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Giddy, Qiday “mm the Valley By Christine Reaburn Giday, Giday from the Valley â€" in parâ€" ticular, from my home in Renfrew County in the Upper Ottawa Valley. Renfrew County has a rich heritage. The first to settle here were the Algonquins, followed by Europeans who came in search of fur and to farm the productive soils. The rivers became a highway for transporting goods to and from market. The white pine brought wealth to the Lumber Barons who used the Ottawa River to float this highly prized commod- ity to Bytown (Ottawa), and from there to the world. Along with settlement came a mixing of cultures - English, Scottish, French, Irish and German - which exists today in the songs, writings, dances and language. Renfrew County is still rich in timber .ind agriculture Additions to this tradiâ€" tional economic base are Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited and Whitewater Advenâ€" ture and Tourism The water highway is now home to hydro dams, whitewater adâ€" ventures, bungee jumping. kayaking and pleasure boating. There is nothing quite as spectacular as the Valley dressed for autumn. The Women’s Institute is also a part of Renfrew County’s heritage. Women‘s Institute played a vital and influencing role in the development of communities. Examples of this include installing footâ€" paths and street lights, building and maintaining community halls and provid» ing needed educational programs â€" a role they still fulfill today. What a great time to be involved with Women's Institute! Opportunities await us as we, collectively, plan and work to increase our personal knowledge of women‘s health and other issues and share .‘hese opportunities with our communities. At the same time, we can actively recruit .§\ I [/45; new members, organize new Branches and strengthen our existing ones. Rural communities in Ontario need our leadership. I am confident that Women’s Institute members can continue to fill that gap. Women's Institute has a proud heriâ€" tage. Let’s share our pride and invite our neighbours tojoin us in working to ensure strong rural communities throughout the province. The Provincial Board of FWIO looks forward to hearing from you. We need to hear of your projects and your achieveâ€" ments, how you keep your meetings strong and vital, and how you recruit members and raise funds. We would like to share the wealth of experience, know~ ledge and entrepreneurship exhibited by Branches, Districts and Areas across this province. As we start a new year, I encourage you to continue being the “spark” in your com- munity. Til next time, take care! Christine Reaburn is the newly elected President of FWIO. She can be reached at RR], Westmeath 0N KO} 2L0, Phone/Fair: 613-582-3550. FIRST LADY OF THE ROYAL FWIO President Arthena Hacker pre- sented Cathy Wilson Pinkney with the Federated Women's Institutes of Ontario Excellence in AgriCUIture Award at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (RAWF) on November 5. 1999. Cathy Wilson Pinkney has sewed 4-H as a Provincial 4~H Program Specialist under the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. In this position, Cathy has served as the ministry representative to the RAWF Youth Activities Committee. She is well-known to 4-H members and fair goers alike. She has shown great leadership and devotion to the education of4â€"H youth and spectators at the Royal. Profile Meet Christine Reab urn, Newly Elected President Christine Reaburn is the newly elected President of FWIO. A perusal of her re- sume reveals extensive involvementwith the Women's Institute at all levels. The Women's Institute positions she has held. the courses and works hops she has led and the conferences she has at- tended attest to her commitment to this organization. Christine's involvement in and recognition by agricultural related organi- zations is equally impressive. Christine has always enjoyed travel» ling. For part of 1971-72 she lived and worked in Great Britain. In London she worked in the typing pool at the Treas» ury Building. Later in Edinburgh. she worked as the Personal Assistant to the General Secretary of the Scottish Association of Young Farmer‘s Clubs. During these two years she visited Nomay, Sweden. italy, Switzerland and she attended the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. She married her husband Larry in Dufferin County in 1973, moving to Ren- frew County in 1974. The lure was a larger farm. They started with 300 acres and have increased to 1000 acres, which includes cash crops and pedigree seed production. Their three girls are striking out on their own. Janet (married to Scott) is a graduate of Kemptville College and works with her Dad. Catherine will graduate with an Outdoor Recreation, Parls and Tourism Degree from Lake- head University next year. Charlotte is in herfirst year at Loyalist College studying Photo-Journalism. "I have always tried to pace myself," said Christine. "not taking on more than I can reasonably handle in terms of vol- unteer commitments. One executive position at a time. I like to have the time and commitment to do one job well." when she is not pursuing her volun- teer commitments, Christine enjoys gardening, knitting and Crocheting. She reads one book a week and particularly enjoys historical novels. Home & Country, Winter “99-2000 3