Fonds - Maple Ridge Women's Institute fonds

The Maple Ridge Women’s Institute was founded on July 13, 1933 with Mrs. Grant (Daisy) Cooke as the first President. This branch was a part of the Lennox District Women’s Institute, which later amalgamated with Addington District to make Lennox and Addington District Women’s Institute. It is located between Selby and Napanee in an area known as Pleasant Valley. Pleasant Valley was the original desired name for the Institute, but it was taken already, so Maple Ridge was decided upon. Twenty members joined at the first meeting. As of 2009, Maple Ridge branch is still meeting on a regular basis. The motto for Maple Ridge was “we purpose to do well” which was adopted in 1933, and is still used to this day. In the early years, a unique tradition at each meeting involved a member providing a recipe or two to the group on a rotating basis. During World War II, the local boys serving overseas were sent gifts at Christmas. The branch sent quilts, knit and sewn items to the Red Cross. They also taught members and others interested how to sew items according to the Red Cross guidelines. The branch contributed to the Central Fund for sugar for jam by taking up a specific collection for this at each meeting, as well as to the British War Victims Fund and the Salvation Army. Some popular ways to raise funds in this branch was to hold tea socials and euchre parties, cater banquets, sell tickets for homemade quilts, and serve hot meals at some fall fairs. They also catered to a number of weddings. Many organizations received donations from Maple Ridge branch. Within the Women’s Institute, Maple Ridge branch donated to the Adelaide Hoodless Fund, Ernest Lee Home, A.C.W.W., and Pennies for Friendship. The sick and needy were given fruit, flowers, clothing, food, and visits from members. They also contributed to a fund for needy children in the North, C.N.I.B., British Flood Victims Fund, Sick Children’s Hospital, Children’s Aid, Friends of Schizophrenics, Terry Fox Run, Park House Museum in Amherstburg, and the Cancer Society. In 1964, Maple Ridge contributed $1,500 to the Lennox and Addington County Hospital in order to furnish a room. With the cooperation of another branch, Maple Ridge branch adopted a child in an underprivileged country for a number of years. Good education was important to the members of Maple Ridge. They donated to the schools, including providing First Aid kits and supplies, and also judged a safety poster competition. The branch made a contribution to the Napanee District Secondary School Ontario Scholar program. Despite all of their community work, the members of Maple Ridge branch spent some time socializing and developing their skills. Some of the “Short Courses” which Maple Ridge hosted were Using and Choosing Fabrics, Vegetables with a Flair, and Needlecraft. On one of their annual tours of local attractions, the members of Maple Ridge visited the pottery plant in Wilton. They held an annual wiener roast for members and their families in the summer. Maple Ridge branch is still active in its community. In 2008, they began a campaign to remind people in Napanee to use reusable shopping bags. Some of the past Women’s Institute Presidents of Maple Ridge were: Mrs. Grant (Daisy) Cooke/Finkle (1933-1935; 1942-1944), Mrs. Ryerson (Bella) Pringle (1935-1936), Mrs. Merle (Majorie) Denison (1936-1938; 1959-1960), Mrs. Arch (Charlotte) Uens (1938-1940), Mrs. R.H. Benn (1940-1941), Mrs. C. Vanalstine (1941-1942), Mrs. W. (Pansy) Herrington (1944-1946), Mrs. Harold (Mabel) Dupre (1946-1948), Mrs. V. Kimmett (1948-1950), Mrs. J. (Margaret) McCarten (1950-1952), Mrs. K. (Evelyn) Lipsey (1952-1955), Mrs. C. (Annie) Milligan (1955-1958), Mrs. Alan (Muriel) Van De Bogart (1958-1959; 1962-1964; 1975-1977), Mrs. William (Rowena) Raycraft (1960-1962; 1977-1979; 1994-1996), Mrs. Jack (Marion) Vankoughnet (1964-1967), Mrs. Ted (Eileen) Middleton (1967-1969), Mrs. Robert (Dorothy) Brown (1969-1971; 1984-1986), Mrs. James (Marion) Thompson (1971-1973; 1988-1991), Mrs. George (Vera) Collings (1973-1975), Mrs. P.A. (Anne) Marsay (1979), Mrs. Eleanor Van Luven (1979-1981), Mrs. Arlene Barnhart (1981-1984), Mrs. Janet Hayley (1986-1988), Mrs. Carolyn Robinson (1991-1994), Mrs. Nancy Bye (1996-1997), and Mrs. Nancy Strugnell (1977-1999).