“Dashwood W.I. was organized in 1953 by the District president, Mrs. Kenneth Johns. Mrs. Irvin Rader was the first president and Mrs. Arnold Kuntz the first secretary-treasurer. Twenty-eight ladies were in attendance. It has been a very busy club. Donations were made to many worthwhile causes. Special speakers attended meetings. A short course on program planning was held. An interesting float was entered in a contest at Exeter Fair accompanied by a skit. We sponsored 4-H clubs. When the Community Centre was built in 1963 the Institute did all the sanding, painting and scrubbing in the hall. We also bought all the dishes and cooking utensils; later a warming closet was installed.

Our 25th anniversary was held in November, 1978, with all the past and present members invited. Mrs. Syd Baker was in charge of the Memoriam and read the names of nine former members. Mrs. Glenn Webb presented gifts to 10 charter members – Mrs. Mervyn Tieman, Mrs. Martha Miller, Mrs. Harold Kellerman, Mrs. Irvin Rader, Mrs. Gordon Bender, Mrs. Luella Tieman, Mrs. Syd Baker and Mrs. Ralph Weber. Each one who had held office received a corsage. It was a most rewarding evening with a special anniversary cake.”

extracted from “Friedsburg-Dashwood 1860-1985” by Mary (Patterson) Rader, 1985; pg. 95;ISBN 0-9692115-0-3