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Between the lines Mrs. Keith Hiepleh President Federated Women ’5 Institutes of Ontario ear WI Members: Happy New Year to each of you! May peace, good health and happiness be yours in 1983. It is a pleasure to be able to in- form you that during my annual visit to the fourteen Area Conven- tions last fall, each Area reported an increase in new members for the current year within many of the local branches. The new members are women of various ages. One branch reported ten new members in ten months â€" this is a tremendous record of achievement! The younger members are being encouraged to present their fresh, new ideas for consideration and implementation. Greater flexibility in the time of holding monthly meetings is now permitting more women to attend well planned and informative meetings. Public Relations Officers are encouraging converters to in- form them of the coming monthly meeting, so that their press and radio releases will inform the general public and the Women's Inâ€" stitute members that an interesting programme has been arranged for all women in the community. This year Women's Institute Week will be observed in February, during the week that contains the l9th. As you celebrate within your 4 branches the 86th Anniversary of the founding of the first Women's Institute in the world, 3‘ Sloney Creek, Ontario, February 19, l897, invite your friends, neighbours and potential new members to share this special day with you. . Our twin province Manitoba shares a very unique garden with the state of Nerth Dakota. This garden is the International Peace Garden. It is situated midway between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean and near the geographical centre of our conti- nent. The province of Manitoba donated 1451 acres and North Dakota donated 880 acres, The vast area encompassed by the Interna» tional Peace Garden is mainly a wooded and lake region. The formal area composed of pools, shrubs and flowers harmonizes with the natural setting. Throughout the wooded area of the International Peace Garden are picnic sites. Manitoba Women's In- stitute has its own Women‘s Inv stitute Picnic Nook, complete with running water, rest rooms and an electrical outlet. Visitors enjoy the beauty of nature, nature walks, hik- ing and cross country skiing. This very special Garden was dedicated 50 years ago to peace between Canada and the United States of America. It is a very special Garden belonging to two countries, whose people have lived in peace for many years. Plans are nearing completion to warmly welcome society delegates, life and contributing members, and husbands accompanying their wives to the 17th Triennial Conference of the Associated Country Women of the World, hosted by the Area of Canada at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Col- umbia, June 19-29, 1983. It is ex- pected that many hundreds of women, some accompanied by their husbands, will be visiting Canada for the very first time. It is hoped that many of these visitors will be able to spend a few days in Ontario. The diversification of our province’s agriculture is most noteworthy. A visit to the Erland Lee (Museum) Home at Stoney Creek and to the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead at St. George will be long remembered highlights of their visit to Ontario. As you know the time period bet- ween 1981â€"1990 has been designated “International Drinking Water Sup. ply and Sanitation Decade.” Nillch of the suffering in the world is c .113. ed by lack of water and poor sar 13. tion. One of the most pressing , g. blems in the world to-day is get -qg an adequate supply of fresh, c in water that is safe for drinl 3, cooking and washing. “ Water covers three-quarters it the earth‘s surface and most of H5 is salt water found in the oce y Only a very small part of the f h water is accessible and much of it is underground. Depending on the various reg 5 around the globe, some have t much rainfall and other reg: have too little. The result is eit flood or drought situations in in places. Reliable water supplies and r. quate sanitation are taken granted in most parts of developed world. However, in developing countries, less than c fifth of the rural population and l than seventy-five per cent of the ban areas have access to safe drii ing water. It is estimated that wai related diseases kill nearly l million people yearly and half 1! number are infants under one yr of age. People who suffer from lack water, recognize what a precio resource safe water is. When pit or wells are installed in a village bonus is that gardens can watered, Children can enjoy a bell diet â€" thus improvement in nut tion is a benefit from water project Women and children are also fret from the endless hours spent in co lecting water miles from the homes. A.C.C.W. recognizes the needs(. the world's underprivileged an Project UCA 71 covering Water an Sanitation, sponsored by UNESCL and ACWW, needs your support. The future remains bright fer ou organization. The opportunities f0 our Women’s Institute members it work together on various projects i always stimulating. Congratulations and best wishes are extended to the new branch. Sunnybrooke in Lambton Centre District. l i