Michelle Blough, Four Seasons Home Economics Club, was named the Senior Homemaker of the Year; and Lana L. Evans, Clinton Classics, was named the Intermediate Homemaker Of the Year. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

“Treasure Cookbook Memories” was the theme of the annual achievement night for Elkhart County Extension Homemakers, Monday, April 20. The evening took place in the Elkhart County Community Center on the Elkhart County 4-H Fairgrounds in Goshen.

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the intermediate and senior Homemaker of the Year. Lana L. Evans, Clinton Classics Extension Homemakers Club, was named the Intermediate Homemaker Of The Year and Michelle Blough, Four Seasons Extension Homemakers Club, was named the Senior Homemaker of the Year.

Evans, winner of the Intermediate category, has been a member of the Clinton Classics Extension Homemaker Club five years. Evans is a family nurse practitioner and she and her husband, James, have two children. Her personal goals include becoming a nurse and then a nurse practitioner, having children who love the Lord and are respectful, and owning a horse, whose name is “Pig.”

Blough is a 43-year member currently with the Four Seasons Extension Homemaker club. Blough and her husband, David, live on a dairy farm between Goshen and Middlebury. She is recently retired from a 40-year career of teaching elementary school. With retirement, she is enjoying less stress and more flexibility in her schedule and hopes to coax David to travel once in a while.

Extension homemaker clubs may nominate one member for each of the three age categories. “Young Homemaker” age 39 or younger; “Intermediate Homemaker” from 40 to 59 years of age; and “Senior Homemaker” age 60 and over. The candidate and her club fill out the application answering: How do you view your role as a homemaker? In addition to homemaking, what is your present and/or past occupation or profession? And describe some of the activities you have completed as a member or volunteer in the following: a. Extension Homemaker Club; b. Church and Community Service; c. Past and present activities with or for your children or children in general; and d. Personal and Family goals.

Those honored with club nominations in the intermediate category were: Diahanna Archer, Modern Homemakers; Lana L. Evans, Clinton Classics; Carol S. Kauffman, Busy Homemakers; and Paula LaPlace, Creative Homemakers. Honored in the senior category were: Sandra Bartoe, Busy Homemakers; Michelle Blough, Four Seasons; Judith A. Eldridge, Clinton Classics; and LuAnn Sassaman, Friends & Neighbors.

There were no nominations for young homemaker.

Another highlight of the evening was a brief speech by Tena Jakubowicz, 2015-16 county president, highlighting her theme for the next year. “Gratitude is an Attitude” is the theme she has chosen.

Jakubowicz stated many do not take the time to appreciate what they have and those there to help. “It is easy to take the good things for granted … you should seize every opportunity.” Advice on how to start with the gratitude attitude was noted. “Start with you. Great each day with a grateful attitude, with love, and appreciate the gifts you are given and be grateful for what makes you, you.”

She suggested the ladies drop regrets and be thankful. “Many times you don’t know how thankful you are (for things) until tragedy strikes. … love life, treasure family and friends.” She recognized the homemakers before them who had challenges and gathered ideas. “They were brave enough to make changes.” As homemakers they should be mentoring others and walking beside other homemakers.

Jakubowicz challenged each one to invite one person to their next club meeting, become involved in the local club activities, county club projects and to keep an open mind to new ideas and activities. “Don’t forget to have fun.”