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 is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 13, 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.

Jefferson County OHCE will meet Tuesday, October 16 at 12:30 p.m. at the Jefferson County OSU Extension office located at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.  Lesson on “Essential Oils” will be presented by Pat McGriff.  Light food will be available.  Our November meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, November 20.  The lesson “Repurposed Jars” will be presented by Tara Brown and will include a “You Make and Take” item – bring a clean empty pint-size jar.  Call 580-228-2332 for additional information.   Deborah Farrar is our Treasurer and is accepting dues at this time.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month

“October 2004 was the first National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. At that time, Facebook was less than a year old and neither the iPhone nor the Samsung Galaxy existed. In 2018, cybersecurity is more than just remembering to update antivirus software and recognizing a phishing attempt. Cybersecurity attacks continuously threaten our nation’s critical infrastructure, including transportation, utilities, public health, and financial services. Plus, the more that we integrate technology into our lives, the more vulnerable we become to cybersecurity threats.”

Tara Brown, Jefferson County OSU Extension Educator for Family & Consumer Sciences/4-H Youth Development recently attended the 2018 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) conference in San Antonio, Texas.  Oklahoma had 31 delegates.  Tara is a member of the Financial Team which received three awards at the Southern Region level and two awards at the National level.  There were many workshops on using Social Media to getting information out to our public.  If you are a Facebook user, you will find Jefferson County OSU Extension at JeffersonCounty Osu Extension; Jefferson County 4-H page is JeffersonCounty Fourh.

We post information of interest – look us up!

Of course, you may contact our office at 580-228-2332 if you have questions.

Jefferson County OHCE (Oklahoma Home and Community Education) meet the 3rd Tuesdays in the Waurika Sr. Citizens Center unless otherwise noted. Tara Brown, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development presented a “Slow Cooker Meals” program on Tuesday, April 17.  The program included Slow Cooker recipes for Zucchini Bread, Scalloped Potatoes and No-Frill Potato Soup.  Tara prepared and served Cinnamon apples which she had prepared in a slow cooker. The next meeting will be May 15 at 12 noon at Waurika Sr. Citizens’ Center.  Dr. Lynn Null, Extension Educator, FCS/4-H Youth Development, CED Comanche County will present “10 Minutes to the Table”.  Membership to OHCE is open to any individual. Contact Tara Brown for additional information. 

Upcoming lessons:  Tuesday, June 19: “Home Invasion/Self Defense” 

Upcoming events:    July 8-10: 83rd Annual OHCE meeting

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. Our next class is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, 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.

Open House:  Jefferson County Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services staff is scheduled for Friday, May 18 from 11 a.m.  – 2 p.m.  Come meet your County Extension staff who are ready and willing to assist you with your questions concerning livestock, soil, forage, Food and Nutrition and more! Information is available on our website oces.okstate.edu/Jefferson and on our Facebook pages JeffersonCounty Fourh and JeffersonCounty Osu Extension.

Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, genetic information, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, or status as a veteran, in any of its policies, practices or procedures.  This provision includes, but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and educational services. The Director of Equal Opportunity, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078-1035; Phone 405-744-5371; email: eeo@okstate.edu has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies.  Any person who believes that discriminatory practices have been engaged in based on gender may discuss his or her concerns and file informal or formal complaints of possible violations of Title IX with OSU’s Title IX Coordinator 405-744-9154.

Save More at the Store

The smartest shoppers know that saving money is more than luck. When shopping for groceries, it’s about having a game plan and making smart decisions about what to put in your cart.

1. Ask for advice. Grocery stores, ethnic markets, dollar stores, retail supercenters, and wholesale clubs can offer good deals. Ask friends and family where they shop and find their best bargains!

2. Eat before you shop. Grocery shopping hungry can lead to impulse buying and unhealthy food choices.

3. Read the sales flyer. Sales flyers are usually released mid-week and can be found at the store’s entrance, in the newspaper, or on their website.

4. Use coupons – but only for items that you know you’ll use. If you don’t need an item right away, save the coupon and see if it goes on sale.  For more on couponing, check out Save More at the Grocery Store.

5. Look up and down for savings. Stores often stock the priciest items at eye level. You can save big by looking at the upper and lower shelves too.

6. Check for store brands. Most stores offer their own brand of products that often cost less than name brands.

7. Grab from the back. Stores typically stock shelves from back to front, placing the newest items behind the older ones. Reach in the back for the freshest items especially in the produce, dairy, and meat aisles.

8. Ask for a rain check. If a sale item has run out, ask the store for a rain check. This allows you to pay the sale price after the item is restocked.

9. Join your store’s loyalty program. Most stores offer a free loyalty program. Get special offers and discounts that non-members do not.

10. Think outside the store. Farmers markets and farm stands can be great options for picking up fresh produce at a discount.  Check the National Farmers Market Directory for locations near you.

 Jefferson County 4-H held their first Cupcake Wars on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Jefferson County OSU Extension office.

Three Beginners (grades 3-5) Hannah Williams, Heather Poage and Beau Combs competed for the 1st place award while Alicen Williams, Intermediate (grades 6-8) and Haley Poage, Senior (grades 9-12) had no competition in their levels.

Our judges complimented the creativeness of each competitor’s cupcakes.

Winners were:  Beginners: Hannah Williams, 1st; Heather Poage, 2nd and Beau Combs, 3rd. 

Intermediates:  Alicen Williams and Seniors: Haley Poage.

A huge thank you to our judges: Shirley Cephur, Sharon Duncan and Gail Prentice and Jr. Judge Abby Davis who said the choices were difficult to decide the winners.  Also, a big thank you to those who participated.  Just wait and see what next year brings!!

News relating to Family and Consumer Sciences:

Co-Parenting Classes:  This class, offered monthly, is informative for Parents, Grandparents and other relatives of minor children living with parents who are going through a separation or divorce. The next class is scheduled for 1 pm Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the Jefferson County OSU Extension Conference Room. Other dates may be scheduled as time allows. 

Oklahoma law mandates divorcing parents of minor children to take a Co-Parenting Class. To register for a class, contact Jefferson County OSU Extension office at 580-228-2332.  Pre-registration is required and there is a cost for this class. Contact Tara Brown at 580-228-2332 for additional information.  

Jefferson County Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) hosts monthly programs the 3rd Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.; these programs include research-based educational topics.  These programs are open to the public.  

Our December meeting will be “Holiday Tea” – Tuesday, December 20, 2022.

A class for Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance will be scheduled and will be open to all ages.  If interested, or know someone who will be interested, let Tara Brown know so adequate supplies can be made available.

Jefferson County 4-H and Youth Development News:

Enrollment for 2022-2023 began August 1st through 4h.zsuite.org.  To enroll, students must be 8 years of age and in the 3rd grade (or older).  To participate in 4-H Events and Contest, members must be actively enrolled.  If you need assistance, contact Linda Whitsett or Tara Brown at Jefferson County OSU Extension 580-228-2332.

Emails and information about upcoming 4-H events will be emailed to your email address you used when signing up on 4h.zsuite.org

West District 4-H Has Talent is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 2023.  Entries are due to Jefferson County OSU Extension office by 3 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2023.

West District South Region Public Speaking (Speeches, Illustrated Presentations, and Demonstrations) contest will be Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the Pleasant View Mennonite Church in Hydro, Oklahoma.  The contest will begin at 9 am and end by noon.  There will also be a Volunteer Conference in the afternoon for those enrolled as a 4-H Volunteer.  Contact Tara Brown for the link to register for the contest.

Shooting Sports – our next session will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2022.  We meet in the Jefferson County Fair Building.  Must be enrolled in 4-H. 

 Jefferson County Jr. Livestock Show is scheduled for Thursday, February 23-Saturday, February 25, 2023.  Entries are due by 4 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2022.

West District Duds to Dazzle is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Clinton, OK. More details will be coming.

West District South Culinary Days is scheduled for Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at Stephens County Fairgrounds.

We are seeking responsible adults to become 4-H volunteers, contact OSU Extension at 580-228-2332 for information.