Address

212 N Weigle Ave

Watonga, OK 73772

Phone

(580) 623-5243

Ally Fuqua

ally.fuqua@okstate.edu

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Blaine County OSU Extension

August 2026 Edition

Janice Hood Honored at Annual

OHCE State Meeting

Extension Educator Ally Fuqua attended the 2026 Oklahoma Home & Community Education (OHCE) State Meeting alongside Blaine County Pleasant Valley OHCE members Lisa Nelson and Janice Hood. This year's conference theme, "OHCE Wants You," honored America's 250th Birthday and highlighted the important role volunteers play in strengthening communities across Oklahoma.

The multi-day event provided participants with opportunities to conduct organizational business, attend educational workshops, network with OHCE members from across the state, and learn new skills and ideas to bring back to their local communities. The conference also celebrated the accomplishments and dedication of OHCE members who continue to make a positive difference through service, education, and leadership.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Janice Hood of Pleasant Valley OHCE, who was honored at the state level for 50 years of membership in OHCE. This milestone reflects decades of commitment to community education, volunteerism, and service to others.

Participation in the OHCE State Meeting helps strengthen local programming by connecting members and Extension educators with new educational resources, leadership development opportunities, and statewide networks. The knowledge and experiences gained through these events support continued community engagement and lifelong learning efforts within Blaine County.

Through organizations like OHCE, Oklahoma State University Extension continues to provide educational opportunities that empower individuals, families, and communities to improve their quality of life through learning, leadership, and service.

Janice Hood (right) receives recognition for 50 years of OHCE membership during the annual Oklahoma OHCE State Meeting, pictured with OHCE President Mildred Taylor.

OHCE members attend an educational session during the 2026 Oklahoma Home and Community Education Annual Meeting. An event program titled “OHCE Wants You” is displayed on a conference table in the foreground.

OHCE member Lisa Nelson (left), FCS Educator Ally Fuqua (center), and Janice Hood (right) pose together at the annual Oklahoma OHCE State Meeting. Janice was honored for 50 years of membership and service to Oklahoma Home and Community Education.

An Oklahoma-themed bingo card, meeting agenda, pen, and bingo marker are displayed at the Oklahoma OHCE Annual Meeting, showcasing a fun educational activity focused on Oklahoma history and culture.

Fair Workshop Day Brings Creativity and Fun

On July 28, 2026, Blaine County OSU Extension and Blaine County OHCE co-hosted a Fair Workshop Day at the Blaine County Fairgrounds, providing hands-on learning opportunities for 26 participants. The event was spearheaded by Blaine County

FCS/4-H Educator Ally Fuqua in partnership with local OHCE members, whose collaboration helped deliver a successful day of educational and creative programming.

Participants developed new skills through workshops in acrylic canvas painting, beading and jewelry making, leather craft, and paper flower design, while creating projects suitable for exhibition at the upcoming Blaine County Fair. The workshop encouraged creativity, skill development, and community engagement while highlighting the value of Extension and OHCE partnerships in providing meaningful educational experiences for youth and adults throughout Blaine County.

Community members of various ages sit around tables in a meeting room, creating paper flower crafts and cards using colorful paper, scissors, and craft supplies during a group activity.

A youth participant paints a colorful canvas during an arts and crafts workshop. Paint bottles, brushes, palettes, and supplies are arranged on the table as the participant adds details to an artwork.

Participants of different ages sit around a table making colorful beaded keychains. Containers of rainbow-colored beads, string, scissors, and finished bead creations are spread across the table as adults assist children with the craft activity.

Framed paper flower artwork featuring layered pink and white flowers with yellow centers and green paper leaves arranged on a purple background. The handmade craft is displayed in a light wood frame.

Youth participants work on leathercraft projects at a workshop table. Leather wristbands, stamping tools, wooden mallets, and instruction sheets are arranged on the table as one participant stamps a design into a leather bracelet.

Community members of all ages gather around tables in a meeting room, participating in hands-on craft activities. Participants work together on projects while sharing supplies and instructions during a community workshop.

Spoonful of Goodness: This Month's Featured Recipe

Recipe page for Chicago Deep-Dish Panzanella from Taste of Home. The page features a large photo of a panzanella salad in a white bowl containing toasted bread cubes, sliced tomatoes, red onion, mozzarella pearls, green vegetables, and seasonings. Alongside the photo, the recipe details list a total preparation and cooking time of 35 minutes and a yield of 6 servings. A description explains that pizza-inspired toppings, toasted focaccia cubes, and a pizzeria-style vinaigrette create a flavorful salad. Below, the ingredient list begins with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, Italian seasoning, oregano, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

For the full recipe, click here

An adult helps a child with a writing activity at a table. Open notebooks, pencils, and a laptop sit nearby as the child practices writing with guidance and support.

Parents Have Strong Influence on a Child's Academic Success

A new school year brings fresh opportunities for students to learn, grow and succeed. New teachers, classmates and routines all offer a chance for a strong start. While teachers play a critical role in the classroom, parents remain one of the strongest influences on a child’s academic success.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE

How Plant Forms Can Transform Your Landscape!

Host Casey Hentges reveals how matching a plant's natural growth habit—from towering columnars and predictable clumpers to low-growing spreaders and vertical vines—can transform your landscape design!

Starting Your Fall Vegetable Garden in Oklahoma

Fall is right around the corner, which means it’s time to start planting for your second harvest. But how do you get cool-season seeds to germinate when late-summer temperatures are still scorching hot?

In this fall planting guide, you’ll learn:

✔ Why late summer is the secret second spring for growing vegetables

✔ How to plant fast-growing crops like carrots and radishes in containers

✔ Simple tricks to protect new seeds from drying out in high heat

✔ How planting squash in late summer helps you avoid common pest problems

✔ Why using burlap helps retain soil moisture during germination

✔ Easy ways to move container plants to manage sun exposure and heat stress

Video thumbnail of Texas Sotol in landscaped garden with presenter pointing and play icon

Flyer promoting the Blaine County Fair at the Blaine County Fairgrounds in Watonga, Oklahoma, August 27-29, 2026. Activities include exhibits for 4-H, FFA, OHCE and open classes, a pie baking contest and cake auction, livestock judging, livestock shows featuring rabbits, poultry, swine, beef, goats, and sheep, and a tractor driving contest. Contact information for the Blaine County OSU Extension Center is provided. Decorative livestock silhouettes appear at the bottom of the flyer.

To view a copy of the 2026 Fair Book, click here

Promotional graphic announcing free commercial booth space for the Blaine County Fair 2026. The graphic encourages businesses and organizations to reserve booth space by scanning a QR code or visiting the provided Microsoft Forms registration link. A red and orange decorative pattern runs along the right side of the image.

Cheese Festival on the Horizon

With August in full-swing and the months flying by, it's never too early to look ahead. October will be here before we know it, even if the hot weather disagrees. The ever-popular Watonga Cheese Festival and Food Contest will have all of downtown buzzing. Be sure you have this event marked on your calendars - October 9th and 10th!

A wide rural landscape features a barn, fencing, grassy fields, and a gravel road under a colorful evening sky. A large rainbow spans nearly the entire width of the image, reaching from one horizon to the other. Shades of orange, pink, purple, and blue fill the sky, highlighting the countryside scene after a rain shower.

Blaine County OSU Extension "Through Your Lens"

Photo Contest Winner - July 2026

Congratulations to Becky Hood whose beautiful photo, "Double Rainbow", taken east of Watonga, OK, clinched the top spot as the winner of the July 2026 “Through Your Lens” Facebook photo competition! Her photo will be showcased as the Blaine County OSU Extension cover photo for the month. New submissions open on the 1st of each month, and winners are announced on the 13th. Be sure to follow us on Facebook for all Blaine County OSU Extension updates!

Dates to Remember

Yellowing pages of a calendar with an unknown year.

August 10-15: You Make the Difference Tour

August 27-29: Blaine County Free Fair

September 7: Labor Day-Blaine County Courthouse and Extension office closed

September 17-27: Oklahoma State Fair

September 30: Watonga Lions Club Circus at the Fairgrounds

October 1-11: Tulsa State Fair

October 9-10: Watonga Cheese Festival

October 12: Columbus Day-Blaine County Courthouse and Extension office closed

Legal Disclosures

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Ally Fuqua at (580) 623-5243 or ally.fuqua@okstate.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.

OSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity, E-Verify Employer.