March ushers in spring and Lauderdale County Homemaker Volunteers are eager for its arrival.

Spring not only brings warmer weather, but also the homemakers’ much-awaited dress revue. The annual event features several categories participants can model in: sportswear, suits, dresses and semi-formal/formal wear. Members may either make or purchase an outfit to model and they are judged by the following criteria: fabric fiber content and care requirements; description; the occasion for which the garment was made or purchased; why it is appropriate for that occasion; why the garment/outfit is suitable to body type; and cost.

Garments featured in this year’s revue were purchased and there were 14 models. Categories and models were:

Sportswear

• Katherine Daniels (Obadiah) chose a washable cotton and silk two-piece suit including sage pants and a floral print top with fringe. A gift from her sister, the outfit is perfect for church or any spring gathering.

• Robin Doerner (Obadiah) chose a black rayon/linen spandex flowing top with embroidery and red leggings worn with black boots. Purchased for attending the Meridian Little Theater, the outfit is comfortable and machine washable. Cost: $10.50.

• Elouise Ethridge (Obadiah) chose a three-piece outfit consisting of a top, pants, and long sweater vest with an additional top. The tops and pants are a blend of polyester and spandex and are machine washable. The outfit was purchased for church. Cost: $60.

• Robert Herber (Obadiah) — the only male model and spouse of Elaine Herber. Herbert paired with jeans a cotton wash and wear long sleeve paisley shirt in shades of pink, gray and blue. A Christmas gift from Santa, it is perfect to wear to church, date nights and casual meetings. Cost: $35.

Suits

• Lula M. Coleman (Coleman) wore a two-piece pink polyester suit accented with three fabric roses on the left side of the coat and accessorized with a pink hat. The outfit is machine washable and was a gift for Easter. Cost: $40.

• Meredith Donald (Coleman) selected a two-piece black polyester suit with a buckle in front and back. The garment is a dry clean only and was purchased to wear at a funeral. Cost: $85.

• Lou Ella Limerick (Obadiah) modeled an outfit purchased for a wedding consisting of black pants, a black shell and a black and white sheer top. The garment is polyester wash and wear. Cost: $25.

• Earthie Young (Mailbox) chose a machine washable three-piece suit made of polyester accessorized with a round black hat. It was a Mother’s Day gift.

Dresses

• Rita Ferguson (Mailbox) modeled a dress purchased for an outdoor wedding. Made of polyester, the outfit was a bell sleeved, knee-length, chevron design featuring shades of blue and white. Cost: $19.99.

• Barbara J. Ivey selected a woven polyester machine washable garment in a graduated floral design topped with a black shrug with a lace insert. Ivey accessorized with matching necklace and earrings and black boots. The outfit was purchased for a baby shower and mission meetings. Cost: $78, including boots.

• Elaine Herber modeled a peasant dress made of cotton designed to hang dry and twist. The outfit was purchased to wear for church, date night and other casual events. Cost: $40.

Semi-formal/formal

• Eloise Hodges Cole (Dogwood) chose a mint green two-piece garment accessorized with white shoes, purse and jewelry. Purchased for Easter, the outfit is also suitable for church and other special events requiring dressier attire. Cost: $39.

• Judy Harwell (Obadiah) chose a spearmint green sleeveless dress with a matching jacket that is woven polyester and machine washable. It was purchased to celebrate her church’s first in their new building; the old one was destroyed by a tornado. Cost: $70.  

• Rellie Mae Williams (Dogwood) modeled a light gray lace two-piece suit of imported fabric that is hand washable only. Williams accessorized with gray suede wedge shoes and a white seashell necklace and earrings. She purchased the outfit for any social gathering requiring semi-formal or formal attire. Cost: $29.99.

It was the judges’ opinion that all models did an excellent job choosing attire that was cost-effective, perfect for the occasion for which it was purchased, and suited to each person’s body type. Everyone received a blue ribbon and will have the opportunity to attend the Spring Area Meeting in Newton on April 3. Blue ribbon winners from the event will go on to the state meeting in May.

Club president Judy Harwell called the meeting to order with Lou Limerick presenting the devotion.  She chose a selection from a book written by Charles R. Swindoll titled “Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back,” the subtitle being “Persevering through Pressure.” (1980). The chapter was Stress: Threatening Storm of Anxiety.

“One of my all-time favorite children’s books” Limerick read, “is entitled ‘Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.’ This little kid named Alexander, probably not more than 7 or 8 years old, has ‘one of those days.’ I mean, nothing goes right. He has back-to-back disappointments and tragedies like you can’t imagine. It’s one continuous ‘downer.’

“Take, for example, when he awakens in the morning: ’I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.’

“After a terrible day at school, a horrible visit with the dentist, and a no-good stop at the shoe store, Alexander slumps in his chair at the supper table. His troubles continue: ‘There was lima beans for dinner and I hate limas. There was kissing on V and I hate kissing. My bath was too hot, I got soap in my eyes, my marble went down the drain, and I had to wear my railroad train pajamas. I hate my railroad train pajamas. When I went to bed, Nick took back the pillow he said I could keep and the Mickey Mouse nightlight burned out and I bit my tongue. And, the cat wants to sleep with Anthony, not with me. It has been a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day!’

“Small wonder that our little friend sighs at the end of a day like that and says, ‘I think I’ll move to Australia.’

“In this race called life, when the pressing demands of time are upon us, we need to stop and get oriented.  We need to discover that the Lord is God.  He will be exalted; He is with us; He is our stronghold.” Limerick concluded her devotion with prayer and blessing. 

Doerner led members in the Pledge of Allegiance and a luncheon of homemade chicken pot pie made by Elaine Herber and dessert was served by the Obadiah Club members.

Elouise Ethridge displayed an example of a fidget lap pad and described how to make them. She noted people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia tend to constantly work their hands — fidgeting. These pads are simple to make and have different “activities” attached (such as zippers, buttons, pockets) that allow them to have something to do with their hands, occupying their time. Harwell suggested the MHV clubs take this on as a project for the year.

Several announcements were made.

• The South Central MHV meeting is scheduled for April 3 at the Coastal Plains Experiment Station in Newton.

• The next Lauderdale Council meeting will be April 27 and will be the County Cultural Arts Show.

• Applications for the Nell Harbour Scholarship are available and are due in the office May 25. This scholarship is for a child or grandchild of a member graduating from high school in 2018 and entering college.

• The State MHV Council will be May 21-24; registration is due by April 15.

The meeting was adjourned.

• Submitted by Cathy Clearman, reporter.