On Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Historical Exhibit within the Arthur & Area Chamber of Commerce building, the Pioneer Series continued. As is usual, the meeting was well attended. Historical Society Past President Jack Benham and guest speaker Lori Blair presented the topic “Rural Amusement”.?In the earliest days of settlement, amusement was rough.  A combination of whiskey and a mob mentality often led to the destruction of property and/or theft and/or assault.  ?Quakers and early Methodists believed swearing, drinking, fighting, gambling, horseracing, card playing, dancing and music were considered sinful activities to be avoided. Though their social life was greatly restricted, they held regular meetings at which they enjoyed debate and each other’s hospitality. ?The majority people sought out opportunities to be social. Once again pioneers worked together, this time to have fun. Social life centred on the church and school.  ?Churches were among the first buildings raised in a community. Services were important to the pioneers for spiritual and social reasons. Rev. Martin Dawson pointed out people would attend more than one Sunday service. In the earliest days services were informal, folks would often come and go and mail was handed out at the door.?Tea-meetings, socials, singing, spelling bees, literary and debating societies, Christmas pageants, caroling, strawberry socials, end-of-the-year picnics and concerts of local talent held at schools and churches drew the community together and remain popular to this day.  ?Sports including hunting, fishing, wrestling and fighting matches, canoeing, regattas, tobogganing, skating, sledding, snow shoeing, dog sledding and curling were so popular settlers would travel a distance to participate.?“As Dave (Stack) mentioned last week “bees” supplied social support by bringing people together in work and then in play,” Blair said. “Races, gymnastics, feats of strength such as putting the stone and hurling the hammer, axe-man-ship and skill in handling oxen and horses provided amusement at bees. The evenings had dancing and conversation.”?While fighting was seen an inevitable at bees it was frowned upon at weddings. Everyone should be good-natured. After the ceremony, a dance would take place. ?Sunday visits were especially important to women, as they didn’t have the same chances to be social as men. ?Agricultural Societies increased social opportunities through local fairs and provincial exhibitions; encouraged excellence by way of competition; developed agricultural industry; and improved rural life and countrywide economies. By 1850, fairs had added produce, cheese, horseracing, sheep, pigs, grain crops, vegetables, flowers, handicrafts, agricultural implements, baking, demonstrations, ploughing and sport to the exhibit. In 1880, The OAC Review stated Wellington County possessed better herds and more good stock than any county in the dominion. The successful Arthur poultry fairs, held before both Thanksgiving and Christmas, were started in 1915. The Arthur Fair continues to be innovative and successful to this day.?Women played an important role in the fairs during the later part of the 19th century when the fair’s educational component was being over-taken by dancing girls and midway hucksters. In addition to keeping the fair wholesome women promoted their own groups like the Women’s Christian Temple and the Women’s Institute.?Women’s Institutes came into being in Ontario in 1897. In the beginning the groups concentrated on new skills for homemaking, studies of nutrition, hygiene, farming methods, canning, charity works and recipe exchange. Groups also organized social activities for the entire community to enjoy.?Institutes provided opportunities for education through short courses and self-study; social outings for women; and community activism through local projects, fundraising and lobbying. Women soon realized they had individual and collective power. The first Wellington County branch was in Clifford; ten years later there were 18 branches. The Women’s Institute of Wellington County was central to community building activities throughout the 20th century. ?Children amused themselves with scraps of almost anything including chicken bones which were used in a game similar to jacks, corn cobs which were used as a base for dolls and pigs’ bladders were used as balls.?“If you attended the Saints and Sinners walking tour a couple of summers ago, you’re well aware taverns and drinking establishments were very common,” Blair said.  ?Among pioneers dancing was one of the most popular amusements. Country folk left the more fancy dances to those in town and enjoyed square dancing, reels and jigs.?“It’s said a certain log house school in Guelph was erected more for dances than education,” Blair said.