'Endless Chain' Pig Club in Mecklenburg County Is Success, 1949

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, as published in the Charlotte Observer, Dec. 19, 1949

Ray A. Kiser says that the endless chain pig club in Mecklenburg County is proving to be a great boon to the people also. This club has been underway over there now for three years, and the boys have grown out nice hogs. Purebred gilts have been passed on to other club members, and local farmers have been supplied with pork animals for a family meat supply.

The people of the county are having nicer and better meat on their tables because of the better hogs in their pens. These hogs were improved through the work of the endless chain pig club. The Mecklenburg 4-H club members met with those from Cabarrus County the other evening, out at the St. John’s Lutheran Church near Concord. There, prizes were awarded for the good work done in growing and exhibiting their pigs this past season.

Hal Price of Pineville Putting Learning in Action, 1949

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, as published in the Charlotte Observer, Dec. 19, 1949

An unusual and interesting bit of work is being done in Mecklenburg County now by young Hal Price of Pineville, Route 1. Hal has been a member of the 4-H wildlife club for over two years and has attended two of the camps held for these club members in late August at the Sandhill 4-H camp near Hoffman. 

Hal has come home from these camps and attempted to put into practice some of the good things learned at the camps, and now he has been commissioned to make a study of the mourning dove. He has secured traps and will catch the doves, leg-band them and release them according to an agreement he has with the State Wildlife Commission. He is assisting the commission in gathering all the data possible on the dove.

Hal is not only a student of wildlife but he also has a great influence in stimulating more interest in conserving the little wild creatures of the woodland and fields and streams of the Pineville section.

Farmers Federation News Cover, December 1930

Corn Is Backbone on North Carolina Farm, 1949

By F.H. Jeter, Extension Editor, N.C. State College, as published in the Charlotte Observer, Dec. 5, 1949

Years ago, there was a saying in North Carolina that the sheriff never sold out a man who had plenty of corn in his crib. Major William A. Graham, who served North Carolina so ably as one of its great Commissioners of Agriculture, used to assert that this saying was true and that over a long lifetime in that great reconstruction period when North Carolina was finding itself and getting back on its feet, he found out the truth of the proverb. It was perhaps another way of pointing out that with plenty of feed and food for men and beast in the crib, barn lofts, smoke houses, pantries and other snug storage places, a man and his family were secure against the onslaught of cold and privation.

That’s a happy situation and the good farmer and his family enjoys such a situation more often and more  completely perhaps than in North Carolina this fall. We have had our setbacks, it is true; but if we look across the state as a whole we find that things are in pretty good shape. Some good farming has been done this year. There is accord in the state between all classes of people. Prices for farm products have been fair—not good in comparison with the things we have to buy, but reasonably fair. We are getting along all right; better than most, I would say. That is not a matter for smug gloating or for any feeling of superiority but rather a matter for devout thanks.

YADKIN COUNTY

In Yadkin County, the folks are thankful this fall for the good yields of corn which they have housed. County Agent D.D. Williamson says that 15 Yadkin corn growers produced over 100 bushels and that 25 others grew from 75 up to 100 bushels per acre. The average yield for that county is much better than in 1948 and the growers say that by increasing production per acre they can grow their corn more cheaply and more economically. They do not have to use so many acres to get the amount of grain they need on the farm. 

These released acres are being put to pastures, hay and small grain crops that are not so costly to cultivate and are more easily handled with mechanical equipment. Yadkin always plants a rather large grain crop but the growers were delayed this fall due to the fact that the tobacco harvest was delayed two to three weeks later than usual.

STANLY COUNTY

Charlie Barbee of Albemarle, Route 4, in Stanly County, produced 129 bushels of corn per acre this year and has reported his yield for consideration in the state corn growing contest for the piedmont section. Mr. Barbee grew the NC 1032 hybrid and his corn was carefully weighed and a moisture test made before the final yield was recorded. The Stanly farmer said his yield would have been much better had it not been for that storm in the early fall that blew down the corn so badly that a large amount of the ears were damaged and had to be removed before the final weights were taken.

Welcome Home for Christmas, 1948

Called "The Homecoming," this Norman Rockwell painting was on the cover of 

the Saturday Evening Post November 26, 1948. 

Newest Kitchen Stove Burns Economical Kerosene, 1938

This ad from the Carolina Co-operator, 1938, promotes a new kitchen stove, one that burns "economical" kerosene. Off to the side, you'll also see mention of a modern refrigerator that promises "ice from oil heat!" 

"Whatever cooking test you put it to . . . speed . . . cleanliness . . . wide selection of heats . . . perfect control . . . you'll find the High-Power Perfection Range unsurpassed by any kitchen stove in the world . . . regardless of fuel. Thousands of enthusiastic women agree . . . it offers an easier, better way to cook!"

Helen J. Bess Wins National Volunteer Award, 1976

From National Notes, published by the National Extension Homemakers Council, December, 1976

Mrs. Cregg (Helen) Bess of Gastonia, 1977 state Safety Chairman, has been recognized for her efforts in organizing the Gaston County Concerned Citizens for Justice program.

Statewise, she won first place in the 1976 Adult Individual Award given by the North Carolina Rural Safety Council, and the Concerned Citizens for Justice placed fourth in the same awards program.

Nationally, Mrs. Bess was awarded one of the coveted National Volunteer Awards. This citation from the National Center for Voluntary Action reads:

The National Volunteer Awards—established to seek out and recognize, and thus inspire and encourage, extraordinary volunteer achievement in communities throughout the United States.

Citation—1975

Concerned Citizens for Justice—Mrs. Helen J. Bess whose distinguished volunteer service has improved the quality of life in the community. This achievement is worthy of national recognition by the National Center for Voluntary Action. George Romney, Chairman.

In a personal letter to Miss Bess, Mr. Romney said, “I am happy to inform you that your group has been selected as a Citation Winner for the National Center for Voluntary Action 1975 Awards Program.  The panel of judges agree that your group is truly deserving of national recognition.

The National Volunteer Awards Program is an important part of the National Center for Voluntary Action’s major goal: to stimulate new responses to America’s most pressing needs through the greater recognition, utilization and coordination of volunteers. Your recognition is for exemplary volunteer activities in the community.

We hope that millions of other people will follow your lead and continue to be motivated to become volunteers. We truly believe that through the contributions of millions of private citizens working together we can directly improve the quality of life for every person in America.”

Our congratulations and appreciation go to Helen Bess and to the Extension Homemakers of Gaston County for the work they are doing.