Meyersdale FFA Challenged To Think About What Matters In Life SANDRA LEPLEY Somerset Co. Correspondent SOMERSET (Somerset Co.) The Meyersdale Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter in Somerset County held its annual banquet on May 23 at the high school cafeteria with Paul Host etler, state FFA president from Lancaster County, serving as guest speaker. “What really matters to you in life,” asked Hostetler to a crowd of about 150 students, family members and guests. “Something that bothers me is people who waste talent because of fear of failure or being laughed at.” Hostetler encouraged the group to step out of their comfort zones and experience life on a new level. He used his own expe rience of finishing last in public speaking during his freshman year in high school as a reason to try something again. “Challenge yourself tonight and think about what matters most to you,” said Hostetler. “Then, give yourself the strength to get up and try again.” Also speaking was Lance Bit tner, state sentinel and a gradu ated member of the Berlin Broth ersvalley FFA, also in Somerset County. During the program, the Meyersdale FFA Chapter chose Roy Vena Jr., the high school guidance counselor and a former Meyersdale FFA sentinel, as its honorary chapter degree recipi ent. Vena was honored by the Lancaster Society 23 In 1952, Mrs. Robert Herr, county president of the Society of Farm Women, organized Society #23. It was the first. society or ganized in several years and was located in Manor Township where members are now celebrat ing its 50 years of being socially and charitably busy. Society #23 members are still predominately from Manor Township although they do ac cept members from outside the township. Membership remain under 25 and meetings are held in members’ homes. Mrs. Clayton (Dollie) Charles is the current president and Florence Hess was the chair for the 50th year cele bration planning. At the May 10 Celebration Luncheon for 50 Years, several former members returned to help celebrate and renew acquain tances. It took place in the all purpose room at the Central Manor Church of God where many of the women met 50 years ago in Sunday school and church. The buffet luncheon was ca tered by Rosemary Hess with help from members. A brief me morial service for former mem bers was conducted by Eileen Thomas. There were a lot of memories shared as the women talked about achieving 50 years of service in Manor Township. LEACOCK RSBSSR CENTER 89 Old Leacock Rd., Ronks, PA * 717-768-7174 . www.leacockcoleman.com Store Hours Mon., I\ie., Wed. & Thur. - 7am - spm Fri. - Tam - Bpm Sat. 7am -12 pm noon Coleman Camping Products Regency Gas and Wood Stoves Harman Wood, Coal & Pellet Stoves & Fireplaces Aladdin Lamps and Accessories The Meyersdale FFA officers and award winners, from left, are Sara Hoover, Crystal Shifflett, Jen Decker, and Megan Murray. Back, from left, are Jarrod Murray, Jon Henry, Mark Lowery, Tom Shaffer, and Shawn Troutman. Roy Vena Jr., high school guidance counselor, receives an honorary membership award to the Meyersdale FFA from Jen Decker, left, the FFA Chapter president. Vena’s wife Lana and children Zachary and Katie are at right. Vena was a former officer of the Meyersdale FFA, serving as sentinel in 1976. Ken Hoak, curator of the Con estoga Area Historical Society, spoke of Manor Township histo ry and the Conestoga Wagon’s importance to Lancaster County farmers’ commerce. He said that hemp for rope and flax were some of the products along with whiskey, potatoes, lumber and other produce that were hauled to other cities with port service. In recalling their beginning, Phyllis Brubaker and Barbara Nissley talked about calling the first members to come to a possi ble organizational meeting in the Brubaker’s livingroom. They were a group of young mothers and noted, in fact, that five of the 18 members in 1953 were preg nant The early members related the first funds raised by their society for charitable use came from members assembling rhinestone jewelry and selling stockings Lancaster The Society of Farm women #8 met for lunch at the Mount Joy Vo Tech School May 8. Follow ing the luncheon, the group trav eled to the Witman home to hear Dr. Kathleen Hay explain the ex tensive program of Clinical Re search Studies at Hershey Med ical Center. Coleman Gas Grills Jotul Gas and Wood Stoves from a Hanover outlet. Their ef forts gained $3OO and they were commended for their efforts at the state farm women’s conven tion which takes place each year during the Pennsylvania Farm Show week. In recent year. Society 23 has raised its fund selling food at property sales where the two standard food items are “wonder ful chicken com soup and a selec tion of homemade pies.’ It was pointed out that their SOth Anniversary program was about the 600th educational pro gram for Society 23. Society 8 During the business meeting, an induction ceremony was con ducted for new members, Shirley Warwick and Mary Sheetz. Plans were completed for the June meeting when our group will liost the birthday party at the Mennonite Home in Lancaster for the guests who have a birth day in June. | INTMCOURSE i W-HANO s W MMDISC LEACOCK-1 JP COLEMAN CENTER ® icaster Come To The Coleman Camping Headquarters For All Your Camping Needs senior FFA officers for his con stant guidance and support of the FFA program. “I am deeply honored by this selection and especially as a for mer FFA member, I know the value of having been named for this degree,” said Vena after the banquet. “From my perspective as an educator, 1 realize that the community effort and parental involvement is so necessary for a successful program like Meyer sdale’s to work effectively.” Vena served as sentinel of the Meyersdale FFA during his sen ior year in 1976. He attended the banquet with his wife Lana, a Meyersdale Elementary school teacher, and children Zachary and Katie. Career Development award winners awards went to the fol lowing: Jarrod Murray, dairy cat tle; Shawn Troutman, livestock; Megan Murray and Crystal Shif flett, ag sales and production; Tim Emerick, tractor driving. Megan Murray and Crystal Shifflett, interview; Mark Lowery and Jon Henry, small gas en gines; Jennifer Decker and Bran don Lepley, horse judging; Jas mine Metheney, floriculture; Derek Decker, creed speaking. Crystal Shifflett, Beth Miller and Jasmine Metheney, senior prepared FFA; Jennifer Decker and Mark Lowery, extempora neous public speaking; Jon Henry and Mike Ohler, conserva tion public speaking. Matt Troutman, record book The May meeting for Lancas ter Society of Farm Women #l4 was a Car-A-Rama concentrating on the town of Lititz. Fifteen members plus friends partici pated. Visits were made to four loca tions Kready’s Store Museum at 55 N. Water St.; Wilbur Choc olate Museum at 48 N. Broad St.; Linden Hall girls’s school (for lunch); and the Sturgis Pretzel Factory at 219 Main St. Eighteen members met in April at the Family Cupboard Restaurant foi lunch. It was re ported that the group’s state project is Feed the Children. Also announced was the date of Sep tember 4, 2002, to entertain the Farm Women #2O met April 4 at the Memorial United Method ist Church where they enter tained Societies #23 and #l5 to a covered dish luncheon. Following the luncheon, Vala ria Ferguson had devotions for which she read from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes and gave a corresponding reading and spoke about the meaning. The devotions ended with the group praying in unison, “The Lord’s Prayer.” Following the Pledge Alle giance to the Flag, rod call took MFW HOLLAND TOYS, T-SHIRTS & COLLECTIBLES ONEW ITEMS ARRIVING WEEKLY JomDcEM CHECK OUR WEB SITE www.abcgroff.com OR VISIT OUR STORE (717) 355-2121 (800) 346-8319 ft GROFF j) HO South Railroad Ava., N«w Holland, PA 17557 fw=i Monday Thru Friday 7:30-6:00; Saturday 7:30-Noon Ijnel visit our Wso Srte: www.abcgrofr.com u r° Lancaster Farming, Saturday, June 15, 2002-811 Lancaster Society 14 Lancaster Society 20 KWHOUK) (swine); Jennifer Decker, record book (off-farm); Mark Lowery, star farmer; Melissa Tressler, star greenband; Jennifer Decker, highest GPA chapter scholarship; Megan Murray and Sara Hoover, chapter and leadership and ca reer goal CD awards. Academic Excellence awards: Megan Murray, Jennifer Decker, Timothy Vought, Melissa Tres sler, Erin Kelly, Crystal Shifflett, Mark Klink, Matthew Perkins, Mark Lowery, Shirley Tressler, Beth Miller and Norman Cober iy- Appreciation awards were given to Kay Ann Cober, high school teacher, and Jen Decker, chapter president. FFA Volleyball: Thomas Shaf fer, Fred Werner, Megan Murray, Jon West, Jarrod Murray, Beth Miller, Crystal Shifflett, Mark Klink, Nina Zimmerman, Sarah Boger, Meredith Murray, Katie Lantz, and Christopher Lepley. Current FFA Sweetheart Jen Decker was presented with her crown from last year’s recipient, Shawna Porter. FFA Basketball: Adam Gray, Jon West, Mark Klink, Dustin Wilt, Jarrod Murray and Shawn Troutman. Retiring officers: Jen Decker, president; Crystal Shifflett, vice president; Shawn Troutman, treasurer; Jon Henry, secretary; Mark Lowery, sentinel; Jarrod Murray, chaplain; Megan Mur ray, student adviser; Sara Hoo ver, reporter; and Tom Shaffer, parliamentarian. residents at Conestoga View, In March, a 9:30 a.m. breakfast was enjoyed at the Shady Maple Restaurant. The February meeting was at Jean E. Groff’s home. The speak er was Brenda Lehman who gave her life story by starting with Psalm 66 saying “Praise, Give God the Glory.” The January meeting was hosted by Ruth Kreider where 14 members made two bed rolls for homeless people. Jan. 3, six peo ple went to the Lancaster Gener al Hospital where 266 pieces were completed. Ruth Kreider and Jean E. Groff gave a report on the 83rd annual convention. place with each one present, in cluding guests, mentioning her favorite flower. The sunshine committee reported one card re cently sent. At the conclusion of the busi ness meeting, the “Buffalo Gals” entertained. For the May meeting, Farm Women #2O planned to meet for lunch at the Old country Buffet. The thought for the month was “Take time to laugh it is music to the soul.”
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