Northern Lebanon County ag
BY DICK ANGLESTELN
MT ZION Northern Lebanon
County agriculture has had its own
“J.R.” for more than a quarter
century and its farming com
munity turned out in force Thur
sday night to honor him as an
educator, leader and motivator of
youth.
While to TV viewers, J.R.
represents a ruthless Texas
millionaire, the man in Northern
Lebanon - better know as J. Ray -
is just the opposite. He’s a man
who has guided a couple of
generations of farm youth from
their days as energetic, aimless
Greenhands m FFA to their
present position as productive
farmers and community leaders in
the area described as “on the
upper side of Rt. 422.”
And in the long run, J. Ray is
more wealthy beyond imagination
in terms of the fanning friendships
he has achieved during his long
tenure of service to the ag com
munity.
The man, of course, is J. Ray
Bickel, recently retired vo-ag
teacher, FFA and Young Farmer
advisor in the Northern Lebanon
School Distnct.
Former teachers, students,
colleagues, community leaders
and a whole bunch of fnends
turned out Thursday night at the
Mt. Zion Social Hall to pay tribute
to this man whose better known
nickname is “Mr. FFA.”
And what did these people have
to say about J. Ray:
Harvey Smith, Area vo-ag
consultant - “He has been the
father of competition among
FFA’ers in Lebanon County. But
his contributions stretch far
beyond the county. He has helped
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J. Ray Bickel, of Northern Lebanon --
Young Farmer banner.
bring more Gold Emblems back to
the Northern FFA Chapter than
any chapter in the state. ’ ’
Clarence Krammes,, former
Northern Lebanon principal -
"He’s many things - motorcyclist,
boat enthusiast, water skiier and
grower of strawberries and
blueberries. But most of all he has
been an educator who motivated
students to do their best.”
Leory Gessaman, president of
the Pennsylvania Young Farmers -
- “J. Ray is a good coaxer and my
standing up here tonight is
testament to thgt.”
Clarence Manbeck, former state
senator and poultry industry
leader: “He is among those men
who is honored not only for what he
has brought out in himself, but
what he has brought out in others.”
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New Holland, PA 17557
"Mr. FFA -- in front of
Dean Patches, representing
FFA, Young Farmers and FFA
Alumni: “I know from experience
what a good pusher and motivator
he is. He knew how to put the
energy of youth to good use.”
Carl Wenger, of Myerstown: “As
a father of FFA’ers in ELCO for
the past 20 years, I can attest to the
competitive spirit he brought to
FFA in Lebanon County.”
And there were even some light
hearted moments of tribute. The
only area man in ag who could
realistically play the part, Guy
Braxton, now an ag consultant,
portrayed “Mr. T.” of the A-Team
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honors its own J.R.
and paid tribute to one particular
area of FFA activities in which J.
Ray has become legend - bringing
home county and state
parliamentary procedure
championships.
And, finally, the man who
everyone came to honor
reminisced a bit from his career
that had its start as a navigator in
War II B-24, to being a
veterans instructor and finally in
vo-ag at Northern Lebanon.
He summed up his career
philosophy in a few words:
“It’s so good to see so many
FFA’ers and Young Farmers here
who have taken their place as
leaders m the community.
Luzerne plans tax meetings
WILKES-BARRE - Income tax
meetings have been scheduled at
several locations in Luzerne
County to explain tax laws as they
pertain to filing farm schedules.
According to County Agent E. V.
Chadwick, changes have been
made in methods of computing
depreciation and investment
credit. Farmers may wish to
understand the expensing of
capital purchases in filing the 1983
return.
The meetings conducted by the
Luzerne County Extension
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“Helping to develop leadership
and citizenship - that’s what it has
all been about.’’
Association will be held at the
following times and locations:
Feb. 3 Briggsville Mt. Zion
Church from Ito 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 Water Street Annex
Extension Office at 1 p.m. and 7:30
p.m.
Feb. 9 Northwest High School,
7:30p.m.
Feb. 15 Ag Service Center,
Nanticoke, 1 p.m.
Individual assistance will be
provided by calling the Extension
office for appointments. Phone 825-
1701 or 459-0736 (Hazleton area)
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