Minutes of January 21

Members of the Prairie Bell HCE Club met at 9:30 am on Thursday, 1-21-10, at the home of Ruth Edmonds. Attending were Terra Cecil, Laura Embrey, Brenda Gann, Brenda Edmonds, Clara Grundman, Ruth Landgraf, April Reeves, Carol Hardgrave, Sue Tardiff, Willis McGowin, LouVene Brooks, Dona Dillsaver, Valerie Naumann, and Ruth Edmonds. Meeting opened with prayer given by April Reeves and Sue Tardiff presided. There was no leader lesson. Ruth Edmonds read minutes of the November meeting. Copies of 2009 treasurers’ reports for both Prairie Bell and the county were passed out plus proposed 2010 county budget and this year’s scheduled events.

Calling list - Sue passed around a roster for corrections. She also had prepared an attendance record. It was suggested club reminders and minutes be e-mailed to all members having such service. For those without, after receiving a call, the member is responsible for notifying the next member on the non-e-mail list, who then follows same procedure. This will prevent one person spending hours on the phone. Meeting location was discussed. People did like visiting in other homes, but several said their homes were too small.

This year we are to entertain Henryetta. Oleta Donathan, their president, was contacted about entertaining said club in February and proposed dates presented. She will be back in touch with Sue after checking with her members. Plans made included having the party at Town and Country (April will put it on the calendar) and having a Mardi Gras theme since we did the same last year and have the decorations and will do about the same menu. A detailed list was made of needed items and who would provide what. Terra will take care of the meat. She and/or April will shop Sam’s for supplies. Specified members will pay for the cost of specific items or give a lump sum. Donna and Sue will make desserts, Jenny the guacamole, Brenda beans, and Sue cheese dip. Valerie volunteered to do games. Everyone is to bring a door prize.

Sue again volunteered to oversee the making of another quilt. She has blocks. Members will meet at her home on Tuesday, February 9, 9:30 to begin work on same. Everyone bring something for lunch. By starting early on sales it is hoped we can double the $600 we made last year. Question of recipient came up. Decision was to leave it “somewhat up in the air.” The Back Pack Program is well received and Dr. Hall’s family sent a very nice thank you note. However, we may wish to give half the proceeds to another good cause.

County Membership Meeting will be March 4. Prairie Bell is responsible for registration and name tags plus decorating our table. It is suggested members be there by 4:30. There will be another silent auction which was a financial success for the potable water wells project, Pennies for Friendship, at the Christmas Party. It is now hoped by putting out some extra effort Okmulgee County can collect as much as all the other counties combined. The small items sold well so county is asking clubs to bring one large basket or each member bring a smaller contribution. Theme is “Spring has Sprung.”

The Northeast District Meeting will be March 30 at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. Guest speaker is Wilma Mankiller. Cost including catered lunch is $17. Some discussion on club paying $5 of each fee.

Taste ’n Tell: Discussion as to do we as a club want to chair this program or prefer a committee. Sue will propose to the county that Prairie Bell coordinate this year’s Taste ’n Tell. Dona and Sue would spearhead with Brenda E. helping as much as possible. The latter said her husband would again do the tickets. Considerable discussion as to restricting food to specific varieties or having a varied assortment. Brenda E. will check with First Baptist Church as to using their kitchen and hall. General agreement was price should be raised to at least $6.00. Some preferred $7.

State HCE will commemorate their 75th anniversary this year. Please bring your old pictures and/or clippings to the June County meeting.

Scholarships will be considered at a later meeting. Sue will have next meeting, February 18, at her home. LouVene Brooks will provide the dessert. Meeting adjourned

-- Ruth Edmonds, secretary, Prairie Bell OHCE Club Minutes 1-21-10
-- items in italics edited by blogmaster Karen Morris (primarily names, dates)