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An eighty-six year old school house purchased by Picnic Grove Institute in Glengarry County, and now used as an “Institute Home" and comâ€" munity centre. A Rural Community Centre By Eileen Foumey 3' HEN THE SCHOOL known as No. 6 v Lancaster in Glengarry was closed and put up for sale, one thing prompting members of Picnic Grove Women’s Inâ€" =ie to buy it for an “Institute Home” and a 'munity centre may have been that the not has always had some use as a com- iity centre. There are still people in the rmunity who can remember going to the Still to day-school, Sunday school, prayer stings, Institute meetings and euchre parties. n 1962 after eighty-three years’ service as 3 J01 house the school was closed. It had to put up for tenders and there were several - would have liked to buy it; but when ‘ heard the Women’s Institute wanted it Withheld their bids as everyone felt sure Institute would make it a good meeting e for the community. 'Je tendered for the school on September I962. However, when we went to the yer to have the deed transferred we disâ€" sred that we could not become owners bout being incorporated. Five members of executive signed the forms before a notary die and witness; there were still a few items be untangled.’ but we finally obtained our .«rtet on Dec. 27th and the school officially ame the Women's Institute Home. The school was purchased for a very modest n and the school board agreed to leave the lino and oil heating system in it. So all the :Ies had to do was to bring the tables. chairs d dishes they already owned and move in. me then one member‘s husband secured a .:d but very good electric stove for us, and he was an electrician he also installed it. Iolher husband renovated part of the build- ‘9. removing the boys’ cloakroom and wash» torn facilities and the teachers’ room and in- “llmg Clipboards and a sink to give US a "Elli. modern kitchen. A lady gave us a "VlN'l'ER 1966 large fluorescent light for the kitchen; gay plastic curtains were purchased and more dishes and cutlery; and we were all set to go ahead. Even before we owned the school the In- stitute had held many euchre parties there. Now we have them regularly during the winter. In the first two years after the school came into our possession we had two variety shows. The husbands of the members were the actors in several amusing skits climaxed by a fashion showfithe men all dressed as women. Later we had a "Husbands’ Night“ and served a hot cafeteria style supper to our husbands. This week We had a "Thrifty Sale and Tea” which was a great success. We intend to plant a flowering crab in front of the school next spring as our centennial project. Demonstrations at the Lakehead Fair By Mrs. W. Elmt’u‘t' UMEROUS TALENTS come to lhe ] \ fore the week the Lakehead Exhibition takes place in Thunder Buy. Three or four members from each Institute put on a demonstration from two to four-thirty in the afternoons and from seven to nine in the evenings. The branches taking part decide \\ hat they can best demonstrate. This year East Fort William did Knitting and Wool Crul‘t: Rosslyn, Gift Wrapping: Kakahcka Falls. Millinery; West Fort William and Stanley. Block Print- ing: McGregor. Cake Decorating: Slate River, Art of Cheese Making: ('onmee. Pancakes; North Blake. Making Shell Jewelry: South Ncebing. Desserts with a Difference: McIn- tyre. Ways of preparing Carrots. These demonstrations lake place in the Arts Building. are open to the public and are com sidered a drawing attraction by the Fair Board. Each branch taking part receives a prize. Thursday noon features a Pot Luck Luncheon, when all members join for a gathering. 21