We always looked forward to preparing for the Cole County fair. We were active in 4-H (Oak Grove 4-H Club). We would work all year long on some projects like pillow cases, dresses, tea towels, slips, canned goods, etc., but the baked goods had to be done that same day or the day before.
We would make the very best biscuits, cookies and breads that we were able and enter them in the fair. We always got a lot of ribbons. The ribbons were worth money and we usually won enough to buy our school supplies for the fall and maybe some clothes for school.
Through the years of taking sewing in 4-H I made the following: Elastic waist skirt with matching scarf (yellow with brown design) (mother made a white blouse for me to wear with the skirt. The collar and sleeves were trimmed in the fabric of my skirt. It was real pretty. I made a red plaid dress the next year. It was trimmed with a solid red yoke and bottom border. It was very difficult to make. I made a dress in two shades of pink. Then I made a gold, satin dress. I think someone gave us the fabric. I didn’t wear the dress much – too dressy! I made a white with red splotches voile dress with a dropped waist line. It was real cute. Mom brought me red shoes to go with it. I thought I would win state. But I did not.
I got interested in giving demonstrations because it seemed I could win state with that rather than win with sewing. I demonstrated on “How to make French Toast,” and How to Pan Fry Liver.” I went to state with both of these. There is a scrapbook in the attic with all the information and ribbons. 4-H was a big part of my life – the part that was fun. I did my sewing on a Singer treadle machine. It still works and is in Lloyd’s house on the farm.
One year my project in Home Furnishing was to refurnish my bedroom. Daddy built a closet and I made a chenille cover for the double wide opening. I had matching chenille bedspread and a vanity stool made of an old nail barrel. This was covered with chenille also. The curtains were chenille. The room was painted pink and was really pretty. I painted a 4 gallon pail and decorated it for a wastebasket.
Lloyd Jr. says
That’s more exciting than what I did in 4-H. I made a belt buckle.
Jane says
Do you remember making the little table or being in the thing at Lincoln on cattle??
Lloyd Jr. says
Okay, I remember doing all of that stuff and a bunch more too. But the belt buckle makes a better story. I wonder whatever happened to that belt buckle?
Christina says
I loved being in 4-H as a kid! I did sewing too, but I never went to state….sigh. And I could never do a demonstration, I hate talking in front of people!
Naomi Vetter says
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARGIE!!!
Aunt Lolly says
We didn’t have a choice about giving demonstrations, Mother made us do it!! She wrote the demonstrations out on a piece of paper and said you are going to give this at the next club meeting!. So we did. I went to state with several demonstrations and did well. BUT the most favorite demonstration I gave was with my little brother Lloyd, at a Community meeting at Oak Grove. We were demonstrating on how to make potato salad. Now Lloyd hated potato salad. His heart was not into this, and Mine either. I was doing the talking and Lloyd the stirring up of the salad, all at once a big portion of the salad went flying through the air and on to the floor. We started laughing and laughing and laughing and couldn’t stop. I don’t think we ever finished the demonstration, for laughing so hard. I don’t remember what Mother said or done to us. Those were the fun times. Little brothers were sure nice to have around.
Aunt Lolly says
Happy Birthday, Margie, We all love you. and wish you many many more happy birthdays. Lolly and Family
Jane says
Lloyd said: If a video tape was made of that demonstation it would be of how not to give a demonstation. He doesn’t remember it as potatoe salad. He said he spilled the flour, spilled the sugar before what ever it was went onto the floor. Everyone was laughing at them. 4-H was their ticket off the farm. They got to do a lot of things because of it.