Chatham County Extension Homemakers Celebrate 50th Anniversary, 1985

By Mamie Jones in Tar Heel Homemakers, January-March 1986

Chatham County Extension Homemakers celebrated their 50^th anniversary September 21, 1985, on the lawn of the county law enforcement building in Pittsboro.

Dr. Linda McCutcheon, associate state leader, home economics, was guest speaker. She brought smiles to our faces as she reminisced about homemaking in the past and challenged us to share our talents and skills with others for a brighter future.

Other guests included Mrs. Wilma Winstead, president, North Central District Extension Homemakers’ Association, Mrs. Carolyn Register, district program leader; a representative from the board of County Commissioners and agents.

Extension Homemakers worked diligently all spring and summer for this commemorative occasion. A sampler patchwork quilt was made and raffled. Proceeds amounted to approximately $1,500. Tote bags and barbeque aprons were also made and sold at the event, along with hot dogs and baked goods.

Three Extension Homemakers were recognized as 50-year members and presented with 50-year pins. They were Mrs. Jewel Brooks, Hickory Mountain Club; Mrs. Mabel Clark, Silk Hope Club; and Mrs. Clarice Duncan, Silk Hope Club. A plaque listing all County Council presidents from 1935 to present was presented to the past Council Presidents. The plaque will hang in the Extension Office. Mini histories from the 16 EH clubs were printed in the program.

Demonstrations of lye soap, churning, lap quilting and the traditional style of quilting were certainly eye catching to modern day homemakers. A variety of games and contests were enjoyed by all.

We look forward to 50 more years of lifelong learning in Chatham County.

North Carolina's Top Corn Growers in 1949

Yellow metal signs with the above lettering soon will be dotting the rural countryside throughout North Carolina. The signs, 9 1/2 by 12 inches in size, are being awarded to all farmers who have produced a yield of 100 or more bushels of corn on one acre. Dr. E.R. Collins says total membership in the State's 100-Bushel Club reached 1,200 last year and may go beyond the 2,000 mark for 1949. Eligible farmers should see their county agent to obtain the signs, which are being donated by the North Carolina Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.

From Extension Farm-News, January, 1950

E.O. McMahan recently announced the following winners in Scotland County’s three-acre corn and five-acre cotton contest for 1949.

John M. Mclaurin of Laurinburg was declared corn champion with a yield of 132.5 bushels per acre. W.W. Thompson of Laurinburg was second with a yield of 109 bushels, and Fletcher Walters was third with 107.3.

C.S. McArthur of Laurinburg won the cotton contest with a yield of 761 pounds of lint per acre. Gilchrist Brothers of Laurinburg was second with 734 pounds, and Z.V. Pate, Inc., and Will McLeod of Lauren Hill were third with 717 pounds. 

Aline Whittington of Wilkes County 1988 President of NC Extension Homemakers Association

From Tar Heel Homemaker, 1988

Aline (Mrs. Rex) Whittington, a 34-year member of Millers Creek Extension Homemaker Club in Wilkes County, is the 1988 president of North Carolina Extension Homemakers Association. Challenge—Choice—Change has been chosen as her emphasis.

She heads the slate of new officers elected in October at the State Council meeting and installed by Mozelle Parker, chairman of the nominating committee.

As a young mother wanting to learn how to better rear her children and care for her family and home, she joined a Home Demonstration Club. She served in most offices and program of work areas in her club, as president and in other positions in Wilkes County and the Northwestern District through the years.

“Way back when I first joined, I was a youngster and there were many things I needed to learn,” she remembers. “Like making clothes and providing good nutrition for my family. My family has benefitted from my being an Extension Homemaker, and I have gained in many ways personally.”

Aline has been a delegate to several National Conventions and has been on United Nations and University of Wheels trips.

She served on the state committee to set up the Certified Volunteer Unit program; has worked with the county Extension Advisory council and the Northwestern Development Association; has been active in Girl Scout leadership; PTA and other school groups, and has taken numerous leadership positions in Pleasant Home Baptist Church.

She and her husband, who is retired from the Wilkes County School System administration unit and is chairman of the county school board, have four grown children, Sandra Schwartz of Ashe County and Florida, Susan Sander of Garden Valley, Calif., Richard Whittington of Kanohe, Hawaii, and Janice Whittington, who lives next door. They have one grandchild, Brett Whittington of Kahone.

Dwight Williams, Haywood County, Is NC's Champion Corn Grower for 1949

From Extension Farm-News, published January 1950

Dwight Williams, a Haywood County farmer who projected 141 bushels of corn on one acre, has been declared North Carolina’s champion corn grower for 1949, according to Dr. E.R. Collins.

The new champion will receive a $100 bond as regional winner for the mountains and another $100 bond as State winner. Mr. Williams won first place with an acre of Dixie 17 that was seeded May 6 with 12-inch spacing in 42-inch rows. The field was fertilized with two tons of stable manure plus 200 pounds of 7-7-7 at planting and two side dressings of 100 pounds ANL each.

Dale Gainey, 15-year-old Wayne County youth, won the Coastal Plain regional title with a yield of 139.3 bushels. The Piedmont winner was Charlie Barbee of Stanly County, whose yield was 129.2 bushels.

Gainey and Barbee will receive one $100 savings bond each. All of the prizes are donated by the North Carolina Foundation Seed Producers, Inc., and will be presented at the annual meeting of the 100-Bushel Corn Club at State College on January 26 and 27.

More than 500 new members will be inducted into the 100-bushel club at the meeting held jointly with the N.C. Crop Improvement Association and the N.C. Foundation Seed Producers, Inc.

The two-day program will include talks by L.F. Graeber, agronomist of the Wisconsin College of Agriculture; Dr. I.O. Schaub; Dr.R.W. Cummings; and disease, insect, and engineering specialists of the College staff.

Other features of the meeting will be the annual Future Farmers of America crops contest, the 4-H Club corn speaking contest, and the annual State seed exposition.

Raymond Presnell Using Electricity to Heat Bee Hives, 1950

From Extension Farm-News, January, 1950

Raymond Presnell, Watauga County farmer of the Shulls Mills community, is using electrically heated bee hives to winter over small colonies of bees.

Mr. Presnell believes that by wintering small colonies he can save considerable honey that strong colonies would consume.

W.A. Stephen says the electricity will enable the colonies to start brood-rearing and expanding their brood nests early next spring. Thus the small colonies should come through the winter and build up next spring equivalent to colonies going through the winter with much larger populations.

'Personal Mention' of Farmer Work, 1950

'Personal Mention' by F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, as published in Extension Farm-News, January 1950

After a long and honorable and successful career, Bob Graeber has decided to call it a day. Bob entered State College in 1907 with total assets of $1.26 in cash and was graduated four years later with high honors. 

That’s been his record since. He has not been afraid of hard work, and his work has borne fruit. Much of his present-day interest in the farm woodlands of North Carolina has been due to his consistent hard-hitting, alert championship of trees. Now he has retired and we wish him luck.

The other day in the little Baptist Church in Oxford, the minister said “Behold in this City is a man of God. He is honorable man.” The preacher quoted from the words of King Saul, who had approached the town in which Samuel, the judge, lived. The words, however, were applied to Gene Moss, who died on December 12. Gene was the father of research with tobacco in North Carolina. More than that, he had studied the practical aspects of tobacco growing and had described them to thousands of visitors who came each summer to Tobacco Branch Station. Gene related his findings in words that could be understood. At the age of 72, worn out with years of hard work and honored by all who knew him, he passed to his reward. His neighbors came in great numbers to pay their final respects and they said simply he had been a servant to them all. A Moss Fellowship is being set up at State College to sponsor research in tobacco, and over $15,000 has been put into the fund up until this time.

Club Leader L.R. Harrill is back from Austria with interesting stories and many kodachrome slides. He believes the 4-H activity set up in Austria will stick and will become a permanent part of that Nation’s agricultural teaching. Mr. Harrill enjoyed many trips over Austria and says it is a beautiful land, rich in culture and history but with the people living too much on past glory. The South tried that for a long time, too. It doesn’t work.

Thanks to Less Schlup and Clara Ackerman for a piece by Bill Humphries in the December issue of the National Extension Review. The story about those Haywood County youngsters making an imprint in Iowa. Believe it or not, lots of people think anyone from the mountains of North Carolina is only a hillbilly, as they are so falsely depicted by some self-appointed interpreters. Perhaps as we sometimes also believe many of the people out there still live in so-thatched hovels while their livestock enjoys the comforts of gaudy, red barns. Both are in the past.

Our congratulations to Iredell’s Roger Murdoch and Wilkes’ Paul Choplin for splendid farm forest contests started in the two counties. Many idle acres in both counties are being reclothed in seedling pine trees.

Congratulations to Doctors Collins and Moore and to F.L. Albritton for 500 new membes in the State 100-bushel corn club, honored at the Crop Improvement meeting here on January 26 and 27. And to Wayne Corpening, again, for the State corn championship going to Dwight Willilams of Haywood. The Junior Championship went to Dale Gainey of Wayne and here, incidentally, is a big hand for Mark Goforth and his associates for that successful corn contest in Wayne for 1949. The celebration down there the other evening was one of the high spots of the 1949 corn year. There were 59 junior and adult farmers winning places in the 100-bushel corn club. This is the outstanding record for any county for the year. Governor Scot has challenged Governor Tuck for another corn “war” in 1950. The North Carolina Governor also intimated that he would like to start a little pasture contest on the side. Governor Tuck said that the corn war was one in which both sides won. It was a great occasion, that luncheon, in the Commonwealth Club at Richmond with Paul Sanders doing the honors and flanked by the two governors. Governor Scott handed over the trophy to the Virginia Executive but warned him about 1950. The luncheon was something to write home about, a fitting climax to a great undertaking.

Our manners to Claude Morgan of Granville. Claude is the new president of the North Carolina Association of County Farm Agents. Assisted by George Hobson of Mecklenburg, first vice-president; Otto Owens of Robeson, second vice-president; Charlie Clark Jr. of Onslow, secretary and treasurer.

A hand also to H.G. Silver, assistant to Virgil H. Holloway, Madison farm agent. Young Silver knows how to write a narrative report. He puts in punch and life as well as information.

E.Y. Floyd tells this editor that Lloyd Weeks is doing a great job of managing the North Carolina Flue-Cured Cooperative Stabilization Corporation. Anyone who can manage an organization with a name like that deserves all the good things that can be said about him.

The Holstein people report great progress. More than 448 new Holstein cows came into North Carolina in 1949, and that noise you hear is the squirming being done by the Guernsey and Jersey people.

Seed of North Carolina’s new disease-resistant tobacco varieties have been in heavy demand. “Let’s hope the new varieties act all right this year,” prays Dr. Bill Colwell, agronomy head. Tobacco, you know, is North Carolina’s fighting crop.

Orchids to Martin’s Tom Brandon and J.W. Sumner for a successful sweet potato contest in 1949 and five boys winning free trips to New York City. Lewis Gurkin of Griffins Township was tops. Thirty-one Martin County boys took part in the sugar spud contest and did creditable work.

Word drifts down from Surry County that Col. Neill Smith is all outfitted in a new suit of clothes to say nothing of other sundries and acceptable gifts donated by a grateful people for constructive work done in Extension last year. And he deserves them everyone.

King Cotton let the growers down last year in Cleveland, Rutherford and Polk counties to such an extent last year that they are included in the four disaster counties for this season, along with Henderson where unreasonable rains ruined things for the truck growers.

Much regret heard at the going of Dr. Roy Lovvorn to head up a division of weed investigations at Washington. Roy is one of the best agronomists in the Nation and his work with pasture crops here in North Carolina helped to get that great forward movement started. We shall miss him.

Don’t overlook Julian Glazener and associates when passing out words of praise. On November 25, Transylvania County became the first county in Western Carolina to meet its responsibilities for a 4-H cabin and for funds to operate the club camp at Waynesville. The cabin was built and completed with volunteer labor on November 8. Everyone had a part.

“Friendly atmosphere and gracious hospitality” is the way home agents tell of their many Christmas parties during the month of December. Wonderful meetings.

Don’t forget that Seth Scott of Pasquotank and Billy Cansler of Iredell won top honors and $200 college scholarships in the Junior Vegetable Growers contest in 1949. Both boys were honored at Washington.

Finally, Bill Hayes of Washington says he stopped vaccinating hogs long enough in December to hold his annual corn growing banquet. Prizes donated by the people of Plymouth ranged all the way form a pair of beautiful wool blankets to a shave, hair cut, shoe shine and free bath at Peoples Barber Shop. Dr. McGowan, local physician, donated a free baby, including the nurse, diaper service, and a little red wagon. The first prize winner, unfortunately, was an old batchelor who declared vehemently he was not interested in the little red wagon.

Retired Agent Tom Broome Talks with Bankers and Farmers, 1950

From Extension Farm-News, January, 1950

T.J.W. Broom, former Union County farm agent, is shown above talking to a group of bankers and farmers during a tour of the Cam T. Cook farm in Union. The visit to the Cook farm was part of the Banker-Farmer Meeting held last fall in which a large number of farms in several counties over the State were visited. Although Mr. Broome retired a few years ago from the county agent post that he held for more than 30 years, he still enjoys taking part in as many activities and farm meetings as possible.

What Our Parents and Grandparents Learned from Advertisements

What our parents and grandparents learned from advertisements! Is the type too small to read? How about this: "Do your child a favor. Start them on a strict regimen of sodas and other sugary carbonated beverages right now, for a lifetime of guaranteed happiness."

Scott and Cansler Bring Home Sectional Honors, 1949

From Extension Farm-News, January, 1950

Two farm boys from Pasquotank and Iredell counties recently received sectional honors in the 1949 production and marketing contest of the National Junior Vegetable Growers Association, according to L.R. Harrill.

The boys are Seth Wilson Scott, 17, of Elizabeth City and Billy Bryan Cansler, 16, of Troutman, each of whom won $100 of the $6,000 scholarship fund provided each year by A&P Food Stores to encourage better production and marketing of vegetables by farm youth.

The awards were presented in Washington on December 15 as the Association concluded its 15^th annual convention.

Dr. Crandall Thanks Extension Homemakers for Support of Mission Hospital in Burundi, 1986

From the January-March 1986 issue, Tar Heel Homemakers

Letter sent to Judy Morgan of Raleigh from Dr. David Crandall of Burundi, Africa, of the Kibuye Hospital.

Please forgive me for not writing sooner. We have been terribly busy the past two months with the hospital full and lots of surgery. When I’m tired, it seems that correspondence is the last thing to get done.

Our mission board notified me of the generous check sent by the Homemakers to help in purchasing laboratory equipment. It was greatly needed! In fact, we have already made a big order to be brought out by someone coming out this summer. Please pass on our thanks to your group. Then, I must not forget to mention the milk carton health kits sent out. They have been great! We’ve never had enough wash cloths until now. Soap is continuously needed. Everything sent is being used! Some boxes are still coming. We’re currently tight on missionary staff, so thank you notes might be a bit slow in coming. We trust you will understand.

This spring the crops have been good for which we are all thankful. The dry season is now starting. There will be no rain until October or November. Hopefully the rains won’t be so late in the fall. During the dry season, crops are planted in the valley where there is moisture. We plant our gardens there.

You should be proud of your Homemakers organization for taking on such a project as our hospital. Of course, I know that it was largely due to your influence. All of us working here think that it’s great what you have done. We thank you and we pray the Lord’s blessings on you.

If it would work out, we would like to visit you when we get back to the states. It seems that written thanks yous are not enough considering what you have done for us.

Our two girls are now in school in Kenya. Linda is flying to visit them this coming weekend. We really miss them! They will be home the end of July for six weeks.

The electricity is off, so I’ll turn off the kerosene lamp and go to bed.

Sincerely,

David Crandall

'Still Single After Age 30?' From Good Housekeeping Magazine, 1943

Elle magazine has an article from 1943 on single women on its website

By Ruth Lyons from the November 1943 issue of Good Housekeeping magazine.

Thirty seems to be a magic number. Up to then, if a woman's single, no one raises an eyebrow. After that — well, this is what happens:

I am on my way to have tea with three women from my home town, who arrived in the city this morning and who are dying to see me. It's been years since we've all gotten together.

I inspect myself in the mirror, pleased with my chic black suit, my little hat, which is of the type called amusing. I take a last look around my charming, comfortable apartment, and I am feeling a little proud of myself and my accomplishments, about which I can brag ever so discreetly to the folks from home. I certainly will not let them see that I might think they lead stodgy lives, because I am very fond of them, and I will be careful not to say anything that will make them envy me — the only one of the group who is still single and who lives and works in an exciting big city.

We meet in a great flurry of greetings and exclamations. "Darling!" we scream.

Sooner or later, one of them looks at me — with the certain smile that invariably goes with the statement — and says, "So you never married."

And there it is. My accomplishments are suddenly of a great nothingness. My smart suit and amusing hat are all at once merely the giddy substitutes to satisfy an emotional hunger; my charming apartment, the barren nest of a frustrated old maid. Or so their eyes tell me.

I have a natural urge to say tartly: "No, but not that I haven't had plenty of chances. Well, anyway, a few."

But this is not considered good form. And besides, it would give the impression that I am protesting too much, and also give them a chance to say later: "A likely story. Why didn't she snap up one of them then?"

Read more: Single and Unmarried - Advice for the Single Girl from 1943 - ELLE
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North Carolina State Grange Meeting, 1936

Picture page from the State Grange meeting published in the January 1937 issue of Carolina Co-operator

Josiah W. Bailey, North Carolina’s senior senator, who came down from Washington to address the assembled delegates.

L.J. Taber, National Grange Master, in a characteristic pose as he drives home a point.

CHAMPION DEBATERS—Mrs. Helen Linney Cashion and T.E. Story, of the Wilkesboro Grange.

High point of the program was the Grange Banquet when some 300 Grange delegates and a number of honored guests broke bread together and listened to a number of illuminating speeches.

GOVERNOR CLYDE R. HOEY who brought an eloquent message to the Grange delegates, urging them to continue to take an active interest in affairs of government.

HARRY B. CALDWELL, State Grange Lecturer, who kept things moving at a lively pace, and (insert) Mrs. Caldwell, Juvenile Superintendent, who was pianist and general assistant.

SELCTED through countywide contests, these “Most Representative Grange Girls” competed in Raleigh at the State Convention for the State title. Reading, left to right, the girls and the counties they represent are: Clara Faye Hedrick, Davidson County; Ruth Davis, Robeson County; Katherine Jones, Wake County; Virginia Williams, Lee County; Marjorie Crews, Granville County; Rebecca Causey, Guilford County, Ada Braswell, Anson County; Ruby Myers, Rowan County; Mary Kerr Scott, Alamance County.

THE WINNER: Ada Braswell, Anson County, chosen “The Most Representative Grange Girl in the State.”

Lincoln County Honors Deana Dellinger, Doris Lail, Polly Reese, 1986

January-March 1986 issue, Tar Heel Homemakers

At the annual Achievement Night in November, Lincoln County added a new award of Outstanding Young Homemaker. The first recipient was Deana Dellinger.

Outstanding Leader was Doris Lail.

Those among the 204 members in 14 clubs reporting their volunteer work last year gave almost 10,000 hours. They made $800 selling apple pies at the county apple festival; made almost $1,000 for the George Stoudemire Scholarship Fund raffling off a quilt they made; sponsored a foster child in South America; sold their own crafts at their annual Quilt Show; promoted EH through store window displays; presented a copy of the national oral history book Voices of American Homemakers to the country library in memory of past county and state president Mrs. H.C. Little; held many workshops and training sessions; and shared their knowledge and talents with thousands of non-members.

Polly Reese was recognized as the county A&P nominee. Pinkie Mosteller and Velma Robertson were named county VEEP winners. Lowesville EHA won the Outstanding Project Award for adoption of a family with four children at Christmas. 

Lee County Homemakers Present Awards; Name Cathy Thomas 'Club Woman of the Year' 1986

January-March 1986 issue, Tar Heel Homemakers

Cathy Thomas received the coveted “Club Woman of the Year” award and other homemakers and clubs were recognized when the Lee County Extension Homemakers held their annual achievement program.

The Gavel Award went to Lemon Springs for the club’s project, “I’m a Fan of Lemon Springs.” The members planned, conducted and spearheaded the Lemon Springs Centennial Celebration, which involved many people in the community and county.

Second place went to Broadway for its gavel project called “Si, Si, We Helped!” Members continued support this year of Phyllis Thomas, a missionary in Chile. They provided her with financial support, books, toys, clothes and music. While on furlough, Phyllis gave a presentation to the club on her work in Chile.

Third place winner was Dignus for its “Cultural Arts” project. Members became more involved in the diversity of the arts. They attended two plays, took tours of N.C. pottery places, visited the N.C. Zoo and attended “Raleigh & Roanoke” exhibit, which was part of the 400^th anniversary celebration. They also toured and studied historical houses.

Wilma Winstead, North Central District president, used an “airborne” theme in installing new officers. Liana Haech is the new president; Lena Womack, first vice president; Susan Collins, second vice president; Mildred Cameron, recording secretary; Joanne Cameron, corresponding secretary; and Peggy Thomas, treasurer.

The awards banquet also featured a “European Tour” program given by Irene and Joseph Kocisko, who showed slides of their travels to various countries.

12-Year-Old Figures Profits From Her 4-H Project Will Cover a Year's Tuition, Room and Board, 1950

From Extension Farm-News, January, 1950

“One hundred chicks will pay a year’s expenses at college,” says Ellen Barrow of Jones County, a 12-year-old 4-H Club girl who has just completed her 1949 poultry project.

Doubting Thomases may raise their eyebrows at Ellen’s statement, but she has the proof, says G.T. Wiggins. Following is an account of her project in her own words:

“The chicks given me were properly taken care of with only three dying. I have furnished chickens and eggs for family use, which paid for the grain fed to them. Ten chicks were cockerels, which I saold for $15, and 12 were returned to the farm agent to be sold.

“The remaining 78 have laid 11,016 eggs, 8,719 of which I sold for $365.80. I received $10 prize money. I had enough money to pay for the starting and growing mash.

“After all the expenses have been deducted and I sell the remaining chickens, I will have enough money to buy five $100 government bonds, which I believe will pay my tuition, room, and board for one year in college.”

4-H Girls Represent North Carolina at National Congress, 1939

These girls represented North Carolina 4-H Clubs at the National 4-H Congress at Chicago, Illinois. All were winners of State contests, which entitled them to the trip. They are, reading left to right: Carmen Nicholson of Jackson County, winner of the handicrafts contest; Helen Higdon, also of Jackson County, winner of the food conservation award; Lucille Gupton of Vance County, winner of the rural electrification project; Ruth King Mason of Iredell County, the State 4-H Health Queen; Margaret Kinlaw of Cumberland County, the food preservation winner; Mildred Edwards of Pitt County, winner of the clothing contest; and Ruth Alexander of Iredell County, who kept the best records on her 4-H Club projects. Miss Frances MacGregor, assistant 4-H Club leader of State College, and Miss Anne Tucker, home demonstration agent of the Extension Service in McDowell County, accompanied the girls.

J.R. Franck Glad He Won't Have to Write Weekly Report, 1966

Weekly narrative reports mailed in by county agents helped the staff at N.C. State keep up with farm problems and successes across North Carolina. This reporting system was changed in the 60s, inspiring  Jones County Agent J.R. Franck to write this poem, which was published in the January issue of Extension News in 1966.

One big job they failed to mention

When, as a young man, I was considering Extension,

Thought many others were described by the score

Was the weekly narrative recurring for evermore.

After seventeen years of lying awake at night,

Racking my brain on what to write;

And sitting, squirming and scratching my head,

I’m overjoyed to hear that the monster is dead.

My countenance is raked with many a scar

By irate farmers whose names I did mar

When tales of their deeds I would repeat

To make my weekly report complete.

To the one who gave this burden the axe,

And enabled us no more our brain thus to tax;

Nor to just sit and sit and sit and meditate,

I most gratefully this poem dedicate.

                                -- By J.R. Franck

Mrs. Chambo Gives History of Long Hill Home Demonstration Club in Cumberland County, 1986

By Mrs. Martin Chambo, January-March 1986 issue, Tar Heel Homemakers

The Long Hill Home Demonstration Club first met in July, 1933, at the home of Mrs. Mae (W.D.) Johnson in Slocumb. There were seven women present. Miss Elizabeth Gainey, the Cumberland County Agent, met with them and gave them a lesson on canning tomatoes.

They met again in August with six present at the home of Mrs. Emma (J.L.) Reaves and canned corn. The club was formally organized in October, 1933, with 10 members. The first meetings were held in the Long Hill School House.

In 1934 and 1935 there were 23 on the roll. Since then the average has been 20 to 25.

Two members have also served as county council president and one as district president.

After the first summer spent canning, members went on to learn about sewing, cooking, and all of the other areas of demonstration as offered. This club has participated in all of the Achievement Days, county council meetings, and projects which the county has sponsored, contributing labor, money and attendance.

The Long Hill Club assisted with the organization and upkeep of the Cumberland Memorial Park, with one member serving on that committee all the years the park was under county council management.

Over the years, several members have participated in the selling of farm produce, crafts, flowers, etc., at the Curb Market. During the time when there was a Farm and Home Week at State College in Raleigh, the club paid the expenses of two members to attend this.

It has been a club tradition to have a Family and Friends Picnic every year in August. Some of the activities that have been participated in together at this time include The Outdoor Drama at the House in the Horseshoe near Carthage, N.C., with a guided tour of the house, and the drama Strike at the Wind at Pembroke, N.C., as well picnics at Carvers Falls, the Locks on the Cape Fear River, and at members’ homes and other locations.

The club has always participated in the Cumberland County Fair, providing workers and exhibitors. In 1981, the club received the price for having more ribbons won by our exhibitors than any other club. The first year we won a blue ribbon as a club on the exhibit “Food for a Family of Four.” Each time the club has prepared a booth, they have won a blue ribbon. Many honors and ribbons have also been brought to the club by its members from the Garden Center at Sears on flower arrangement and horticulture. Two members were selected by the county as “Mother of the Year, Mrs. B.A. Darden in 1959 and Mrs. J.L. Reaves in 1970. Both went on to Raleigh to participate in the State “Mother of the Year” contest.

The Long Hill Club has been one of the top four clubs in the county many times since these records have been kept. The Long Hill 4-H Club was sponsored for years by the club until 1967. In the community, members regularly visit hospitals, rest homes, the homes of the sick and shut-ins, taking food, gifts, and favors as needed. Also every Thanksgiving, fruit baskets are taken along with the visits.

On March 27, 1983 the club celebrated its 50^th anniversary with a reception held at the County Office Building. With 24 current active members, the club is looking forward to continuing its present activities and reaching out into other areas as it begins its second 50 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Huss Celebrate 70th Wedding Anniversary, 1938

Working With Low-Income Families, 1966

Dr. Eloise Cofer lead a presentation “Working With Low-Income Families” at the North Carolina Home Economics Association’s Raleigh meeting in 1966. Dr. Cofer, assistant Extension director, shared the stage with these county agents, who spoke about local programs: Mrs. Doris Yates, Forsyth County; Bernice Harris, Franklin County; Betty Jean Barr, Beaufort County; Mrs. Nancy Myers, Iredell County; Mrs. Willa Jones, Stanly County; and Mrs. Genevieve Greenlee, Extension clothing, housing, and house furnishings specialists.

The Cooperative Extension Service teaches all families to increase their productivity in family living and agriculture. In addition to working with Home Demonstration Club members, Extension home economists concern themselves with community development, the employed homemaker, senior citizens, and they work with representatives of other agencies to help meet the needs of low-income families.

In Forsyth County, Extension, jointly sponsored a series of classes for welfare clients with the YWCA, Welfare Department, and local churches. Classes include low-cost cooking hints, buying and renovating clothing, child discipline and understanding, and a report from the director of the Better Business Bureau.

Food Stamp Plan workers also called on county Extension home economists to help sell the program to welfare clients who had rejected it and to sell clients on the importance of good nutrition.

In Franklin County, beginning sewing classes were held in cooperation with the Department of Public Welfare. After attending classes, one homemaker said she went home and sewed on buttons and hemmed a dress. It was the first time she had done this. Another woman made a dress for one daughter and cut shifts for the other two, and a third woman is able to supplement her income by doing some sewing for her neighbors.

Another service is an information sheet “Oliver Owl Says,” which is mailed monthly to some 225 welfare recipients with their checks.

In Beaufort County, Extension worked with the Housing Authority to set up classes for homemakers living in a housing development. Classes on wall care, refinishing furniture, window treatments, general house care, and making draperies were held over an eight-month period.

Iredell  County agents worked with the Housing Authority and set up a demonstration house in an urban renewal development. With the aid of the school superintendent, home economics teacher, and minister, agents chose to work with a family of six headed by the mother, who works in a bakery. Together, agents and family members evaluated possessions to see which ones could be used in the new apartment. They refinished furniture and made draperies. The Campbell’s house is now the meeting place of the community and stands as proof that low-income housing units can be clean, beautiful and serviceable.

Stanly County home economists decided to work with the children of low-income families. It was ladies first, as a series of classes including grooming, clothing construction, and food preparation were offered to girls once a week. Occasionally participants went on a trip. Most popular was a free trip to the beauty academy. “We hope to start special interest classes for boys soon,” Mrs. Jones noted.

A mattress-making project is planned, with supplies to be handled by the local Welfare Department. “Such a project will have a chain reaction,” Mrs. Greenlee predicted.

“Once families improve sleeping conditions, they will take an interest in care of bedding, room decoration and accessories, storage, lighting, and will wish to improve health and sanitation.”

In many cases, Extension agents do not work alone. Without the aid and contributions of many fine groups and individuals, Extension’s accomplishments with low-income families could not be so encompassing.

Marzetta Moore Recalls History of Martin County Extension Homemaker Clubs, 1986

By Marzetta Moore, January-March 1986 issue, Tar Heel Homemakers

Martin County Extension Homemakers Association clubs were started around 1918 as canning clubs and later were called Home Demonstration Clubs.

With many changes through the years, county clubs still support the infirmary at Jamesville School and the BMM Youth Shelter in Jamesville.

Williams EH Club, one of the oldest in the county and the oldest club of black members, supports these and other county projects. Members celebrated their 50^th anniversary on October, 1985.

Three charter members of the club were recognized at the anniversary program. They are Marie (Mrs. Jasper) Smith, Leda (Mrs. George) Duggins, and Elenora (Mrs. John T.) Jones.

Mrs. Reo Mayo Jones, a member who had been ill for a number of years and who died in October, 1985, was one of the founders of the club, originally called Bethlehem Home Demonstration Club. It was organized by Mrs. Cleopatra Tyner, the first black agent in Martin County, in 1935.

As a special project of the 50^th anniversary, members purchased copies of the book “And That’s The Way It Was—1920-1960, the 60-year history of Extension Homemakers in North Carolina, and donated it to Mary S. Gray Library and the Martin County Library in Williamston.

Four members, Beulah Bennett, Josephine Rogerson, Nellie Harrison, and Ila Parker, attended the State Council meeting in October in Raleigh.

During the summer, Williams EH worked on making pillows, putting up pickles, and quilting. One August day for 12 exciting hours, we took our annual trip—this year to the North Carolina Zoo at Asheboro with our families as guests.

Guilford Cooperative Cannery, 1938

Workers in the Guilford Cooperative Cannery, Greensboro, which packed over 22,000 cases of fruits and vegetables this season.

Ruby Parris Named "Angel of the Month" in Rowan County, 1991

“Ruby Parris, Angel of the Month,” by Rebecca Cozart in the Jan.-March 1991 issue of Tar Heel Homemakers

When a story in the Salisbury Post in Rowan County announced an anonymous person was going to present a $500 check monthly to a deserving person in an “Angel of the Month” award to those who help others, busy Extension Homemaker Ruby Parris read it and thought what a wonderful thing for someone to do.

It never occurred to her that she would be the first Angel of the Month.

Helping others has been a special part of Ruby’s life. It began 30 years ago when her husband died, leaving her with small children ages 4 ½ and 17 months. As a young widow, her income was very small, which left her to babysit, clean houses, or anything to earn some money.

Later in life, she was in a very serious car accident, leaving her with a badly crushed leg. If she lived, doctors though she might lose her leg, probably never walk again. She said she promised God that if she could get on her feet again, she would help others and she has been doing that ever since.

Ruby is an outstanding Extension Homemaker. She has been recognized many times with CVU certificates for hours at the VA Medical Center, Rowan Memorial Hospital, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Literacy Council, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary and work at the county, district, and state levels of Extension Homemakers.

After winning the Angel of the Month Award, she said, “You know how they talk about people wearing different hats? I keep my different badges for my volunteer work in the car so they will be ready.”

Yes, Ruby is truly an angel to many people in many different ways. Rowan Extension Homemakers are proud of her.

Guilford County Extension Homemakers' Report for 1950

By Mrs. Leo R. Palmer, Rt. 8, Greensboro, in Tar Heel Homemaker

The year of 1950 has been an eventful one for Guilford County.

In carrying forward our theme of “Better Citizenship,” the past year we have had some outstanding speakers, including Miss Louise Alexander, professor at Woman’s College, at the Federation meeting held in the Alumni House at Woman’s College in the spring; Dr. Clyde A. Milner, president of Guilford College, who was guest speaker at our Achievement Day program. Then in the afternoon Mrs. W. Kenneth Cuyler, our representative to Denmark, brought up a vivid picture of her trip there, followed by an interesting review of the trip to Biloxi by Mrs. Carl Stanfield.

Guilford County has 23 clubs totaling some 900 members. Perhaps we are prouder of the large number of young home makers who are becoming active club women than anything else.

All 23 clubs joined the Betsy Ross organization by making a United Nations flag, and in every instance these flags were used in a special ceremony at a school or church program.

On the theme of Better Citizenship leading to peace, we had a most interesting program on Ladies’ Day at the Guilford County Fair in October. On our program we had 13 foreign-born students representing nine nations: India, Holland, Great Britain, Chile, Germany, Trans-Jordan, Poland, Cuba, Hawaii, and Latvia. These were students form Guilford and Woman’s College except the young woman from Latvia who sand for us, and a young German boy from Summerfield, an exchange student. Meeting these boys and girls was a pleasant experience, mutually, we hope, and we feel a greater means of building understanding between our nations.

No tale is complete without an end. The end to ours is that we started the year in the red, but by increasing our dues slightly, we end the year with a comfortable small sum in the black, in spite of increased demands on our treasury from our growing and progressive Home Demonstration work in Guilford County.

Polly Deal of Salisbury Is State's Top Extension Homemaker Volunteer, 1986

From the January-March 1986 issue of Tar Heel Homemakers

Polly Deal, Salisbury, Route 13, was named the state’s top Extension Homemaker volunteer during the annual state council meeting of the North Carolina Extension Homemakers Assn. at the North Raleigh Hilton, Oct. 18-19.

Mrs. Deal accumulated 3,345 volunteer hours, reaching 50,927 with educational information from the North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service.

She has held numerous offices in her local EH club and has served as program of work chairman at the district level for the family relationships and safety committees.

As part of her community service, Mrs. Deal worked with Special Olympics, local hospitals, and golden agers. She helped young adults through 4-H, Scouts, and EFNEP programs.

This special recognition is given for one year of volunteer service. As state winner, Mrs. Deal received a plaque presented during the state council awards luncheon.

Fred Latham of Belhaven Is Master Farmer, 1939

“An Original Master Farmer” by Gertrude Carraway, published in the Carolina Co-operator, January, 1939

Twelve years ago, Fred P. Latham of near Belhaven was made one of the original “Master Farmers” of North Carolina. The title was conferred on him by the Progressive Farmer, cooperating with the State College Extension Service. It was well-chosen.

Mr. Latham is widely recognized as an outstanding agriculturist. His stock farm is one of the finest in the South. He has won cups, cash prizes and blue ribbons in many regional competitions. His famous “Latham Double” seed corn has been awarded first place in many tests. And last August his five carloads of 395 hogs weighing 65,000 pounds constituted the largest single shipment of hogs by any one individual in North Carolina.

But this record has not all come from hard work, though Mr. Latham and his 15 assistants work hard. Nor has it come merely from effective methods of applied scientific agriculture, though this, too, has helped. It is largely due to the fact that Mr. Latham is constantly using his brain to think out new solutions for his own particular farm problems.

Since 1902 he has been experimenting with seed corn. Starting with pure-white corn, he has tried for the past six years to develop a yellow variety. Many tests have been won by his white seed, and last year for the first time he entered yellow tests, ranking higher than any other yellow corn.

His corn seems especially well adapted for Norfolk sandy loam soils. On his own farm, where he plants corn on about 300 acres, his yield of 50 to 60 bushels an acre is 2 ½ times the state average of about 22 bushels. His assistant, Neal Seegars, raised 80 bushels to the acre last season.

When corn was selling for a dollar a bushel last year, many farmers decided not to feed such expensive food to hogs, for the price of hogs was low. So many of them sold their corn, and their hogs. Mr. Latham bought numerous hogs. Around June 1 he had about 700.

After much consideration, he decided to settle jointly his hog feed problem and his problem of low-priced Irish potatoes. He sold his corn, and fed potatoes to his hogs. Statistics were not available as to food values of potatoes in comparison with corn, but he tested his own results.

Experts advised him to cook the potatoes. So he rigged up a huge tank as an enormous cook pot, into which potatoes could be easily dumped in quantities from trucks. But he found that the hogs liked raw potatoes as well as cooked ones, so he stopped his outdoor cooking when he ascertained that they thrived splendidly on raw spuds.

Crab scraps from Belhaven factories are fed to hogs in his fields, and they are like the seafood. Thousands of sea gulls are attracted to the farm in the spring by the crab meat.

Of the 1,300 acres on the Latham farm, known as Circle Grove, which he inherited from his father, the late Dr. James Franklin Latham, Mr. Latham has about 600 acres under cultivation. Twelve mules are used, and two tractors.

Heavy rainfall makes drainage a major farm problem. Hence, Mr. Latham has arranged an unusual system of the drainage pipes. When he came across difficult stumps in his ditches, he devised a new kind of chisel and had a blacksmith make one to order for the task.