By ALETHEA PRICE

Boyle County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences

Oct. 14-20 is Kentucky Extension Homemakers Week. Of course, you’re probably wondering who Kentucky Extension Homemakers are and what they do. As the contact advisor to the Boyle County Homemakers Association, I’d be happy to share more about this all encompassing organization.

When you hear the word “homemaker” you immediately think of a certain set of words. Housewife, cook, mother and maid could be used to describe a homemaker but they are much more than that. Homemakers are strong leaders, willing volunteers, skilled educators, family and friends.

The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA) is a volunteer organization that works to improve the quality of life for families and communities through leadership development, volunteer service and education. Boyle County Homemakers has been an active part of KEHA since before it was officially founded.

For many years, Boyle County Homemakers have been actively serving this community through volunteer service work. Annually, they find ways to give back such as sewing pillowcases for Hospice or lap quilts for the hospital. They also support ovarian cancer research by donating $1 of each member’s dues every year. Homemakers also annually award a $500 scholarship to a college-bound student seeking a degree in agriculture, family and consumer sciences or any extension-related field. As a matter of fact, the scholarship award has increased from $500 to a solid $1,000.

Boyle County Homemakers highly value family, friendship, and fun. Each year, they participate in different social events such as the county annual meeting providing fun opportunities for fellowship. They also attend educational programs each month that address universal topics such as food, health, money management and family life. Homemakers are always learning new skills and sharing them with others.

Heritage skills such as knitting, sewing and quilt-making barely scratch the surface of what Homemakers are capable of. They compete in annual cultural arts contests, with many members winning blue ribbons at the state level. They also enter handmade items in the floral hall at the county fair. What a wealth of talent there is in this county.

KEHA welcomes members no matter what their age, race, color, national origin, creed, marital status or sex. The program is of interest to all income levels. Any full- or part-time home-maker, male or female, rural or urban, teenager or senior citizen and in-between, may belong to KEHA. The Boyle County Homemakers consist of 5 clubs that meet each month. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting organization, please feel free to attend any of the following events for Homemaker’s Week — especially the Tasting Party and Silent Auction.

Here is the complete list of events for this year’s celebration. If you have any questions, call (859) 236-4484 for more information.

• Tasting Party and Silent Auction — 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15. The silent auction will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Any member may submit a maximum of 5 items (Please try to bring your items by 5:30 p.m.).

• Free circular loom knitting class — 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 16. Supplies will be included. Learn a simple way to knit.

• Free pillow-case sewing class — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17. Supplies included. Make a pillow case in just one hour. Attendees can come anytime during the 4-hour period.

• Starry Night Studio — 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18. Register through the Community Arts Center website at communityartscenter.net; or by calling (859)236-4054.

• Striped pillow craft class — 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20. Class is led by Alethea Price. Call (859) 236-4484 to register. Details will follow.

All events will take place at the Boyle County Extension Office. Please come to as many of the events as you can. And since this is a membership activity, bring a friend — or, better still, friends. Let them meet the Homemakers, see what we do, and have some fun.

For more information on Homemakers Week, contact a.price@uky.edu.