Fiftieth Anniversary Poem 1982

Thank you, God for everything - the big things, and the small,

For “every good gift comes from God ” — the giver of them all

And all too often we accept without any thanks or praise

The gifts God sends as blessings each day in many ways.

And so at this Anniversary TIME we offer up a prayer

To thank you, God, for giving us all the good things that we share.

LOWER FREETOWN WOMEN’S INSTITUTE

On May 25, 1923, twelve years after the first Women’s Institute was formed on P.E.I., the women of Lower Freetown met in the “Old Hall” to organize a Women’s Institute Branch. The meeting was held in the afternoon and Miss Bessie Carruthers was present as organizer. A regular date for meeting was set for the third Wednesday of each month. Miss Alice Cairns was elected President, Mrs. Scott Jardine, Vice- President and Mrs. Frank Cairns, Secretary-treasurer. Directors named were: Mrs. Jardine Stavert, Mrs. Elton Cairns, Miss Ruth Cairns, and Auditors: Miss Mabel Burns and Mrs. D.M. Bernard. Two delegates were appointed to attend the Annual Convention in Charlottetown the following month.

Minutes of the July meeting of this first year are interesting. Members voted to pay $15.00 on the teacher’s salary, and an ice cream social was planned; the ice cream, of course, to be homemade. August minutes report proceeds of $31.00; also mentions that twenty—three pounds of leftover cream was sent to the factory.

Nine charter members joined the Institute at its first meeting. By the end of the first year, membership had risen to nineteen. It was a busy year. They engaged a painter, planned and financed the painting of the interior of the school, had a Hallowe’en party, prepared and presented a play in the local hall, had a bean supper and various other activities. It is interesting to note that admission fee for the play was 20‘ for school children and 35“ for adults. Homemade candy was sold, made by those members not taking part in the play.

Lower Freetown Women’s Institute Left to right: Helen Hammill, Katie McCarville, Lottie Cairns, Mrs. Isaac Burns, Jennie Jardine, RosieArsenault, Lizzie Burns, Mrs. Frank McKenna, Maisie Gardiner, Ina Stavert, Minnie Burns, Margaret Reeves, Mary Rogers,

Dorothy Rogers (child), Marion Rogers with Evelyn (child), other children unidentified.

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