The Murray Christian Centre in Kensington with the United Church Women catering provided a special atmosphere for the 70th Anniversary of Sterling W.I. This occasion was chosen to hon- our six of our special members with Life Memberships. Those receiving this honour were: Mrs. Irene MacEwen, Miss Olga Woolner, Mrs. Helen MacEwen, Mrs. Marina MacKay, Mrs. Anita

Gallant, and Mrs. Jean Simpson.

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