Plumas sierracountyfairguide2013

Plumas County

Fun Family Friends

Fair Guide

Plumas-Sierra County Fair August 14 -18 2013

Aug. 7, 2013 • A special supplement to Feather River Bulletin, Indian Valley Record, Chester Progressive and Portola Reporter

2 • Plumas-Sierra County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Invitation from a 4-H teen to livestock buyers: Come and bid!

Loyalton girl exhibits at swine showmanship My name is Katie Butterfield. I am 14 years old and a member of Loyalton’s Echo 4-H. I have been a member of Echo 4-H for five years now and all five years I have been raising swine.

This year my pig’s name is Rico. Rico is very well taken care of, walked every night and is currently fed Showmaster Finisher. Rico weighs approximately 246 pounds as of July 15. He has gained a total of 170 pounds from his starting weight of 76 pounds. I bought Rico at Ottenwalter Show Pigs in Colusa.

I would like to formally invite you to our Plumas-Sierra Livestock Auction on Aug. 18. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., the Buyer’s Breakfast at 8 a.m. and the auction at 9 a.m. A pizza lunch will also be provided along with soda and water.

Swine Showmanship begins at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 14. There are many other fun events and animal exhibits during our fair this year; check them all out in our Exhibit Guide. You can print out the Exhibit Guide and get more information online at plumas-sierracountyfair.net or call the Fair office at 283-6272.

I hope you are all able to make and share fun memories with your family and friends at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair.

Loyalton 4-H teen Katie Butterfield stands with her pig, Rico. Butterfield’s pig will be auctioned off at the Sunday, Aug. 18, Livestock Auction at 9 a.m.

Photo submitted

A wide variety of interesting exhibits awaits in the Mineral Building Sandra Lee Special to Feather Publishing

This year there will be a wide variety of interesting exhibits

awaiting you in the Mineral Building.

Take a walk down memory lane as you recall our county fairs from years gone by.

A Special Supplement created by the staff of

FEATHER PUBLISHING CO., INC. Publishers of: Chester Progressive • Feather River Bulletin Indian Valley Record • Portola Reporter Michael C. Taborski, Publisher Kevin Mallory, Assistant to the Publisher Dan McDonald, Managing Editor Sherri McConnell, Advertising Manager Tom Forney, Production Manager Staff Writers: Laura Beaton, Carolyn Carter, Will Farris, Samantha P. Hawthorne, Debra Moore, M. Kate West, James Wilson Advertising Staff: Holly Buus, Val Chisholm, Jennifer Lacey, Cheri McIntire, Roger Nielsen, Samantha Williams Composing Department: Carrie Curran, James Machado, Eva Small Copy Editor: Ingrid Burke Photo Editor: Jenny Lee Main Office: P.O. Box B, 287 Lawrence St., Quincy, CA 95971 (530) 283-0800 • FAX (530) 283-3952 email: mail@plumasnews.com

Fair manager John Steffanic has put together an impressive display of fair memorabilia that is now ready for your viewing pleasure.

Remember the beautiful California Zephyr and the conductor’s call of “All aboard?”

The Bill Giroux family is allowing us the opportunity to display Bill’s conductor uniform that he proudly wore during his many years of service, along with other items of interest from the era of the Zephyr.

Three display cases will showcase WWI and WWII authentic items such as swords, bayonets, daggers, flags, helmets and medals, courtesy of Mike Welser and Don Larios.

Once again, Matt Waterston will be displaying Plumas County minerals and other artifacts from the areas associated with mining operations.

Tim West will be back again with some of his vintage local signs and more fun stuff from the ’50s.

Take time to sit down in our theater in front of a new wide screen featuring historical events in and around our county.

The Mineral Building is open daily, noon – 8 p.m., Wednesday – Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Bill Giroux, longtime train conductor, stands proudly in front of his train with a suitcase and tools of the trade in this 1961 photo. Be sure to visit the Mineral Building to see displays of Zephyr-era train memorabilia, authentic World War I and II weapons and more. Photo submitted

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Plumas-Sierra County Fair • 3

Famous ‘AllAlaskan Racing Pigs’ head to fair ‘You never sausage a show’ It was the summer of 1987 at the local fair in Fairbanks, Alaska, when a speedy troupe of little pigs hit the track for their first race. The famous All-Alaskan Racing Pigs were off on a grand adventure that continues at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair in Quincy from August 14 to 18.

While Alaska hasn’t been their home for a while (talk about a long, “boaring” commute) they are still looking forward to another season of sizzling racing action.

The original fast food The All-Alaskan Racing Pigs are the ultimate racing machines! The sawdust flies when four of these fuzzy little critters flash out of the starting gates and battle each other for first place at the feed trough. You don’t have to hog call these pigs. You don’t even have to call them for dinner –– they’ll get there before the food does! A nice reward like a chocolate chip cookie at the finish line keeps all the athletes happy and motivated. You’ve heard of bringin’ home the bacon … now you’ll see it in action.

The breed for speed The racing pigs are bred strictly for their racing characteristics — short legs for quick acceleration and steady cornering, aerodynamic nose for top-end speed. Pure breed, cross breed, any breed. And they have a special bonus: extra padding to handle the battles for position in the corners.

These guys know how to put it in “four-squeal drive” and go whole hog for the finish. Racing action has never been so much fun … especially for a pig.

Little piggy No. 6 is out in front and about to leap the hurdle on its way to victory.

If pigs could fly, these swine flew!

The action is hog wild with the addition of the high hurdles.

All-Alaskan Racing Pig handlers searched coast-to-coast (Bering Sea to Arctic Ocean) to find the finest athletes anywhere. See them soaring over hurdles that stand taller than they do!

And there is always a surprise at every show. That’s a secret you’ll have to come see for yourself.

A swine time for the crowd, too The official starter is carefully selected from the crowd before each show. Then the race judge is chosen and seated in style at the finish line.

Low-tech photo finish, here. And for the championship round, four lucky spectators will be selected to lead “rooting sections.” All participants take home prize ribbons and everyone in attendance takes home a memory for life. Audience members can even have their picture taken with one of the racing pigs after the races.

Don’t miss the action The All-Alaskan Racing Pigs are a team of eight athletes who race four at a time around a 100-foot, sawdust-covered

And they’re off! Four eager all-Alaskan racing pigs bolt from the starting gate in a race to the finish line. Photos submitted track. Each show consists of three rounds of racing, with the championship race pitting the four fastest racers from the earlier races in the show.

There is also one surprise feature before the championship race. The pigs run flat track and hurdles, and take their breaks in the luxurious air-conditioned “Piggy Penthouse.”

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When the heat gets too much, the two-legged crew members take refuge from the sun by joining the racers in their comfortable home-on-wheels.

The All-Alaskan Racing Pigs are licensed and routinely inspected by USDA animal welfare representatives.

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Plumas-Sierra Junior Livestock Auction Sunday, Aug. 18 • 9am Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds Quincy • SPI Livestock Pavilion

Champions Sell First!

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4-H and FFA members will sell top quality, grain fed animals.

Buyer registration at 7:30 & breakfast at 8:00am in the livestock area, sponsored by 4-H & FFA.

For more information, call (530) 519-2051.

4 • Plumas-Sierra County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

The Fair Parade takes place Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. in downtown Quincy. This float was one of many in last year’s parade. Photo by Laura Beaton

Join the parade It’s not too late to enter the Plumas-Sierra County Fair Parade that takes place Saturday, August 17 at 10 a.m. in downtown Quincy.

The deadline has been extended to August 12, so be sure to get your $10 entry fee and 50-word entry description to the Quincy Chamber of Commerce, main sponsor of the parade, before then.

You could be the winner of the $100 Outstanding Parade Entry cash award!

Call 283-0188 or visit quincychamber.com for more information.

This Feather River cowboy holds on to the bronco for dear life at the Cal Poly rodeo in San Luis Obispo last April. The team that went on to win the West Coast Region will host the rodeo at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair this month. Photo by Jack Upton

Best of the West Coast host rodeo James Wilson Sports Editor sports@plumasnews.com

This year’s Plumas-Sierra County Fair rodeo is stepping it up a notch. In the past the rodeo was outsourced to different traveling rodeo groups, but this year the fair looked no further than its own backyard. The West Coast Region champions from Feather River College will hold the rodeo, and promise to make it one the audience

will remember.

Feather River’s rodeo team had an amazing season this last year, taking the West Coast Region by a long shot.

The team beat out much larger schools, including University of Nevada Las Vegas and Cal Poly.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” said organizer and FRC rodeo coach Jesse Segura. “We’re going to make sure there is one thing happening after another to give a complete rodeo experience.”

The rodeo, which will take place Saturday night of the fair at 7 p.m., will be in classic rough stock style, with an emphasis on bull and bronc riding. Between riders, a clown will entertain the crowd and keep the momentum and energy high.

Tickets are currently available at the fair office and at Courthouse Café. The event costs $10 and is expected to sell out. Proceeds from the rodeo will benefit both the fairgrounds and the FRC rodeo program.

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Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Plumas-Sierra County Fair • 5

Tiki Lounge Lizards perform Friday night

Sky high thrills The Zipper is just one of dozens of exciting rides that offer riders topsy-turvy thrills and views of the fairgrounds they won’t soon forget. The carnival runs all five days of the fair, giving thrill-seekers plenty of chances to test their courage and feel the exhilarating rush of speed, spinning and height. Photo submitted

The Tiki Lounge Lizards are a group of seasoned professional musicians from the Sacramento Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.

Drummer Gary Christensen, formally of The Sundogs, organized The Tiki Lounge Lizards, who play a variety of traditional surf guitar music known around the world as the popular California West Coast sound.

Memorable and favorite hit songs

by The Ventures, Dick Dale, The Chantays, The Surfaris — plus some surprises — are just some of the pieces performed by this four-piece band.

And that’s not all — the band also plays a cool blend of exciting James Bond secret agent theme music that really gets the party swinging.

So, come join The Tiki Lounge Lizards at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair on Friday, Aug. 16, for a fun show as they bring you the best surf music and beyond that California has to offer.

The Tiki Lounge Lizards take to the stage Friday night to perform surf music like you’ve never heard it before. Photo submitted

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6 • Plumas-Sierra County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

87-year-old Quincy woman is a consistant blue Laura Beaton

“It’s fun. It keeps me busy.

I don’t have all that much to do anymore.”

Staff Writer lbeaton@plumasnews.com

Most people love flowers, but not many take the time to grow them by seed, nurture them to fruition, enter them in the fair and bring home countless blue ribbons.

Quincy resident Lillian Davidson, 87, is one of those who does.

Last year Davidson entered more than 50 categories in the floriculture/ agriculture exhibit and took first place 40 times.

Using simple technology, such as a shelf in an extra bedroom below a large window to start her seeds, Davidson proves that careful planning and attentive care can reap big rewards.

Around December, Davidson starts creating charts and planning her fair entries. She browses through catalogs, orders her seeds in January and starts planting seeds in February.

Now that macular degeneration has restricted her eyesight to the point of being legally blind, Davidson depends on her daughter Pat, who lives across the street from her, for help.

Lillian Davidson

Lillian Davidson holds one of dozens of first-place sweepstakes blue ribbons she has won over the years. Eighty-seven years young, Davidson is planning to enter upwards of 50 entries in the floriculture/agriculture exhibit. Photos by Laura Beaton

Davidson recalled some of this season’s trials a few weeks ago. She said after planting her first batch of seeds, “Horror of horrors — nothing started coming up.”

Davidson surmised that the problem

was using leftover soil from last year that might have been moldy.

She said she tossed everything and started over, which put her anywhere from two weeks to a month late.

“This year is kind of weird,” she said.

“Some things are growing gangbusters,” but others are not doing so well.

Davidson said her favorite flowers to grow are petunias. In the old days, when she could see better, she grew nearly all her flowers from seed.

Now she grows just 30 – 50 percent by seed and the rest she buys from Gray’s Flower Garden, Rite Aid or nurseries in Chico or Reno if she happens to be in the area.

In addition to her failing eyesight, Davidson took a fall in early June, injuring her knee, breaking a finger and suffering other minor injuries.

But these setbacks haven’t dampened

A “mystery” succulent plant thrives in Lillian’s living room a few weeks before its entry date to the fair.

2013 Event Schedule Wednesday — Senior Day 8 a.m. Driving Singles and Doubles Horse Show/Horse Arena 8:30 a.m. Swine Show/SPI Pavilion 10:00 a.m. Poultry Show/Jr. Ag Barn Noon Flag Raising Ceremony Noon Fair Opens/Free admission until 2 p.m.

Noon Senior Lunch/Sponsored by Safeway and the Health Dept.

Noon Slim & Minnie/Senior Luncheon 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Opportunity Farm/Beef Barns 1:30 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 2 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

4 p.m. Pygmy Goat Show/SPI Pavilion 4 p.m. CARNIVAL OPENS 5:00 p.m. 4H/FFA Alpaca Show 6:00 p.m. Hog Calling Contest/SPI Pavilion 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Opportunity Farm/Beef Barns 6:30 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

7:30 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 10 p.m. Fair Closes

Thursday — Kid’s Day (12 & under free all day) 8 a.m. 4H/FFA/Open Trails Classes Horse Show 9 a.m. Rabbit/Cavy Show/Jr. Ag Barn 10 a.m. Sheep Show/SPI Pavilion Noon Fair Opens/Free Admission until 2pm Noon — Slim & Minnie/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 12:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 1 p.m. Meat Goat Show/SPI Pavilion 1:30 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 2 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 2:30 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

3 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 3:45 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 4:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 5:30 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

6 to 10 p.m. Live Music, Mudbone/Plumas Bank Stage 6 to 8 p.m. Date Night Under the Wold Amusement Tent-Italian Dinner and entertainment 6:30 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent

7 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 7 p.m. Ladies & Gentlemen’s Lead/SPI Pavilion 8 p.m. Mineral Building Closes 8:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 10 p.m. — Fair Closes Friday 8 a.m. Open Horse Show/Horse Arena 9:30 a.m. Dog Show/Jr. Ag Barn Lawn 10 a.m. 4H/FFA Beef Show/SPI Pavilion Noon Fair Opens Noon Slim & Minnie/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 12:15 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 1 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 1:30 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 2 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

2:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 3 p.m. Cattleman’s BBQ/Range Pens 3 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 4 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Plumas-Sierra County Fair • 7

ribbon winner at county fair floriculture exhibit her spirits, and Davidson expects to enter 20 – 30 cut flower entries for both the Thursday and Saturday floriculture shows, plus seven – 10 potted plants.

Davidson said she has one ivy plant that is 21 years old and has won first place many times. She has a succulent plant that nobody can positively identify, but that wins prizes as well.

Davidson didn’t always grow flowers and enter them in the county fair. A native of Southern California, she moved to Plumas about 20 years ago to be closer to her daughter Pat and her family.

Five years later she started entering flowers into the fair, and now she is a regular winner.

Besides growing flowers, Davidson also enjoys pressing them and creating art, such as calendars, with her dried flowers. She even built her own flower press.

Davidson is also an avid audio book devotee. She borrows special digital books from the Braille and Talking Book Library in Sacramento, which sends a special digital listening device along with the audio books.

Among dozens of beautiful framed nature photographs taken by Davidson

Lillian Davidson’s back deck is where most of her flowers grow to maturity. Here, a sampling of petunias thriving in their hanging pots. that line the walls of her house is one of her skiing down a mountain.

The gorgeous photographs underline her love for nature and living things.

It’s clear to see that Davidson likes to get her hands in the dirt and appreciates beautiful flowers.

“It’s fun. It keeps me busy,” she said

Amusement Stage under the tent 4:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 5 p.m. House of Dance Variety Show/ Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 5:15 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

6 p.m. Meg & Mik, Exciting Musical Duo/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 6 p.m. 4H/FFA Dairy Goat, Primary Member Show/SPI Pavilion 6:30 p.m. Tiki Lounge Lizards/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 7 to Midnight Live Music, Rock Bottom Band/Plumas Bank Stage 7:30 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 7:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 8 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

8 p.m. Tiki Lounge Lizards/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 8 p.m. Mineral Building Closes 9 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 9:30 p.m. Tiki Lounge Lizards/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent Midnight — Fair Closes Saturday 8 a.m. Gymkhana/Horse Arena 10:30 a.m. Fair Parade/ Downtown Quincy

of her gardening. “I don’t have all that much to do anymore.”

You can check out floriculture entries by Lillian Davidson and many others in the exhibit hall at the county fair next week. Go to plumas-sierracountyfair.net for more information.

sponsored by the Quincy Chamber of Commerce Noon Fair Opens Noon Slim & Minnie/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 12:15 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 1 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 2 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

2 p.m. Small Animal Round Robin/SPI Pavilion 2:15 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 2:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 3 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 4 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 5 p.m. QHS Booster Cow Plop Drop 4:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 5 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

5 p.m. Large Animal Round Robin/SPI Pavilion 5:15 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Wine Tasting/Mineral Building Hosted by Evergreen Market to benefit Indian Valley Recreation 6 p.m. Summer of Love (Music of the 60s)/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 6:30 p.m. Science Wizard/Science Corner 7 p.m. Dr. Solar’s Magical Medicine Show/Wold

Lillian Davidson shows off her homemade plant press. The top plate has samples of dried flowers laminated on the cover.

Amusement Stage under the tent 7 p.m. Bull Riding Smackdown/Horse Arena 8 p.m. Weird Science (Music of the 80’s)/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 8 to Midnight Live Music Back 40/Plumas Bank Stage 8 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

9 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 9 p.m. Mineral Building Closes 10 p.m. Big Bad Boogie Rock (Musice of the 90s)/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent Midnight — Fair Closes Sunday 9 a.m. Junior Livestock Auction/SPI Pavilion 9:30 a.m. Non Denominational Church Services Noon Fair Opens 1:30 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 2 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

2:45 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 4 p.m. Swan Brother’s Circus/Kidland!

7 p.m. American Valley Speedway/Grandstands 7 p.m. Magic by Bill/Wold Amusement Stage under the tent 8 p.m. Mineral Building Closes 10 p.m. — Fair Closes

8 • Plumas-Sierra County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

2013 headliners: Band of the Decades Big Bad Boogie Rock

Weird Science

Where Disco and Rock explode!

Dissecting the Rocking 80s

Bid Bad Boogie Rock will knock your socks off Saturday night at 10 p.m. with music of the ’90s at the Wold Amusement Stage. The talented Band of the Decades will begin its Saturday night performances at 6 p.m. with music of the ’60s as Summer of Love, and at 8 p.m. will play music of the ’80s as Weird Science. Photo submitted

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The Band of the Decades takes the stage as Weird Science on Saturday night at 8 p.m. with music of the ’80s. Catch these headliners at the Wold Amusement Stage under the tent near the main gates. Photo submitted

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Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Plumas-Sierra County Fair • 9

Tractor pulls test kid power “Everyone competes! Get ready for power — kid power, that is!” This year at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair on Aug. 14 – 18, kids ages 4 – 12 will get behind the wheel of a genuine John Deere or New Holland high-performance pedal tractor and roar down the track pulling as much weight as far as they can.

This is real power — pedal power!

Tractors are cool again, and this time the custom hot rod folks have gotten hold of them! The first things you notice are the giant, deep-lugged tires on the rear. You need tires like that as you grip and claw hundreds of pounds down the course.

The kids really make those big wheels turn. These monsters will go anywhere! Next is that hot, custom sled lashed up behind. Gloss black, chrome diamond plate, and that sliding weight-transfer box that loads up and tries to drag you down.

The tractor is one trick ride, but can it really pull all that weight? What you can’t see is the special heavy-duty gearing underneath the tractors. The

Pedal tractor pulls are harder than they look. Kids ages 4 – 12 will have the chance to test their strength and coordination during this free event, ongoing at the fair. Photo submitted only gear is low, low, low.

And that is how an 8-year-old pulls the distance with 100 pounds in the sled. This is one mean machine, and the kids all get to drive it!

Just for ages 4 – 12, pedal tractor competitors race side-by-side down a 25-foot track. The older you are the more weight you start with. If you

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“pull out,” going the full 25 feet, you earn another run in the next round — this time with twice the weight. The pulls continue until every kid knows exactly how much they can pull and how far they can pull it.

Every competitor goes home with a custom certificate with the weight and distance pulled. Every run gives mom

and dad a great photo and video opportunity.

Or pose for a special shot by the race crew after the competition. No matter what, everyone goes home with a great memory.

Pedal tractor pulls will run daily during the fair. This attraction is free for everyone.

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10 • Plumas-Sierra County Fair

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Almanor 4-H is small in number but mighty in spirit M. Kate West Staff Writer ChesterNews@plumasnews.com

In 2011, Chester-Lake Almanor 4-H advisor Carla Porter described the year as one of rebuilding. In 2013, advisor Marci Johnson echoes the challenges and continues the effort to rebuild involvement by youth and adults.

According to both Porter and Johnson, the challenges remain the same.

“The Lake Almanor Basin presents a number of challenges to our 4-H club. It is no longer a farming community, although it was for many years. Now it is a resort community,” Porter said.

She said the primary challenge comes from the common misconception that 4-H is only about raising and showing animals.

“We are not an agricultural community like the rest of the county.

We need adults to understand that 4-H is so much more,” Porter added.

As then, the major roadblock is the ability to recruit adult volunteers.

“Before we can work to increase

youth membership the club needs to recruit adult leaders who have a special skill or craft they would like to teach the youth,” she said.

Among potential 4-H areas of study are gun safety, rockets, outdoor education, arts and crafts and community service.

Adult leaders can teach one time a month or several shorter weekly sessions, whatever works for their schedule and meets the required yearly hour commitment.

“Any adult who has something to teach children and passes a fingerprint check is qualified to be a leader,” Porter said.

“Part of the time youth work with the leader and the remainder of the time they work with a parent. 4-H is family oriented; it is not having your child work on their own, it’s having families work together,” Porter added.

Youth membership has dwindled to six youths from the nine involved in 2011. The current members are all young women aged 10 to 15.

Children as young as 5 are eligible to join 4-H in what is called the primary group. Youths may join and participate up to age 19 (or one year after they graduate from high school).

“We need more adults and more help to provide a variety of activities to keep youth interest high,” Porter said.

Entering fair competition During the fair, age plays a different role for youths. Children starting 4-H

to what they may enter into the fair.

As they did in 2011, Grace Porter and Sophia Williams will be entering the sewing category with pillowcases and a quilt, as well as the cake decorating category.

Sisters Delaney, 15, and Maddisen Dreith, 13, will enter Suffolk-Hampshire cross lambs and cake decorating. In addition, Maddisen is entering the photography contest.

Emily Hardig, age 14, will be showing the third Almanor Suffolk-Hampshire cross lamb. She is also entering the cake decorating and photography contests.

First-year member Nichole Cardona will be showing her Araucana pullet, Lady Sweetcheeks. Nichole is also entering a pillowcase in the sewing category and a cake-decorating project.

Nichole Cardona, the youngest member of the Chester-Lake Almanor 4-H Club, holds her strawberry blonde pullet, Lady Sweetcheeks, her entry for this year’s Plumas-Sierra County Fair. Photo by M. Kate West at age 5 are classified as primary members and have entry limitations.

The fair competition categories are based by age groups that are different than those defined by national 4-H. This year, only Nichole Cardona, age 10, will participate as a primary.

The elder girls are in the junior category and have no restrictions as

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About the local club The 4-H year starts in September and the last club meeting is in June.

Project meetings often continue and culminate with the fair in August.

When the 4-H year begins anew this September, the club will meet on the second Monday of every month, at 6 p.m. in the Lake Almanor Community Church.

Club meetings are business meetings and are completely youth-driven, with the club members making up the board of directors.

Nominations are held in May and officer elections in June. Members must be a part of the club for one year to be eligible to sit on the board.

“4-H is so much about learning lifeskills, like woodwork, mechanics, reading recipes, making things from scratch and being creative; that’s what 4-H is all about,” Porter added.

Why 4-H kids like the club Grace Porter has been a member of 4-H since kindergarten, a total of eight years now.

When asked why she stays involved she said, “It’s fun, you get to meet new people, the activities you do are fun.”

Delaney Dreith is most aware of the responsibility of participating.

“I have to get up every day to feed and water and walk my lamb. I also had to get good grades in school in order to go to the fair,” she said.

Like Grace, Sophia has also participated in 4-H for the past eight years and says she enjoys herself because “4-H teaches you new things that you didn’t know before.”

See 4-H, page 11

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013

Plumas-Sierra County Fair • 11

4-H, from page 10 Nichole Cardona said what she likes best about the club is the responsibility that goes along with membership.

“Responsibility is important to learn so as I grow older I can take care of things better,” she said.

As a group they said 4-H has helped them with public speaking, specifically their composure; confidence; organization; learning to get along with others; and finding opportunities to involve themselves in community service.

They also agreed that what they are learning has helped them to meet their educational goals.

Club background The Chester-Lake Almanor 4-H Club has been in existence for more than 19 years and is one of the newest clubs in Plumas County.

“The primary focus used to be on animals and the club did well. We had awards in showmanship and grand champions in the pig, sheep and steer categories. Club members have also acquitted themselves well with dogs, rabbits and in the equestrian arena,” advisor Carla Porter said.

While not all members of the Chester-Lake Almanor 4-H Club will be entering the sewing category, all members are involved in the community service activity of sewing pillowcases for the Conquer Cancer project. From left: Grace Porter, Maddisen Dreith, Nichole Cardona, Sophia Williams, Emily Hardig and Delaney Dreith. Photo by M. Kate West

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