White Hall Willing Workers Extension Homemakers Club met July 22 at the White Hall Library.
President Sarah Payton called the meeting to order and asked Jim Wilson to do the blessing. Members had a summertime supper of chicken salad croissants and dips with crackers, with hummingbird cake and lemon squares provided by Marnette Reed, Kathy Wilson and Jo Ann Carr, according to a news release.
The Homemakers Creed was led by Vice President Dee Kindrick. The thought, “No human has lived in a birdless world,” was shared by Kathy Wilson.
The Handy Hint for the month, “Pine cones with peanut butter on them rolled in birdseed make a favorite treat for birds,” was read by Penny Scholes.
Wilson recited the inspiration. Secretary Tonia Dalby called the roll, with 10 members and one guest, Ellen Ostun, present. Minutes of the June meeting will be read for approval at the August meeting. Reed gave the treasurer’s report. Members Elizabeth Wall and Jim Wilson will report their audit of the treasurer’s reports by August.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Dalby presented the program on “Caring for your Backyard Birds.” As mentioned in the Handy Hint, materials were provided for the members to make their own pine cone feeders. As they worked on the project, Dalby distributed handbooks of Arkansas birds provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and a flyer on hummingbird feeder care.
The correct ratio of water to sugar — never use food coloring — is one part sugar in four parts hot water, stirring until sugar dissolves. A higher ratio of sugar will attract bees and the hummers will avoid the feeder. Watch for mold development and wash thoroughly before refilling.
Members signed up for the monthly program — August, club picnic potluck; September, Kindrick; October, Wilson; November, Needler; December, holiday potluck at Reed’s home; January, Scholes; February, Wall; March, Carr; April, Reed; May, Cromwell; and June, Payton. Hostesses will be confirmed at the August meeting.
Community service: The food pantry item was cereal and members’ donations were gathered for taking to the food pantry. Carr mentioned the food pantry officials said they are in need of flour and sugar. Participants were asked to pick up extra for the August donation.
Leadership development: Elizabeth Wall reported on an free app created by Cornell University called Merlin that could identify birds by recording a chirp, movement and area located.
AI report: The Merlin Bird ID app, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, is a free mobile application designed to help users identify birds by sight and sound. It utilizes a combination of expert knowledge, machine learning, and data from eBird (the world’s largest database of bird sightings) to provide accurate identification suggestions.
Kindrick reported the library would need 30 edible gingerbread cookies in December and the date will be determined later.
The lunch celebration for Karen Needler and Marnette Reed was scheduled for Aug. 2 at Lybrand’s Bakery at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate their August birthdays.
Kizer announced upcoming fair dates with cleanup being on Sept. 18.
For the Holiday Foods recipe potluck, the club members are hostesses and should arrive by 10:20 a.m. for assignments. The deadline is approaching for any Holiday Foods recipes to be submitted. The last day is the county picnic at Pursuit Church on Aug. 23.
At the August member potluck, members should bring 1-2 bingo prizes for sharing.
During the September fair, members meet at the fair or change the club date. The fair board wants the exhibit buildings open in the evenings until 8 p.m. There will be a county-wide sign up schedule. There will also be a fair pecan bake-off this year.
Kindrick reports that she has secured the community space at the White Hall Library for the next club year for Willing Workers.
Jim Wilson wanted to thank all for the food, cards, etc., provided to him and his family during the week of his father’s passing.
The meeting was closed by Kindrick and members reciting the Homemakers Prayer.
New members are invited to attend local Extension Homemaker’s Clubs and participate in its many projects and programs. These include sewing muslin dolls for Arkansas Children’s Hospital, knitting caps for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Jefferson Regional Medical Center cancer patients, assisting with the county fair in the arts exhibits and gardening booths, attending child care providers and foster parent training, or attending Get Fit classes. To join, contact Mary Ann Kizer at the Extension service, (870) 534-1033, or visit the website.