Dublin Core
Title
1996-06-18 UMC Conley hair donation, Rossville, Kansas
Description
Page 5 St Marys Star June 18,1996
by Dorothy N. Hoobler
There is one thing for sure. Mrs. Pauline Conley, Delia, certainly took the Rev. Ken Rogers' challenge to members of the Rossville United Methodist Church to heart — or should I say — to head. The congregation has been trying all kinds of different activities to raise funds for their beautiful new sanctuary. They have had phenomenal success, and a lot of fun, too.
Then, six weeks ago, Pastor Rogers gave out one dollar bills to his flock and suggested they follow the teaching Jesus gave in the parable of the talents in Matthew, Chapter 25. Each recipient was urged to increase that one dollar by using his or her own talents, skills, and ingenuity.
The fun began. Many of the ladies baked pies or bread; there were plants for sale, and crafts or woodworking items. Several farmers calculated the amount of corn or soybeans that dollar's worth of seed would yield at harvest time. Everyone, young and old alike, tried to make their dollars grow. One dignified gentleman even sold hugs for a quarter. "They were good ones, too, probably worth at least a dollar," Pauline chuckled.
In the Conley home, Pauline had decided to make whole wheat noodles for sale. Joe (her husband), however, was worried that the adverse weather would drastically cut his soybean seed yield. Brainstorming at lunch one day, he casually mentioned, "Well, I could shave my head." When Pauline asked how much that would be worth in donations, he guessed, "Oh, about $500." Impulsively, Pauline remarked, "I'd shave mine for $1,000." Her husband reacted as most men would have when their wives come up with such a "hair-brained" idea. "Don't be silly!" he retorted. That was just the challenge Pauline needed.
She did give it a little more thought, of course, and even asked church friends if they approved of the idea Although no one quite believed she was serious, the response was favorable. In fact, her mother, Mrs. Carroll (Cordelia) Timmons, pledged the first donation.
On June 8, at the church carnival, Pauline publicly announced that if she could raise $1,000, she'd shave her head for the cause. The next morning was the final day for the talent campaign, and the remaining $298.98, was quickly donated before morning worship began.
Since this was being done for the church building fund, why not let the whole congregation witness the "shearing?" When the services were completed, everyone gathered in the new commons area. Rossville barber and church member Larry Ross whipped out his barber's apron and went to work, while Joe videotaped the event "He should have taped the congregation's reaction," Pauline laughed, "especially the kids, like the little girls who clutched their own ponytails tightly, just in case Larry got too close to them." In moments, Pauline's crowning glory was deposited in a plastic bag, and $1,019 had been added to the building fund. Donations ranged from two cents, (which one little girl found on the floor of the family car), to gifts of $100. Predictably, the reaction to a bald head on the neatly groomed Delia postmaster is a startled stare, usually followed by laughter. It's a little difficult for the children, Pauline admits. Her two-year-old grand-daughter ignores her until she puts on a hat, but the older girls think that the new fuzz that's already growing is "like velvet."
As I visited with Pauline this week, one youngster came into the post office and hesitantly asked, "Is your hair still shaved off?" Graciously, Pauline replied, "Yes, but I've got a pretty hat to wear." He still seemed a bit skeptical!
Even her daughter requests that she wear a hat if Pauline rides with her. "I have always loved hats," she added, and frequently wears them. Shaving her head has solved two problems, she" smiled. When she dressed to go out, Joe used to ask, "Are you going to wear a stupid hat?" Now he asks, "Which hat are you going to wear?" She certainly doesn't have any "bad hair days." She won't be making any visits to the beauty shop in the near future. The barber promised it will be a little cooler when the hair grows in some, but she will need to beware of sunburn for a while.
Pauline has been a member of the Rossville church for some 36 years, and she's not sorry for her impulsive decision. "It's a good feeling," this vivacious lady exclaimed. "I set a goal, and I attained it." She has discovered another benefit. Health experts have been emphasizing the value of laughter, and she agrees. "I feel so much better. There has been so much laughter, and less stress now. Of course, I wouldn't recommend a head shave for everyone, but it has sure helped me," she continued.
Along with all the other donations from so many, it has also helped the church building fund. The congregation is optimistic that the debt will be retired much earlier than anyone ever dreamed possible. Who knows what other projects will be scheduled and what other unique ideas members will dream up? I will venture to say that none will quite match the project that the good natured Pauline Conley described as "Hair Today — Gone Tomorrow!"
PAULINE shows off her velvet scalp, which is generally hidden under a lovely straw hat.
NEATLY COIFFED Pauline Conley at beginning of her "pledge."
LARRY ROSS "did the honors" in the commons area of the church after worship.
by Dorothy N. Hoobler
There is one thing for sure. Mrs. Pauline Conley, Delia, certainly took the Rev. Ken Rogers' challenge to members of the Rossville United Methodist Church to heart — or should I say — to head. The congregation has been trying all kinds of different activities to raise funds for their beautiful new sanctuary. They have had phenomenal success, and a lot of fun, too.
Then, six weeks ago, Pastor Rogers gave out one dollar bills to his flock and suggested they follow the teaching Jesus gave in the parable of the talents in Matthew, Chapter 25. Each recipient was urged to increase that one dollar by using his or her own talents, skills, and ingenuity.
The fun began. Many of the ladies baked pies or bread; there were plants for sale, and crafts or woodworking items. Several farmers calculated the amount of corn or soybeans that dollar's worth of seed would yield at harvest time. Everyone, young and old alike, tried to make their dollars grow. One dignified gentleman even sold hugs for a quarter. "They were good ones, too, probably worth at least a dollar," Pauline chuckled.
In the Conley home, Pauline had decided to make whole wheat noodles for sale. Joe (her husband), however, was worried that the adverse weather would drastically cut his soybean seed yield. Brainstorming at lunch one day, he casually mentioned, "Well, I could shave my head." When Pauline asked how much that would be worth in donations, he guessed, "Oh, about $500." Impulsively, Pauline remarked, "I'd shave mine for $1,000." Her husband reacted as most men would have when their wives come up with such a "hair-brained" idea. "Don't be silly!" he retorted. That was just the challenge Pauline needed.
She did give it a little more thought, of course, and even asked church friends if they approved of the idea Although no one quite believed she was serious, the response was favorable. In fact, her mother, Mrs. Carroll (Cordelia) Timmons, pledged the first donation.
On June 8, at the church carnival, Pauline publicly announced that if she could raise $1,000, she'd shave her head for the cause. The next morning was the final day for the talent campaign, and the remaining $298.98, was quickly donated before morning worship began.
Since this was being done for the church building fund, why not let the whole congregation witness the "shearing?" When the services were completed, everyone gathered in the new commons area. Rossville barber and church member Larry Ross whipped out his barber's apron and went to work, while Joe videotaped the event "He should have taped the congregation's reaction," Pauline laughed, "especially the kids, like the little girls who clutched their own ponytails tightly, just in case Larry got too close to them." In moments, Pauline's crowning glory was deposited in a plastic bag, and $1,019 had been added to the building fund. Donations ranged from two cents, (which one little girl found on the floor of the family car), to gifts of $100. Predictably, the reaction to a bald head on the neatly groomed Delia postmaster is a startled stare, usually followed by laughter. It's a little difficult for the children, Pauline admits. Her two-year-old grand-daughter ignores her until she puts on a hat, but the older girls think that the new fuzz that's already growing is "like velvet."
As I visited with Pauline this week, one youngster came into the post office and hesitantly asked, "Is your hair still shaved off?" Graciously, Pauline replied, "Yes, but I've got a pretty hat to wear." He still seemed a bit skeptical!
Even her daughter requests that she wear a hat if Pauline rides with her. "I have always loved hats," she added, and frequently wears them. Shaving her head has solved two problems, she" smiled. When she dressed to go out, Joe used to ask, "Are you going to wear a stupid hat?" Now he asks, "Which hat are you going to wear?" She certainly doesn't have any "bad hair days." She won't be making any visits to the beauty shop in the near future. The barber promised it will be a little cooler when the hair grows in some, but she will need to beware of sunburn for a while.
Pauline has been a member of the Rossville church for some 36 years, and she's not sorry for her impulsive decision. "It's a good feeling," this vivacious lady exclaimed. "I set a goal, and I attained it." She has discovered another benefit. Health experts have been emphasizing the value of laughter, and she agrees. "I feel so much better. There has been so much laughter, and less stress now. Of course, I wouldn't recommend a head shave for everyone, but it has sure helped me," she continued.
Along with all the other donations from so many, it has also helped the church building fund. The congregation is optimistic that the debt will be retired much earlier than anyone ever dreamed possible. Who knows what other projects will be scheduled and what other unique ideas members will dream up? I will venture to say that none will quite match the project that the good natured Pauline Conley described as "Hair Today — Gone Tomorrow!"
PAULINE shows off her velvet scalp, which is generally hidden under a lovely straw hat.
NEATLY COIFFED Pauline Conley at beginning of her "pledge."
LARRY ROSS "did the honors" in the commons area of the church after worship.
Creator
The St. Marys Star, St. Marys, Kansas
This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties.
This work is copyrighted; the copyright holder has granted permission for this item to be used by the Rossville Community Library. This permission does not extend to third parties.
Date
June 18, 1996
Rights
All rights reserved
Identifier
RCL0461
Item Relations
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