Ohio Holstein Women

District 5 Holstein President Judy C. Wolford

Welcome to District 5 and the 2022 Ohio Holstein Convention! We had hoped to host the 2021 state convention, but COVID got in the way of our plans. As it turned out, because of the small number of guests, Deercreek Lodge decided to renovate the swimming pool at the same time we would have been having convention, so everything turns out for the best.

Deercreek State Park was built as a flood control reservoir and recreational area. Construction began in the mid-1960s and Deercreek was officially dedicated on September 21, 1968. It encompasses more than 3,100 acres and offers a beach, boating, cabins and golf course as well as the Lodge. My parents’ dairy farm was the first one downstream of the dam, and the state purchased part of the farm when the dam was built.

Interestingly, there is a historical site at Deercreek State Park. Online it is listed as the Harding Cabin; to the locals, it is known as the Harding Summer White House. The cabin was built by U.S. Attorney General Harry M. Daugherty at the close of World War I. Daugherty was from Washington Court House and served as a political strategist for President Harding, as well as attorney general for both Harding and President Coolidge.

The Cabin was a favorite retreat for Harding and his close circle of friends known as the “Ohio Gang.” The Cabin was ultimately revealed as a hideout after malfeasance, including the Teapot Dome Scandal, was uncovered during and after Harding’s term as president.

The Cabin has been restored to its original state and updated with modern conveniences. While not open for tours, it is a vacation or business rental.

There are loads of other things to do in our district as well. The Hocking Hills are a popular tourist destination. Lancaster hosts a wonderful arts festival in the summer. Athens County is home to Ohio University. Chillicothe, in Ross County, is home to the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, where you can visit mounds dating back to 200 B.C. Chillicothe is also home to Adena Mansion, the former home of Thomas Worthington, one of Ohio’s founding fathers.

Circleville, here in Pickaway County, is home to Wittich’s Candy Shop, which is the nation’s oldest family-owned and -operated candy shop - it has been in business since 1840. And of course, the Greatest Free Show on Earth - the Pumpkin Show - starts the third Wednesday in October and annually hosts approximately 500,000 visitors.

Many of you have been to the newly renovated Pickaway County Fairgrounds. Who would have ever guessed one of the premier dairy shows in the country would be in Circleville? Pickaway hosts the first fair in the state, while Fairfield County hosts the last county fair.

District 5 started as the Ross County Holstein Club. The earliest records in existence show the club was meeting in April 1956. There were more than 55 people present at that meeting. Today, while there are few dairy farms remaining in our district, we are proud of those who are or have been members of our club.

Three of our members have served as Ohio Holstein President: Jim Lewis, Reuben Jones and Dallas Rynd have all led this organization. We are proud to have three former Ohio Holstein Queens – Karen Conrad Baseman was the 1984 Queen, Megan Buechner Zapalac was queen in 2009, and in 2011, Mikayla Conrad Gibbs, Karen’s niece served as Queen.

In 1992, Marge Lewis was Ohio Holstein Woman of the Year. Darl Whims of Eric-Dew Holsteins and Dick Lewis of Shanghigh Holsteins have been recognized as Buckeye Breed Builders.

Five of our members have been inducted into the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame - Jim Lewis (1985), Reuben Jones (1986), Larry Neel (1987), Dick Lewis (2002) and Dorothy Jones (2004) have all had this honor. Two members were inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame - Reuben Jones and his son, Lewis, have both received this honor.

Greg Conrad is the current chair of the Board of Directors of American Dairy Association Mideast, and also represents Mideast on the UDIA Board.

The Lewis and Jones families have also won National Futurity. Reu-Jen Debbie was the winner in 1968 for Reuben and his family, while the Lewises won in 1977 and 1978 with Hickory Bluff Shanghigh Comet and Shanghigh Gaydale Ivanhoe R, respectively. This district has had multiple All-Ohio winners and All-American nominees and winners, as well.

We are again pleased to welcome you to District 5 and the 2022 Ohio Holstein Convention. We sincerely hope your stay here will be relaxing and that you will find many reasons to return to this area for dairy events - or just as a tourist.

Bacon Blue Cheese Potato Salad

2 lbs. potatoes peeled and cut into cubes 1 teaspoon Kosher salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ cup blue cheese dressing (I like Ken’s) ½ cup mayonnaise 2 stalks diced celery 6 slices of bacon cooked and chopped ½ cup crumbled blue cheese ¼ cup chopped green onion

Fill large pot 2/3 of the way with room temperature water and add in the potatoes. Add ½ teaspoon Kosher salt to the water. Turn the heat to high and cook the potatoes for 12-15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain the potatoes and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl, add the remaining Kosher salt, the black pepper, blue cheese dressing, mayonnaise, celery, most of the bacon, most of the blue cheese and green onion. Stir to combine, then add the potatoes and gently toss to combine. Garnish with blue cheese and bacon.