The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

P389 19 â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"â€"-â€"_ BETA SIGMA PHI THE NATURE CORNER by E7. SPRING MIGRATION 'lhe mild weather of the last week of March saw the return from the south of man species of birds. Large flocks of Redâ€"winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, Brown-headed Cowh- birds, Robins, Meadowlarks. The Eastern Meadowlark is a colourful bird, brown-streaked back with white- edged tail, throat and breast bright yellow, with a black "V" across the breast. this bird is not a true lark, but belongs to the blackbird family. Its cheerful song of whistled notes is familiar in rural areas. A friend of the farmer it censuses large Quantities of insects as well as noxious weed eeds. - The first Purple Martins arrived earlier this year on April 8th, these beautiful birds are the largest of the Swallow family. They winter in South America, mostly in Brazil. A few days after their arrival the weather became cold and rained for two days which is bad as they are wing feeders and depend on flying insects to survive. They are lmown to consume large quantities of mosquitoes. Ellie Purple Martin is a protected bird and in Griggsville, Illinois, U.S.A., the citizens have organized a Wild Bird Society to promote the welfare of the Purple Martin. In 1962 the Society decided to do something about the plague of insects, rather than use harmful chemical insecticides, they set about to try and attract the Purple Martins to their town. A man by the name of J.L. Wade designed an aluminum apartment Martin bird house with a telescoping pole that could be raised or lowered for easy cleaning etc. lhis type of housing became very popular and proved successful in attracting many colonies of Martins to the town for which Griggsville has become famous and is known as “The Purple Martin Capital of the Nation". As a. member of the Griggsvills Nature Society, we have one of these fine aluminum mun Trio Bird Houses for the last six years and enjoy these cheerful bird friends. Sighted first Bluebird larch 26th; happy to report that these beautiful birds are increasing in numbers each year. Sighted many Red Tail Hawks, a great number of Kestrels, the smallest member of the Falcon family. Look for these small colourful birds perched on the Hydro wires or in tops of shrubs along the roads. Have sighted umber of Turkey Vultures. Large flocks of Canada Geese on their way to the northern home for the summer. I It is the time to take that spring walk in the woods and enjoy the wonders - of Nature. The first spring timers are in bloom, Hepaticas, Dutchman's Breeches, Spring Beauties, Blood Root are a few you will findgalso, there are large patches of edible Leeks. Elbe Field do to W dflowers by Tory Peterson is an excellent source for identifying wild plants. For children the Golden Guide to Flowers is useful. WW Eta Tau Chapter has been busy as usual this spring. In early February, the members and visitors enjoyed an evening at the Grand Theatre in Kings- ton. The music of "Maybe Next Time" had been written by Paul Chant of Delta and we all enjoyed seeing him perform again. At Jan Haskin's, we received a mes- sage of thanks from the International office for our country's rescue of the Americans in Iran. Plans are con- tinuing for the Ringette sweaters, daffodil sales, and FOunders Day. Jan is stitching a yellow rose wall hanging for the chapter to sell tickets on at Founder‘s Day to help defray costs. Sylvia Herlehy organized the members to make felt yellow rose napkin rings for the evening at Rideau Ferry Inn. At Sharon Horsefield's early in March, Eilene Teakins of Seeley's Bay was welcomed as a guest. Barb Purdy reported on a Founder's Day committee meeting at Rideau Ferry Inn. Each table will represent a country, marked with it's flag and a doll dressed in a na- tive costume. The Chapter hostess at each table will also be dressed in na- tive costume. Barb had everyone make small flags from different countries which will help guide the guests to their tables. Marilyn Sheldon of Portland opened her new home for our second meeting in March. $100 will be donated to help defray costs of dental work for a local child. Jan Haskin and Carolyn McPher- son showed us various examples of crafts done by themselves and their families. We all made novelty frust- ration pencils to use on our "off" days. All the members received a spindle made by Cliff Moores, and a gift from Marilyn Sheldon. Marilyn and Barb Bakker were in charge of the program.at Helen McEwen's. We were all taught the proper way to card, pull, twist and spin the wool. Judy Pattinson reported on the Cana- dian Cancer Society meeting held at RDHS. She gave a report on the sale of daffodils for the first time in this area. The flowers were provided by the Cancer Society, Eastern Ontario District, and the members supplied the selling power. The proceeds go to the local Rideau Lakes Branch. Flowers were sold in Seeley’s Bay, Elgin, Delta, Portland and westport and disappeared quickly. Next year we hope to triple sales. Ruth Pedherney showed the members a North Leeds Ringette senior girls sweater. These were paid for by Eta Tau and have Beta Sigma Phi print- ed across the back. Judy and Jim Pattinson opened their home for a party for members and friends. A good time was had by all. CHANTRY CUT &STYLE Located in DeWells Store Chantry 928-2710 Styflst Bev Morris BETA SIGMA PHI Every year in late April, members of Beta Sigma Phi, the world's largest Greek letter sorority, celebrate the anniversary of their organization's founding. But this year will be difâ€" ferent. This year, the 49th birthday of this service, social and cultural organization will kick off a year- long golden anniversary celebration that will culminate in the biggest birthday Party ever held. From April 30, 1980 to April 30, 1981, members will be working on 2 goals shared by all 250,000 members new active in 31 countries around the world to extend the hand of friendship to community women; and to enjoy to the fullest extent the opportunities for personal growth that Beta Sigma Phi offers every member. Life, learning and friendship are the bywords of Beta Sigma Phi. Begun in the midst of the Depression by Walter W. Ross, Beta Sigma Phi was originally designed to provide an outlet for women who, in those hard financial tmnes, could not attend college and were obliged to remain home and supâ€" port their families. Walter Ross pro- vided these women with a program of cultural study so they could have a chance at intellectual and social growth. From the first chapter of 7 women in Abilene, Kansas, Beta Sigma Phi has grown from a small social and cultural group into an international sorority that devotes much time to service efâ€" forts as well. Hardly a charitable, health or cultural group exists today that has not been helped in some way by Beta Sigma Phi. Internationally, the chapters have created several special funds to which they contribute: the International Loan Fund, through which members help each other; the International Endowment Fund, which has donated over a million dollars to health research groups, homes for underprivileged children and many other causes; the Exemplar Fund, which helps support Literacy Village in India; and a college scholarship fund for members or their sons or daughters. Of course, cultural and social actiâ€" vities still continue among the chapters. Each year: members are provided with a different outline of study in the liberal arts. Members also plan socials throughout the year, including tradi- tional events like Founders Day. The upcoming Founder's Day celebration that begins golden anniversary actiâ€" vities will be held on Wednesday, April 30 at the Rideau Ferry Inn. The an- niversary dinner will be attended by 11 chapters from the area in Kempt- ville, Prescott, Brockville, North Gower and Gananoque, and by all other chapters around the world. Barb Purdy will be serving as chairman of the Founder's Day activities. Barb Bakker has been selected for the honor of presenting a special mesâ€" sage from the International Executive Council of Beta Sigma Phi. Awards will be presented to local members and outstanding members will be recognized for their work for sorority and the community this year. For further information contact Judy Pattinson at 272-2736.