USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Our heritage : history of the Frederick County, Virginia, Extension Homemakers 1916-1976 > Part 9
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Awards presented to VEHC included: a First for Cultural Arts and also for Family Life; a Second for International; a Third for a Feature Article and an Honorable Mention for Public Informa- tion. A National Creed chosen for NEHC was written by a Vir- ginian, Jean Beard of Harrisonburg.
"Preserving Our Heritage" was the theme of the Frederick County EHC Achievement Day program September 13 at the War Memorial Building. Mrs. Courtney Bragg, County EHC Pres., pre- sided. Reports given were: Arts & Crafts - Rosie Hott, Bazaar - Pat Kettlewell, Citizenship - Bertha Venskoske, Clothing - Catherine Hammack, Cookbooks - Loretta McDonald, Cultural Arts - Rachel Owings, Health - Gwen Lunsford, Publicity - Ruby Shiley, Scholarships - Bertha Hoagland. New By-Laws for the EHC were presented and accepted. Mrs. Gwen Lunsford of Stonewall Club was honored by having the new Yearbook dedicat- ed to her.
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Teresa Lazazzera, White Hall 4-H Club, entertained the ladies with piano solos. Vicki Gano, Whitacre 4-H Club, demonstrated "How to Preserve a Pattern." which won First place for her in State competition this year. Miss Katherine Habel. Home Furnishing Specialist at VPI, spoke on "Using Your Antiques." Special guests included: Miss Tommie Lou Hunter, Program Leader, Northern Dis- trict; Mrs. Sally Gochenour, Extension Home Agent, Shenandoah County; Mrs. Margaret Montgomery, Extension Home Agent, Clarke County; Mrs. Lorraine Berry, President Clarke County EHC; Miss Agnes Shirley, former Extension Home Agent, Fred- erick County.
The Frederick County EHC Bazaar was held November 9 at the War Memorial Building. Each Club had a table of articles to sell, which included handmade crafts, terrariums, shoulder bags, Christmas gifts and decorations, nativity figures, etc. The Sweet Shop had homemade breads, pies, cakes, rolls, pickles, preserves, relishes. A White Elephant table and Children's table were other features. An a la carte lunch, including country ham sandwiches, was served during the lunch hour. Proceeds from the event went toward the scholarship fund while the proceeds from the Children's table benefited the Frederick County Youth Fair.
The theme for the Fall Conference held October 29-31 at Mas- sanetta Springs was "Chugging Along the Right Track." A train skit was used to illustrate the theme. The engineer was the pro- gram chairman leading the train with our State Leader in Exten- sion directly behind her with fuel from Va. Tech Extension. The train traveled through the state picking up box cars, each repre- senting a program of work, that was filled with information and guides for the program. There were workshops in all programs of work. Entertainment was by the Senior High Handbell Ringers, First Presbyterian Church, Harrisonburg. The guest speaker was Dr. Patrick Gainer, Professor Emeritus of England, W. Va. Uni- versity, who shared his "Traditional Music from the Home of the W. Va. Mountaineer" with the audience through songs, stories and music.
A new feature for EHC members was the Frederick EH Club Corner, compiled each week by Miss Ruby Shiley, County EH Pub- lic Information Chr., and published in the Winchester Evening Star. It presents news about club meetings, programs, demonstra- tions, etc. for the week ahead.
A monthly newsletter from the Extension Office goes to every EH club member and 350 non-members. Mrs. Pauline Baccary, Extension Home Agent, Frederick County, received the First Place State Award for her radio programs over WINC and WHPL; and a First Place State Award for her newspaper column "Homemakers Helpers," which appeared regularly in the Winchester Evening Star. She became Extension Home Agent for Frederick County on February 1, 1970.
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Miss Ruby Shiley, County EH Public Information Chr., gave two five-minute reports on the VEHC Fall Conference, on each radio station, WINC and WHPL. Mrs. Cora Schlim, EHC member, made 2 Senior Citizens Month talks on WINC in May and reported on the NEHC meeting in August, also on WINC. Spot announce- ments were used on both radio stations to publicize the EHC Ba- zaar in November.
"Letter to the Editor, Hats Off to Homemakers," by Mrs. Cora Schlim, was published in the September 1974 National Notes, and in the August 22 Winchester Evening Star. Two other EHC mem- bers had "Letters to the Editor" published in the Winchester Even- ing Star: Mrs. Catherine Monte on Freedom of Information, and Gerry Van Stronder who advocated that restaurants serve smaller portions for elderly people, at reduced prices to benefit those on fixed, and sometimes inadequate, incomes.
A Photography and Publicity workshop was conducted by John L. Thomas of Winchester, Public Relations Officer for Shen- andoah College in Winchester. A chair-seating with white oak splints workshop was conducted by Richard Miller, Librarian at the Handley Public Library. Mrs. Jenny Lind Cather, EHC mem- ber, conducted a workshop on dried flower arrangements. EHC members held their second "Cookie Fair" December 6 and exchang- ed cookies and recipes. EHC members chartered a bus October 4 to tour the Mormon Temple near Washington, D.C., and on November 7 to attend the Loudoun County "Early Peek at Christmas."
Mrs. Gwen Lunsford, County EHC Health Chr., and several EHC members initiated the project and worked with the Health Dept. and the city and county Welfare Depts., to organize a Home- makers Emergency Service. EHC members sponsored 3 exhibits on health and safety at the Frederick County Youth Fair September 2-7. The Virginia Lung Ass'n. loaned "Smoking Sam," a mannequin with glass lungs which show the effects of cigarette smoking on the lungs. The Virginia Highway Commission furnished equipment for a demonstration and film on bicycle safety. A "Convincer" seat- belt demonstration was set up by the Virginia Highway Safety Commission and manned by the Winchester Rescue Squad Aux- iliary. Frederick County 4-Hers and other youth assisted at these exhibits.
After the Youth Fair, "Smoking Sam" was exhibited in the Frederick County schools. Extension Homemakers and 4-Hers transported the mannequin from one school to another. Mrs. Gwen Lunsford coordinated "Sam's" visits to the schools. EHC also pub- licized, and participated in, the Pap Smear Clinic, and the free Lung Cancer Detection Clinic sponsored by the Cancer Society.
Frederick County sent in 17 new subscriptions to National Notes, which included every Club President.
The following EHC members presented a Craft Workshop in
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November for Girl Scout Leaders: Mrs. Arlie Gumm, foil boxes; Mrs. Richard Fletcher, burlap flowers; Mrs. Charles Ashby, foam tray ornaments; Mrs. Julian Bragg, pompom figures; Mrs. L. A. Elliott, felt crafts & stick signs; Mrs. Joseph Hott, Swedish em- broidery on Monks Cloth; Mrs. Byron Van Stronder, decoupage; Mrs. Pearl Ridgeway, bead jewelry; Mrs. Roger Koontz and Miss Susan Koontz, leaf, button, & embroidery stationery; Mrs. James Gordon, Jr., mod podge; Mrs. Nelson Haines, pine cone cradle rings; Mrs. Joseph Jolliffe, Leggs eggs and styrofoam ball decorating Thirty troops from Winchester and Berryville attended the work- shop.
All county-wide projects were continued, and a few new crafts were added: broomstick crocheting, macrame, cornhusk and apple dolls, corsages, string art pictures, basket weaving, creative needle- point.
1975
Programs for the year were planned around suggestions given by members of each Club in the county. Program chairmen for the year were; Arts & Crafts, Mrs. Rosie Hott and Mrs. Dorothy Rus- sell; Citizenship, Mrs. Bertha Venskoske; Clothing, Mrs. Charles Hammack; Cultural Arts, Mrs. Will Owings; Family Life, Mrs. Bertha Hoagland and Mrs. Cora Schlim; Health, Mrs. Reid Luns- ford; International, Mrs. Amos Kettlewell; Public Information, Miss Ruby Shiley; Safety, Mrs. James W. Shumar.
A series of Arts & Crafts workshops were held in February and March, and throughout the year, at the War Memorial Building, at Club meetings, in schools and other meetings. Emphasis on Crafts was part of "Preserving Our Heritage" in celebration of the U.S.A. Bicentennial. Classes taught included: Candle making, crocheting, crewel embroidery, knitting, tatting, bargello, needlepoint, petit- point, quilts and quilting, monks cloth afghans, quilling, stenciling, decoupage, ripple and granny squares afghans, weaving dish cloth mats, smocked pillows, apple dolls, cornhusk dolls and wreaths, pine cone wreaths, ballon art, ceramics, basket weaving, fabric flowers, bread flowers, corn-husk flowers, decorated eggs and egg- shell pins, medallion and crocheted bead necklaces, sand terrar- iums, tole painting, broomstick crocheting, styrofoam dolls, fabric wreaths, sunburst wreaths, Christmas decorations, novelties, and cake decorating, tote bags from upholstery webbing and from plas- tic bottles. All workshops were publicized and open to the public.
Frederick County EHC members demonstrated roping rush- bottom chairs and sold hand-made crafts and cookbooks at the Belle Grove Farm Craft Days. Ten EHC members demonstrated crafts at the annual Girl Scout Leaders workshop, which provides ideas for Crafts at Troop meetings. The workshop is an outreach program for EHC members.
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Gardening was a popular program, due to the recession and inflation. Mr. Griffin Davis of Stephens City, conducted 3 work- shops: January 6, February 28 and March 24, at the War Memorial Building. Gardening hints and tricks, using odds and ends, were presented. Japanese Beetle traps were made from plastic gallon bottles. Many members started compost piles. A "Winterizing Your Garden" workshop at the War Memorial Building on August 25 was conducted by Dr. Wesley Judkins, Extension Specialist in Hor- ticulture at VPI. The Winchester Evening Star published a special Garden Section on March 18. EHC members who contributed ar- ticles were: Mrs. Eleanor Brill on "Pruning Grapevines;" Mrs. Byron Van Stronder on "Vegetables as Shrubbery;" Miss Ruby Shiley on "Gardening Shortcuts and Suggestions;" Miss Agnes Shirley on "Prepare Year Around Garden in Autumn;" and Dis- ease,, Insect-Resistant Plants" by Mrs. Pauline Baccary. Thirty- three EHC members volunteered to help new and nearly-new home gardeners with any of their gardening problems.
A lesson on "Food Preservation: Canning, Freezing and Dry- ing" was given by Mrs. Pauline Baccary, Extension Home Agent. More than 40,000 quarts of food was preserved by EHC members during the year.
An Herb Cookbook was compiled and published to promote more use of herbs instead of salt as a health plan to reduce high blood pressure and fluid retention. A Tasting Party was given to launch its sale on June 30 at the Shenandoah Gas Company Kit- chen in Kernstown. "Creativity With Herbs" was the theme of the program. Fifty-five persons, including 5 visitors from Shenandoah County, viewed slides on growing herbs and tasted food prepared by EHC members from recipes which were published in the Cook- book. The commentary, given by Miss Ruby Shiley, included hints on cultivating each variety and suggestions for their culinary uses. Door prizes of rooted herbs and free cookbooks were awarded. Miss Myrtle Rhodes of Middletown, who donated the herbs for door prizes, displayed sprigs from 32 herbs growing in her garden, iden- tified each one of them and answered questions on cultivation of them.
The Family Life program emphasized "Understanding Self" and covered Growing Older, New Age for Old Age, Women's Role Today, Changes in Family Values and Lifestyles. In searching for understanding they learned to arrange the order of their values. Many branched out to crafts, going back to school, doing volunteer work.
The Homemakers Emergency Care Service, an organization of Extension Homemakers who volunteer their services in cases of emergency, was organized, adopted By-Laws and elected Mrs. Gwen Lunsford, President; Mrs. Mary Hannum, Vice-President; and Mrs. Edith Bennett, Secretary. The Service sponsored a series of training sessions, open to the public, on "Planning Nutritious
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Meals" by Mrs. Pauline Baccary, Ext. Home Agent; "Recognizing Emotional Problems" by Mrs. Rae Beatty, Director, N.W. Psy- chiatric Clinic; "Working With Elderly and People With Problems" by Mrs. Karen Williamson of Winchester Welfare Dept .; and "Emergency Home Care of the Sick" by Mrs. Alverna Dolan, R.N.
The Stonewall EH Club donated a "Betsi Breast" to the Amer- ican Cancer Society, to be used in Teach-In Breast Cancer Clinics in a 9-county area. This teaching model is designed to help women learn how to examine themselves for lumps in the breast. Mrs. Gwen Lunsford, President of Stonewall EH Club, received the 1975 Division-Unit Volunteer Award for the Winchester/Frederick unit of the American Cancer Society. Mrs. Cora Schlim, President of Albin EH Club, was nominated by the staff of the Hillcrest Nurs- ing Home, where she taught crafts one day per week, for the American Health Care Ass'n. National Volunteer of the Year Award. She also received recognition in a newspaper article for the Bicentennial Christmas tree she helped residents of the nurs- ing home decorate.
Mrs. Gerry Van Stronder, EHC member, who is a diabetic, was instrumental in getting the Star's "Living" editor to write an excellent article on the organizational meeting for a local chapter of the American Diabetes Association.
EHC members promoted and sponsored a special program of 3 two-hour classes on Cardio-Pulmonary-Resuscitation conducted by the Winchester Rescue Squad. Classes were limited to 12 per- sons per class. The "Heimlich Maneuver," or "Bear Hug," an emergency method to aid persons choking, on food or an object, was demonstrated also.
The film "Sorry, No Vacancy," scheduled by the Frederick County EHC, was shown in the Auditorium of the Handley Public Library, afternoon and evening. The film emphasized conserva- tion, with special emphasis on water, and that "the flood of people on earth threatens its own future as we use reserves of natural re- sources;" that misuse and over-population will create "No Vacan- cy" for future generations.
EHC members helped recycle paper, aluminum and empty bottles. Books and magazines were donated to libraries, schools, nursing homes, hospitals and laundromats, and some were sent to Foreign Missions. Newspapers were collected and sold to benefit the 4-H Youth Fair.
The Citizenship program had monthly programs which stress- ed "The Roots of Our Heritage" and included: the Bill of Rights; the Bill of Duties; Youth's Bill of Rights; a Citizenship Quiz; Sym- bols of our Country - the Great Seal, Statue of Liberty, Statue of Freedom, Statue of Columbia, Virginia's State Seal, State Flag, State Flower, State Bird; Story of Our Flag; American's Creed and What Our Constitution Means; Wonders of Our U.S.A. -
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Cradle of Liberty, Shrine of Democracy, Garden of the Gods, Gate- way to the Moon; Hell's Canyon, Devil's Tower, and many others; Songs of Our Country - God Bless America, Star Spangled Ban- ner, Battle Hymn of the Republic, Yankee Doodle, America, Dixie, and others. In November the program stressed the power of one vote and the influence it had in our past history. Mrs. Ruth Orth, Mrs. Bertha Venskoske, Miss Ruby Shiley and Mrs. Cora Schlim, all EHC members, submitted essays in the Virginia Essay Contest on "Pathways to a Better America." Mrs. Schlim won a Third Place State Award on her Essay.
Two EHC members were appointed as representatives to the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging: Miss Sarah Shryock was ap- pointed by the Frederick County Board of Supervisors to repre- sent Frederick County. Mrs. Cora Schlim was appointed by the Common Council of Winchester to represent the City of Winches- ter. Mrs. Rachel Owings, EHC member, was named to the Execu- tive Committee of the Bicentennial by Mr. Robert Edwards, Chr. of the Bicentennial Committee, and to the General Committee by the Board of Supervisors.
Mrs. Bertha Venskoske, County Citizenship Chr., asked the American Legion to place a copy of their book "Need A Lift?" in the Handley Public Library and in each High School Library in Frederick County. The book gives information on many available scholarships in the U.S.A.
Frederick County EHC members were hostesses for the Dis- trict IX Meeting May 7 at the Lee Jackson Restaurant in Winches- ter, and recognized National Extension Homemakers Week and In- ternational Women's Year. The theme of the Meeting was "Wo- man's Emerging Freedom." Approximately 425 members and guests heard Mrs. Irene Walker of College Park Md., Retired Agency for International Development Director, address the group on the theme of the Meeting. She is a life member of All-Stars, a 4-H or- ganization, and is known internationally. She said: "women are making rapid progress in Africa and in many Asian countries - Indonesia, Philippines and Taiwan, especially; it is important that young women receive an education in more than one field and be equipped to fill different types of jobs; women should have the freedom to be a homemaker, pursue a career, serve as a volunteer or select any combination of them; women should be informed and active concerning politics and current issues." Mr. John L. Thomas, Director of Public Relations at Shenandoah College, gave the open- ing devotions on the subject "A Woman Called Hannah." Mrs. Hazel Cummings, State VEHC Pres., reported on her trip to the ACWW Conference in Perth, Australia. District Officers elected and installed were: Pres .- elect, Mrs. Mary Lou Koontz of Fred- erick County; Vice-Pres., Mrs. John Davis of Warren County; Treasurer, Mrs. Marie Cave of Page County. The Pres. Mrs. John Thomas and Secretary Mrs. Helen Naylor continued in office one more year.
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Bill Stover of Strasburg sang two solos and the James Wood High School Choir, under the direction of Paul Thompson, sang several selections. Special guests included: Mrs. Jean Beard, VEHC Pres .- elect; Miss Tommie Lou Hunter, Program Leader Northern District; Miss Agnes Shirley, Retired Frederick County Home Agent; Miss Margaret Flickinger, Retired Home Economist for Potomac Edison Co. There were 113 Frederick County EHC mem- bers at the meeting. Special thanks were given to Miss Agnes Shirley for the beautiful flowers and arrangements.
Courtney Bragg, Frederick County EHC Pres., met with the Frederick County Board of Supervisors and had them sign a Pro- clamation for the observance of National EH Week, May 4-10 by Frederick County Extension Homemakers.
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Miss Ruby Shiley, Mrs. Betty Bauserman, Mrs. Frances Unger, Mrs. Cora Schlim, all EHC members, and Mrs. Pauline Baccary, Ext. Home Agent, attended a meeting on "Food Programs for Eld- erly and Improverished Persons' conducted by the Virginia Co- operative Extension Service, Ext., Div., VPI & SU, at Manassas, Va. on April 3. Mrs. Cora Schlim attended a Seminar on Aging June 18-19 at Madison College in Harrisonburg, Va. The theme of the Seminar, conducted by the Valley Regional Office of the Dept. of Welfare, was "Growing Old Ain't All That Bad." Much educational material was presented at these meetings.
Fourteen Frederick County EHC members attended the Fam- ily Resources Conference held July 22-24 at V.P.I. The theme was: "An Economic Fact - Live For Less." Dr. Juanita Strawn, Hu- man Ecologist from Hampton Institute in Hampton, Va., keynote speaker, described the 70's as "A Crisis of Prices, Discovery of Re- covery; Squeeze and Stretch Our Dollars." She said, "We no long- er try to keep up with the Joneses, we are the Joneses. The future belongs to those who prepare for it; we should judge a person for what he is, not by what he has; make decisions cautiously."
More than 400 persons attended the Conference. Conferees had a choice from 8 workshops to learn how to live for less in the areas of food buying, energy management, insurance needs, mo- bilization of community resources, and converting skills into dol- lars.
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At the business session, the re-districting plan was voted down. Club dues were raised from $6.00 to $10.00 per Club, to meet in- creased expenses. Seven scholarships were awarded - 98 applica- tions were received. Frederick County received the following a- wards: Mrs. Gwen Lunsford, County Health Chr., third place for the Health Program; Miss Ruby Shiley, County Public Informa- tion Chr., second place for Public Information; and Mrs. Cora Schlim, third place in the State's Essay Contest for her Essay on "Pathways to A Better America."
The EHC Achievement Day program was held September 12
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at the War Memorial Building with approximately 150 members from 15 Clubs in attendance. Guest speaker, Mrs. Connie Martin, Art Teacher and President of Women's Aglow Fellowship, spoke on "Positive Thinking for Today's Woman." She said, "God gives each of us a special task. Each person must respond to that call and not, as many people do, sit on the back burner of life and simmer and stew." She emphasized the importance of prayer.
Mrs. Courtney Bragg, County EHC Pres., conducted the meet- ing. Annual reports were given by each program of work chair- man. Mrs. Bertha Hoagland, Scholarship Chr., reported that a $200 scholarship had been awarded to Cynthia Ralston of James Wood High School. This was the third scholarship awarded by Frederick County Extension Homemakers - the first two scholarships of $100 each went to Cheryl Pugh in 1973 and 1974. Mrs. Rosie Hott summarized the Crafts worked on during the year in a humorous report "A Jet Trip - A to Z - in Arts and Crafts." Announcement was made of the winners of the State Awards and congratulations offered to Mrs. Gwen Lunsford, Mrs. Cora Schlim and Miss Ruby Shiley. The new Yearbook was dedicated to Mrs. Will Owings, County Cultural Arts Chairman, by Miss Agnes Shirley, Retired Frederick County Home Agent. Mrs. Naomi Thomas, District IX Pres., installed the new President, Mrs. Connie Robinson; Secre- tary, Mrs. Irene O'Neal; and Vice-President, Mrs. Patricia Bran- non, to fill out the unexpired term of Mrs. W. Godfrey Zirkle. Mrs. Dorothy Russell, Treasurer, had one more year on her term.
Special guests included: Mrs. Hazel Finney, Loudoun County EHC Pres .; Mrs. Elsie Ward, Loudoun County, Citizenship Chr .; Mrs. Alice Haggerty, Clarke County EHC Pres .; Mrs. Evelyn Ward, Clarke County Arts & Crafts Chr .; Mr. Dennis Cole, member of Frederick County Board of Supervisors. All Charter members of Frederick County Clubs were recognized, with special recognition of Mrs. Carrie Clayton, of the Albin Club, who was 95 years old.
The theme of the NEHC Conference held in Orlando, Florida on September 14-19 was "Wonderful World of Women." Attend- ants from Frederick County were: Mrs. Naomi Thomas, Mrs. Betty Bauserman and Mrs. Cora Schlim. Mr. Davis Bauserman chauf- feured the 3 women to the Conference and on the return trip. Mrs. Edith Lantz, a former member of the West Frederick Club, also attended the Conference.
More than 2300 women from 43 States, including Alaska and Hawaii and the Territory of Puerto Rico were registered. There were more than 60 persons in the Virginia delegation. Virginia won a second place State Award in Cultural Arts and a second place for its International Program.
Edwin L. Kirby, Administrator, Extension Service, USDA, addressed the assembly with "Extension Homemakers Meet the Challenge for the New Century." He quoted the results from the
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2-year survey conducted in 29 States. More than 50 projects were reported. He congratulated Extension Homemakers for their 39 years of service, and said it was the most influential organization in society.
The keynote address, "The Three Faces of Eve" was delivered by Dr. Betty Siegel, Dean for Continuing Education, U. of Florida. The 3 faces she mentioned were: A Self Fit to Live With, A Pur- pose to Live For, and a Faith to Live By. She said that suicides in the 15 to 20-year age group and child abuse are the two great di- lemmas of today and that we must learn to live together. She stress- ed the need for mothering and fathering or parenting, and there is a need to return to the extended family instead of the nuclear family, that youth must be a part of the extended family. She said, "The greatest unused power today is not nuclear energy - it is God."
Educational workshops were conducted in Citizenship, Cultur- al Art, Family Life, Health, Public Information and International. Learning sessions carried out the theme of Disney World and cov- ered rehabilitation and education of handicapped homemakers, membership promotion, responsibilities and roles of leaders, self- development, energy conservation, money management, dilemmas of inflation and recession, and impact of decisions and actions of consumers on our marketing system.
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Dr. Opal Mann, Assistant Administrator Extension Service, USDA, talked about "Stepping Stones into a New Century." She summarized the stepping stones of the NEHC through its 39 years and said that there are many stepping stones yet to be achieved, but Americans are optimistic people because only optimistic people came to America.
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