Published: October 06, 2008 07:36 am      

Homemakers host tour

Environmental household practices, novel kitchen gadgets and uniquely customized Eastern Kentucky University crafts were on display Saturday during the Madison County Extension Homemaker’s open house.

“There’s a lot of information here,” said Helen Eden, chairman of Environment Housing and Energy. “This week is National Homemaker’s week and it’s an opportunity for the community to come out and learn about our different clubs, make crafts, register for different events and learn — and it’s free.”

Extension homemakers is an informal, education program designed to help gain new knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life for local woman and their families. Clubs meet monthly in homes, churches, restaurants or community centers to promote projects, ideas and information which can benefit the community.

Saturday’s event, which was open to the public, included tips from Sustainable Berea on collecting and conserving water, a representative from Hope’s Wings, a local domestic violence shelter, and demonstrations of kitchen gadgets.

“We try to make it a fun day,” Eden said. “We have the trunk sales outside and different demonstrations and booths inside and a calendar of events that are coming up in the area.”

The Madison County Homemaker’s already are involved in many community projects, including: Reach for Recovery, in which member’s make pillows for patients recovering from breast surgery; Comfort Bears, which are made for children entering Madison County hospital emergency rooms; and Project Story Time, which collects books to promote reading for children.

Upcoming events for the group include a Walk/Bike Madison County at Battlefield Park on Oct. 12. This second annual event is designed as a part of a large state-sponsored obesity awareness program. Activities include a bicycle rodeo, bicycle rentals, Rose Barn Theatre performers, Civil War-era kids games and strolling barbershop singers.

For more information about the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service, visit http://ces.ca.uky.edu/madison/.

Heather Harris can be reached at hharris@richmondregister.com or by phone at 624-6694 or 893-2341.