CHESTERVILLE — The North Chesterville Extension Homemakers have been very busy in 2013.

In January, the group learned that the 2012 Rotary Christmas tree that the Cooperative Extension Homemakers Groups decorated with a theme of “Everything Maine” garnered $110 for charity. The local group painted a clothespin with blueberries and the word Maine. Then laminated authentic blueberry recipes were attached to the clothespin.

In February, the group enjoyed serving a delicious ham meal to a large crowd of senior citizens at the Free Senior Citizen Luncheon on Valentine’s Day at the Chesterville Town Office. The hall was decorated and each person received a homemade Valentine card. The Pinkams provided entertainment along with Teresa Besson and Kitty Gee.

At the February meeting, Det. Tom White, Lt. Dave Rackliffe and Dep. Nick Zecher presented a very program on “Personal Safety and Internet Scams.” Many questions were fielded from the audience and helpful answers were provided.

March saw the group participating in a program called “A Matter of Balance” presented by Linda Gramlich. The materials are from the Senior Institute on Aging. Linda had originally seen the program at the Maine Extension Homemakers Council Spring Meeting held in Waterville at a Train the Trainer class. She did an overview of the printed materials stressing how to prevent falls and what to do if you should fall. Then several exercises were tried by the group emphasizing balance, flexibility, strength and endurance.

April was a fun meeting focusing on England. English tea and authentic English cooked foods were served while Linda Gramlich shared a packet of facts and interesting information about England along with a booklet of recipes.

In May, it was time to start planning for the 2013 Rotary Christmas Tree that will be auctioned for charity. This year’s theme is “Hearts Come Home for Christmas.” The group decided to have wooden hearts painted with scenes or decoupaged with cut outs from old Christmas cards with lace glued to the sides of the hearts. The project will be worked on at the September meeting. Members also planned the annual June Outing.

At the June meeting held at the Front Porch Café, members talked about the MEHC Fall Meeting in September in Auburn. They also talked about a possible fund raiser to help the Chesterville Town Office replenish their kitchen. It was decided to ask Bob Gramlich to cut out the wooden hearts for the Rotary Christmas Tree project.

In September, Linda Gramlich designed a poster to be displayed in the Cooperative Extension Booth at the Farmington Fair. Information was available on programs, community projects and trainings that are sponsored by Extension. Sign-ups were also taken for volunteers for the Garden Angel Project.

For the remainder of 2013, the group will be making the ornament for the Rotary Christmas tree, doing program planning for 2014, election of officers, plan the Chesterville Town Halloween Party, plan the Chesterville Town Christmas Party and the individual group Christmas party.

The North Chesterville Extension Homemakers are in partnership with the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

The group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. in the Chesterville Town Office. To learn more call 778-3156.