Sydenham Women’s Institute

Wilma Kenny | Dec 09, 2015

Sydenham Women’s Institute’s Christmas meeting this week was a lively, interesting evening with food, crafts, conversation and lots of laughter.

Member Linda Bates set up festive tables for a delicious potluck turkey dinner that included a great variety of desserts. (Nobody cooks better than the Institute!)

The tables were quickly cleared, and Jane Goodberry handed out pre-assembled kits, each with a styrofoam ball, many tiny squares of red and green cloth, and a lot of straight pins. Then Jane showed us how to fold and pin this unlikely assortment into an intricate tree ornament that looked many times more complicated than it actually was. She was an excellent teacher, patiently encouraging even the most uncrafty of us, so that each one was pleased by the result of her work.

Best of the whole evening was the welcoming warmth and friendliness of the group.

The Women’s Institute is an international non-profit organization that originated in Ontario in1897. Independent of either religious or political affiliations, the WI was started to provide rural and small-town women educational opportunities and a voice to advocate more effectively on a broad spectrum of issues.

Sydenham’s WI, which began in the early 1900s, helped purchase The Point, a popular but privately owned picnic site and swimming hole, so people could be assured public access to Sydenham Lake. They have provided many scholarships; initiated and supported the Sydenham swim lesson program; preserved local history; and continue to contribute in many quiet ways to the well-being of local residents.

They welcome new members at any time. If you’re curious or new to the area, drop in to one of their meetings. They get together once a month on Mondays, and their programs feature speakers on a wide range of topics. They meet in the community room at the Sydenham Library, starting at 6:30 p.m. The next meetings in the new year are: January 11, February 8 and March 14.