Women’s centre marks 25 years

HARRINGTON – Bienvenue – Welcome is the name of a women’s center in Harrington that is celebrating its 25th year in existence this year.

Irene Manzocchi created the center 25 years ago in a small building and the group celebrates its 25th anniversary on September 19.

The women’s group, while small at the beginning, now sees women from Wentworth-North, Arundel, Montcalm (Weir), Huberdeau, Grenville-sur-la-Rouge and Harrington as members.

When Manzocchi created the group, on Route 327, in Lakeview, Harrington, little did she think the idea would be so popular. But women in Harrington and surrounding areas needed distraction and cultural activities within their budgets, and at a convenient distance for those who did not have transportation.

Manzocchi had thought of all that and since that first meeting, in the original building, and then in a small church, women have been gathering to travel and learn various arts such as quilting. 

Times have changed, but the group remains.

New members come and older members leave for other horizons, but the heart of the group stays the same. The women are always at work thinking of new projects to encourage all women of Harrington and the surrounding area to participate. 

The members elect a committee every year, with a secretary, a treasurer and a president to prepare meetings and activities.

Meetings are held every Wednesday, at 7 p.m. in the community center in Harrington, at 2811 Route 327, from September to May each year.

And for the first time in its 25-year history, the Bienvenue-Welcome group has asked Argenteuil MNA David Whissell for funding through the provincial volunteer program. On April 20, the group received a donation from the MNA.

Quilts and paintings created by the women are often on display during various municipal activities for your viewing pleasure and the group says “‘Bienvenue-Welcome’ to our home”.