By the time our members met at the end of January, they had received their first copy of the controversial W.I. Life and as far as this Institute is concerned, the feedback was positive.
As this is our 90th Anniversary year, we have a busy schedule during the next 12 months. Members were urged to support the Pancake Morning on 20 February by bringing along family and friends. Other nearby Institutes have also been invited and visitors are welcome – please see below for further details.
The winners of the Competition Trophy for 2006 were announced by Jill Reynolds, there had been several re-counts as the result was so close. There were five members in second place with 10 points, but in the end Cecilia Cotton, Christine Fell and Sharon King won through with 13 points each.
It was now time for Susan Dewey, our invited speaker to tell us more about the American Plains Indians. She showed us some beautiful artifacts including a war bonnet of the Lakota tribe, a sub-section of the Sioux Indians. Traditionally each bonnet is unique and made of eagle feathers collected during a spiritual quest. The brow band is beautifully beaded and the whole thing is full of lucky charms and symbols. She told us how the Lakota tribe would come together twice a year to hunt buffalo and demonstrated how to skin the dead animal – with the aid of a china buffalo! She explained that the culture of the American Indian is very different from that portrayed in the Hollywood movies – of course, we might have known.
Diary Dates:
20 February – Pancake Morning 10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m. in the Village Hall : Entry £2.50 to include refreshments (pancake & coffee)
22 February – Have Gavel Will Travel – Derek Drew (Toastmaster) – 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall
05 March – Danebury Group Spring Meeting
29 March – Chocolate with Barbara Parker – 7.30 p.m. in the Village Hall
In February, our members will be bringing along a wine glass for the competition, as our speaker is Derek Drew who will be giving us a glimpse of his life as a Toastmaster.
Sharon King
