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Strong
(Continued (ram Page A 1)
For ho-, family strength is.not
merely having an ingrown family
unit, but a strong family that reach
es out to meet the needs of the
community.
Dottie said that her philosophy
has always been ‘To establish rea
sonable balance in outside activi
ties, work schedules, and family.”
Her solution for simultaneously
caring for children and becoming
involved in outside activities was
to involve the children in whatever
she did.
That mept that when the child
ren joined 4-H, she became a 4-H
leader by teaching cooking and
sewing. Later she joined the 4-H
Development Board and became a
clothing and textile master. She
branched out into other extension
services by become a board mem
ber of the Family Life Advisory
Committee, and for the past 18
years, she has taught crafts at the
Homemaker’s Camp, sponsored
by the extension.
Church activities also fills a big
slot in family life. Now that the
children are grown, Dottie is
pleased that her grandchildren take
an interest in getting involved.
Recently, a daughter and a seven
year-old grandson joined Dottie
and the Women’s Fellowship at
the Hain’s United Church of Christ
in Wemersville to make more than
200 pounds of candy as a fundrais
er. It’s something that Dottie and
other family members have been
doing for 30 years.
“I think it is important to involve
family members to do things with
your friends.” Dottie said.
Dottie grew up in a family of
seven children.
“My father was very strict We
worked all time,” Dottie said.
There was no differential treat
ment between the boys and girls in
the family. Dottie was expected to
load and unload hay as fast as her
brothers.
Unlike her older siblings, Dottie
wanted to graduate from high
school. When she approached her
dad, he agreed to allow her to do so
if she was willing to walk two
miles every day to the bus stop.
A Dozen Ways To
Strengthen Family
—Pam Stata Cooparatfva Extanalon
Millions of Americans, young and old, arc doing things to make
their families stronger.
They’re working to strengthen family ties because they feel stress
is upsetting to the family.
Everyday stress piles up as family members worry about many
seemingly unavoidable problems.
Family members can help each other deal with everyday tensions
and strains.
Building a strong family is the best insurance against the devastat
ing effects of family stress
Every family, including yours, has its strong points. What are your
family’s strong points?
To find out mote about strengthening your family and how to do it,
contact the Cooperative Extension Service office in your county.
1. Spend time with each other, do things together as a family.
2. Plan ahead with your family so things will happen and not just
happen.
3. Establish a reasonable balance between outside activities, work
schedules, and your family.
4. Talk with each other and listen carefully to understand the
other’s viewpoint.
3. Show each family member consideration and appreciation, espe
cially in everyday ways.
6. Respect each person his/her ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
7. Develop pride in your family.
8. Resolve problems and conflicts in a constructive way.
9. Help each other and be willing to let others help you.
10. Contact and build ties with other families.
11. Take part in community affairs and use community services.
12. Develop a spiritual focus within your family.
Families Become Involved In Community
She did.
“My father eventually bought
me a bicycle to ride back and
forth,” Dottie said.
Situations such as this instilled
the belief within Dottie that goals
often require sacrifice.
After high school graduation,
Dottie took over the housekeeping
duties because her mother had
health problems. A few years later,
she married Wilbur, with whom
she recently celebrated SO years of
marriage.
The couple moved on Wilbur’s
family’s 113-acre farm. Starting
off with a few cows, chickens, and
pigs, the couple soon added
another 78-acre farm, a full-size
dairy, and did custom combining
on the side.
Dottie worked side by side with
her husband until the boys of their
nine-children family were old
enough to help outside.
Dottie concentrated her efforts
in household, sewing, and cooking
chores.
“Housework can be fun. I
always enjoyed it,” Dottie said.
Being a speedy worker, Dottie
was able to whiz through the
housework and find other outlets
for her energy.
Church activities have included
Sunday school teaching and being
superintendent, overseeing the
Mother’s Club and Guild, and
Women’s Fellowship.
Dottie became a member of
Farm Women 28 years ago when
she first heard about it and started
Group #7 because there wasn’t a
group established nearby. Since
then she has served on many coun
ty and state office and committees
to the organization.
This year, as state president,
Dottie looks forward to attending
all the county conventions. She
especially enjoys overnight stays
in the homes of other Farm
Women members. It was that
enjoyment that gave her the idea
for the tour that Farm Women
organize every year. During the
next two years, members will tour
Pennsylvania, concentrating espe
cially on those counties that have
Farm Women groups. The tours
will focus on culture craft shops
T' r
For 30 years, Dottle has been making Easter candy at her church. The Importance of
doing things with extended family members and with friends Is continually empha
sised in Dottle’s conversations. With her are a daughter Jane Bezner, a sister Esther
Groff, and grandson Michael.
and villages.
Members who cannot partici
pate in the two-week long tours
can join the group for one-day
excursions to become better
acquainted with other members.
Theoretically, Dottie and her
husband retired six years ago. That
meant they sold their hum to a
neighboring farmer. But work
hasn’t stopped. Dottie is up at 7
a.m. and busy until 11 or 12 at
night. She watches little T.V.
because she prefers to sew or do
things.
“I can always find something to
do,” she said.
Her daughter agreed.
“My mother has
boundless energy.
She is always doing
something for
someone and some
organization . She is
always strong, faith
ful, and committed
to people. ”
“My mother has boundless ener
gy,” daughter Jane Bezner said.
“She is always doing something
for someone and some organiza
tion. She is always strong, faithful,
and committed to people. No mat
ter what happens, she keeps
working.”
Recently Dottie sewed 50 sleep
ing bags for the homeless, and two
dozen wheelchair tote bags and lap
robes for those in nursing homes
because someone had given her
boxes of material and she saw the
need. She collects food for the
Berks County Emergency Shelter
and delivers it on a weekly basis.
She sews throw pillows and
quillows for all her children’s and
in-law’s homes.
Dottie and her husband now par
ticipate in activities at three senior
centers and are pinocle club
members.
Profuse flower beds surround
the Strieker home. “Last year not
Dottle Is known as a parson who Is always doing some
thing for someone and soma organization. No matter what
happens, she keeps working.
one weed could be found in all my banquets and other special
flower beds, and I have a dozen of ocassions.
them,” she said. It’s just like Dottie to find some-
She uses her own flowers to thing that will strengthen family,
make corsages for guests at church church, and community ties.
Here Is one the 50 sleeping bags that Dottie recently com
pleted for the homeless. She said that her philosophy has
always been “to establish reasonable balance in outside
activities, work schedules and family.” From left, Jane and
Michael Bezner, Dottle Strieker, and Esther Groff.