Macoupin County Home and Community Education celebrates Founder's Day 2022
November 10, 2022
After a two-year hiatus due to the restrictions to curb the COVID pandemic, Macoupin County Home and Community Education held Founders Day on Oct. 27 at Cross Church in Carlinville. Founders Day is celebrated yearly with 2022 marking the 92nd year since Macoupin County Home Bureau was organized in 1930 as "the only professional organization for homemakers."
Bertha Otwell Eldred, founder and first president believed homemakers deserved as much distinction and recognition as any other occupation. Land grant universities had their beginnings in 1914 and soon counties were organizing themselves into Farm Bureau and Home Bureau for the betterment of farming practices and to provide women with the knowledge they needed to improve home life.
Suzanne Humphreys, as a descendant of our founder Bertha Otwell Eldred, was introduced to highlight the importance of Mrs. Eldred’s leadership and accomplishments and that of her father William B. Otwell often referred to as the father of the 4-H program. Suzanne shared photos and stories of both including the well-known Otwell iris farm which was located where the Carlinville Cross Church building now sits. One picture showed The Otwell Farmer Boys, as they were called, who displayed their corn at the World's Fair.
State president of IAHCE Angela Hicks, District 4 Director Donna Richards, and state treasurer Melissa Chitwood were honored guests. Angela addressed the group of ladies for a few moments encouraging them to continue the worthy causes of the organization.
Membership certificates were presented to all those who had reached the distinction of being members for 50 years and over. Those included Mary Clark with 67, Lois Killam 61, Phyllis Moffet 59, Bev Leach 59, Jean Wills 57, Gloria Donaldson 56, Nancy Glenn 56, Joyce Duelm 56, Alice Kulenkamp 56, Phyllis Harms 55, and Donna Bowman 53 years. Linda Eades was recognized for the most volunteer hours which were over 3,000 dedicated to community service.
The installation of officers for 2022-2023 HCE year was conducted by District 4 Director Donna Richards. New to the board this year are: Jane Sexton as public information director, Virginia Lewis as certified volunteer hours director, and Jennifer Brown as international director. Returning board members are Donna Greenslade as president, Carol Pollo 1st vice president, Jerri Bayse as 2nd vice president, Mary Lou Griffith, secretary and Kay Kalaher, treasurer. Directors on the board are Vickie Laughlin, cultural enrichment, Barbara Richards, family and community issues.
The luncheon was served by Sundae Best Catering and music was provided by Patty Ames.
Macoupin County currently has 10 H.C.E. units with over 120 members. If anyone is interested about finding out more information about H.C.E., please contact the University of Illinois Extension Office at 217-854-9604 or visit IAHCE.org website. They welcome any new members.
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