Happy New Year 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR
On behalf of Gaston County ECA and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, we would like to extend a warm welcome and a “Happy New Year!” to both our new members and continuing members. Thank you for joining this organization, which continues to impact our community, both locally and nationally. ECA members provide numerous volunteer hours throughout the year - both hard work and lots of fun !
As your support staff, we are committed to working with ECA and helping to streamline paperwork, help meetings to be more efficient, and to respect your time. Please know that if you have questions, suggestions, or comments - we are always here to listen. Communication continues to be one of the most important factors in club success.
Gaston County ECA has a excellent Executive Board - your continued support of this group is greatly appreciated. By continuing to work together, building each other up, and supporting our members, 2011 is going to be a great year!

Warmest regards,
Pam Bryson, ECA Liaison
Linda Minges, Family & Consumer Science Agent


GASTON ECA SCHOLARSHIP
Gaston County ECA will be offering a $1,000 scholarship in January to current high school seniors, adults, and currently enrolled college students. There may be another scholarship if funds permit. Scholarship applications will be available at the Home Center in January. The submission deadline is Friday, April 9th.


DISTRICT ECA SCHOLARSHIP
District scholarship applications can be found in the 2010 ECA yearbook and also at the Lucile Tatum Center office. The scholarship is for $600 and the application is due to Pam Bryson no later than February 1st. The scholarship is for youth and adults.


PIE DAY
Date: Friday, January 21, 2011
11:30am - 1:30pm, Lucile Tatum Center
Cost: $3.00 (includes drinks, tasting of pies, and recipe booklet). Pre-registration is requested.
This is your invitation to a great event. If you like eating you'll love Pie Day. Please come out and join the ECA members for National Pie Tast'n Day.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM GASTON COUNTY ECA

We wish everyone a very happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

The Lucile Tatum Center will be closed for holidays Friday, December 24th and Monday December 27th. We will also close on Friday, December 31st.


GASTON ECA SCHOLARSHIP
Gaston County ECA will be offering a $1,000 scholarship in January to current high school seniors, adults, and currently enrolled college students. There may be another scholarship if funds permit. Scholarship applications will be available at the Home Center in January. The submission deadline is Friday, April 9, 2011.


DISTRICT ECA SCHOLARSHIP
District scholarship applications can be found in the 2010 ECA yearbook and copies are also available at the Home Center office. The scholarship is for $600 and the application is due to Pam Bryson no later than February 1, 2011. The scholarship is for youth and adults.


ECA CHRISTMAS PARTY
Please come join us for the annual ECA Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 15th. This is a potluck luncheon at 11:30am. The 2011 officers will be installed after lunch. We will make a craft with the help of Margo Englehart and have craft demos.


HAPPY POTTERS’ NATIVITY SCENE RAFFLE
Happy Potters’ members are selling tickets for a raffle drawing for a ceramic nativity scene - 1 ticket for $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased from Pam or Happy Potter members. The drawing will be held at the ECA Christmas party. Part of the nativity can be viewed in the show case in the lobby and the other pieces are in the show case in the Ceramic Room.


STATE MEETING WINNERS
The following members items won ribbons at the State Meeting in October.
¨ 1st Place Sewing: home furnishings - Judy Potts
¨ 3rd Place Hand needlework: embroidery, etc. - Jackie Greene
¨ 1st Place Quilts: appliquéd machine - Kathy Andrews
¨ 1st Place Quilts: embroidery - Jackie Greene
¨ 1st Place Quilts: other techniques - Jackie Greene
¨ Honorable Mention Photography - Betty Willis
¨ Honorable Mention Poems - Margo Englehart

Happy Safe Halloween!

School Supplies
Thank you ECA clubs for your donation of school supplies in September. The supplies helped the following schools: H. H. Beam Elementary, Tryon Elementary, N. Belmont School, Webb Street School, Lingerfelt Elementary and Rhyne Elementary School.

Medicine Bottles
Now is the time to bring in medicine bottles that have been collected for Samaritan Purse! Medicine bottles will be collected in the sewing room during October. As a reminder, labels must be removed and the bottles must be clear - we cannot accept white bottles that are opaque.

Happy Potters
Happy Potters members are selling raffle tickets to win a beautiful nativity scene - 1 ticket for $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased from Pam or Happy Potter members. Part of the nativity can be viewed in the show case in the lobbby and the other pieces in the show case in the Ceramic Room.

Happy Potters Meeting Date Change
Please note that the Happy Potters regular club meeting has been changed from Monday, October 11th to Monday, October 4th. We apologize for any inconvenience, but the majority of club officers will be out of town on the regularly scheduled date.

2011 Membership Dues
Attention Club Presidents: 2011 membership dues are $15.00 this year and application forms are in your mailbox. Each member must complete the application when dues are paid. We would love new members and now the time to join. Come visit a club or two and see which one you would like to be a member of.

Welcome to the Fall Season with ECA

With Fall just around the corner, please join ECA for our planning of a new year of fun and interesting projects for the community. This is now the time to plan for 2011 and we would love to have new members to help us with some of your ideas. ECA will be celebrating 100 years soon and it is exciting looking back at all the things that ECA has done for the community. Club members please remember that on September 14th at 10am and September 21 at 6:30pm the agents Pam Bryson and Linda Minges will provide programs for clubs that will highlight historical events to be included in the state's celebration of 100 years. The program is entitled, "Looking Back at Gaston Co. ECA".


School Supplies
Also, for members and non-members ECA will be collecting school supplies in September. These supplies will be delivered by Pam Bryson or Linda J. to schools who are in need as suggest by the Central School Office.

4-H Super Summer
Thanks to members of the Happy Potters and Quiltmakers Clubs, Eca provided a new 4-H summer program entitled, "Artistic Creations". This 3-day program taught life skills (such as basic sewing, cooking, meal planning) through ceramics and sewing activities. Youth really enjoyed this program and learned a lot. This program could not have been successful without your help!

Happy Summer

Hope every one is having a delightful summer. At the Lucile Tatum Center, ECA is looking ahead to the Fall Programs. We hope that after summer vacation everyone will be ready to come take some wonderful classes and join one of our great clubs. We are already planning for Holiday Crafts on November 15th, Christmas Activities, Pie Day on January 21st and many other things. So keep your eyes open to this page so you don't miss anything great.

During the month of May due to the Director having surgery the Center will be closed on Friday, 8/13, 8/20, and 8/27.

LIVING HEALTHY PROGRAM
A 6-week course developed by Stanford University to help anyone who lives with ongoing healthy conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, heart and breathing problems. Learn to increase endurance, strength, and flexibility; use medications effectively; manage symptoms such as pain, fatigue and depression; solve problems and set goals; eat well.
Date: Monday’s, September 13th - October 18th (6 sessions)
Time: 1:30-4:00pm
Registration Fee: Free, but registration is required
Registration Deadline: September 3, 2010
How to register: Contact Sue Bugg - 704.922.2110
Location: Citizens Resource Center, Dallas

ECA APRONS
Twelve of the 20 ECA aprons with logo have been purchased and are now stored in the china cabinet. The aprons are beautiful and can be used by members doing ECA business in and outside the building. Please notify Pam if you are planning to use the aprons outside of the Center.
A very special thanks to the clubs that supported this project by donating funds: Bel-Heights, Gastonia, Happy Potters, Lucile Tatum ECA, Quiltmakers, and West Gastonia. ECA will be purchasing the additional eight aprons to complete the full order.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

GREETINGS FROM THE ECA LIAISON
Dear ECA members,
I hope this finds each of you well and enjoying the beauties of summer. July is a great time to be involved in a variety of classes and programs sponsored by ECA - just check the class schedule and you will find a variety of activities.

A very special thanks to some of our new instructors, such as Ana Boswell, Matt Psomadakis, and Teresa Chan. Please support these volunteer instructors by participating in the July classes or inviting someone to attend.

There have been many ECA members with recent illnesses and surgeries. As a reminder, be sure to share this information about your club members with Helen Rhyne, ECA Corresponding Secretary, or me so that it can be passed along to the entire organization.

As always, thanks for your continued commitment and support of ECA. Each individual member of ECA is such an important asset to the organization and our community. Your support is greatly appreciated and continues to be needed.

Have a wonderful summer!
Warmest Regards,
Pam Bryson, ECA Liaison


HOLIDAY CLOSING
Please note that the Lucile Tatum Center will be closed for Independence Day on Monday, July 5, 2010.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PLANNING SESSION
Dates: Wednesday, July 14 at 10:00am OR
Tuesday, July 20th - 7:00pm
Facilitator: Elaine Roux, retired Cooperative Extension agent

ECA members are asked to attend this planning session to plan for several holiday programs entitled, “Countdown to Christmas: A Look back from Charles Dickens to Betty Feezor & Beyond.” Copies of calendars, handouts, and other resources will be available to help create ideas.

The holiday programs will look back at holiday ideas presented years ago from Scrooge; Betty Freezor, local media icon; Duke Power; and NC Cooperative Extension Service. Many of the ideas presented were timeless and are still ideal for today’s families. Future programs in this series will revisit ideas for gifts, decorations, etc., of these past resources.

June 2010

MEMBER UPDATE
County Council President
Shirley Ferguson, County Council President, is at home and continues to improve at home and is receiving therapy several times a week. She is able to walk and talk and even surprised us with a visit at the Home Center. Shirley cannot write so she is verbally thanking everyone who sent flowers, cards and prayers. Due to her stroke and therapy schedule, Shirley had to resign as County Council President. But don’t worry, Shirley is not giving up on ECA! Thank you, Shirley for all the hard work and support that you continue to provide to ECA .We love you Shirley.

Second Vice President
Second Vice President, Lois Merritt, has not been able to be as actively involved with ECA due to her husband, Brian, has been diagnosed with caner. Lois, we miss your smiling face and will continue thinking of you and your family.

Mt. Holly Club President
Minnie Devito, Mt. Holly Club President, has been very involved as a caretaker this year. She has been caring for her husband and ECA member, John, as well as her daughter, Mary. We miss seeing Minnie and John at ECA events and want you to know that we are always thinking of you both.


Quilting Tying Event
Wednesday, June 9th (1-4pm & 6pm - until ?)
As a result of a large quilt donation - 48 quilt tops and backing materials - your assistance is needed. ECA members and visitors are invited to join us for a “Quilting Tying Event” to tie quilts, which will be used for local shelters and community organizations. A very special thanks to the Quiltmakers ECA, who have been working hard to put the tops, batting and back together so the quilts will be ready to be tied. Please support ECA by join us this fun, social, community project.


Rada Products
Rada will have a price increase on several items beginning July 1st with their new catalog. An order will be placed on June 15th - please place orders with Pam Bryson or Lois Merritt no later than June 15th. As a reminder, the Rada sales helps our organization, so be sure to tell your friends and family about Rada products.


Scholarship recipIents
Thanks to the Scholarship committee, two winners have been selected to receive ECA Gaston County scholarships. The recipients are: $1,000 scholarship - Casey Lutz, Hunter Huss High and the $500 scholarship - Melissa Hawkins, East Gaston High School. Each student will receive a check sent to the college she will attend.

The safe & easy way to preserve foods
Monday, June 14 - 6:00 - 8:30 PM
(Lucile Tatum Center)
Registration Fee: $5.00 (due by June 7th)
How to register: Contact the NC Cooperative Extension - Sue Bugg at 704.922.2110

This program provides extensive information on how to safely preserve foods by home canning. Demonstrations are provided on water-bath canning, pressure canning, pickling, and making jams/jellies. Participants receive a preservation booklet, which includes information on canning, pickling, jams/jellies, freezing, and drying techniques.


HEALTH INSPECTION
On May 18th the kitchen received a food safety inspection score of 99, which includes the two points from Serv Safe. We received the following deductions:
· Oven/stove, refrigerator and dish sink are not NSF approved.
· Repair shelving under cabinet area under two compartment sink near dish machine (work order has been issued).
· Tightly secure loose corner/edge of wall paper in men’s restroom (work order has been issued).

The deductions were not a result of anything that members had control over. You are doing a good job - keep up the excellent work!

The AMAZING HONEY BEE
There’s a lot of talk about the importance of supporting locally-grown foods. What’s not always getting enough of attention in the growing interest of local foods is the honey bee. Why all the fuss about honey bees? Because our food system depends on these little guys (and gals, and drones). One-third of our food supply depends on pollinators. Honey bees are the most important pollinators of many fruits, vegetables, flowers and crops. Honey bee populations have dropped drastically in recent years because of imported parasites and diseases. Scarce bees mean lower fruit and vegetable yields. Bees now need human help to survive, so raising bees has never been more important.
Support local foods by learning more about honey bees. Join the Gaston Co. Extension & Community Association (ECA) for a free program, “The Amazing Honey Bee” scheduled on Thursday, May 13th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Lucile Tatum Center, Gastonia. Guest speaker Cindy Austin, expert bee educator and bee keeper of the Gaston Co. Bee Keeper’s Association, will provide a fun and interesting program on the honey bee. You will learn how critical these small creatures are to the world’s food source, how to handle bee swarms, and how to start a bee hive. The program is free, but registration is required before May 10th. Register by calling 704.865.3291.

Bee swarms. If you see a large dark cluster of buzzing insects which suddenly appeared hanging from a tree branch in your yard, don’t try to kill them. These are swarming honey bees. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office (Gaston Co: 704.922.2112) to find a local beekeeper who will retrieve swarms. If you stay away from the swarm, they will not bother you. The swarm often will leave within a few hours, so call a local beekeeper promptly to report its location.
Amazing facts about honey bees and the honey they produce.
Local honey will begin to be harvested in late May and early June. Check with local beekeepers for a honey source near you.
Bees have been producing honey for at least 150 million years. One honey bee worker only makes 1/12th a teaspoon of honey in her entire lifetime. In order to produce one pound of honey, 2 million flowers must be visited.
Honey bees do not die out over the winter – they feed on the honey they collected during the warmer months and wait for spring. The honey bee is not born knowing how to make honey – the younger bees are taught by the more experienced bees.
Pollination is the first essential step in a process that results in the production of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Without the honey bees’ pollination work, many crops would be reduced and some would not yield at all. Research shows that the direct value of honey bee pollination to agriculture in the United States is valued at more than $14.6 billion per year in the increased yield and quality of agricultural crops.
Honey is composed primarily of carbohydrate and water, while containing small amounts of a variety of vitamins and antioxidants. One tablespoon of honey has about 64 calories and 17 grams of carbohydrate, and contains no fat, cholesterol nor sodium. Generally, darker honeys have a higher antioxidant content than lighter honeys.
Honeys differ in color and flavor depending on the blossoms visited by the bees. Honey color ranges from nearly colorless to dark brown, and flavors can vary. As a general rule, lighter honey has a milder taste and darker honey is stronger. Common varieties of light honey include: alfalfa, clover, sage and sourwood; varieties of medium honey include: blueberry, dandelion and orange blossom; dark honey includes varieties, such as buckwheat and wildflower.
Honey and diabetes. It is often asked if honey is a good replacement for sugar in the diet of persons with diabetes. Keep in mind that honey has more carbohydrate and calories per tablespoon than found in granulated sugar. Since honey is sweeter than sugar, it can be substituted using smaller amounts in cooking. However, the amount of calories and carbohydrate you save with this substitution are only minimal. For individuals with diabetes, it is important to count the carbohydrate that is in honey as part of your daily eating plan.
Infant botulism. Honey should not be fed to infants less than one year of age. Honey often carries the seed-like spores of the botulism bacterium (Clostridium botulinum), which are able to germinate in the immature digestive systems of infants. Infant botulism can cause difficulty in breathing and paralysis.
Storage. Store honey at room temperature, in a dry place such as your kitchen counter or pantry. Storing honey in the refrigerator accelerates the honey’s crystallization. Crystallization is the natural process in which liquid in honey becomes solid. If your honey crystallizes, simply place the honey jar in warm water and stir until the crystals dissolve. Another method is to place the honey in a microwave-safe container with the lid off and microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until the crystals dissolve. Be careful not to boil or scorch the honey.
Honey in cooking. Honey can be substituted for sugar – 1 measure of honey is considered the sweetening equivalent of 1.25 to 1.5 measures of sugar, although the amount of added liquid must be decreased because of honey’s water content. Honey will keep breads and cakes moister than sugar will, losing water to the air more slowly, and even absorbing it on humid days. Honey slows the development of stale flavors in baked goods and warmed-over flavors in meats. Bakers can use its acidity to react with baking soda and leaven quick breads.
Substituting honey for sugar. For best results, use recipes developed for using honey. When you substitute honey for granulated sugar in recipes, begin by substituting honey for up to half of the sugar called for in the recipe. With experimentation, honey can be substituted for all the sugar in some recipes. When substituting honey for sugar in baked goods:
– Reduce the liquid in the recipe by ¼ cup for each cup of honey used.
– Add about ½ teaspoon baking soda for each cup of honey used.
– Reduce oven temperature by 25 degrees to prevent over-browning.
Helpful hint: For easy measuring and clean-up, coat measuring cup or spoon with cooking spray before adding honey. A 12-ounce jar of honey equals a standard measuring cup.
Beekeeping basics. NC Cooperative Extension proudly sponsors the Gaston County Beekeepers Association (http://gaston.ces.ncsu.edu/content/gcba) which is open to anyone interested in learning more about beekeeping and honey bees. Beekeeping classes are offered in Gaston and surrounding counties. Contact your local Extension office for further information.
Linda Minges is a registered dietitian with the NC Cooperative Extension (gaston.ces.ncsu.edu) and can be reached for information on nutrition, food safety, and wellness at 704.922.2127 or linda_minges@ncsu.edu.

WELCOME TO THE MAY BLOG



"HANDS TO WORK, HEARTS TO SERVE'



Gaston County Cultural Arts

Gaston County had a wonderful Cultural Arts Contest this year. We had a lot of talented member enter astonishing items. The judges found it very difficult to choose winners this year. But here is our list of First Place Winners.

• Sewing: clothing, etc.-Ann Helms


• Sewing: home furnishing- Judy Potts--Also BEST OF SHOW


• Knitting: clothing, etc.-Betty Agerton


• Crocheting: clothing, Etc.-Betty Willis


• Hand needlework: embroidery, cross-stitch, etc.-Jackie Green


• Crafts-Ann Helms


• Basket/chair bottoming-Lois Withers


• Christmas decorations-Jean Kopf


• Jewelry-Gail Sherrill


• Quilts: appliques machine-Kathy Andrews


• Quilts: appliqued hand quilted-Sandi Henderson


• Quilts: embroidery-Jackie Greene


• Quilts: crib or youth-Kathy Pope


• Quilts: other techniques-Jackie Greene


• Quilts: Wall hangings-Kathy Andrews


• Photography-Betty Willis


• Ceramics-Pat Mantooth


• Dolls-Judy Ferguson


• Pottery-Ann Helms


• Scrapbooking-Ann Helms


• Fine Arts/Misc.-Ann Helms


• Miscellaneous-Ann Helms


• Poetry-Margo Englehart

WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT CULTURAL ARTS CONTEST (Gaston Co.'s First Place Winners)

After winning at county level our members competed against 16 other counties. The blue winners for Gaston were:

• Sewing: home furnishings-Judy Potts


• Hand needlework: embroidery, cross-stitch, etc-Jackie Greene


• Quilts: appliqued machine-Kathy Andrews


• Quilts: appliqued hand quilted-Sandi Henderson


• Quilts: embroidery-Jackie Greene


• Quilts: crib or youth- Kathy Pope


• Quilts: other techniques-Jackie Greene


• Photography-Betty Willis


• Poetry-Margo Englehart

Lets wish these members well in the State completion in October.

BEL-HEIGHTS CHALLENGE
During 2008 ECA had a slogan contest with the winning slogan, “Hands to Work, Hearts to Serve” being submitted by Margo Englehart. ECA voted to purchase 20 aprons that would have the ECA logo and slogan on them - a great marketing tool. Since the apron cost is higher than anticipated, Bel-Heights has donated $100 toward the cost and has challenged all other clubs to donate $25 or more to this project. Let’s all show our support for ECA and meet the challenge - make your club’s donation in MAY.

COUNTY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
Shirley Ferguson, our County Council President, is doing better and is now at home and receiving therapy several times a week. She sends her thanks and appreciation to everyone for the beautiful cards, flowers, thoughts and prayers. She misses and loves you all. Shirley will be back as soon as possible.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

National Nurtition Month
March is National Nutrition Month, and in honor of this event, ECA County Council voted to sign a Healthy Foods Policy for ECA club programs and activities. The policy states healthy options will be included when food and refreshments are served at all ECA activities. Don't worry, this doesn't mean no more homemade cookies, cakes, etc. It just means that we'll also continue to have healty options included such as veggie salads, fruit, water, unsweetened tea, or other calorie-free beverages at our meetings.
Establishing such policy is a very simple way for ECA to support physical activity and healthy eating-it helps us all to continue to eat smart and move more!

Warm UP America
Come out on Tuesday, March 16th from 10am-1pm for this wonderful county project. Help put together afghans for diaster victims and homeless people. This is our time to join the public in giving back to the community.

Gaston County ECA Scholarship
Gaston County ECA will be offering a $1000 scholarship again this year to current high school seniors, adults, and currently enrolled college students. Additional scholarship funding will be awarded as monies become available. Scholarship applications are available at the Home Center. The deadline for returning scholarship applications is Friday, April 16, 2010.

Annual Cultural Arts Show
Please come out on Marth 25th from 8:30am -4:30pm to view the talents ECA members. Cultural Arts will have the winners picked and you can see all the detailed work that went into each piece of art. Cultural arts has 37 categories. Examples of catergories: quilting, sewing, painting, knitting, photopraphy, porcelain, creative writing, etc.

Happy Valentines



ECA has a lot going on for February and March. You are all invited to join us for education and fun.



On Tuesday, February 16th 10am or Wednesday 24th at 7pm come to our Area Meeting. This is a free event. The topic: Let Your Photos Tell a Story. Instructor Davis Goodman, Gaston College photography instructor will be delivering this program. Please bring your camera to this very educational program and learn photo taking tips to help you take better photographs for ECA and personal use. Please come and bring a friend.



Scholarship: Gaston County ECA

Gaston County ECA will be offering a $1,000 scholarship again this year to current high school seniors, adults, and currently enrolled college students. Additional scholarship funding will be awarded as monies become available. Scholarship applications are available at the Lucile Tatum Extension Homemakers Center. the deadline for returning the scholarship applications is Friday, April 16th, 2010.



Spaghetti Dinner

Come out to Lucile Tatum Homemakers Center on Friday March 5th from 11am -7pm for a delicious meal. Tickets are $6.00 with monies going to the ECA Scholarship Fund. The Food is by: Grandma Hoyt's. The meal includes spaghetti with meal sauce, garlic bread, salad and dessert. Come join others to a sit down meal or take home a carry out. Five or more plates will be delivered.



Cultural Arts

If you love handcrafted art then you don't want to miss ECA's annual Cultural Arts Display. We have over 30 categories for members to enter. We have sewing, painting, photography, quilting, jewelry, dolls and plus many others. This event is free to the public and everyone is invited. We have very talented people who have won at District and State Levels. Viewing of the Cultural Arts is March 24th 1pm-5pm and March 25th 8:30-12:00 noon and 1-5pm.



Event Calendar

Please check out of the great classes being offered in February on the Event Calendar.

Happy New Year!

As we begin a fresh new year, ECA is excited to share with you upcoming events and opportunities to become involved with us. You are invited to check out the calendar to learn about activities, club meetings, and classes that are being offered. The calendar is updated regularly, so be sure to visit us regularly for newly added activities.