ACLA Founding Ladies
The Comer Family Story
O
ur journey with the Chianina breed started in 1979 when we bought our first Chianina heifer at the National Sale in Louisville at the NAILE from Blue Sky Farms. Terry was raised on a farm and his family raised Angus cattle. After marrying Sue, they moved to the family farm and decided to continue raising cattle. After looking around the county at different breeds, they decided to go with something different and pursued the Chianina breed. We have two daughters, Lindsay and Jessica. Cody and Lindsay Bruns are the parents of Cade (7) and Hailey (3). Ryan and Jessica Cheesman are the parents of Claire (9), and twins Tanner and Jase (5). Claire showed for the first time last year at the NAILE, making it 3 generations to show Chianina cattle on the green shavings. Claire will be in her first year of 4-H and Cade will be in his second year of Mini 4-H. Sue’s journey with the Ladies Auxiliary began when she was invited to the annual ACLA meeting that was held across the road at the Executive Inn (which is no longer standing). Later on, the luncheon was moved to the fairgrounds and is now our “Come as You are Luncheon,” where we enjoy that wonderful Kentucky Silk Pie. The first meeting of the ACLA was held in November of 1980, with Kay Burk as chairman. Kay became the first President of the Auxiliary. Meeting with many wonderful ladies and the friendships we have made over the years is what has kept us involved in the ACLA. We believe in what the ACLA stands for and the good things they do for the juniors. Sue remembers the ACLA taking bus tours of Louisville and visiting different sites, such as Louisville Pottery and Churchill Downs. At the 1994 National Junior Heifer show held in Richmond, Ind., the ladies toured the Silvertowne Mint and Wick’s Pies in Winchester, Ind. Sue has been President, Secretary/Treasurer and Chairman of the National Queen Committee. The Ladies Auxiliary has been supporting the National Chi Queen since 1983. At the National Junior Heifer show in Murfreesboro, Tenn. in 1989, there were 14 Queen contestants competing for the title! Lindsay and Jessica began to attend ACLA meetings with their mother. Lindsay was on the Scholarship committee and Jessica later became President of the ACLA, serving in that roll for 10 years. The Chi Lady of the Year award began in 1991, and was started in memory of one of the auxiliary Ladies Auxiliary members touring Wick's Pies in Winchester, Ind., in 1994.
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| CHIANINA JOURNAL | MAY/JUNE/JULY 2021
