Lauderdale County Homemaker Volunteers

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March 2, 2010

Anonymous The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Tue Mar 02, 2010, 08:30 AM CST

MERIDIAN —     Most people would be in a state of panic when a planned speaker is not able to participate at the last minute, but not Patty Swearingen.

    As county director of the Lauderdale County Extension Service, Swearingen, who oversees the Lauderdale County Homemaker Volunteers program, just went to a file cabinet.

    Every year, a creative writing contest is open to all members of the county homemaker groups. Winning compositions then go to the state competition in Starkville. In that file cabinet were the local office's copies of all the entries. Swearingen opened the drawer, plucked a few, then laid in wait as the lucky ones walked through the door of the East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA) auditorium totally unaware.

    Swearingen explained the lack of a speaker and her decision to have members present the program. She said that, while the newsletter announces the winners and category, other members seldom hear what was written. This was going to be the perfect opportunity.

     In the poetry category, Virginia White read her poem, "The Old Dead Tree," which is the tale of an old tree that stood in her yard, the birds who enjoyed it, and how it would be missed when it was gone. She then read her short story "The Horsefly Did It," which revealed an encounter with a horsefly, a tree and a county constable.

     Longtime member Earthie Mae Young read her essay "Thanks for Allowing Me this Present Day," which expressed her thanks to God for a beautiful day in so many ways. Young then recited her poem simply titled "I Believe," which began with the question "Do you believe in Christmas?"

     Last, but certainly not least, Homemaker Volunteer Member of the Year Robin Doerner read her poem "Once Again," remarking that it should be titled "Wishful Thinking" as it was about winter becoming spring. Doerner also read "Ready or Not, Here I Come," a short story of a little girl begging her grandmother to come out and play in the rain and the memories of days gone brought by the request.

     A hearty round of applause was given to each of the ladies as they completed their selections.

     Afterwards, Swearingen presented information on "Turning the Tide on Poverty," an initiative of the Southern Rural Development Center that works in 13 Southern states and is headquartered at Mississippi State University. The initiative is an effort to help communities take action to fight poverty in their communities by working together to explore ways to help families and individuals move from poverty to prosperity.

    Lauderdale and Neshoba counties are two of eight counties and parishes chosen to participate in the pilot program, which is being conducted in five states. All sites have 20 percent or greater poverty. Study circles are formed of community leaders who meet once a week in two-hour sessions for five weeks. These groups are led by trained facilitators.

    There are five meeting sites in Meridian: 1) Lauderdale County Extension Office, Courthouse Annex 2) Collinsville Community Development Club 3) Northeast Community Development Club 4) Meridian Housing Authority and 5) Haven Chapel United Methodist Church. The ideal number for each study circle is 12 people from different backgrounds.

    Volunteers are needed. For more information, call the Lauderdale County Extension Office at (601) 482-9764. Swearingen urged members to consider getting involved.

     The council meeting was brought to order by President Judy Harwell, who welcomed the members. Rachel Martin of the Savoy Club presented the opening prayer and Joe Bates, also of the Savoy Club, led members in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

     The March council meeting will be held on the 19th and members of every club are encouraged to attend. The program will the be the County Fashion Revue.

• Submitted by Cathy Clearman, reporter.

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