Posted by
Bill Hoskins, President, Independence County Extension Homemakes Council
According to records, EHC dates back to 1913 in Independence County when a woman named Mary Case worked with young girls, teaching them how to preserve food. Case was a home demonstration agent (later called Extension Agent or Family Consumer Science Agent). The mothers of these girls became interested in learning as well and Case taught gardening, canning, keeping records and beginning sewing projects.
EHC is celebrating “100 Years of EHC” this year with an oral history project. The recordings will be housed at Arkansas History Commission, Arkansas Women’s History Institute Special Collections at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Archives and the local Extension Office.
Three ladies from Independence County have been asked 
to participate in this project. Imogene James, Wilma Hoskins and Betty Johnston were interviewed by Linda Brooks, project co-chairman, and recorded by Laura Reed at the Old Independence Regional Museum. Picture to the right is compliments of Donetta Sterling, Batesville Daily Guard Record.
Betty Johnston has been a member since 1948 and is a current member of Pfeiffer EHC of IndependenceCounty. She became involved after she and her husband built their house and remembers women from EHC coming to her house with sewing machines to help her make curtains for her new home. She says she has enjoyed EHC immensely as it gives her a chance to meet new people and learn new things.
Wilma Hoskins said she was invited to join in 1979 and has learned many things such as food safety, women’s health issues and how to make a will and enjoys the togetherness. She is a member of the Bethesda EH Club and says she enjoys sharing with other women and she shares her expertise in sewing.
Imogene James said her mother and sister encouraged her to join. She has been a member since 1978 and began her own EH Club called FANS Club in Cord, Arkansas. She said that most all members were mothers with young children and they made provision for this. Being in the club has given these ladies the opportunity to travel and hold various positions within EHC and it has taught her how to make speeches in front of crowds and has built up her confidence.
Independence County EHC members have logged more volunteer hours than any other county in the state. Last year 47,459 volunteer hours were logged, bringing an economic value of $989,520.15 to the county. Wilma Hoskins spoke of how the EHC has changed over the years. Men are now members and her husband, Bill Hoskins is now President of the County Council. Today’s busy lifestyles aren’t allowing people the opportunity of learning the way things were done in the past. Most of the clubs have changed from craft clubs to volunteer clubs and try to come up with programs which will appeal to younger people.
On May 11, 2012, Independence County Judge Robert Griffin officially proclaimed the week of May 14th as Extension Homemakers Week in Independence County. He read the proclamation at the Spring Council Meeting and presented it to Council President, Bill Hoskins. He thanked the members for the “valuable contributions” they make to their county and region.
Posted by
Darlene Holliday, Council President
MontgomeryCountyEHC
On Thursday, May 4th, the Mount Ida Chamber of Commerce held their yearly banquet in the Family Center of the Lake Ouachita Baptist Church. During the banquet, the Extension Homemakers Council of 
Montgomery County received the Chamber of Commerce Award for 2012 Volunteer Organization of the Year. The Montgomery County EHC was very happy to receive this yearly award, especially on the year of their 100 Year Anniversary. Picture shows Darlene Holliday, Council President, and several members of EHC who attended the Banquet, receiving that award 
A member of the EHC, Kathy Stucker, also received an award for Mt. Ida Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year for her Lum & Abner General Store and Museum located at Pine Ridge, Arkansas in Montgomery County.
On Thursday, April 10th, the Extension Homemakers held their Spring Council Meeting, also at the Lake Ouachita Baptist Church Family Center, which was a birthday party for their 100th Anniversary of AEHC. The luncheon was catered by a local business, the Barbeque Pit, and the food was great. Darlene Holliday, Montgomery County Council President, served as MC for the event and was happy to welcome several AEHC state officers to their party. These included Phyllis Pipkin, (GarlandCounty) AEHC State President; Mary Fisher, (YellCounty) AEHC Vice President; Johnette Johnson, (MontgomeryCounty) AEHC State Secretary; Sally Patterson, (GarlandCounty) AEHC Parliamentarian, David Jacobs, (SevierCounty) Ouachita District Director, and his wife, Terrie, who serves on the AEHC State Meeting Planning Committee and Carolyn Morris, (YellCounty) AEHC State Meeting Planning Committee. The program consisted of a great power point presentation by District Director, David Jacobs, regarding the background of AEHC and our activities during the 100 Years of EHC inArkansas.
The picture shows State President, Phyllis Pipkin, during her presentation regarding great EHC programs during the past 100 years which helped the state ofArkansas. Also present were the Montgomery County Judge, the Honorable Alvin Black, and Maureen Walther, Mount Ida Chamber of Commerce Director.
Other pictures show Montgomery County Judge, Alvin Black, signing a proclamation proclaiming the month of May as Extension Homemakers Month for Montgomery County. In the picture seated beside Judge Black is EHC Council President, Darlene Holliday, far right is MC FCS Agent – Staff Chair, Kaye Shrout, and standing behind him other members of Montgomery County EHC. Also pictured to the right is State Representative Nate Bell, also signing a proclamation.
POPE COUNTY HOLDS FASHION SHOW TO CELEBRATE
Posted by
Phil Sims, Pope County FCS Agent – Staff Chair
On April 26, the Pope County Extension Homemakers conducted their Spring Council Meeting at the Harmony Free Will Baptist Church in Russellville. The theme of the program was “Memories from the Past”. Glenda Anderson, Council President, introduced Betty F. Oliver, FCS/AEHC Volunteer Coordinator, who gave an overview of AEHC’s history the past 100 years. Joyce Hall, Past AEHC President, was also present and told of the first Home Demonstration Club that was organized in Mabelvale, Arkansas.
Phil Sims, Extension Agent Staff Chair, presented a wonderful power point on the history of AEHC through the ages. Phil assisted with the meeting because Jeri Vangilder’s father died and she could not attend the meeting.
Members were to wear fashions and accessories that were in vogue the year they joined. In the picture you see several ladies wearing l950 fashions. Fashion Show ladies in the first picture are: (Front row) Diana Roberson, Pottsville EHC; Ruby Dumas, Pottsville, EHC; Jane Moody, Crow Mountain.EHC; and Ann Pew, Economy EHC. (Back row) Diane Parrott, Crow Mountain EHC; Ida Ruth Jones, Crow Mountain EHC; and Darla Watts, Sunnyfield EHC. Of interest is the picture of Jane Moody, a member who not only wore a 50′s costume, she also drove her l948 Hudson car to the meeting. The car, shown in the picture with Jane, is in perfect condition and Jane drives it everywhere.
BAXTER COUNTY CELEBRATES WITH VINTAGE STYLE SHOW
Posted by
Amber Runsick, Baxter County FCS Agent
The Baxter County Extension Homemakers Council celebrated their 100 year anniversary with a vintage clothing fashion show at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8th at the Baxter County Fairground Education Building.
Extension Homemakers work began inArkansasin 1912. The first club in Arkansas— and possibly the first in the nation — was organized in Mabelvale in Pulaski County. In August 1929, the state council was organized by 125 women representing 27 counties while attending Farmers Week in Fayetteville. Mrs. E. L. Salyers of Pulaski County was elected president. The original name when the state council organized in 1912 was Home Demonstration Clubs. In 1966, the name was changed to Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council.
Arkansas EHC clubs are nonprofit organizations. In 2011, Arkansas EHC members donated more than 20,000 volunteer hours.
Some of the models for the Extension Homemakers Council vintage style show set Tuesday are (from left) Tiffany Ford, Victoria Armontrout and Nicole Ford.
The picture to the right is our proclamation signing with our county 
judge, the Honorable Joe Bodenhamer. Pictured with Judge Bodenhamer are Barbara Summers, Baxter County EHC President; and Amber Runsick, County Extension Agent-Family & Consumer Sciences.
Posted by
Pamela Pruitt, Baxter County FCS Agent
The 2012 Mississippi County Extension Homemakers Spring Council Meeting was recently held at the Mississippi County Public Library in Blytheville. The theme was “100 Years: Safe and Strong.”
Randy Carney, Mississippi County Judge presented the officers and members with a Proclamation declaring April 4, 2012, Arkansas Extension Homemakers Day in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of Arkansas Extension Homemakers.
Blytheville Chief of Police, Capt. Ross Thompson, was the featured speaker. He provided information on safety practices in the home and community.
The Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council is a volunteer organization associated with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, which offers the latest research-based information in the areas of family and consumer sciences, agriculture, and community development.
Mississippi County has several Extension Homemakers Clubs which give assistance to a variety of worthy causes. Anyone interested in learning more about Extension Homemakers Clubs in Mississippi County, contact Pamela Pruett, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent at 870-762-2075 or ppruett@uaex.edu.
Photos above show: (1) Randy Carney, Mississippi County Judge, with Carolyn Smallwood, Miss. Co. EHC President. at the Miss. Co. EHC Spring Council meeting holding the Proclamation honoring the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council. 
(2) Capt. Ross Thompson, Chief of Police, with Carolyn Smallwood, Miss. Co. EHC President, and Marilyn Shearin, Miss. Co. EHC Parliamentarian. Thompson was the featured speaker at the Miss. Co. EHC Spring Meeting.
VAN BUREN COUNTY JUDGE SIGNS PROCLAMATION
Posted y Regina Chaney, County Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Sciences
Along with Extension Homemakers throughout Arkansas, Van Buren County is dedicating this year to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the Extension Homemakers/Home Demonstration work in the state. With the theme, “100 Years of EHC Service from Washboards to Keyboards,” observances will honor the past and highlight the present, while looking to the future.
As a part of the festivities, County Judge Roger Hooper has officially proclaimed May as Extension Homemakers Month in Van Buren County. 
CountyJudgeRoger Hooper signed the proclamation and presented it to Deb Jones, Van Buren Extension Homemakers Council President, and Regina Chaney, County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences.
Currently, the VBC Extension Homemakers, men and women members, provide funds for one Nursing Scholarship, provide aide to the Back Pack Program, Dove House, Food for Life, and Pennies for Friendship. They also provide volunteer hours and hours to prepare surgical dolls and knitted caps for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In 2010-2011 they logged 16,505 hours volunteering to help the community.
LINCOLN COUNTY EHC CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY
From Washboards to Keyboards!
By Jane Newton
County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences
Extension Homemakers throughout Arkansas dedicated 2012 to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the beginning of EHC work in the state. As a part of the festivities, County Judge Charles Capps signed a proclamation officially proclaiming May as Extension Homemakers Month in Lincoln County. Evelyn Glover, Pauline Myrick, Ernestine Austin, Cora Moore, Edith Eagle, Mary Lou Mahurin, Helen Edwards, and Linda Brockman watch.
Lincoln County Extension Homemakers remember the past as part of their 100-year celebration by wearing bonnets made and worn by their mothers and grandmothers. (seated) Ernestine Austin and Linda Brockman; (standing) Mary Lou Mahurin, Edith Eagle, and Evelyn Glover.
Up, Up, and Away! Lincoln County Extension Homemakers Linda Brockman, Ernestine Austin, Pauline Myrick, Cora Moore, Mary Lou Mahurin, Evelyn Glover, Helen Edwards, and Edith Eagle show their colors as they celebrate the 100 years of Extension Homemaker work by releasing 100 balloons containing 100 names of past and present EHC members to honor their contributions in Lincoln County.
The culmination of the EHC 100-year anniversary celebration will be the annual AEHC State Meeting in June. Honoring the past, highlighting the present, and looking toward to the future will be the focus! Lincoln County Extension Homemakers who will be attending the AEHC State Meeting and gala will be Bobbie Broadnax, newly-elected County Council Vice-President; Edith Eagle, County Council President; Helen Edwards, newly-elected County Council President; Evelyn Glover, County Council Past President; Mary Lou Mahurin, County Council Secretary-Treasurer; Pauline Myrick; along with Jane Newton, County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences. Jane will present a program entitled “How to Cook like Grandma ~ Would You Really Want to?” during the 3-day meeting.
EHC members develop skills by participating in a variety of club, county, district, and state events. EHC members also get the latest information on what’s new for their home and family in areas such as Nutrition and Health, Financial Resource Management, Family and Child Development, and Home Environment. In addition, members participate in a wide range of community service projects throughout the year. You can become a part of this vital volunteer organization, too – because your community needs you and because you haven’t stopped learning! The Hickory Grove EHC meets the third Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at the Lincoln County Extension Office or you may wish to join the Lincoln County Extension Homemakers as a Member-at-large. Whether you are a club member or a member-at-large you still have all the benefits and opportunities of being a part of one of the largest volunteer groups in the state.
For more information about EHC membership, meetings, program benefits, or events, please contact the Lincoln County Cooperative Extension Office located at 113 West Wiley in Star City, Arkansas or call us at 870-628-4247.
YELL COUNTY HOLDS 100 YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER
The Yell County 100 Year Celebration Dinner held Monday night, April 23rd, at the Leon Millsap Center in Danville, was a wonderful celebration of the past 100 years of Extension Homemakers Clubs (formerly Home Demonstration Clubs) inYellCounty. Anna Bennett, Chairman of the event, was to be congratulated. The food , presented by the members of Yell County and served by some great members of the Yell County 4-H Clubs, was terrific.
Mary Fisher, AEHC Vice President and an EHC member of Yell County, was MC for the program. Lavonne Roddy, Yell County EHC President, welcomed the approximately 100 guests. 
Mary Fisher introduced some special guests which included the Danville Mayor, the Honorable Steve Pfeifer, and Yell County Judge, Mark Thone, who presented proclamations to the county EHC praising them for all their hard work and accomplishments for the county and proclaimed the Month of May as AEHC Month forYellCounty. 
State Representative, John Catlett, presented them with a Citation from the House of Representatives.
Also present were AEHC officers and committee members, AEHC State Coordinator, Betty Oliver, and AEHC State President, Phyliis Pipkin, both of which made comments praising the work of this wonderful county organization. Also present were: Sharon Reynolds, University of Arkansas Extension Service District Director; AEHC State Secretary, Johnette Johnson; State Parliamentarian, Sally Patterson; AEHC District Director, Barbara Boeh and her husband, Dale Boeh, who is part of the State Planning Committee; Carolyn Morris, Assistant District Director; Ruth Hall, State Decorations Committee Chairman, and Betty Oliver’s husband, Bob. Also present were the President and Treasurer of the Montgomery County EH Council, Darlene Holliday and Mary Dell Pierce.
The group enjoyed a great song written and performed by the Gum Springs Extension Club telling the whole 100 year history of Yell County EHC. The group was also entertained by some wonderful music from the Kent Dennis Band. At the end of the program, Mary Fisher presented all attendees with a booklet which she compiled and printed presenting the early days of the history of Yell County EHC.
Responses regarding individual stories of amazing things the Yell County EHC has done for the county were given by Scott Peak, Administrator of Chambers Memorial Hospital; Bood Keathley of Chambers Bank; Jack Smith with the Disabled Veterans Association; and a representative from Yell County Nursing Home.
Yell County’s new Extension Agent, Joy West, was present with glowing remarks about the performance of herYell County members, and also present were Ag Agents, Jack Clark and Casey Scarborough, along with former agents Claudia Corbin and Yvonne Bennett.
Pictures show Lavonne Roddy, Yell County EH Council President receiving proclamations of the 100 year celebration of EHC work inYell County from County Judge, Mark Thone, and Danville Mayor, The Honorable Steve Pfeifer and also a pic of Representative, John Catlett, presenting the nice Citation from the Arkansas House of Representatives. Pictures also show the Kent Dennis Band and the Gum Springs EHC Club performing their song.
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA HONOR MARY AND DAVID FISHER
Posted by
Mary Fisher, Yell County, EHC Executive Committee Vice President
Mary and David Fisher, members of the Spring Creek Extension Homemakers Club inYell County were honored earlier this month by Westark Area Council Boy Scouts of America and Magazine Mountain District for their 31 years of service to the Scouting Program and many years of service to the community. They received the Golden Eagle Award. They both have served at the unit, district, council, and national levels in the Scouting Program.
David is a past president of Westark Area Council, past District Chair of Magazine Mountain, Council and District Commissioner and is now Chair of Hometown News at the National Scout Jamboree and WAC National Representative to the National Meeting. He is currently a member of the National Newspaper Association Board of Directors.
Mary is the Area 8 Program Impact Chair/Training Chair, which covers Arkansas and Oklahoma and Westark Area Training Chair. She has served as VP of Marketing, Training, District Operations, and Editor of the “Scoutlook”. She is currently a member of the Arkansas Press Association Board of Directors and will be the incoming 2nd Vice President beginning in June. Mary will also receive the Silver Antelope at the National Scout Meeting for the Southern Region.
The couple have one son, David, an Eagle Scout, daughter-in-law, Shara, and two wonderful granddaughters, Ally and Ella.
MY LIFE IN EXTENSION HOMEMAKERS
Posted by Elaine Stoll, Ravendon, Arkansas, Lawrence County
I am currently serving as Treasurer of Lawrence County Extension Homemakers Council (2010-2012). I have also served as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer at the local and county levels. I have also served on the State Level as District Director, Secretary, Vice President, President-Elect, President (2006-08), Immediate Past President, and am currently President of the Past Presidents Organization. My husband, John, and I are currently serving as Co-Chairs of the Equipment Committee for the State Meeting.
As President-Elect and President, I was privileged and honored to represent Arkansas at the CWC (Country Womens Council, NVON (National Volunteers Outreach Network, and ACWW (Association of Country Women Worldwide meetings in Arizona, Iowa, Kentucky, and Indiana. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the ACWW meeting that was held in Hot Springs.
I first became involved with Home Demonstration Clubs as a young girl, when my mother and I would walk three or more miles to attend meetings. Other children were allowed to play outside during meetings, but I was required to stay in the house, sit by Mother and pay attention. Not far from the theory that children should be seen and not heard, Mother’s statement was, “You children may not be the smartest or cutest, but you will behave, or I will know why!!” From that beginning, I progressed to 4-H in SharpCounty, where I competed in the Talent Division on the county, district and state levels. At that time, State competition was held at Fayetteville U of A Campus.
EHC was an outlet for me. I would get the two babies ready, put a baby or the diaper bag in my Mother-in-law’s lap and push her in the wheelchair down the street to the meetings. There we met with my Mother and Grandmother and a host of other ‘Grannies” to help with the babies.
We moved back home from Willow Springs, MO in 1970 when my in-laws needed more than weekend care. Since Mother, Grandma, Mrs. Stoll and Aunt Myrtle were already members, I also joined the Ravenden EH Club because it was important to and for the family. After that club dissolved, Marsha Onley and Rene Prior encouraged me to join the Imboden Club. I took it to another level becoming active on the county, district and state levels. If my calculations are correct, this is my 42nd year as a member, and 62 years if you include my attendance as a small child. Since I will turn 65 in March, this should make me a ‘life member.”
My earliest memories of attending HDC include the summer picnics that were community picnics on the river. Everyone brought a covered dish, and the hostess provided the sweet corn, since we were between the Spring River and the corn field. The husbands also attended and gathered in one area, while the children played in another, and the ladies put out the wonderful food.
In those days, the HDC agent came to every meeting and presented the lesson, or demonstration, usually on sewing, cooking, preserving foods, or money saving tips. This was a good trick, since there wasn’t any money in our community to save!
My oldest sister, Betty (Burkhammer) Green, competed in the Fashion Show with a dress that she made and won a blue ribbon. I recently gave her daughter the certificate and picture. My brother, Cloyce, was a pianist, and he too competed at the county, district and state levels. He won lots or contests since it was unusual for boys to play the piano so well. Mother and Grandma Hendrix were active in gathering names and dates for the Lawrence County Cemetery Records in the early 1960′s, and we have a copy with their names on the acknowledgement page. My mother, Mrs. Joe (Geraldine) Burkhammer, Mrs. Capitola Hendrix, my Grandma, my mother-in-law, Mrs. John (Zeruiah Watts) Stoll, and her sister, Aunt Myrtle Watts, were all active in the Ravenden Club.
Ms. Turmine Carroll, Lawrence County Agent, was just a few months from retirement when I became active. Then Miss Diane Formby came to our county agent, and shortly after, Miss Gail Wheidekher from Altus came. Both ladies married local men, and Mrs Gail W. (C.L.) Clark is still in the county. Diane chose to further her education and became Dr. Diane Jones and was an important Staff Specialist Associate Director of Family and Consumer Sciences in the U of A, Little Rock office. These ladies held workshops on cooking, sewing, drapery making, tailoring, pattern alterations and about anything that everyone needed. They did this with smiles and friendship, no matter what their circumstances were, and we treasure them.
Over the years, our county has lost members to age, moving to areas to find work, etc, but I have continued to be active because of the bond that exists between EHC ladies. Most of them will come to each others rescue, day or night. Also the new information that comes from the state office and is made available on line, on paper or in person is so helpful in everyday life.
A change that I don’t necessarily agree with is that sewing, tailoring, etc. are not seen as important as they once were. However, I realize that priorities have changed, and the younger generations don’t realize that they need to know all the Heritage Skills. I would like to see more technological subjects offered to us older people.
Our members were so happy to be able to help Arkansas Children’s Hospital and UAMS Neo-Natal Units with baby caps. Since babies’ skin is so fragile, Dr. Frazier needed some way to keep scalp electrodes attached without using tape. Over 72,000 caps of various sizes and colors were made and donated by our ladies. Preemie blankets and burial gowns were also collected for both hospitals. It is so great to be a part of such a caring and giving organization. Some counties continue to make cancer turbans and breast comfort pillows. Personally, I hope these projects continue in the future.
Meeting friends from the past and making new friends is such a bonus to Extension Homemakers and for that purpose alone, I encourage everyone to join a club. With so much information available both on internet and hard copy, plus the lifetime friendships, it is incomprehensible to me why everyone doesn’t want to participate.
