The Scotland County Extension and Community Association recently held its annual Achievement Program at Scotland High School's Bagpiper Restaurant.

The association is a volunteer organization sponsored by North Carolina Cooperative Extension, whose mission is to strengthen families through education, leadership development, and community services.

Scotland County is one of 14 counties in the South Central District.

The 2008 Volunteer Extension Education Program Award was presented to Celeste Lewis of the Wagram ECA Club. Lewis was recognized for her contributions and service to ECA in many areas including: leadership, recordkeeping, projects, programs, and fundraising. She had served previously as club president for seven years and is currently club secretary. Lewis also serves as secretary for the ECA County Council. “Celeste is always the first to volunteer for ECA needs, whether it is serving on the food line, making cupcakes for our barbeque scholarship fundraiser or volunteering at the John Blue Festival. She has helped with too many projects to name,” said President Norma Jones.

Mae Thompson, Town & Country ECA member, was presented the 2008 ECA Lifetime Membership. This award provides the recipient with lifetime paid dues to ECA. Ms. Thompson has been an ECA member for twenty-five years and has served as club secretary for the past ten years. Thompson was recognized for her faithful service through sharing of her time and talents to promote ECA on the local, district and state level.

Certificates were also presented to members for exercise, reading and volunteer hours. Those receiving top honors included: Ida McGill, 522 exercise hours, Norma Jones, 1,427 reading hours and Mary Lou Dunsford, 757 volunteer hours.

ECA also lost a long-time member in January 2008. Myrtle Ware was remembered for her many contributions to ECA. She was a member of Central Friendship for over 15 years, serving in many capacities including club president and county council president. County Council President Ida Stewart shared, “Miss Myrtle was known for her kind spirit and wonderful sense of humor. She was always willing to do whatever was needed and will truly be missed by all”.

Recognition was given to Guy McCook, a county commissioner, WLNC and Sandy Callan, and The Laurinburg Exchange for on-going support of Scotland County ECA.

Ida Stewart, County Council President, Juanita Bowen, Incoming 2009 County Council Advisor, Donna Faulk, County Council Vice-President, Mozelle Parker, 2008 Advisor and Sharon English, Family & Consumer Science Agent were also acknowledged for their service in 2008. Bowen served as 2008 South Central District President.

County Council President Ida Stewart thanked members for their on-going support, dedication, service and outstanding teamwork in promoting and improving the quality of life for Scotland County citizens. In addition, members were challenged to embrace the 2009 ECA theme, Celebrating the Seasons of Change. Mrs. Stewart shared ECA members should “be innovative in developing and implementing programs that will assist families in improving their quality of life and make positive lasting changes to benefit generations to come.”

Scotland County has three ECA clubs with 40 members. The clubs and their presidents are: Central Friendship: Candis Harrington, Town & Country: Mary Lou Dunsford and Wagram: Norma Jones. Each year ECA recognizes and honors its members for dedication, service, support, teamwork, and contributions to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Scotland County.

Town & Country received the Club of the Year Award for outstanding achievements and contributions to the community.

Some of their accomplishments included: donating lap robes and shawls to Hospice, collecting aluminum tabs and medicine bottles for charities in addition to participating in local ECA and Cooperative Extension events. One member, Edna Rhonehouse, received a blue ribbon on both the district and state level in Cultural Arts for a crocheted hat.

To find out about ECA, contact Scotland County Cooperative Extension at

277-2422.