Merry Christmas from the South

Southern Region IEAFCS Life Members and friends met for their annual holiday celebration at the home of Joyce and Paul Pyatt near Pinckneyville. The Pyatt's have added on a room/porch partly for the purpose of doing more entertaining, and we were fortunate to take advantage of their planning.

Our group enjoyed a delicious lunch, a great time visiting, and a fun gift exchange. Everyone had to bring a gift that could be used up and began with the initials of their name. We had everything from Chocolate to Mr. Clean to Jelly and lots of things in between.

Those who helped celebrate were Ruby Lingle, Martha Speir, Martha Winter, Carol Schlitt, Patti Faughn, Joy Richey, Janet Burnett, Rusti Grogan, Joyce Pyatt, Connie Frederking, and Kathy Harrison. We also want to thank Paul Pyatt (and Joyce too) for doing a lot of kitchen duty and being  gracious hosts.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

New York City Tour Group

Many IEAFCS Life Members, Friends, and other former Extension Colleagues toured New York City the first week of October. It was the Inaugural tour for Brookstone Tours, a new company established by Carol Schlitt.

We visited NBC Studios, Rockefeller Center,  the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Chelsea Marketplace, The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the World Trade Center Memorial, and many other interesting sights. Our hotel was a half block from Times Square, and as usual we ate often and well! Everyone saw a performance of Pretty Woman, and several saw another play as well. Some also made it to the Empire State Building!

Those who attended were: Ruby and Rick Lingle, Diane and Richard Ryals, Sherry and John Fulton, Mona and Rich Diefenbach, Patti Faughn, Joy Richey, Martha Speir, Rusti Grogan, Linda Griffy,  Mryna ?, Lois and Jim Smith, Janet Burnett, Audrey Arnold, Jody and Jeff Talick, Carol and Glennon Schlitt.

Carol did her usual outstanding job of trip planning, and everyone had a great time!

Southern Region Learns About Modern Dairy Management

Southern Region IEAFCS Members and friends toured Marcoot's Jersey Creamery in Greenville, IL recently. It was very interesting to hear how the family has kept their business going for seven generations--since the 1850's!

It has changed considerably over the years, and is now run by female family members. They have around 100 jersey cows, but do not sell any milk! It is all made into cheese, ice cream, and even whey ices!




We were able to observe them making cheese curds, and the samples were great!. The robotic milking process is very impressive. Human hands never touch the cows! It's not just your everyday milking machine!

Calves only stay with their mothers about an hour before being separated and raised on a bottle. As you can see here,  Rusti was enjoying the gentleness of a little one in the calf barn.

Pictured above are Carol Schlitt, Lori, (our tour guide), Karen Barker, Rusti Grogan, Joy Richey, Janet Burnett, and Martha Speir.

After the tour, we also enjoyed lunch at the Copper Dock Winery in Pocahontas, IL. Thanks to Janet Burnett for making arrangements for us.

Extension Retirees--Still Making A Difference

Everyone had a great time at the 10th annual Summer Reunion for IEAFCS Life Members and Friends held Aug. 3rd in Springfield.

Nineteen attended with Phyllis Herring being the newest member of our retiree group.

It was fun to hear about family changes, travel experiences, and new found hobbies. There were a few accidents to report, and some with health issues. Our thoughts are with those having unpleasant things to deal with.

It is interesting to note, however, that many in the group are still making a difference in their homes and communities. Some are caring for family members, several serve on various boards--Extension Partners, Extension Councils, Food Banks, School Boards, IAHCE, etc. There are 4-H Leaders, Bible School Teachers, volunteer coordinators, Master Gardeners, and some who are employed in various positions.

We appreciated updates on current events in Extension from Jenna Smith and the important work of Extension Partners from Linda Smith. Linda stressed that we all still need to support Extension Partners in every way we can. Please be a member next year!

Those pictured above are (front row) Jenna Smith (representing current IEAFCS Board), Linda Smith, Phyllis Herring, Diane Dewer, Sherry Fulton. Back row--Barb Farner, Michelle Pride, Mary Ann Fugate, Diane Ryals, Janet Burnett, Patti Faughn, Ruby Lingle, Carol Schlitt, Carrollyn Hunt, and Sheryl Hodges. Those also attending but not pictured were, Deb Bartman, Kathy Wolters, Marjorie LaFont, and Joy Richey.

The date for 2019 is August 2nd. Mark your calendar now.

Southern Region Enjoys Southern Illinois!

From lunch at Von Jakob winery, to making pottery at Alto Clay Works, to shopping for fresh peaches at Rendleman's Orchard, Southern Region IEAFCS retirees enjoyed a fun day last week.

Pictured are Janet Burnett, Milly Kaiser, Carol Schlitt, Martha Speir, Joyce Pyatt, and Ruby Lingle as they follow instructions from Stephen Grimmer on how to make an original pottery creation. Rusti Grogan, Connie Frederking, and Joy Richey also joined the group for the day.
                                                                                  

Alto Clay Works is a ceramic art center in Alto Pass, Illinois with a pottery showroom, ceramics classes, studios, and exhibition space. Stephen Grimmer moved there from Manitoba in 2012 and set up his business in the old Alto Pass elementary school building. Pictured here are a couple of the creations. 

They were getting ready for a wedding at Von Jakob winery and brewery, which is the only one on the Shawnee Wine Trail. Lunch was great, and  they also operate two bed & breakfast cottages.

Rendleman's Orchard does not usually have peaches until after July 4th, but we were in luck that they opened a few days early. And those peaches sure are delicious!

Condolences to the Family of Joan Blaser

Beverly Joan Blaser, 86, formerly of Taylor Ridge IL, left us peacefully on Tuesday May 29, 2018 at Park Vista Legacy Unit, East Moline IL.
Services were held at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, 201 E 4th Ave, Milan IL. Memorials can be made to the Rock Island County 4-H Foundation or to the Park Vista Legacy Unit.

“Mom" or “Grandma" to more people than most of us know in a lifetime, Joan's love, kindness, & caring nature were the greatest gifts anyone could ever know. Although she accomplished many things in her life, her greatest joys were making cinnamon rolls at Christmas, cream filled cupcakes at Easter, enjoying iced tea & watermelon on the deck with family, & saving the day in what ever “crisis” happened to emerge for anyone. She always made the day brighter, and everyone felt loved and welcome at Grandma’s house.

The daughter of John Wilbur & Lois Elizabeth Thurman Bliss, Joan was born in Yates City IL on February 1, 1932. She married Darrel M. Blaser in January of 1957, and was preceded in death by him in 1984. Joan earned a Bachelor’s Degree from University of Illinois, and later in life, was cheered on to her Master’s Degree by all of her children & grandchildren.

She enjoyed a long career as Family Life Educator with University of Illinois Extension, & following her retirement, maintained the library & computer lab at Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging. Joan was a member of Taylor Ridge United Methodist Church, Epsilon Sigma Phi, & HCE. One of her biggest life passions was giving back to others, and she enjoyed many years of leading 4-H & volunteering in community activities.

In her passing on Tuesday, Joan was joyfully welcomed by her parents, husband, brother John Bliss, & her beloved son John Blaser. Remembering her with much love are her children, Aletha (Fred) Williams, Sidney (Kathie) Blaser, Amy (Rev. Mike) Finley, grandchildren, Jessica Williams, Baylee Blaser, Sara Bushnell, & Alyson Blaser, many grandchildren & great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Also left to honor her memory are her sister-in-law, Dorothy (Roger) Albert, 4 nieces & their families, and her many beloved “grandchildren” at Park Vista.

Flashback to '76

Kathy J. Fiedler was Calhoun County Extension Adviser, Home Economics. She had earned her Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in 1973 and began work in Calhoun the same year. Kathy was a member of NAEHE and IAEHE.

Anyone know where she may be now?