Alva Review-Courier -

The Patchwork Friends OHCE group met for their regular group meeting on Sept. 15. President Maureen Thomas called the meeting to order and Joanne Prewett led the group in the flag salute. Devotions were given by the hostess from the devotional book titled “Don't Sweat the Small Stuff.” Prewett stated how important it is to be thankful every day. The minutes of the August meeting were read and approved as written. The treasurer's report was given by Dee Mason. Pennies and nickels were collected.

Roll call was answered to question “Are you computer savvy?” All group members were present and included Janice Litton, April Miller, Barbara Cue, Dottie Gatz, Liz Kinzie, Dee Mason, Aleta Nolan, Prewett, Thomas and Doris White. Membership forms were signed and dues were paid to the treasurer.

In old business, the group discussed the recent Woods County Fair. The group received first place overall for the OHCE division. The booth was awarded seven grand champion ribbons and all other items in the booth received blue ribbons except two items that received red ribbons. Every member had at least one item in open class. President Thomas congratulated the group for a job well done.

Group members agreed that they liked the new setup in the Women’s Building at the Woods County Fairgrounds. The group worked the fair kitchen in two different shifts on Thursday night. Gatz made peanut butter ice cream for the Ice Cream Contest on Friday night, which was cut short due to the wind and rain storm.

For new business, election of new officers for 2017 was held. The following members were voted as officers: Prewett was elected president, Barbara Cue was elected vice president, Dottie Gatz was elected secretary, and Dee Mason was elected treasurer. Thomas reminded the group that the fall OHCE meeting will be Oct. 10 at the Women's Building at the fairgrounds. Gatz will make the required two dozen cookies. Thomas also announced that the annual Holiday Happenings will be held on Oct. 29 at the Woods County Fairgrounds. Everyone was encouraged to attend both events.

In other discussion, the group, which had voted to dispense with playing “Dirty Santa” for the holidays, instead voted to buy a sewing machine for a third world country, a project that Kinzie had found in a Save the Children catalog. The group members donated the funds needed for the sewing machine. The group will play games at their annual Christmas party.

Mason gave a mini lesson on the group's next project making a Quilt of Valor, following the group's Cultural Arts Committee. She distributed packets with the fabric cut out and instructions on how to make the four quilt blocks and demonstrated how the quilt blocks were sewn together. She asked the members to have the quilts blocks completed within two weeks. The quilt will be presented to Brian Thomas, who has recently retired from the Merchant Marines, in November at the Graceful Arts Center.

The next OHCE leader lesson, “Say 'Cheese – The World of Cheese,” will be held Sept. 22 at the Woods County Courthouse. Gatz and Miller will attend.

There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of Patchwork Friends will be held on Oct. 13 at the home of Doris White.