FCE Clubs go green, look for new members

Modeling the latest in 'green' environmentally friendly shopping are Family and Community Education Club County Council Officers: Lizzy Mason, Margie James, Maxine Jackson, Glynda Campbell and Roberta Robertson. The bags are made of recycled polypropylene and have a reinforced base. [Click to enlarge]

Members are learning about living green by re-examining daily habits and how they affect the planet.

To start the new year off right, each member received a reusable shopping bag. The blue tote advertises FCE - and should help members save a little money at the grocery store. Dyer County Extension Agent Beth Bell said some stores offer a discount to people who bring their own bags. Kroger, for example, gives customers a discount of 3 cents a bag, she said.

The average family consumes 25-30 bags a week. Bell said the bags cost about 7 cents each and those costs are generally passed on to customers.

The FCE reusable totes will remind members to be kind to the planet and will advertise the group's commitment to community improvement.

FCE Clubs will receive monthly "Green Routine Tips" suggesting energy-saving, environmentally friendly steps anyone can take. February's tip, for example, is to install draft blockers on all light switches and electrical outlets. The foam plates fit behind the switch plates and outlet covers to reduce drafts. A packet of 10 costs about $3. The only tool needed for installing draft blockers is a screwdriver.

In addition to the Green Routine Tips, FCE members will explore topics ranging from exercise and joint health to being more decisive and creatively capturing family memories.

The FCE's theme for 2010 is "Learn, Laugh and Live."

All FCE meetings and activities are open to everyone, regardless of race, color, age, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status or disability.

The FCE Clubs used to be known as homemakers clubs, but they're not limited to cooking, sewing and crafts. In fact, those activities are now a minor part of what the FCE does.

"What we do is educate," Bell said. "Our central purpose is education and fellowship."

Dyer County currently has five FCE Clubs, all of which are actively recruiting members this year. Membership is $4 a year, which covers the costs of a handbook and state membership. Members are eligible for scholarships, awards, cultural arts competitions and fashion reviews at regional and state levels.

To help the public understand what the FCE Clubs are about, the organization is starting something new this year: the Quarter Club. This will be an FCE special interest group that meets once a quarter. The first meeting, which will probably be held in April, is likely to be a spring round-robin session offering classes in gardening, cooking and green living.

Two additional sessions will be scheduled in summer and fall. For the fourth quarter, participants will be encouraged to attend a regular FCE club meeting of their choice.

Each month, club meetings focus on a new issue. Following is a listing of the programs for each of the clubs.

* February - "Pump It Up - Your Heart That Is!" will discuss adding aerobic and strengthening exercise to your lifestyle. Meetings will be held in the YMCA so that members may experience the Silver Sneakers Fitness Project.

* March - "Take Charge of Your Joints" will describe fitness routines to build joint strength and learn when to seek help for joint pain.

The annual Panty Brigade also will be held in March. Members are encouraged to donate new underwear and toiletries for Northwest Safeline, an organization that provides shelter and support to victims of domestic violence. Many domestic violence victims leave their homes without any possessions. They need undergarments and toiletry items.

* April - Learn how simple words of thanks and appreciation make all of the difference in "Communicating Gratitude."

* May - FCE clubs will invite a guest speaker, arrange a tour or develop an educational activity this month.

* June - In "Make Up Your Mind," FCE members will learn four methods for becoming more decisive.

* July - Each club will plan a summer outing.

* August - "Creative Ways with Family Memories" will teach members how to build scrapbooks with memory notes, show them unique products to share memories across the miles and illustrate how to design a storybook with family photographs.

A computer scrapbooking workshop is planned in August.

* September - Club members forego regular monthly meetings in favor of attending and participating in the Dyer County Fair.

* October - "Why Am I So Tired?" will help FCE members discover six surprising reasons why they may not feel up to do the things they want to do. Learn the top six reasons for exhaustion and reasonable cures.

* November - Learn how to create Christmas gifts in your own kitchen. All FCE Clubs will meet at the Extension Office for this meeting since they'll be cooking.

* December - Each club will plan a holiday program.

For more information about FCE clubs, call Dyer County Extension Agent Beth Bell at the extension office at 286-7821.

Dyer County FCE Clubs

* Dyersburg Homemakers FCE Club meets at 9:30 a.m. on the third Monday of each month, usually in the Dyer County Extension Office, 151 Everett Ave. For more information, call president Margie James at 286-1349.

* Happy Hearts FCE Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Dyer County Office on Aging in the former Dyer County Central School building. For more information, call president Maxine Jackson at 287-9066.

* Millsfield FCE Club meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, usually in members' homes. For more information, call president Gertie DeSpain at 643-6574.

* Night Owls FCE Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the Dyer County Extension Service Office, 151 Everett Ave. For more information, call president Crysie Vaughn at 676-5196.

* Suburban FCE Club meets at 9:30 a.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Dyer County Extension Service office, 151 Everett Ave. For more information, call president Roberta Robertson at 285-8296.