BREADALBANE, P.E.I. — Over 40 members gathered recently in Breadalbane for this year’s annual convention of District 8 of the P.E.I. Women’s Institute.
The members represented the nine WIs which make up the district, including Pleasant Valley, Ebenezer, New Glasgow, Sterling (Stanley Bridge), Avonlea (Cavendish), Fredericton/Hazel Grove, Greenvale, Wheatley River and Oyster Bed Bridge.
Liz Spangler updated the group on the activities of the provincial WI office, and Elaine Buttimer of New Glasgow WI described the passion of Dianne Young to help those with mental health and addictions, by turning the old Belcourt Centre in South Rustico into Lennon House, a place for recovery. Lennon House is named after Dianne’s son, Lennon, who committed suicide in 2013.
Members of the Avonlea WI offered a memorial service for four lifetime members who have died over the past year: Catherine Spence, Greenvale; Dorothy Simpson, Sterling WI; Olive Andrews, Ebenezer; and Norma Dickieson, New Glasgow.
A variety of reports from convenors illustrated the community work done by WI members in the District over the past year in matters of agriculture, industry, citizenship, culture, the environment, health and international affairs.
Oyster Bed Bridge WI offered a display of handcrafts done by district members, including many items knitted for new babies at local hospitals.
