Text and Photos
By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — Alice Keirn was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kosciusko County Extension Homemakers Wednesday evening, May 15. The award was presented during the 2024 Spring Fling, which had the theme of “Hats and High Tea.”
Keirn, who was born, raised and spent all her life in Kosciusko County, has been an active member of her extension club for 44 years.
Judy Egolf, outgoing president and incoming co-president, stated Keirn continues to keep track of her own and the history of the county from “continually being an active member of the Bell Museum, Kosciusko Historical Society and president of the Mentone Alumni Association.”
Married at 17 to an older gentleman, Keirn “helped him raise his children and have one of their own. She and her husband worked together and managed a hog farm for Creighton Brothers.” Egolf stated later she worked at different farms outside of Mentone and much of her time was spent in the nursery of the baby pigs. She was known to do anything that was asked of her. Later Keirn worked in the office and took on the challenge of learning a variety of new skills, including “who came to see who and who they were and not to waste anyone’s time. So if you got past her, you could go see whoever it was you wanted to see.
“At 45 years, she is one of the oldest, if not the oldest long term employees of Creighton Brothers. She still returns each year to play Mrs. Santa Claus and the Friday birthdays,” said Egolf.
During Keirn’s retirement, she was part of an intense project to research “Why Mentone is the Egg Basket of the Midwest.” That research can be seen at the Bell Museum.
A member of the extension homemakers club in Mentone, she remains active and has held every office in the club. She has overseen the quilt raffle during the county fair and last year she was the voice of the Extension Homemakers as what was happening in the Home and Family Arts building broadcasted on the radio and on the fairgrounds.
She has served as the county club’s treasurer and continues “to be an active member of our homemakers world as our PR person.”
There were approximately 55 ladies from the 11 Extension Homemakers clubs present, wearing hats of all different styles and colors and drinking tea from their favorite tea cups.
The evening included a remembrance ceremony conducted by Sue Martin remembering two members who had passed away, and the welcoming of 11 new members to six different clubs.
Dee Ann Muraski, incoming co-president, announced the three scholarship winners, each receiving $1,000. Those recipients are Serena Lasko, Libby Haab and Caleb Lechlitner. Muraski stated there were 21 applicants.
The installation of county officers was conducted by Darla McCammon, having some fun with the upcoming year’s theme “Make your own sunshine and be happy.” New officers are Egolf and Muraski, co-presidents; Marsha Miller, secretary; Ruth Dilling, treasurer and Rita Irwin, assistant treasurer.
A short program on the history of tea parties and tips for a tea party was presented.
Thank you gifts were also presented to a number of club members by Egolf for the work they have done in various capacities.
Prior to the evening festivities, the County Extension Chorus sang “We Love America,” “The Spirit of America,” Closer To The Flame,” and “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”
The evening was hosted by members of the M&M’s Extension Homemakers Club.
