Homemakers Month

May has been declared Extension Homemakers Month in Arkansas by Governor Asa Hutchinson. The Extension Homemakers Council, known as EHC for short, is a non-profit volunteer organization whose mission is to empower individuals and families to improve their quality of living through three focus areas: continuing education, leadership development, and community service. EHC gives adults an opportunity to participate in educational programs of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and develop and spearhead delivery of new programs to meet the needs of local residents. During the last year, Garland County EHC provided over 31,000 hours of volunteer time.

The clubs of the Garland County EHC are always seeking and welcoming new members. Being made up of 11 different clubs and 164 members, there is bound to be a place for you. Members of these clubs work in the EHC kitchen during the annual Garland County Fair in September and the annual Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair in October. They also fill stockings and dress bears to be given to the Salvation Army for distribution to children of families with moderate or limited income and collect non-perishable food items for seniors. In addition, each club has their own focus area and community project.

• All Things Home emphasizes the importance and various aspects of home economics and family. They meet the first Monday of every month at noon.

• Busy Bees support the “Open Door” project and meet at 9:30 a.m. the first Thursday of every month.

• Cooks R Us is a cooking club which meets at 9 a.m. the fourth Tuesday of every month.

• Crazy Quilters is a quilting club which meets at 10 a.m. the second Tuesday of every month.

• Fiber Therapy is an evening club who loves all things fiber, knitting, and crocheting. They meet at 6 p.m. the first Monday of every month.

• Lakeside focuses on projects for the elderly, children, and needy in the community. They meet at 9:30 a.m. the second Thursday of every month.

• Loyal Ladies is a community focused group which meets at 10 a.m. the third Thursday of every month.

• Mis Amigas is a club with many active crafters who make walker bags for area nursing homes and hospitals. They meet at 1 p.m. the third Tuesday of every month.

• Park/Heights works with the adults at First Step School and meet at 1 p.m. the second Thursday of every month.

• Upholstery Club meets at various times throughout the year to teach others how to refurbish furniture.

• Yes We Can is a food preservation club which meets at

9:30 a.m. the third Monday of every month.

Membership in these clubs and their programs is available to all eligible persons regardless of age, race, color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status. For more information about meetings, Extension Homemakers Club membership or program benefits, contact the Garland County Extension Office at 623-6841, email Jessica at jvincent@uaex.edu, or visit the Arkansas EHC website at http://www.arextensionhomemakers.org.

EHC Interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? For information, call 6236841 or email jvincent@uaex. edu.

Master Gardeners

If interested in becoming a Master Gardener and would like information, the public is welcome to attend their monthly meeting at 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Elks Lodge; call the Extension office; or email abates@uaex.edu.

4-H

There are 4-H clubs for Garland County youths 5 to

19 years old. For information, call the Extension Office or email Linda Bates at lbates@ uaex.edu.