Willing Workers of White Hall’s Extension Homemakers Club heard two presenters with programs on poison control and tornado safety Jan. 23.
The group met at the White Hall Library where President Karen Needler welcomed everyone. She also introduced guest Rosemary Withers, community health promotion specialist for the Department of Health. Withers presented a program on “Poison Control in Action.”
“Withers discussed the different kinds of poisons,” according to a news release. “Some of the information she presented included that more adults than children are dying from medicine poisoning; it is important to read labels for medicine and household products; wear gloves and face masks when using pesticides and do not mix bleach with other products. In 2014, thirty-one died from poisonings in Southeast Arkansas. Over 200 in the state. If you have questions about poison, call 1-800-222-1222.”
Donna Stephenson presented the club program on “Tornado Preparedness.” She gave everyone a map of the state showing the location of the counties. She explained the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning. Watches are issued by the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, when tornadoes are possible in the area. A watch can cover several states and lasts for several hours. Stay tuned to the radio or television news. Warnings are issued by the local National Weather Service Forecast Offices when a tornado is either on the ground or has been detected by Doppler radar. A warning is for a small area and usually lasts for 30 minutes to an hour. Seek shelter immediately.
Handouts were available showing what to do if a tornado warning is issued, tornado safety locations and other information. For a copy of the handout, contact Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Family and Consumer Sciences agent at the Jefferson County Extension Office at 870-534-1033.
Vice President Sarah Payton led members in the Homemaker’s Creed. Cheri Aronowitz read the Handy Hint “Make sure all family members know the name of the county or parish where you live or are traveling because tornado watches and warnings are issued for counties or parishes, not individual towns or cities.” Elizabeth Wall read the Inspiration from Psalms 107:29. In the absence of Secretary Peggie Barbaree, Jo Ann Carr called the roll. Members present were: Aronowitz, Needler, Payton, Marnette Reed, Wall, Dee Kindrick, Catherine Atkinson, Stephenson and Carr. Guests were Withers and Kizer.
Carr reported for Barbaree, community service chairwoman, that dolls are being worked on for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Carr showed some baby Christmas knitted caps she is working on and asked members that make the caps to make some for next Christmas. Kindrick passed on an appreciation from a friend whose child had received a cap.
Atkinson, nursing home project chairwoman, reported she will be putting out Valentine decorations on the doors of the patients soon.
Payton, education fellowship chairwoman, is checking on a Tour of Homes, sponsored by Trinity Church.
Kindrick, education history chairwoman, reported on the history of White Hall School District which began in the late 1800’s in a small one room building that served as a church. In early 1900 the school was moved to the Dollarway Road location. In 1980, the new high school was built. The first school was torn down in 2003 for the new junior high.
Needler reminded members of upcoming events: Spring Workshop in Ferndale on March 7; Willing Workers’ date and time to work Home and Garden Show - Friday, Feb. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Members volunteered to make cookies for a county community service project Feb. 6. Kizer mentioned the Leader Training on Feb. 6 on Pruning Trees and Mediterranean Cooking class on Feb. 13, both at the Extension Office.
A birthday dinner was scheduled for Feb. 6 at Larry’s Pizza for Stephenson, Wall, Barbaree, Sarah Hester, Atkinson and Malinda Traweek.