Stanstead County Women’s Institute meeting

The Stanstead County W.I. met on August 8 at the Tea Room at the Ayer’s Cliff Fair grounds. Dyanne Saanum, County President, opened the meeting and welcomed the 6 members present. A minute of silence was observed in memory of long-time member of the W.I. Debbie Sheldon Smith and for Rev. Deane Moffat husband of one of our members.

Phyllis Dustin, Secretary-treasurer, for the county read the minutes of the June meeting which were accepted as correct as read and she also presented the Treasurer’s report.

The main part of the meeting was to plan for the Tea Room activities at the Ayer’s Cliff Fair. Sherbrooke County W.I. will man the Tea Room on Friday, HatleyStanstead branch on Saturday and Ayer’s Cliff and Hatley Center branches on Sunday. It was also discussed and accepted that the Stanstead County W.I. will take over the special that was sponsored by the late Ross Whitcomb in the Horticultural building. The W.I. also gives a mini trophy to the boy and to the girl with the highest points in horticulture as well as prizes for classes in the Ladies Department. New curtains for the cupboards at the Tea Room have been made and ready to put up. Discussion also took place on what special activity the Stanstead County W.I. can partake in for the Ayer’s Cliff Fair’s 175th Anniversary. The tearoom has been open since 1929.

A donation will be sent to the QWI “Francis Taylor Bursary” in memory of Debbie Smith and a donation to Beulah United Church Memorial Fund in memory of Rev. Deane Moffat.

Barbara Hewitt reported that she has sent a covering letter to the QWI provincial resolution convenor concerning the ATV resolution that Hatley-stanstead has sent to the QWI.

The W.I. will have a table at the Ayer’s Cliff Christmas Village fromn November 30 to December 1.

Phyllis Dustin presented her Agriculture Convenor Report. She spoke about the Baldwin Barn, which is part of the Pioneer Trial. Some of the members had visited the barn in July. Mr. Baldwin wanted it to be the longest barn in North America. The barn is 340 feet long placing it in the Guinness Book of Records. The barn now belongs to CIARC. CIARC supports development and training in agriculture in the area.

Barbara Hewitt, for Education and Personal Development, reported she had attended the Stanbridge East Flower Show. Centerpieces were made with flowers to show the theme of the show Jewels of the Earth. She also showed members her Sudoku Quilt she has been working on.

Following the meeting lunch was served. The next county meeting will be held in October.

Submitted by

Elaine Stone,

Stanstead County W.I. Publicity Convenor