Willing Workers of White Hall’s Extension Homemakers Club met Feb. 27 at the White Hall Library.
President Karen Needler welcomed everyone and asked Donna Stephenson to read the Thought of the Month “The biggest failure you can have in life is making the mistake of never trying at all.”
Vice President Sarah Payton led members in the Homemaker’s Creed. Elizabeth Wall read the Handy Hint “When pruning, know your flowering shrubs need pruning and time it on when they bloom.”
Malinda Traweek read the Inspiration from Levi. 25:3. Secretary Peggie Barbaree called the roll with members answering the question “Do you prune your own trees?” Members present were: Cheri Aronowitz, Needler, Payton, Marnette Reed, Dee Kindrick, Barbaree, Jo Ann Carr, Stephenson, Traweek, and Wall. Kathy and Jim Wilson were guests.
Kindrick presented the program on “Pruning Trees.” There are several reasons to prune trees: To develop strong tree structure, provide for light penetration, control tree size and remove damaged wood. She said the best time to prune is during late winter or early spring just before the beginning of active growth, or two weeks after the last bud falls off.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Don’t trim plants when budding. She showed several different tools to use to trim trees, plants and shrubs. Always wear gloves when trimming and make sure tools are sharp. She showed the right way to make cuts when cutting bigger branches to not damage the good bark. She passed out a handout on Pruning Fruit Trees. For more information on this subject or a copy of the handout, contact the Jefferson County Extension Office at 534-1033.
A Window Sill Herb Garden was given away as a door prize. Jim Wilson was the winner.
Kindrick, education leader, gave a history report on Ida May Gandy. Gandy Elementary School in White Hall School District is named in her honor. She taught in the first wooden schoolhouse on Dollarway Road. She had two sons and took a leave from teaching, then her husband passed away in 1937. She returned to teaching and also studied to get her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1953 from Henderson. She retired in 1957 after 33 years. She died in 1985.
Also during the meeting, Barbaree, community service chairwoman, reported the group is still working on dolls and members voted to make 100 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Caps are still being worked on by members. The next craft class at Trinity Village will be on April 12.
Payton, recreation leader, announced there would be a county fellowship trip to Camden to the Daffodil Festival on March 10 and a trip to Memphis is planned for April 13.
Members were reminded of a county workshop at 9:30 a.m. March 22 at the County Extension Office and were encouraged to sign up.
Refreshments of chicken spinach lasagna, corn salad, green salad, fruit and dip, french bread, lemon icebox pie, brownies, gooey butter cake, and apple cake were furnished by Needler, Traweek and Stephenson.
For more about Extension Homemakers, call any member or Mary Ann Kizer at 870-534-1033.