810-Uncaster Fanning,
Fourth Grader Writes About ‘Farmer Grandpa’
GAIL STROCK
Mifflin Co. Correspondent
BELLEVILLE (Mifflin Co.)
The purpose of promoting good
relationships between all ages in
spired the Mifflin-Juniata Area
Agency on Aging to again offer,
for the sixth time, its annual “My
Special Senior Friend” essay con
test. A teacher, in turn, inspired
•Andrew Yoder to write about his
special senior friend his “Pap”
Joshua Yoder.
A fourth grader at Belleville
Mennonite School, Andrew wrote
his essay because he wanted
everyone to know that his grand
father is “a nice person to be
around”.
“I picked him because I like to
do activities with him and to go to
his house,” Andrew said.
And as “Farmer Grandpa,” as
Andrew sometimes calls him.
Josh provides for Andrew and his
sue other grandchildren, lots of
chances to leant while doing.
“I’ve learned how to drive a
tractor and feed cows,” says An
drew, who wants to be a farmer
when he grows up.
While Andrew’s uncle Marvin
milks the 55-cow herd on the
home farm near Belleville, Josh
takes care of the 120 crop acres,
tends to heifers at different loca
tions, and calls his grandchildren
to ride along and help out.
And, as Andrew’s essay ex
plains, his grandfather does a lot,
lot more.
My special senior friend is a
very busy person. He hauls saw
dust for people and lets me ride
along. He goes to a lot of sales. He
hauls cows and other animals for
people who buy them at the sales.
I like to ride with him in his cattle
truck. He lets me help load and
Whether it’s feeding calves, hauling sawdust, or attend
ing sales, good relationships are built by working together.
I, Saturday, January 23, 1993
unload the animals. I like to watch
the sales with him. He usually
buys me candy bars and soda. One
lime he tried to trick me into buy
ing a litter of pigs. I was glad I
didn't have to pay for them!
Whenever he doesn't go to sales
he does the formwork on a farm. I
like to ride with him in the tractor.
Last year I helped unload hay. It
was a heavy job but I like working
with hay. He also raises a few
calves. He helps clean up after
fires. He goes to church every
Sunday. I like to visit him because
I like to feed his calves. I am very
glad he's my friend. I like him a
lot.
Joshua learned of Andrew’s en
try in the contest a few weeks be
fore he submitted his entry. Then,
after reading the entry and attend
ing the honors celebration for en
try winners, Josh discovered he
learned a few things from An
drew!
“I learned how close they
(grandchildren) were watching
me. It came out in Andrew’s es
say. Andrew mentioned that I was
always in church every Sunday. It
made me aware that kids watch
grandparents as much as parents,”
Josh explained.
And with little eyes watching,
Josh hopes to instill the same val
ues he taught his own six children
to go to church on Sunday, and
to teach them the value of work, of
getting something done, of getting
something accomplished.
While Andrew made his Pap
feel surprised, happy, and honored
by writing his essay, both are part
ners in the process of keeping
families close, of promoting good
relationships between all ages.
Andrew’s parents are Wayne
and Sandy Yoder of Belleville.
by Andrew Yn w
Andrew Yoder chose Pap as his “Special Senior Friend."
Through Andrew's entry in “My Special Senior Friend Contest,” Joshua learned
how closely children watch their grandparents.
Heather Charles (left) and Anne Palermo, New Castle County 4-H’ers, build towers
on gelatin and clay slabs to learn about earthquake dynamics during Every Youth a
Scientist SERIES Training. After completing the training, they and other teenage vol
unteers will share what they’ve learned with younger children. SERIES, which stands
for Science Experiences and Resources for Informal Educational Settings, Is a new
4-H educational program being started In Delaware by Cooperative Extension.
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