Maine Extension Homemakers Newsletter, Spring 2021
Table of Contents
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension Launches Newsletter for Extension Homemakers
- Around the State
- From MEHC President, Bea LaPlante
- University of Maine Updates
- Calling All Storytellers!
- Mark Your Calendar!
- In Honor of National BBQ Month: “Grilled Bananas”
- Remember This?
- Meet Your County Advisors
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Launches Newsletter for Extension Homemakers
Welcome to the first edition of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s Maine Extension Homemakers Newsletter. With COVID-19 keeping us apart, we hope this newsletter will go far in keeping us connected in the coming weeks and months. The newsletter will be published quarterly in January, April, July, and October. This first newsletter is either late, or early, depending on your perspective!
Mailing a newsletter is quite costly, and is not financially feasible, so we are asking that you access future issues of the newsletter by going to UMaine Extension’s Maine Extension Homemakers website. We will also be sharing selected articles on Facebook.
We hope you enjoy reading about what is going on around the state with UMaine Extension and with other Maine Homemakers.
Around the State
From MEHC President, Bea LaPlante
As we are starting a new year, may it be one of safety and of getting back together with other homemakers. As we look back to 2020, may we have learned how to keep ourselves safe and healthy. When I lived in Japan, we wore masks whenever we were sick, and 2020 reminded me of that time, and how we got through our sickness together. Please know that we are with all our groups, and especially those who have gotten the COVID-19 virus and are recuperating. I would like to thank all the University Extension personnel who have helped the Homemakers survive. I am looking forward to seeing you all in the, hopefully, near future.
P.S. Thanks to all who have submitted their annual reports.
University of Maine Updates
The University of Maine System adheres to guidance from the Maine Centers for Disease Control and the Office of the Governor of Maine regarding COVID-19. That guidance continues to restrict gatherings where social distancing is not possible and requires individuals to wear a face-covering at all times. UMaine Extension offices across the state do not allow access to conference rooms and many have reduced operating hours. Because Extension Homemakers are an especially vulnerable group, meetings of any size in any setting are strongly discouraged.
Calling All Storytellers!
We would like to create a series of videos of Maine Extension Homemakers demonstrating a skill or talent that is important to teach to others. We would like to make 10–15-minute video stories highlighting talents such as Swedish weaving, or soap making, or cheese making, or drying herbs, making penny rugs, simple meal preparation, etc., etc. If you would be willing to take the journey with us down this path of video-making, please let your advisor know.
Mark Your Calendar!
Visit the UMaine Calendar to register for webinars or reach out to your advisor for help!
- March is National Nutrition Month!
- March 10: Ornamental Garden Design webinar
- March 14: Daylight Saving Time begins
- March 20: First Day of Spring
- March 24: Protecting Fruit Trees from Insects and Diseases Webinar
- April is National Humor Month
- April 4: Easter
- May is National BBQ Month
- May 9: Mother’s Day
- May 31: Memorial Day
- June 20: Father’s Day
In Honor of National BBQ Month: “Grilled Bananas”
Wash bananas and dry. Place whole bananas, in their skins, on the BBQ grill over indirect heat. Turn occasionally, until outside is quite dark all around. Remove from grill and transfer to a plate. Carefully slice through the skin, lengthwise, from top to button. Use a spoon to scoop out the warm banana.
Remember This?
Did you ever own one of these? What is your favorite memory of using one? We will reveal more info about this vintage kitchen tool in the next newsletter!
Meet Your County Advisors
Angela Martin, Statewide support
angela.martin@maine.edu
Favorite craft: Sewing facemasks (lately).
Lisa Fishman, Aroostook, Franklin, Somerset Counties
lisa.fishman@maine.edu
Favorite craft: Baking; I don’t do crafts.
Cathy Gray, York, Cumberland, Oxford Counties
cathy.gray@maine.edu
Favorite craft: Basket weaving
Zabet NeuCollins, Hancock County
zabet.neucollins@maine.edu
Favorite craft: Papermaking.
Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.
© 2021
Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit extension.umaine.edu.
The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer, and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).