It was a special Saturday for the Verdant Valley and Dorcas Women’s Institute. On May 12, Verdant Valley and Dorcas celebrated their centennial with an open house and lunch at the Verdant Valley Community Centre.
The members of the Women’s Institute, their families, and community leaders such as Drumheller Councillor Jay Garbutt and Starland Reeve Barrie Hoover, were treated to lunch, speeches, birthday cake, and singing.
The group also received letters of congratulations and thanks for their volunteer efforts from Premier Alison Redford, MP Kevin Sorenson, and Governor General of Canada, David Johnson.
The ladies performedA Prairie Rose, which was written by Women’s Institute Member Mary Mercer.
Afterwards, everyone went outside for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the centennial. Rob and Don Vickers, whose grandmother was a founding member unveiled the centennial plaque.
The Verdant Valley and Dorcas Women’s Institute is the oldest such group in the province. The group was founded on May 12, 1912 by charter members President Mrs. C. Dayton, Vice President Mrs. John Brown, Secretary Treasurer Mrs. Willard Bixby, Mrs. J. Ewing, Mrs. A. Stephenson, Mrs. S.R. Sylvester, Mrs J. Rodseth, Mrs. Herman Morrow and Mrs. E.R. Morley.
The Women’s Institute isn’t resting on its laurels and will continue to serve the community through their many volunteer efforts.
