818-Lancaster Fanning, Saturday, January 14, 1995
\ y
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First vice-president Lois Hughes, left, and president Dot
tie Strickler, lead the state Farm Women with its 3,016
membership.
Farm Women Unite
(Continued from Pago B 12)
fundraisers and activities for the
year.
Naomi Bupp reported that the
“Society of Farm Women Cook
book” is continuing to sell well.
She presented a $5,000 check to be
turned over to the scholarship fund.
The Society presents annual
scholarships to students pursuing
degrees in home economics and
ag-related studies and who have a
mother or grandmother who is a
member of the society. This year’s
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Farming Staff
LANCASTER (Lancaster Co.)
“I belong to many community
organizations, but Farm Women is
my favorite I’ll never give it
up,” said Pat Lehman, president of
the Cumberland County Society.
Pat said that she was a city girl
when she fell in love with a farmer.
“I shed may tears, did a lot of
stomping and slamming doors,”
Pat said of her adjustment to farm
work.
But today, Pat loves the farm.
It’s her job to take care of the
calves on the 96-acre farm, which
has been in the Lehman family
since 1843.
Of those early days on the farm,
Pat said, “The first time I helped
deliver a calf I cried and said I
couldn’t stand it My husband
made me turn backward to pull so I
wouldn’t have to watch.
“I’m probably the only woman
in the county who drove tractor
while wearing a bikini because I
didn’t want to give up my tan and I
didn’t have time to lay in the sun,”
Pat said.
Pat considers the Society of
Farm Women was her salvation. “I
joined about four years after my
marriage and they were the biggest
help.”
Pat said that in other organiza
tions, you can hardly get anyone to
help with the work. “But a Farm
Women member can be crippled
and using a walker yet she will still
bake a pie and sticky buns for a
fundraiser.”
She asked, “Where else can you
find anyone feeding calves, taking
care of the house, and finding time
to help others? It’s an unique
group. It’s too bad every state
doesn’t have a Farm Women’s
Society.” '
HARRISBURG (Dauphin Co.)
—Hannah Bender became a mem
ber of Cambria County Farm
scholarships winners are Amy
Fyock, Lancaster County; Kristin
Groff, Lancaster County; Christine
Habecker, Lebanon County; David
Creamer, Somerset County; and
Richard Bupp, York County.
Pennsylvania Dairy Princess
Natalie Welch performed a skit for
the audience and reminded mem
bers that “clothes change, attitudes
change, and people change, but
what you eat and do now depends
on what your mind and body will
be later.”
Society member Mary Ross-
Farm Women Profiles
Women in 1943. She was county
president three terms and a state
director for three years.
She said, “I haven’t met a Farm
Woman yet that I didn’t like.
There’s no bickering or arguing in
the group.”
The Farm Women’s theme song
is “Brighten the Comer Where
You Are.”
Not only do they work together
as a group to brighten comers, but
also individually.
Since 1980, Hannah travels
almost every year to Haiti or
Nigeria to brighten comers.
After her husband died 21 years
ago, Hannah moved home with her
mother since Hannah’s own child
ren were married and on their own.
She decided to accompany some
church Mauls on a mission trip to
Haiti. There, she learned to sing in
Creole and became part of a musi
cal group to present programs and
Hannah Bender
State directors are from left, Janice Yorlets, Cumberland; Gladys Meyers, Franklin;
Barbara Malehorn, Yoi and Barbara Nlsslr - Lancaster.
Arlene Witman installs the treasurer and directors to
Arlene Witman, Barbara Nlssley, Grace Book, and Mary Pankake.
to teach Bible classes.
Hannah felt her time spent in
Haiti was profitable so she
returned for 10 to 12 days annual-
ly.
In 1983, she Went to Nigeria,
Africa to teach Bible School for
two months. In Nigeria, English is
the official language so Hannah
had no trouble communicating
with the people.
Last year, Hannah joined a med
ical team for a trip to Haiti. She
assisted the doctors in giving
medication to patients. This year,
she is again traveling to Haiti with
the medical team.
“I prayed a lot about it and it
seems as if I have a calling,” Han-
nah said.
It’s a financial sacrifice for Han
nah, but she said that she’s frugal
in other areas and some Mends and
relatives help out financially with
the expenses of the trips.
Pat Lehman
man, renowned story teller, gave a
tragic account of two boys who
died near her home in 1856.
Other society members pro
vided musical entertainment.
Helen Williamson sang with piano
accompaniment by Trudy Reich
ard. Group singing was led by Joy
ce Schott.
The annual banquet was held at
the Penn Harris Motor Inn in the
evening.
Musical entertainment was pro-
Ushers for the banquet are Carolyn Brlcker of Franklin
County and Diane Lehman of Franklin County.
vided “The Generations,” a three
generation family from Cumber
land County. Grandmother Neva
Barrick, her son Tim Barrick,
father of two sons and a milk truck
driver, and his sister Amy Long
with two sons and two daughters
sang about Pennsylvania’s people,
places, and things.
Members were told to make
reservations now for the Spring
Rally scheduled at Dickerson Col
lege on May 23. Tickets are $l2.