116 British Columbia Women’s Institutes

extent that a traveller passing through the district a few months after
could barely see the signs of the flood. All along the highways, churches,
schools, houses, stores were cleaned up, painted up. Debris and fences
cleared. Truly a testimonial to their love and faith in their land and
their Valley! Time will replace the lost soil; and, remembering those days,
it is comforting to know that for some time plans have been under con-
sideration for the curbing of the Fraser’s might by dams in the upper
reaches of the river.

Women’s Institutes were organized in the Hopeline area as early as
1909, with Chilliwack being the first, and having the largest membership;
next was Upper Sumas, incorporated in 1913. In 1914 Atchelitz was
organized; in the 1920’s Cannor (Clearbrook), Poplar Manor, Huntingdon,
East Chilliwack; in the 1930’s St. Elmo, Pine Grove and Ryder Lake; in
the 1940’s Rosedale, Hope and Mill Lake; in the 1950’s Promontory
Heights, Ridgedale, Vedder and Aberdeen. ‘They have all taken a proud
part in the development of their communities. ‘Their work includes
“Darby and Joan” Clubs for the Aged, which many sponsor; support of
the recently built School for Handicapped Children at Sardis, the only
school of its kind on the Coast; support of schools generally, and hospitals,
with a special assist to the Solarium; they take an active interest in the
large Indian Hospital “Coqualeetza” at Sardis; support their Fall Fairs
and, in many other ways, show they live up to the pioneering spirit of
the early settlers.

There is, in this farming area, always a new beauty with the changing
seasons. Driving out over the Valley’s highways we see Spring with its
tender greens, Summer with crops and cows at pasture, Autumn with the
rich colors of harvest-time, and Winter with its muted coloring all
enhanced by the snow-capped mountains and the river winding its way
to the sea.