—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 20, 1973 22 •I Homestead Mrs. Melvin Stienk Accepts Citation... Society 17 Cited By Veterans Hospital For Unfailing Services Mrs. Melvin V. (Ruth) Shenk, Quarryville RDI, accepted a citation in behalf of Farm Women Society 17 of Lancaster County in September for services rendered for 26 years. It reads: VALLEY FORGE GENERAL HOSPITAL Phoenixville, Pa Certificate of Appreciation Lancaster County Farm Women No 17 In recognition of the invaluable contributions and many services given to the patients of this hospital Your concern and ef forts for the patients’ welfare enabled them to have more pleasant hospital days. The generosity and kindness that you have demonstrated is deeply appreciated by the patients and staff of Valley Forge General Hospital Frank J Shannon Jr. M D. Colonel, Medical Corps Commanding 23 September 1973 Others receiving citations September 23 were the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish church organizations, fire companies and individuals. There were in the neighborhood of 250 to 300 people there. No one else from Lancaster County received a certificate. No other Farm Women groups received citations although Societies 11,15 and 20 started visiting m 1948 and went for about three years The Valley Forge field representative and the Valley Forge Adjutant General ex tended the invitations to attend the tea September 23rd, served in Ruth Musser Shenk stands before her fireplace of memories. The mantle came from her father's old store; the key rack was her mother-in-law’s clothesline reel; her son’s sketching: old pictures of her husband, son, brothers, and herself; her in-law’s mantle clock, and a bell from the old Central School in East Drumore Township. She would like to know what the antique tool is that is hanging on the left end of the mantle. The open end is square and has two sharp edges. ♦ ■** Notes Pat Erway, Editor Farm Feature Writer Mrs. Chariesi McSparran the American Red Cross Building by the Red Cross. Mrs. Ernest Shaub, also from Farm Women Society 17, and two members of Farm Women Society 11 ac companied Mrs. Shenk to the tea. The Valley Forge General Hospital, m service more than 30 years, cared for Army ser vicemen who were injured in World War II and conflicts since then Some were mental patients, some amputees and some blind. They did have 2,000 patients there at one time but the government is phasing it out. There were only 19 patients there in September and they will be gone by January. The hospital will be completely phased out by July 1974. The Red Cross used one of their buildings for crafts, recreation and rehabilitation for the men. The various individuals and organizations rendered many services to the patients at the Valley Forge General Hospital. Each time Farm Women Society 17 went they took 15 cakes, dozens of cookies, doughnuts and candy - - all homemade - pretzels and potato chips. They went the last Tuesday of February and March for 26 years and from 1947 to 1962 went also in April. At least two members went each time. * * ( " ‘ ... , I*-" * (Left to right), Mrs. Samuel Wenger, Mrs. Melvin Shenk and Mrs. Ernest Shaub, charter members of Farm Women Society 17, display a few of their Society’s memorabilia -- the secretary’s and sometimes a carload went. They took turns going. Almost everyone went some time. It used to take two hours to get to Phoenixville before the roads were improved. In 1947 when Farm Women Society 17 started taking food to the Valley Forge General Hospital Mrs. Lou Buffenmyer was president, Mrs. Samuel Wenger vice-president, Mrs. Martin Eshleman secretary and Mrs. Stanley Kreider treasurer. There were 24 members then. This group was organized in 1940 by the Society of Farm Women State president, Mrs. Adaline P. Edwards. Mrs. Harry Shank was county president. They were encouraged to organize by Mrs Charles Schreiber. They took their children to their meetings and the children took part in the programs. Mrs. Edwards said that they were the only society that had more children than members at their meetings This society has rendered many community services through the years besides giving to the Valley Forge General Hospital. They gave donations to families who were ill, families who had fires and families in need. They bought a wheel chair for one person and a record player for a member’s child. They made contributions to Easter Seals, Heart Fund and other drives. They took meals to sick people and took their kitchen band to Embreeville State Hospital. They folded seals and stuffed envelopes for Heart Haven and the Tuberculosis Society on Janet Ave., Lancaster - in fact they did this last week. They sang on the county Farm Women program and put on a play for the state convention. They had a hat show at Quarryville. Mrs. Samuel Wenger, Mrs. Ernest Shaub and Mrs. J. Everett Kreider have served as county officers for the Farm Women. The women of Society 17 have had a lot of good times together They took trips by bus and by auto to various places. They went to a television show in Baltimore. They made two recipe books which were mainly for their own use. They have had interesting programs, including demon strations, at their meetings. To finance their projects they served suppers for men’s groups at the former Farm Bureau Building on North Queen Street, Lancaster, held public suppers m Sam Wenger’s garage at the Buck, held auctions at their meetings and served meals at the Southern Lancaster County Community Fair. They still hold auctions at their meetings, have food stands at sales and take sandwiches and pie to sell to employees at the PP&L Company plant at Holtwood for lunch. At present they have 28 members Mrs. Shenk is president, Mrs Veryl Graver vice-president, Mrs. Leonard Sprout secretary and Mrs. John Lefever treasurer. They still have 6 charter members Three of those active charter members are Mrs Samuel (Pearl) Wenger, Mrs. Ernest (Grace) Shaub and Mrs Melvin Shenk. Mrs Shenk is president for 1973 and 1974 and was president in 1963 and 1964. She also served as secretary and vice-president Mrs. Wenger was president 1940 and 1941 and 1967 and 1968. She served as secretary, treasurer and vice-president. Mrs. Shaub president's books, service certificate, two cookbooks they compiled, Farm Women state history and a favor from the Valley Forge General Hospital. was president 1942 and 1943 and 1969 and 1970 and was also secretary, treasurer and vice president. Mrs. Wenger adds “And here we are, over the hill.” Judging by their activities this can’t be true. Mrs. Shenk and husband live at the home where he grew up in Mechanic Grove. His father had a chick hatchery there. They have remodelled and restored the house using an antique decor. Mrs. Shenk has many lovely antique pieces of furniture and household items and has used much ingenuity in furnishing her home She says “I like antiques that can be used.” Melvin is a foreman at High Steel Structures Inc of Lancaster. They have one son, Robert, who is a sophomore at Penn State University, taking Landscape Architecture Ruth is the daughter of Mrs. Esther Musser, a member of Farm Women Society 11, and the late Abner G Musser who operated a general store at the Buck for many years. She is a member of Robert Fulton Chapter of Eastern Star and the Shenks are members of the United Church of Christ at Quarryville Mrs Shaub’s husband is a retired carpenter They live on route 272 north of the Buck. Shaubs are active members of Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church and Grace is a member of the Women’s Association Grace was on the advisory board of the Southern Lancaster County Family Health Center, when the center was planned and put in operation, and served as secretary of the board three years She is interested now in organizing an auxiliary to the (Continued On Page 24) * I*. I ty
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