The Stepping Stones Archives reveal Bill Wilson’s military training and service in the First World War. As a cadet at Norwich University, the private military academy in Northfield, VT (known as the “Birthplace of ROTC”), Bill trained for military life. He encountered challenges as a freshman (1914-15), culminating with an elbow injury that led to a leave of absence in February 1915.

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Though roles for women in the U.S. military were greatly limited during the First World War, significant contributions were made by millions at home and thousands abroad. Lois Wilson was no exception. Her attempts to have the YWCA send her overseas so that she could join up with Bill and care for the wounded were twice derailed. First she suffered a miscarriage that required time for her to recuperate. Next, the YWCA decided that her affiliation with the Swedenborgian sect did not fulfill their “Christian” requirement. 

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Last June we announced the opportunity to support Stepping Stones' beautification and historic landscape restoration project and in August members of our board offered a matching challenge. Thanks to friends of Stepping Stones, the match was met and the goal was exceeded. The $27,000 fund is making possible the planting of varieties of trees, shrubs, and flowers once cultivated here by the Wilsons, including two hemlocks planted this month. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to all who supported this important project.

The Annual Picnic tradition continues with the 68th picnic on Saturday, June 8, 2019 featuring fun, fellowship, and speakers from Al-Anon, A.A., and Alateen. The picnic is the second Saturday in June to avoid conflict with the A.A. Northeast Regional Forum being held nearby on the first weekend. Information about ordering free picnic tickets will be posted on our event web page after April 15, 2019. Speaker recordings from past picnics are available for purchase by emailing [email protected].

Link to Picnic information