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The magic of Home Ec class…

July 24, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 27 Comments

The last time I was home on the farm, I found this black and white photo of my mother. On the back she had written made brown dog in Home Ec. junior high 1954. Ahhh, the magic of Home Ec.

See the brown dog on the shelf behind her bed?

Vintage Barbara Creecy

inscription on back of photo

Then I noticed the brown dog in the guest bedroom (the room my sister and I once shared). I don’t remember ever having seen it before.

vintage stuffed dog

The Bat Cave contains many treasures.

Sweet!

This reminded me of my own Home Ec class in the 1970s. At the time, I thought it was pointless and even tried to take shop class with the boys, but Momma and Daddy wouldn’t hear of it. Home Ec turned out to be one of the most enjoyable classes at Keiser Junior High. During that one hour a day, we learned a bit about cooking and sewing and a lot about ourselves. In a room full of girls without the distraction of cute boys, the hour felt safe and easy. Our young teacher was approachable. There was nothing we couldn’t ask; no topic off limit.

I never learned to sew, nothing more than a straight seam anyway, but I still remember the special time we spent together in the Home Ec kitchen and classroom.

Home Ec is now considered passé. Like cursive writing and hot cafeteria food and the Pledge of Allegiance, so many things have disappeared in favor of progress or technology or political correctness. Gradually. No big deal. Until it makes a big difference in our society.

I say bring back Home Ec.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:
Tim McGraw – Back When

 

 

Filed Under: Life, Memories Tagged With: Barbara Tate, Home Ec class; vintage stuffed animal, Keiser

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Comments

  1. Barbara Tate says

    July 24, 2014 at 7:24 am

    I still have the vest you made in Home Ec. It was lined, making it much harder. You needed a picture of it for this post. Well written.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      Yes, I remember the vest. It was corduroy, lined with a hood! What was I thinking?

      Reply
  2. Lora @ Crazy Running Girl says

    July 24, 2014 at 7:46 am

    So awesome that you still have that! That’s amazing. I never participated in Home Ec… by time I got there, it was turned into something else, which was kinda a bummer! Luckily I learned many skills through 4H.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:05 pm

      4-H…I was a drop out:))

      Reply
  3. Fred Baird says

    July 24, 2014 at 8:05 am

    Best time to teach at Keiser was in the 70’s

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  4. Ashley says

    July 24, 2014 at 8:20 am

    I didn’t have home ec in school, not sure if it’s because they didn’t offer it or if I just didn’t take it. But either way I do think it’s a beneficial class.

    The picture and memory if your mother is really awesome and it’s so cool that her brown dog is still around!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:05 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Colene says

    July 24, 2014 at 8:26 am

    Agree! Perfect throw back Thursday. As they say, “Barbara was a long looker” and still is.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:06 pm

      Thank you Colene!

      Reply
  6. Linda Beason says

    July 24, 2014 at 8:54 am

    Thanks for sharing. Yes, I remember Home Ec
    I learned the correct way to set table! Also made a dress for semester grade and we had style show! Night before Aunt Lavern had to take the zipper out sew in right way !! Made a good grade!! Those were the best times!!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:06 pm

      Awe what a great story about Aunt Lavern. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
  7. mark price says

    July 24, 2014 at 8:56 am

    At Wilson Jr. High, we all took Home Ec. Shop was not offered during those years. We made aprons the first year and jackets the second year. That damn jacket was tough. It had a hood, zipper and a drawstring! I hated sewing, but I gained respect for those who are skilled with thread and needle.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 24, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      Interesting Mark. I made a vest with a hood and lining. It was awful!

      Reply
  8. Helen-Life in Random Bits says

    July 24, 2014 at 9:34 am

    I loved Home Ec, though sewing wasn’t something I mastered either. My favorite memory… putting too much dish soap in the sink, walking away to retrieve something, and coming back to bubbles all over the sink, counter, and spilling onto the floor. Luckily, I was on the end of the line of kitchen spots and the teacher never noticed!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:07 pm

      I’ve done that too!

      Reply
  9. Dorothy Johnson says

    July 24, 2014 at 9:43 am

    All the girls took Home Ec back in the 60s and enjoyed that safe atmosphere you mentioned. I learned lots of things and still think about how Mrs. Morgan said to fold a napkin. I remember a group project of making rolls that was fun, but I’ve probably used the basic sewing skills more than anything else. In the late 70s the junior high boys had a semester in something like Home Skills. Gary made a book bag that I still have. Tell your mom, good job on that brown dog, by the way.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:07 pm

      Home skills would be a great idea today!

      Reply
  10. Colleen Pence says

    July 24, 2014 at 10:53 am

    I took a home ec. class in middle school in the 80s and had so much fun. I think it would be great for schools to offer a class like that again for both boys and girls.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      me too Colleen!

      Reply
  11. Kat Curling says

    July 24, 2014 at 12:08 pm

    We actually had a home ec class when I graduated from school in 08! I never took it but I wish that I had now. It’s pretty sad that most women my age don’t know how to do basic sewing or other things like that they’re were crucial to living just 20-30 years ago.

    How priceless to find a photo of your mother like that. I always love seeing photos like this. The clothes, styles and surrounding are always so interesting to me.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:08 pm

      Wow Kat I had no idea Home Ec was around in 08. I love old photos too. Thank for commenting!

      Reply
  12. Melissa D says

    July 24, 2014 at 12:42 pm

    Never took home ec, but now I wish I had. Now my girls and I get to learn together!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 25, 2014 at 8:09 pm

      Learning together is fun too:))

      Reply
  13. Cindy "Lu" says

    July 25, 2014 at 9:35 pm

    I remember Home-Ec at Keiser but don’t remember the teacher. I actually got the Home-Ec award at OHS — but NOT for sewing. Mamma Ruby had to help me finish my apron – but I tore up some cooking! Ms. Lane was the teacher and boy – was she a teacher! My favorite thing to cook was fried chicken and mashed potatoes – and strawberry cake! I say bring back Home-Ec too! It was the only time us girls got to “bond” without the worry of boys being around! 🙂

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 26, 2014 at 6:52 am

      My teacher was Kathy Darby:) She was great.

      Reply
  14. Laura says

    July 26, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    love this. I never took Home Ec but it looks pretty awesome!

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

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GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

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