Franklin County Extension Homemakers attended the Maine Extension Homemakers Council meeting in Aroostook County, where MEHC President Barbara Hathaway, of Wilton, presided. Claudina Bechtel, Connie Simpkins and Lynda Davis attended from Weld Extension Homemakers. Amy Palmer attended from the Clearwater Homemakers.

Betty Thompson and Carolyn Kelly arranged the two-day event as members from the hosting county.

John Rebar, executive director of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, shared information about Harvest for Hunger, where Extension volunteers raised and donated more than 200,000 pounds of vegetables and fruits in 2010. 2011 figures are not in yet. Other efforts mentioned were the International Universities Fighting World Hunger. The Extension will focus on hunger in Maine.

Lisa Phelps, program administrator of UMaine Cooperative Extension, attended and shared information on budgeting time and resources.

The meeting included roll call, reports and voting for secretary, Susan Buddemeyer, from York County. A new treasurer, Alberta Philpot from Somerset county, was also elected.

Registered Nurse Nell Davies, Maine Care Services Coordinator for the ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter, presented the Extension Homemakers with a certificate of appreciation for raising $19,983.23 for purchase of a Dynavox Eyemax and support equipment in memory of Cheryl Perkins. The certificate was accepted by Alberta Philpot, from the Somerset Extension Homemakers, who were instrumental in starting the program to raise funds for ALS.

The Geographical Area of Study was voted on with Nova Scotia being selected.

Immediate past president Jackie Conant, from Oxford, arranged for the group to tour the Amish village where the farm lifestyle could be seen.

The Extension Homemakers are volunteers providing educational programs in partnership with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. For information or to become a new member, call 778-4650.

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