Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Toland is county's top homemaker

Jean Toland of Gurdon has been named 2007 Clark County Extension Homemaker of the Year.

According to Elizabeth Wilson, a member of the Red Springs Extension Homemakers Club, Toland has been a member of the Red Springs club for 28 years and has served as the club president, vice-president and on numerous committees. She has also served as the county council president and vice-president.

Besides being the county homemaker of the year, Toland is also the Red Springs EHC member of the year.

Wilson said being named county homemaker of the year is a high honor. There are eight extension homemakers clubs in Clark County, and each submits the name of a member for consideration for the county honor.

Jean has been the definite go to gal during this year for our club with all of our officers out with medical disabilities, Wilson said in Tolands nomination letter.

One reason Toland was nominated by the Red Springs club was her dedication to community service. Each year, she helps spruce up the citys Christmas decorations in preparation for the Arkansas Tour of Holiday Lights. She has also put in many hours of work to develop and operate a pie baking contest for the Gurdon Forrest Festival. She is also involved in numerous other club activities that include preparing baskets of food to be given during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and the holiday tour of homes in Gurdon and other parts of the county.

It is with the tour of homes that Jeans community time starts to branch out, the letter said.

Toland has been involved with the Clark County Fair pageant for many years. The Clark County extension homemakers council sponsors the events, and Toland has served on numerous pageant committees and has helped recruit girls to compete.

Many of the girls she gets have gone on to win the crown in their divisions, both at the county and district levels, the letter states.

Toland has been married to James Toland for 45 years, and they have four children, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

We think Jean is a gift to all people and our Red Springs Extension Homemakers are honored to have her in our club, the letter says. This year Jean volunteered at least 464 hours in club, county and state EHC activities. State extension sees her as work at least $8,120 this year, but to us, Jean is priceless.