I would like to say thanks, to each of you that helped make this year's State Meeting a huge success. The remarks have been wonderful and I hope that if you were able to attend that you also felt the some way. We had wonderful speakers and above all the entertainment was the tops. We have so many talented members in E H C across the state of Arkansas. It is so nice that we do not have to go out of the State for speakers, class instructors and for entertainment.

We will have a hard time topping this for next but we are already working toward another successful year and hope to have more to attend.

Work on getting some new members by telling them about the State Meeting and of all the wonderful work you do.

Again, thanks for everything.

- Marietta Gutierrez, President

IT’S HISTORY NOW – around 700 attended the annual meeting – which was an increase of more than 100 over 2002 meeting. Happy faces and laughter was evident at all general sessions. Marietta Gutierrez, President, selected excellent general session speakers. The opening session speaker was Dr. Wally Goddard, Family Life Specialist with U of A Cooperative Extension Service. Dr. Goddard’s topic, "Choosing Happiness", set the atmosphere that prevailed throughout the meeting. Dr. David Lipschitz, U of A Medical Center Aging Center was also a favorite speaker. Bill Russell, retired Extension Specialist, challenged the final session with his speech on "It’s not the Sugar That Sweetens the Tea---- It’s the Stirring".

Excellent evaluations were given from three-fourth of the counties. The spouses’ tour to Garvan Gardens with Janet Carson was a winner as well as the two talent shows on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The "How To" Classes, Education, and Subject Matter Classes were well attended and good reports were given on the topics and instructors. Remember – All counties received a packet for most of the information that was presented at this meeting and it is in the County Extension Office.

The State Planning Committee did an outstanding job for this meeting. A special thanks goes to Mary Ann Shepherd, Chair and her committee. Elaine Stoll and her husband who built the beautiful bird houses that decorated Horner Hall’s huge stage. Malvie Lee Giles, from Columbia County, coordinated the "How To" Classes, Yvonne James from Benton County was chair of the evaluation classes, and Elaine

Stoll was the chair for subject classes. Beverly Harlow did a great job with the cultural arts exhibit of "homes". Sue Senn and Creative Skills Classes seemed to be a favorite and worked better than past years.

Montie Ray was in charge of staging and everything was perfect – thanks to his good planning and committee. Dee Woods was in charge of the beautiful table decorations. Peggy Barnett was in charge of the commercial exhibits and this was a favorite place to shop during the three days.

Katherine Denton did a great job "Keeping the store" in the information room. Sue Farris was in charge of equipment for the meeting – we did not loose a single extension cord!

Pasty Parsons was in charge of Curtain Calls - this was a popular part of the meetings and each county has one copy of the curtain calls publication in the county packet.

Thanks to Cindy Parker for all that she did in keeping our bills paid! Dorothy Anderson kept us going in the right direction with great minutes of all planning meetings.

From the Districts

Back Row: Gale Patrick (Lincoln County), Faye Hudgins (Lonoke County), Joyce Hall (Pulaski County), Donna Taylor (Jefferson County), Peggie Barbaree (Jefferson County), JoAnn Carr (Jefferson County), Nancy Rosen (Jefferson County). Front Row: Beverly Harlow (SE District Director), Carolyn Louenhogen (Pulaski County), Lois Launius (Ashley County), Kaye Green (Cleveland County), Janice Majors (Drew County)

Southwest District

It is with a heavy heart for me for July 1, to be getting so close. I have worked on the state level of A E H C for about 16 years and now I feel old age moving in making me unable to continue this "work of love". It’s time for new and younger people.

This year has been the GREATEST for me. My Associate District Directors (Julia Bentley and Beulah Wright) have been so much help. All the counties in "Southwest" District have taken part in every meeting that we’ve had. Thanks to Arkadelphia and Hot Springs for hosting our District meetings and doing such a good job.

I know that I will miss mentioning some of the biggest helpers that I’ve had, but know that you have my THANKS. I’ve enjoyed visiting with several counties, even when I got lost trying to find my way back to the highway after a couple of the meetings. A big hug of thanks to Alberta James for getting me into all this and to Dorothy Penix for being my travel pal and especially a big Thanks to my husband, Edward, for riding "shot-gun" all those many miles with me.

THANKS to ALL the State A E H C officers and leaders that I’ve worked with over the years. YOU mean so much to me. God bless you all.

- Martiel C. Womble

Back Row: Shirley Mercer (Montgomery County), Shirley McConnell (Yell County), Barbara Boeh (Johnson County), Mamie Carter (Yell County), Janet Nies (Carroll County), Betty Coger (Madison County), Libby Kelley (Newton County), Kay Sanders-Chick (Baxter County), Glenda Anderson (Pope County), Miriam Craig (Faulkner County), Carrie Sorrells (Johnson County), Marilyn Spence (NW District Director) Front Row: Patsy James (Washington County), Anna Bennett (Yell County), Lee Carlson (Marion County), Tony Horton (Crawford County), Roberta Darling (Van Buren County). Not pictured: Ramona Russell, (Sebastian County)

Northwest District

This has been a wonderful two years for me in A E H C serving as the Northwest District Director. I have made so many friends through out the district that I serve in and also the folks on the Executive board. We have had some good times and shared some sad times as well, which of course, is all part of life itself. God, has been so good to me this past 2 years my Wedding Chapel has grown and is still doing great which is now taking sooo much of my time so the void of not being a district director will be filled even before I leave office.

I have had a great time with so many of the counties and have heard so many wonderful ideas that truly need to be shared with the rest of the state.

I have had the privilege of being an auctioneer at one of the meetings and had a great time, and I have enjoyed working with two very capable ladies Kathy Qualls who e-mails me the neatest stuff and always sends "hugs" I love that, and also Glenda Anderson. These gals were so sweet and willing to do anything that was asked of them. That to me is what E H C is all about. I have loved serving in this capacity and I Thank God for the opportunity to serve in my most beloved E H C.

Thank You for letting me share with you this past two years and I hope this is not the last that you have seen of me in a state capacity.

With all the Best to each member,

God Bless and keep you all.

- Marilyn Spence

Back Row: Janet Williamson (NE District Director), Ivaline Moody (Craighead County), Ruby Reese (Lawrence County), Vivian Sanders (Poinsett County), Bertha Smith (Poinsett County), Pankie Johnson (Cross County), Nellie Johnson (Cross County), Cindy Parker (Cross County) Front Row: Gerri Keene (Craighead County) Ann Reynolds (Fulton County), Sue Ross (Woodruff County), Marilyn Shearin (Mississippi County), Jean Weeks (Poinsett County), Berline Wright (Cross County), Barbara Wright

Northeast District

The nineteen counties in the current Northeast District have been and are unique. We have had some great programs and participation in each one. We have been generous with our time, talent and donations in all areas. Special thanks to all the presidents, who have attended the meetings in the last two years and brought smiles and compliments with you. Now it is time to move on. Each county will be in another, new, district and I can’t encourage you enough to do your best. Some of you will continue as officers and others will go on to bigger and better service with E H C and other county activities.

I encourage each and every one to work with the new district leaders.

It has been a pleasure, an education, as well as a rewarding experience being the NE District Director.

Thank You,

- Janet Williamson

Julia Murray (Union County), Martiel Womble (SE District Director), Dorothy Ware (Calhoun County), Dee Wood (Hot Spring County), Ann Nix (Little River County), Wynona Adcock (Sevier County), Melba Jackson (Dallas County) Garlene Steelman (Dallas County), Diane Case (Garland County)

I would like to say that I truly enjoyed my two years as Southeast District Director. Of course the

 board and the Presidents that I was working with make the job go very smooth. I am looking forward to seeing each one again soon and wish the best for all. Thanks for allowing me to serve as your Southeast District Director.

- Beverly Harlow

Beginning July 1, 2003 all 75 counties will be in one of three districts: Ozark, Quachita, or Delta. Check your handbook, page D-4 for the listing or look on the Extension Homemaker Web Page.

The following people were elected District Directors at the 2003 State Meeting and will assume their office July 1, 2003.

A E H C Spring Education Workshop

The three objectives of A E H C-Leadership, Education, and Community Service were emphasized at the Spring Meeting.

Two hundred twenty E H C leaders, and Extension professionals attended the 2003 Spring Education Workshop.

The leaders selected "Physical Activity and your Health" as the major focus for the next two years and they selected care-giving as the minor focus.

"Creativity Camp" was the theme and Elaine Stoll and the district directors did an outstanding job with a skit to open the meeting on Tuesday evening. Janet Williamson and Joyce Hall created a friendly atmosphere with their "camp fire sing-a-long."

A E H C was fortunate in that this was one of the first groups to use the new Reynolds Auditorium.

"Who I Am Makes a Difference" was an impressive leader recognition program presented by Marietta Gutierrez, President. All leaders received blue ribbons as the meeting concluded on the second day. Several counties have used this program at Spring Council Meetings.

The Community service section of the Program featured Dr. Jeffery Kaiser from U A M S-Neonatal Department. Dr. Kaiser told the group of the valuable service the preemie crocheted caps had made to the neonatal department. Several counties presented caps to Dr. Kaiser following his remarks.

Stephanie Bryant, F C S Agent, St. Francis County and Debbie DeRossettee, F C S Agent in Poinsett County told of new clubs they organized.

Kaye Shrout of Montgomery County did an outstanding power point presentation on their E H C Mentoring Program.

2004: June 8-10
2005: June 6-9
2006: June 5-8

We are on the web

www.arextensionhomemakers.org

The revised A E H C Handbook is now on our web site. It is filled with all kinds of information. Look for all dates and activities through 2003, the leader training outlines that our state specialists have developed and much more. For those with a computer our address is: www.arextensionhomemakers.org

Your county Extension Office has computers that you may use to access our web site.

A E H C New Membership Brochure

The new membership brochure "Get Involved" was available at the district President’s Meeting. Counties may use "Print on Demand" to get the leaflet.