By Gina Noe
Extension Agent
RICHMOND —
September marks the beginning of a new year for Madison County Extension Homemakers. If you are not familiar with this organization, you will be surprised by all the opportunities they offer. Read on for an overview of upcoming activities, classes and clubs.
There are 18 traditional and seven specialty Extension Homemaker clubs in Madison County. There also are also several mailbox members who receive the monthly newsletters and attend activities and events. Total membership is almost 500.
Traditional clubs meet monthly for social networking, community service work and to share information about the monthly lesson topic. This year’s lessons include: Travel the Kentucky Quilt Trail, Accessory Attitude, Slow Cookers, Don’t Let Falls Get You Down, Home Cleaning Products, Art is All Around You, Enriching Life as We Age and Cooking for Two. The lessons are taught by Bluegrass Area Extension Agents at a monthly session attended by at least one member of each club. Those members then share the lesson with the other members of their club. Some clubs also have refreshments or a meal.
Specialty clubs focus on one particular skill such as sewing, paper crafting, fiber arts, painting, gardening or quilting. They also have a monthly meeting and lesson related to their skill area. Most of their lessons are conducted at the Extension Center and are open to the public. For instance, the Happy Hands Quilt Club will have a lesson on Thursday at 10 a.m. on making a quilt pinwheel. The Brush Strokes Art Club will paint “Autumn Blessings,” on a 10-and-one-half inch black metal plate Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. The lesson will cost participants $10 each for plate, paint and supplies.
The Evening Sewing Club will kick off their year by making a Rose of Sharon Table Runner on Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. This class if free, but there is a supply list.
Occasionally, clubs go on field trips. On Monday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., the Gardeners of Madison County will travel to Michael Rice’s Natural Gardens “swimming hole.” Mr. Rice will discuss the ABC’s of adding a natural water feature to a garden area.
Extension Homemakers also are very involved in community service projects. Last year, almost 1,000 stuffed bears were made for our local emergency rooms. The first workday for the bear project will be Tuesday, Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Everyone is welcome to attend. Sewing experience is not necessary. Donations of pink and blue fabric, fiberfill stuffing, embroidery thread and one-fourth inch ribbon are needed.
For more information on any of the activities listed in this article or to sign up for workshops or Extension Homemakers, call 623-4072 or visit ces.ca.uky.edu/madison/FamilyConsumerSciences.
BioEnergy Field Day
Don’t forget the BioEnergy Field Day to be conducted Thursday, Sept. 9 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the EKU Meadowbrook Farm. There will be demonstrations and information on: Waste Plastics to Biodiesel Technologies, Green Cleaning, Potential of Native Kentucky Grasses as a Source for Biofuel and much more. Call 623-4072 to reserve your meal.
Educational programs of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.
