Special Programs and Projects A Note to P.R.0.’s The purpose of this Special Programs and Projects section is to give Public Relattons Officers a spot in Home and Country where they can tell all the Institutes of the province about anything done in their own Institute which might offer a suggestion to other branches. As we have explained in previous issues, we cannot give space to routine reports of meetings â€" unless the program is so original or outstanding as to give an idea to other Institutes. A particularly good subject for a topic, discussion, debate, motto or roll call would be welcome. Some years ago it was decided that we could not report anniversary celebrations. These are of interest mainly in the local comâ€" munity where the participants are known and of course P.R.0.’s will see that they get into the local papers. And please note that to produce an illustraâ€" tion we require a photograph, not the negative; and that we cannot make a cut from a colored picture or from a slide. Perhaps the best way to see the sort of material we need for this section is to look at the topics in this and previous issues. Then, as P.R.0. for your branch or district or area, if you have a story that should be told, do, please, send it alongâ€"Editor, Community Christmas Carol Festival By Edna M. Powell N FOREST in Lambton county, the Women’s Institute is the oldest, independ- ent ladies organization in the town and in 1959 the president at that time, Mrs. Harold Hall, suggested that the Institute sponsor a Christmas Carol Festival and if successful, con- tinue it annually. ‘ The Festival was based on the premise that it was to be a community endeavor regardless of race, creed or color. Every church in the town and surrounding district was contacted and its choir asked to sing two Christmas carols or hymns. One choir was asked to sing in Latin, another in Dutch and one rural school sang a French folk song. The Churches taking part were United, including a neighboring Ravenswood United, Presbyterian, Baptist, An- 24 glican, Roman Catholic, Baha‘i World Faith, Gospel Hall, Christian Reformed Dutch, [Jr-n. tecostal. Each year the school kindergarten (31359. is invited to open the Festival and they alu as perform in their appealing manner. Town my; rural schools including the Kettle Point Inn in Reserve, The Royal Canadian Legion ch ,1 group, the youth band, and every other mu~ ii group in the community has participated. '5 ., year something new was added: a choir ct posed of Institute members from the Rev. . wood, Aberarder, Uttoxcter and Fr» , branches took part. The District High School Board has alv donated the use of the school auditorium ,I, the teen-age young men in the district l- acted as ushers as well as taking parl in program. The Festival always has an elaborate clo number. The first year the High School ( Club reâ€"enacted the nativity scene in the st: â€"Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child with shepherds, kings and wiscmcn laying their p at His manger while the Biblical story * read off-stage. The second year the closing number “Christmas ’Round the World.†All new Ci. dians were asked to participate and each i ried the flag of his homeland and spoke a words in his native language. Some twe; five large, colorful flags were brought to manger and lowered before the Christ Ch The Royal Canadian Legion participated carrying the flags from those countries i were not represented by a countryman. The third year the nativity scene was Shu‘ and the teenâ€"age boys and girls each carriei letter of the word “ChristmaS†that represen‘ a gift to the Christ Child. This year a dramatic “Story Cantata†v presented, entitled “The Sign of Peace.†'l opening scene showed the world being ruled “Hatred and Strife" who were seated on ': throne of power and assisted by four Imp: Greed, Prejudice, Selfishness and Injusti Finally, Humanity, Truth, Christianity a World Brotherhood broke their chain of c and set “Peace†on the world throne to rule. A great deal of time and effort goes into L project each year as elaborate costumes, colx ful lighting and stage decorations all add ' the Christmas atmosphere. An effort is mat? to eliminate all commercial aspects of the sv' son, such as the Christmas tree and Sari Claus, and there is no admission charge for I! program. HOWever, a collection is taken to d fray expenses, and last year this collection wav used by the Institute to adopt a little sixrywi old Chinese girl from Hong Kong through tit ‘ Save the Children plan. This year we hoPe " continue to help our adopted child. HOME AND COUNTR':