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Across the Fence:  I LOVE the oldtime Radio Homemakers  |
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RochelleS
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Rochelle
Muscatine
Iowa
USA
37 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 01 2010 : 09:11:48 AM
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Back in March when our PBS stations were doing their annual fund drive, they had some of the best shows EVER about our dear old state of Iowa. One of the highlights was a show (IPTV produced) entitled "Up A Country Lane". It featured the radio homemakers of the 1920s-1950s. Most of these laides lived on farms near Shenandoah Iowa, home of Earl May Seeds & KMA radio station.
My mother-in-law had given me a KMA Anniversary edition cookbook back in the mid-80's when I was still a new wife. I could not put it down. So full of wonderful recipes,tips,and those photos...oh,my ! What great looking farmgirls !!! So when I knew that show about those wonderful women was going to broadcast I informed my darling husband that all life as he knew it would come to a screaming halt for that one evening. I was not disappointed.
What a treat when 90 year-old Evelyn Birkby showed up as a co-host for that program. She had been a former radio homemaker and jumped right in with the emcee without dropping a beat. She STILL goes on air at KMA in Shenandoah and gives recipes,tips,etc. occasionally. She is in my opinion,ladies,a national treasure for all of us who grew up with the farm culture. I would equally love to see our fearless leader,MaryJane Butters, do an interview with her. Wouldn't that be an inspiration to us all?
I think I grew a little nostalgic because she reminded me such of my two dear grandmothers,both dedicated farmwives, from Evelyns era. I can only hope that their little apple here hasn't fallen too far from their tree !!!!
Rochelle
"Nothing is too small to make a difference." - Wanda Urbanska |
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OneCraftyBugger
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
R
USA
626 Posts |
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RochelleS
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Rochelle
Muscatine
Iowa
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 08:16:43 AM
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I wish I lived in a part of the state where I could hear it as well,Robin. I do remember when I was a little girl that we would listen to a show called "Kitchen Klatter." It was rebroadcast from Shenandoah to our local radio station. You can still buy Kitchen Klatter brand flavorings for baking in our grocery stores here in Iowa. How amazing is that ? I'll bet if you went on line and typed in KMA radio you could do a little archival digging. Maybe see some photos of those great radio homemakers?
And hey I guess WE are the 21st century version of those ladies here on the internet...how fun !!!
Rochelle
"Nothing is too small to make a difference." - Wanda Urbanska |
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cheneygal
True Blue Farmgirl
503 Posts
Suzie
Cheney
Wa.
USA
503 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 7:31:55 PM
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I don't think the apple has dropped too far from that tree!!
live, laugh, love |
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Mama Jewel
True Blue Farmgirl
435 Posts
Jewel
Sweet Peas Farmette,
Bend, OR
USA
435 Posts |
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Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Jun 02 2010 : 9:13:04 PM
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I remember in the '50s that my mom listened to "The Neighor Lady" I think her name was Wynn Speas or something like that. Mom ordered me a Gretchen doll, printed fabric with blond hair that was named after her daughter.
We once went to a cooking show in Worthington MN. All the ladies in the audience registered for a drawing for an electric frying pan, it turned out to be the one containing the meal she had demonstrated, something with rice and veggies. My mom won!
Thanks for awakening a memory.
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
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RochelleS
Farmgirl in Training
37 Posts
Rochelle
Muscatine
Iowa
USA
37 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 07:05:43 AM
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Wow..."cooking schools",Susan ! I haven't thought about those in years. I remember walking down the street to our local highschool for an evening with a "professional homemaker" ( isn't that what we all are ? smile. ) The stage was set up like a kitchen and there was big mirror tilted for a perfect view of the food prep area.No large screens or digital projectors in 1962.
Of course the homemaker had a list of credentials as long as the bed of a wagon and was dressed so she looked like June Cleavers' Iowa cousin...it was beautiful. There were always "give-aways" throughout the night. One time my mom won the 2nd prize; a weeks worth of groceries that had been displayed on stage all evening. It was expected that there would be several "new" items to try. The biggie for that particular evening was something most of the audience had never even heard of before....soy sauce!!! I think Mom tried it in about every beef/pork dish we had for months after that !!!!
I can still see all of the ladies in their lovely summer dresses smelling like the current Avon fragrances of Honeysuckle & Lillies of the Valley. Naturally I had to get dressed up,too. I am sure there were plenty of events like this with those radiohomemakers,too.
Thanks,Susan, for jogging such wonderful memories for me on this perfect June morning. And,thanks to Julie Anne (that's my little sister's name ) for posting the link to see the IPTV program and learn more about these farmgals from the past !!!!
I hope there are more great stories like this that a few others will post. This is OUR heritage ladies and I, for one, am darn proud of it !!!
Rochelle
"Nothing is too small to make a difference." - Wanda Urbanska |
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kittykill
True Blue Farmgirl
608 Posts
Pam
Portland
or
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - Jun 03 2010 : 07:14:44 AM
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| I love any old time radio shows-I have to check this out! |
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OneCraftyBugger
True Blue Farmgirl
626 Posts
R
USA
626 Posts |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jun 06 2010 : 10:12:46 AM
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I love this - one of my favorite books was the Fannie Flagg one about the lady with the radio show, I just loved the idea of all these farmgirls listening!
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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Across the Fence: I LOVE the oldtime Radio Homemakers |
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I LOVE the oldtime Radio Homemakers
