The February 4th meeting of the Oklahoma Home and Community Education was held in the Clay Jones community building was a very special one. New officers were installed and Member Awards were presented.
The new president, Mary Knight called the meeting to order and minutes of the January meeting were reviewed and approved.
The treasurer gave the financial report .
Cards were requested for those who were in need of being uplifted or in need of prayers.
Cultural Enrichment chairman, N/R: Family Issues chairman: N/R: Healthy Living Chairman, presented the members with a couple recipes. Resource Management encouraged everyone to start to recycle. Reviewing her practice of recycling, she ascertained that there was as much recyclable items as trash. : Jana Crawford, Scholarship chair reported scholarship applications are being delivered to counselors today.
New officers of Bryan County OHCE are : President: Mary Knight—Vicepresident: Phyllis Bond—Secretary: Sue Meyer—Treasurer: Donna Collins. They were installed and presented with a light. (lantern and a flash light). The theme of the installation was “Being in the Spotlight”.
The members that were recognized were Rookie of the year ; Jeanette Valenicia: her daughter, Sofia , son, Alfredo, and friend , Veronica Santibanez came to share with her this honor. Mary Knight was recognized as Member of OHCE. Pat Accountius was chosen for Heart of OHCE. They were presented with a plaque and and special OHCE cookbook. They each related something about themselves and why they are part of the Bryan County OHCE.
Southeast district 2026 meeting is to be held in the McAlester Expo Center on March 10. Registration is $25.00 and was due at the February 4th County Executive meeting. The five counties planning for the 2027 SE District meeting was held on January 13th at the Johnson Co. OSU Extension to obtain ideas for items and gift baskets for silent auction fundraiser Iitems were brought for a “Sewing Baskets” to this meeting. A member has indicated she has 3 baskets..
The members took the time to discuss the various ways that we can make a positive contribution in our community. There were so many good suggestions and a lot of these could be put into practice throughout the coming year.
There was such a show of the many items for the “Show and Tell” this month. Mary Knight showed, owl pin cushions, a St. Patrick table runner, and a phone or Ipad holder. Patty Christian showed a felt Christmas tree that she did not make, but intends on using it as a pattern, and Elaine James showed her Diamond Art project.
Members brought their coloring pages to be judge at this meeting. Third place was taken by Phyllis Bond: 2nd was Ivy Hughs: nd the winner was Jeanette Valencia.
The theme for the 2027 Southeast District meeting is “Footloose, Put your best foot forward”and the planning committee is in need of volunteers to help in promoting with the other host counties. They are asked to wear different types of shoes (whatever type they like) and dance or march to the Footloose song. Each county will bring 3 baskets for the Silent Auction. There will be future planning meetings during the year.
Mary Knight and Patty Christian have volunteered to help with the 4-H Sewing Day Camp on March the 18th, Wednesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
The Leader lesson was on Leadership and given by Pat Accountius. She began the program by having the President instruct the members to draw a picture without them seeing what that picture was. It was a fun game and everyone did well due to their leader’s good instructions. With the game over, Pat informed the ladies that OHCE was a state organization and encouraged the ladies to think about serving at the state level. She stated they didn’t have to volunteer to be chairmen of the various committees but just being a member of one. She informed them of the duties of each office which correlate with the offices that are in Bryan County. She also thanked them for their attention and for their willingness to step up to keep this organization a positive entity in this community.
The Bryan County OHCE meets the first Wednesday of each month at 10:00 am at the Clay Jones Community Center Building in Durant. The public is welcome to attend. For additional information, contact, Tommie M. James, FCS & 4-H Extension educator, Bryan Count OSU Extension office at (580)9245312.