JACKSON'S MILL - Members of 52 clubs of the West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service Organization, affiliated with the West Virginia University Extension Service, gathered for their yearly conference at Jackson's Mill Conference Center Oct 8 .

The theme was "CEOS, True to the Red, White and Blue". There were 64 classes covering such subjects as cooking, basic automobile maintenance, cell phone instruction, getting along with difficult people, underground railroad quilts, archery and women on the Civil War battlefield

There also were sessions to help officers and committee chairs become better leaders, a silent auction and basket walks.

All members and attendees signed a banner that was sent to Landstuhl Regional Hospital in Germany, which serves soldiers who were injured while serving in the Middle East.

They also signed cards and wrote thank-you notes for the troops.

Welcoming remarks were given by Patricia Gruber, director of families and health programs at West Virginia University.

Retired Army Lt. Col. Margaret Miller Bahnsen of Hancock County spoke on the patriotism of American women. Jeanne Carter Sheets of Ohio County portrayed Anna Jarvis of Grafton, W.Va., founder of Mother's Day, in a program relating her life.

A memorial service was held to honor all members who have died since last year's conference.

Carmen Robinson, state president, recognized all county presidents for service. A choir of CEOS Members performed patriotic music.

David Miller, associate provost and director of extension Services at WVU, thanked everyone for attending and for their participation in CEOS.