The Wilmington morning star., 1946-01-21
Vance CountyFann Home
Improved By Women Folk

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Mrs. D. T. Ayscue lives in Vance
county, but her own first person
story Of how the Ayscue home was
made a better place in which to
live has attracted the interest
and admiration of homemakers
throughout the northeastern part
OF the state. The story, as told to
Vance Home Demonstration Agent,
Mrs. Hattie F. Plummer, follows:
In January, 1888, I became a
member of the Aycock Home Dem.
onstration club at the home OF
Mrs. Charlie Finch. Since that
time, I have missed only two
Home Demonstration club meet
ings. Prior to this, Mr.. Ayseue
and I had bought our home, winch
consisted of six-room frame
building, implanted, four rooms
downstairs, two upstairs, with only
two rooms finished. We began al
once to make some improvements
That year, our major project
was ward Identification, with the
assistance Of John H. Harriss Of
the Extension Service. He suggest
ed good lawns, planting Of trees
to frame the house and under
pinning the house. Inspired by the
prospects, we began at once tc
underpin our home with native
stone.
In the fall Of the same year, we
seeded our lawn. We had plenty
shade trees to frame the house.
and had to remove one that stood
at the front door.
During all the time we were
making improvements in the house,
put in two dormer windows, finish.
ed guest bedroom, and our two
boys bedroom with three closets
built in.
We next put in hardwood floors
in living rooms, dining room and
bed room, new pine floors in the
kitchen and other bedrooms. Every
room was wall papered except the
kitchen. Oil cloth was used there
instead OF paper.
Then we built a bathroom. The
kitchen was remodeled. A sink was
put in, also running water, hot anc
cold. Next we built back porch
and on the porch, catch-al
closet.
When we first started work there
was no electricity. We began t.
work for a power line, and worked
so hard for it that when it came
through, it was known as the ID
T. Ayscue line" With electricity
available, we began to put in mod
ern conveniences to make house
hold work easier, and at present
we have frigidaire, cl1urn, radio
washing machine, waffle iron
toaster.
While We were improving ou1
house inside and out, we did no
neglect our grounds. In addition tt
enclosing our yard with pickle
fence, baseplanting was done, ane
porch boxes were built.
In 1914, We extended our yare
and sowed grass in back. Built al
outdoor fireplace, also a terrace
on the right side of the house with
cement steps leading down into the
lower yard. Last year we built &
rose arbor in the lower yard.
Our home is built $50 yards from
the highway. On each side of the
driveway, we planted borders
about yard and a half in width
These borders were planted with
many kinds of flowers which were
given to me by friends. Last
Easter Monday, these borders
were at their best, and people who
saw them through it was well worth
the trip out there. Last fall, !
bought 100 tulip bulbs, which we
feel will enhance the beauty this
year.
Our family consists of my hus.
band and I and two boys, D. T..
Jr., IS, and Austin, 10. Both boys
belong to the All Club. D. T. wa:
champion swine grower, also prize
winner in corn contest for Vance
County. Austin won two prize!
with his pure bred calf and was {
prize winner this year in corr
growing contest. We enjoy GU!
home and do not mean to stoI
here, but to continue making i'm
provements from year to year.
In addition to my Home Demon
stration and club work, we are
active in Church, school, and othel