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21%;. a. Beamsville WI Helen Evans and Dorothy Burtch, along with the Beamsville WI ladies (Hamilton Area), enjoyed creating cards for their annual Craft Day. Ingrid Younger from “Stamp Up” taught the ladies how to make beautiful birthday and thank you cards. It was a great opportunity for imaginations to go wild and, along with a lot ofgiggles, the ladies helped each other and complimented each other’s work. A regular meeting was hosted after the craft and it was an enjoyable day for everyone. Strabane WI Strabane WI (Hamilton Area) tried a new event: a Craft Day. Volunteer instructors (WI Members) featured knitting, crochet, card folding, Kumihimo, evergreen arrangements, and a creative craft that involved making a snowman from a sock. There was a terrific response from the community, with 26 registrants. What a great way to reach the community and create awareness of Women’s Institute. Advertising was done in the community with local flyers, posters and in the local paper. Attendees commented on the success of the event and several asked about a similar day nextfall.Twopeople who attended the Craft Day have also attended some meetings â€" hopefully they will find WI a good fit, and join the Branch! Nelson WI (Guelph Area) originally started in 1903, but disbanded during the war. The Branch decided to re-organize in 1931 and is still active today. With 26 Members, Nelson WI is in the Wellington Halton District and welcomes Members from Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, Milton and points in between. Nelson WI is extremely proud of their Members. Two women had their wartime stories included in FWIO’s Fighting For Home and Country. Nelson WI has also produced a District President and a Member who has received the Medal of Canada for her work with the Canadian Association of Consumers. One Member recently celebrated her 75 years ofservice to WI, and another Member represented the senior community in her town when the Olympic torch travelled through. This Branch really gives back to the community. They have lobbied for a bridge to be built to prevent a road from closing, and forthe naming of local schools. In addition to supporting students through bursaries and assisting with various community events, they compiled a cookbook called "Millennium Desserts" in 2000. These days, the group enjoys speakers that come to their meetings. Donna Swinton, Branch Secretary says, "We enjoy the camaraderie of our monthly meetings and the education and stimulation brought to us by these speakers." «mm xi”