PROCTORVILLE — The drought that has hit the Tri-State in the past few weeks was the topic of John Marra’s lecture to the Ohio Homemakers & Community Education clubs.

The Lawrence County Homemakers played host to the five-county district for its South District Fall Meeting. The theme for the event, which took placed this past Thursday at Ohio University Proctorville, was “All American Roundup.”

Marra, West Virginia University Extension agent and home and garden expert for WSAZ-TV, was the guest speaker for the meeting that drew about 60 members for a day of speakers, crafts, live music and lunch.

Marra addressed the current dry conditions that are causing landscaping concerns.

“We haven’t had a lot of rain in the soil and that is causing real problems,” Marra said. “We are in fire season right now. The leaves are prematurely changing colors and falling off. We need to keep our forest safe.”

Normally, this is the time to handle landscaping chores as transplanting shrubbery and the like.

“Due to the very low moisture content, I don’t recommend that,” he told the homemakers. “They are in a stress situation. Wait until we get an appreciable amount of water in the soil. And don’t cut the grass. Leave it alone until we get some rain.”

The meeting began with a welcome by Lawrence County president Anita Quisenberry followed by devotions from Carol Berry. Secretary’s report and roll call was offered by Dorsey Conwell.

After Marra’s lecture, the Homemakers worked on a craft project focusing on the fall pumpkin. Lunch was followed by live music from The StoneyBrooke Band.