The Community Development Clubs of Lauderdale County recently recognized its Man of the Year, Woman of the Year and Top Clubs during an awards ceremony.



Man of the Year:

Patrick Howse,

Suqualena CDC Club



This year’s recipient for Outstanding Man of the Year has been described as the man behind the woman. Whenever his wife comes up with an idea he would come up with the plan and the organization of it.

As a member of the Memorial Day/Independence Day program, he was instrumental in finding the names of the veterans from the Civil War to the present who have been buried in the community.

He is a talented graphic artist who designed the graphics for the MSU Riley Center. These talents on the computer were helpful in putting together the handbook, making signs for all events, formatting letters, and many other projects. He is also a talented musician who plays the banjo, harmonica, and guitar.

He is an active member of the Suqualena United Methodist Church where he sings in the choir, serves on the Board of Trustees and is a member of the Worship Committee. He is also a member of the Suqualena Volunteer Fire Department.



Woman of the Year:

Diann Howse,

Suqualena CDC Club



This year’s recipient for Outstanding Woman of the Year has been described in one word as being “dynamite.” She is exploding with energy and is willing to pour that energy into her community.

Under her leadership as president of her Community Development Club it has grown in numbers, installed an historical sign, initiated a walking program, “Let’s Walk Mississippi” and for the first time in many years had a Settlers Day in their community.

At the same time she was working on the Settlers Day, she was also working on her fire fighter certification. She is now a Certified Volunteer Fire Fighter, being the only woman on their Volunteer Fire Department and the oldest woman from Lauderdale County to attempt and receive certification.

She and her family has only been in the community a short time, but the impact has been nothing less than phenomenal.



Top Clubs



Lauderdale County District 5 Supervisor Ray Boswell, President of the Board of Supervisors, presented the Club of the Year Awards.

The following clubs were recognized for outstanding work and received cash awards:

• Causeyville — Larry Culpepper, president – Dedication to Humanity

• Lauderdale — Junior Hatcher, president — Initiative

• Long Creek — Ray Carol Enzor, president — Support to Public Safety

• Northeast — John Satcher, president — Community Support

• Russell — Gloria Jolly, president — Continued Commitment

The Top Three Community Development Clubs Were:

• Third place, receiving a check for $200, the Center Hill Community Development Club — Lou Ella Limerick, president. The club also will receive a certificate for Facility Beautification.

• Second place, receiving a check for $250, the Suqualena Community Development Club — Diann Howse, president. The club also will receive a certificate for Community Involvement.

• This year’s Outstanding Club of the Year, receiving a $300 check, a club plaque, as well as the rotating trophy, is the Collinsville Community Development Club — Judy Harwell, president. The club also will receive a certificate for Infrastructure Development.



This article was submitted by Patty Swearingen, county director, with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.