April is an exciting month for the Lauderdale Homemaker Volunteers, an opportunity for homemakers to show off their many talents at the annual Cultural Arts Contest. From painting to jewelry making — and everything in-between — the event featured 50 entries made by 22 participants. 

Overall, blue and red ribbons were presented to the following participants:

Painting and drawing: Virginia White, glass painting, Overall; Lou Ella Limerick, colored pencils, Overall

Ceramics, glazed pottery/porcelain: Earthie Young, Overall; Rae Clarke, Blue; and Sarah Crenshaw, Red.

Decorative Machine Sewing: Gracie Payne, home furnishings, Blue; Judy Harwell, clothing accessories, Overall; Caroline Webster, Blue.

Hand Stitchery: Doreen Daniels, framed cross-stitch, Overall; Lucille Walters, Embroidery, Red

Crochet: Barbara Rigdon, wearing apparel, Overall; Rose Marie Lucovich, Blue; Doreen Daniels, Blue; Lula Coleman, Blue; Earthie Young, Yarn, home furnishings, Blue; Katherine Daniels, Blue; Doreen Daniels, baby items, Red

Other Fiber Arts: Earthie Young, Overall, knitting wearing apparel; Earthie Young, Blue, knitting home furnishings; Katherine Daniels, Blue; Doreen Daniels, Blue; Doreen Daniels, Red, knitting baby items

Quilting: Earthie Young, Red

Creative crafts: Serena Ivy, Blue, decorative painting; Rose Marie Lucovich, Red; Virginia White, Recycled Item, Overall; Rellie Williams, Blue; Judy Harwell, Red; Earthie Young, Red; Lucille Walters, Blue, plastic canvas

Photography: Earthie Young, Blue, black and white portrait; Barbara Rigdon, Overall, color portrait; Barbara Ivy, Blue; Earthie Young, Blue; Cathy Clearman, Blue, color landscape; Robin Doerner, Blue, other

Creative Apparel & Accessories: Earthie Young, Red, lap throws

Jewelry Purchased materials: Rose Marie Lucovich, Overall; Rellie Williams, Red

Holiday Decoration: Doreen Daniels, Red, Christmas

Wood Working: Earthie Young, Red, home accessories; Darrell Harwell, Overall, wood burning

Miscellaneous: Earthie Young, Overall; Elouise Ethridge, Blue; Judy Harwell, Red; Meredith Donald, Red; Lula Coleman, Red; Serena Ivy, Red; Barbara Ivy, Red

Stained Glass: Elouise Ethridge, Red.

The meeting opened with a welcome by club president Judy Harwell, followed by The Pledge of Allegiance led by Robin Doerner. Elaine Herber presented the devotional reading, a selection by writer and poet Helen Steiner Rice:  

If we but had the eyes to see

God’s face in every cloud,

If we but had the ears to hear

His voice above the crowd.

If we could feel His gentle touch

in every springtime breeze

And find a haven in His arms

‘neath sheltering, leafy trees.

If we could just lift up our hearts 

like flowers to the sun

And trust His Easter promise

and pray “Thy will be done,”

We’d find the peace we’re seeking,

the kind no man can give —

The peace that comes from knowing

He died so we might live!

The focal scripture was 2 Corinthians 13:11: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Gracie Payne closed the devotion with prayer and thanksgiving for the refreshments.

During the business session, a committee was formed to discuss and present to the membership new ideas for the annual arts and crafts sale held in November. Members were reminded of the upcoming state meetings May 21-24 and were encouraged to attend; special workshops are presented during the day. 

The May 25 council meeting will be the Annual Legislative Dinner. Members were asked to invite their local representatives to the event.

• Submitted by Cathy Clearman, reporter