Guest Column: Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc., Revives Craft Traditions

Originally published in the Oct. 30, 2013, issue

 

Sara Morris, right, with the yo-yo quilt she made for the 2013
Georgia National Fair

In 1936, the National Home Demonstration Council was formed. The name was later changed to the Homemakers Council, Inc.

 

Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc., is what we’re all about.

 

We held our 88^th annual conference in April in Athens, Ga. We have a membership of people on committees such as education, health and family, environmental, cultural arts and special community projects. This dedicated membership willingly serves its community in various capacities and sponsors activities that are consistent with its commitment to education and service.

 

The officers are president from Chatham County; president elect from Hall County; vice president from Fayette County; treasurer from Rabun County; secretary from Fayette County; district directors from Fannin, Pike and Chatham counties; and other appointed chairpersons. Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc., executive board meets January and August in Macon, Ga.

 

Our goals and projects support the Southeastern Burn Center in Augusta, Ga., cancer society and many more. We give two scholarships annually to senior high school 4-H members and make quilts of valor for the military.

 

Each Homemaker Club meets each month in their local areas and supports council projects and the conference. In addition, some projects are locally done, such as sponsoring a child to go to 4-H camp, supporting the military, collecting can tabs for 4-H and the Ronald McDonald House, local hospices, hospitals and nursing homes; recycling; and supporting local police and fire departments.

 

Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc., Week is observed Oct. 6 through 12 each year, statewide.

 

At our annual conference in April, we have speakers, entertainment, workshops, plant sales and more. We recognize 50-year members, those who have died in the past year with memorial services and present the Homemaker of the Year to a member selected for the award from entries across the state.

 

We have a fashion revue with all participants wearing handmade or wisely-purchased apparel. Contests include Cotton Creations, which requires all items to be made from cotton; crafts and hobbies are anything not made from cotton; and photography, quilting and recycling projects, all for sharing ideas and working together. Several of Georgia’s commissions have sponsored these events so we can present winning ribbons and awards in each category.

 

One of the most enjoyable and rewarding events of Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc., is to be invited to take part in the Georgia National Fair in October. We started about eight years ago doing one day, then two, then three, now four. We have items to show and sell and teach crafts such as quilting, crocheting, knitting, yo-yos and other projects. The next time you go to the fair, be sure to tour the Miller Murphy Howard Building and visit us. This is a building you walk into and are in another world.

 

Club members teach children, seniors and anyone wanting to learn sewing, cooking, handcrafts or gardening. You name it, we will find someone to do it!

 

We need to renew lost traditions that Grandma did! So, join us and be involved in local and state levels, and we’ll see you at the 89^th conference in 2014!

 

Sara Morris is a past president of Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc. She encourages all who are interested in learning more about the organization to write her at 225 Plantation Road, Zebulon, GA 30298.