USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Our heritage : history of the Frederick County, Virginia, Extension Homemakers 1916-1976 > Part 3
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Semi-annual meetings were held by the County Advisory Board. The County Advisory Board was the forerunner of our present-day County Council.
Miss Maude E. Wallace, State HD Agent for eight years, was promoted to Office of Assistant Director of Extension in charge of home demonstration work in 1937. During Miss Wallace's eight years in Virginia, the staff of HD assistants increased from 38 county and state workers to 57. The program in 1937 was carried in 1,009 communities in the State to over 17,000 girls and 18,000 women - a marked progress from the 4,000 women in HD work when Miss Wallace started as HD agent. The program not only brought information to the women and girls but did much in rais- ing the standards of living and in developing rural leadership.
Miss Mary Lee Dovel, who served five weeks in May and June, 1937, in Frederick County, was appointed as HD agent in Shen- andoah County June 23. The announcement was made by Miss Elizabeth Farrar, under whose supervision Miss Dovel received her training in the field. She was a native of Rockingham County, at- tended Harrisonburg College, and taught Home Economics in pub- lic schools at Mt. Clinton, Virginia, before coming to Frederick County.
The ninth annual session of the Institute of Rural Affairs, held July 27-29, at V.P.I. in Blacksburg, Virginia used the theme "Con- servation of Human Resources," which was chosen to emphasize all agriculture and conservation programs initiated by the State and Federal governments to improve the living standards for the farm people of the State. The Institute was started in 1928 at the suggestion of American Country Life Association. It provided a place in the southern states for an open forum discussion of mutual problems. It was directed by the Agriculture faculty of V.P.I. and the Board of Advisors made up of prominent agriculture leaders
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from surrounding States.
On September 29, 1937, the Stephens City Club gave a party for Miss Elizabeth Farrar, who was to leave October 1 for a new post in Lexington, Rockbridge County, Virginia. She was Home Agent in Frederick County for seven years. Her successor was Miss Madeline Blair, of Lexington.
The Federal Surplus Commodities began purchases in Sep- tember of fruit to be distributed through relief agencies. The Agri- culture Adjustment Administration offered 50¢ per hundred pounds bulk or 50¢ per bushel of apples. The Agriculture Adjust- ment Act of 1933, and later legislation were passed by Congress to help stabilize farm prices and give farmers parity of income with other parts of the economy. The purchase of surplus commodities was one way to help regulate farm prices.
Some demonstrations given during 1937 were: home-made rugs and mats, handy helps for kitchens, winter gardens indoors, corn and cornmeal dishes, crocheted and knitted bedspreads, ade- quate storage, how to spend wisely, selection of proper shoes, pos- ture and how it affects one's health, useful home accessories, uses of milk.
Miss Margaret Flickinger, Home Service Department of North- ern Virginia Power Company, gave a demonstration on making and decorating fruit cakes.
Miss Ethel Fisher, assistant agent, gave a talk on consumer buying and discussed the farm and home outlook for 1937. Good Health, the Foundation of Good Appearance and useful accessories, desk accessories, and road beautification were projects or lessons.
A bingo party was sponsored to raise funds for benefit of flood victims.
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"Our Homes Advertise Us" campaign to improve homes set their goal at 500 homes. Each Club was to enroll homeowners who were not club members and secure at least 3 homeowners who have tenant houses. Inspection was made and awards were given. Improvements included pantry shelves and racks and new cabinets in kitchens, put fuel-wood-box on legs or casters, closet space for clothing and linens, porch floors and steps repaired, sagging gates repaired, improved and painted fences, outhouses were screened from view, and borders were planted with flowers.
A county-wide clean-up campaign for the week of April 11, 1938 used the slogan "Paint Up, Pick Up, Slick Up." A cash prize of $2.50 was won by Mrs. Julia Wright.
Pruning of fruit trees became a necessity, and traps were made for the war on Japanese beetles that were very destructive. Other problems were the use of legumes, proper rotation, use of lime and practice of cultivation of land subject to erosion. Plowless farms
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were the answer to some erosion. Three of every eight farmers in Virginia found it necessary to work for pay not connected with farms at this time.
Demonstrations for 1938 included: First Aid, color in the home, feed bags, slip covers, old furniture takes on new life, window treat- ment and curtains, hooked rugs, pictures in their places, cottage cheese dishes, pickles, salads, sandwiches, frozen desserts, quick refreshments, control of houehold pests. It was stressed that apples are food, drink, and medicine, and fruit juices are valuable in hos- pitals.
The annual report showed: 10 Clubs with 235 members; 250 pounds of cheese were made; 10,003 quarts fruit, 10,992 quarts vegetables and 2,168 quarts meat were canned; 5,258 quarts of jams, jellies and preserves were made; 290 gallons of kraut; 511 pounds vegetables and 133 pounds fruit dried; 26 pieces of furni- ture upholstered; 40 stools made; 36 chair seated, 27 repaired; 262 pairs curtains and drapes made; 193 rooms refinished; 54 rugs and mats made; 70 slip covers made; 629 shrubs planted; 91 buildings remodeled, replaced or painted; 81 yards improved by walks, drives and entrances.
Demonstrations in 1939 included: Irish potatoes dishes; meat substitutes; simple refreshments; variations of yeast breads; feed bags made into sheets, pillow cases, underwear, draperies and bur- lap couch covers; pressure cookers for canning corn, lima beans, okra, squash, soup mixture, broccoli; peaches and tomatoes can- ned in hot water bath; making little things count; simple lunch- eons; step-saving kitchens; selection and care of small kitchen equipment; uses of fruits in diets; consumer education; kitchen storage; making punch, frozen custards. There were sewing mach- ine clinics at which machines were cleaned, adjusted and put into proper condition.
One HD Club sponsored a chicken, oyster and ham dinner for the benefit of the Gainesboro High School project to purchase chairs for their auditorium. Approximately 300 attended the din- ner and proceeds totalled over $125.00.
Fruit trees were given shots of gout cure, colchicine, to speed up production of some improved varieties. The colchicine is so powerful and deep-seated in its effects upon plant tissue as to pen- etrate the individual cell and to alter normal cell division in such a way that new cells formed may be different from the normal cell of the variety, and thus develop new strains.
In 1940, frozen foods business increased more than 50% in two years. In 1938 there were 1,269 locker plants; in 1939 there were 1,861 locker plants; and in July 1940 there were 2,870 locker plants. This showed a new trend in food storage, and food preservation.
The Homemakers Achievement Day's emphasis was on uses of
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apples. Miss Janet Cameron, Extension Food and Nutrition Special- ist, spoke on the Homemakers part in National Defense.
In December 1940, there were 80 different varieties of food prepared from apples, including main dishes, appetizers, confec- tions, desserts, and many others in an exhibit prepared by the Fred- erick County Home Demonstration Clubs members for the sessions of the Auxiliary of the Virginia Horticultural Society. Mr. L. B. Connelly, V.P.I. Experiment Station, stated that apple pomace was good silage for cattle.
In January 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in antici- pation that war curtailment of foreign markets in cotton, wheat and tobacco might adversely affect some farmers, urged the Treas- ury Department to allow subsidies (benefit payments) to farmers who cooperate with the Agriculture Adjustment Association crop control programs. The subsidies would include payments for soil conservation and parity on sugar. The government was asked to buy 10,000,000 more bushels of surplus apples to stabilize prices. In 1940, the Agriculture Department bought 9,070,000 bushels of fresh and more than 15,800,000 bushels of dried apples and distri- buted them to needy people.
The National Youth Administration Project was to teach every phase of housekeeping to young girls 16 to 24 years of age, who left school before graduating. Mrs. Madeline Blair Myers was in charge of the program, sponsored by the Welfare office. Sewing, cooking, nutrition, and every phase of homemaking were taught.
Miss Elizabeth Sprouse, HD agent, and Miss Rachel Dugan, Farm Security Supervisor, were in charge of a mattress making program sponsored by the A.A.A. to use surplus cotton. The mat- tress was secured by a family of 4 or less with gross income of not over $600 or larger families whose gross income did not exceed $50 for each person over four. Each family paid $1.00 to cover cost of supervision and equipment and they made the mattresses out of the material provided at the place designated. The full-size double mattress was obtained on a basis of one for each 2 persons in a fam- ily up to 3 mattresses. Applications were made at the A.A.A. Com- modities office. A carload of cotton would make 480 mattresses. Volunteers from Home Demonstration Clubs supervised the work. Three people could make a mattress in 4 hours; 347 mattresses were made in Frederick County. Many cotton mattresses replaced straw ticks. The mattress program was carried in 40 Virginia counties.
Another HD project was making surgical dressings for the Red Cross. Material for 52,000 surgical dressings was sent to the Winchester Red Cross Chapter. Work was done by volunteers at the Presbyterian Church each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs- day. These dressings were for the Winchester Chapter's next quota to the U.S. Army. They made and shipped 2000 garments and 100 layettes, also.
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As a result of the Northern Virginia survey for rural power in Frederick County approximately 65 families were to be served in the Star Tannery, Middle Road and Zepp sections. Approximately 13,400 rural Virginia families received electric service for the first time in 1940 - 8,187 were connected to new lines and 5,229 to lines built prior to 1940. Private electric utilities and 13 Rural Electric Administration financed electric cooperatives constructed and en- ergized approximately 2,425 miles of new rural distribution lines in 1940.
Lessons were given on: mattress covers; pads; sheets; ventila- tion; pest control; sanitation; buying blankets, mattresses and springs; planning family finances, homes responsibilities.
The seventh annual District meeting was held in Winchester, April 1, 1941. More than 700 homemakers came from Augusta, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shen- andoah and other counties besides Frederick County. All farm wo- men were invited whether they had a Home Agent or not, especial- ly Page, Warren and Clarke women. District President Mrs. W. I. Grove, Augusta County, presided. Miss Ella G. Agnew, State Di- rector of Community Service Programs of W.P.A., said "It is im- possible to separate National Defense from home defense; National Defense depends entirely on how the challenge is met in the home. The strength of a nation depends on strength of individual citizens recognizing their responsibilities." The panel discussion was on "National Defense.".
There was a drive in 1941 for more gardens as a defense move. Young farmers experimented with contour plowing and strip crop- ping, and planted lespedeza and grass on hillsides to increase pro- duction and prevent or control erosion.
The Red Cross conducted classes in Home Nursing and First Aid, and received a new quota for 2,500 dressings. Our homemakers participated in these activities.
There was no State Meeting in 1942 because of curtailment of travel conditions due to World War II. It was not until 1947 that the Institute of Rural Affairs resumed its annual meetings. Small war-time conferences were held. Stress was put on food preserva- tion and conservation, keeping families fit and preserving a satis- factory family life.
Home Demonstration Club members sold War Bonds. The seventh Bond Drive quota was $168,000 but the drive was over- subscribed by a million dollars - $1,168,000 - in one drive alone. The total War Bond sales is not known.
The slogan for the Victory Gardens was: "Vegetables for vita- mins, vitality and victory." The demonstration program was re- vised to meet defense needs with emphasis on foods. Meat, poul- try and dairy production, milk and egg consumption as related to
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health, garden suggestions, conservation of woolens for household and wardrobe uses, conservation of foods, drying, canning and other methods, making cheese, storing foods, conservation of breads and cereals, and a coat school were lessons presented.
A slogan was: "Food will win the war and write the peace." Recipes were adjusted to use less sugar due to new regulations on sugar. Corn or maple sugar or honey were substituted for one- half of the sugar. Molasses or sorghum was too strong a flavor. Saccharin becomes very bitter when heated. In canning, thin or light sirup was used - 1 pound of sugar to 4 quarts of finished fruit. More fruits and vegetables were dried because of shortages of rubber, metal and other canning equipment. Lessons on stor- ing of dried fruits and vegetables were given, with instructions that moisture-proof containers must be used.
Other problems began to confront our homemakers. Due to gas rationing, registration was required. This was done by periods according to names, alphabetically, for passenger cars and motor- cycles only. Trucks, taxis, busses, non-highway consumers and all other users of gasoline were registered by a special group of reg- istrars, who requested special information regarding type of ve- hicle and its use.
Other items that became rationed were: sugar, coffee, meat, shoes, and fuel oil. Ration books containing coupons for stated amounts and bearing expiration dates became a complicated task for redemption. A ration calendar appeared daily in the Winches- ter Evening Star which helped homemakers keep up to date on what stamps were good and when they expired. Wartime House- keeper and Food News columns in the Star presented information on effects of war problems.
Sugar for canning was limited to 25 pounds. There was no nation-wide limit on the amount of sugar allowed each person but some Boards set individual limits of 10 or 15 pounds while others allowed as much as 45 pounds. Beginning May 15, 1943 rationing Boards throughout the country began receiving applications under the new regulations. No special form was required unless it was planned to sell the home products. Applications were made in per- son or by mail. Each applicant furnished a copy of War Ration Book Number 1 for each person for whom home canning sugar was sought, the total quarts or pounds to be put up and the amount of sugar to be used for making jams and jellies.
Restaurant food was rationed on the basis of sales and con- sumption. Owners registered under the point system on processed foods, sugar and coffee.
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On June 11, 1943 the speed limit for cars was set at 35 miles per hour, primarily to save rubber but also to save gasoline. Per- sons caught speeding in non-essential driving had to surrender their gas ration coupons and in some instances their entire C book.
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The size of flour sacks was changed by the War Production Board, to be effective after the supply on hand was exhausted. There would be no 12, 24, 48 or 98 pound sacks; they would be 10, 25, 50 and 100 pounds. No real reason was given, but it was called a "war measure." The bigger sizes did make the sacks bigger and more usable.
Another slogan was "Food Fights For Freedom." A demon- stration was given on "Nutritious Dinners with Non-Rationed Points." Other lessons were based on war-time conditions.
In November 1943, Miss Elizabeth Sprouse resigned to accept a position in Salem, Virginia as Roanoke County Home Agent. Miss Ruth McNeil, graduate from Berea College, Berea, Kentucky be- came the new HD agent for Frederick County. She formerly taught home economics at Abingdon and was acting home agent of Wash- ington County, Virginia before coming to Frederick County.
In 1944, more farmers were turning to contour farming and use of more phosphate and nitrogen fertilizers to increase produc- tion of feed crops and pastures. Miss McNeil, home agent. pre- sented a Food for Victory program and conducted the Red Cross First Aid program. Nurses Aides were vitally needed in war ef- fort. Also, yarn was sent to the Red Cross at various times for their quotas for Army and Navy sweaters and Army scarfs, which our homemakers helped knit.
The Home Demonstration Clubs of Frederick County received a Citation from the U.S. Treasury Department for their patriotic cooperation rendered in behalf of the War Finance Program. Mrs. Ethel Jolliffe, Chairman of the Women's Division of War Finance Committee in Winchester and Frederick County presented the Citation to Miss Ruth McNeil at the HD office. Home Demonstra- tion members bought War Bonds and contributed to the purchase of an ambulance for the Navy, and later to the purchase of medical equipment. Money left over was used to purchase records and two record players for the McGuire's Veterans Hospital in Richmond, Va. This was a state-wide project.
The theme for the 1944 Achievement Day program was "H.D. Work in the Post-War Period." Maude E. Wallace. Assistant Di- rector of Extension Work V.P.I., was the main speaker. Miss Ruth Hunter, District HD Agent, was a guest.
In 1945, there was a "paper holiday" - you brought your own shopping bags or market baskets as the paper situation was critical. Everyone was urged to save all of their paper. There were collec- tions of tin cans and kitchen fats besides paper. The slogan was "save fats and paper and help win the war." There was a need for 170,000,000 pounds of salvage fats as the oil-bearing seed crop would not meet the requirements of the government. Farm women were urged to help in fat salvage.
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A clothing drive was conducted to collect 50,000 pounds of clothing for the nation's needy. A $10 award was offered to the student who contributed the most garments to the school clothing collection drive, for war relief overseas. Clothing, blankets, bed- ding and shoes were collected. The H.D.C. members collected, canned and shipped 1465 tins of surplus food in response to an ap- peal from the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Adminis- tration (UNRRA).
Applications for canning sugar were required again. Women were urged to can apples as insurance against food shortage. There was less sugar available so only 20 pounds per person was allowed (there was 25 pounds allowed in 1944), and it was stated that the amount might be reduced to 10 pounds per person. The regular sugar ration was 5 pounds per person every four months but the July ration was cut to 4 pounds per person.
Miss Ruth McNeil left Frederick County, July 12, to go to Buchanan County in southwest Virginia, near her home. Mrs. Madeline Blair Myers, former HD agent in Frederick County, as- sumed her duties as HD agent. Miss McNeil came to Frederick County from Washington County, December 1943, succeeding Miss Elizabeth Sprouse. Mrs. Myers, a native of Chatham, Virginia at- tended Averet College and Madison College. After leaving col- lege, her first service as home agent was at Lexington. Then she served as home agent in Frederick County 1937 to 1940, when she was Miss Madeline Blair.
On August 17, 1945, gasoline rationing was ended, and gaso- line sales spurted upward.
On October 1, shoe rationing ended, and shoe sales boomed. Rationing continued on the other items.
In August 1946, a campaign was launched to resume collec- tions of salvaged fats. Women were told that the reason soap and soap flakes were hard to find was because housewives had stopped saving fats. It takes 1 pound of fat to make 6 bars of soap. The domestic production of fats was under peak production, there was more usage of soap so the demand was greater, hence the shortage. Grocers paid 4¢ a pound for kitchen fats. Women were urged to start saving fats again.
Miss Agnes Shirley of Berkeley Springs was appointed to suc- ceed Mrs. Madeline B. Myers on September 1, 1946. She came from Greenbrier County, West Virginia where she had been engaged in Farm Security Administration work. She was a graduate of West Virginia University, and had several years experience in 4-H Club work. Mrs. Myers, who served in Frederick County from 1937 to 1940 had been pressed into service again when Miss Ruth McNeil resigned. Mrs. Myers agreed to serve for a year but asked to be relieved as soon as a permanent worker could be found.
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In 1946, there were 10 clubs, with a total of 80 members. The Clubs were: Albin, Evandale, Friendly Grove, Gore, Middle Road, North Frederick, Shawnee, Stephens City, Stonewall, and West Frederick. Some demonstrations given during the year were: salads, use of pressure sauce pan, soap making, American and cream cheese, refrigeration of home foods, housekeeping, home lighting, wiring lamps, clothing construction, furniture clinic, Christmas decorations and gifts. Miss Agnes Shirley, Home Agent, started the practice of training leaders to give demonstrations, and to conduct meetings without her presence.
The program for Achievement Day was a Style Revue of the suits, coats and dresses they had made during the year. There was an exhibit of pictures, rugs, stands, stools, flower and Christmas gifts. Tickets were sold on two home-made cakes and $45.00 was raised for the county and city restroom maintenance.
Sixty-one pieces of furniture were re-conditioned as a result of the furniture clinic. The coat and suit schools saved the women many dollars. The Federation Goal for the year for all clubs was "Rural Youth."
On June 10. 1947, Congress voted to end sugar rationing on October 31 but the Secretary of Agriculture would continue inven- tory control of sugar to March 31. 1948. Visible supplies of sugar had increased by 1.000.000 tons. It was argued that housewives needed the sugar soon for canning as fruit cannot wait for sugar; that last year a lot of fruits were abandoned because canning sugar could not be obtained. An increase of 15 pounds of sugar for can- ning was mentioned. That meant approximately 5 carloads of sug- ar for Frederick and Clarke counties, and that would preserve a lot of fruit. The bill did not affect price control of sugar nor di- rectly affect rationing of sugar for industrial use.
A big Cuban crop of sugar granted 250,000 tons more than was originally allotted - the new allocation to the U.S. was 7,150.000 tons compared to the 6.800,000 tons earlier allocation - so, the House Banking Committee approved a bill on June 10 to end house- hold rationing of sugar the day the bill became a law. Secretary of Agriculture Anderson issued the order to end sugar rationing, and thus beat Congress to the draw. Congress did go ahead with the bill to be sure there could be no order to return to controls later.
On June 12. 1947 the last war-imposed coupon control over the American public ended. as sugar rationing for home, restaurant and hotel use ended at midnight. After five years in which ration stamps meant more than money - when it came to meat, canned goods, shoes, tires. gasoline and a host of other things - individual Americans were free of coupon worries for the first time since April 28, 1942.
However, sugar price controls remained, and also rationing of industrial sugar. But these two controls were ended October 31.
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Sugar was the first to be rationed and the last to be freed from cou- pon control.
On October 13, 1947, ten Home Demonstration Clubs helped stage a Farm-Home Labor-Saving show at the Lupton's Orchard Service plant. In charge of women's activities was Miss Lucy Blake, District HD agent. Demonstrations included: freezing green beans, sharpening scissors, how to iron a shirt, posture in house- work, clothing repair and construction, handy wood box, garbage disposal, home laundry, kitchen cabinets, a recipe for a cleaning closet, adult storage, time savers any women can make, and a place for everything and everything in its place. More than 40 HD Club members were in charge of these demonstrations and serving the lunch. Mr. Walker McBond and Miss Agnes Shirley were co-chair- men. Over 100 pieces of home-made equipment and labor-saving methods were shown. Admission was free; the general public was invited. The Chamber of Commerce cooperated with the show, which was presented by the Virginia Agriculture Extension Ser- vice.
Demonstrations given at Clubs during 1947 included: candle- wicking bedspreads; pattern alteration and selection of material for work dresses; lighting; house dresses; picture and frame con- ditioning; use of freezer lockers; cake decorating; breads; rug mak- ing; tray painting; remodelling clothes, basic dress and accessories; wills-deeds-contracts; and sewing machine clinic. The first Year- books for H.D. members in Frederick County were published for 1947, listing officers, clubs, goals and programs.
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