Friends of Sugar Creek heldits annual meeting at the Hoosier Heartland Success Center on Oct. 17. The event attracted several environmentalist, farmers, and friends that may or may not own property on sugar creek.
Sam Lovold, Montgomery County Soil and Water, was the guest speaker. His program focused on the challenges posed by invasive species, and issues that are increasingly impacting our local ecosystems because of their presence.
Lovold’s presentation shed light on the growing threat that invasive plants pose to biodiversity, agriculture and native wildlife. Invasive plants are more than just a nuisance. They represent a serious threat to our environment. In many places they are pushing native plants to the brink of extinction, which has ripple effects throughout the entire ecosystem. From soil health to pollinators decline, the consequences are far reaching.
Friends of Sugar Creek, this past summer, has become involved with Montgomery County Soil and Water to assist on Weed Wrangle days along the creek. As we move into the new year, we are planning to increase outreach efforts and partner with our community to promote education, guidelines, and opportunities to learn hands on about invasive plants and the challenges they present. Its empowering to know that we can take steps to protect our local environment.
This years annual meeting was informative but also fun! Attendees were treated to a soup and desert buffet with many tasty selections provided by the Board members. Door prizes were awarded at the end of our program so several attendees went home with T-shirts, Dry bags, and special prize packages from Hoosier Heartland State Bank and the Montgomery County Visitors Bureau. And we can’t forget the annual kayak winner. Congratulations Emily Tricker for winning the kayak from a ticket her grandmother purchased at the Crawfordsville City Market.
The Friends of Sugar Creek Board would also like to thank all the sponsors and volunteers who helped us in one way or another though out 2024. Thank you all Very much! Sugar Creek Campgrounds and Canoe Rental, Montgomery County Visitors Bureau, Acuity Brands Lighting, Wabash College, Neal Tire, Waldon Recycle, MIBOR and Montgomery County REALTORS, Indiana American Water, Tipmont Enviro Watts, Hoosier Heartland State Bank and every volunteer that helped in anyway during the year.
Looking for volunteer opportunities in 2025 go to our website: www.friendsofsugarcreek.org or follow us on Facebook.
Maple Grove
Extension Homemakers
The Maple Grove Homemakers met at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the home of Betty Jeffers with 10 members present. The meeting was opened by President Linda Miller welcoming everyone.
We recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag, the Extension Homemaker Creed, the IEHA Mission Statement and the Pledge to the Christian Flag. The roll call was answered with, “What is your favorite breakfast food?” The secretary report was given by Rita Kirkpatrick. Jeffers gave the treasurer report. Inspiration was given by Eileen Matricia on the beauty of trees and the season.
Miller passed out a pre-order sheet for noodles. The cost for the noodles will be $5.50 per quart bag. Jeffers will mail noodle order with money to the County Treasurer Miller also passed around a sheet for members to sign up for the bake sale at Holiday Expo. She also encouraged members to bring additional items. Holiday Expo will be held Saturday at the 4-H Building between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Remember the bake sale is the biggest fundraiser for the year and it is a team effort. Bring your items to the 4-H Building 5-7 p.m. Friday or 7:30-8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Also do not bring soft pies. Make a list of all ingredients in your item. This would include nuts or anything that is sugar free or gluten free. We need to think about people that could have allergies to certain ingredients. Cookies can be put in 1-2 dozen packages, or 2-4 cookies, depending on the size of cookie. We have a volunteer from our club to work from 11 a.m. until they are sold out. Caterer for Holiday Expo will be Sunshine in a Box.
The State President’s Project is “Boxes of Care.” We have enough supplies to make 500 boxes in Montgomery County. Each club is to decide how many they can assemble. These will be given to the homeless and those in need. Each box starts with a plastic box and then filled with, toothbrush, toothpaste, two packets of hand wipes, band aids and a card explaining where the box came from.
Nutritional Education Program will be held Nov. 22 at the Whitesville Christian Church. Registration starts at 9 a.m., breakfast and program to follow. It is a special day for the 25 clients who have meet the requirements in finishing the classes. They will each take home two boxes filled with food and the other with personal hygiene and household products. This project is being reinstated and was known as FNP Holiday Event.
Our meeting on Nov. 18 will be held 1:30 p.m. at the Waynetown Baptist Church and will be hosted by Minnie Howard and Matricia. We will be collecting can goods at this meeting.
Our Dec. 16 meeting will be held at noon at the 4-H Exhibit Hall. It will be a pitch-in dinner. You will need to bring items for Bingo after our lunch.
We ended our meeting with our yearly auction which is our money maker for the year. Sandra Lightle was our auctioneer again and did a bang-up job. We had a lot of different items and lots of bidding. It was a fun time with laughter and just a good old time for everyone.
