Dunham Canada 150 Bench dedicated by Quebec Women’s Institutes
On Wednesday, August 8th, members from branches of the Women’s Institutes (WI) all over Quebec came to the town of Dunham for a special ceremony to dedicate the bench at the Cairn that was put in place to honour Canada’s 150th anniversary. The bench was built by the Rustik Company on Fordyce Road.
Mary Milroy, daughter Missisquoi County WI President and this year’s Provincial President Elizabeth Milroy, decorated the bench prior to the ceremony. The committee to organize the day was made up of Elizabeth, Linda Janes Ryan, Joyce Cinnamon, and Michelynn Dubeau.
Speaking at the dedication were Elizabeth Milroy, Paulette Mahannah, the QWI Agriculture Committee Chair, and Linda Hoy, the Past President of the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada, QWI Past President, and the current Education and Personal Development Chair. Joining them was Pierre Janecek, the Mayor of Dunham, who spoke in both languages to praise the achievements of the women’s institutes at both the local and provincial level. He ended with a humourous note when he said that he hoped he would see them all again at the Cairn in 2061, which would mark the 150th year of the founding of the first Women’s Institute branch in Quebec.
After the ceremony, the guests went to the park for a wonderful pot luck picnic and an afternoon of visiting and playing games. Over fifty people were in attendance. The Women’s Institutes play a vital role in promoting healthy lifestyles and community well-being and they strive to make a difference at both local and provincial levels.