Pictured above: Gordon WI Members celebrated in style, with many dressing in vintage long dresses and hats to re-create the first Branch Meeting held a century ago.  Front row (L-R): Bonnie Hore, Isabelle Lee, Melody Hore, Christine McCartney and Pat Best.  Back row (L-R): Bev Pickard, Bernadette Walker, Sheila Slomke, Gurtie Noble, Donna Bach, Linda Harper, Lillian Greenman, Eileen Sloan and Gloria Hall.

Gordon WI (North Central Area) formed in 1910, and current Members celebrated the Branch’s 100th Anniversary in June of 2010. The Branch, located in Manitoulin West District, is still thriving today with 19 Members – the same number as when the Branch started!

Members of Gordon WI live in the towns of Gore Bay, Evansville, Kagawong, Spring Bay, Silver Water, and other locations nearby. They like to spread the word that newcomers are always welcome!

Gordon WI has many achievements to be proud of. They are a supporter of the Special Olympics and, through their donations, made it possible for an athlete to be sent to the 2010 Special Olympics in London. They also provide funding for a bursary at Manitoulin Secondary School which is given to a student who plans to pursue post-secondary studies in the field of agriculture.

Gordon WI frequently donates food baskets to Community Living, makes quilts for fire victims and shut-ins, donates food at luncheons for deceased community members, and recently raised money to put towards a digital x-ray machine for the Manitoulin Health Centre.

Northern Regional Board Director Joyce Nelson attended Gordon WI’s 100th Anniversary Celebration in Gore Bay and presented Members with a certificate and 100 Year Pins. They had a wonderful display of Tweedsmuir Histories and the minutes from the Branch’s very first meeting were read. The Members even served homemade bread and butter – just as they did at the first Branch meeting 100 years earlier.