82-LancMtar Farming, Saturday, Novambar 4,1995
Lancaster Farm Women Install New President
LOU ANN GOOD
Lancaster Farming Staff
MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.)
Twenty yean ago Kathryn Fry
joined the Society of Farm
Women. Today she assumes the
presidency of the Lancaster Coun
ty Society with its 720 memben in
28 societies.
Kathryn typlifies the qualities
upheld by the society that was
founded in 1914. Members seek to
foster a love for the farm and fami
ly to enhance the charm of a
real country home.
The century farmhouse of
Kathryn and her husband Albert
permeates the warmth and atmo
sphere of a home where love
flourishes.
The Frys’ two sons are now
married, but the oldest son Lowell
lives on adjoining land and farms
in partnership with his dad.
The farmhouse and gabled stone
bam, called the Half-Moon bam,
were built in 1868. Lowell is the
sixth generation to farm the land
that was passed down through
Albert’s mother’s family.
Albert and Kathryn married in
February 1961 after a snowstorm
postponed their wedding a few
days. Albert’s parents built a house
on the land so that the newlyweds
could move into the farmhouse.
Albert told his bride that he
didn’t many her to work in the
bam, but she may if she wanted to.
Kathryn did.
Kathryn, who was a nurse,
quickly adapted to milking cows
and farm work.
“I found my nurses’ training
benefltted in caring for the cows
and calves. They are just like peo
ple each has it’s own personali
ty,” Kathryn said.
She was thrilled that at the first
field day that she attended, she
won a prize in cow judging.
When the boys were growing
up, Kathryn stopped working as a
nurse but continued working on
the farm. She assisted in Red Cross
training and gave injections to sev
eral people who needed them on a
daily basis.
Kathryn examines a child’s antique tea set.
When her friends discussed the
possibility of beginning Farm
Women Society 27, Kathryn was
interested but illness kept her from
attending the fust meeting. Interest
was so great that membership was
closed.
“Later, when there was an open
ing, I was asked to join,” Kathryn
said.
“It’s such a great organization.
Everyone shares a common inter
est and they ate such lovely
people,”
Kathryn held offices in her soci
ety and then served terms as first
'and second vice president Becom
ing president of the society is a
natural progression.
In her term as president,
Kathryn said, “We may need to
look at some changes to fit into the
’9os that will be more encouraging
for others to join. Meeting times
and responsibilities may need to be
mote flexible. Just because some
thing is always done a certain way
doesn’t mean it needs to continue.
“In the past, farm women mem
bers came from the farm, but today
anyone interested in country life
will find Farm Women
beneficial.”
While many groups are having
difficulty recruiting young
mothers, Kathryn’s enthusiasm for
the Farm Women Society has
influenced both her daughter-in
laws and some of their friends to
join.
“I always like to try new
things,” Kathryn said of her many
talents that have been developed'
through self teaching and friends
who share. Knitting, decoupaging,
flower arranging, crewel embroid
ery, baking, and trying new recipes
ate a few of her favorite things. She
makes her own clothes and sewed
all the curtains and draperies for
her many-windowed farm house.
The farmhouse is filled with
family heirlooms and antiques col
lected by both she and her
husband.
It’s impossible to tell where
Kathryn’s decorating touches
(Turn to P r B 4)
Ip
>s
At Home With Kathryn Fry
President of Lancaster County Society of Farm Women Kathryn Fry stands in from
of the 1868 farmhquse that has been In her husband’s family for six generations.
Is a perfect spot to display collectibles.
The tin cookie cutter collection is
Kathryn’s husband Albert’s. The
couple share a love for antiques and
preserving the past.