814-Lancaater Farming, Saturday, May 17, 1997 Hugs And Kisses Dominate Farm Women’s Rally Dauphin County Farm Women officers, who presided at the Spring Rally, stand with Lois Hughes, state president of the organization. From left are Evelyn Helm, recording secretary; Martha Reed, corresponding secretary; Lois Hughes, state president; Sha ron Strite, county president; Kathy Espenshade, post county president; Betty Etzwell er, vice president; and Shirley Radel, treasurer. LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Fanning Staff HERSHEY (Dauphin Co.) Mae than 780 members of the Pennsylvania Society of Farm Women gathered for the day-long Spring Rally held Tuesday. The theme, “Happiness Is Hugs and Kisses,” held a dual meaning since the rally was held at the Her shey Convention Center, home for the Hershey Kiss and Hershey Hug candies. Plenty of the famous cho colates were available for indulg ing while distant friends greeted each other with hugs and kisses. Dauphin County members hosted this year’s event The prog ram included an introduction by J. Bruce McKinney, chief executive officer of HERCO, who talked about Milton Hershey and how he built the town of Hershey from profits of his candy empire. Hershey was bom into a Menno nite home in Derry Church now called Hershey. After several attempts at business, Hershey launched his first successful busi ness in Lancaster where he found ed the Caramel Company. In 1900, Hershey sold the Car 'd Cr ’ forsl' illk H( y understand the Lady audiences plight of the homeless. “Cir cumstances enter Into life. One day you’re something and another you’re some thing else,” she said. returned to his hometown to exper iment with chocolate making. At that time chocolate was considered a luxury item. Hershey found a way to mass produce it and sell a candy bar for a nickle. Today the Hershey Foods Corporation is one of the largest manufacturers in the world with $3 billion in annual sales. With his profits, Hershey estab lished a park in 1907, which has been expanded and is now known as Hersheypark. The chocolate company was so successful that even during the 1930’s Depress ion, Hershey was considered a “boom town.” Because the Hersheys had no children of their own, they opened a home for four boys in 1909. From the Hershey $4.1 billion endownment, the richest in the U.S., the school now has 1,100 stu dents who live year-round on the 10,000-acre campus. McKinney, whose father died when he was young, was a student at the school and considers it Her shey’s finest endeavor. Bag Lady Rita McGinty enter tained the audience with antics typical of a homeless bag lady. McGinty has performed at more than 200 programs to fulfill a promise she made when her family was almost evicted from their home due to “a series of trage dies.” All the proceeds given to her for performances are given to interfaith shelters. McGinty said that 40 percent of the homeless are children. She told of meeting one boy who was on crutches after his toes were frost bitten from sleeping in an aban doned car for shelter. Accompanying McGinty was her family disguised as street peo ple. Excerpts of the homeless were interspersed with McGinty’s fami ly singing songs such as “What A Friend We Have In Jesus.” The message of that and other songs sung from the perspective of the homeless took on new meaning for the audience, many of whom were teary-eyed. In the afternoon program, the Hershey High School Chorus entertained with a collection of songs reflective of different regions. Each year a different county hosts the Spring Rally of the Socie ty of Farm Women of Pennsylva nia. Due to better weather, the rally usually draws mote members than the annual state convention held in Harrisburg during the state Farm Show. The Farm Women Society was founded by Mrs. Frank Black of Somerset County in 1914. The purpose is to contribute to the pow er and influence of the farm home; to contribute to to the community activity of farm women; to develop leadership, and to promote better living and working conditions in farm homes. Current membership is about 2,750. Officer* from the 12 Dauphin County Societies of Farm Women planned the day long rally held at the Hershey Convention Center. From left front: Lois Lesher, Group 11; Harriet Newtln, Group 4; Jane Fox, Group 2; Ruth Miller, Group 5; Naomi Donofrid, £ Group 8; and Martha Reed, corresponding secretary. Back row from left: Evelyn Kelm, " recording secretary; Shirley Radel, Group 10; Shirley Ecfcard, Group 9; Becky Elsneb- Ise, Group 16; Sharon StrKe, Group 9; Betty Etzweller, Group 15; and Della Parmer, Group 1. Do you recog the Bag Lady. Happiness Is hugs and kisses when greeting old friends. At left, Mary Denilnger of Lancaster County greets Louella Duppetath of Somerset County. The two formed a friend ship years ago when Louella was state vice president and Mary was county president. >se ladles? They are Farm Women members with to p<
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