Submitted by DELORES McNEE
Kettle River District Women’s Institute’s fall workshop held at the Bridesville Hall, hosted by the Bridesville Women’s Institute on Oct.16, was a huge success. The lively gathering of 46 ladies started the morning at 9 a.m. with coffee, muffins and fruit. At 9:30 a.m., Norma Tilgner, our Kettle River District Women’s Institute (KRWI) president, opened the morning with a warm welcome to all those attending, as well as comments regarding our upcoming WI National Triennial convention to be held in Kelowna in 2014. It will be our responsibility to help with the registration at that convention.
Our first item on the workshop agenda was the demonstration of homemade peach/pineapple ice cream by Delores McNee. Recipes were handed out in order for everyone to follow along. The ice cream was made up to the custard stage at home and then put in the freezer. Other ingredients were added as the ice cream became more frozen. A second pan of frozen ice cream (to save time) was then put out on the table for everyone to sample. Many commented on how creamy and tasty it was. No automatic ice cream maker was necessary.
Next came a “caddy can” idea made and shown by Roberta Chartier. Patterns were handed out and she talked about how the material was sewn and draped over the large coffee can to provide pockets for various uses, including paint brushes and paints; needles, pins and thread; crayons and other small children’s items.
At this point, a short coffee and stretch break was taken before lunch was served. We were able to peruse the silent auction items, plant table, books for sale, as well as the 16 decorated bras that were displayed, part of a competition to go along with our afternoon speaker from Esteem Lingerie Inc. from Kelowna.
A delicious lunch of various kinds of soups as well as decorated open-faced sandwiches were on hand. A variety of scrumptious squares finished off the wonderful meal.
Norma shared a few hints on how to increase our memory as we age by staying active. Some suggestions were reading, doing puzzles of all sorts, dancing, keeping active, learning something new and many others.
Our next presenter was Angela O’Brien and her mother, Florenda Pickett from Esteem Lingerie Inc. out of West Kelowna. Angela gave us a humorous rendition on how to measure and fit a bra properly and we will not forget her “stoop, swoop, scoop and giggle” method to mold into a bra. Many were able to try on the bras right there, and Angela invited everyone to come to the store to be individually fitted. Angela handed out “The things they should have taught us in high school...dispelling the myths of bras” and “Laundry care secrets to success” in washing a bra.
During the morning and early afternoon, each lady was given one ticket to vote on the most original and uniquely decorated bra. We had 16 entries and the winners were Wendy Tossevinen, Donna Scott and Ruth Champagne first to third respectively. Thank you to all the ladies who took the time to create these sensations. Winners were given a small prize for their efforts. A draw was also made for the door prize consisting of a hand-potted bowl containing local fruit. Thank you to Norma’s daughter for donating the clay bowl.
Our final speaker, retired nurse Hazel Self, led us on a journey of Crisis Prevention in the Rural Setting, Basic First Aid, and Essential Home Medical Supplies that should be included in everyone’s first aid kit at home and in our car.
Our gathering concluded at 3 p.m.
Thank you to the Bridesville Women’s Institute for hosting this gathering. You did a great job of decorating and supplying