30 Years Ago
Week of July 27, 1995
SUGAR GROVE
Survey Indicates Farm Folk Value Freedom, Pursue Happiness To Fullest
A recent “Progressive Farmer” farm survey of the general rural population indicates that most farm folk pursue happiness to the fullest. At the same time, they are aware of the problems that affect their rural life. Rural families have been found to be fiercely independent and value personal freedom. They also have a great love for the land and nature. A part of their daily rural life is involvement in community affairs. Families who spend time together are strongly committed to each other and count on friends, church, and relatives for support when dealing with stressful events. Farm families are more likely to share and celebrate special events such as holidays, birthdays, and reunions. A high concern is the problems related to drugs in the community, crime, environmental issues, and alcohol related problems. Despite these pressures, farm families say they enjoy the slower pace of living in the country.
40 Years Ago
Week of July 18, 1985
Finding Wild Edible Plants A Challenge
A VIEW FROM SENECA
By: Anna Kisamore
Our ancestors used dozens of wild edible plants sometimes during the year, but with every passing year, this fades as generations become more urbanized and modernized.
Also, because our wild areas are becoming smaller and fewer in number, it becomes a challenge finding wild edible plants. Don’t become discouraged because there are still enough edible plants left to please the avid plant hobbyist, naturalist, and gourmet cook!
Below is a list and description of the use of wild edible plants found in this area.
Spicebush—Found in damp woods, and streamsides. Used in tea and seasoning. Tea is made by steeping the young leaves, twigs, and bark for about 15 minutes in a quart of water.
Lambs-quarter—Found on waste grounds. Used for cooked greens, cereal, and flour. The tender leaves and tips are excellent steamed or broiled for 10-15 minutes. The entire young plant is edible, whereas from the older ones, quantities of young tender leaves can be stripped.
Day lily—Found on waste ground, roadsides. Used in salads, cooked vegetables. Prepare young flower buds like green beans, or when older, like fritters.
Dandelion—Found in lawns and roadsides. Used in salads, cooked vegetables, fritters and coffee. The flowers are excellent dipped in batter and fried. To make a coffee-like beverage, bake the roots in a slow oven until brown and brittle, then perk like commercial coffee.
Mustards—Found on waste grounds. Used in salads, cooked greens, cooked vegetables and pickles. The clusters of unopened flower buds, boiled for three to five minutes, are a delicious substitute for broccoli. Do not overcook. As a pot herb, young plants are collected and parboiled for 20 to 25 minutes in mildly salted water.
Queen Anne’s Lace (Wild Carrot)—Found in fields and waste ground. Used as a cooked vegetable. Prepare the first year’s root like garden carrots. Caution: early leaves resemble poison hemlock.
Wood–Sorrel—Found in cool, moist, deciduous or evergreen woods. Used in salads and cool drinks. To make a refreshing drink, steep the leaves for 10 minutes in hot water, chill and sweeten. Rich in Vitamin C.
Cattails—Found in fresh or brackish marshes, and shallow water. Used in salads, cooked vegetables or pickles. This is probably the best plant and one of the most versatile of our native edible plants. In late spring, the green immature flower spikes can be gathered and boiled for a few minutes. Serve with butter and eat like corn on the cob.
50 Years Ago
Week of July 24, 1975
Railroad to Stay In South Branch Valley
WASHINGTON — U. S. Senator Jennings Randolph was notified on Monday by Chessie System officials that it has withdrawn its application to the Interstate Commerce Commission for abandonment of the Petersburg to Green Spring rail line in eastern West Virginia. Randolph said it was his belief that “this action constitutes a recognition of the potential for development in our rural areas and smaller towns and a realization of the importance of having viable rail systems for the movement of goods and products.”
If half the expected companies located in Petersburg and Moorefield industrial parks utilize rail service, they are estimated to generate from 1,700 to 2,600 rail cars per year. If 75 percent of the future plants in the industrial parks use rail service, they would generate from 2,600 to 3,800 railroad cars annually.
Randolph said with the positive decision by the Chessie System, an anticipated employment of over 1,200 persons could result by 1978.
60 Years Ago
Week of July 29, 1965
U. S. Senate Passes Bill Providing for Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Area
Staggers Introduces Similar Bill in House
Washington, D. C.,—Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area—a proposed 100,000-acre tourist center for West Virginia—moved another giant step toward reality last Friday as legislation embodying the proposal was approved by the U. S. Senate, it was announced by U. S. Senators Robert C. Byrd and Jennings Randolph.
The legislation to create the major new facility in Grant and Pendleton counties now moves to the House for action.
A bill identical to the Senate bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 17 by Rep. Harley O. Staggers.
“In years to come, visitors from the United States and the world-over will come to West Virginia to enjoy the scenic beauty that abounds at Spruce Knob,” said Byrd.
“By preserving this area, the Senate has guaranteed for these generations the joy that comes from seeing nature at its finest.”
Sen. Randolph added: “The Senate, in passing the authorizing legislation for Spruce Knob, is in agreement with the National Park Service evaluation that West Virginia’s recreation resources, if properly preserved, and developed, will serve not only the population of our state but also many millions of persons from adjacent states.”
The U. S. Forest Service has estimated that the area will attract as many as 5 million visitors annually by the year 2000.
Points of interest to be contained within the area are Spruce Knob, the highest peak in West Virginia, with an elevation of 4860 feet, Spruce Mountain, Seneca Creek, segments of the Potomac River, North and Cave Mountains, Seneca Rocks and other geological and topographic features.
70 Years Ago
Week of July 21, 1955
Inspection Law In Effect; Four Stations Named
West Virginia’s new auto inspection law, making it mandatory that all motor vehicles be checked for mechanical fitness is now in full swing. The lack of stickers prevented starting the inspection on July 1 as originally planned, but they now have arrived and inspections are being made daily.
Motorists will be given until October 1 to have the vehicles inspected before the enforcement phase of the new law begins, according to Sergeant T. S. Myers, officer in charge of the program.
The following inspection stations have been approved for Pendleton County: Hedrick’s Garage, Kline Motor Sales, Pendleton Motor Sales, and Sites Chevrolet.
The inspection will cover such items as registration, brakes, lights and signal devices, steering apparatus, mirror, horn, windshield and other glass, windshield wipers, exhaust system and license tags, Sergeant Myers said.
A charge of $1.25 will be made for each inspection which must be done at an approved garage or station, identifiable by a large blue and gold sign. Auto owners will be given through September 30 to have inspections made, but after October 1, any auto not bearing an official inspection tag will be in violation of the law, Sergeant Myers stated.
HOW HAS FRANKLIN CHANGED SINCE 1873?
Ever wonder what Franklin was like in 1873?
Watch The Pendleton Times for a forthcoming feature on the people who lived in Franklin over 75 years ago and a map showing where they lived.
How many of them will you remember?
EDITORIALS
The Family Farm Is Stronger – – –
Is the family farm a passing institution? John Bird, associate editor of Better Farming, doesn’t think so. He tells why in a Reader’s Digest article carrying the dramatic title, “They’re Inventing the Drudgery Out of Farm Life.”
His article deals with the enormous progress that has been made in getting farm jobs done swiftly, efficiently, and economically. He writes: “Mechanization is bringing fundamental changes to U. S. farm life. Going, at last, is the traditional dawn-to-dusk drudgery which has been the age-old lot of people on the land. The up-to-date farmer has evolved into a power-minded production engineer who is quick to acquire the latest labor-saving implements and who also invents many of his own. As a result, each hour of work is becoming more productive, life in the country is more enjoyable and the family farm is growing stronger than ever.”
He also observes, “Ask almost any farmer, ‘What is your greatest labor-saver?’” and he will point to his tractor, or give it a fond pat—the modern model is a compact, fast-moving power package that not only pulls heavy loads but also hoists, pushes, digs, cuts, pumps, shakes and carries.
Mr. Bird goes on to describe some of the other power-operated tools that American enterprise and ingenuity have brought to agriculture. The farmers of past generations just wouldn’t believe such miracles could exist. Machines are revolutionizing agriculture as completely as they are revolutionizing industry.
80 Years Ago
Week of July 20, 1945
WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS
MORE SHOES
As a result of army order cutbacks to become effective in September, there will be an increase of 3,000,000 pairs of civilian shoes per month.
The council based their hopes for a more generous issue of civilian ration coupons on an increase in the supply of sole leather.
The industry was given a 60-day period to prepare for increased production to meet civilian requirements.
SOAP FAMINE
Increased domestic buying of soap has resulted from suggestion by Herbert H. Lehman, United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration director, that rationing of soap be started.
The emphasis placed on the world’s tight soap situation has brought about critical shortages in many sections of the country. Manufacturers state that there is very little that can be done to increase available soap supply and nothing in the way of substitutes is available.
U. S. AIR KING: Nazi Flying Boat
Two years before the end of the war, Germany built a 200,000 pound flying boat, the world’s largest. The plane had a range of 6,000 miles and could carry 40,000 pounds of cargo. The designer had plans for a 400,000 pound craft. The German flying boat was wrecked and set afire by six U. S. Mustang fighters late in March before it had a chance to be used against the Allies.
PLANS WELL UNDERWAY FOR COUNTY 4-H CAMP
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU TO CAMP
Camp Equipment: Flashlight or lantern; notebook and pencil; wash basin; toilet articles; knife, fork, spoon, tin plate, tin cup and bowl, tea towel; 1 cot, or empty tick, pillow and bedding.
FOOD LIST FOR ALL
1 live chicken, 1 lb. ham (no substitute for ham or chicken), 1 lb. bacon or side meat, 1 doz. eggs, 1 lb. butter, 1 glass jelly or jam, 2 qts. canned fruit (no berries), 1 doz. cookies, 6 lemons, 1 small box cocoa, 1/2 lb. spaghetti, 1 gal. apples (if you have any), 1/2 cup dried soup beans, 6 carrots, 4 onions, 1 head cabbage, 1 cucumber, 1 doz. tomatoes, 6 ears corn, or 1 pint can, 1/2 gal. green beans–raw or 1 qt. canned beans.
If raw vegetables listed are not available, bring the equivalent in canned goods.
