AIQ-UnoHr Farming, Saturday, Jammy 21,19 N OPINION The Media Zoo It’s not like the youth was going to jump on his Air Force One Grand Champion Steer and fly out of Harrisburg through the Farm Show’s large arena roof or something. But just the same, the TV and still camera crews, along with hordes of news repor ters gathered at the appointed time-not one minute before-and poised on the sidelines to make a mad dash into the ring to assail the soon-to-be-named winner of the junior beef show last week. We overheard one big city photographer warn his staff reporter in advance to be ready to “get in there because it was going to be a ‘zoo’.” As soon as the judge, with the traditional slap on the winning steer’s rump, broke the pressure of suspense that had built up in the hearts and minds of county agents, vo-ag teachers, club lead ers, parents and other spectators (the kids seem to remain rather calm), all pandemonium came unlocked. TV men with cameras in front of their faces switched on bright lights and rushed like robots from outer space toward their prey. Reporters yelled instructions and questions at the youth as if he was hard of hear ing. Still photographers jostled for position, pushing and shov ing each other like there was a fire blocking the exit to Maclay Street. Of course, not all reporters found it necessary to get involved in the “zoo.” For example, a staff writer for Lancaster Newspap ers followed the whole show and had his interviews with the possible winners before the champion was named. Also, in a much more relax time after the bright lights had faded into the grandstand seats, adult leaders told Lancaster Farming about the joy of seeing this year’s winner, Fred Weaver, Ephrata, grow up and the pride they had in his accomplishments that spoke more of his character than his championship win. Even Judge Scott Schaake, University of Kentucky, talked about how youth programs had helped him to mature as a person. And before he selected the champions, Schaake stressed the thought that “to participate is to win.” Certainly, it’s nice to win. And we congratulate the winners. But we also congratulate those who worked hard to participate but just didn’t happen to end up in first place. And as for the media “zoo” at the naming of the grand champ ion, wild animal traits were definitely observed in the ones behind cameras and note pads. | FARM FORUM our readers write J| Editor: As president of the Adams County Farmers’ Association, I must present our opposition to the pay raise introduced in the Janu ary 9th proposed budget from $89,500 to $135,000 per year for members of the United States Congress. Our organization, which is a member of the Pennsylvania Farmers’ Association, supports a freeze on spending; by all means, Farm Calendar Saturday, January 21 Beaver/Lawrence annual meeting. Monday, January 23 Adams Co. Com Day Northumberland, Union & Snyder counties Dairy Day, Christ Community United Methodist Church, Hummels Wharf, 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 24 Multi-County Dairy Day, Hum- Lancaster Farming Established 1955 Published Every Saturday Ephrata Review Building 1 E. Main St. Ephrata, PA 17522 by Lancaster Farming, Inc. A Stelnman Ent&fprka Robert G Campbell General Manager Everett R Newswanger Managing Editor Capyrlfht IMS by LtncMfcr' Fwmlnf a freeze on a pay increase of this size which is in total opposition to balancing the budget. I am writing to you in the hopes that I can encourage all individu als and groups to write a letter to Speaker James Wright of the House of Representatives in opposition to the pay raise before January 31st. ' mels Wharf, 8:00 a.m. Make reservations at Snyder County Extension. LanChester Pork Day, New Hol land Sales Stables, Maw’s Restaurant, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. NIR Van, Shippensburg Fair- grounds, 8:30 a.nj. to 4:00 p.m. Berks Co. Dairy Day, Berks Co. (Turn to Page A3B) ORRRR 1 I SPENT MOST OF THE AFTERNOON OUTDOORS TODAY / 4 NOW IS THE TIME By Jay Irwin Lancaster County Agriculture Agent To Keep Farm Equipment In Good Condition This is the time to replace those worn or damaged parts and tires on your farm machinery. Maintaining and restocking needed spare parts should be a must before the really busy spring season is under way. Have the tractor engine timed by your local dealer. Consult the operator’s manual and adjust field machines according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Order a supply of oils, filters, and greases that are needed to maintain tractors and other equip ment. It pays to take time out to start a system of record-keeping for each machine. Keep good records of maintenance and repairs and you can save some money in this highly mechanized farming operation. Remember, a breakdown at planting time is costly. The best prevention is good maintenance. To Appreciate Your Farm Life can become so hectic... too much to d 0... on the run. You’ve been on the tractor or in the bam almost nonstop since sunrise and there’s too much on your mind to notice the stunning sunset. Farm ing is still full of the best in life. Probably many of the reasons you wanted to be a fanner or live on a farm are the very things you don’t pay much attention to anymore. It’s more than machinery or live stock, bills or market fluctuations - it’s a way of life which in itself holds much to be desired and appreciated. We must not let the excessive stress on the farm interfere with your home and family life. Medi cal research estimates as high as 90% of today’s illness and disease is stress related. Fanning is one of the most stressful occupations today. We must admit stress to ourselves before we can deal with it Most importantly, take time to “smell the flowers.” And say to yourself - just for today, I will live through the next twelve hours and not try to tackle all life’s prob lems at once. John Hess President To Be Aware of a Nitrogen Fertilizer Test Nitrogen is a critical component of plant fertility. According to Robert Anderson, Extension Agronomy Agent, nitrogen con trols plant metabolism and is the major component ofplant protein. It is a key element of the chloro- phyll molecule and plays a key role in photosynthesis. Until recently nitrogen recommenda tions woe based on projected yields because nitrogen soil test ing was not available. Farm crops which are under fertilized with nitrogen, typically show yellow ing of the leaf which reduces photosynthesis and total produc tion. Dr. Richard Fox, Penn State Agronomist, has developed a soil nitrogen test which can be used to evaluate the amount of residual nitrogen in the soil. Using Dr. Fox’s test will allow reducing nit rogen application without reduc ing yields. For more information, contact your county extension office. To Prune Shade Trees Winter is a good time to prune the shade trees on your property because the trees are dormant and won’t be affected by the trimming ON LOVING & FORGIVING MUCH January 22,1989 Background Scripture: Luke 7:36- 50. Devotional Reading; Romans 5:1- Before we come down too hard on Simon the Pharisee, let’s try to see this situation as he must have seen it. Be cause he regarded Jesus as a prophet, he invited him to his home so that he might learn more about him. While they were at the table, a woman whom the Pharisee recognized as a prostitute entered his house and began to weep and annoint the feet of his guest. If this were your house, what would you have done? Wouldn’t you have been em barrassed at this woman’s presence? Wouldn’t you have wanted to order her from your house? Furthermore, wouldn’t you have wondered what kind of prophet Jesus could be if he failed to realize what kind of woman she was? Prophets were supposed to know what other people didn’t know and see things other people couldn’t see. Everyone in town knew that this woman was a blatant sinner. How could Jesus be oblivious of that? HE KNEW MUCH Here was a man who was obviously proud of what he knew and understood. He knew the laws of the Phari sees and he knew how to live by those laws. He knew what was proper for a good Jew and what was not. He knew with whom he could associ ate and with whom he could not. Life was pretty much a matter of dividing the sheep from the goats and he was sure he stood firmly with the sheep. But perhaps there was as much. The bare limbs let you see where and how much to prune. And it’s easier to reshape tangled and low-hanging branches. Most trees need thinning when they approach maturity. But, cor rective pruning is important when trees are young. While the young tree is growing, it’s important to remove a branch starting in the wrong position because this branch could change the whole tree structure. Pruning consists mostly of cut tings that train the tree ... but it generally involves more and more thinning out of weak and dead wood as the tree matures. There is a saying that “as the branch is bent, so will the tree grow.” With pruning, the results are even more drastic, for a limb which is cut will not grow back. So it’s important to know the proper method of prun ing before you start. more to Simon’s reactions. I think he may well have been jealous of this woman. He probably felt that he had taken considerable risk to in vite this controversial man to his house. Here was his guest giving his attention and concern to a disreputable sin ner who shouldn’t have been allowed to cross his threshhold! What’s the good of being a paragon of virtue if the sinners get all the at tention? So Simon knew much, but did he not know enough. He couldn’t have known much about Jesus if he expect ed this man to turn away a repentant sinner. He could not have really understood the love and grace of God if he thought this woman was beyond God’s mercy. Nor did he understand that life is not divided between the sinners and the saints, because we are all sinners and we all have .the opportunity to be saints. HE LOVED LITTLE Actually, as the expositor in the Interpreter’s Bible puts it, “It is the Pharisee who doesn’t know! It is he who does not know that every human being is God’s crea ture and the object of his care; that even the most shameless sinner can be forgiven; that no one is righteous in God’s sight, but all stand equally in need of God’s mercy; that love is the fulfillment of the law. It is he who is really ig norant!” (Vol. 8, p. 143). Neither did Simon really understand what love is all about. Because Jesus knew what was going on in Simon’s heart, he told a parable about a creditor and two debtors. The point of the parable was that one who is forgiven much, loves much in return. Even Simon was able to real ize that. Jesus then went on to contrast the actions of the “fallen woman” with those of the “rightous” Pharisee. The woman was repentant and treated Jesus with great respect and reverence. The Pharisee, by contrast, was too proud and haughty to extend to Jesus the simple courtesies of a guest. TRPiT X GOT SfUCK] IN IRE BARM j . DOORWAY A
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers