Flashback to '76

Darlene Demaree was Moultrie County Extension Adviser, Home Economics, Senior I, and had been in that position since 1962. Her Bachelor's degree in Home Economics Education was from Iowa State University in 1952, and her Master's in the same field of study was from the University of Illinois in 1971. Darlene was a member of NAEHE, IAEHE, AHEA, IHEA, and Epsilon Sigma Phi. She has received the Distinguished Service Award in 1975.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable day today on Mother's Day! Seems like time is just flying by. Mark the date of August 4th on your calendar for our annual IEAFCS Summer Reunion in Springfield. More details later.

Southern Region Gets a Glimpse of History

Southern Region Extension retirees recently visited the Heritage House Museum in Okawville. The house, laundry shed, and harness shop were left as they had originally been in the early 1900's by two sisters (Elsie and Stella Schlosser) who lived there until their death in 1982. 

The eight-room home was built in 1908 and is complete with its original furnishings--very few date later than 1930, from the blue Quick Meal range in the kitchen to the upright piano on which Stella gave lessons in the parlor. Other rooms contain interesting quilts, antique toys, new dishes and kitchen items still in original boxes, Stella's amateur photographic equipment, and much more.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the museum is the intact harness shop operated by Elsie and Stella's father, Frank Schlosser, from 1890 until his sudden death at age 74 in 1941. The shop was then locked, with the dark green shades pulled, concealing and protecting from damaging ultra-violet light the tools and new old stock harness and related agricultural items in place, many with price tags of the day affixed. The family had also lived on the second floor of the harness shop from 1890 until 1908.

 The Heritage House Museum property, listed as the Frank Schlosser Complex, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, joining the already-listed Original Mineral Springs Hotel and Bathhouse that is also in Okawville. The hotel is located just three blocks east on the same street and is believed to be the last operating mineral water spa in the state.

Our group then enjoyed lunch and lots of conversation at the Eats and Treats Bakery. That followed with a bit of shopping at an antique and gift store next door. Those who joined us for the day were: Connie Frederking (who lives close by), Rusti Grogan, Joy Richey, Carol Schlitt, Ruby Lingle, Martha Speir, Joyce Pyatt, Donna Rumsey, Patti Faughn, and Lois Smith.

Plans are progressing for our next bus trip to Savannah, Georgia at the end of November! More details later on that.

Flashback to '76

Paula Diers was Macoupin County Assistant Adviser, Home Economics. She earned a B.S. from Southern Illinois University in 1974 and began work in Macoupin in 1975. She was a member of NAEHE, IAEHE, NAEAY, and IAEAY.

Flashback to '76

Sandra Davis was LaSalle County Associate Extension Adviser, Home Economics. She had earned a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1971. She also had a Master's Degree in Clothing and Textiles from Northern Illinois in 1974.  Sandy had been in LaSalle since 1971. She is also still employed by University of Illinois Extension!

Sandra continued serving as an Extension home economist for 21 years in LaSalle County. In 1992, Davis became an Extension Educator, Community Leadership and Volunteerism, with the Peru Extension Center and later with the Rockford Extension Center. In 2000, she returned to LaSalle County as the Unit Leader. In 2003 she joined the staff in Kendall County, where she served as County Director prior to her current appointment which is County Director in DuPage, Kane, & Kendall Unit.

If my math is correct that is about 46 years of service! Congratulations, Sandy, on a long and productive career with Cooperative Extension.


                                                 

Flashback to '76

Cathy Daily is our flashback today. She was Warren County Extension Adviser-Youth in 1976. She had a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Iowa Wesleyan College that was earned in 1973. And she had been in Warren County since 1973. She obviously worked with Mary Turner while she was there. Cathy was a member of IAEHE, NAEHE, and IAEAY.

Flashback to '76

In 1976 Joan Cummings was Williamson County Extension Adviser/Home Economics. She had also worked for two years in Union County and had been in Williamson since 1970.  She earned a Masters Degree in Family Economics and Management from Southern Illinois University in 1974. 

It is interesting to note that Joan's daughter, Linda, was the baby in the Home Management House at SIU for a time while she was finishing her Master's. Some of us who were there during those semesters remember her well!

Joan left southern Illinois and worked in the northern part of the state for several years. She also became Joan Todd during that time. She ended a long career in Extension by working as a Nutrition and Wellness Educator at the Rockford Center. Joan also held several leadership positions in IAEHE and IEAFCS during her tenure.

Flashback to '76

The next photo in our 1976 IEAFCS Directory was Rachel Crabb. She was DuPage County Extension Adviser, Home Economics. Her B.S. degree was from University of Oklahoma in 1933. She had taught for 7 years and been a YWCA Director for 3 years. Before becoming the Adviser, she had been an Assistant Extension Adviser for 7 years. And--she had been in the full adviser roll since 1958. Rachel was also a member of AHEA, IHEA, Epsilon Sigma Phi, and Gamma Sigma Delta.

There is another name in the book before Rachel and after Bev. It was Elizabeth Commean. There is no photo of her. She was Lake County Extension Adviser, Home Economics and had received her B.S. degree from Bradley University in 1969. Anyone remember her?