Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Kosciusko County ranks fourth in the state in the number of homemaker members.
Following Elkhart, Allen and Dekalb counties, there are 31 Extension clubs here with just under 400 members. The county fair is one of the first events for the new club year that begins July 1.
New officers were installed at the annual Achievement Night in late June. Past President Julia Frush passed the president's gavel to Nancy Adams. Other officers include Kay Farrar, president-elect; Peggy Parzygnot, vice president; Diane Wagley, secretary; Betty Bowen, treasurer, and Betty Busch, assistant treasurer. These women, along with Frush and Extension Educator Joan Younce, make up the County Extension Homemakers Board.
The mission of the Indiana Extension Homemakers is to strengthen families through continuing education, leadership development and volunteer community support. The county organization sponsors the open class exhibits at the fair in the categories of arts and crafts, foods, food preservation, clothing, needlework, garden flowers and plants, herbs and agriculture.
Anyone can enter and all entries are to be presented at the Home and Family Arts Building on the fairgrounds Saturday between 8 and 11 a.m. Judging is closed and the exhibits are open to the public beginning Sunday at 4 p.m. Booklets with all the information about entering the categories are available at the Extension office in the basement of the courthouse.
A "country" quilt made by member Betty Bowen will be on display in the Home and Family Arts building throughout the week of the fair, Monday through July 22. The quilt will be raffled with tickets costing $1 each, or six for $5. Proceeds from ticket sales help with fair expenses that include ribbons, awards, judges, supplies and contributions to 4-H and other scholarships.
Years ago the extension clubs had a quilt raffle. This is the first since 1999. The country pattern with plaids and an unbleached muslin background makes this quilt look old, but it was actually finished this past month.
Club scrapbooks with pictures and clippings from years ago that have been in storage in the attic at the courthouse will be on display during the fair. Past members and friends are welcome to come and reminisce as they browse through pages of the past.
There also will be a special display from the Home and Family Conference at Purdue University attended by members in June.
