Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Fayette County Fair
The “Just Us” band played Thursday at the fair, paying tribute to band member Emil Sodolak, who recently died of Covid. Near the bandstand stood a large poster with a picture of Sodolak and his bandmates and the words “We dedicate this night of The Fayette County Fair to his memory.” Photo by Jeff Wick
The Fayette County Record
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Joe Nichols headlined the Saturday night entertainment at the fair, singing all of his hits, from “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” to “Sunny and 75.” Photo by Andy Behlen
Hernandez Crowned Little Miss; Walker Wins Little Mister
Little Miss results: Most photogenic-Nora Barnett (Left), Best Personality-Bella Hernandez, 2nd Runner up-Carlie Jo Finke, 1st Runner upNora Barnett, Little Miss Fayette County-Bella Hernandez (Third from left); Little Mister results: Most photogenic-Gage Stott (second from left), Best Personality-Landon Wagner (right), 2nd Runner up-Landon Wagner, 1st Runner up-Gage Stott, Little Mister Fayette County-Kolby Walker (fourth from left).
Country music legend Doug Stone performed at the fair Saturday night. Photo by Andy Behlen
Hay Show Highlights Interesting Year for Local Farmers By ANDY BEHLEN
The Fayette County Record
The Schulenburg Young Farmers hosted the annual Fayette County Hay Show at the Fayette County Fair. Judging took place Thursday afternoon followed by the sale at 8 p.m. Larry Nickel, retired Fayette County Ag Extension Agent,
judged the show. “Surprisingly, there were only 15 entries this year,” said hay show organizer Mark Vecera. “There were some good samples with good protein content. Others were average due to all the rain we received and the timing of the cuttings. Overall, we saw some good hay. Nothing was wrong
with any of it.” Vecera said heavy rains this year prevented many farmers from cutting their hay at the most opportune time when nutritional value is highest. He said many farmers who hire out hay baling services experienced long waits, resulting in grass growing beyond ideal conditions.
Grand Champion in the hay show went to Kutac Farms with an entry of oats hay. The bale sold for $1,100 at auction. Farmers Co-op of Schulenburg donated 1,000 lbs. of fertilizer to the winner. Buyers were M-G of Weimar, Tex Propane, Wick Water Well Service, Kleiber Tractor and Equipment and Fayette Savings Bank. Pictured (from left) are Leo Wick Sr. of Wick Water Well Service, Rodney Kalich of Fayette Savings Bank, Aaron Kutac, Allen Kutac, Ainsley Kutac and A.J. Kutac, David Kleiber of Kleiber Tractor and James Schramek of M-G. Photos by Andy Behlen
First place in Class 2 (other Bermuda grasses) went to Darrl Ohnheiser, who entered a bale of coastal cross hay. It sold for $750 at auction. Buyers were Stryk Jersey Farm and Fayetteville Bank. Pictured are Derrl and Dina Ohnheiser and Mark Vecera, who represented the Young Farmers.
“Some people are on their third cut right now,” Vecera said last Friday. “Others just got their first cut in the middle of August because the custom operators have been so busy. Those who own their own equipment probably have the highest quality hay, because they were able to cut at the right time.”
Overall, Vecera said ample rains this year provided a bumper crop of hay across the County. “I’m seeing a lot of hay on the ground and a lot of hay moving down the road,” Vecera said. “I’m seeing people cutting their regular pastures for hay because the cattle can’t keep up with the grass.” That’s a good problem to
have. During the drought of 2011, many Fayette County ranchers were forced to sell cattle due to the lack of grass. “I’m building my stock of hay up and putting some in reserve,” Vecera said. “No one knows what kind of winter we’re going to have. It’s better to get it while you can than pray for it when you can’t get it.”
Reserve Champion in the hay show alo went to Kutac Farms with an entry of coastal Bermuda grass hay. The bale sold for $900 at auction. La Grange Farm and Ranch donated 1,000 lbs. of fertilizer to the winner. Buyers were Mueller Custom Lawn Service, Bubela Tree Farm and Arbor Care and Weimar Vet Clinic. Pictured (from left) are Ed and Jennifer Moeller, Aaron Kutac, Allen Kutac, Ainsley Kutac, A.J. Kutac and Mark Vecera, who presented a certificate for the fertilizer.
First place in Class 4 (mixed grasses) went to Benedict Kallus, who entered a bale of mixed grass. It sold for $650 at auction. Buyers were Brenda and Harold Fietsam and Benedict and Dianna Kallus. Pictured are Brenda Fietsam, Benedict Kallus and Harold Fietsam.
First place in Class 5 (sorghums) went to Ronnie Wick (not picture), who entered a bale of hay grazer. It sold for $700 at auction. Buyers Wick Water Well Service. Pictured are (from left) Leo Wick Sr., Mark Vecera (representing the Young Farmers) and Daniel Wick.
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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Fayette County Fair Best of Department Winners The Fayette County Record sponsors the Best Of Department Awards in the creative arts division at the Fayette County Fair. This year’s awards were presented at the Fair Thursday afternoon, Sept. 2. Judges picked the Best of Department winners for each age
group by considering the grand champions in each department. Age divisions are children (8-12 years), teen (13-17), adult (18 to 69) and golden age (69+). The departments are educational exhibits, scrapbooks, needle-
Best of the Fine Arts Department winners were (from left) Poenix Kooper in the teen division for “Portrait of Father,” Lyndsey Vasek in the adult division for “Baseball Player” and Sophie Neuman in the child division for “Happy Girl.”
work, general culinary, canning and preserving, fine arts, crafts and other arts, quilting, 4-H, machine sewing fabric and fibers, photography and memorable collections. Photos by Andy Behlen and Jeff Wick
Best of the Crafts Department winners went to (from left) Jay Zapalac in the professional division for a leather belt, Marshall Byrd in the adult division for a cross-legged trestle table, Jaycee Zapalac in the child division for a leather sheath and Connie Stanley in the golden age division for a 1920s floral arrangement. Not pictured was Emma Lee Laffey, who won the teen division for a painted hat gnome.
Creative Arts Top Winners Fine Arts Child 8-12 Best of Department Sophie Neuman Teen 13-17 Best of Department Phoenix Kooper
Best of the Canning and Food Preservation Department winners were (from left) Catherine Marks in the adult division for bread and butter pickles, Emma Baird in the teen division for picante sauce, Isabel Coufal in the child division for picante sauce and (not pictured) Angeline Srubar in the golden age division for dill pickles.
Adult 18 and above Best of Department Lyndsey Vasek Pencil/Crayon Adult 18-70 Grand Champion Lyndsey Vasek Watercolor Teen-Ages 13-17 Grand Champion Aubrl Bernsen Adult –Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Robin Zapalac Oil Teen-Ages 13-17 Grand Champion Phoenix Kooper Acrylic Children-Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Sophie Neuman Reserve Champion Kamry Ledesma Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Jessica Dubois Reserve Champion Jessica Dubois
Needlework Best of the 4-H Department winner was Jaycee Zapalac in the juniors division for her string art.
Best of Department Adult Ages 18 and above Jo Helen Posas Golden Age 70 and above Michael Gatlin Embroidery & Cross Stitch Grand and Reserve Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Jo Helen Posas Reserve Champion Jo Helen Posas Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Michael Gatlin Reserve Champion Sheri Sweet Crochet Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Linda Rollens Reserve Champion Brittni Ward Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Jackie Asbill
Best of the Quilting Department in the golden age division went to Jo Knox for her quilt “Brown Sampler.”
Knitting Adult Age 18-70 Grand Champion Denise Winter Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Cathy Wolfington Reserve Champion Cathy Wolfington Weaving Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Bobbie Nash Reserve Champion Bobbie Nash Spinning Golden Age over 70 Grand Champion Bobbie Nash Felting Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Bobbie Nash
Photography Child 8 -12 years Rheagan Karisch Teen 13-18 years Cara Home Adult 19 years and above Carissa Karisch Golden age 70 years and above Stanley Ohnheiser Grand and Reserve Champion Abstract black and white Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Kara Taylor Reserve Champion Lori Zuhn Portrait black & white Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Cheyenne White Livestock and other Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Jamie Lusk Reserve Champion Brenda Ward Color Abstract Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Loretta Denham Color Landscape Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Denise Winter Reserve Champion Connie Beseda Color Portrait Adult Age 18-70 Grand Champion Garrett Denham Reserve Champion Virginia Ohnheiser Humor Adult Ages 18-70
Grand Champion Patty Pritchard Reserve Champion Kara Taylor Wildflower/Nature-Color Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Connie Beseda Reserve Champion Cheyene White Domestic Animals Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Lyndsey Vasek Reserve Champion Brandi Chovanec
Best of the Memorable Collections Department went to (from left) Lila Garlin in the golden age division for early American pattern glass, Tyler Dahse in the child division for die cast cars, Elena Supak in the teen division for spoons and Myra Simmons in the adult division for meal toys.
Floral/Plant Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Lori Jahn Reserve Champion Loretta Denham Architecture- Color Adult Ages 18-70 Gran Champion Robin Zapalac Livestock-Color Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Carissa Karisch Reserve Champion Garrett Denham Other- Color Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Tyson Roscher Reserve Champion Connie Beseda
Best of the Quilting Department in the group division went to Happy Hearts Quilt Guild for their quilt “Blue Tarnished Windmill.” Pictured (from left) are Sheri Sweet, Debra Hatfield, Betty Ferguson and Nelle Schwarzwalder.
Machine Sewing
Fabric and Fibers Best of Department Child 8-12 years Cayden Nelius Adult 19 years and above Cathy Gau Golden Age 70 Years and above Sheri Sweet Grand and Reserve Champion Children Ages 8-12
Best of the Quilting Department in the adult division went to Grayson Nelson for her quilt “Wild & Prickly.”
Clothing Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Avery Nelius Reserve Champion Rebekah Sacks Fashion Accessories Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Cayden Nelius Reserve Champion Morgan Nelius Home Accessories Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Avy Nelius
Continued on next page
Best of the Quilting Department in the semi-professional division went to Jackie Asbill for her quilt “Wonky Churndash.”
The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, September 7, 2021
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Fayette County Fair Creative Arts Top Winners, Continued Continued from previous page Home Accessories Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Avery Nelius Reserve Champion Abigale Lehmann Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Cathy Gau Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Jackie Asbill Appliqué Golden Age Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Sheri Sweet
Memorable Collections Best of Department Child Ages 8-12 years Tyler Dahse Teen 13-18 years Elena Supak Adult 19 years and above Myra Simmons Golden Age 70 years and above Lila Garlin Grand and Reserve All Classes Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Tyler Dahse Reserve Champion Daniel Lehmann Teen Ages 13-17 Grand Champion Elena Supak Reserve Champion Cara Homer Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Myra Simmons Golden Age over 70 Grand Champion Lila Garlin Reserve Champion Jo Ann Gore
Quilting Best of Department Adult 18 and above Grayson Nelson Golden Age 70 years and above Jo Knox Semi-Professional Jackie Asbill Professional Kerry Spiers Group Happy Hearts Quilt Guild Grand and Reserve Quilting Golden Age Bed Size Quilt Grand Champion Pat Scherer Reserve Champion
Brigitte Mesecke Crib, wall or lap Grand Champion Brigitte Mesecke Reserve Champion Pat Scherer Quilted Bed size Quilt Grand Champion Jo Knox Reserve Champion Sherri Sweet Quilted crib, wall or lap Grand Champion Jacqulyn Linklater Reserve Champion Jo Knox Home décor Grand Champion Sherri Sweet Reserve Champion Brenda Grant Oops Grand Champion Sherri Sweet Quilting Professional Bed size, crib, wall or lap Grand Champion Kathi Babcock Reserve Champion Vicki Means Quilted Bed size quilt Grand Champion Leonie Shaw Reserve Champion Leonie Shaw Miniature quilts and home décor Grand Champion Kerry piers Reserve Champion Kayla Cutler Quilting Adult Art Quilts and Preprinted quilts and quilted Grand Champion Grayson Nelson Reserve Champion Grayson Nelson Bed size, quilted bed size quilt, quilted crib, wall or lap Grand Champion Debbie Westbrook Reserve Champion Grayson Nelson Crib, Wall or Lap Grand Champion Grayson Nelson Reserve Champion Jane Teinert Home décor, Purses, bags, totes Grand Champion Cathy Gau Reserve Champion Grayson Nelson Semi-Prof. and Group Crib wall or lap Grand Champion
Jackie Asbill Miniature quilts, art quilts and home décor Gran Champion Jackie Asbill Reserve Champion Kay Marburger Group Category Grand Champion Happy Hearts Quilt Guild Reserve Champion Colorado Valley Quilt Guild
Culinary
Best of Department Child 8-12 years Rilan Karish Teen 12- 17 years Jaylia Lucio Adult 18 years & above Sheri Nolan Golden Age 70 years an above Jeanette Huelsebusch Cake Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Rebekah Sachs Reserve Champion Jaycee Zapalac Teen Ages 13-17 Gran Champion Jaylia Lucio Reserve Champion Emma Lee Laffey Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Sheri Nolan Reserve Champion Robin Zapalac Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Connie Stanley Pie Children Age 8-12 Gran Champion Rilan Karish Adult Age 18-70 Gran Champion Lilliana Lucio Reserve Champion Tiffany Nigh Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Jeanette Huelsebusch
Cookies Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Rilan Karish Reserve Champion Scarlett Landry Teen Age 13-17 Grand Champion Emma Lee Laffey Reserve Champion Jaylia Lucio Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Marge Rosenberg
Grand Champion Melissa Laffey Quick Bread Teen Ages 13-17 Grand Champion Emma Lee Laffey Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Cassandra Soto Reserve Champion Anissa Menefee Golden Age Over 70 Grand Champion Jeanette Huelsebusch Bread Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion James Laffey Reserve Champion Brianne Bernsen Special Classes Teen Ages 13-17 Grand Champion Tori Newton Altered Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Brianne Bernsen Reserve Champion Brianne Bernsen Oops Adult Ages 18-70 Grand Champion Anissa Menefee
4-H Creative Arts Best of Department Overall Junior Jaylee Zapalac Teen 13- 18 Years Intermediate Caden Tovey Adult 19 years and above Senior
Aubri Bernsen Grand and Reserve Champion Junior Jaylee Zapalac Intermediate Caden Tovey Grand Champion Senior Aubri Bernsen
Crafts
Best of Department Child Age 8-12 years Jaycee Zapalac Teen Age 13-17 years Emma Lee Laffey Adult 18 and above Marshall Byrd Golden Age Age 70 years and above Connie Stanley Professional Jay Zapalac Grand and Reserve Fabric-Fibers Adult Age 18-20 Jessica Dubois Grand Champion Rhea Wagner Reserve Champion Crafts Home Decor Adult Age 18-70 Pam Carpenter Grand Champion Golden Age Over 70 Connike Stanley Grand Champion Marge Rosenberg Reserve Champion Crafts – Leather Children Age 8-12 Jaycee Zapalac
Grand Champion Kylee Hoffman Reserve Champion Professional Jay Zapalac Grand Champion Holiday Adult Age 18-70 Pam Carpenter Grand Champion Ashley Nelius Reserve Champion
Best of the 4-H Art Department went to Aubri Bernsen for a rose picture.
Reserve Champion Garden Products- George EilertPlate Jalapeno Peppers Grand Champion Farm Products- Patrick and Richard Hoffmann- 10 ears of Corn Reserve Champion Farm Products- Glen Roscher10 ears of Corn
Grand Champion Large Size Entry-Dustin Machinsky-Watermelon
Reserve Champion Honey – Emily Koncaba More winners in next edition of the paper!
Reserve Champion Large Size Entry- Catherine Marks-Watermelon Grand Champion HoneyChristian McKim
Best of Canning Child Age 8-12
Wood Crafts Teen Age 13-17 Emma Lee Laffey Gran Champion Adult Age 18-70 Marshall Byrd Grand Champion Michael Zuhn Reserve Champion Golden Age Over 70 Susan Wheeler Grand Champion Ceramics Adult Age 18-70 Abigail Roscher Grand Champion
Best of the Scrapbook Department went to La Grange 4-H Club represented by Hope Michalke and Marissa Muras.
Agriculture Best of Show –Dustin Machinsky- Plate of Onions Reserve Best of Show – Dustin Machinsky- Watermelon Grand Champion PecansGeorge Eilert- Native Pecans Reserve Champion PecansGeorge Eilert- Cluster Native Pecans Grand Champion Garden Products- Dustin Machin-
Best of the Needlework Department went to Jo Helen Posas in the adult division for a cross stich picture and Michael Gatlin in the golden age division for an embroidery picture.
Best of the Quilting Department in the professional division went to Kerry Spiers for her creation “Main Street Celebration.”
Candy Children Ages 8-12 Grand Champion Rheagan Karish Adult Age 18-70
Best of the Photography Department winners were (from left) Cara Homer in the teen division for “Church Inside Pews,” Rheagan Karisch in the child division for “King of the Ranch,” Carissa Karisch in the adult division for “Snowbound” and Stanley Ohnheiser in the golden age division for “Splash.”
sky- Plate of Onions
Best of the Culinary Department winner in the teen division went to Jaylia Lucio for a golden butter cake.
Best of the Culinary Department winners were (from left) Jeanette Huelsebusch in the golden age division for a plum coffee cake, Rilan Karish in the child division for a dewberry cream pie and Sherri Nolen in the adult division for a Shirley Temple bundtcake.
Best of the 4-H Department in the teen division went to Caden Tovey for a mosaic table.
Best of the Agriculture Department went to Dustin Machinsky for a plate of onions.
Best of the Machine Sewing Department winners were (from left) Sheri Sweet in the golden age division for “Windmill Applique,” Cayden Nelius in the child division for “Piano Keys Tote Bag” and Cathy Gau in the adult division for “Chenelle Teddy Bear.”
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The Fayette County Record, Tuesday, September 7, 2021
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Best Out of County
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Photos by Andy Behlen
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1. Miss Golden Crescent 2. La Grange Youth Cheer
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Most Comical
1. La Grange Gym 2. McCourt Equipment 3. Tri County Disposal
Best Commercial
1. LG Spirts 2. Round Top State Bank 3. Colorado Valley Communications
Best Fair Theme
1. Mac’s Daqs
Best Western
1. Yoakum Area C of C
Best Antique Car
1. Russell Joseph = 1964 Ford Thunderbird Roadster 2. Mike Rausl - 1968 El Camino 3. Jimmy Rausl - 1971 El Camino
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Best Classic Car
1. Russell Joseph - 1985 Rolls-Royce Convertible 2. Tiffany Van Dresar - 1957 Buick 1.
Best Classic Truck
Leonard Sumbera - 1969 Chevy C-10 2. Erich Lehmann - 1957 Chevy 3500 3. Mark Rausl - 1968 El Camino 1.
Best Hot Rod
James Cernosek - 2010 Dodge Challenger 2. Jimmy Rausl - 1971 El Camino 3. Gary Diers - 1967 Chevelle
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Best Antique Tractor
1. Willie Kana - 1950 Farmall Super “A” 2. Larry Knebel - 1957 Farmall 3. Kenneth Kana - 1937 John Deere “A”
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