Winter, 1983 issue of Tar Heel Homemakers
SURRY
Surry County Extension Homemakers were given an opportunity to share with approximately 150,000 people some of their heritage skills and crafts as visitors thronged to Mt. Airy’s 16th annual Autumn Leaves Festival. Although rainy weather on two days kept the crowds below their usual number, 13 of the county’s Extension Homemaker Associations and 38 individual association members participated in the three-day event.
Demonstrations included basket making from both pine needles and splints, spinning and weaving, rug hooking, churning, and the needle art skills of tatting, hand-tied fringe, lap quilting, crewel and counted thread embroidery, candlewicking, crochet, and needlepoint.
The Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the Festival, had issued a special invitation to the Extension Homemakers to participate in this year’s festival, and the Chamber’s evaluation of the event this year included praises for the demonstrations.
Susan Johnson, Surry County Cultural Arts, Textiles, and Clothing chairman, served as a member of the Autumn Leaves Festival Committee and coordinated the demonstrations.
YANCEY
The Yancey County Extension Homemakers extolled their accomplishments at their annual Achievement Night.
Bob Terrell, well-known author and associate editor of the Asheville Citizen, was guest speaker and told of his experiences while traveling with Billy Graham to Poland and to the Holly Land.
Lena Letterman was chosen as County Homemaker of the Year. Volunteer of the Year is Phylis Bailey.
Association Homemakers of the Year were Joan Thomas, Lena Letterman, Flora Bell, Ann Francis, Beverly Bard, and Judy Loftis.
Association Volunteers of the Year were Anna Marie Keen, Phylis Bailey, Loretta Robinson, Linda Hensley, Betty Dahlin, and Jesse VanDevender.
Members who were especially honored for their service were Mary Gillespie, Pauline Johnson, Nell Johnson, Lucille Lyle, Florence Hughes, Juanita Proffitt, Lola Nordstrom, Pauline Lawhern, Phylis Bailey, Dorothy Banks, Ruth Wilson, Elizabeth Silvers, Ann Bennett, Lydia Deyton, Lena Westall, Winnie Lou Ray, Mary Lillian Towe, Maude Higgins, Vera Westall, Becky Gillespie, and Genie McGuade.
Musical entertainment was provided by Margie Shuman and her daughter, Angie, with Vivian Ervin, accompanist.
CHEROKEE AND MITCHELL
Sixteen members of the Cherokee Reservation Extension Homemakers were entertained at a luncheon by the Little Switzerland Homemakers in Geneva Hall, Mitchell County, followed by a tour of local points of interest.
The first stop was Bea Hensley’s forge at Gillespie Gap where the guests were treated to a brief history of blacksmithing and a demonstration of the special language of the anvil. As a master smith strikes the anvil, the particular sound conveys a message to his assistant who responds with the proper stroke. The sounds produced by the two workers create a cadence known as the anvil chorus.
The group next visited Francis Thayer’s marquetry shop, also at Gillespie Gap, where they listed to a description of the complexities of working with wood inlays. They then explored the North Carolina Mineral Museum and finally the museum at McKinney Mine.
Later the guests and 47 members of the Little Switzerland EHA returned to Geneva Hall for dessert and coffee.
Mitchell County EH had visited the Cherokee Reservation on two previous occasions as guests of the Cherokee EH. Two bus loads went on both occasions and were served a real Indian meal at the home of Going Back and Mary Chiltoskey.
“This has turned out to be a very successful project for our county, and we have increased our understanding of each other’s work and culture as a result,” said Lois P. Williams, Mitchell Extension home economics agent.
LINCOLN
Lincoln County EH recognized leadership and community service at their annual county Achievement Night attended by 200 members and guests at the Citizens Center. Following the covered dish dinner, a fashion show of bridal gowns dating back to 1915 were modeled by the original owners, daughters, aunts, granddaughters or friends of the brides who later became Extension Homemakers.
The county’s 277 members last year supported a foster child in Columbia, South America; made lap robes for nursing homes; financially supported 4-H, Broughton Hospital, the NC Symphony, local charities, and a high school home economics scholarship; collected more than 27,000 canceled stamps; sponsored a bloodmobile visit; and taught classes and sewing lessons for 4-H and other youth. An estimated half of the members volunteered 20,205 hours of community service, which if valued at the minimum wage would have earned $34,187.
Ethel Funderburk received an engraved silver tray as Outstanding Leader and the VEEP award; Zona Wehunt, 88, was recognized for over 40 years of membership including 1982 when she taught several workshops and attended most meetings. Tone Duncan and Edith Coulter were given Outstanding Leader certificates; and outstanding leaders from each of the county’s 17 associations received an EH emblem pin or charm.
Calvin Lawrence was presented the 4-H Energy Award, which carries a $25 prize and a certificate.
The Mother of the Year, Elizabeth K. Mosteller, was presented a plaque and her name will be added to the master plaque in the Citizens Center, along with the county Outstanding Leader plaque.
Reading certificates were presented to 102 members who read five books or more, and one dollar for each was divided among three charities. Members reported a total of 2,614 books read during the year.
Programs of work certificates were presented to 12 associations. Scrapbooks were on display in the lobby and certificates were given to the three judged best.
Riverside EHA received the award for best association project and also won the gavel award for having the highest percentage, all but one, of the members present.
Battleground was announced as Outstanding EHA and will have its name engraved on the master plaque in the Citizens Center. Six new members were recruited, several community service projects were carried out, all nine program of work chairmen gave monthly reports, eight members conducted workshops outside the association, five members had perfect attendance, members attended all training sessions and supported all county activities and projects.
Piano music was rendered during the meal by Adair Cantwell. Among the special guests were David Choate, county Extension chairman; Mrs. Choate; and Mrs. George Studemire, widow of the former Extension chairman.
WAYNE
Wayne County Extension Homemakers performed a rather unique service in their county when they provided authentic demonstrations of yesteryear homemaking arts as a part of the Aycock Education Day.
The purpose of the event was to honor the memory of North Carolina’s Education Governor, Charles B. Aycock, with a celebration of his birthday at his restored homeplace.
Target audience was 8th grade students. Over 1,400 students attended the one-day event along with county and state officials and the general public.
Homemakers researched the arts as to techniques, tools, and dress, and set up live hands-on demonstrations of boiling and washing clothes, making lye soap, making straw brooms, spinning, quilting, and chair bottoming. These were the chores required to carry on homemaking during Governor Aycock’s years at home, the mid-1800s.
CALDWELL
Carol P. Deal received the VEEP Award at the 1982 Southwest District Day in Statesville. She is a member of the Oak Hill Extension Homemakers Association in Caldwell County.
Last year she was chairman of the program planning committee for the county, chairman of the Caldwell County Farmer’s Market Association, and first place national winner for a tape promoting membership. She is also chairman for the EHA beautification projects for the new Oak Hill Community Park and is a member of the Agricultural Development and Resources Council. She was the home economics representative for the Extension Advisory Leadership Update meeting held in Raleigh.
As the 1983-84 president of the county council, she feels the importance of Exension work in developing and increasing the knowledge of service and skills to others.
“Through community and county Extension educational programs we can enrich our own needs and make our communities a better place to live and our Extension organization a rewarding one to which to belong,” Carol said.
STANLY
Stanly County Extension Homemaker Phyllis Helms entered a doll contest sponsored by the Southern Highlands Guild after attending their annual show last summer, and her dolls were selected to be exhibited at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway outside Asheville from September through December.
Last spring, Mrs. Helms exhibited at Mayfest after learning to make the dolls in an Extension-sponsored class. Since, she has begun making stuffed pigs, which have become very popular.
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