OHCE Northwest District Meeting attended by Woods County Members

ALVA, Okla. –The Northwest District Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) Meeting took place March 19 at the Guymon High School, focusing on “Paint a Brighter Future with OHCE!”

The meeting hosted by Texas, Harper and Beaver county members & Extension staff, brought counties from Northwest Oklahoma together for workshops and to recognize 2008 achievements.  According to Recia Garcia, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service Northwest District Family and Consumer Science Program Specialist, in 2008, their collective efforts contributed over $14,000.00 cash to scholarships and community service, and untold volunteer hours were investing in projects enhancing the health and quality of life from the very young through seniors in most northwestern communities!

Karen Armbruster, Extension Educator, from Woods County says, “OHCE believes the family should be a priority in the life of individuals, the community and nation. In addition to workshops, this meeting allows county OHCE leaders throughout northwest Oklahoma to hear speakers and gather beneficial information.”

Members and guests arriving in Guymon on Wednesday evening ventured to Draper’s Headquarters for 4-H burgers and browsing through a private museum! Early arrivals for Thursday’s meeting were treated to homemade whole wheat cinnamon rolls by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, group singing and piano music. Sue Grose, Beaver County, lead group singing, accompanied by Fern Boring, pianist from Texas County.

Mary Deken, NW District OHCE Representative, serving on the State OHCE Board from 2009 through 2011, called the meeting to order.  Deken hails from Perry in Noble County.

The meeting kicked off with US Flag Salute, the National Anthem sung by Mackenzie Helms—Oklahoma State Mini Miss 2007-08, the Oklahoma Pledge, OHCE song and creed, ending with an inspirational Thought for the Day.  A welcome to participants was extended from Dr. David Bryant, President of Oklahoma Panhandle State University—now celebrating their centennial year!   Greetings from Oklahoma State University were delivered by Dr. Glenn Muske, Interim Associate Dean of Human Environmental Sciences and Assistant Director of the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. State committees reports, updates on coming state events and presentation of district awards followed.  Javonna Earsom of Sulfur, OHCE State President, conducted business and gave President’s Message. 

Awards recognized at the NW District level included Heart of OHCE, OHCE Young Member, OHCE Rookie Member, and OHCE Member, in addition to members &/or OHCE groups involved for 50, 60 and 70 Years!  Eleanor Ring of the Household Executives represented Woods County as the Heart of OHCE recipient; Tami Cooper as the Woods County OHCE Member Award winner; DeeAnn Mason as the Young Member Award winner; and Cherri Pfleider, unable to attend, was recognized as the Woods County Rookie Member.

State OHCE Committee Workshops offered in the morning included leadership and membership development topics, cultivating financial literacy in youth, how and why to have personal health records, ways to live a “greener” life, altering clothing for injured soldiers, what financial records to keep and what may be discarded, how to sponsor community blood drives and the process of taking cotton from field to fabric!

Following a luncheon, two sessions of afternoon workshops provided additional information on defensive driving, assistive technology around the home, container gardening, quilts from past and present, tips for reducing, recycling or reusing potential household waste, scrapbooking to preserve family histories, making cards, and how to use USDA grades and certification programs to make the best beef purchases.

“I am glad we had the opportunity to come together focusing on personal growth and to recognize members’ achievements,” Garcia said. “We trust participants take the knowledge and skills gained and share among their families, friends, communities and county.”

Other members attending from Woods County were:  Grow & Share members: Carol Erikson and Cheryl Penner; Household Executive members: Helen Thiesing, Betty Benson, Carolyn Gasaway, Lola Heaton, Marilyn Brown, Evelyn Kramp, and Carol Anderson; Patchwork Friends members: Dottie Gatz, Sara Hook, Carmen Eicken, Sally Nighswonger, and Maureen Thomas; Town & Country member: Doris Joachims.

Counties in the Northwest District include: Alfalfa, Beaver, Blaine, Cimarron, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Grant, Harper, Kay, Kingfisher, Logan, Major, Noble, Texas, Woods and Woodward.  OHCE membership is open to all interested persons.  To learn more about this non-profit education and service organization, contact your county Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service office.  To visit your county Extension office on-line, go to http://oces.okstate.edu/nwdistrict or http://countyext.okstate.edu/

Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.