Members of the Alma Women’s Institute (WI) gathered to celebrate their 40th anniversary at an afternoon British-style high tea held at the Alma Community Centre.
Stories of the past 40 years were shared among the friends and relatives and visiting dignitaries.
Jean Austin was instrumental in getting the Alma WI started. Back in 1973 she had moved from Milton to a farm just west of Alma. She had been active in the Milton area WI and missed the institute’s monthly meetings. So she approached long-time Alma resident Mabel Trask about starting an Alma chapter.
Trask liked the idea of gathering for time of fellowship and education, so Austin put up some posters around the village.
The first meeting was held on April 19, 1973 with 17 charter members meeting at the Alma Public School. Ruth Grose was the first president and Pat Salter was the first secretary. Member fees were $1.
Doris White was vice-president and Jean Austin was district director. Margaret Hall was PRO and Mabel Trask was Tweedsmuir history writer. Grose was the only one who could type, so she became the typist for the history and is still looking after that today. Mabel Trask wrote out the stories.
Alma WI printed its first history book in 1984 and ordered 500 copies. They quickly sold and they ordered 200 more. There are still a few copies available by contacting Grose at 519-846-5329.
The group has been very active in helping in the community. They meet monthly at various members’ homes around Alma. At present there are 17 active members, which is the same number as the year the group was started. Wilma Snowe has been the secretary for the past 20 years.
A short while after the Alma WI started in 1973, they wanted to make some money to donate to various causes in the community. They decided catering would be an excellent way to make money but no one really wanted to be in charge of cooking meat. Since Grose was president at the time, she felt she better take on the task. She approached her husband to design something in which large quantities of meat could be cooked. Ray Grose was agreeable to the idea, so Alma WI catering began. Forty years later, the ladies are still catering to dinners for local agriculture producer groups and agriculture societies. Their catering efforts have allowed them to generate money, which they use to support charities in the community.
submitted by Sharon Grose
