Greenup County Connection
Lora Pullin
For The Ashland Beacon
The first full weekend of December, the Greenup County Extension Homemakers Association and the Greenup County Cooperative Extension Service co-sponsor a Christmas Open House at Greenbo Lake State Park’s Jesse Stuart Lodge. Let’s take a walk through the past and see how this wonderful event originated!
In March of 1984 Ruby Mauk, a Greenup County Extension Homemaker and Northeast Extension Area Homemaker President, discussed her idea of decorating the state parks within the Northeast Extension Area. It was decided that the Greenup & Boyd County Extension Homemaker Associations would decorate the Jesse Stuart Lodge at Greenbo Lake State Park. Committees from each county met several times to determine the plan of action for decorating the park with the chosen theme of “Williamsburg in Kentucky.” The main goal was to make local people aware of the skills and programs offered through the Extension homemakers clubs. The state park’s objective was to create more visits to the park by area residents during the off season.
During the preparation process it was decided the exterior walkway, foyer, main lobby, stairways and landings to the dining room would be decorated. The homemakers volunteered their time, food exhibits, and handmade ornaments to decorate all areas of the Jesse Stuart Lodge. In effort to generate interest and enthusiasm for visiting the park, the homemakers and the park sponsored an “Open House” weekend to be held the first weekend in December. The event featured music by local school choral groups, a display of foods typical at the Williamsburg Christmas, and refreshments of tea cookies and punch for guests to enjoy.
“Williamsburg in Kentucky” was a tremendous success for all parties involved during its first event in 1984. This event was so successful that it continues even now over 30 years later! Over the years the Greenup County Extension Homemakers Association have become the driving force behind this event and will begin planning for next year’s event before this event even wraps up.
The planning always begins with a chosen theme, for the 2024 Greenbo Open House the theme will be “Appalachian Christmas.” The Jesse Stuart Lodge will be filled with an assortment of trees beautifully decorated by the Greenup County Homemakers in holiday decor. Another highlight of the Greenbo Open House is the extravagant “Groaning Board” table set up featuring items in the commemorative Greenbo Open House Recipe Book. Each homemaker club submits two recipes to be featured in the recipe book and they are put on display for everyone to see during the Open House. Trust me you don’t want to miss this part; your mouth will be watering for sure!
I hope that you will take the time to join us for the Christmas Open House at Greenbo Lake State Park’s Jesse Stuart Lodge on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 8 from 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. On Saturday local school groups will be performing music throughout the day in the lobby and on Sunday local groups including the Rail City Dulcimers and the Advanced Methodist Hand Bell Choir. Don’t forget to visit the “groaning board” for a commemorative Greenbo Open House Recipe Booklet. Mark your calendars for the Greenbo Open House Dec. 7 - 8, 2024; we will be waiting for you!
Like us on Facebook at FCS Greenup County Cooperative Extension. Contact Lora Pullin, Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences in Greenup County at 606.836.0201 or lora.pullin@uky.edu. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.
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