White Hall Willing Workers Extension Homemakers Club met Nov. 18 at the White Hall Library.
Karen Needler presented a program on “Managing Stress.” She began with what challenges people face and members shared their stories, according to a news release.
To help deal with life stresses, it was shared that helpful friends, hobbies, faith, family pets, savings and mentors/counselors can help people deal with challenges. It was also reported that during times of stress, it helps people to draw closer to others, develop greater compassion and learn to value the simple things in life.
“We choose if we are better for it or bitter because of it,” according to the presentation.
President Theodore Roosevelt stated, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” That’s a good lesson even today, according to the release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Willing Workers EHC President Sarah Payton welcomed everyone. The special guest was Melissa Earnest, a former club member and leader who was county president from 1996-98.
The Homemakers Creed was led by a member. The Thought of the Month was read by Elizabeth Wall, “A day of worrying is more exhausting than a week of work.” Jo Ann Carr read the Handy Hint. Jim Wilson shared the Inspiration message. Roll was called by Tonia Dalby. Minutes of October’s meeting were read and approved. Treasurer’s report was given by Marnette Reed.
Special Leader Reports were presented.
Leadership Development: Elizabeth Wall gave a presentation on who is considered “the Mother of Thanksgiving,” Sarah Josepha Hale. She began campaigning in 1827 to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday, writing to presidents to advocate for the cause. Prior to this, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual states and colonies as a way to celebrate harvests. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln officially declared the last Thursday in November a national day of Thanksgiving, in an attempt to foster national unity during the Civil War. Hale was an American writer, activist and editor of the most widely circulated magazine in the period before the Civil War, Godey’s Lady’s Book, impacting American fashion, cooking and home design. Her lesser known legacy is she was the author of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” according to the news release.
Community Service: Members voted for the community project to be a donation to the White Hall Food Pantry. Suggestions to keep in mind for 2026 was “meal in a bag,” which includes providing recipes and then bagging up the ingredients.
NEW BUSINESS
Sales of the 2025 shelled pecans, chocolate-covered peanuts and Holiday Food cookbooks went on sale at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office Nov. 24.
If you are interested in joining a Jefferson County Extension Homemaker’s Club and participate in many projects and programs, reach out to Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Family & Consumer Sciences agent, at the extension service at (870) 534-1033 or check out the website at https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/jefferson/.