BEAUMONT — TEEA – Leading Into the Future was the theme for the 95th Texas Extension Education Association’s State Conference held on Sept. 12 and 13 in Beaumont.
Attending the conference from Austin County were District 11 Director Knellen Quinteros, voting delegates Joan Buenger, Pat Allee, and Doris Glenewinkel, and TEEA members Judy Schulz, Shirley Beum, JoAnn Reichle, and Jessie Kokemor.
Early bird workshops on Tuesday morning were "Carfit" and “Jarcuterie”. The conference was called to order Tuesday afternoon by President Polly Krenek.
The welcome was given by the hostesses Clara Jones from District 9 and Knellen Quinteros from District 11.
Recognized from Austin County were Barbara Brown, Patty McAlexander, and Evelyn Wilke (dec) for attaining 40-year memberships. The total volunteer hours and money donated to the communities were valued at $3,676,852.31.
The District 11 4-H Scholarship went to Mark Kubecka of Matagorda County. The TEEA collects money to help improve and expand the 4-H Center at Brownwood, Texas. The director of the 4-H Center, Melvin Atkinson, presented a virtual tour of the 4-H Center and some of the plans for the future.
The education workshops on Wednesday afternoon included “Live a Fearless Life,” “The Legacy of Clutter,” “Aromatherapy & Essential Oils,” and “Recent Trends in Alcohol and Drug Use.” There were two optional workshops: “Water” and “Butterfly Gardening." District 11 was in charge of the Country Store where homemade items, canned goods, baked or snack goods, books, and home decorating ideas were sold. There was also a statewide cultural arts contest. Austin County was well represented by Bonnie Schulz with first place on a yellow dress costume, second place on a Star Quilt, an Easter Display, and a beach photograph, and third place on a Christmas Quilt, a child’s John Deere quilt, and an arrangement with items from nature.
Barney Zimmerman won first place with paper flowers, second place with a painting of white flowers, and third place with an afghan. Doris Glenewinkel won third place with a fall stencil on wood.
District 11 was also responsible for the Wednesday night banquet decorations.
The State Board was installed including Knellen Quinteros, District 11 Director.
Jefferson County provided the banquet entertainment. District 11 covers the counties from Washington to Nueces, Matagorda to DeWitt.
