By ANN ALLEN
Indiana Correspondent

ROCHESTER, Ind. — Most guests attending Fulton County’s annual extension program had never questioned what their lives would be like without the service.

By the time Purdue University extension educator Mark Kepler and his staff completed their reports, they had a solid answer: They would be missing a great deal.

The extension service bridges gaps in school enrichment and a variety of community development activities.

After showing a clip from the 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life” starring James Stewart and Donna Reed, Kepler assumed the role of Clarence, the angel who offered Stewart’s George Bailey a chance to see what the world would be like “without you.”

Paraphrasing that question, Kepler asked, “What would your world be like without the extension service?”

Kepler and fellow educators Melva Stamberger and Christa Holloway and Family Nutrition Program assistant Michelle Herrell quickly presented 83 bullet points of assistance their office provides Fulton County residents. These include 4-H programs, community development, agriculture and natural resources, including the Master Gardener program, and nutritional help for families with limited resources.

Extension members elected included Penny Ramsey to replace Nick Sommers on the board and the reelected Sue Geib, Nancy Gohn, Carl Overmyer and Barry Scales, for two more years each. Holdover members, with terms expiring in 2011 and 2012, are Priscilla Burdge, Secretary Linda Burton, Karin Fowler, Ellen King, Nancy Krom, Vice President Stephania Barkman, Fred Bauman, President Dale Herrold, Rick Rock and Tom Smith.