Membership
To Rapid City in June ’51 with their Stockgrower husbands they came
A new organization they formed with S.D. CowBelles as their name.
Promotion of the beef industry had great potential for these wives
Not just shopping and visiting at convention but there’d be Beef Promotion in their lives.
Mrs. John Sutton will be our president said the 53 who were there that day
There would be lots of Beef promotion and education if they had their say.
In the Stockgrower magazine their notes could be found
The CowBelles work was off the ground.
In ’52-
Widespread promotion should put beef on the plate.
As vice-
At promotion she’d been tops, but a sick mother took her time
So Mrs. Bud Thomas stepped up to take the leadership
As more and more members for promotion became equipped.
The cookbook Beef Cookery was printed this year
It may have been the first collection of beef recipes held dear.
Nellie Houck in ’54 took CowBelles to the tent at the State Fair
With recipes called “CowBelle Specials” and beef broth for 2500, many knew they were there
Plans for Beef For Father’s Day were laid.
Nellie was to become National Chairman in ‘58
President in ’55-
Steaks were given to President Eisenhower, and that promotion was here to stay
A carload of beef was sold in Aberdeen one day
As 165# of Tavern Hamburgers to 2000 persons were given away.
Bess Andrian (’56-
In many a parade her beef promotion with its balloons and reipies made quite a fuss.
There was barbecued beef in the CowBelle Corner by Marge White
Its taste and recipes gave beef taste a new light
Hallie Cordes (’58-
And to Marge’s placements added napkins with brands.
Off to Texas in ’60 Hilda Smith did go to convention-
She collected a Public Relations prize the Slim Buttes group had won.
They made a meeting place by rejuvenating a hall.
The brand placemat they made 40 years ago was the promotion she can recall.
At the State Fair a model town called Producerville was on display.
In 1960 Ferne Carr gave its key made of beef to the Fair Manager one day
Della Crago (’61-
In an effort to enlarge and strengthen existing projects there was much to do
With the enthusiasm of 2nd vice Gene Jarvi the Miss Stockgrowers contest began
They make as many public appearances as they can
Helen Ham Magnusson (’62-
There was new stationery and promotional children’s paper bibs during her stay
Gen Jarvi in ’63-
With many enthusiastic cooks it was an effective promotional tool
In promotion for Ethel Ferguson (’64-
There were 14 clubs with staionery, recipes, placemats, and cookbooks.
Winnie Bones in ’66 started Beef Gift Certificates from her home.
There is no doubt she had a busy phone
She started the High School Beef Cook-
It was sure to give the sale of Beef a Zoom
In the late 60’s Donna Barta (’67-
Maxine ham Fritzche (’70-
The implications of that we know did last
In Margaret Crago’s year (’71-
Placemats were distributed, samples given, recipes shared and beef stories told
Thirteen auction markets were recognized for voluntary Check off to promote Beef far and near
She shares his thought that guided her through the year:
Be not concerned Be not surprised
If what you do is criticized
Mistakes are made. We can’t deny
They’re only made by those who try.
Pat Adrian in ’72-
Many ads such as Blood, Swear, and Steers helped promo a lot
Consumer issues affect us so CowBelles took those first Tidbits to the Legislatrue.
There were Beef Brownies, Beef Fudge, Ground Beef Sandwiches and many a texture.
From Viola Blair (’73-
What an education on beef, and way to spread the truth.
We all remember Velma Newland (’74-
The first National Beef Cook-
Lois Bickner (’75-
Giving beef cooking demos, talks, and promotion; she traveled many a mile
Along with the usual projects was the “Sherlock”Beef” book and byproducts box
For Eunice Anderson in ’76-
Rita Schott Ullman (’77-
The new newsletter she started for communication was terrific
Dorothy Dennis (’78-
Terry Trask sang “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” and made us proud
Velma DVries (’79-
On meat imports, hide exports, extenders in school hamburgers and beef issues she sent many a telegram and letter
As Edith Bartel took over in ’80-
With Edith as chair, and Lucille as co the National Beef Cook-
National Beef Cook-
As in ’81-
The slogan “Real Cowboys Eat Beef” was seen across the Fair.
As thousands of shopping bags were handed out with care.
Later the editor of the newsletter she would be
For nearly 20 years she would share the news with you and me
“Beef Feeds the Hungry” was one of the promotions for Nancy Sterling Neuhauser in ’82 and ’83.
Beef Gift Certificates to the Salvation Army meant that for many Beef was free.
Rose Paulson (’83-
To many people the Speak Out Workshops taught Beef microwave cookery and other information
For Lucille Schuer (’84-
There was Legislative Day, Cook-
Florine Glaus (’85-
They were placed in schools so students could take a look
Wanda Blair was president in ’86-
Beef promotion continued with radio, recipe and many a Katy Kit
Recipe collection for “Beef in a Jiffy’n More” under Ardath Ewing in ’87-
For support of Special Olympics we won a outstanding civic organization prize
Delores Husted (’88-
The new cookbook came out for fair, and we made a Children’s Fact Sheet for the litter bag to tote.
For Kay Snyder in ’89-
New biodegradable litter bags with a different logo were made from corn
We were proud to have her as the National President
What a milestone that she is a South Dakota resident
In ’90-
As she gave them to teachers for Beef purchase for Cook-
In Ruth Halligan’s ’91-
They were filled with recipes, children’s sheets and beef promotion gags
To evaluate promotion efficiency Maxine Jones, a survey took
It was in ’92-
In ’93-
The cookbook “Kids in The Kitchen” came on line
With Ag in the Classroom, State Fair, chili contest, winter show and Ag Day
Pat Blum in ’94-
As Diane Booth (’95-
Creative talents accomplished many valuable promotion projects for those who dared
In ’96-
With the leadership of Gloria Schaefer Ag Ventures began
RuthAnn Farnsworth (’97-
“Beef Is Our Business” and if we increase knowledge it will surely last
“Through a Child’s Eye” was the theme of the first capitol tree
Mary Jessen (’98-
Linda Dubois (’99-
Radio promotion informed many that Beef was the meat to eat.
For 15 month Marilyn Dobesh (2000-
Heat’n Eat samples were given to thousand at the New York State Fair
On September 11 when terrorism struck our nation and the twin towers
We rushed Beef Certificates to provide nutritious meals for power
Wearing a green ribbon this year was in fashion
As for ranchers of cattle with hoof and mouth we showed compassion
And there you have the leaders for 50 years as they came
They did many more things; but not a one was looking for fame.
They say it was enjoyable, an educational experience, an honor, a privilege
To each of them we say “Thank you”. You are OUR HERITAGE
Just a brief poem to point out the key things the Cattlewomen have done through the years.
SDCW Celebrating 60 Years
