10 Castlegar News, Sept. 28, 1987 Robson Wi Started Over 54 Years Ago| And It Still Serves | -. -Fifty-Four years ago on May '18,'-1918, the Robson Women’s Institute was organized with Mrs. ‘A. F. Mitchell being elected pre- sident and Mrs. C. S. Squires ‘secretary. For many years this was the only women’s organization in Robson and now after 54 years "and with a number of other or- ganizations functioning, it still takes an important part in :com- munity: affairs, In the second year. of or- ganization the First World War. broke out and all efforts were concentrated on Red Cross work and war charities. Following the | war the institute worked for a district nurse. In 1920 — money was raised to buy a piano which . is still in use in the Robson Hall. i In 1920 the ‘institute began working for a superior school and a dental clinic. In 1921 the superior school was started in Robson, being held in a room in the old hotel. This superior school, incidentally, was the be- ginninng of our present.Stanley Humphries Secondary School as it was attended by pupils from Castlegar as well as. Robson. In 1921 physical courses were sponsored '.and : various musical ‘plays. including -a .Jap- |' anese operetta were produced. The first contribution was made | to the Othoa Scott fund and. this worthy cause has been aided through the years, At a public meeting in 1926 the care of the cemetery-was put in the hands of the institute. and in 1948 these deeds for the cem- etery were cleared. The care of the cemetery and its upkeep is still. one of the’ duties of the institute. j In. 1943: also lige ‘tnamber- ships ‘were’ presented ‘to’: five charter members. Wholesome en- tertainments were. provided for teenagers and children’s Christ- mas parties were continued. — A tourist park was opened, in 1924 ‘and this. park ‘is still ‘used by many: people: including First; the Boy Scouts: and Rovers who use it to practice woodcraft.. For. a'‘number of years banquets and: picnics were held in cooperation with the Farmer’s: Institute. There. were many.‘ demonstra- tions, special * speakers,.. social events, EScutions| donations to worthy causes and, always where | : possible, help given to the needy A CENTENNIAL SALUTE! Greep's. Electric , Canada’s Future is a Tied to Education... - Let me help you plan now to guarantee the money ol | Arthur Anderson Phone 365-7633 The Mutual Life ASSURANCE COMPANY: OF CANADA The with the Ainidoncd ding record still administers the KRC welfare fund in the Robson district:.’ ; During ‘the Second World War the-Women’s Institute again directed all activities toward the war, effort. Red Cross and jam for, Britain ‘committees: worked | tirelessly.. But even: with ‘their war effort during: this: period other: projects were not neglect- ed and‘in-1942 payments on’ the Institute’ Park, . owned:: jointly with the Farmer's Institute, were completed. In 1945, with grateful. hearts, VE: day: was. celebrated: ‘Two major.” projects. marked: 1946. the; organization’ and ‘op- Seta ‘of a ‘Well Baby: Clinic under Mrs. C. E.: Tutt, a:nurse and an “institute member, “and | © secondly, a substantial ‘amount’ was. raised and ‘donated to the Robson Community :. :Memorial Church: fund: In. 1947 the Red Cross drive: was organized and this.is now an annual ’ project. Children’s garden contests .werée: ‘held ‘in = |:1948 ‘and: sponsorship * of the, ‘J| Brownies began, followed in 1951 by sponsorship of the Scout troop, which continued for five years, The. year 1948 also saw the origin ‘of ‘the . Strawberry Festival which was held for six consecutive years. Through its: ‘education com- mittee : the institute has contin- ued ‘its active ‘interest in’ many fields of education, and in 1952 offered:.a $25: scholarship for a high. ranking ‘student. This was changed in'-1960 to the top. stu- dentin grade'12 home econom- ics,. Now. the Institute’ is going to ‘support the West Kootenay District. Women’s Institute in presenting a $100, bursary to Sel- kirk College. “" Tn°4952 the institute’ also tenay Society ‘for Handicapped Children. Much work was also: done for the Castlegar’ and Dist- rict ‘Fall Fair including the don- ation of a memento cup. With the’start of the local hospital the institute was one: of the‘ first organizations to pledge financial ‘support’ anda Wo- men’s: Institute ward in the new hospital” has-been ‘completely furnished with the help of other local institutes... . Since 1958 donations. of. lin- en, pillows, etc., have been. made to keep this’ ward up. Help. has also been” given by: institute members in: mending, ete. “In 1963-the institute gave a subscription to: National: Geo- graphic Magazine to the Robson School. ‘This magazine hasbeen are being given. - ; + In 1961 the: WI -started on the. project of getting home nur- sing care started in Robson: This was successfully concluded « by getting an: jorder-in-couneil 1s: in the coninunite: The institute Area , for Home Nursing Care.” wooden: benches’ made and piac- ed where’ people! could: sit’ and look over the river:For over 10 years‘the Robson WI hus, held’an annual: ‘Get Acquainted; Tes which. are. A iavited all short: iesume of “the. Women’s. Institutes, i = On: Feb. 19, 1897, \a, ‘ganiz- ed::the’ first ‘Women’s Anstitute- It was ‘natural: that an ‘or- ganization with broad and worth- while aims and objectives: would 1909 ‘Miss Laura ‘Rose: came ‘to. B.C. ‘where ‘she judged ‘at Fall Fairs, gave talks on dairying and organized ‘Institutes’ 15 'in' all. Under the “Agriculture Assist. ance Act” of 1911 they were le- gally recognized’ with ‘Mr. _Seott sued ‘in: peas 1962 ed deaignat ing Robson’. as “Robson: Local | d “In 1962 the institute had two tary spread to the: east and ‘west.; In. m, Mrs.’ Maude Dougan becoming | the. “firat superinten- In 1913 Mrs, ‘Watt, secre- to: the:advisory ‘board of ‘Women’s Institutes‘of B.C: went to ‘England: and ‘after. ‘the out-:. break of World War J:in 1914, ti oe engand and after interesting the: department’ ‘of. agriculture, rganizing ® ‘Women’s In- anata: meoting in pee 2a oo 1914 all provinces in anada had achieved'a consider- ple. measure ‘of - ‘organization. “1919 the Federated Women’s Institutes ‘of! Canada became a national: organization...’ ‘In’.1930:Mrs. Watt managed make progress :in: uniting the women in‘ all-countries'in the ‘Associated Country. Women. of The World, “becoming ° its .first ‘president, At the present time _ there ‘are associated societies in over. 42 . different ‘countries. re- presenting 7,000,000 women ane g ete Z associated itself with the -Koo- so much used’ by the children’ that this year ‘two’ subscriptions. GREAT YEARS ARE AHEAD! 2 10 YEARS oF PROGRESS ‘Singer Co. of Canada Lid. Mrs, H Recto, Representative BC. Music Electronics | Bee 2 ‘for. the: squadron. ‘or dis, “Bush Survival Course ‘and:: m.| squadron’s strength: citizens: got together first Civilian Committee! Some‘ of:these included Anderson, who ‘becam e the chairman, H. F..Hyson, R. West, .E.. “Newman and ‘oth ple ‘associated with’ au ron, over. the .years ‘such ‘as. (C. Wools, who was the supply. offic- years, and John chief ‘instructor “in” rly. years. During ithe’ past. 14 years: there-have! been 10: cadets: who’ have attended senior, veeders/and Camp: Borden. Five: a ts have ite ge tions. and received their civili: i licenses.’ i oh és One: “cadet took . year he is returning as an adult “to instruct. in. this ‘¢ course. Thi _ tal exchange visit tothe: USA: Over: the squadron had}; iets ing. officer’ up ‘antil year: 1958-59 yhen’ pl being: the top: ‘squadron: “-iput’ the: top:in Canada. AS, the present: time. ‘the ; vince: has risen to'38. staff of: the squadron: consists: ;) of F/O0.A, B. Eall, who has been oe number’ of squadrons in the pro- present mp- ; cent has been “doing this job:for ‘the past six'years.’J:: Magee has been’ instructing in: navigation with the. squadron ‘forthe ‘past e four: years :.and:,D. Lester,’ who: Eg tructs’ e Engines and: driv- g safety, has been'a member of. the’ squadron‘ for’ two: years. ‘The last ‘member.- of ‘the: jjpbtructing staff:is S. Wallach, \' ‘who instructs inhaving ‘had chosen’one cadet; Sgt: Garry, Les- | ter, to: attend’ “senior: ‘leaders ‘|coursé at‘ Camp Borden.’ Another cadet, F/Sgt. Dal Newman, ‘ is one of five B.C: cadets who have taken’ part ina special drill team ‘jealled the Corps -aslite. This dril! team toured’ ‘eastern. Canada and : ‘h: the: TaClasoa siete ‘ Stamp-Vincent ‘who aes: et in’ the: celebration of Canada’s i. eee : Centennial of Confederation, and ‘takes this” “opportunity. to pay special tribute. to: ‘pioneers : of the area, aand their many, y outstanding achieve- Our congratulations’ ar. are. also, ‘extended to all citizens through: whose ‘individual and. collec- tive efforts ‘your ¢ communities eontinge to. dev- lop and F progress. As pioneers ‘of industry in: ‘this Bice. Comince has: depended upon communities sieuch’ as 3 yours to o provide the facilities of municipal services, " sound. government and : a stable economy, alls sO. “necessary to the operation of private er | Canadian-style. ee (continued on page twelve :