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Sefton HCE holds Mother’s Day meeting

Fifteen members were present for the May 9 Mother’s Day potluck and meeting of the Sefton HCE Unit. Chairman  Flo Allen welcomed those present, and Panzi Blackwell asked the blessing for the meal. Following the meal, Sally Behrends and her kitchen helper cleaned the area.

Allen called the meeting to order and led the pledge to the American flag. Secretary Debbie Swain took roll call, which was answered by Flo Allen, Shirley Klitzing, Marilyn Yakel, Phyllis Bruno, Delores Dukeman. Panzi Blackwell, Dee Dee Diveley, Carolyn Grames, Debbie Swain, Lura Foutch, Betty Williams, NormaLee Terry, Shirley Mattes and Elizabeth Kasten.
Members signed Mother’s Day cards for Ilene Sidwell, Marge Weiss and Leona McConaughay.
Shirley Klitzing, treasurer, gave the club’s financial report. A discussion of the Fayette County HCE’s Get-Acquainted Day and the fundraising auction was held.
Klitzing emphasized the need for all dues to be paid by June 13, which is also the date of the unit’s next meeting.
Blackwell complimented the club’s “Golden Girls” on the skit they performed for the Get-Acquainted Day entertainment and the hats and costumes they created for their individual parts.
Swain resigned as club secretary, and Kasten agreed to take the position.
The vote for the Sefton Unit’s Mother of the Year award was held, with Kasten winning the award. Honorable mentions were Sharon Wilhelm and Phyllis Pryor.
An Honorary Mother of the Year certificate was awarded to Dee Dee Diveley in recognition of the attention and interest she displays for other people’s children. Each one honored received a red rose and a certificate.  
Grames and Diveley were photographed with the collection of 5,641 plastic caps they collected for one of the HCE’s projects, Brookstone Estates in Vandalia.   
The annual meeting and potluck was discussed. It will be on June 18 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vandalia. A special guest will be State President Marilyn Daughhtee, who will preside over the installation of officers.
Committees are as follows: registration-St. Elmo; drinks and food placement-Vandalia Day;  decorations-Sefton; cleanup-Bingham-Ramsey, Wrights Corner, Wheatland and St. Peter.
A Fayette County HCE Crafts Afternoon will be held Thursday  at the Vandalia Extension office at 1 p.m. to make favors. Members are urged to attend.
Allen displayed a newspaper clipping featuring Elvis impersonator Scott Wattles, who has a lifelong vision problem and works to help others with vision problems. Wattles was the entertainer for the IAHCE conference.
Three lessons were given.
“Walking Your Way to Good Health” was given by Diveley, who is a long-time believer and participant in daily walking. She demonstrated aids in walking for the most effectiveness.
“Strength in Trying Times” was given by Swain and focused on two factors that influence resiliency, personal belief systems, and the communities and environments in which we live. It reviewed several generations and the challenges and changes from generation to generation.
“Planning for Life-Changing Events” was given by Allen. Finances were the main focus in the lesson, and covered inventory of assets and financial accounts,  a durable power of attorney for health care, a directive document for health-a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR),  a living will and  a durable power of attorney for property.
Hand-out sheets were provided for each lesson.
The next Sefton Unit meeting will be Thursday, June 13, at the Golden Years Building at 1 p.m. Hostesses will be Klitzing and Blackwell. Lessons will be given by: Kasten-“Gifts from the Heart”; Allen-Celebrations & Traditions; and Diveley-“Coping with Food Allergies.”

Elizabeth Kasten, left, received the Mother of the Year award at the Sefton Unit of HCE meeting. Presenting the award was Sefton Unit Chairwoman Flo Allen.

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