Flashback to '76

Genevieve Farrell was Cumberland County Extension Adviser, Home Economics. She had earned her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Illinois in 1938 and her Master's Degree from there in 1958. After teaching for four years, she began work in Cumberland County in 1958. She was a member of NAEHE,  IAEHE, AHEA, IHEA, and Epsilon Sigma Phi. This is going back quite a ways in our Illinois Extension history!

I just want to include a note about the information we received on changes in the Delta Dental fiscal year. I did call as the letter instructed, and I was told that I really hadn't needed to unless I wanted to make other changes. Anyone else have the same experience?

A Taste of Spring for So. Region IEAFCS

Southern Region IEAFCS Members and Friends enjoyed a brief taste of spring on March 23rd--before it turned cold and rainy again!

We enjoyed a very informative presentation by Loretta Meyer from Meyer's Greenhouse and Nursery in Nashville, IL.

She told about the 50 year history of her family's involvement in various types of horticulture enterprises--from strawberries, to shrubs and landscaping, to the Greenhouse.





Ruby Lingle, Martha Speir, Mrs. Meyer, and Carol  Schlitt are  pictured above as they inspected some of the many plants and seedlings that will be ready when warm weather is here.

The photo at right is a 50 year old Jade Plant that has a permanent home in the nursery!

One of the things that was pointed out to us is that everyone gets in too much of a hurry to purchase plants in the spring and remove them from the Greenhouse environment. Then the plants don't do well, and the Greenhouse gets the blame.

Another point emphasized by Mrs. Meyer and her daughter was how much work there is in a Greenhouse!

Can you imagine transplanting all these seedlings in to single plant containers! And this was only part of what we saw. I believe they said they had nine Greenhouses.

Others who enjoyed the day were Patti Faughn, Joyce Pyatt, Milly Kaiser, Rusti Grogan, and Joy Richey.  Connie Frederking joined us for lunch at Buretta's Bar and Grill.

Some members of the group also discovered a local bakery shop and variety store that they couldn't pass up.

Happy Spring everyone. It will get here eventually!

Flashback to '76

Barb Farner was Macon County Extension Adviser, Home Economics. She had earned a B.S. in Home Economics Education from Illinois State University in 1967.

Barb then joined the Peace Corps and served in Colombia, South Africa form 1967-1969. She had also worked as Greene County Extension Adviser/Home Economics for 5 years before moving to Macon County in 1975.

As most people know, Barb served her entire career with University of Illinois Extension and ended it as a Nutrition and Wellness Educator at Matteson, IL in the Center there.   
                                       

She was active and served in many capacities for our Home Economist Professional Organizations over the years. And she has always enjoyed traveling to a number of foreign countries. I believe she returned to South Africa (maybe more than once).

At the 2017 Summer Reunion (photo at right) she shared that she had travel plans for El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe--and who knows where else?

Barb and some other Extension Retirees (now living in the Urbana area) have also become expert quilters. They visit  a number of quilt shows each year, including the Paducah, KY quilt event. At the 2016 Summer Reunion she mentioned a 5900 piece quilt that had been accepted for entry at the Paducah Quilt Show! I can't imagine how long it took to put that together! Always good to see you, Barb.

I also received some updated information on DeAnn Estes, who was featured in our last post. She is now DeAnn Cash and works at Lori's Pins & Needles in Edgar County.  She teaches lots of quilting and sewing machine instruction classes. She has also taught classes for the Mattoon Arts Council at the restored Train Depot the past 3 or 4 years and does an excellent job, no matter what one's sewing level is.

Thanks to Sharon Kuhns and Pat Hildebrand for the recent information.

Happy Spring everyone!

Flashback to '76

DeAnn Estes was Edgar County Extension Adviser, Home Economics. She had a B.S. in Home Economics Education from the U of I in 1974. Her work in Edgar County had just begun in 1976. She was a member of IAEHE, NAEHE, IHEA, AHEA, IAEAY and NAEAY.

Does anyone know where she went from there?

Savannah trip--Homeward Bound

The 5th day of our trip included a stop in Stoneridge, GA for lunch and some shopping at a "thrift" store.

 As we returned to Chattanooga for the evening, we made an unplanned stop at Gander Mountain--or at least until the name is changed. They certainly have magnificent displays!

After getting checked in to our hotel, we enjoyed a bountiful dinner at the Rib & Loin. When they say you will have chicken, pork & beef, my assumption would be that we would make a choice. However, we had a huge serving of all three! And--it was very tasty!

The sixth day found us on the road again for our arrival back in Illinois--except for the time we spent sitting on the Interstate waiting for work crews to clean up a wreck. Thankfully, we were not involved!

Everyone made it home safely after enjoying a great week. Now we are looking forward to New York in 2018.

Condolences for Thelma Malone

Thelma Jean Malone, age 76, of Marion, IL passed away peacefully with her family by her side at 9:02 p.m. Wednesday, February 14, 2018, in Heartland Regional Medical Center, of Marion.
She was born on Monday, December 1, 1941, in Harrisburg, IL, the daughter of John Oral and Minnie Maxine (French) Malone.
Thelma Jean attended school in Galatia, IL and was a graduate of Galatia High School Class of 1959. She continued on with her education that summer by attending Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL where she received her Bachelor’s of Science Degree and Master’s Degree in Home Economics and had also completed some of her courses toward her Doctorate Degree. She had also received from the State Teacher Certification Board of State of Illinois a teaching certificate for Special K-14 Teaching and Supervising of Vocational Homemaking.
She first began her working career with Crab Orchard High School, teaching Home Economics for four years. She then worked at Southern Illinois University as a Home Economics Supervisor. She later worked as an advisor for the University of Illinois Home Extension Office of Marion County located in Salem, IL. She saw an opportunity to return closer to her parents and applied for and received a position with the University of Illinois Home Extension Office of Williamson County, IL located in Marion. Her positions there were many. She was known for presenting programs on various facets of home economics on the local television station, radios, senior centers, and churches just to name a few. She remained working in the Marion office for many years until her retirement in 2006.
She has been a member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church of Marion since 1968, where she was actively involved on many committees and as event coordinator of church gatherings until her health forced her to retire. She was a member of the Seekers Sunday school class and enjoyed singing in the church choir. She also was a member of the Marion Lions Club and once served as secretary and a life time member of the Marion Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and the Kappa Phi Club.
In her spare time, she loved traveling with friends, having traveled from coast to coast, shopping and knowing the location of every T.J. Maxx Store in the country. She also enjoyed cooking and entertaining, playing bingo, crocheting, and spending time with her many friends and family. Thelma Jean was dedicated to her parents and cared for them until their deaths. She loved her family, looking forward to the many times they all would gather together and was always interested in all of their many activities. The many memories that have been created will now be cherished by those she leaves behind.
She is survived three cousins, Brenda Nance and her husband Murriel of Mt. Vernon, IL, Judy Thompson and her husband Elbert of Carrier Mills, IL, and Dale Malone and his wife Barbara of Marion; special caregiver and 2nd cousin, Renae Cullum and her husband Mike of Creal Springs, IL; other special family members, Nikki Williford and her husband Chris, Jaxen Cullum, Peyton Lee Jones and his daughter Sophia Rose Jones, other extended family, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and special family member, Noah Williford.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court St., Marion.
The visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 19th at the funeral home. The visitation will resume again from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, located at 1201 North Fair Street in Marion.
Following the time of visitation, the funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Lance Leeds presiding.
Interment will follow next to her parents in Dillingham Cemetery located northeast of Marion.
For those who prefer, memorial contributions may be made to “The Kitchen Fund” of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home. Memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home and the church.
For additional information call the funeral home at 618-993-2131.

Savannah Trip--evening of Day 4

After a little time to rest at our hotel, we departed for a buffet dinner at Paula Deen's, The Lady & Sons Restaurant. We enjoyed some shopping time in the gift shop and a delicious "southern" style meal of fried chicken and all the trimmings. (photo is from the internet).

Once again the bus had a little difficulty in parking very close. Some walked back to the hotel, and some rode, but we soon re-grouped and headed to the Savannah Theater.


The performance of "A Christmas Tradition" was outstanding! It was a two-hour variety show featuring Frosty the Snowman, dancing reindeer, Santa and his elves: along with an award-winning cast of singers and a live band performing all the classic Christmas favorites.

 The show definitely put us in the Christmas Spirit, and was a fitting end to another great day!