​Bervie W.I. learns about sight-testing program for Senior Kindergarten students

The Bervie Women’s Institute met at the Bervie United Church, Wednesday. President Bev Berndt led in the usual openings – O Canada, the Opening Ode and Mary Stewart Collect.

Twelve members answered the Roll Call which was, “What would you miss most if you lost your hearing?”

Betty Jean White introduced our speaker, Charles Liddle of the Ripley Lions Club. He is a co-ordinator who helped develop a sight-testing program for Senior Kindergarten students in our area. Others involved in developing the program were the Bluewater District School Board and Grey Bruce Public Health.

In 2023-24, 61 schools were tested which involved 1,800 Senior Kindergarten students in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties. Many volunteers assist in each school on testing day. Students requiring further eye-testing are notified.

Betty Jean thanked Charles and presented him with a donation for the Ripley Lions Club.

Betty Jean read the minutes of the last meeting and Islay Eby gave the treasurer’s report. Donations will be made to the Alzheimer’s Society and the Kincardine and Community Health Care Foundation. A donation will also be made to Community Living of Kincardine and District which is are fund-raising for a commercial generator for the Saratoga home in Kincardine.

Ellen Waye reported on Tweedsmuir information and the Federated Women’s Institutes of Ontario (FWIO) newsletter which came out recently. Several were to attend the Grey Bruce Area Convention at Chepstow, Oct. 3, and the Bruce District Rally, Oct. 24, in Port Elgin.

The meeting closed with the closing ode and the singing of “The King.”

The next meeting will be held Nov. 6 at 10 a.m., at the Bervie United Church. This will be a ROSE (Reaching Out Sharing Education) program on Laughter Yoga, and everyone is welcome.