Members of the Portage County Association for Home and Community Education attended the “Here Comes Excitement in the Dells” annual statewide conference held in Wisconsin Dells earlier this month. The Wisconsin Association for Home and Community Education (WAHCE) organization has been active in the state of Wisconsin for 77 years.

The Portage County Chapter of the WAHCE is part of the nonprofit organization that partners with the University of Wisconsin-Extension Family Living Programs at the state and county level to bring quality educational programs to members and their communities.

Portage County members who attended the conference included Dianne Trzebiatowski, Donna Martens, Jan Thurier, Betty Daberkow, Nancy Schulze, Vila Vroman, Cheryl Knutson, Jean Schwirtz, Amy Wiza, Lorraine Danczyk and Portage County Family Living Educator Sherry Daniels.

At this year’s conference, attendees had the opportunity to choose one of five tours highlighting the Wisconsin Dells area. Attendees also had many session topics to choose from, which included Be Food Wise-Reduce Food Waste, Helping Youth Get to College: Small Savings = Big Dreams for Young Children, Food Preservation, Polar Bear Adventures, Downsizing, and a presentation by the HCE members that attended the Learning Center Trip to Nicaragua in February.

Portage County had 12 entries in the State Cultural Arts show. They were prismatic star quilt and ruffle crocheted afghan by Marge Thiele; sunflower small quilt and jazzy tote bag by Donna McIntee; shawl collar knitted sweater by Lynn Isherwood; Seminole patchwork wall-hanging by Jean Schwirtz; poem, “Who Was She,” written by Dee Erlandson; photos “Whatcha Looking At” and “Shimmers” and Memories Revisited wreath by Dianne Trzebiatowski; bride’s purse by Pat Leary; and water color picture by Lynne Dernbach.

All entries received a first or second place rating, and Lynn Isherwood’s shawl collar knitted sweater received a gold medallion, and Marge Thiele’s prismatic star quilt received the People’s Choice Award.

To learn more about the local WAHCE organization, contact Sherry Daniels, Portage County Family Living Educator and HCE advisor at 715.346.1321 or visit the group’s website at www.wahceinc.org.