Ellen MacPhail

The P.E.I. WI board of directors congratulates award winners from the recent Provincial Exhibition.

It also announces events slated for early fall such as the WI’s popular fall workshops.

Numerous awards marked the completion of a most successful 94th year of WI involvement at the Handcraft, Horticulture and Arts Show of Old Home Week.

The Premier’s Craft Education Award was presented to Dianne Coffin during Awards Day by Premier Wade MacLauchlan. The award is to fund one major training event or two short courses within two years of presentation with the aim of expanding their chosen craft to others in the province. These awards, sponsored by the department of innovation and advanced learning, are valued at $1,000 each.

The People Choice Awards were also announced. Top honours from public votes went to the St. Joachim’s Craft Group for favourite quilt, Olga Woolner for favourite needlework, Nancy Taylor for favourite hooked rug and Jane MacDonald for favourite art.

Bernardin annually sponsors a segment of the special awards involving its products. This year’s Bernardin’s winners include Melissa Morrow for best of craft creative award, Marilyn Sentner, jam/jelly award, Melissa Morrow, gift pack collection, and Maureen Cudmore, best home canning award.

Congratulations to all participating. For a complete list of special prize and award winners, view online at www.peiwi. ca or Facebook.com/PEIWomensInstitute.

A variety of themes will be part of this year’s fall workshops. They include a session with WI member Norma Pasatieri on Resolutions and Robert’s Rules of Order, Lt.-Col. Trevor Campbell from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a craft-related activity with provincial board members. Workshops are Wednesday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m., at the Sherbrooke Community Hall in Summerside, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., at the Farm Centre in Charlottetown, and Thursday, Oct. 25, 1 p.m., at Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre in Montague. Pre-registration is required by Friday, Oct. 12.

The Greater Charlottetown WI (GCWI) will be selling fresh Christmas wreaths this year as a fundraiser. Each wreath will be around $30 and will include an assortment of colourful ribbons and bling decorated by branch members. There are a limited number available, and pre-ordering is encouraged by the end of September by emailing Carla at martincarla21@gmail. com.

At the onset of the school year, the P.E.I. WI board of directors reminds the public to be on the lookout for school buses with flashing lights.