Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Our March meeting will be Tuesday and Wednesday (March 20 and 21) 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day; Pamela Varner, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED for Cotton County will lead us making “Crazy Quilt Jacket”.  Contact Tara Brown for additional information and copy of the supply list needed for the Easy Crazy Quilt Jacket.

Co-Parenting for Resilience:  Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.  A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home, is available monthly or as scheduled.  Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.  This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

Fight Bac!

Partnership for Food Safety Education Supporting consumers to prevent food poisoning

Safe Microwaving

When it comes to Convenience Foods, Cook It Safe

Many Americans’ freezers are stocked with fast, tasty convenience foods.  While the shortest distance between the freezer and the table may be the microwave oven, not all convenience foods can be cooked in the microwave. Challenge yourself to Cook It Safe!

Prevent foodborne illness due to under-cooking frozen or other convenience foods with these four simple tips:

1. Read and Follow Package Cooking Instructions.

2. Know When to Use a Microwave or Conventional Oven.

3. Know Your Microwave Wattage Before Microwaving Food.

4. Always use a Food Thermometer to Ensure a Safe Internal Temperature.

The Cook It Safe campaign was created in partnership with industry groups and the federal government to provide consumer guidelines on the safe cooking of frozen and ready-to-eat convenience foods.

About OHCE

Oklahoma Home and Community Education, Inc., is a program of continuing education in all aspects of home and community life. The organization’s ultimate mission is to educate its members to be well-informed and able to handle change in their homes and communities. Through its relationship with the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, OHCE presents research-based information to its members.

Monthly educational lessons, leadership development and community service projects provide OHCE members an opportunity to apply this research based information in their homes and communities.

The Cooperative Extension Service is based at Oklahoma State University with offices and Extension Educators serving each county. OHCE is a statewide and county based organization. County Extension Educators, Family and Consumer Sciences serve as advisors to county HCE organizations. District and State Cooperative Extension Specialists and supervisors work with County Extension Educators and the OHCE program. Working in a cooperative effort, OHCE members and Extension Educators identify local issues facing families. these issues become the basis for OHCE educational programming and efforts are made to help families solve these problems.

OHCE is in a unique position to help individual members and their families and communities develop a higher level of living through education. No other organization is better poised to develop community leaders and informed citizens through research based educational programs.

Jefferson County Jr. Livestock Show was alive March 1-3, 2018 as exhibitors, parents, Ag teachers and other supporters buzzed around the fairgrounds getting their animals ready to show then displaying their animals and showmanship skills.  The 4-H Concession was available for food and drinks to quench the thirst.  Proceeds from the 4-H Concession sales help support our Jefferson County 4-H.  This year’s national theme for 4-H is “4-H Grows Here” and we saw many first time exhibitors as well as members assisting in the Concession learning how to take and fulfill food orders.  We thank all who assisted in the concession and purchased food to help support our 4-H groups!

Culinary (Cooking Club) 

Our next meeting will be 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28 at the Jefferson County OSU Extension office.  We will discuss and practice for upcoming Cupcake Wars!

Waurika 4-H clubs will meet Tuesday, March 27 at 3 p.m. (or right after school) at the Waurika High School Cafeteria.  Kim Morris, volunteer 4-H leader will provide information on the upcoming “Death by Chocolate” event.

2018 Southwest District Horse Show:  May 31 to June 2, 2018 (Thursday – Saturday) at the

Stephens County Fairgrounds – 2002 S. 13^th Street, Duncan, OK

Entries due Thursday, April 26, 2018 to County Extension Office

Contact Tara Brown for additional information and entry forms.  Tara also has information for the District Cupcake Wars, Table setting and Food Show Down contests which are scheduled for the end of May.  Registration will be due early April.

CONGRATULATIONS to Sarah Tyus, member of Ryan 4-H!  

Sarah participated in the Indoor nationals and Junior Olympic Archery Division (JOAD) Nationals at Texas A&M on 3/2-3/4. She placed 6th in this region’s Indoor Nationals and 3rd in the Joad nationals. She shot very well with some really stiff competition. She was accompanied by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Tyus who are very proud of her!  We, too, are proud of Sarah!

Jefferson County 4-H and Extension information is available on our webpage: oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson

Facebook: JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension

Oklahoma 4-H Webpage:    http://4h.okstate.edu

JEFFERSON COUNTY FREE FAIR

Corrected Dates!  Thursday, August 23– noon Saturday, August 25. Indoor entries are due by 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 22.   Baked items needing refrigeration may be brought in by 8 a.m. Thursday, August 23 morning – judging will take place Thursday, August 23.  Bring your creativity in crafts, arts, baked items, canned items, dehydrated foods, refurbished clothing or furniture, photography, Vintage items, Quilts, home grown fruits and vegetables, etc.  A fair book will be available prior to August.  There will be a Pet Show, Best Pie Maker and Best Cookie Jar contests!  Come join the fun!

Co-Parenting for Resilence: Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home.  A class for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home.  My next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 14, 2018 (there will be no class in July). Pre-registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information.  This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

Jefferson County OHCE:   The 83rd Annual OHCE State Meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites/Downtown, Oklahoma City, Sunday evening July 8 through Tuesday, July 10.  Tara Brown, Jefferson County OHCE Advisor and others are planning to attend and will bring back educational materials and other information to share later.

Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service through Oklahoma State University offers researched-based programs and information.  Call 580-228-2332 or come to 802 East D’ Street (Jefferson County Fairgrounds and visit with Leland McDaniel, Extension Educator, Agriculture/ 4/H Youth Development and Tara Brown, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development for questions you may have relating to Agriculture and/or Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H.

Hot Weather Safety     Whew! It’s Getting Hot!

Whether the activity is sports related like running or cycling, or work related such as lawn care or facility maintenance, considering the increasing temperatures outside is important for overall health.  Exercising or working in the heat puts a stress on the body greater than what may be experienced due to the increased activity alone.  When we are active in hot environments the body naturally protects itself through the sweating process. If you are exposed to high temperatures for too long, and your body becomes dehydrated, it could lead to heat related health conditions.  Such conditions include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and the most severe, heatstroke.  It is important to be aware of the warning signs and symptom of heat related illnesses.  According to the Mayo Clinic the following signs are indicative of a heat related illness:

·  Muscle cramps

·  Nausea/vomiting

·  Weakness

·  Fatigue

·  Headache

·  Dizziness

·  Low blood pressure

·  Increased heart rate

·  Vision problems

·  Sweating extensively or not at all

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms it is important to stop exercising or working and get out of the heat immediately.  You will also want to remove any extra clothing, place cool cloths or ice packs on skin, and drink plenty of fluids.  If you are in a location you can use a hose or shower, spray yourself with water, or sit in a tub with cold water.

As with many health issues the best defense against health related illness is prevention.  The following general precautions that may be taken to minimize the risk of heat related illnesses:

·  Limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours.

·  Get acclimated.

·  Drink plenty of fluids.

·  Wear clothing that is light color, and made with breathable fabrics.

·  Cut down on exercise intensity.

·  Understand your medical risks 

    Don’t forget the sunscreen!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed a comprehensive website focused on extreme heat and your health at http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/. And if you are working to educate others, a media toolkit at http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/materials.html. Please continue to enjoy your outside activities during the summer months.  Now you are prepared to identify if you are experiencing symptoms of a heat related illness, as well as work prevent it from ever occurring.

Thursday, June 21, Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development presented a nutrition program on Trail Mix to the Ringling School Summer program.  She explained that there are a variety of Trail Mixes available in the market.  After a discussion of what food items may be put into a Trail Mix and why it is good for hiking and other outdoor (as well as indoor) activities and simple snacks, the group made their Trail Mix snacks.  Later during the afternoon, Tara Brown presented a program on rocks for the Library Rocks! Program for Gleason Memorial Library at the Ringling Community Building.  After a brief discussion on the three main types of rocks, each participant creatively painted at least one river rock. There was a lot of creativity done!

Co-Parenting for Resilience Divorce or separation is not an easy or favorable decision, especially when minor children are in the home. A class is available for divorcing or separating parents with minor children living in the home. My next class will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 11, 2019. Pre- registration is required. Call Jefferson County OSU Extension Office at 580-228-2332 for registration information. This class is mandatory by law in Oklahoma and is also valuable for Grandparents and other relatives of minor children going through a divorce or separation.

Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education)

On Tuesday, May 21, Jefferson County OHCE met and heard the “History of OHCE and OCES” Our next meeting will be Tuesday, June 18 with a lesson “Appealing Ways with Apples”. OHCE is open to anyone interested in meeting and receiving research-based educational information.

 Line dance

If you are interested in Line Dancing, please contact Jefferson County OSU Extension office at 580- 228-2332; this will help us determine size of room needed! This will be exciting! A line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines or rows, all facing either each other or in the same direction, and executing the steps at the same time. Unlike circle dancing, line dancers are not in physical contact with each other.

  Kitchen Timesavers from USDA ChooseMyPlate.gov

Try these kitchen timesavers to cut back on time and make less work for you. By taking the stress and hassle out of cooking, you’ll have more time to enjoy it and to spend with your loved ones.

 1. Organize your kitchen. Keep frequently used items such as cooking oils/sprays, spatulas, cutting boards, and spices within easy reach. This will save you from having to search for them later.

2. Clear the clutter. Before you start cooking, clear off your counters. This allows more room for prep space.

3. Chop extra. When chopping up veggies for a meal, chop more than you need. Take the extra, place in a reusable container and freeze. Then next time you need it, you can skip a step.

4. Have everything in place. Grab all ingredients needed for your meal – chopped vegetables, measured spices, and thawed meats. It will be easier to spot missing items and avoid skipping steps.

5. Double your recipe. For your next casserole or stew, try doubling the recipe and freezing the extra. You’ll save time and make cooking next week’s dinner a snap!

 6. Clean as you go. Fill up the sink with soapy water and wash the dishes as you cook. It’ll make clean up go much smoother!

 7. Save some for later. Freeze leftover soups, sauces, or gravies in small reusable containers.