Bethlen Naptár, 1956 (Ligonier)
Superintendent's report on the Bethlen Home
BETHLEN NAPTÁR 169 ment an elevator and a second-hand truck. Our large equipment now includes 2 tractors, 1 plough, 1 harrow, 1 disk, 1 corn planter, 1 fertilizer, 1 spray pump, 1 combine, 2 heavy trucks, 1 pick-up truck, 1 baler and raker, 1 cultivator, fertilizer and a highlift. Our 1955 grain production included 565 bushels of wheat, 44 bushels of barley, 532 bushels of oats, 3000 bales of hay and clover, 2,650 bushels of corn. Our stock was plentiful to take care of our needs: 10-12 milkers, 8 heifers, 4 calves, 6 angus beef cattle, 2 steers: 33 head in all. Our porkers numbered between 45 and 75, among them 6 sows. Our poultry stock included 350 hens, 250 chickens, 125 ducks, and 24 geese. 80% of our food supplies were produced on our farm. This fact in itself not only justifies the importance of our farming but proves a necessity in easing the financial burden involved in feeding the residents of our institution, even though we must supplement our farm products by buying canned foods, fruits, and staples for our residents, and vitamin-fortified feed for our stock. Our annual farm expenditures amount to about $8,000.00, which include wages, machinery repairs, feed, seeds, fertilizers, and other necessities. WEIGHING OUR WORK IN THE BALANCE Our home fulfilled all the requirements of the Pennsylvania State Welfare Board. It approved our child guidance and care program as well as our sanitation and safety measures. We received many favorable comments on our management from our many visitors also. As our needs demanded, we kept our buildings, our machinery, and roads in repair. We felt that morally and spiritually we fulfilled all that was expected of us. Regular payments were made to our Federation on our loans: $18,000.00 on the capital and $3271.43 in interest from 1954 through June 1955. The total indebtedness on our property was $118,000.00 in 1952. Since then it has been reduced to $55,000.00. The following improvements and investments were made in the past year and a half: IN OUR CHILDREN’S HOME: The floors of the girls’ dormitory were scraped and refinished.; the roof was repaired; plans were discussed for a new addition to the building, which would serve as a play and meeting room; a second-hand station wagon was purchased for $500.00. IN THE OLD PEOPLE’S HOME: A new spinner-dryer was purchased for our laundry; a new automatic washing machine and dryer were installed in the hospital building; new floors were laid in both the kitchen and the dining room. BEARING WITNESS We cannot say that we have reached perfection in the life and management of our institution, nor can we say that our work does not bear criticism. We have our human limitations. However, we do say that we have always worked toward higher and more ideal goals. Our home increased in physical goods and spiritual blessings. At its last meeting the Board of Directors heard the following reports given by its two examining committees: “Our committee examined the Old Folks’ Home and the Farm. All that we saw and heard, especially the exemplary relationship between residents and the staff, met with our complete satisfaction.” “As we express our satisfaction over the achievements of the workers, we recommend that a fitting acknowledgement of their loyalty and accpmplishments be accorded them.” Let me also quote from a letter written by the State Welfare Department relative to our institution:
