814-Unc«st*r Fanning, Saturday, March 7,1992 ‘Sisterly Caring’ Shown By Cumberland Farm Women LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff BOILING SPRINGS (Cumber land Co.) Cumberland County Farm Women president Fran Westbrook has nothing but praise for members of her society. “We are like sisters. When one has a problem we all share in it,” she said. Recently, Fran recalled two times when she desperately needed the support of the members. The first time was when she was a young mother with four children. When the oldest was only IS months old, she had twins. Then her youngest daughter was bom with a dislocated hip. The daughter was hospitalized for several years at the Elizabethtown Children’s Hospital. It required many trips between the Westbrook’s Cumber land County farm to the Lancaster County Hospital. After that daughter and the other children became adults, Fran again needed the support of Farm Women members when one of her grandsons was bom prematurely and permanently blind eight years ago. Now that the initial shock of fac ing this disappointing news has faded, Fran credits this grandson for helping her find her place in life that as a member of a parent support group for the blind and hearing impaired. The joy that this happy, well adjusted child brings into life infuses Fran. Remembering the support she received from Farm Women members while she grappled with the adjustment brings nothing but praise from Fran’s lips. She said, “Farm Women mem bers are just like having extra sis ters to help you cope.** Fran's involvement with the organization began early. Her mother, Pauline Kreitzer, was Cumberland County president at one time and organized a new group. Because ho- mother was deeply involved and happy with Farm Women. Fran said, “My mother was thrilled to death when I was installed as county president on November 9. She was too ill to attend the installation, but I think that was the one thing that caused her to hang onto life as long as she did.” Fran’s mother died on Novem ber 21. Fran heads 22 societies with its 356 members in Cumberland County. She has helped organize a younger group composed of daughters of Farm Women. Her daughter-in-law, Kathy West brook, is president of Group 22. “It’s a problem getting younger ones to join," Fran said, “but unlike many other organizations that have each family member pur suing their own interests. Farm Women encourage family activi ties by sponsoring family picnics and Christmas gatherings. And. they are always helping families in need. Recently, die Cumberland County societies donated funds to a young man from Shippensbutg facing a heart transplant The societies also help support foster parenting for delinquent teens. Fran said that she is one of three sisters who grew up on a farm. “We did all the farm work just like the boys would have done if there had been any,” she said. “We did the milking and the field work.” After her marriage, she and her husband Galen farmed 300 acres Fran Westbrook Cumberland Co. Farm Women President for 13 years until her husband began a water drilling business. They purchased a 70-acre farm that they continue to live on and cash rent the fields. The Westbrooks’ children are now married and they have seven grandchildren. Two sons own and operate an excavating business on the family farm. A son-in-law works in her husband’s well drill ing business. During her children’s child hood, Fran said that she was active in everything that her children were involved In. “I spent more time at school than home,” she said. “I’m happy to have raised the children on the farm. There are so many benefit' such as responsibility and oppor tunities that come with farm life.” Fran believes it is important for mothers to be home with their children. “After they had grown and were away from home, they often remarked how nice it had been to come and have baking smells in the house and have me home.” Fran said. Her children have also made being an at-home mom a priority. When one of her daughters who was about to have a baby asked Fran, “Mom, what do you think I should do? We really need the money from my job.” Fran answered, “It depends on your priorities. If you feel you need new clothes and furniture, then keep your job. But if you believe it is more important to be with your children because you can never regain that time, stay home.” Fran said that her daughter chose to quit her job. “It was tough financially for them at first, but in the long nm it’s been a big bene fit," Fran said. She is grateful that her children and spouses are “wonderful mothers and fathers. We don't have any family problems that so many other families have today. I have a fantastic husband and we have been married 37 years,” Fran said. Those physical handicaps that her daughter and grandchild face have brought rewards. Fran said. “Our children benefitted because they knew what it was like to be handicapped. They always stuck up for the underdog. They learned to do that because of their sister when so many other children were cruel. Even though her leg was a problem, the experience taught and instilled values in our family.” Shortly after the birth of her blind grandson, Fran, as dairy prin cess chaperone, accompanied the Cumberland County dairy prin cess to a local school. Unknown to Fran beforehand, the presentation was to a class that was visually and hearing impaired. “It was very emotionally healing and fulfilling to see how the children were cop ing,” she said. “It gave me hope.” Her grandson, who is now 8, attends the school where Fran had accompanied the dairy princess. “We arc so devoted to him. He takes piano lessons and we’ve attended several recitals. We are so proud of him,” she said. During Fran’s tenure as county president, she hopes to incorporate fundraising for blind. That’s my special interest,” Fran said. Fran docs the bookwork for her husband. She is extremely proud of her youngest daughter who was out of school for five years before she decided to go to college. She is now a certified public accountant I think the determination she deve loped because she was hand icapped helped her earn her CPA within a short period of time," Fran said. In her spare time, Fran bowls and golfs. She participates in a water exercise club three times weekly. And, she finds her Farm Women activities fulfilling. “1 just can’t imagine what it would be like without Farm Women. We have so much joy helping others,” she said. those who would like to know more about the Cumberland Farm Women societies, may call (717) 2SB-6403. Here is Fran’s husband’s favo rite chocolate cake recipe that has been handed down through the family. It is a moist cake that tastes best with peanut butter icing. FISHERVILLE CHOCOLATE CAKE 4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate 1 stick margarine 1 cup boiling water Melt chocolate and butter in boiling water. 2 teaspoons baking soda 2 cups flour 2 cups sugar Mix together in liquid. Add 'A cup sour milk, 2 eggs. 1 teaspoon vanilla. Blend and bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Cool. Frost with a basic peanut butter icing that may be made by adding peanut butter to taste to vanilla icing. See your nearest (SEW HOLLAISD Dealer for Dependable Equipment and Dependable Service: PENNSYLVANIA Annvllle. PA BHM Farm Equipment. Inc. RDI, Rte. 934 717-867-2211 Carlisle, PA R&W Equipment Co. 35 East Willow Street 717-243-2686 Oavktoburg, PA George N. Gross, Inc. R.D. 2, Dover, PA 717-292-1673 Elizabethtown, PA Messick Farm Equipment, Inc. Rt. 283 - Rheem's Exit 717-367-1319 Gettysburg, PA Yingling Implements, Inc. 3291 Taneylown Rd. 717-359-4848 Halifax, PA Sweigard Bros. R.D. 3, Box 13 717-896-3414 Honey Brook, PA Dependable Motor Co. East Main Street 215-273-3131 215-273-3737 West Grove, PA S.G. Lewis & Son, Inc. R.D. 2, Box 66 215-869-2214 MARYLAND Frederick, MD CeresviHe Ford New Holland, Inc. Rt. 26 East 301-662-4197 Outside MO, 800-331-9122 Hagerstown, MD Antietam Ford Tractor 301-791-1200 NEW JERSEY Bridgeton, NJ. Leslie G. Fogg, Inc. Canton & Stow Creek Landing Rd. 609-451-2727 609-935-5145 Woodstown, NJ Owen Supply Co. Broad Street & East Avenue 609-769-0308 Honey Grove, PA Norman D. Clark & Son, Inc. Honey Grove, PA 717-734-3682 Loysville, PA 717-789-3117 Hughesvllle, PA Farnsworth Farm Supplies, Inc. 103 Cemetery Street 717-584-2106 New Holland, PA A.B.C. Groff, Inc. 110 South Railroad 717-354-4191 Oley, PA C.J. Wonsidler Bros. R.D. 2 215-987-6257 Pitman, PA Schreffler Equipment Pitman, PA 717-648-1120 Quakertown, PA C.J. Wonsidler Bros. R.D. 1 215-536-1935 Tamaque, PA Charles S. Snyder, Inc, R.D. 3 717-386-5945 Washington, NJ Smith Tractor & Equip., Inc. 15, Hillcrest Ave. 201-689-7900
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