Officers for the Elkhart County Extension Homemakers were installed during its annual achievement night. Seated in front, form left are Michelle Blough, vice president and Janet Ryman, treasurer. Standing in back are Donna Hibschman, advisor; Deb Pepple, secretary; Shirley Hershberger, assistant treasurer; and Tena Jakubowicz, president. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

The annual Elkhart County Extension Homemakers Achievement Night was held Monday evening, at the Elkhart County Community Center on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.The evening recognized various clubs and members for achievements.

The Extension Club of the Year was named during the program. This honor was given to Homemakers of Today, Judy Teal, club president. This club was among 19 clubs participating in the recognition system and earning gold, silver and bronze level recognitions. The Homemakers of Today received the traveling gavel and will have its name engraved on a special plaque hung in the Home and Family Arts Building.

Clubs earning the Gold Award and their presidents were: Busy Homemakers, Janet Ryman; Clinton Classics, Martha Weirich; Faithful Friends, Kris Peterson; Friends & Neighbors, Marie Jones; Hex Rural, Donna Hibschman; Homemakers of Today, Judy Teall; Jefferson Homemakers, Jo Ann Fisher; and Middlebury Homemakers, Evelyn Kozman.

Clubs earning the Silver Award and their presidents were: Clinton Clique, Lisa Honey; Creative Circle, Dale Clark; Creative Homemakers, Rebecca Buss; Fairfield Homemakers, Vietta Hartzler; Four Seasons, Michelle Blough; and York Homemakers, Phyllis Cooper.

The Bronze Award was presented to the following clubs and presidents: Bound-4-Knowledge, Joellen Allison; Helping Hands, Mary Lou Boomershine; Jimtown Gems, Erin Kennedy; Modern Homemakers, Kimberly McCreary; and Zion Homemakers, Beth Phillips.

More Recognitions

Donna Hibschman, 2014 county extension president and Mary Ann Lienhart Cross, county extension educator, presented certificates to the following new members: Bloomin’ Dandelions—Donna Handley; Clinton Classics—Amanda Randolph, and Katie Randolph; Creative Circle—Kathy Arnett, Teresa Mack and Sherry Weaver; Creative Homemakers—Patricia Janowski; Faithful Friends—Jenny Huffman; Four Seasons—Joan Mathias; Friends & Neighbors—Linda Beedle; Homemakers of Today—Kathy Chidister, Veryl Elliott and Cheryl Hoffman; Middlebury Homemakers—Bobby Dolby; Modern Homemakers—Lora Lopez and Garlene Stone; and Progressive Homemakers—Judith A. Eby.

Special recognition was given to members with 50 years Extension Homemaker membership. From Progressive Homemakers was, Sharon Moore.

Twenty-five-year members were recognized on stage and certificates were presented to the following members: Be-Y’s—Lauretta Schrock; and Creative Homemakers—Gerry Geyer.

Long-term Extension Homemakers were recognized for those whose membership has gone beyond 50 years. Members are recognized at the platinum level beginning at 70 years membership; gold level, beginning at 65 years membership; silver level, beginning at 60 years membership; and bronze level, beginning at 55 years membership.

Members recognized at the silver level were Fairfield Homemakers—Carol L. Kauffman; New Paris—Miriam Wellington; and York Homemakers—Loraine Platz. At the bronze level were Clinton Classics—Martha Weirich, York Homemakers—Theo Outman; and Zion Homemakers—Harriet Kruse.

A special memorial service was conducted for deceased members by committee members Deb George and Kathy Stoltzfus.

Newly elected County Officers for the 2015-2016 club year were installed by Deb George. They are: President Tena Jakubowicz, Homemakers of Today; vice president Michelle Blough, Four Seasons; secretary Debra Pepple, Creative Homemakers; treasurer Janet Ryman, Busy Homemakers; assistant treasurer Shirley Hershberger, York Homemakers; and advisor, Donna Hibschman, Hex Rural. Immediate Past President, Jennifer Chupp, Friends & Neighbors, was honored for her service with a silver tray.

Hibschman and Lienhart Cross presented certificates to the following members who served as chairpersons of county committees: Joellen Allison, Jennifer Chupp, Donna Hibschman, Sally Kyle, Nancy Miller, Alice Moy, Kristina Peterson, Cathy Van Huystee, Martha Weirich, Linda Weybright, and Maryann Zerbe.

Cathy Van Huystee, Elkhart, Four Seasons, served as chair of the Achievement Night committee and began the evening by welcoming guests. Lucy Bontrager, Middlebury, Homemakers of Today led the Pledge of Allegiance and club creed and LuAnn Sassaman, Goshen, of Friends & Neighbors said the invocation. A salad and dessert smorgasbord preceded the evening’s event.

Coordinating the Achievement Night event was Van Huystee, chair; Rosalie Bontrager, advisor; and committee members Lucy Bontrager, Donna Hibschman, Evelyn Kozman, LuAnn Sassaman, Kathy Stoltzfus, and Jeannine Talley and Lienhart Cross.