Yarmouth Glenders. Clue #2
Description
- Media Type
- Image
- Item Type
- Photographs
- Description
- Name of Creation “Staying Strong While Changing”
The first realization that Clue 2 was going to be a challenge was the word LEGO. None of the team members had a source of Lego blocks and none of us had any experience in working with them. So we all thought about a way we could get them. Prices were checked at toy stores and Kijiji . We considered asking day care centres but realized that Covid rules would not allow us to borrow. We agreed it would be a waste of money to purchase the blocks when the money could be used to support WI projects. Luckily our team has a very resourceful and determined photographer who was able to get a tubful of assorted blocks from a grandmother and a bagful from her next door neighbour’s daughter.
Next came ideas for the design to represent what we felt about WI. Emails went back and forth with ideas. We realized that the answer was demonstrated by the railway bridge we passed under every time we went on Sunset Drive. This bridge is the third one across the Kettle Creek valley. It started out as a single-track, timber trestle for Canada Southern Railway and was completed in 1872. This bridge was replaced by double-tracked metal structure for the Michigan Central Railroad. The still standing structure, of steel and concrete, was completed in 1930. The bridge went out of use until a group of railway enthusiasts and generous people and organizations had the vision to turn it into St Thomas Elevated Park (S.T.E.P.), the first in Canada.
Same structure. Different Purpose. We realized that this describes our Women’s Institute. The structure of this organization has lasted for 125 years because it was built on a solid base with each passing decade bringing changes and challenges but the structure remained solid while accommodating changes. So, we decided to build a replica of a portion of the bridge. Doing this required changes and challenges involved with working with Lego bricks. Bits fell down and were rebuilt. Encouraging each other was important…. again so like WI, especially when it comes time for people to take on a new or different role on the executive.
We would like to think that if our grandmothers could attend a branch meeting, they would feel comfortable with the current format which includes things from their generation- badges, Mary Stewart Collect, officers and informational speakers and activities. They would learn about new things that have become part of our modern WI- ROSE, Zoom meetings and colourful and informative publications. These things and feelings from the past and the present show what WI means to us. Of course, when the meeting was concluded, we would all gather around for a cup of tea and treats and share a good laugh or a feeling of sorrow for a member no longer with us.
So, yes, the Lego bricks gave us an excellent opportunity to imagine how much of the past is part of our future.
Team: Yarmouth Glenders Picture taken looking south at S.T.E.P. bridge with a team member holding our Lego model
- Notes
- Submission part of the WISH challenge for WI's 125th anniversary
- Date of Publication
- Apr 2022
- Subject(s)
- Geographic Coverage
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Ontario, Canada
Latitude: 42.78339 Longitude: -81.19974
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- Copyright Statement
- Protected by copyright: Uses other than research or private study require the permission of the rightsholder(s). Responsibility for obtaining permissions and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
- Contact
- Federated Women's Institutes of OntarioEmail:fwio@fwio.on.ca
Website:
Agency street/mail address:552 Ridge Road
Stoney Creek, ON L8J 2Y6
905-662-2691
