Sue Martin, left, received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers’ 2023 Achievement Night at the Atwood Community Building on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The 2023 Miss Kosciusko County fair queen Ashley Irwin, right, presented her with it. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

Staff Report

ATWOOD — Sue Martin received the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers’ Achievement Night.

The awards event was held on Wednesday, Sept. 6, at the Atwood Community Building.

Ashley Irwin, the 2023 Miss Kosciusko County fair queen, presented Martin with the award, speaking on Martin’s background before she did so.

“She became an extension homemaker in the 1990s and has served in many capacities in her local club and as county officer and Michigan City district representative,” said Irwin. “She was running for state officer when her husband suddenly passed away at which point she stepped back for several years to raise her family.”

“Several years later, she became involved again (with extension homemakers) in Elkhart County,” added Irwin. “After moving to Warsaw, (she) became a member of the Knitting Together Club in 2016 … She has served as a one-year term county president for three years and got the county organization through the pandemic Zoom meetings, meetings with masks and hand sanitizer by the gallon and finally real face-to-face meetings.”

“Much time has been spent on meaningful and relevant reorganization for the county membership. Earlier this year, when the director of open class exhibits in the Home and Family Arts Building moved to another county, there was a void of leadership,” said Irwin. “This person said we needed to get this done and took on the responsibility up there. We are all very thankful for her thoughtful and caring leadership. This year’s Lifetime Achievement awardee is Sue Martin.”

Martin then spoke.

“You all have been a great encouragement to me,” she said. “I can look out and see specific people who when I was having a difficult time, especially during year three when I was really tired, have said encouraging words that have meant more to me than you could possibly know. It has been a real pleasure for me to be able to lead this group of fine ladies. I plan to be around for awhile yet, so thank you very much.”

Also receiving awards Wednesday were the clubs with the highest average number of 2023 Kosciusko County Community Fair exhibits per member. Those were the Herscher Extension Homemakers and Knitting Together tying for first with four per member and M&M’s and Atwood Home Study tying for third with 2.9 per member.

Getting awards for the club with the most fair entries overall was Atwood Home Study, followed by Knitting Together in second and the Kosciusko County Chorus in third.

Lee Ann Jaeger with the Kosciusko County Chorus had the most individual fair entries overall, 35. Marsha Miller with the Herscher Extension Homemakers was second with 20 and Jan Godshalk with Knitting Together third with 18.

All clubs received Gold awards this year due to their help during the extension year. Those include: Knitting Together; Happy Homemakers; Herscher Extension Homemakers; Chit Chat; M&M’s; Atwood Home Study; Clunette Crossroads; Rural Neighbors; Merry Tones; Better Homes; Tippecanoe Township; and the Kosciusko County Chorus.

The Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers gave out three $1,000 scholarships to Abigail Bowers, Amy Irwin and Thomas Boggs, the latter of whom also got a $500 scholarship from the Indiana Extension Homemakers.

The Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers also honored members who passed away during the last year. Those are: Louise Nicholas, Sue Harman, Betty Busch, Joyce Wolf and Patricia Friddle.

Awards were also given out for homemakers’ clubs and individuals who exhibited a large amount of entries at the 2023 Kosciusko County Community Fair. Shown are some of them from left: Geneva Veasey with the Kosciusko County Chorus; Jan Godshalk with Knitting Together; Marsha Miller with Herscher Extension Homemakers; Rita Irwin with Atwood Home Study; and Brenda Vanlaningham with M&M’s. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

All county extension homemaker clubs were named Gold Clubs for their help during the extension year. From left: Front — Jan Godshalk, Knitting Together; Mary Hostetler, Happy Homemakers; Marsha Miller, Herscher Extension Homemakers; Mary Lou Whitehead, Chit Chat; and Brenda Vanlaningham, M&M’s; back —Rita Irwin, Atwood Home Study; Louise Powell, Clunette Crossroads; DeeAnna Muraski, Rural Neighbors; Marvene Johnson, Merry Tones; Eleanor Watkins, Better Homes; Robin Shafer, Tippecanoe Township; and Geneva Veasey, Kosciusko County Chorus. Photo provided.

Amy Irwin, right, was one of three scholarship winners on Wednesday. Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers President Judy Egolf is on the left. Photo provided.