52 —Laficaster'Faf rrimfi 1 . SatuM&, s T976 *Berks County Spring Homemakers’ Day’ highlights variety shows and By JUDY MITCHELL Berks Co. Reporter READING - Reminders of both the season and the year played a part in the Berks County Spring Homemakers Day held at the Reading Motor Inn on April 21. The all-day program included, among other features, a “1776 Bicentennial Salute” and a preview of spring fashions to make or to buy. Mrs. Millie Shirey, Mistress of Ceremonies, welcomed die 235 women who turned out for the luncheon-meeting which was presented by the Berks County Cooperative Extension Service in cooperation with the Penn sylvania State University. One highlight of Wed nesday’s event was the awarding of the Lydia Tarrant Scholarship. Mrs. Sadie Kriebel expressed her pleasure in presenting the 1976 scholarship award, mentioning that “this is a special year for the presentation” as the Lydia Tarrant Award will be 80 years old in May. Miss Phoebe Ruth, a home economics major in her junior year at college, received the Extension Homemakers Scholarship and introduced her advisor from Albright, Dr. Nancy Sterner. Phoebe told the assemblage that although Extension Service certainly FENCE POSTS Free Delivery 200 or More (within 200 mile area) JAMES R. DURR Wrightstown, NJ figures as a major choice in her future endeavors, she has decided that when she graduates, she would first like to teach. She feels it is v the “best way to help a few members of the giant population of future homemakers.” She wants “to share what I have leamed”and looks forward to teaching others something about being a homemaker in the fixture. Phoebe stated that women should always work to be better homemakers - “even strive to be the ideal homemaker.” She added that “it is very important in our time to run a home more tightly and in the years to come, it will be even more important.” In keeping with the Bicentennial aspect of the program, Dr. Irwin Rich man, chairman of the graduate program of American studies at Penn State’s Capital campus spoke about “tradition,” most particularly about the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition. “We are in a time of change,” he stated, “a time when tradition seems to be dying.” His slide presentation traced the Pennsylvania Dutch culture which was introduced into this country as early as 1680. Perhaps the most common examples of that heritage,, he said, is one which people often overlook and that is the ROUND CEDAR 4" Butt 3" Top 8 ft. *1.25 4x4 Locust (8 ft.) *2.75 Slab Locust (8 ft.) *1.30 GREEN CUT CHERRY LUMBER 40* \j a board ft Very Special Products of Forest & Field architecture which can be seen in many of the homes in the Berks County area. The oldest form of Dutch house in the area, he pointed out, has a central chimney,and a single entrance to the kit chen with the rest of the house divided into two rooms, the floor plan being. *Hhe most important iden- tifying factor. A later ver- often has two front doors, one entering into the kitchen and the other into the parlor, and a chimney on either side of the house. Unlike what is popularly believed, the ladies were told, traditional German houses were not stone, but were constructed of timber and logs. Other slides illustrated the distinctive styles of the Pennsylvania Dutch two-story bank bams, which Richman pointed out. were quickly copied in this country’ the formal cruciform garden; example of redware pottery and white stoneware made by the early Dutch Germans; split oak basketry, a craft which still services in some areas; the folk art of broken writing, an example of which can often been found on Birth and Baptisimal certificates; and a picture of a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas tree which represents a major con tribution to our American culture. Richman concluded PH: 609-298-1683 his talk by reminding the group that the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, .“although often in changed form, is a Principal participants at the recent Ruth, recipient of the Lydia Tarrant Berks Co. Homemaker's Day program Scholarship and Mrs. Sadie Kriebel were Fay Strickler, home economist ; who presented the award. Mrs. Millie Shirey, emcee; Phoebe culture which is all around us.” Rebecca Titzer, an , educational representative employed by the New York office of the Pellon Cor- ' poration, spoke on the newest shaping materials which are available to compliment the soft and natural fabrics women are now using in making clothing, as well as their uses Poult) Watering System AT THE ROBERT UVIN WEDNESDAY, MAY 5,1976 10:0Q A.M. TO 4:00 P.NI. IST COMPLETE HOUSE INSTALLATION WITH VALOURS v 0 Check Th Features no training necessary bi there’s no triggering device Eliminates dehydration -prol especially with young birr after debeakmg Always a full cup regardli main line pressure variatioi Super simple installation. accomplished by anyone and twist. Requires‘no tools. Independent Tespng Labs Val-Cup ’averages 25% bacteria count SeH cleaning. Solid paitcli kept in suspension until bicentennial in craft and fashion ac- that women need not change cessory projects. A former an entire wardrobe every farm resident and 4-H member, idle -pointed out See The New Val-Cup BY VAL-CUP - IAKCASIER.PA [Continued dn Page 54] FARM I
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers