Willing Workers of White Hall's Extension Homemakers Club presented donations for the White Hall Food Pantry when the group met Oct. 27 at the White Hall Museum.
As members arrived, they placed donated food items in the back of Cheri Aronowitz's vehicle to be delivered to the pantry, according to a news release.
President Sarah Payton welcomed members and guest Michelle Mclellan to the meeting and asked Aronowitz to read the Thought of the Month: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page."
Vice President Karen Needler led members in the Homemaker's Creed. Ellen Bauer read the Handy Hint: "It's a good idea to research your destination and make a list of places to visit and activities to do."
Marnette Reed read the Inspiration from Psalm 121:7-8. Secretary Jo Ann Carr called the roll with members answering the question: Do you go on weekend getaways? Members present were: Aronowitz, Payton, Karen and Jay Needler, Bauer, Reed, Dee Kindrick, Carr, and guest Mclellan.
Payton presented the program on "Getaway!" She asked everyone to write down their top three favorite vacation getaways and then asked several to tell what was the favorite part of it.
She also asked everyone to list three vacation getaway locations that are on their "Bucket List" and several discussed those.
Payton went over the seven steps to vacation or getaway planning. Before planning, you need to think about number of days involved, have everyone involved write a few words about their ideal vacation for next year and then follow these steps: 1. Brainstorm. 2. Collect and cull. 3. Count days. 4. Choose your bases. 5. Check transport. 6. Preliminary budgeting. 7. Does it fit?
She said if your budget doesn't fit, a vacation near home may work better. She gave everyone bags with information from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism Department, including a highway map, Arkansas travel guide, Arkansas state parks guide, and Arkansas Water & Woods Magazine.
Members also discussed the community service projects and were encouraged to work on caps and dolls for the Arkansas Children's Hospital and bring them to the November meeting to be delivered to the hospital's Festival of Stars.
Payton and Reed showed blankets members are making for RSVP, or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.
Food for the White Hall Food Pantry was discussed. Members voted to bring selected items each month with sugar and flour being the item to bring in November. Aronowitz collected the current items brought and will get them delivered.
Kindrick, continuing education chairman, read the story of how Halloween got started and also read a list of things that happened 50 years ago.
Bauer, leadership development chairman, reported that all the libraries are doing drive-by service and are planning to open fully soon.
The Christmas party will be held on Dec. 19 from noon to 3 p.m. at Reed's home. Members will have a drawing for two afghans and will have tickets if anyone is interested in getting some. All proceeds will go to the White Hall Food Pantry.
Anyone who would like more information on the seven steps to vacation or getaway planning should contact Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences agent, at (870) 534-1033. For details on extension homemakers, people may call any member or Kizer.