The journey continues: Celebrating 100 years

Monday, April 1, 2013

"Our Journey Continues" has been the fitting theme for Indiana Extension Homemakers Association throughout the year leading up to the 100th anniversary of the organization. IEHA will be celebrating in a big way at this year's Home and Family Conference to be held at Purdue University on June 12-14.

Members of Putnam County Extension Homemakers have joined in the preparation and celebration as well. County officers along with members of the 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee have been encouraging the local membership to focus on the organization's long history while preparing for a festive celebration and continuing to plan for the future.

Each month of the current program year, local members have been encouraged to focus on the 100-year anniversary by collecting, donating and doing hundreds of good things for the community. Donations have included but not been limited to food for food pantries, books for children and hats, gloves and coats for kids.

The theme of Putnam County Extension Homemakers' annual Spring Dessert, scheduled for April 29, which will honor more than 35 new members and recognize three new clubs, is "If Teapots Could Talk."

The program that evening will provide a time to look back and think about earlier times and the things that took place that lead us to where we are today. Times, customs and fashions may change over time, but Extension Homemakers' commitment to encouraging families and strengthening homes remains the same.

Local members are being encouraged to attend all or a part of the 100th Home and Family Conference which promises to be "Unique, Electrifying and Memorable" according to State IEHA President Cricket Brown.

Some of the speakers who will be part of the conference include freelance journalist Anne Ryder; Dr. April Mason, Provost and Senior Vice President of Kansas State University (formerly Consumer and Family Science Program Leader at Purdue); and comedienne and professional speaker Jan McInnis.

Members are especially encouraged to attend the association's annual business meeting and the electrifying Choral Concert performance by the Melody Makers Chorus, which is made up of IEHA members from throughout the state of Indiana.

The local 100th Anniversary Celebration Committee, being led by Bonnie Bryan, is working with the Putnam County Museum to develop a special display that is scheduled to open in April, and are planning for a super anniversary party to be held at the Community Building at the Fairgrounds on June 20 to conclude the yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary.

Anyone interested in learning more about IEHA or the Putnam County Extension Homemakers is welcome to attend any of the county programs. For more information call the Putnam County office of the Purdue Extension Service at 653-8411.

Check our website www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam to view the most up to date info. You can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding column topics or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming Events

April 4: Putnam County Health Coalition, 10 a.m. at Extension Office

April 9: Area V Leader Lesson Conference at the Knoy Center at Cloverdale H.S.

April 13-14: Spring Fest & Bug Bowl, Purdue University

April 15: Extension Homemakers' Leader Lesson "Bumps in the Road to Wholeness"

April 17: 4-H Junior Leaders, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

April 20: Grand Opening of Extension Homemakers Historical Display at Putnam County Museum

April 24: 4-H Volunteer Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

April 29: Extension Homemakers' Spring Dessert: Recognition of new members

May 3: Area V Performing Arts (Share the Fun) Contest, Cloverdale Middle School, 6 p.m.

May 11: 4-H Wood Science/Craft Workshop, Fairgrounds, 9 a.m.-noon

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