Ome Whitaker honored by Extension
By From staff reports
Published in News on March 6, 2016 1:45 AM
Oma Whitaker of the Town and Country Club has been honored as Wayne County Extension and Community Association Leader of the Year.
The honor was presented during the ECA annual achievement luncheon at the Wayne Center on Tuesday, Feb. 23.
The theme for this event was "ECA Eating Local, Eating Healthy." County Club adviser Louise Faison presided, and Ruby Norris gave the invocation.
This year four members were recognized for strengthening their local clubs by their contributions: Hazel Best from Best Grove; Lois Sasser from Nahunta; Faye Bartlett from Stoney Creek; and Oma Whitaker from Town and Country.
Ms. Whitaker was selected as the winner.
ECA recognized Myrna Tyndall from Stoney Creek Club with the Life Time Achievement Award.
Wayne County Extension Director Kevin Johnson was the guest speaker for this event.
He spoke about the importance of eating locally produced foods and eating healthy.
On behalf of the Wayne County Livestock Development Association, Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair Manager Eddie Pitzer and association President Curtis Shivar recognized the Caminando Juntos Club, Fine Points, North George, and Town and Country Club for their support during the 2015 fair.
This year ECA presented the 2015 Volunteer Service Award to North George Club, the 2015 Excellence in Education Award to Nahunta Club, and the 2015 Star Leadership award to Town and Country Club.
The Bronze Award was presented to Best Grove Club. The Silver Award was presented to Nahunta and Stoney Creek Club. The Gold Award was presented to North George and Town and Country Club.
Michelle Estrada, ECA liaison agent, recognized the clubs with the most attendance to the area meetings: first place, Fine Points Club; second place, Nahunta Club; and third place, Stoney Creek.
She also recognized the clubs with most attendance for County Councils: first place, Fine Points; second place, North George Club; and third place, Nahunta Club.
Increasing and maintaining the number of members in the clubs is important, and this year the winner was North George Club.
During 2015 Wayne County ECA devoted 8,855 hours of volunteer service, contributed $16,768 and reached 190,658 people.
Special thanks to were given to award sponsors Barnes Jewelers and the Wayne County Livestock Development Association.