Extension Homemakers Recognized for Volunteerism
Nashville, Ark. – The Howard County Extension Homemakers Council held their annual Fall Council Meeting October 3 to recognize outstanding achievements of club members. The mission of Extension Homemakers is to empower the lives of individuals and families to improve their quality of living through continuing education, leadership development and community service. This was evident through the number of awards received that night.
Members who attended all club meetings and received perfect attendance included Doris Ray and Evalou Bowles from the Hillcrest EHC Club, Alicia Lovewell from Moonlighters EHC, Gladine Bennett from New Horizon EHC, Judy Johnson from Uncommon Threads EHC and Joy Barr, Jean Ann Flaherty and Nelda Barton from Twilight EHC.
Hillcrest EHC received first place award recognition for their annual scrapbook. New Horizon EHC received the highest honor of the night, Club of the Year Award. They conducted several community service projects throughout the year including Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, volunteering at the Health Clinic, assisting with 4-H educational programs, and volunteering at fundraising activities to support the Extension Homemaker program in Howard County. The club was also involved not only locally, but at district and state educational and leadership events.
Members are encouraged to keep up with service hours, education hours and self- improvement hours throughout the year. They are awarded different levels according to amount of hours donated. Members receiving Bronze Awards were Mary Hartness and Ouida Power. Members receiving Silver Awards were Linda Wilcox, Louise Hicks, and Jeanette McConnell. Members receiving Gold Awards were Vivian Roberts, Mabel Sanders, Rose Dale, Joy Barr, Doris Ray, Evalou Bowles and Corliss Lewis. Platinum Award winners were Gladine Bennett, Deb Kreul, Dana Newberg, Judy Johnson, Nelda Barton, and Julia Hintze.
In total, Howard County Extension Homemakers donated over 4064 hours locally. This amounts to $95,748 the members gave to local projects.
In Howard County there are currently seven clubs with a membership of 48. Clubs meet monthly in their communities. Extension Homemaker Clubs are open to anyone wanting to learn to improve their lives and the lives of their families, plus give back to their communities. Educational programs are taught through the Cooperative Extension Service. Extension Homemakers is a volunteer organization of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
For more information on Extension Homemakers in Howard County, call the Extension Office at 870-845-7517 or visit our office located on the second floor of the courthouse.
Recipe of the Week
This recipe is a copycat recipe from a popular Italian restaurant. It is delicious and makes enough for the whole family. Also great since it cooks in slow cooker, crock pot. Tina Williams, 4-H Program Assistant, shared the recipe.
Zuppa Toscana
1 pound Italian sausage (spicy)
4-6 russet potatoes, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup bacon, cooked and chopped
2 tablespoons garlic, minced
32 ounces chicken broth
1/2 bunch kale (or Swiss chard), destemmed and cut/torn into bite-sized pieces
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons flour
Salt and pepper to taste
Cayenne pepper to taste
Brown sausage links in a sauté pan. Cut links in half lengthwise, then cut slices. Place sausage, chicken broth, garlic, potatoes and onion in slow cooker. Add just enough water to cover the vegetables and meat. Cook on high 3-4 hours (low 5-6 hours) until potatoes are soft.
About 30 minutes before serving, complete the following steps. Mix flour into cream removing lumps. Add cream and kale to the crock pot, stir. Cook on high 30 minutes or until broth thickens slightly. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste.
By Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Jean Ince
County Extension Agent - Staff Chair
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
jince@uada.edu
Related Links
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative
action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need
materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other
appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons
regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin,
religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any
other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.