The West Virginia Community Educational Outreach Service (CEOS) Organization, which has clubs in 52 counties throughout the state of West Virginia, concluded their yearly conference at historic Jackson's Mill in Lewis County on Oct. 8.

There are a total of 5,054 members in the state, and approximately 260 members, several guests and speakers attended the 2009 conference with the theme "CEOS, True to the Red, White and Blue."

There were 64 classes and learning sessions offered ranging from cooking classes, Basic Automobile Maintenance for Women, cell phone instruction, Getting Along with Difficult People, Underground Railroad Quilts, archery, Women on the Civil War Battlefield, basket making, Hardanger Embroidery, line dancing, Stretching your Time and Money, making jewelry, knitting scarves, History of the "Star Spangled Banner," health issues, News Media Basics, going green, cross-stitch, parliamentary procedure, and crafts of all kinds.

There were also sessions on helping officers and committee chairpeople become better leaders and more knowledgeable about the offices they hold.

There was also a silent auction and basket walks.

The organization completed a service project in keeping with the theme; members and attendees signed a banner that was sent to Landstuhl Regional Hospital in Germany where soldiers are sent to recuperate after being injured. They also signed cards and wrote personal thank you notes that were sent with the banner.

Jean Wilburn from Monongalia County served as chairperson and Mary Marple from Lewis County served as assistant chairperson.

Color guard duties were performed by the JROTC from Preston High School in Kingwood, W. Va., who also performed a drill presentation for attendees.

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

U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Margaret (Peggy) Miller Bahnsen, with 22 years of service, was the guest speaker and spoke on the patriotism of women in our country.

Bahnsen was born in Huntington, W.Va. and currently lives in Hancock County on her family's farm.

Jeanne Carter Sheets of Ohio County performed a first-person re-enactment depicting Anna Jarvis from Grafton, W.Va.

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

State President Carmen Robinson, from Shinnston, W.Va., recognized all county presidents for their hours of dedication to the organization and also conducted the business meeting.

A choir made up of CEOS members performed patriotic music.

David Miller, Associate Provost and Director of Extension Services at WVU, was the final speaker, thanking those attending and for the hours of work they devote to CEOS Organization.

Anyone interested in more information about the CEOS Organization is encouraged to contact their local county extension office.