PEIWI announces winners

Deadline is approaching to submit nominations for Premier’s Craft Education Award

The provincial board election and award ceremony took place recently at the PEIWI Provincial Convention at the Slemon Park Convention Centre.

Close to 130 delegates attended, representing approximately 80 branches across P.E.I. Highlights included the installation of Carol Jenkins of Brackley WI as the provincial president.

Also, Jacquie Laird, pastpresident, presented several top WI awards. Jessica Reeves from Freetown was named as the WI Woman in Agriculture Recognition Award recipient. Reeves has been instrumental in bringing agricultural awareness in the education system and promoting local produce in her culinary classes. She also served on provincial and national organizations through both Atlantic and Canada Young Farmers’ programs known for celebrating excellence in Canadian Agriculture. She has received numerous awards and has been featured as a spokesperson for promotion of agriculture endeavours.

This recognition is for an Island woman making a major contribution to the P.E.I. agriculture sector and is presented biannually by the P.E.I. Women’s Institute.

Joan Homans of Sherbrooke WI is the recipient of the provincial Adelaide Hoodless Award of Honour for her tireless and ongoing commitment to Women’s Institute for P.E.I.

Kimball Wood of Charlottetown was presented with the Erland Lee Award of Appreciation, an award granted from the Federated Women’s Institute of Canada and dedicated to a man who most exemplifies the qualities of Lee, who assisted in the founding of Women’s Institute. Wood was nominated by the Greater Charlottetown WI.

Also during the convention, a cheque for $8,574 was presented to Diane Young of Lennon Recovery House.

The committee led by Dr. Liz Spangler thanks the numerous donations, ticket purchasers and volunteers at this year’s Spring Is in the Air Gala dinner.

The P.E.I. board of directors also thanks all participating Islanders and sponsors in the 47th WI Roadside Cleanup on May 11. Spangler, the provincial environment convener, has announced the following cash prize winners: families and individuals - Earth Cleaners and Keepers (Emily Norton), Hardford’s Helpers (Jennifer Gillis), Valley Ditch Divers (Betty Lou Frizzell Abbott); organizations - Canoe Cove Roadies (Mari Basiletti), Long River Cleanup Crew (Robin Petty), Village Green WI (Nicky Rayner); schools/institutions - Coles Associates Ltd./Engineers P.E.I. (Elliot Coles), St. Louis Falcons (Kendra O’Brian), Transitions Class, Holland College, West Prince Campus (Christine Batten); business - Investco Go Green (Denise Arnold), Nautilus Biosciences (Nick McCarville), West Cape Wind Farm (Aaron Senter).

The P.E.I. Women’s Institute exhibition committee is accepting applications for the annual Premier’s Craft Education Award for exhibitors from across P.E.I. for Old Home Week’s Handcrafts, Horticulture and Arts Competition.

This award, presented annually since 2006, is used to enhance skill and proficiency in a chosen craft and to share experience with others. Three bursaries of $1,000 will assist in funding recipients to attend training within two years of presentation. For information, contact the provincial office, 902368-4860. The deadline for applications is June 29.

The board also encourages submissions for WI’s component of Old Home Week. For listings of the arts, horticulture, and handcraft classes, call or drop by the PEIWI office for a printed copy of the handguide or view online at peiwi.ca.

In branch news the Argyle Shore WI is hosting a Festival of Small Halls event is June 14 – Songs & Stories with Dutch Thompson, Donna Morrissey and musical guest William Prince. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are at smallhalls.com, by calling 902675-3221 or by emailing cawlar@ bellaliant.net.

The Argyle Shore WI will also host its annual strawberry and ice cream social on July 4, 6-8:30 p.m. Tickets for adults are $8 and $4 for children 12 and under.

Both events will be held at the Argyle Shore Community Centre, 7654 Route 19.

Mermaid WI is planning a strawberry and ice cream social and cake auction on July 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Robert Cotton Centre, 57 Bunbury Rd., Stratford. For information, call Barb Dalziel, 902-569-4165.

This article, prepared by Ellen MacPhail, executive director for the PEIWI, appears in the Guardian every second Thursday of the month. For more information on the P.E.I. Women’s Institute, visit www. womensinstitute.pe.ca, phone 902-3684860 or email wi@gov.pe.ca.