Patsy Watkins ● 615-790-5721 ● pwatkin2@utk.edu ● Williamson County

The Williamson County fce Picture Volume 8, February 2018

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS CONFERENCE Williamson County Association for fce and the United Methodist Women of Franklin First United Methodist Church were partners, and presented a county-wide Human Trafficking Awareness program on January 11. Approximately 115 community leaders attended and were educated by speakers from the TBI, Digital Reasoning, End Slavery Tennessee, and a panel of local officials who deal directly with the problem in Williamson County (see pictures next page). Feedback from attendees was unanimously positive. So many comments expressed this thought: “I didn’t know this was happening here.” Apparently the program goal – to make the community aware that this horrible activity does occur in Williamson County and how the local citizens can help the victims – was met.

After expenses were paid, a donation to End Slavery Tennessee was made in lieu of speaker honorariums. In a grateful thank-you note from the ESTN to us (fce and UMW), the director made this statement: “You are a foundational part of all we do to promote healing for human trafficking survivors and confront the issue systemically. You’re saving and transforming lives and I, and the girls – and boy – we serve, are thankful.” The conference sponsors were: Franklin First United Methodist Church, Franklin at Breakfast Rotary, School Facility Management LLC, Williamson County Associ-ation for Family and Community Education (WCA fce), Fairview fce Club, Friendly Neighbors fce Club, Green Valley fce Club, United Methodist Women of Franklin FUMC, and UT Extension Williamson County.

fce members assembling packets for the Human Trafficking conference: L-R: Ginger Manley, Mary Alice Weber, Patsy Watkins, and Sue Lance.

The Williamson County fce Picture

Kelly Lawrence, Assistant DA, Rev. Jason Brock, FFUMC, Jeff Long, Sherriff, Cory Kroeger, Detective FPD.

Rick Stout, TBI

Jill Rutter, End Slavery TN

Tim Estes, Digital Reasoning

Conference Photos

there’s a better chance they will come.

And remember Cultural Arts will be here before you know it. I hope EVERYONE is working on something to enter this year. If you win 1st or 2nd place here, you move up to the region. Who knows? Your entry could make it all the way to the state. If there is anything I can do for you or your club, please let me know. My number is 615-579-6455 and email is theresalbell@outlook.com. I hope to see you soon. Theresa Bell President Williamson County, fce County Council

POSTSCRIPT FROM OUR PAST PRESIDENT It has been an honor to serve as your county council president for the past 4 years. I want to thank you for the experience—for new skills learned and a multitude of new friends. Thank you for welcoming me into each of your clubs in 2017—I was struck by the camaraderie, loyalty, and friendships I observed in each fce club. I am so pleased with the direction of fce in Williamson County – continue the good work! Mary Alice Weber.

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is having a Blessed New Year. Williamson County fce has started the year with a bang. We partnered with the UMW at Franklin First United Church to present the Human Trafficking

Awareness Conference on January. On January 24th several of our fce members and visitors came together at the Ag Center for a State Project. We made “Santi-Panties” – a reusable feminine hygiene item – for women in Africa. We will be having more work days. I hope you will plan to come and work with us. I told the ladies that day that my biggest challenge this year was to learn all your names, well most all, and the clubs you belong to. I will be visiting all the clubs this year to see how each club operates and learn things that can be shared with other clubs. MEMBERSHIP. It seems like we hear this a lot. That is because membership is down in our county by about 23 members this year. The Central Region overall membership is down also. Our number one focus this year is membership. We really need to recruit more people – and not just ladies. We should also include men and teenagers. Ask your friends, family, neighbors and anyone else you can think of. Offer to pick them up,

The Williamson County fce Picture President’s Perspective

Wow! 2018 is moving at a very fast pace. We are already into the 2nd month and I feel like we just came back from Christmas break. I am so encouraged by all the activities that have already

occurred this year in our fce clubs. First, the Human Trafficking Awareness conference on January 11 was a wonderful conference sponsored and led by Williamson County fce in cooperation with the United Methodist Women. Just for your information, this whole idea was initiated by some of our fce women. I am so proud of everyone that served on the committee, volunteered the day of and supported the day with your thoughts and prayers. The event was very impactful and I feel that it will continue to produce positive measures throughout our county. Secondly, how wonderful that 20 women gathered at the Extension office to work on the sani-pads for women in third world countries. If you missed it, I understand that it was a very fun day. I also understand

that another work day is being planned in March. I will be taking these pads to Rwanda when I go in May. Again, I am so proud of your concern for others and passion to help make a difference in a young girl’s life. Thirdly, I am so glad that I got to be with each club at the beginning of the year. The attendance in spite of some bad weather and illness was excellent and it seemed that everyone was excited to start the year together. We have a lot of exciting things planned this year including excellent programs and activities for everyone to participate in. Don’t forget to invite your friends and neighbors to visit your club and hopefully become a member. Maybe you could actually offer to pick them up to help them feel more comfortable coming the first time. Also, be working on your items for Cultural Arts, especially while it is too cold to be outside. Our Cultural Arts Day will be June 14 and we will be sharing more with you in the months to come.

The Williamson County fce Picture Patsy’s Piece

I had a few volunteer jobs in the past; but over the years when my husband was sick and I was traveling to Nashville and Franklin to

the doctors, it became too much. My church was having “personality” problems and people were leaving. I felt like I was floundering and not sure where to turn, yet I knew God still had a plan for me.

I started volunteering at GraceWorks West when I hurt my back. I was home for months taking physical therapy. I became more and more depressed. I saw a posting on Facebook about volunteers needed for

quilting. The positions were for all levels of quilters. Well, I thought this was something I could do and it was close to home. It still took me a few weeks to go. (I do not like going myself because I have had a brain injury and sometimes words do not come out like they should or I totally forget what word I want to use.)

February came and it’s the semi-annual book sale and I like to support community activities, so I went. Fairview fce was there, with their craft items and baked goods......well that’s another thing I like to do. So the rest is history.....

WHY I JOINED fce - Sarah Lauricella

The Williamson County fce Picture

council members who will bring this information back to the clubs. Mary Alice Weber shared information about the new Central Region Facebook page and the new Central Region newsletter in her new responsibility as Central Region Educational Chairperson

Theresa Bell, Betty Friedlander, Sue Lance and Sharon Jessop attended the Central Region Meeting. Not pictured, Mary Alice Weber. These ladies were given information about the dates, procedures and changes for fce activities the coming year. Program topics were explained to the program leaders. They will update the

CENTRAL REGION INFORMATION DAY

A real problem in third world countries has been inadequately educated citizens, and in particular, women. A contributing cause for uneducated women has been their unfinished schooling after they reach puberty. For a large portion of teenaged school girls, sanitary products for their monthly period are unavailable. This means that for 3 or more days each month, they do not attend school. Thus they get behind and do not finish their education. Williamson County fce adopted a project to assist with this problem. On January 24, 2018, a county-wide work day for the members was held at the Ag Center to make reusable sanitary pads. Winnie Decker and Sarah Lauricella organized assembly-line-

The Williamson County fce Picture SANI-PANTI PROJECT

style work stations where parts of the Santi-panties were cut and sewn. These 2-part items were made from old towels, fabric, and shower curtain fabric. When finished, they will be sent to a third-world country designated by the UT Extension Service. The goal is to complete 240. On the first work day, all 480 pieces (240 sets) were cut out and 34 were completed. Twenty (22) members from 4 clubs attended. Other work days are planned to reach this goal. Mark your calendar for March 7 – the next work day.

The Williamson County fce Picture

These talented and creative fce members shared their craft-making skills at the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Dept. fall Crafts Show in November.

Pat Cobb, Painting Barbara Comer, Hand-tied Quilt Winnie Decker, Crocheting

Mary Alice Weber, Swedish Weaving

James Whalen & Sarah Lauricella, Jewelry Making

Jane Stafford - Knitting

Betisu Lovett – Hand Embroidery

Vicki Clark – Card Making

Dottie Clarke – Hand Quilting

Theresa Bell – Beaded Ornaments

Arno

Arno club enjoyed their Christmas party at the lovely home of Gloria O’Steen.

Fairview

The Fairview Club attended a performance of It’s a Wonderful Life at Chaffin’s Barn Theater for their Christmas Party. Prior to leaving for this event, a short business meeting was held in the club meeting room where they presented checks to Fairview Public Library, Meals on Wheels and a check and computer to GraceWorks West. The club planned and prepared refreshments for the Fernvale Polar Plunge/Wrap Around the Harpeth Walk on New Year’s Day. Weather conditions prevailed and the plunge was not held, but the walk and after party still went on as scheduled.

On December 15, members of the Fairview fce Club met with the Fairview Police Department to donate 43 small quilts and a variety of stuffed animals for the Shop with a Cop program. The club will participate in the upcoming Friends of the Fairview L Library Book Sale with the crafts and baked goods sale on February 22.

Fairview Night

Julie Evaskis, Freida Evaskis, Carol McClure, and Elizabeth Keeton enjoy the club Christmas Party.

Friendly Neighbors

Friendly Neighbors worked on donations as the major theme for the fall months. In October we had our annual “Everything Is a Dollar Sale” and “No Bake Sale”. Monies raised from these were donated to Eastern Williamson Co. Meals on Wheels, Friends of The Nolensville Library, Nolensville First United Methodist Church and Grace Works. At the November club meeting we started working on Throws for Ronald McDonald House and this year, we decided to contact Ronald McDonald House and we found out they really wanted a new microwave. So, we pitched in and purchased a new microwave for them. Along with the Throws and Microwave we donated $135.00, paper goods, shower curtains, toiletries, snacks and pull tabs. December was our Christmas Party and VP for Programs Pat Post did a good job stumping us playing “Reindeer Games”. We had great fellowship and good food.

The Williamson County fce Picture Club News

Grassland

Patsy Watkins, Mary Alice Weber and Ginger Manley at the Grassland Christmas Party, held at the Mellow Mushroom in Franklin.

Green Valley

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Four guests (and potential members) were present for the December Christmas party at the Green Valley Club. Instead of setting a price limit for a gift for each other, Green Valley makes a gift to a selected benefactor – this year Bridges – in that amount. However, for fun, the members bring a token gift (ornament or such) and play a game for giving the gift. New officers for the club will be Sharon Jessop, president; Carolyn Wilson, vice president of programs; Betsy Hester, vice president of policy; Jane Stafford, secretary; and Vicki Clark, treasurer.

Green Valley, continued.

Hillsboro

A longstanding tradition, the Hillsboro FCE makes up Christmas baskets each year. The members provide candies, fruit, toothbrushes, lotions, stuffed animals, chapsticks, ink pens, etc. to fill the baskets. These are given to shut-ins, people in care facilities or someone our members think might appreciate them. We distributed 20 baskets after making them at the beautifully decorated home of Betty Hughes. Nancy Jones is again president, Sandy Vickers is vice president, Betty Hughes is secretary, and Norma Hollman is treasurer. We anticipate a great year and hope to recruit new members. A group we hope to attract will be home-school moms.

The Williamson County fce Picture Club News

The Williamson County fce Picture

March 2 Read Across America – Dr. Seuss 3 FCL Applications due to Region VP Public Policy,

Genevieve Kilga

April 10 Mildred F. Clarke Scholarship Application for Leadership Retreat due to County Council 10 State TAFCE Scholarship due to County Council; due to Mary Kay Davis by April 15, 2018 15 Leadership Retreat Registration due to Sue Lance by March 30, 2018 15 Leadership Retreat Class Registration Due to Karen Hughes by April 15, 2018 24 & 25 Leadership Training in Lebanon, TN

May 1-31 Imagination Library Month 14 CVU’s due to Winnie Decker --- Due to Genevieve Kilga by June 1, 2018 15 Day of the Family 29 Extra Night at Leadership Retreat at Cookeville 30 – June 1 – Leadership Retreat Cookeville

June 1 Creative Writing due to Lucy Deal