Windbreaks have been used for many years to stop cold winter winds, to reduce noise, and for aesthetics. Attend "Working Windbreaks" and hear Extension Educator Dave Shiley discuss how to properly design, plant, and maintain a windbreak for maximum benefits.

This workshop will be held on November 12 at 1:30 PM at the Extension office.

There is a $5 fee for materials and pre-registration is required by calling 543-3755.

The "Walk Around Illinois" program concluded July 26th after 12 weeks of active participation from 61 walkers. 48% of participants submitted their mileage which resulted in 7620 total miles walked or 5.77 times around the border of Illinois.

Top 5 walkers were Kathy Thomas, Mary Kay Kalmar, Shirley Puyear, Jo Derby and James Shipley.

We will do the program again in 2010, so keep an eye out for info on how to sign up.

During the Holiday Season

the Extension Office

Will be

Closed on

Thursday, November 26-27

&

December 24, 2009 -

January 3, 2010

Atwood HCE Unit

The Atwood Unit meets in the homes of its five members our regular meetings are on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. However, in July, we host local 4-H club members and during July and December, we eat out.

All the members take their turn giving the lessons, which is more than one time each year. The members give $5 to the club in the month of their birthday for our money-making project. We donate monthly for Pennies for Friendship. All members have leadership obligations. Marjorie Mosbarger serves on the Co-County board and keeps us abreast of the upcoming events and activities. The unit gives money to Beth's Place at Christmas time and we send money to support the 4-H Fair. Our members are active in the community by delivering peace meals, quilting at the church, writing letters to school children, teaching Sunday school, caring for the flowers along Main Street, helping with church activities, making quilts for school projects and serving in other service organization.

Submitted by Juanita Mutch

Hindsboro HCE Unit

The monthly meetings for the Hindsboro unit are held at the Arcola Senior. We have lunch prior to the meeting. This proves most interesting as it helps with a place to meet and it helps the senior center.

In the summer of 2008 we had a breakfast at Walnut Point State Park. We always invite guests. This helps us get other interested in our unit. In August, we invited guests and all went to "Moonshine", population 2, near Greenup. They serve hamburgers and other fast foods. It was very tasty and speedy. There is always a crowd. They have unique bathroom facilities. In September, after our lunch and a short meeting, we went to Arthur to take a tour of Eberhardt Village and see their new assisted living facility. We found this very interesting and inviting. In May, the lesson was on "growing small fruits for the home garden" and our member, Marijon Stites brought six jars of jam she had made for us to sample. She wanted us to guess what each was made from. Each were made from fruit she had grown herself. In June, our lesson was on pets. Lois Byerly invited her granddaughter and husband to bring their dog, Additus, a yellow lab, that had been to training school. He was very well-behaved and let us pet him. They explained the different things he had learned and demonstrated some of the things he had been taught to do. When he misbehaves, he gets a time out. This July, we had heard of a new restaurant in Atwood, so our unit went to try Rosy's. They serve buffet and proved to be very tasty. This past August, since we were meeting at Yoders, as some wanted to visit various shops, we invited Margaret Newberry, the new President of PAHCE and Sarah Storm, our Director-At-Large. With other guests included, we had 10 present.

Submitted by Lois Byerly, 2nd Vice

Sullivan Town HCE Unit

Sullivan Town meets on the second Thursday of every month at 1:30 p.m. at each others homes.

In June we had a potluck at the home of Joan Pound. We could bring whatever we wanted and we always have a good time. In July we went to Gibson City. My daughter manages a restaurant there and bakes the pies. While there, we visited five resale shops and hit a bargain of books for just 1¢ each. In August we went to the Raspberry Tea Room in Elwin, as we always enjoy a nice meal there. At Christmas we usually eat out and instead of gifts for each other, we donate to the food pantry. This year we are eating at the remodeled Jibby's in Sullivan.

Submitted by Peggy Booker, Unit Chair

Every year, one of us here at the Extension Office, requests Susan Stollard to make a batch of this yummy dip. It is very easy to make and tastes great! It refrigerates well and is a great alternative to fruit dip. Kids of all ages will like it! -KF

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dip

3/4 C canned pumpkin

3/4 C peanut butter

1 C brown sugar (I've substituted splenda brown sugar too)

1 tsp vanilla

Mix peanut butter and brown sugar. Add vanilla; stir. Add pumpkin and stir until well blended. Serve with apple slices, celery sticks, graham crackers, breads, bagels, etc.

1 T - 50 calories

Let's Talk Turkey

· Thaw the turkey in the refrigerator or in cold water or in the microwave. Do Not thaw your turkey on the kitchen counter.

· Rinse the thawed turkey and remember to remove the giblets and neck from the body cavity before roasting.

· Roast the turkey breast-side up.

· Cover with foil and bake at 325º F. Uncover and baste during last part of your baking time to give your turkey a nice brown color.

· Your turkey is done when the meat thermometer reads 180º F, when placed in the thick part of the thigh, but not touching bone.

· Turkey is ready to carve after it has set for 20 minutes

General Food Safety

· Keep HOT Foods Hot and COLD Foods Cold.

· Eat Leftovers within 3 days or freeze them to be used later.

· Cooked foods should not sit at room temperature more than two hours.

· Always work with clean hands, countertops and utensils when preparing and serving foods.

Turkey Vegetable Soup

6 cups chicken broth

1 C diced potatoes

1 C diced carrots

1 C chopped onion

16 oz can green beans

2 C leftover chopped turkey

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Put broth, vegetables and turkey in a large saucepan. Simmer 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serves 12

Unit	Meeting Date	Meeting Time	Host & Location	Lesson Leaders
Atwood	Nov 2	6:30	Phyllis Hendrickson	Phyllis Hendrickson
Bethany Night Owls	Nov 4	6:00	Connie Wise	Phyllis McReynolds
Bourbon	Nov 24	9:30	Lela Reynolds	Sarah Storm
Early Risers	Nov 19	9:00	Martha Burns	Betty Reinerio
East Moultrie	Nov 10	1:30	Ida May Bragg	Pat Wetzel & Ida May Bragg
Friendly Neighbors	Nov 5	7:00		Judy Featheringill & Marilyn Dufford
Hindsboro	Nov 19	11:30	Arcola Sr Ctr	Abby Hudson
Koffee Klatchers	Nov 20	9:00	Caryl Knox	Bev Heflin
Lovington	Nov 4	1:30	Jennette Fair	Patty Wood & Martha Shroyer
Okaw Valley	Nov 4	12:00	Spicery	Janet Stumeier & Janne Lue Baird
Sullivan Night	Nov 5	7:00	Jo Anne Brown	Lois Shuman & Jo Anne Brown
Sullivan Town	Nov 12	1:30	Peggy Booker	Peggy Booker & Joan Pound
Tuscola Homemakers	Nov 3	7:30	Katie Boerngen	Joyce Baker

Unit	Meeting Date	Meeting Time	Host & Location	Lesson Leaders
Atwood	Dec 7	5:30	Rosies	Marjorie Mosbarger
Bethany Night Owls	Dec 2	6:00	Eating Out	Connie Wise
Bourbon	Dec 15	11:30	Eberhardt Village	Catherine Plank
Early Risers	Dec 17	11:30	Betty Reinerio	Marlene Phillips
East Moultrie	Dec 8	11:30	Pat Wetzel	Louise Hunt
Friendly Neighbors	Dec 3	6:00	Carroll Sebens	Shirley Rogers
Hindsboro	Dec 10	11:30	Arcola Sr Ctr	Bring 1 1/2 doz cookies!
Koffee Klatchers	Dec 18	9:00	Joyce Blessman	Joyce Blessman
Lovington	Dec 2	1:30	Margaret Newbery	Margaret Newberry & Martha Shroyer
Okaw Valley	Dec		TBA
Sullivan Night	Dec 3	6:30	Lois Shuman	Eva Hall
Sullivan Town	Dec 10	11:00	Eating Out	Peggy Booker
Tuscola Homemakers	Dec 1	7:30	Tuscany	Joyce Baker

If you look at the benefits of exercise, just in terms of weight loss, you are missing so much. It has many systematic effects. Some of the benefits that you won't see in the mirror include:

· Improved bone density from weight-bearing exercises - help stave off osteoporosis

· Reduction of diabetes and heart disease risks

· Healthier joins supported by new and stronger muscles

· Reduced odds of developing certain types of cancer

· Improved mood through the release of endorphins, which are chemicals produced by the pituitary gland that act as natural painkillers and provide a sense of well-being.

Clark County Extension Office