Women’s Institute ham supper

Fundraising dinner in Cherry Valley

The annual Cherry Valley Women’s Institute ham supper took place in the Athol Town Hall last Wednesday evening. As has been the custom, the hall was decorated in a St. Patrick’s Day theme with an abundance of green and perhaps a leprechaun or two peering from the shadows. Attendance was limited to 66 people, due to fire regulations, and it was a sold-out event. Another two dozen people ordered takeout meals. The WI has been offering these dinners for over 40 years, and the menu has remained pretty much unchanged: slices of ham, scalloped potatoes, homemade baked beans, corn, coleslaw and dinner rolls. There was no need for a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow—the dessert table was where the treasure lay. Elaine Marshall made dozens of pies, including cherry, blueberry, apple, lemon meringue and raspberry, as well as three varieties of cheesecake. There was enough for “seconds”, as well as takeaway.

Cherry Valley WI branch president Wilma De Wolde thanked her fellow members for all the work they did to make the dinner a success and she expressed her gratitude to all the residents who came to the dinner. The funds raised will be used to support local causes. The WI began with a mandate to support families, women and children in particular. The Cherry Valley branch has been fulfilling that mission since 1908.

Over the years the membership has fluctuated, but there’s recently been an influx of new (and younger) members continuing the work of this storied organization. The WI was instrumental in establishing an accessible transportation system in the County, and continues to support the area food banks, the hospital, as well as local families in need. They are currently providing additional support to a family with a child who is being treated for cancer.

The WI is offering a bursary of $1,000 to County residents who are pursuing a post-secondary education in Ontario. The application deadline is noon, March 31, 2026. There are a couple of upcoming WI events. The annual Cherry Valley bake sale will take place at the Athol Town Hall on May 16. The Art and Craft sale will take place at the Crystal Palace in Picton on July 30. For more information, please visit thecountywomensinstitute.ca.