Nipissing welcomes conference delegates \\elconic to Nipissing District. The with '\nlli\L‘r\.’ll"\’ Conference of “oineit‘s Institutes is being held in lhl\ district, at North Bay. North Bay and Nipissing District .iic located north at Toronto 7 about .i tour-hour drive or a 40-minute flight. North Bay is knottn as the Li.ll€\\a_\ to [he North. It is a beautiful city with walking trails, public benches. and a scenic waterfront dcielopmcnt. If you're lucky you'll see a squadron ot‘jets flying overhead on their way to the Canadian Forces Base located here. Up at the base is the underground regional operational control center which receives radar data from across Canada, All military air space in Canada is controlled from ï¬titl feet under the Cambrian Shield right here tn North Bay. North Bay's earliest history involves Samuel de Champlain travelling from \laitaua up the Mattawa River to North Bay, and then portaging to lake Nipisstng. continuing across to the French River and on to the Great lakes. It you enjoy canoeing then you should consider retracing Chamâ€" pltttn's route which is now the scene Hi the annual North Bay‘Mattawa canoe race. If you enjoy ï¬shing. Lake Nipissmg |\ famous tor pickerel. And it' you enjoy rela\ing then a trip on the Chief Commanda, a stroll along the itlkEiIUI‘lI detclopment or Canav clore trails. or _IU\l sitting on a beach I\ \cry soothing and rejuvenating. To the nest ot‘ North Bay is Lake Niptssing. Nipissmg District extends I'rtim Warren at the west end of Lake \lipissing. 30 miles east to Mattawa on the Ottawa River. There are WI branches from one end to the other. Although all branches sponsor 4-H clubs, support Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food courses, and maintain Tweedsmttir Histories. it is amazing the difference in emphasis and how the WI reflects the com- munity it represents. MATTA‘VA This branch is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Marjorie Wall. president. says, “The group has always had an interest in local com- sending our packages. After World War 1, Mattawa purchased a cenotaph and established a park which they still support today. The Mattawa Branch was especially proud when the Algon- quin Nursing Home opened its doors in 1975. You see. it was two WI members who accompanied the mayor on a visit to the premier to request the home. CALVIN This branch has been focussing on helping people in the community through various activities since 1910. Shirley Dimmick, secretary, adds the members give strong support to the local community center. For example, this year they purchased a microwave and donated it to the center. RUTHERGLEN Velda Thompson, the newly elected board director for Subdivision 27 calls this branch home Rutherglen submitted a resolution in 1985 which was sustained by FWIO. It dealt with restricting the use of firearms along county roads in built-up areas. PHELPS The members of Phelps WI are the movers and shakers of Phelps Town. ship. “If there is a job to be done then the Phelps WI will be working to make it happen? says Carol JohnstOn. In the early years they obtained Blue Cross Hospitalization, petitioned Ontario Hydro to bring electric power to the township, purchased land for a memorial park and built a com- munity hall. lobbied for telephone service, the straightening of Highway 63, and passed a resolution resulting continued on p. 22 Here are members of Phelps WI. help- ing to brick the front of the ï¬rehali. From left to right they are Marili ll Hummel, Phelps President; Ten-r Thompson and Marlene Pederseit Three years ago Veu ve River WI organized the Northern Ontario Rum! Wamm's Serrttnar. Pictured above is Linda Schaber of Cache Bay (right) a! the seminar havmg her copy of the book The Farmer Takes A Wife signed by author Giselle Ireland (left) and K rismm Mans, illustrator. munity at't'airsf‘ During the war years the WI was the Red Cross, knitting for soldiers. rolling bandages and Ill H & L" April. May‘ June 1987