Homemakers hold spring council meeting

The Fallon-Carter Homemakers Spring Council meeting was attended by about 35 members and guests. The host club, Homemaker's Heritage, had decorated with items to follow their theme "It's an Upcycle World". The meeting was May 23 at Hope Baptist Church near Ridgway.

Members and guests from the clubs in Carter County: Diligent Doers, Albion 400, Homemaker's Heritage and Puptown Pioneers and the club in Fallon County: the Willard Homemakers were invited to attend.

The meeting began at 10:30 am and was led by president Laurie Elmore; vice president Kendyl Polatas and secretary/ treasurer Sharon Higgins. Kathy Stieg welcomed everyone and gave a brief history of Ridgway.

Nita Schallenberger announced the winners of Hazel Padden-Sara Kerr -Minneclair Hoff Memorial Scholarship of $500 each. Kendall Kittlemann from Carter County and Jaren Lingle from Fallon County will receive the scholarships. The committee suggested raising the amount of each scholarship or giving two scholarships in each county. The group approved giving in each county a first place of $500 and a second place of $250 scholarship with the option to adjusting the amounts if needed.

In March of this year the Extension in Carter and Fallon Counties separated. Amanda Williams is the Carter County Extension Agent and Fallon County is in the process of hiring another agent. The group voted to keep the counites Homemaker programs together as much as they can. They plan to set up an online news group.

Laurie located several Extension pins/50 years on them to award to the 50 yr. members. They are Dorothy Padden, Shirley Barth, Alice Kay Schweigert and Kathy Stieg.

During the Extension Update, Amanda Williams mentioned a few upcoming workshops. They are A Shelterbelt Program May 31, and A Board Training workshop by MSU Extension Local Government Center June 5 at the Carter County Events Center. Jolinda Allerdings, Administrative Assistant, represented the MSU Extension Fallon County Office at the council meeting.

Kendayl invited the group to the Heritage Fest at the O'Fallon Historical Museum in Baker, June 1.

The Homemakers Fall council meeting will be hosted by Puptown Pioneers. The business meeting adjourned.

Andy Hall, pastor of the Hope Baptist Church, prepared and served the dinner of Beef brisket, cheesy potatoes, green beans, spinach/strawberry salad, and garlic toast. For dessert, they enjoyed ice cream with a variety of toppings.

Throughout the day, they purchased tickets for the bucket auction and bid on silent auction items to raise money for the scholarship fund. There were four baskets with a variety of useful items and a large selection of silent action items.

Homemaker's Heritage had brought many items upcycled from common things and displayed them for the group to get inspiration from. Meghan Phillippi presented a slide show of more Upcycling projects.

Christine Appleman described the Broadus Recycling Center via a video. One of their goals is to extend the life of the landfill by recycling many products. She described the various recycling categories such as #1 and #2 plastics, tin cans, aluminum cans, newspapers, magazines, milk jugs, cardboard, ink cartridges and more. She told about different groups helping at the recycling center throughout the year.

To learn more about the activities of Homemaker clubs contact the MSU Extension Carter County at 406-775-6305 or the Fallon County office at 406-778-7110.