OHCE Members Commemorate Achievement Night

The Woods County Oklahoma Home and Community Education group met February 9, 2009  at the Women’s Building on the Woods County Fairgrounds to celebrate OHCE Achievement Night. The annual event recognizes outstanding members of the year, perfect attendance winners and group achievements.

After registration and refreshments, the meeting was called to order by President Sally Nighswonger, who introduced our speakers for the evening, Dr. Mike and Regina Knedler.  The Knedlers , along with NWOSU President Dr. Janet Cunningham, traveled to China last year to establish relations with SIAS International University, located in Xinzheng City, Henan Province in the Peoples Republic of China .  Dr. Knedler shared an interesting Powerpoint presentation of the places they visited, the foods they ate, and the people they met. The presentation was followed by a brief Q & A.

The meeting continued with the Flag Salute and the OHCE Creed led by Carmen Eicken; and the Devotion was led by Brenda Shanks.

Mrs. Nighswonger played the piano, recently donated by Thamazin Harrison and the ACT1 Community Theatre, and Maureen Thomas led the group in singing two “love” songs for February.

After the business meeting, Woods Co. FCS Extension Educator Karen Armbruster installed the 2009/2010 County OHCE Officers: Vice President Carol McDaniel and Secretary Carolyn Gasaway.  Outgoing VP Carmen Eicken and Secretary Doris Joachims were thanked for their years of service.

Following the installation of officers, Mrs. Nighswonger handed out the evening’s awards. Perfect attendance awards for local and county meetings were distributed, followed by the OHCE Scrapbook, Secretary Book, and Achievement Points honors.  All groups were well-represented in their respective competitions.   
Next, the outstanding OHCE members were announced. OHCE Rookie Member of the Year went to Cherri Pfleider of Patchwork Friends; the OHCE Young Member Award was awarded to DeeAnn Mason of Patchwork Friends; the Heart of OHCE was awarded to Eleanor Ring of Household Executives OHCE group; and the OHCE Member of the Year Award was awarded to Tami Cooper of the Patchwork Friends OHCE group. Each winner was given a plaque signifying her achievement, and all the nominees received a red carnation.

Throughout the proceedings, door prizes were distributed by Mrs. Eicken, and a variety of goodies were enthusiastically received.
Mrs. Armbruster concluded our meeting with remarks about all the fine efforts displayed through the year, and expressed her appreciation for many projects completed to benefit our communities. We were reminded of the upcoming District meeting in Guymon on March 19 and the “Farm to You” interactive display coming soon to Woods County; we were also asked to set aside time for the 74^th Annual OHCE Meeting on July 12-14.

A special thanks goes to Grow & Share OHCE for serving as the hostess group.