Lancaster farming. (Lancaster, Pa., etc.) 1955-current, July 01, 2000, Image 52
812-Lancastor Fanning, Saturday, July 1, 2000 Although Karen Sellers is a registered nurse, county Farm Women president, and ac tive in many church and community activities, she finds time to work in the many flow er beds on the family farm. Karen Sellers Heads Lebanon County Farm Women LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff LEBANON (Lebanon Co.) Karen Sellers leads 20 societies with 274 members as president of the Lebanon County Society of Farm Women. That is demanding in itself, but Karen also has had the daunting task of serving as presi dent twice when the Lebanon County Farm Women hosted the Spring Rally this year and in 1983 the only years the county ever hosted the annual event. “All the societies really help out, but I can breathe a lot easier when the day is over,” Karen said of being responsible for about 1,000 guests from across the state. Karen and her husband Ken live in a house built in 1796. Ken's grandparents purchased the 300-acre farm about 75 years ago. Although many older stone homes have a date carved in The Seller’s 1796 farm house has a German prayer carved into the stone above the front porch. stone, the Sellers farmhouse is unique in that it has several sen tences carved above the entrance. The Sellers had the German words translated into English and discovered the words were actually a prayer: “God, protect this house and all that go in and out. Protect it from fire, storm, wind, hail, and with your hand from all danger. David and Emma Emsminger, 1796.” Although Karen grew up on a dairy farm, she said things were done quite differently on her farm. She didn’t know there were registered cows until she married Ken. But the biggest dif ference was that Ken wasn’t as tied down to the farm as her par ents, but took time off for vaca tions and other activities. “The farm is a great place to raise kids and work together as a family,” Karen said. The Sellers have three adult children and two granddaugh ters. Son Craig and wife Meran da farm in partnership with Ken and Karen. Another son, Kevin, helps on the farm as needed. Al though Karen works as a regis tered nurse, she helps on the farm every other weekend. Craig and Meranda recently took over responsibility for the 70 registered Holsteins and 80 head of young stock. That leaves more time for Ken to pursue his custom combining business, for which Karen takes care of the bookwork. For family partnerships to work, Karen said, “requires good communication and the realiza tion that everyone’s input is im portant. Just because we are older and have more experience doesn’t mean we know every thing.” As the county president, Karen is invited to other counties for their annual conventions. Karen believes Farm Women membership is an ideal place to develop friendships and to help with community needs. Karen is one of 16 members of Society 11. In addition to county and state projects, the individual societies also hold bake sales and donate money to help fund local nonpro fit organizations who help those in needy. Some of Karen’s fondest mem ories of Farm Women are of making meals for farm and city week tours, playing Bingo with nursing home residents, and holding treasure hunts and workshops. During a treasure hunt, one of the requirements was for members to go to the po lice station and have the police photograph them. The photo was required as proof. Karen also serves on the coun ty extension’s family living com mittee. She is a member of the Farm Women’s chorus, sings in the church Christmas cantata, and teaches Sunday school. She is a women’s auxiliary treasurer for the United Church of Christ Church Home and often drives a mini-bus to transport residents to shopping trips, picnics, craft sales, restaurants, and other events. Karen’s husband, Ken, is board treasurer for the Lebanon Countv Expo. As his wife, Karen sometimes helps out with unex pected duties such as shoveling snow off the expo roof. During the Lebanon Area Fair, Karen volunteers at the refreshment stand. In her spare time, Karen en joys sewing and reading. She col lects carousel horses and porce lain dolls. She also enjoys cooking. She shares the following reci pes with readers: FRUIT COCKTAIL PUDDING 3 boxes instant vanilla pud ding 8-ounces cream cheese 1 large can fruit cocktail, drained 6 cups milk Beat cream cheese with a little milk until nice and smooth. Then alternate between adding pud ding and remaining milk. Spoon in fruit cocktail. LEMON SQUARES 1 cup flour Vi cup butter, softened 'A cup confectioners’ sugar 1 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons flour Vi teaspoon baking powder 2 eggs 2 tablespoons lemon juice Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together flour, butter, and confectioners’ sugar. Press evenly into bottom of ungreased square pan. Bake 20 minutes. Beat re maining ingredients until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Pour over hot crust and bake about 25 minutes longer. Cool and cut into 2-inch squares. SEE YOUR NEAREST it I\EW HOLLAND DEALER FOR DEPENDABLE EQUIPMENT & SERVICE PENNSYLVANIA Messlck Equipment RD 1, Box 255 A 717-259-6617 An.nv.llle, PA BHM Farm Equipment,. Inc RD 1, Rte. 934 717-867-2211 Carlisle. PA R&W Pitman. PA Equipment Co. Schreffler 35 East Willow street Equipment 717-243-2686 Pitman, PA 570-648-1120 [Uaabsl essick . lama.qMa. PA Equipment c Rt. 283 - Rheem's Exit « 717-367-1319 Snyder, Inc. R.D.3 570-386-5945 Meyers Implements, Inc. 400 North Antrim Way 717-597-2176 Halifax p_a Sweigard Bros, R.D.3, Box 13 717-896-3414 MARYLAND EtedfirloH, MP Ceresville Ford New Holland, Inc. Rt. 26 East 2027 Leitersburg Pike 301-662-4197 800-553-6731 Outside MD, 800-331-9122 301-791-1200 Rising Sun. MD Ag Industrial Equipment Route 1, 50 N. Greenmont Rd. 1-800-442-5043 NEW JERSEY Washington. NJ Smith Tractor & Equip., Inc. 15 Hillcrest Ave. 908-689-7900 a KWHOLLAN) SJSt^WHOLLfII\D Company Norman D. Clark & Son, inc. Honey Grove, PA 717-734-3682 Loysville, PA 717-789-3117 A.B.C. Groff, Inc, 110 South Railroad 717-354-4191 S.G.Lewis & Son, Inc. 352 N. Jennersville Rd. 610-869-2214 1-800-869-9029 Antietam Ford Tractor, Inc. Bridgeton. NJ Leslie G. Fogg, Inc. Canton & Stow Creek Landing Rd. 609-451-2727 609-935-5145 Owen Supply Co, Broad Street & East Avenue 609-769-0308 / * / /