Tribune staff reports

Members of the Friends and Neighbors Extension Homemakers Club took to the road again for their September monthly gathering.

Club member Judy Carter made arrangements for the group to tour the Indiana governor’s residence in Indianapolis, and 13 members and a guest made the trip Sept. 15 in vans driven by club members.

Upon arrival at the destination, the group was greeted by a security officer and escorted to the entrance of the public area of the building. They then met Dexter, the governor’s butler, who served as the tour guide.

Dexter has been an employee of the state for more than 40 years, serving multiple governors.

After pointing out the public rooms, which included a meeting room that can accommodate both presentation or dinner meetings, and the governor’s office at home, the group moved to the living room. Members were invited to be seated in the living room that featured the state colors of blue and gold as a background for the furnishings and accessories, all of which were Indiana produced.

Club members also were invited to take places around the dining room table that was surrounded by 14 chairs. A mural of scenes from the banks of the Wabash River had been hand painted on all four walls.

Dexter continued to relate information as the tour continued into the kitchen, sitting room and lawn and gardens.

The group ate at Food Emporium, a nearby bakery/deli.

No formal meeting was conducted, but club member Rhonda Kidwell, who is president of the Jackson County Extension Homemakers, discussed a community outreach event that will occur Oct. 22 and offer various available services for women and families in the area.

Members in addition to Carter and Kidwell that made the field trip were Ruth Bateman, Carol Bobb, Joann Davidson, Joan Hines, Charlotte Lovegrove, Helen Lutes, Martha McIntire, Ruby Niccum, Donna Patterson, Shirley Sears and Ann Ulmer and guest Doris Spurgeon.