B 26—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, March 31,1984 Onbei a farm -And o hazar Joyce B When they became a rural in stitution, I’m not sure anyone knows. But farm sales are as familiar a part of this season as the greening up of pastures. Farm sales, while serving the purpose of disposing of material goods, run the whole gamut of human emotion in what they ac tually represent. Some are a joy to all involved, perhaps a family of hvestock breeders offering their best while cutting back on the work for awhile. Many, though, are brushed with the tragedy of death, divorce, financial disaster or legal dispute. Still, while a proven successful merchandising maneuver, farm sales unfailingly have an air of social event about them. Strangers strike up conversation as they lean against a bam wall and eye the auctioneer. Neighbors josh at each other. Friends who haven’t seen one another for a long time renew acquaintances. More often than not, a certain percentage of the crowd is paying no attention to what’s happening on the auction block or the auc tioneer’s coaxing calls. Propped against a fence, they’ll gather in two’s, three’s or four’s, sharing crop notes, production averages, or equipment woes. “How’s that new combine working for you?” “I hear you’re renting the place next to you this year?” “What’d pigs (cows, sheep, eggs, etc.) bring last week?” Farm sales are a great human equalizer, since no one cares how you dress for this social event. Garb is dictated by the weather, not high fashion. In a typical farm crowd you’ll find anything from quality, checkered wool hunting SERVING THE FARMERS FOR 111 YEARS Eid«wM*kantliSl<Ua HAMBURG SAVINGS ESMS imiCOMPMY Hamburg, PA Phone: 215-562-3811 A FULL SERVICE BANK THINKING ABOUT LIMING THINK PROMESOL Liquid Calcium Every Living Plant needs Readily Available Elemental Calcium CALL (717) 367-2667 or (717) 2854156 1 PARS Rt. 1, Box 488 mf Elizabethtown, PA V 17022 PROMESOL IS AN EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT OF C.S.I. Chemical Corp. TOLL FREE 1-800-247-2480 coats to ragged, manure-spattered heavy sweatshirts, to a rainbow of insulated coveralls in muted shades of blue, green and grey. Needless to say, blue jeans are standard, too, as are sturdy boots to do battle with the inevitable mud that blesses seasonal sales. Hats. Always there are hats. Feed company hats, milk cooperative hats, feed hats, and even sometimes the more dressy wool or felt hats, if weather demands. If bidding is the prime reason to attend a farm sale, I’ve long suspected that eating plays a close second. While urban social events may revolve around silver trays of dainty hors d’oeurves, farm sales are fueled by soup and pie Generally it’s prepared by some of the best cooks in the area, lovingly donating their tune and talent to the benefit of ag, church fire company or other community group in charge of the food con cession. Vegetable, bean, chicken corn will probably be on the soup list - we won’t suggest a favorite since we’d probably start an argument. Hot dogs never taste better than when simmered for a couple of hours with six dozen others on the back of a hot plate set up in the corner of someone’s farm machine shed. Same goes for another favorite, hamburg barbecue, heaped up on a bun so thickly the abundance tumbles off the side into the paper plate and has to be nibbled from the fingers. Hot and cold drinks abound, the most popular dependent on the temperature and wind whipping around the barn corners. Hot chocolate and coffee win hands down in cold weather, surpassed by chocolate milk and soft drinks as temperatures grow more balmy. And back to that pie. Blueberry, immediately says the farmer. No way, I’ll argue, seeking out the biggest piece of coconut cream, topped this high with lightly browned meringue. Machinery models come and go. Crop techniques evolve and change. Computers may soon make even yesterday’s farm techniques ancient history. But the institution of the rural farm sale will likely be with us for a long time. Davidsburg 4-H The March meeting of the Davidsburg 4-H was held at the 4-H center. Nicoweelm, an exchange student from West Germany, provided the program. He showed slides and talked about some cities. An egg hunt will be held at the Salem church parking lot or recreation area. Here's What You Get For Less Than 15 C A Week! 11 * i ■ I — *sS wP* m **\\ /A/ LATEST INFORMATION from livestock markets and auctions of the East and Mid-West, including futures. OUR MARKET REPORTS are received by phone up to 10 AM on Friday morning...just 2 hours before press time! Our total farm coverage also gives you NEWS (including Dairy & DHIA Reports)... FEATURES...BEST BUYS ON PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT...FREE MAILBOX MARKET...and much, much more! P.O. Box 366 - Lititz ’ PA 17543 ■ _ Phone jp f drilling 717-626-11640r394-3047 (Continued from Page 825) tours are needed and contributions for the effort are welcomed. On the lighter side, the women’s committee formed their own unique band to entertain after lunch. With homemade in struments, band members lead the singing of many old favorite melodies. An astrologist, Lenora Hill, —A* Astrologer, Lenora Hill, Birdsboro, entertained with her reading of personalities. Her astrology guide is in the background. At LANCASTER FARMING, we think we do a good job of keeping you in formed... and we have over 40,000 paid subscribers who think so too! day out Birdsboro, rounded out the day and assisted ladies in seeing their “inner selves”. An astrologer for eight years, Hill said, “I use astrology as a counselling tool.” Saying that she was honest when dealing with people who ask her to “read their signs”, Hill viewed several personalities of “volun teers” and ended the day with light-hearted entertainment. » s>'. v * * ’ e pon s •
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers