Grady County OHCE annual awards luncheon held Dec. 7

Grady County Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) recognized many of its own members during the Annual Awards Luncheon held December 7th. OHCE members were recognized for their or their local groups’ participation at the local, county and state level. Pat Coale, chair of the Membership/Public Relations committee served as Mistress of Ceremonies.

One of the highlights of the Awards Luncheon is the naming of the Member of the Year, Rookie Member of the Year, Heart of OHCE, and Young Member of the Year. Patsy Linn (Lucile/Blue Bonnet), Shirley Burns (Ninnekah), and Hermina Novotny (Rural Neighbors) were nominated by their local groups for the Member of the Year Award. Shirley Burns was named the 2009 Grady County OHCE Member of the Year.

For OHCE Rookie Member of the Year, Donna Manuel (Lucile/Blue Bonnet), Oneta Bennett (Ninnekah), and Rosalie Bush (Rural Neighbors) were nominated by their local groups. Rosalie Bush was selected as the 2009 Grady County OHCE Rookie Member of the Year.

The Heart of OHCE nominees were Myrtle Elston (Lucile/Blue Bonnet), Joyce Stockton (Rural Neighbors), and Sandra Grodecki (Springcreek). Joyce Stockton was selected as the 2009 Grady County “Heart of OHCE” Member of the Year. Chancey Witt (Rural Neighbors) was selected as the 2009 Grady County OHCE Young Member of the Year.

First place honors in the photography contest went to Barbara (Mike) Thomas (Ninnekah). Second place was awarded to Joyce Stockton (Rural Neighbors) and Rosalie Bush (Rural Neighbors) was awarded third place.

In the Life Story division, first place was given to Pat King (Springcreek) for her story entitled “Fighting the Good Fight.” Second place went to Janice Corley (Friendly Mound) and her story was entitled “It Almost Cost a Leg.” Third place was awarded to Mildred McMeans (Lucile/Blue Bonnet) for her story entitled “Christmas Angel.”

A Cultural Enrichment award was presented to Zola Porter (Friend) for the most books read by one member. Ninnekah OHCE received the award for the local OHCE group with the most books read and for the local OHCE group with the highest percentage of books read per member.

Rural Neighbors OHCE was awarded the Membership Increase Awards for the most new members enrolled by a local group and the largest percentage increase of new members by a local group.

Jeanette Worden (Ninnekah) was awarded the Community Service Award for the member who contributed the most community service hours to OHCE. Sue Gilliam (Friend) was awarded the Community Service Award for the most community service hours donated to non-OHCE events.

Members were recognized for years of service to OHCE. Ruth King (Rural Neighbors) was recognized for 35 years of membership. Mabel Phariss (Meridian-Happy Home) was recognized for 60 years of membership and Hazel Taylor (Springcreek) was recognized for 65 years.

First year members included Barbara Zimmerman (Friend), Cindy McCoy (Friendly Mound), Lisa Hatchett (Lucile/Blue Bonnet), Annice Hill(Lucile/Blue Bonnet), Gail Bush (Ninnekah), Lynn Heck (Ninnekah), Louise Vander Lugt (Ninnekah), Kenneth Bush (Rural Neighbors), Anna Edens (Rural Neighbors), Terri Feese (Rural Neighbors), Bob Gorrell (Rural Neighbors), Shelly Gorrell (Rural Neighbors), Goldia Reed (Rural Neighbors), Meldford Scott (Rural Neighbors), Chancey Witt (Rural Neighbors), Mary Jessen (Springcreek), and Evelyn Tankersley (Springcreek).

Five year membership awards were given to Peggy McMahan (Member at Large), Ann Lanter (Friend), Priscilla Johnson (Rural Neighbors), and Sharon Courtney (Springcreek). Beth Kessler Erwin (Springcreek) was recognized for her ten years of service.

Julia Ridge (Friend) and Barbara Brand (Springcreek) were recognized for fifteen year memberships. Shelli Brown (Friend), Sherri Kell (Friend), Thelma Polk (Rural Neighbors) and Marie Bento (Springcreek) were given twenty year membership pins.

Chancey Witt (Rural Neighbors) and Nanka Burris (Springcreek) were recognized as being 4-H Alumni.

County “Platinum” level participation awards were given to Friend, Friendly Mound, Lucile/BlueBonnet, Meridian-Happy Home, Ninnekah, Rural Neighbors, and Springcreek OHCE groups.

For more information about how to become involved with Grady County OHCE or any local OHCE group, please contact the Grady County Extension Service at (405) 224-2216 or on our website at www.oces.okstate.edu/grady. We are located at 828 W. Choctaw in Chickasha.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.

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