Christmas in the Southern Region

 Southern Region IEAFCS Retirees met with Janet Burnett for their Christmas celebration. Janet's home was beautifully decorated. She also served a delicious lunch with some help from Carol Schlitt on the desserts. Thank you Janet and Carol!

Those attending were Lois Smith, Rusti Grogan, Martha Speir, Kathy Harrison, Ruby Lingle, Janet Burnett, Martha Winter, Joy Richey, Carol Schlitt, and Joyce Pyatt.

Happy New Year to everyone from the Southern Region!

More Decorations

Now you can understand why it takes 60-70 hours to decorate this house! There is not only a tree (or two) in every room, but a Christmas Village, and lots of other beautiful decorations.

No wonder this home has been on the Christmas Tour list! The homeowner also shares all this with community by hosting a Christmas Open House each year. Kudos to you, and thanks for the enjoyment!

Six Christmas Villages

This is the same house with the 18 Christmas trees. And there is more! Watch for that in the next few days.

O Christmas Tree

 

Would you believe that these trees are all in one house? The individual says she actually has 18, so I missed a few of them. She says it takes her 60-70 hours to decorate her house each year. Amazing!

And she has lots of Christmas villages and other items as well. Watch for more in the next few days.

Member Update

Ruby Lingle enjoyed the Natchez trip, and also was in Las Vegas in June. She and Rick have a new swimming pool as well!

Ruby is the church organist and regularly attends NARFE meetings. She has been very involved in the renovation of Bald Knob Cross and has helped in raising over $400,000 for the project.

She has also been serving on the Extension Council of the five county group which includes Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, and Union Counties.

Horsin' Around

Joy Richey and Martha Speir were spotted recently in Oklahoma City, OK at the American Quarter Horse Association World Championship Show and in Fort Worth, TX at the American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show.

You'll have to ask them what they have been up to.

Member Update

Marjorie LaFont has done lots of traveling. She has been to Branson, Philadelphia and Washington D.C., and Montana in recent months.

She also tutors at school and helps with Rocket Math. You'll have to tell us more about that Marjorie!

She is also involved in church work, and serves on the board of the Midwest Food Bank and the Anti-Hunger Coalition. Still helping those same audiences she worked with so well in Extension!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and that you were able to spend the day as you wished.

Here is some food for thought from H. U. Westermayer:

"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."

Hopefully we can all find some things to be thankful for.

Don't forget that you can participate in the IEAFCS Fall Membership meeting via telenet on December 10th at 2:00 p.m. You should have received information about this from President, Brenda Derrick.

Member Update

Pat Hildebrand helped her husband work through a knee replacement in recent months. That is a tough time, but he is better now.

She belongs to several organizations--one is Daughters of the American Revolution. She is also a member of the Administrative Board of her Church.

Pat is trying to get ready to do some quilting--if she can find the time.

Notes from Board Meeting

The state board met via telenet on October 30th.

Several from Illinois were able to attend NEAFCS in Columbus, Ohio. Congratulations to Robin Bagwell on receiving the Distinguished Service Award!

It looks like the fall annual meeting will be held by teleconference this year. The date is not yet set, but watch for the notice because important changes to the Constitution will need to be voted on. In addition there will be a social gathering for IEAFCS members at the home of Kathy Sweedler the evening of Nov. 28th at 7:30 p.m. Watch for further details. This is the evening of a two-day statewide conference for Extension.

As was outlined in the last issue of For Your Information, the organizational structure for Extension will be re-vamped somewhat. There will be three Associate Directors. One will be for Finance, and that is John Horton. Another will be Field Operations, and that is Marilyn Brengle. A third will be programming. This person will provide oversight to the Program Leaders. A national search will be held for this position. Each Associate Director position will also have an assistant.

It seems that there is an expectation of an announcement at the upcoming state meeting about the way Extension will operate at the University of Illinois as well. It will still be tied to ACES, but may be more campus-wide in some ways. More to come on this.

There is some movement to employ a few more Family and Consumer Science staff members. A Nutrition & Wellness educator will begin work in the Decatur group of counties very soon. This is a replacement for Lynette Mensah who retired  June 30. There are at least a half dozen other nutrition & wellness, family life, and consumer positions with individuals already in place or in the process of being filled Good news!  However, there is not much activity in southern Illinois yet, and there are gaps in other areas as well.

Member Update

Barb Farner spent a lot of time in the summer watering plants in her landscape. I think we can all identify with that!

She also spent several months caring for her mom who is now in a nursing home. She does some quilting when time permits and began tai chi classes last fall.

For those who are interested, the latest issue of For Your Information is available at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/fyi/

Extension Retirees Meet at Giant City

The Extension Retiree get-together for southern Illinois was held October 17th at Giant City Lodge. A delicious fried chicken dinner was enjoyed by 18 individuals in attendance. Beautiful fall colors were also on display.  Thanks to Bob Walker for organizing this event!

Pictured are (front row): Vern Brazle, Les Rogers, Martha Speir, Donna Sons, & Carol Schlitt. Back row is Larry Paszkiewicz, Paul Wirth, Fred Holhubner, Bob Walker, Larry Casey, Harold Hunzicker, Glenn Sons, and behind Glen--Fredrick Holhubner. Not pictured were Norma Turok, Jane Casey, Stella Pryor, Carol Wirth, and Judy Brazle.

Good News!

Recent information from NARFE indicates that there will be a 1.7% Cost of Living Adjustment for  Federal Retirees in 2013. 

The southern Illinois Extension retiree fall meeting was held yesterday  (October 17) at Giant City. More information on this will be shared later.

Condolences to the Family of Carol Rebbe

Carol Rebbe

CHAMPAIGN - Carol Rebbe, 91, of Champaign, IL passed away Monday, August 13, 2012 at 11:37 p.m. at St. John's Hospital in Springfield. She was born June 11, 1921 in Menard County to Frank and Alma (Heflin) Rebbe. Carol is survived by her brother Bob (Jane) Rebbe, her sister Patricia Schurman and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sisters Hermina DeMonbrum, Dorothy Peterson, Marjorie Beatty and Hazel Seeds.

Carol was a graduate of Petersburg Harris High School. She attended Eastern Illinois University where she received her B.S. degree. Carol also attended the University of Illinois and graduated with her M.S. degree. Following her graduation from Eastern Illinois University she accepted a position with Easton Community School.

She later was hired by the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service (CES) as County Extension Home Economics Adviser in Schuyler/Brown Counties in western Illinois where her responsibilities included both adult and 4-H programming. She later moved to similar positions, first in Vermilion County and later in Champaign County where she focused her programming efforts on home economic issues for adults. Representative program areas included food and nutrition, home financial management, clothing selection and construction, and a variety of health and wellness issues.

In the early 60's she was selected as a CES Regional Director overseeing the Extension operations in the northern part of Illinois. She assisted staff in developing programs in home economics and community development, oversaw the financial management of county offices and provided staff training in a wide range of topics.

By the end of that decade she had been named to head a new federally funded program in Illinois. She was the first state leader of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program, a program designed to help improve the nutrition and diets of low-income people in target areas within Illinois, developing programs, managing finances and securing and training staff were key responsibilities. The program had substantial success by training staff members from the target areas that were effective in teaching and relating to their friends and neighbors in those communities.

In the early 70's she was named to the administrative staff of the Cooperative Extension Service with the title of Personnel Officer. Her responsibilities included all recruiting and hiring operations for CES staff throughout the state, and as a member of the administrative staff she had input on many decisions influencing the programming and direction of CES in Illinois.

She retired in 1982 and remained in the Champaign/Urbana area until earlier this year. Carol was an avid Illini fan and attended football and basketball games for many years. She was a member of the Illini Quarterback Club and carried out an aggressive tail-gate program with her many colleagues and friends.

A Funeral Mass was held Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. James Palakudy officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Petersburg, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Menard County 4-H Federation or the Menard County Rescue Squad.

Member Update

Mary Ann Fugate has been doing some traveling. She attended Epsilon Sigma Phi in Syracuse with Ellen Burton. They also plan to go to Mobile, Alabama  for the 2012 meeting in early October. In September she went to Montreal and Boston,  and plans to go to Branson, Missouri in November.

Mary Ann had her hip re-done in March, and does some quilting when she stays home long enough. Her goal is to have fun in retirement!

Condolences to the Family of Bob Harris

 


Robert Raymond Harris
(April 8, 1941 - September 24, 2012)

Robert Raymond Harris, 71, of Sullivan passed away 4:45 a.m. Monday September 24th at Mason Point, Sullivan. Bob was born on April 8, 1941, in Geneseo, Illinois, the son of Esther Harris-DeSplinter and Oliver Harris.

His smile was known to light up every room, and he had an incredible gift for making everyone he met feel welcome. He married Glenda Lee Crist on June 7, 1969 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a devoted husband to Glenda Harris for 43 years, and a loving father to Bill and Cristina Harris. As a couple, he and Glenda traveled all over the world after retiring and visited all 50 states together.

Bob was a devoutly religious Catholic who attended St. Columcille in Sullivan, where he was a lector for 41 years and a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus.

Bob graduated from the University of Illinois in 1964 and received his Master’s degree in 1966. He and Glenda moved to Sullivan in 1971, and spent 41 years as members of the community. He was an incredibly generous and compassionate man who devoted his life to helping farmers as a University of Illinois Cooperative Extension advisor in Moultrie and Douglas counties, working for economic justice with C.E.F.S., and coordinating 4-H programs for youth for 35 years.

His generous spirit and natural leadership were apparent in his positions as a member of Kiwanis, the Moultrie County Board, and his participation in Meals on Wheels. Though he had many professional accomplishments, he was best known for his character, integrity, and warm spirit. He also loved to enjoy coffee in the morning with his friends and local farmers, and was known to often say, “Keep the faith!” as his parting line.

Surviving are his wife, Glenda of Sullivan; mother, Esther DeSplinter of Geneseo; daughter, Cristina Harris of Brooklyn, New York; sisters, Sheryl Plumley of Geneseo and Laurie (Chip) Benjamin of New York City, New York; nephews, Garett, Owen, and Marshall Plumley and David Benjamin; and countless friends and community members who will miss him dearly.

Bob was preceded in death by his son, Bill Harris, in 1999 and his father, Oliver Harris, in 1955. The family would like to thank all who came to the Celebration of Life for Bob on Saturday, September 22nd, and all of the amazing care givers at Mason Point.

Funeral mass will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan, with Fr. John Sohm celebrant, followed by the Rite of committal and burial in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to the Harris family, which will be given to the care givers at Mason Point who provided loving and compassionate care throughout the final two years of his life. Alternately, donations can be made directly to the Bill Harris Memorial Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net

Member Update

Jananne Finck shared information on the new Shields store in Springfield. It is a very large place to shop for all types of sporting goods.

She also mentioned that she had given up on her lawn because of the drought. Some will remember that Jananne did some extensive landscaping in recent years. Let's hope the recent rains revived things a bit.

Part of last winter was spent in Fredricksburg, Texas, a small town just south of Dallas. Jananne said it has just what she is looking for in a winter hideaway. She also has family members close to there.

She has been busy keeping up with the nieces and nephews and attending graduations and weddings--wherever they might be. In addition she helps the McCoupin County Health Department with some projects.

Happy Fall Everyone! Can't say I am sorry to see this summer behind us.
  

Member Update

Diane Duewer has been on a cruise to Greece & Turkey. She also spends time on Anna Maria Island in Florida in the winter.  The island is south of Tampa. She serves on the Red Cross Board in Jacksonville, and plays golf as often as possible.

Her daughter, Rachel, works for Marriott in St. Louis. She spends time with her. The dog, Molly, and two new kittens are also members of the family.

Member Update

Bev Combs usually has a big garden, but has given up on it this year because of the drought. She says it feels a little funny not to be doing lots of canning.

She has been judging 4-H foods shows in Indiana and Illinois--including the State Fair. It was interesting to hear that State of Illinois Central Management Services is now located in the State Fair facility where the County Extension Office and Center used to be.Therefore, it is no longer available to use for the 4-H Foods Show. The dormitory building has also been condemned. There were no food demonstrations at State Fair this year. Sangamon County Extension Office is out by the Springfield airport.

Bev is also an avid quilter, and is currently making one for her granddaughter who is graduating from training in the National Guard. Can we all get in line for a quilt, Bev?

Condolences to the Family of Nada Hall

Biography

Hall, Nada Mae, 78, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2012 in Oklahoma City. She was born February 14, 1934 to Hugh and Lena (Albert) Hall. She grew up in Hughes County and graduated from Spaulding High School.

Nada received her Bachelor's of Science degree in Home Economics Education from Oklahoma A & M and a Master's of Science degree in Family Economics and Home Management from Oklahoma State University.

Nada served as an Extension Home Economist in Pittsburgh, Haskell, and Wagoner counties and Livingston County in Illinois. She retired from the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension State Faculty with 20 years of service as a Program Development and Leadership Development Specialist.

Nada was a member of the North Haven Baptist Church and Elizabeth's Sunday School Class. She was also a member of the American Associations of Family and Consumer Sciences, Epsilon Sigma Phi and a honorary member of  the Extension organization and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

Arrangements for Nada and her family have been placed in the care of the Vice Family at the Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman. Online condolences may be shared at www.havenbrookfuneralhome.com.

Visitation

Thursday August 30, 2012, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Havenbrook Funeral Home
Click for Map and Directions
Family Only

Funeral

Friday August 31, 2012, 10:00 AM at NorthHaven Baptist Church
Click for Map and Directions

Interment

Friday August 31, 2012 at Sonora Cemetery
Click for Map and Directions