BY JOYCE BUPP
Staff Correspondent
HARRISBURG - “That’s the
smallest pumpkin I’ve ever seen,”
quipped a grinning Gov. Dick
Thornburgh as he fished the
perfectly-shaped, though
diminutive, orange vegetable from
a basket of commodities over
flowing onto his polished reception
room desk.
The mini-pumpkin was part of a
colorful array of Pennsylvania
commodities presented to the
governor by the Pennsylvania
Society of Farm Women last week.
Leaders of the more than 4,000
members of the group were on
hand as the Governor signed a
proclamation designating Sunday,
Oct. 14, as Farm Women’s Day in
the Commonwealth.
In his proclamation, the
Governor recognized the Society,
founded in 1914, for playing an
“integral roll in perpetuating and
preserving our agricultural
traditions.”
His proclamation further lauds
these women who “foster a deeper
appreciation for the farm and
rural life today and seek to uphold
the dignity and purpose of far
ming, while teaching respon
sibility in working the soil. ”
According to Marie Baughman,
state society president, members
of the 190 local groups in several
counties plan to celebrate their day
in a variety of ways.
“Most are combining food and
fellowship, with lunches, brunches
and dinners together as part of
their observance,” says the
Franklin County farm women
leader.
In her home county, farm
women members plan brunch with
a program focusing on Franklin
County’s 200th bicentennial an-
ov. Thornburgh declares Oct. 14 Farm Women 0
niversary being celebrated this
year.
Lebanon County’s societies are
taking a slightly different ap
proach, as each local group is
contributing to a special fund that
has been established for a county
family faced with mounting
medical bills due to their child’s
serious illness.
In addition to the state
proclamation, Lancaster County
societies will be honored with a
similar recognition from their
county commissioners, and in
York, members from over 30
societies will gather for an open
house fellowship.
Farm Women are now finalizing
plans for their state convention on
Jan. 14 and 15 at the state Farm
Show with an emphasis on youth.
“Doing a good deed for
someone” is the theme, with
children and grandchildren of
members invited to submit a photo
or drawing of how they’ve helped
someone else. Each entrant will
receive recognition with a special
memento.
QA/S. CaCen
Saturday, October 13 Pa . Foods program by Ida
Lancaster Society 7 will meet for a Risser.
birthday dinner. Lancaster Society 25 meets for a
Lancaster Society 2 meets for trip to Arlene Eshleman’s
election of officers. cabin
Lancaster Society 1 meets for a
Pennsylvania Society of Farm Women presented Gov. Dick Thornburgh with a basket
of the state's farm commodities after his signing of the Farm Women's Day
proclamation. Joining the governor for the ceremony were state president Marie
Baughman, right, first vice president Naomi Bupp and Secretary of Agriculture Penrose
Haltowell
Sunday, October 14
State Farm Women’s Day
Lancaster Society 5 takes a bus
trip to Ray’s Town Lake.
Monday, October 15
Lancaster Society 30 meets for a
shopping tour bus trip.
Lancaster Society 34 meets for an
election and game night.
Tuesday, October 16
Lancaster Society 27 meets to work
on a project.
Thursday, October 18
Lancaster Society 15 meets for a
program by Ann Diller on
Alaskan Slides. Election of
officers will take place.
Saturday, October 20
Lancaster Society 3 meets for a
program with Mike Pfautz.
Three-day trip to Newport, R.I.
Lancaster Society 18 meets for a
program to be announced.
Lancaster Society 29 meets for a
“Halloween Happening” family
event.
Lancaster Society 12 meets at The
Country Table, Mount Joy, at
noon.