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HomeMy WebLinkAboutZurich Citizens News, 1977-08-24, Page 24Page 24 Citizens News, August 24, 1977 Takes two for Huron If your recently canned peaches start to turn a strange colour or the seams on the outfit you're making decide to pucker, Grace Bird and Bea McClenaghan may have the answers to your problems. Miss Bird and Miss McClenagham are the new home economists for Huron County and are usually on hand in the Clinton Agricultural Office to answer questions from homemakers. However, the two young ladies hope to solve problems before they arise, by organizing 4-H groups throughout the county, dealing with Women's Institute clubs, and acting as consultants and demonstrators for other programs. Miss Bird began her duties as Huron's home economist on August 8. She is a recent graduate from the University of Guelph where she studied Family and Consumer Studies. Prior to her move to Clinton, she spent three weeks in an orientation program where she visited a number of Ontario places and the home economists there. Miss Bird is not a newcomer to a rural area. She was raised on a dairy farm near Georgetown and has completed 17 4-H projects in homemaking and agricultural club work. She is interested in dealing with the young girls in the clubs and especially working with crafts, flower arranging and needlework. Miss McClenaghan has lived from Whitechurch to the Muskoka area in rural areas and small villages so she has easily adapted to the Clinton way of life. "Clinton's a nice little town, it's quiet and it's rural," explained Miss McClenaghan. Miss McClenaghan began work on July 27 and has previous ex- pereince as a home economist. Along with graduating from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Home Economics degree, Miss McClenaghan has worked in that field for Ontario and York Counties. For their first assignment the two economists are in the process of arranging the 4 -FI leaders training schools which will be conducted from August 15 to September 17. The schools will involve two day sessions with leaders throughout the county to give them an idea what the club in- volves and also provide demonstrations. This fall's project is called "Featuring Fruit". It will involve different ways of serving fruit and will focus heavily on Ontario grown fruits with some time spent on exotic fruits; how to buy them; selection; use of canned fruits; pie making and pastry will highlight the project. Along with keeping in contact with some 100 clubs in the county, the home economists also work with other ladies groups. They plan to attend WI area meetings and often act as speakers and also help to organize county food and clothing programs. "Even if the ladies on Mary Street were having a coffee group they could come to us," noted Miss Bird. The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future finer than it will be. Don't brag, it isn't the whistle that pulls the train. New home economists named youth activities "We're also open for homemaking enquiries, food questions, consumer concerns and clothing problems," added Miss McClenaghan. The amount of work and in- volvement in the county promp- ted the Ministry of Agriculture to appoint two home economists for Huron. In the past, only one has been in charge of the area but according to Miss McClenaghan, Huron has the largest participation of any county in the province and there is a very heavy workload here. "It's because it's so rural. There aren't many other groups, so that's why 4-H is so popular," added Miss Bird. Although both girls are still getting acquainted with this area, they, along with the ministry feel there may be a need for programs to involve the 20-30 year old women. Nothing has been decided on this, but the ministry is in the process of studying and making changes in the present programs. "We're still getting our feet on the ground but maybe by next spring we'll find areas to con- centrate on," explained Miss Bird. "Maybe then we can give some time for extra help in groups and special activities they would like to start," explained Miss McClenaghan. The home economists are hoping for lots of active in- volvement and participation from the girls and the women in the county. They haven't had a chance to meet many of the people they will be dealing with but will be as soon as the 4-H clubs get underway. Miss McClenaghan noted, "We TWO NEW FACES IN HURON — Huron County home economists. They are Grace Bird, left, and groups for the fall and involving themselves with is an active area and the county now boasts two new Bea McClenaghan who are now busy organizing 4-H homemaking duties throughout the area. News -Record photo haven't been over burdened with calls yet, maybe people don't know that we're here." However, in the upcoming weeks and months, the new economists should be leading very busy lives throughout Huron County. THIS IS BAKING WEEK IN ZURICH — Eda Smale, who lives on Main Street, had made a good start on pies for the festival when the photographer invaded her kitchen. Altogether, women of the village bake over 1,000 pies to be eaten or sold at the Bean Festival. HURON SANITATION CAN OFFER YOU COMPLETE24 HF SANITATION SERV PHONE ED LOVIE PHONE JOHN HOTSON AT 238-2776 AT 238-2140 If no answer call 238-8240 for prompt reply. PORTABLE TOILET SERVICE Portable Toilets are available 7 days a week with Maintenance and Delivery included. RAR, 1f GRAND BEND to the Zurich Bean Festival Committee We welcome the many visitors to Zurich's popular Bean Festival. Enjoy yourselves. HAY MUNICIPAL TELEPHONE SYSTEM OFFICE - 236-4333 SERVICE & REPAIRS - 236.4343