Becker County Fair by Detroit Lakes Newspapers

BECKER County

FAIR WEDNESDAY-SAturDAY

AUGUST 7-10, 2013

at the

2013 Becker County Fair

August 8-10

Becker County Fair Grounds

Grand Stand • events •

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 • 7PM Miss Becker County Fair Pageant FRIDAY, AUGUST 9 • 7PM Demo Derby, Stock Car, Compact Pickup/ Minivan. Chain and Go Pickups SATURDAY, AUGUST 10 • 7PM Pick-up & 4 Cylinder Demo Derby

MEMBERS OF THE HAPPY HILLLSIDE 4-H CLUB marched in the Northwest Water Carnival Parade, helping show the color 4-H can bring to a youth’s life.

Happy Hillside turns 75

4-H club receives Diamond Anniversary Award BY LIBBY LARSON

llarson@dlnewspapers.com

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The local Happy Hillside Chapter of 4-H has recently reached a major milestone. Turning 75 earlier this year, the club was recognized for its achievement with a Diamond Anniversary Award at the annual Becker County 4-H Achievement Awards Program, and is one of the longest running clubs in the area. Sara VanOffelen is the current club leader, and said she’s been involved with the Happy Hillside group for 18 years, starting when her oldest son was 5 years old.

Since then, all four of her children have been involved with the program. “My kids have benefitted greatly from public speaking and demonstrations,” she said. “They learn about different areas they’re interested in outside of school. “It’s an opportunity to direct their own learning.” Of the level of involvement and interest in the club, VanOffelen said, “our club does well. We hold our meetings in Detroit Lakes, so we draw from a larger population.” Estimating current involvement to include around 20 kids, she said, “we’ve maintained

a pretty steady membership,” with younger kids growing into the program, and a fair number of older, more experienced participants. As leader, VanOffelen organizes the meetings, which are held monthly and are often run by the youth. Participants often share demonstrations, providing additional educational opportunities. 4-H was first developed in the late 1800s in an effort to promote youth involvement in agricultural advancement. The program has evolved to include a broad range of activities and opHAPPY HILLSIDE to page 3 ➤

Becker County Fair 2013

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Becker County Fair 2013

3 ➤ HAPPY HILLSIDE from page 1 portunities for participants. For more about the history of 4-H and potential areas for involvement, visit the website at 4-h.org. VanOffelen said of the Happy Hillside Club’s 75 years that “the extension structure has changed somewhat, but the club structure has pretty much stayed the same.” Local clubs continue to encourage exploration and education among the area’s youth, helping kids to discover and nurture their interests and talents. “Kids are welcome to join 4-H at any time, there’s no deadline,” VanOffelen said. She encourages anyone interested to contact the county office. For more information about getting involved with a local 4-H program, call the Extension Office at 218-846-7328.

HAPPY HILLSIDE 4-HERS marched in the Water Carnival Parade this summer.

DNR offers variety of displays

Come see fish, wildlife mounts, watercraft inspectors, more BY LIBBY LARSON

llarson@dlnewspapers.com

The Becker County Fair is full of fun, but it also offers an opportunity to gain some great information. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be represented again at the fair this summer. Some important lessons about Minnesota’s natural resources will be presented in an enjoyable and memorable way for kids and adults alike. According to Blane Klemek, area wildlife supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Division of the DNR, a variety of displays, booths, activities, and materials will be featured. Aquariums will be stocked with species of live fish, and the MinnAqua Program run by the DNR will host fishing related programs for children on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

A local game farm will offer live animals for viewing, in addition to taxidermy mounts. In the past, live animals have included mink, fox, beaver, porcupine, raccoon and turtle. Nathan Olson, area fisheries supervisor, said, “we are also planning to have some watercraft inspector interns present on Thursday night and Saturday night from 6 to 8.” Kids will also have a chance to play “HideIn-Go-Vasive,” a game in which artificial plants will be hidden on a boat and trailer, and kids will try to find them. “This gives the watercraft inspectors the chance to educate the public on how to conduct proper inspections on their own watercraft,” Olson added. The Natural Resource Building will be open on Wednesday from 3 to 11 p.m., and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Free wildlife posters will be available for children

that visit the exhibits, according to the Becker County Fair website. Be sure to take advantage of the great opportunity presented by the DNR to learn more about Minnesota’s unique wildlife. Take a moment to become educated about protecting local lakes from invasive species, a simple way to help protect the area for years to come.

Becker County Fair 2013

CHEYANN VAREBERG

EMILY ANDERSON

HANNAH STROM

ANNAROSE STEGER

SARAH SCHUMACHER

CATHERINE JAROSZEWSKI

MICHELA SANDERS

MADDIE GROSSMAN

MOLLY TRIGGS

SARAH WENDT

ANNE HOLZGROVE

ARIKA JOHNSON

ELIZABETH STEGER

BOBBI JO BABLER

SARAH LABINE

BRITTANIE SCHAFFER

Pageant contestants compete for crown 10 vie for Junior Miss, six vie for Miss Becker County titles The Miss and Junior Miss Becker County Fair 2013 Pageant takes place Thursday, Aug. 8, at 7 p.m., with reigning Miss Becker County Fair 2012 Emily Freeh and Jr. Miss Becker County Fair 2012 Alex Bigger returning to the fair grounds to crown their successors.

Jr. Miss Becker County Fair 2013 contestants

• Cheyann Vareberg is the 15-year-old daughter of Jerome and Lynn Hendricks and Marty Vareberg. She currently attends Detroit Lakes High School. Her talent will be tae kwon do. • Emily Anderson is the 15-yearold daughter of Ben and Kay Anderson. She will be attending Frazee High School. Her performance will consist of a monologue. Anderson Coach sponsors her. • Hannah Strom is the 15-yearold daughter of Michael Strom and Joell Parkos. She is currently attending Lake Park-Audubon High

School. She will be entertaining us through song. • AnnaRose Steger is the 14-yearold daughter of Barb and Bob Steger. She currently attends Detroit Lakes High School. She will perform a violin piece. AnnaRose is sponsored by Barbara’s Hair-n-Body Care. • Sarah Schumacher is the 15-year-old daughter of Scott Schumacher. She currently attends Detroit Lakes High School. Her talent will be singing. • Catherine Jaroszewski is the 14-year-old daughter of Jim and Susan Jaroszewski. She will be attending Detroit Lakes High School. She will entertain with a piano piece. • Michela Sanders is the 15-yearold daughter of Jason and Jessica Kropuenske. She attends Frazee High School and will be performing a lyrical piece for her talent. • Maddie Grossman is the 15-year-old daughter of Keith and Mary Grossman. She is attending

Lake Park-Audubon High School. She will be performing a piano piece for her talent. • Molly Triggs is the 15-year-old daughter of Adam Triggs. She attends Detroit Lakes High School. Her talent consists of a monologue performance. • Sarah Wendt is the 15-year-old daughter of Paul and Carla Wendt. She attends Frazee High School and will be performing a lyrical dance for her talent.

Miss Becker County Fair 2013 contestants

• Anne Holzgrove is the 17-yearold daughter of Dan and Shirley Holzgrove. She is currently home schooled, and will be entertaining through the presentation of song. • Arika Johnson is the 18-yearold daughter of Wayne and Candie Johnson. She just graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. She will be performing a dance for her talent.

• Elizabeth Steger is the 17-yearold daughter of Barb and Bob Steger. She has just graduated from Detroit Lakes High School. For her talent she will be performing a flute piece. Barbara’s Hair-n-Body Care sponsors Elizabeth. • Bobbi Jo Babler is the 16-yearold daughter of Terry and Karla Babler. She is currently attending Lake Park-Audubon High School and will be entertaining us with a dance selection. She is sponsored by Cormorant Store. • Sarah Labine is the 16-year-old daughter of Cynthia McDonough and Jon Labine. She is currently attending Detroit Lakes High School. Her talent will be a dance selection. • Brittanie Schaffer is the 16-year-old daughter of John and Kimberly Schaffer. She attends Lake Park-Audubon High School. She will be performing a song with a guitar piece.

Becker County Fair 2013

ABIGAIL KRAUSE HAS SPENT MANY YEARS in 4-H showing animals – including chicken, duck, guinea, llama, rabbit, livestock – participating in photography, video and forestry exhibits and more. She said the experiences have helped build her confidence and improve her leadership skills. Because of her years of experience, Krause was chosen as a 4-H Ambassador for Minnesota, and will spend her time at the state fair this year, teaching others about 4-H and what it has to offer.

DL grad chosen as state 4-H ambassador BY LIBBY LARSON

llarson@dlnewspapers.com

Abigail Krause, recent graduate of Detroit Lakes High School and long-time participant of the Happy Hillside 4-H Club in Becker County, is taking her 4-H involvement to an even higher level this year. She will be serving as a 4-H Ambassador for Minnesota, one of only 27 youth to be selected for the entire state. Daughter of Duane and Cheryl Krause, she has been active in the 4-H program for 12 years. “My parents met through 4-H, so they got me involved at a really young age,” Krause said of her initial involvement. While she started with photography, her participation has expanded to encompass many other areas. “I’m really involved in livestock and the public speaking area,” she said of her most recent activities. Krause has also been the recipient of 4-H scholarships and grants in the past, and also became the first in Becker County to pass the Delta Society therapy training and exam with her cat, Tiger. Starting in sixth grade, Krause began showcasing her 4-H talents in an exhibition at the Minnesota State Fair. She will certainly be kept busy in the upcoming 2013 Becker County Fair. Krause will be showing

chicken, duck, guinea, llama, rabbit, as well as participating in photography, video and forestry exhibits. When asked about her diverse range of interests, Krause said, “I don’t think I could pinpoint a favorite,” also citing the friends she’s made and her strengthened public speaking and leadership skills as being major elements of her 4-H experience. Those leadership skills will be put to good use in her role as Minnesota 4-H Ambassador. After an application process and live interview and presentation, Krause was officially selected by the program. Of the position which she said performs as the “face of 4-H.” “I’m very excited,” she added. Her role as Ambassador will include attending all 12 days of the Minnesota State Fair, with an additional two days of preparation. Krause also described some of her duties as to “plan camps, help out in the counties, while learning new leadership skills.” According to the University of Minnesota 4-H Extension page, the Ambassadors act primarily as spokespeople, teachers, and facilitators for the program, serving the youth of 4-H while spreading awareness about the program. Ambassadors are expected to be positive role models and Krause has already applied her leadership skills to assist younger participants. “I really enjoy teaching and helping,” she said.

Krause also shared that during the Becker County Fair she will primarily, “stay in the barn area, answering questions,” while she helps and supports younger participants, as well as those who are newer to 4-H or nervous about speaking. Be sure to check out the many exhibits and appreciate the effort of local 4-H members like Krause, which will be showcased during the County Fair.

ABIGAIL KARUSE, LEFT, was chosen as a 4-H Ambassador for Minnesota this year. She has been in 4-H for 12 years.

Becker County Fair 2013

Keeping a piece of history alive

Schoolhouse shows off what one-room schools looked like in past BY HALEY FOSTER

hfoster@dlnewspapers.com

The Little Red Schoolhouse is a hit each year at the Becker County Fair, but did you know it wasn’t originally a schoolhouse at all? The schoolhouse is actually a reproduction made by the Becker County Retired Teachers Association because most one room schools closed in the mid-1950s and they didn’t want to lose a piece of that history. The building was built as an office for the contractors who built the courthouse. “In 1942, the teachers purchased it and moved it to the fairgrounds and turned it into a school house,” said Amy Degerstrom, director of the Historical Society. “They purchased it from the county and then added the little bell tower and everything,” she added. The retired teachers association took care of the schoolhouse up until last year when they disbanded after many years. “They were looking for a group to service, caretake, or to keep that part of our history alive and it seemed like a good fit,” said Degerstrom. Since taking over last year, Degerstrom said the historical society has added as many pictures of one room schoolhouses as they have and they’ve added a few more desks and educational tools to add to the collection of things already present in the schoolhouse. Other than maintaining a look of authenticity, the historical society is primarily in charge of internal maintenance. “The fair board actually owns the building,” she said. “We just get in there and give it a good cleaning, and make sure that nothing is broken or gotten damaged over the winter.” After cleaning out the inside, they then put up artwork given by the Frazee Elementary art program, and make sure volunteers are in place so the schoolhouse is ready to open. “We usually spend a couple days working on it right before the fair

BECKER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD MEMBERS Robin Turnwall and John Jacobson help clean the outside of the little red schoolhouse that sits on the Becker County Fairgrounds. The Retired Teachers Association took care of the building until disbanding and turning it over to the fair board and the historical society board last year. Now the historical society cleans the building each year and hangs artwork from Frazee-Vergas Elementary students to showcase during the fair.

starts,” she said. “Usually the Monday and Tuesday the week of the fair.” Degerstrom said she feels the schoolhouse is important because, “it’s a part of our history that’s really quickly disappearing. There are very few original buildings left. Around the county, there’s only maybe two or three that are actually still schoolhouses or that are in the same state they were in when

they were a schoolhouse. “For us, I think it’s just important to remind folks that the way that we have access to education now is much different than it had been in the past. It’s much more of a neighborhood process to build a one room school and maintain it, to keep it up and provide for the students that went there. “We’re lucky in that we have the ability to keep that story going in

an environment that feels like one of those buildings would have felt.” The schoolhouse will be open from 12-8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Volunteers interested in helping are always welcome. Whether it is volunteering at the fair in the schoolhouse or researching one-room schoolhouses in Becker County, Degerstrom said the historical society is always welcome to help.

Becker County Fair 2013

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Becker County Fair 2013

4-H is family affair for the Ulmers

Parents met in 4-H and kids followed in their footsteps BY HALEY FOSTER

hfoster@dlnewspapers.com

Doug, Rondi, Nora, Emma and Lane Ulmer have had their fair share of 4-H. In fact, all together their family has been involved in the 4-H program for 22 years. Rondi started 4-H in fifth grade and was involved for nine years where she then met Doug showing cattle. “Doug and I met showing cattle and that was a hobby of his and something I’d done, so living rurally like this, it was never really an option (for the kids to not be in 4-H),” she said. All three of Doug and Rondi’s children have been active 4-H members. Emma and Lane are still very much involved, and Nora, who is a 4-H graduate and a senior in college, misses it dearly. Lane, even with being the youngest, has already done 14 shows. He’s participated in 11 regular shows and three state fairs. He even won the commercial cow-calf division at the state fair in 2011. “This year I’ll be showing four cows. A cow-calf pair, a heifer, and a steer, and then two pigs,” he said. While winning the cow-calf division at the state fair is what Lane considers to be his greatest accomplishment, Rondi said she feels that Emma’s most cherished award would be when she won round robin showmanship and was the overall champion at the county fair in 2011. A round robin includes the showing of one pig, a sheep, a beef cow and a dairy cow. Emma was also awarded a heifer, or female cow, through the Minnesota Beef Expo put on through the University of Minnesota. Once awarded the calf, Rondi explained, it was Emma’s job then to take that calf, raise it, train it and show it in as many shows as she could show it. Then she had to document all of her results and send reports back to the University, the Beef Expo and the family that donated the calf. From there, the entire year became a competition and she had to send in a letter informing the Expo of ULMER FAMILY to page 12 ➤

EMMA AND LANE ULMER are just part of the Ulmer family and their 4-H livestock. The brother and sister, along with their sister Nora (not pictured), have been involved in 4-H since they were young. The siblings’ parents met as kids when they were in 4-H, so it was easily determined that their children would be involved in the program as well.

Becker County Fair 2013

➤ ULMER FAMILY from page 11 everything she’d done. Emma ended up winning the overall award, and Rondi re-members that the judges were very impressed with the pamphlet she’d submitted. “Emma’s so artsy,” added her sister Nora. While competing at the state fair, both Emma and Nora were interview finalists two separate years. “Every kid that shows livestock at the state fair has to take a livestock knowledge test,” Rondi explained. “The top 10 percent are what they call interview finalists.” Once they become finalists, they do an actual interview with a judge and have a more hands on quiz. Not only do the Ulmers show livestock, they also shoot bow and arrow. Lane is also going on his fifth year in archery and his fifth year qualifying for state archery. He got his start through 4-H, too. “We heard about it through our 4-H club saying they were offering an archery knowledge class and we went to that. Then they said that they’ll be

doing archery once every two weeks and we just started going,” he said. Rondi said she feels that 4-H is not only a great way for her kids to learn responsibility through taking care of their animals but also “it’s been a wonderful program for the leadership piece.” “All three of them (her kids) have been officers at the club level, they’ve all been junior leaders within the club, the two girls have been ambassadors at the county, and they’ve had offices at the county level,” she said. Both Nora and Emma were county ambassadors and both have been president of the county council. Each of the Ulmers would recommend 4H to anyone. “There’s something for everyone,” said Rondi. Lane said he feels that anyone considering it should “go for it. It’s really fun and you get to meet a bunch of people.” “Parent involvement has to be there. Get your parents involved as well as yourself,” added Nora.

BESIDES SHOWING LIVESTOCK, LANE ULMER is also involved in archery. He got his start in the sport through 4-H as well. Left, Nora Ulmer has graduated from high school and gone off to college, but she was very active in 4-H up until a few years ago when she reached the age limit of being allowed to participate.

Becker County Fair 2013

From quilts to sheep, photos to veggies At only age 11, Mitchell has been involved in 49 events BY HALEY FOSTER

hfoster@dlnewspapers.com

Although Alyssa Mitchell is only 11 years old she is quite the go-getter when it comes to 4-H. She has been involved in 4-H for three years now and she doesn’t plan on stopping any time soon. “I started showing cattle at around age 5,” said Mitchell. It was her cousin who truly influenced her to join the program. “He was in 4-H and he said it was a lot of fun so I asked my mom if I could join,” she said. Her mom said yes, and Alyssa has stayed involved ever since. Alyssa and her cousin aren’t the only ones incredibly involved in the

fair — their whole family is. Helen Mitchell, Alyssa’s great grandma, has been going to the fair all her life. “She’s 91 and she hasn’t missed a fair yet,” said Alyssa. This year will be Alyssa’s first year showing sheep, and her third year showing dairy at the Becker County Fair. She is also involved in vegetable gardening, quilting, photography and fine arts. She said this is also her first year in veterinary sciences through 4-H. Alyssa has been quilting for three years now with the help of her grandmother. “Grandma Sue, she helps me. Last year I made a quilt and I donated it to MITCHELL to page 14 ➤

ALYSSA MITCHELL, 11, HAS BEEN IN 4-H SINCE SHE WAS 5 YEARS OLD because it sounded fun. It was so much fun for her, she has tried many, many of the events in the program. She has shown many different livestock, makes quilts and enjoys photography and gardening. She has had help from multiple people in her family – parents, grandmothers and cousins – finding her talents in 4-H.

Becker County Fair 2013

➤ MITCHELL from page 13 our church auction,” she said. Alyssa is very family-oriented: her grandma helps her quilt, her great grandma gives her pointers on showing dairy, her dad showed cattle when he was younger, and her entire family bonds over gardening. “It’s our family’s (vegetable garden) at great grandma Vi’s house. The garden is half of a horse barn,” she said. The whole family gardens together, and from that garden Alyssa enters the hard earned fruits — or in this case vegetables — of their labor. “I enter beans, carrots, peas, and last year I entered a watermelon,” she said. Alyssa’s favorite part of 4-H has been showing the cattle. “I like working with animals,” she said. When Alyssa started out showing cattle she had a calf named Bella; she still works with Bella today. Out of all the animals Alyssa works with only the lambs she shows are her own. Bella and the rest of the cows are leased from Schlauderaff Enterprises. Her lambs, Lanie and Lamikims, however stay with her year round. She even got to name them herself. “I just thought Lanie would be a good name and my brother watches a TV show with a lamb and it’s named Lamikims,” she said. This past year one of her little lambs got sick thus kick-starting Alyssa’s fascination with veterinary sciences. Alyssa used what she’s learned from the 4-H’s veterinary science program to help her lamb. Luckily it made a full recovery. Alyssa feels that anyone considering 4-H should join. “It’s a very good thing to enter because it helps you a lot. When I entered I used to be very shy and not I’m hardly shy, and it’s very fun,” she said. Alyssa enjoys 4-H so much that this year she’s entered in 49 different events. “I get a lot of support from my mom and dad. They help me a lot,” she added.

ALYSSA MITCHELL,11, SURROUNDS HERSELF WITH BOTH her cows and her trophies. She has been involved in 4-H since she was 5 years old and is involved in many different projects.

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