Published: September 12, 2009 02:57 pm      

Clubs encouraged to share news of activities with community

DUNCAN — Fall has finally arrived, and the clubs and organizations in the Duncan area that took a summer hiatus are back in session. We want to know what your group is doing, so we can let the community know, especially when you have a big event planned that others in the community are welcome to attend.

Is a special speaker coming to town to address the group? Is a community service — such as a health fair or food drive — planned that would be of help to people? Is there going to be a concert or play or other event that you’d like people to know about? As soon as plans are finalized, let us know so we can plan and schedule our coverage.

The address to send club news to is clubs@duncanbanner.com. Photos can be sent to the same e-mail address. They should be high-resolution jpg format photos — color, if possible — with names of the people shown listed, from left to right. If photos are in digital format, and can be e-mailed to us, they need not be printed out. Please check spellings of names and titles, so we can get it right in the paper. Use capital and lower-case letters, as appropriate, so we know what should be capitalized. Do not use all capital letters to type club information, as it has to be re-typed and can delay items getting into the paper or errors can creep into the typing.

After meetings are held, the same e-mail address can be used to report what happened. Because of space limitations, we do not use information such as who led the flag salute or who won the door prize or the list of people attending, but we like to report on what the program was about and who gave it, along with any other special information that was given at the meeting and by whom. Dates and locations of meetings, hosts and hostesses, and other information of interest to people outside the group are welcome. People in other organizations read about what your group did, and can often adapt your activities to fit their needs, so feel free to share names, faces and ideas.

Club reports after the fact should be submitted within three days of the meeting, if possible.

The Banner reserves the right to edit submissions for grammar, spelling and length. For information, call 580-255-5354, Ext. 144.

The following are some examples of news submitted during the past week. See also the story of a reorganized group for moms on Page 3B.

Keep us posted, and best wishes for a great club year.

Sunshine OHCE group visits state sites

Sunshine Oklahoma Home and Community Education group members traveled to several places of interest in Oklahoma recently.

They began with a visit to Braum’s Dairy. There are eight Braum farms and ranches totaling more than 40,000 acres. Each plays its own unique role in the Braum operation; from growing alfalfa hay to feed the dairy herd, to raising replacement heifers, to growing pecans for your favorite ice cream. The newest addition to the Tuttle plant is the bakery that is being phased into production.

The company is now in the process of producing its own Angus herd. The cows are milked twice a day just a mile from the processing plant and transported on roads that the Braum family built and paid for. To this day, Braum’s is still the only major ice cream maker in the country that milks its own cows. The company has 280 ice cream and dairy stores throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Missouri and Arkansas. All deliveries from the processing plant are within 300 miles. The short time of travel makes sure the product is fresh and the drivers go home every day, members of the club were told.

During lunch at an Oklahoma City steakhouse, a short business meeting was conducted by President Donnita Hall.

Vicki Zimmerman gave the lesson on defensive driving. Statistics show that seat belts do save lives, she said, citing recent wrecks as examples.

Members discussed their participation and volunteering at the Stephens County Free Fair. The group booth won third place and its educational booth won second place.

After lunch, the group toured the Gaylord/Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City.

The Express Clydesdales was the next stop. These Clydesdales are a rare black-and-white breed and are in constant demand across the United States to appear in parades, community events, state fairs and equine competitions. This group of horses went to Calgary this year and won second place in competition. Bob Funk, Express Clydesdale owner, saw potential popularity of these gentle giants and transferred them from their native cold Canadian climate into the southern part of the Unites States. He said they exemplify teamwork. The Express Clydesdales team serves as “Equine Ambassadors” for Children Miracle Network.

The next Sunshine meeting will be Oct. 1 in the home of Genevra Bechtel. Barbara Leverett will give the leader lesson.

Oak College OHCE working with Grandview 4-H

Oak College OHCE met Sept. 1 with President Marjorie Edwards presiding. Edwards congratulated everyone on the successful way they handled a busy two weeks, with the Comanche/Empire District Fair and Stephens County Free Fair, baking pies and working at the OHCE Pie Sale during the County Fair.

Zelpha Taylor was hostess for the meeting.

Jefferson County HCE invited Oak College to go on a Sept. 24 road trip to visit the Noble Foundation for a “Fall Gardening Update” followed by a tour of the research facilities and lunch. Ten members plan to attend.

It was reported that the Comanche/Empire District Fair was very successful despite the terrible drought condition. Edwards thanked those who participated and supported the fair.

“It is most important to keep this part of our heritage alive,” she said.

Oak College will be working with the Grandview 4-H this year, helping leader Kim McGarr and 4-H Agent Kim Davis, as needed.

Several members participated in showing their support of the Pratt family during the funeral procession and the welcome home of Stephens County National Guard unit at the Halliburton Stadium.

The group will participate in the annual quilt show at the Stephens County Historical Museum Oct. 2-3; will entertain a sister club on Oct. 6; and will attend the fall council meeting on Oct. 24 with a workshop on “Holiday Gifts and Décor” presented afterwards by Linda Dewbre.

Nonie Pennington presented lesson on “Defensive Driving.” A open discussion was held on how each member handles road rage, distractions going on in the car and the importance of not using cell phones while driving. Pennington emphasized how important it is to be aware of the traffic around us and driving according to weather conditions. She also encouraged members to take safe driving courses.

Anyone who wants more information on OHCE may call Brenda Gandy, Extension educator, at 580-255-0510, or any member of the Oklahoma Home and Community Education groups.