Homemakers working on junk journaling during Camp ELKO. Photos provided by Elkhart County Extension Homemakers.

By Maksym Hart
InkFreeNews

ELKHART COUNTY — In Elkhart County, a network of women — and soon, a few men — are keeping homemaking traditions alive while adapting to modern needs. The Elkhart County Extension Homemakers, one of the largest groups of its kind in Indiana, has been offering fellowship, education and volunteer opportunities to local residents for nearly a century.

Currently, the organization includes about 180 members across around 18 individual clubs, all operating under the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association and the Purdue University Extension Service.

Clubs meet monthly to share life skills, learn about new topics, and work together on volunteer projects.

Brenda Mestach demonstrates cupcake decorating at the Fall Holiday Program.

“Our oldest club is 96 years old,” said Luanne Gressman-Dunn, the county organization’s membership chair. “And we’ve added four new clubs just this year, including some focused on special interests like crochet and junk journaling.”

Though historically focused on homemaking in the traditional sense, with topics like nutrition, sewing and cleaning, today’s clubs reflect a broader and more modern vision.

Educational topics covered this year will include “Sleep On It,” “Stress and Your Health,” “Smart Choices for Dining Out,” and “Healing Through Grief.” These one-hour community lessons are taught at the Purdue Extension Office at the 4-H Fairgrounds and passed along to individual clubs for further discussion.

Clubs vary widely in character. Some have a longstanding membership of women over 70, while others include younger members or serve as skill-sharing groups. One club, for instance, made 200 quilts for cancer patients last year. Another meets regularly to assemble blankets for the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which provides beds for children in need. There’s even a growing interest in clubs focused on financial literacy and investing.

“One of my goals is to start new clubs that appeal to younger women,” Gressman-Dunn said. “And maybe even a few men. We’re starting an investment club this August that’ll be led by a man … so we’ll get our first man, and maybe some others will get involved in that.”

From left are Karen Honey, Lisa Stephens and Jen Chupp having fun at Camp ELKO.

Beyond monthly meetings, the Extension Homemakers are a familiar presence at local events. They organize a fashion show before the start of the Elkhart County 4-H Fair and staff a membership booth in the Elkhart County Community Center throughout the fair, providing information on joining or forming clubs.

Volunteerism is central to the organization. One group, called Volunteer Community Sewing, meets monthly from September through May to make quilts, baby hats, and prayer shawls for local charities and hospitals. Kris Peterson, who chairs the group, can be reached at (574) 238-2065 by anyone interested in donating or joining the effort.

The Extension Homemakers also hold annual events like their Fall Holiday Program and Heritage Skills Day. The holiday program, set for Saturday, Oct. 25 this year, includes craft demonstrations, taste-testing of holiday recipes and a silent auction. Heritage Skills Day offers hands-on lessons in traditional crafts and homemaking techniques.

While the organization’s roots stretch back to the 1910s, when local women organized as an auxiliary to Farmers Institutes, its mission continues to evolve. Purdue Extension remains a strong partner, providing educational support, office space and staff assistance to keep the clubs running smoothly.

“The support we get from Purdue is essential,” said Gressman-Dunn. “They help us stay organized, connected, and informed.”

Anyone interested in joining or starting a club can reach Gressman-Dunn directly at (574) 524-5459 or call the Purdue Extension Office at (574) 533-0554. Members must be 18 or older, but there are no restrictions based on gender, race, or background.

“It’s all about sharing knowledge and building community,” said Gressman-Dunn. “Our creed says we believe in anything that makes life large and lovely. That’s what we try to do.”

Georgia Gouin, left, and Donna Hibschman work on open class fair entries.