—Uncattor Farming, Saturday. April 26, 1975 38 !. Si The Needlework Guild Is A Way To Help Others Helping those less fortunate is a way of life for many people in Lancaster County • they contribute their time, talents and money to help make the lives of others a little brighter. On woman who not only gives generously herself but helps enlist other in giving is Mrs. Simeon Horton who lives on Donegal Street in Mount Joy. Mrs. Horton is the new president of the Mount Joy Branch of the Needlework Guild of America, and as such she oversees the group’s primary reason for being - its annual in-gathering of garments. She speaks with quiet pride of the work which her organization does, and it was quite evident that she feels strongly about its worth to the community. Mrs. Horton explained that the Needlework Guild of America, which has its national offices in Philadelphia, was organized to give those “who have” a chance, in a way everyone can afford, to help those who “have not.” 'Die object of the Needlework Guild is to collect and distribute new, suitable garments to meet the needs of hospitals, homes and other charities. Mrs. Horton stresses repeatedly “how little the Guild takes of anybody.” “All you need to do to become a member,” according to Mrs. Horton, “is to give two garments a year.” In order to be a director of the Branch, a member needs to get 10 members each year, that is, to collect 22 garments. There are 40 directors in the Mount Joy Branch. While the Guild insists that all garments be new, they accept household linens, - and anything from handerchiefs to overcoats in clothing items. Mrs. Horton says, “We accept anything - home sewn or otherwise. We take everything - even mittens. There is nothing that asks as little or does as much.” The garments are collected at the annual “in gathering” in October. In Mount Joy, Mrs. Horton says, nearly 2,000 garments are received and distributed an nually. Across the country, millions of garments are given each year. Volunteers sort and distribute the garments im mediately, and among the local beneficiaries of the Guild’s work are the Salvation Army, church homes. Country Corner Believe it or not... The gadget pictured above is a portion of the fan used to separate the chaff from the wheat in a threshing machine. I truly believe that most of the staff here at Lancaster Farming were really stumped when it came to guessing what type of gadget Mr Elam Becker brought to our office this past Tuesday. Mr Becker, who has been a long time resident of the Lititz area, wanted us to guess just what piece of farm machinery the gadget had been taken from. Although many good guesses were offered, Mr. Becker finally had to tell us that the piece of equipment was to regulate the fan on a threshing machine. The fan, he explained, was used years ago to separate the chaff from the wheat The original threshing machine was made in 1875 - just one hundred years ago by the Wissler Foundry in Brunnerville. Mr. Becker explained that the machine belonged to his father and that as a young boy he had worked on the machine also Mr Becker saved the portion of the fan since it was clearly marked with the date and foundry name. Which only goes to prove that no matter how much we think we’ve seen - we learn something new each day. We thank Mr. Becker for sharing a piece of true farm Americana with us l eon Horton by: Sally Bair Finn Feature Writer with: Melissa Piper ASSOCIATE EDITOR hospitals, the Water Street Mission, and, of course, local families. An investigating committee decides just how the distribution is to completed, and where families are in volved, the Guild tries to get correct sizes, and to have something for everyone. There are some members who are “money members instead of garment members," Mrs. Horton explained, and it is this money that is used to supplement what is given and make it possible to meet specific needs of a family. Mrs. Horton made it clear that all the work of gathering, sorting and rilrtri frj|H n g is done immediately. She said, “We’re all very tired that night." She said that the Girl Scouts in Mount Joy have the Guild’s “in gathering" as one of their projects, and added, “We’re very proud of,their work.” One of the things they make is bean bags, to be used in therapy. The only other chapter in Lancaster County is one in Lancaster city. Mrs. Horton added that many local communities do contribute to the Lancaster Branch. In order to qualify to be a Branch of the Guild, 210 garments must be collected. Mrs. Horton said it would not be too difficult to start a branch by “just getting interested people together." She added, “I would be only too happy to help anyone get started.” The idea behind the Guild originated in England and was imported to this country. She said the first group met locally at the home of Mrs. Clarence Schock in 1920. Of the national organization, Mrs. Horton said, “For ninety years it has been serving, sharing and sympathizing with the needs of others. She said that the Guild nationally often responds in times of disaster. During Hurricane Agnes, they were able to assist the Red Cross in some of the flooded areas. Mrs. Horton speaks very devotedly of her work with the Guild. She emphasizes that it exists solely to gather and distribute garments, and does not have meetings throughout the year. At the time of this interview she was knitting lap afghans as part of her contribution to the in-gathering. She explained that hospital patients and guests in nursing homes appreciate the warmth they provide. This is not Mrs. Horton’s first time as president of the Branch. Twelve years ago she was also president, having served in that capacity for 17 years. She also served as state director at one time, “for about 12 years.” In addition to her work with the Guild, Mrs. Horton has many other interests. She is a member of the Men’s Garden Club of Lancaster and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Mount Joy. She is past matron of the 407 chapter of the Eastern Star, in Elizabethtown, and was formerly a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. It is obvious from her lovely home that Mrs. Horton enjoys being a homemaker. One of her hobbies is crewel Homestead Notes embroidery and samples of her work grace the walls of her home. The Hortons’ home was opened for the BPW Candlelight Tour several years ago, and the many an tiques captured a lot of attention from tour-goers. The antiques, Mrs. Horton said, are mostly family pieces. Her husband, Simeon is very well-known to Lancaster countians, having just retired in January as manager of the Mount Joy Farmers Cooperative. It was in 1932 that the Hortons moved to Mount Joy when he began working for the cooperative. They came from New Jersey, and according to Mrs. Horton discussed during the trip here for an interview whether they would want to move here. She said they decided that if they could live in a brick house they would move. Well, they found their brick house and have lived in Mount Joy ever since. Mrs. Horton says they really enjoy the Mount Joy area. She is just learning the ways of having a retired man around the house, but she says, “I love having him home.” She then proceeded to show the lovely wood work he has been doing for her in his retirement, and it’s easy to see how they can share the joy of retirement. The Hortons are natives of Towanda in Bradford County, where they both came from farm backgrounds. Mrs. Horton had been a school teacher in Bradford Dr. Stresses Concern over “Farm Wives” _ , •**. Concerns of agriculture in the mid-1800’s were limited to new crops and livestock, better farming practices and westward expansion Right? Wrong' "Let him with the utmost cheerfulness and heartiness, leave his work, dress himself up, and take his wife to some pleasant neighbor's, friend’s, or kinsman’s house, for the express purpose of relaxation from the cares and toils of home, and for the interchange of friendly feelings and sen timents Mrs. Simeon Horton relaxes at home with the family’s Irish Setter. County, where she taught eight grades in a country school. But, die confessed, with a smile, “I liked the smaller grades. I liked the little children.” She taught school for three years. One of the biggest interests of her life are the roses which she and her husband cultivate. They have 175 rose bushes, and take great pride in their beauty. She said they still have their first bush f “Crimson Glory.” When asked if they try new varieties, she said, “We let someone else try it out first. Sometimes we’ve been disappointed in some of the new ones.” The lawn of their home is filled with beds of roses, and behind their home is a quiet lovely sanctuary which en courages birds and squirrels to visit. There is always food, and in the spring the Hortons put out bits of string for the birds to use in their nests. There is also a vegetable garden, and Mrs. Horton says, “I do my own canning and freezing.” The Hortons also plan to do some traveling. Last fall they were able to visit Arizona and this summer they have the Canadian Rockies on their agenda. Mrs. Horton said they plan to travel by train, air and bus to reach their chosen destinations. And so, as they begin retirement, the Hortons are planning to add even greater dimensions to the life they have shared together for 52 years. And there wifi be no retirement for Mrs. Horton from the work of the Needlework Guild. mW> J t. For Mrs. Horton, the Needlework Guild is one way to help others in need. Mrs. Horton works on a piece for an upcoming in gathering of garments. V s v v Nsf, •'V-* f* * * V
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