By Bruce Burton
The Haldimand Press
CANFIELD—The Covid pandemic forced the Canfield Women’s Institute to cancel their Valentine’s Day Luncheon for the past two years, but a sellout crowd of more than 100 took advantage of its resumption on February 14, 2023 by filling every available seat.
A $10 ticket provided a choice of potato or hamburger soup and hot chicken on a bun with gravy, along with a chance to play Plinko for gift bags. The day also provided a book sale, a silent auction, and a 50-50 draw as fundraisers for other local groups.
The Women’s Institute (WI) had its beginning when Stoney Creek farmer Erland Lee attended a talk by Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, who had lost her infant son because of impure milk. He then invited her to present her talk to women near his home, with the result that 100 women showed up on February 19, 1897 to listen.
Although one of the original purposes was to expand the education of rural women, whose education at that time was curtailed after elementary school and was limited to cooking, sewing, and household accounts, it expanded to other activities. The lines down the centre of our highways came about because of the lobbying of the WI. During both wars, they were heavily involved in providing the soldiers with basic necessities.
Today, various groups around the world use their fundraising activities to support other area institutions. The Valentine’s Day Luncheon is the only fundraiser used by the Canfield ladies, but they use it to send donations to both hospitals and the 4-H club, as well as help with the upkeep of the Erland Lee homestead, which is now a museum under the auspices of Hamilton Museums.
