Bartholomew County 4-H Fair 2013

Bartholomew County

4-H Fair July 5–13, 2013

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

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Contents Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Josh Gray. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Calendar of events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 New attractions and old favorites. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Traffic flow and parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Pagoda. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Queen Kaylan Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Grandstand events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Free entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Kids Day activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Midway schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Outstanding 4-H’ers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 10-year members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

On the cover

Noah, from left, Grace and Hannah Kestler pose with two of their sheep.

Photo by Madeline Hodek Page 6

Champion

Rides

4-H Fair Board P.O. Box 342 Columbus, IN 47202-0342 372-6133 www.bartholomewcountyfair.com Bartholomew County Extension Office 1971 State St. Columbus, IN 47201 379-1665; fax 376-3200 www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/bartholomew

Comments should be sent to Doug Showalter, The Republic, 333 Second St., Columbus, IN 47201 or call 812-379-5625 or dshowalter@therepublic. com. Advertising information: Call 812-379-5652. ©2013 by Home News Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction of stories, photographs and advertisements without permission is prohibited.

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map

A. HORSE ARENA

J.

B. HORSE BARN

K. FIRST AID

C. THE GATHERING PAVILION

L. COMMUNITY

BUILDING/DAVID BOLL THEATER

D. LIVESTOCK PAVILION E. LIVESTOCK BARN F. LITTLE HANDS

ON FARM G. ADMINISTRATION / RESTROOMS

4

LIONS CLUB

M. CONSERVATION CLUB N. STATE POLICE O. CONSERVATION CLUB P. BUILDING #6

T. RURAL YOUTH

ICE CREAM U. KIWANIS CLUB V. FARM BUREAU W. BUILDING #3 X. ST. PETER’S

LUTHERAN CHURCH Y. BUILDING #2

H. UTILITY SHED

R. BUILDING #5

Z. FAMILY ARTS BUILDING

(Lactation station in kitchen)

I. PAGODA

S. BUILDING #4

AA. BUILDING #1

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Q. PORK PRODUCERS

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

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Top: Grace, left, Hannah and Noah Kestler with two of their sheep at their family’s farm.

Opposite page top: Hannah and Noah tend to a crop of green beans.

Kestler trio

grew up with 4-H lifestyle

By Barney Quick n photos by Madeline Hodek and Joe harpring

T

here are families involved with 4-H, and then there are 4-H families. The Kestlers definitely qualify as the latter. The three who are of the up-and-coming generation — Grace, Hannah and Noah — have, among them, logged decades of participation.

The family can actually trace its founding to 4-H as well. Parents John and Elizabeth met through 4-H. Hannah is at the culmination of 10 years of involvement. She is getting ready to take off for college this fall, but she will show her sheep, photography, baked goods and gardening produce one more time at this year’s fair.

That is if she has time. She was first runner-up in the 4-H fair queen contest and will be part of the queen’s court.

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2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Noah, a middle school student, will enter these categories, as well as electricity and barbecuing. “This year, I’m making a trouble light,” he says of his electrical project. “You get a kit with a 25-foot extension cord. You have to hook it up to the lamp.” For his barbecue project, he’ll be grilling lamb, chicken, pork and beef. The judges will be looking for technique, cleanliness and flavor. Two years ago, he was the fair’s barbecue grand champion.

The Kestlers live at Harrison Lake, and their grandmother, Lucille Kestler, lives on the family farm about a mile away. That makes it easy for Hannah and Noah to

make frequent use of her kitchen and take advantage of her baking mentoring. According to mother Elizabeth, Hannah has acquired the mastery to turn out a “phenomenal pie crust.”

They also grow their garden and keep their sheep there. The garden sports long, neat rows of green beans, zucchini, cabbage, peppers, tomatoes and beets. “We usually take three to five plates to the fair,” says Hannah.

“We pick onions the day before, so they can dry out a little. We pick everything else the day of the contest.”

Judges are looking for uniformity of size, shape and length. “Zucchinis probably present the greatest challenge,” Hannah notes.

This year’s lambs were born in February. “After keeping them in a pen with their mom for about 10 days, we

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

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move them to a bigger space,” Hannah explains. They’re separated from the yearlings due to different feeding schedules.

“We bale straw every summer and fall to spread out in the pen,” says Noah.

“Bedding gets dirty rather quickly because we keep our lambs with our cousins’ lambs,” adds Hannah.

The first weighing takes place the second weekend in May. The animals are given ear tags. The second weighing takes place on Wednesday of fair week, at which time the lambs are put in weight classes.

The basic unit of 4-H is the club, of which there are several throughout Bartholomew County. Hannah is currently president of her club, as well as president of Junior Leaders, an organization for older 4-H members. Junior Leaders helps with coordinating projects. There’s also a

Hannah shares a hug with Noah and Grace following her first runnerup finish in the 2013 fair queen contest.

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2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

social aspect to membership. In mid-June, the group took a trip to Indiana Beach.

Grace, a DePauw University graduate who currently works in the corporate responsibility area at Cummins Inc., jokes that she “definitely over-involved” herself during her 10 years in 4-H. “I took baking, photography, barbecue and animals probably every year. I tried many projects at least once, like cake decorating, gift wrapping, arts & crafts, sports (in which I won grand champion the one and only year I did it, for my poster on Power Wheelchair Soccer). Some years I would take upwards of 13 projects.”

She was also involved in Junior Leaders. In 2007, she sat on the state Junior Leader Council. “We planned and coordinated the entire state conference that year for Junior Leader attendees across the state,” she says.

For her, the main value of Junior Leaders was the cultivation of mentorship. “It taught me to be a role model for younger generations of 4-H’ers. Being on the state council particularly prepared me for working with a variety of people from many different communities. Group collaboration and planning were always important for Junior Leader activities, skills that I still use at my current workplace.”

She fondly recalls the atmosphere of excitement in the arrival of fair week. “Since I was involved with livestock, I spent even more time at the fair and in the barn. Not only did I get to see all my project results, but I spent the week with some of my closest friends. From watching the demo derby to participating in the frog jumping contest to eating way too many pineapple whips, the fair week offers many experiences that create lasting memories.”

Noah cites family tradition as a main aspect of why he finds fulfillment in 4-H involvement. Hannah points out its unique role in developing people.

“There are lots of life skills I wouldn’t have learned otherwise, because there are few opportunities outside of 4-H.”

“From watching the demo derby to participating in the frog jumping contest to eating way too many pineapple whips, the fair week offers many experiences that create lasting memories.”

— Grace Kestler

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Josh Gray with his electrical 4-H project, a light and receptacle in the shape of a robot.

By Jenni L. Muncie-Sujan n photos by Madeline Hodek

J Josh Gray found career path through 4-H 10

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

osh Gray describes himself as someone who likes to work with his hands. “I don’t want to feel like I’m not doing anything,” he says. This hands-on persistence shows up in many areas of life but is especially measurable in his 4-H efforts.

Since third grade, Gray’s parents, James and April Gray, have allowed him to participate in 4-H, following his older brother, Jacob. Gray recalls that he started out with simple food art projects in the pre-4-H Clover Bud group, with food coloring and Play-Doh. Early in his 4-H years, he remembers that he and Jacob saw rabbits for sale. The people who owned them wanted to get rid of them but did not want the rabbits to be butchered. After offering pleas to their parents, the boys were successful in acquiring three of them.

“Those turned into a hundred,” Gray says, noting that he showed rabbits in 4-H through 2012. The family quit raising rabbits about six months ago when he developed an allergic reaction to them. “My dad was glad to have his barn back,” he says.

Throughout his 4-H experience, in addition to showing rab-

bits, Gray has participated in woodworking, electricity, welding, small engines and growing strawberries.

The first year he grew strawberries on a pyramid-shaped tower, the result was not ideal. “We had a horrible time,” he says as he shakes his head. “I think [the strawberries] died. You get mad.

You get frustrated, but if you’re doing something you like, you will figure out how to get past it.” Gray quickly adds that he made a change to the hoses the next year and began to see progress.

“I’ve never said, ‘If it’s hard, then I don’t want to do it,’” he says.

Now he sees the influence that the 4-H program has had on him and how it has helped develop his interests in specific areas, namely with engines and electrical subjects. During the upcoming school year, he will be a senior at Columbus Signature Academy New Tech High School in the engineering immersion program.

“As a kid, I remember everybody thinks it’s cool what their parents do,” Gray says. He mentions his parents, both Cummins Inc. employees, as inspirations for the career path he plans to take.

In 4-H, he began learning about motors.

“We had a motor, and it was mounted to a wooden board,” he recalls. The objective of the class was to take the motor completely apart and then reassemble it. At the end, Gray says, he would start the motor to see if it would run.

“The major lesson I’ve learned is if it’s wrong, fix it.” He enjoys understanding how things work. “Being in 4-H has kind of helped me with that.”

This curiosity with mechanics has spilled over from 4-H into daily life. Three years ago, Gray and his grandfather, Mike Mount, began restoring a 1963 International Cub Cadet garden tractor. Mount passed away in the fall of 2012, but Gray is still moving forward on the project, searching for a short block engine “to keep it all original.”

When his grandfather was ill, Gray quit his job as a lifeguard at Abe Martin Lodge in Nashville to help on his grandparents’ farm.

“He needed help, and family comes first,” says Gray, noting that his help was critical because his brother and cousin were going to college. “That’s where I spend a lot of time,” he says. “It’s a full-time job. As a kid, you don’t realize how hard it is to keep things nice. There’s definitely a lot to be done.”

He is also gathering all the elements necessary to submit his application to Purdue University on Aug. 1, in the hopes of pursing a degree in mechanical engineering. “That’s always been my knack,” he says. “If something isn’t working right, I like to figure out why.”

At this year’s fair, Gray plans to participate in electricity and woodworking, and he easily reflects on the impact 4-H has had on the direction of his life. “In the beginning, you don’t think of a lot of things as special, as far as projects, but looking back, it gave me the ability to do things that I couldn’t do on my own.”

He speaks with no hesitation about the value of 4-H. “What makes you excited, makes you tick — there’s a chance for you to get involved in it with 4-H. They have something for everybody.”

“I’ve never said, ‘If it’s hard, then I don’t want to do it.’”

— Josh Gray

“In the beginning, you don’t think of a lot of things as special, as far as projects, but looking back, it gave me the ability to do things that I couldn’t do on my own.”

— Josh Gray 2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Nichole Hall, left, and Emmy Frederick help Ethan Hall lead a stubborn dairy calf to the show ring.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 Noon–6 p.m.

Antique Farm Display entries due.

2–6 p.m.

Open Class projects due: Foods, canning/freezing, vegetables, and field crops (e.g. corn , soybeans) – Family Arts Building

8:30 a.m.

Lil’ Wrangler Poultry Show – Pavilion 9 a.m.

4-H Poultry Show – Pavilion

3:30–6:30 p.m.

Clover Bud and Mini Project check-in – David Boll Theatre

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

4-H Goat weigh-in – Livestock Barn

6–8 p.m.

Livestock exhibitor information, auction number, barn assignments pickup (livestock exhibitors: this information must be picked up) — Pavilion

Noon–4 p.m.

Antique Farm Display entries due

THURSDAY, JULY 4

5 p.m.

Midway Opens – Regular Tickets Only

6–8 p.m.

Poultry check-in and weigh-in for all Market Birds – Pavilion 5 p.m.

Midway Opens – $15 Wristbands 5-11 p.m.

FRIDAY, JULY 5

THE BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY DEMOCRAT PARTY DAY 8–11 a.m.

All species check- in (4-H Goat & Dairy must stalled by 11 a.m.) Subject to change pending weather conditions.

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9–11 a.m.

Open Class Entry of Flowers – Open Class Flower Show, Flowers & Plants/Planters – Family Arts Building

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

5 p.m.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE FAIR

5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm Open 5–10 p.m.

4-H Community, Family Arts, Commercial Buildings Open 7 p.m.

Kristen Wright – Nashville folk singer-songwriter, native to Columbus – David Boll Theatre 7 p.m.

Too Hot to Handle – Farm Bureau Building

8 p.m.

Mini Sprint Races Sponsored by Midwest Mini Sprint Association – Grandstand 8 p.m.

4-H Watermelon Relay – Horse Arena

SATURDAY, JULY 6

PIA O’CONNOR DAY THIS IS ALSO MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY (ANYONE WITH A MILITARY ID CAN PARK FOR FREE) 7 a.m. – noon All species check-in (Swine must be stalled by noon) – Subject to change pending weather conditions 9 a.m.

Lil’ Wrangler and 4-H Dairy Shows – Pavilion 9 a.m.

4-H Horse & Pony English Halter & Performance Show 12:30 p.m.

Lil’ Wrangler Goat Show – Pavilion 1 p.m.

4-H Goat Show – Pavilion 2–10 p.m.

4-H Community, Family Arts Buildings, Commercial Buildings Open

Lisa and Frank White give the Power Surge a whirl.

2 p.m.

Share the Fun 4-H Winners – David Boll Theatre 3–5:30 p.m.

Registration for Pedal Tractor Pull – Farm Bureau Building 5–10 p.m.

Midway Opens – Regular tickets until 10 p.m.

5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm opens

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

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5–7:30 p.m.

Pedal Tractor Pull — east of Farm Bureau Building.

Registration begins at 3 p.m., $2 entry 5–7 p.m.

Mandatory 4-H Rabbit Registration (paperwork only) – Community Building 6 p.m.

Fair Fit: Be active and get fit! Zumba! – David Boll Theatre 7 p.m.

Demolition Derby & Auto Cross – brought to you by JR Rouse Promotions – Grandstand 7:30 p.m.

Vinyl Harvest – David Boll Theatre 7:30–9 p.m.

Wild Azalia Blue – Farm Bureau Building 10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Midnight Madness Midway – $10 wristbands

SUNDAY, JULY 7

WISCHMEIER NURSERY DAY 9 a.m. – noon Swine weigh-in – Purebred gilts must be declared at weighin 9 a.m.

4-H Horse & Pony Western Halter & Performance Show 1 p.m.

Little Miss & Mister Contest Interview – Southside Elementary School 1 p.m.

Jack & Jill Pageant – Southside Elementary School

6:30 p.m.

Bartholomew County Farm Stock Tractor Pull – Grandstand 7–8 p.m.

Possum Glory Train Band – Farm Bureau Building

MONDAY, JULY 8

COLUMBUS REGIONAL HEALTH DAY

1:30 p.m.

Lil’ Wrangler Rabbit Show – Pavilion

7 a.m. – noon 4-H Sheep & Beef/Starter Calf check-in – Beef/Starter Calves will be weighed as they come off the truck.

Sheep must be stalled by noon. Check-ins subject to change pending weather conditions.

2 p.m.

4-H Rabbit Show – Pavilion

9–11 a.m.

Open Class Flowers entries due – Family Arts Building

2–10 p.m.

4-H Community, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings Open

9–11 a.m.

4-H Flowers, Crops and Gardening check-in. Record sheets due at check-in.

5 p.m.

Vesper Services – East Columbus Methodist Church will lead the service, David Boll Theatre – next to Community Building

1 p.m.

Lil’ Wrangler Swine Show, 4-H Gilt Show, Open Carcass will follow

1 p.m.

Columbus FFA Antique Tractor Pull – Grandstand

5 p.m.

Midway opens – $20 wristbands 5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open

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Cows wait their turn for a bath at the fair.

5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open 5 p.m.

Midway Opens – Dollar Day: $1 per ride

6 p.m.

Newbury Road — folk/bluegrass — David Boll Theatre

5–10 p.m.

4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings Open

7 p.m.

Little Miss & Mister Public Contest – Southside Elementary School

5:30–6:30 p.m.

Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest – Farm Bureau Building (registration at 5 p.m.)

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

7 p.m.

Mud Bog – brought to you by Rhino Linings of Columbus – Grandstand

TUESDAY, JULY 9

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY REMC DAY 8:30-9:30 a.m.

Market Lamb weigh-in – Livestock Barn 10 a.m.

4-H Barrow Show & Showmanship – Pavilion 2–4 p.m.

Community Day at the Midway – Handicapped can ride free from 2–4 p.m. Midway is closed to public.

Brady Bailey fishes for a prize as his sister, Isabelle, watches with interest.

6:30 p.m.

4-H Horse & Pony Contesting Show – includes pole bending, barrels, flags and keyhole

5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open 5–10 p.m.

4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open

7–8 p.m.

Columbus Clogging Company – Farm Bureau Building

5 p.m.

Community Day at the Midway – Canned Goods Night – 1 free ticket for each canned food or $20 wristbands

7 p.m.

Columbus City Band – David Boll Theatre

5–6 p.m.

Let’s Bake a Pie Contest entry registration – Family Arts

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6 p.m.

Let’s Bake a Pie Contest – Family Arts Building 6:30 p.m.

Horse & Pony 4-H Fun Show & 4-H Costume Class 7 p.m.

Frog Jumping Contest – Farm Bureau Building, registration at 6:30 p.m.

7 p.m.

Chordlighters – Barbershop Quartet – David Boll Theatre 7 p.m.

Midwest Three-Quarter Racing League (Practice starts at 6) – Grandstand

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY YOUNG FARMERS DAY 8 a.m.

4-H Tractor Contest Registration begins (Record sheet must be turned in at the time of contest.)

8:30 a.m.

4-H Cat show check-in at the Pavilion 9 a.m.

4-H Cat show at the Pavilion 10:30 a.m.

4-H Caged Critter check-in at the Pavilion 11 a.m.

4-H Caged Critter show at the Pavilion 9–10 a.m.

Grand Champion Pictures – Community Building; David Boll Theatre 9–11 a.m.

Open Class Flowers due – Family Arts Building 10 a.m. – noon Adventure Day Carnival – David Boll Theatre Noon – 10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open Noon – 10 p.m.

4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open Noon – 10 p.m.

Midway opens – Kids Day – $12 wristbands all day and night (no age limit) 2 p.m.

Pedal Tractor Pull – East of Farm Bureau Building; registration begins at 1 p.m. $2 entry 1 p.m.

4-H Robots – David Boll Theatre 3 p.m.

4-H Blacksmithing – David Boll Theatre 3 p.m.

Lil’ Wrangler – Sheep Show – Pavilion

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2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Emma Mensendiek leads her heifer around the show ring.

3:30 p.m.

4-H Sheep Show – Pavilion 5 p.m.

4-H Hippology – David Boll Theatre 6:30 p.m.

Horse & Pony rain date or open arena riding 7 p.m.

The Crossing – Contemporary Christian music from Nineveh – David Boll Theatre 7 p.m.

Lei’gacy Band – Grandstand 7–7:45 p.m.

Southern Indiana Pipes & Drums – Farm Bureau Building 8–9 p.m.

Easterling Magic Show – Farm Bureau Building

THURSDAY, JULY 11

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY FARM BUREAU DAY 10 a.m.

4-H Heifer & Cow Calf Show – Pavilion 12:30 p.m.

4-H Starter Calf Show, followed by Lil’ Wrangler Beef/Dairy Beef/Starter Calf – Pavilion

5–10 p.m.

4-H Community Building, Family Arts and Commercial Buildings open 5 p.m.

Midway Opens – $15 Wristbands until close 5–6 p.m.

Registration for Children’s Baking Contest – Family Arts 6 p.m.

Children’s Baking Contest – Family Arts Building 6 p.m.

4-H Best Dressed Rabbit Competition – Gathering Pavilion 6:30 p.m.

Horse & Pony Parent & Alumni Horse Show Molly Dana and her horse, Kaia, participate in showmanship.

1–2 p.m.

Grand Champion Pictures – Community Building; David Boll Theatre 3:30 p.m.

4-H Steer Show – Pavilion

7 p.m.

4-H Rabbit Race – Gathering Pavilion 7 p.m.

Supercross – Sponsored by Martin Xtreme Racing – Grandstand 7–8:30 p.m.

Mount Liberty Way Band – Farm Bureau Building 7:30 p.m.

Telegraph Road Band – 3-piece band rooted in country and classic rock – David Boll Theatre

5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open

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Betty Frey, a judge in the fine arts category, looks at a charcoal portrait by Kyra Jessie.

18

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

8 p.m.

Working Chute Contest – Pavilion

6 p.m.

Parade of Champions

FRIDAY, JULY 12

6:30 p.m.

Lil’ Wrangler Horse & Pony – Horse Arena

STATE REP. MILO SMITH DAY

9–11 a.m.

Open Class Flowers due in Family Arts Building

6:30 p.m.

Dance by Design – David Boll Theatre

9 a.m.

4-H Rocket Demonstration – Grandstand

7 p.m.

4-H Supreme Showmanship – Beef, Sheep, Swine & Dairy – Livestock Pavilion with the 4-H Livestock Awards

10 a.m.

All Livestock Groom & Clean Competition – Pavilion

7 p.m.

Greased Pig Contest – sign up at fair office – Grandstand

11 a.m.

4-H Barbecue Contest – David Boll Theatre

8 p.m.

Pie Eating Contest – (registration begins at 7 p.m. $3 entry fee) – Farm Bureau Building

4 p.m.

4-H Supreme Showmanship – Goat, Horse and Pony, Rabbit and Poultry – Livestock Pavilion

8:15 p.m.

Project Dubru – David Boll Theatre

5–10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open

10 p.m.

Midnight Madness – $10 wristbands until 1 a.m.

5–10 p.m.

4-H Community Building, Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DAY

5 p.m.

Midway Opens – Regular priced tickets until 10 p.m.

7 a.m.

Livestock Auction Buyers Breakfast – Pavilion

SATURDAY, JULY 13

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

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8:15 a.m.

4-H Livestock Sale – Pavilion 2–9 p.m.

4-H Community Building, Family Arts, and Commercial Buildings open

MONDAY, JULY 15 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

4-H project release ONLY ALL EXHIBITS MUST BE PICKED UP. NO PROJECTS WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE OFFICE.

1–2 p.m.

State Fair Livestock Form Pickup – Community Building 5 p.m.

Midway Opens – $20 wristbands until close 6 p.m.

Antique Farm Display exhibits released 6 p.m.

Fair Fit: Dealing with Life’s Stressors – Yoga Demonstration 7 p.m.

Demolition Derby + GUT-N-GO + Lawn Mowers – Grandstand

SUNDAY, JULY 14 Noon – 3 p.m.

4-H and Family Arts Release Exhibits (This is the only time you may pick up exhibits from the Family Arts Building. The building will not be open Monday.)

Logan Michael completes a sharp turn on the ag tractor driving course.

BUILT TO HANDLE THE HARD WORK

2013

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2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Zac Davies monitors his grill during the barbecue competition.

new attractions and old favorites

combine at fair

By Barney Quick

T

he charm of the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair is that it’s equal parts entertainment, civic interaction hub and showcase for the skills of the county’s young people. All three elements will be amply displayed at this year’s staging of the long-running institution.

If it’s music you’re looking for, at various times throughout the week offerings will range from rock to barbershop to bluegrass to the Columbus City Band. Demonstrations of crafts both modern and traditional will be presented.

Various forms of racing are on tap, and, of course, food and rides will be in abundance.

The pagoda that welcomed generations of fairgoers going back to its 25th Street days has been fully restored to its condition and color from that era. It will be situated at the entrance to the grandstand.

Also coming full circle is racing legend and Columbus native and current resident Tony Stewart. July 9 will be Tony Stewart Night, and he’ll compete at the track where he began his career as a youth. (He was sponsored in those days by the Third Street Dairy Queen.) The Midwest TQ Racing League will host that evening’s midget races.

Other grandstand events throughout the week include mini sprint races, a couple of demolition derbies, two tractor pulls, one for antiques and one for contemporary machines, Super Cross racing, a mud bog, the Cox Family Singers, and a greased pig contest.

The watermelon relay, which calls on similar agility skills to those in the greased pig contest, will be held at 8 p.m. July 5 in the horse arena. “It’s a chance to let the kids unwind and have some fun,” says Fair Board President Larry Fisher.

On July 10, 4-H members will demonstrate technologies both new and old. “There will be an interactive display about robotics,” says Erika Bonnett, interim county extension director and extension educator – 4-H youth development. “Kids will be doing the programming, and there will be a mock competition.” Also, there will be a rocket launch as part of the aerospace project. Wednesday is also when a blacksmithing demonstration takes place.

Bonnett says that the focus on Wednesday, which is designated as Kids Day, is on new types of projects. “We’ll also have more livestock projects than last year,” she says.

It’s a testament to the fair’s popularity that weather hasn’t drastically affected attendance in recent years. “Even though we had the heat wave last year, attendance was pretty even for the week, averaging 10,000 a night,” says Fisher.

He also notes revenue has been up the last two years.

“We attribute that to the upgraded midway.”

For five years, the fair board has had a contract with Burton Brothers Amusements to provide midway entertain-

The midway always draws a crowd. ment. “We’ve been extremely happy with them,” says Fisher.

“It’s a first-class, family-owned operation. There’s been a lot of consolidation in that industry, and we’re pleased to be working with an independent Indiana company.”

Some midway specials being offered throughout the week include Dollar Day on July 8, when rides are $1, and Midnight Madness on July 6 and 12, when wristbands are $10 until 1 a.m. On July 9 from 2 to 4 p.m., the midway will be closed to the public so handicapped and disadvantaged youngsters can ride for free.

Columbus is known for its architecture, so it’s only fitting that one of the fair’s attractions is the livestock barn, which, at over 100-by-400-feet, is a massive structure for its function. “We’ve had people come from Illinois, Iowa and Ohio just to look at the barn,” says Fisher. Even so, because of the increase in livestock projects, he characterizes it as “bulging at the seams.”

There is, of course, all manner of food to be explored at the fair too. One of the local delights is the barbecued chicken dinner with corn on the cob offered by the Columbus Kiwanis Club. The midway will be brimming with such traditional fair cuisine as corn dogs and cotton candy.

Nothing says summer in Bartholomew County like the 4-H Fair, whether you’re young, old, a rural dweller or a city slicker. For details about the week’s activities, visit www. bartholomewcountyfair.com.

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

21

Traffic flow and parking

W

ork on County Road 200S means that fairgoers will need to take some special precautions, according to Fair Board President Larry Fisher. There will be a traffic light at the junction of Road 200S, which runs along the south edge of the fairgrounds, and Indiana 11. There will be no westbound traffic on Road 200S, but those exiting the fair can travel east on it. There will be two-way traffic on Spears Street, which runs along the north edge of the fairgrounds.

After events, when traffic is heavy, Spears Street traffic will be directed to go north on Indiana 11, and traffic on 200S will be directed to go south on 11.

“It will be good for people to plan ahead,” says Fisher.

NHANDICAPPED PARKING Available with state-issued handicapped parking pass.

Parking lot near Community Building.

NVIP PARKING PASS VIP parking will be provided at Southside Elementary School by the Columbus FFA. Parking is $5 per day while space is available. Parking lot is paved and handicapped accessible. The Southside parking lot will not be available for paid parking on Sunday, as it will be utilized for the Little Miss & Mister / Jack & Jill contest participants.

NFEES Parking fees will be collected starting at 10 a.m. on Kids Day and 1 p.m. on the remaining days.

NMILITARY APPRECIATION DAY July 6 is Military Appreciation Day. Anyone with a military ID can park for free.

NGATE C GENERAL PARKING PASS For $15, this pass allows weekly entrance at Gate C and is available for purchase at the fair office. No reserved parking space.

Come

Enjoy “Award Winning” Meats From

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We Support the 4-H and FFA Kids!

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(812) 372-6688

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Just off Highway 50 • Seymour • 522-1635

pagoda

photo by Doug Showalter

T

he pagoda at the Bartholomew County Fair is over 100 years old and once again looks nearly new. It was rescued once in 1988 when Harry McCawley of The Republic launched a campaign urging the community to “Save the Pagoda” when developers needed to move it to build Fair Oaks Mall. The pagoda was restored and moved to the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds as the Grandstand ticket booth in 1989.

After nearly 25 years, weather and use had begun to deteriorate the pagoda again. Since 2010, the community has helped again in the effort to save the pagoda. Two artists, Jean Johnson and Emily Krider, sold their fairbook cover art to help raise funds.

Further donations of money, materials and labor by those listed below have made it possible to re-do the surface of the pagoda with longer-lasting materials.

• Materials donated by CertainTeed (SaintGoblin) and Rose and Walker Drywall & Insulation • Don Voelz and Tom Green • The Custer Foundation • The Nugent Foundation • Tom and Carolyn Crippen

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL

4-H PARTICIPANTS

TRICO FARM SUPPLIES, INC. 19541 E. 300 S., Elizabethtown

(812) 579-5262

For your convenience, a lactation station is located in the Family Arts Building Bulk Fertilizer • Bag Fertilizer • Liquid Fertilizer Anhydrous Ammonia • Chemicals Custom Application • Bulk Delivery • Soil Testing GPS Soil Testing & Application See us for full service application of fertilizers and crop protection

Provided by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Bartholomew County, a Healthy Communities Initiative

A Reach Healthy Community Initiative This publication was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Award Number 3U58DP001481-05W1 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

23

Queen Kaylan Daily found fair duties fulfilling

By Jenni L. Muncie-Sujan

K

aylan Daily, Bartholomew County’s 2012 4-H Fair queen, says her successor, 2013 queen Brittany Young, is about to embark on an experience she won’t soon forget.

Daily has been involved in 4-H since third grade, following in the footsteps of her older sister, Mackenzie (Daily) Crase. She has showed cows for 10 years. One of those years she also showed chickens, but her emphasis was not only on the animals.

“Since I was younger, my mom (Michelle Daily) took us to the pageants,” says Daily. She says her fascination with the pageantry gave her the desire to be “that girl that other little girls look up to being.”

To prepare, Daily took the typical steps, such as choosing a three-part wardrobe that included dress wear, business wear and themed wear. The challenge, she says, was balancing the preparation work with her other day-to-day tasks and 4-H events.

“It took me three years to actually win,” Daily says. “I learned a lot of patience and how to work hard for something if you really want it.

“I had my cows to take care of, and I work for my dad (Greg Daily),” she says. “My little brother (Ethan) has Down syndrome, and I was helping him with his showing. That was part of my senior project.”

During the week of the 2012 4-H Fair, Daily describes her schedule as “busy, busy, busy.” She says the fair book was her guide to the activities she should attend with the other members of her court, including her sister, 2012 Miss Congeniality Lynsey Daily. She has two other brothers, Layton and Garrett.

Within a few months’ time, Daily graduated from Columbus East High School, became the 2012 4-H Fair queen and started college at Ivy Tech.

“With people, I’ve learned that they’re always there to help support you,” she says. “I didn’t know going into this how many people I would have to support me. ... That made me happy.

“I enjoyed it all, but I enjoyed handing out the kids’ fair ribbons at the shows,” she says. “You can see them light up when they get the ribbon. It is really very fulfilling.”

Daily welcomes the stresses of being a public figure. “When you get that role, they have certain restrictions on you — certain things that you can and cannot do,” she explains. “I try to carry (those expectations) out all the time. It wasn’t an addi-

24

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Parker Portraits

tional pressure.”

She says that she tries to be consistent in all areas of her life, so if people see her in one circumstance or another, her behavior will be the same.

“That is how my parents have raised me, too,” she adds.

“Overall, it’s a great experience to be part of,” says Daily, “and you gain so much more from it than you think you will. ... In my case, it was something that I really wanted to do. When it happened, I realized that I can dream big, and if I work hard, I can achieve those dreams.”

Daily is pursuing an associate degree in agriculture and plans to transfer to Trine to get a bachelor’s degree in business. She hopes to return to the family farm to help her father run the business.

She and brother Ethan have continued their 4-H partnership beyond her senior project. “I’ve kind of carried it on with me,” she says. “We are planning to show again this year.”

Grandstand events Tickets to Saturday Demolition Derbies are $8/adult and $4/child, 12 years and under. The Lei’gacy show and greased pig contest admission are $3 and free for children under 10. TQ race tickets are $12/adult and $4/child, 12 and younger. All other events will be $5/adult, $3/child age 4 to 12.

Friday, July 5

8 p.m.

Mini Sprint Races Sponsored by Midwest Mini Sprint Association

Saturday, July 6

7 p.m.

Demolition Derby and Auto Cross, sponsored by JR Rouse Promotions

Sunday, July 7

1 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

Columbus FFA Antique Tractor Pull Farm Stock Tractor Pull

Monday, July 8

7 p.m.

Mud Bog – Sponsored by Rhino Linings of Columbus

Tuesday, July 9

7 p.m.

Midwest TQ Racing League

Wednesday, July 10 7 p.m.

Lei’gacy (The Cox Family Singers) $3/person for adults, children 3 and under free

Thursday, July 11

7 p.m.

Supercross – Sponsored by Martin Xtreme Racing

Friday, July 12

7 p.m.

Greased Pig Contest

Saturday, July 13

7 p.m.

Demolition Derby + Gut-n-Go + Mowers

Congratulations 4-H Fair Winners (812) 379-2634

1442 W 550 N, Columbus, IN 47203

1080 S. Gladstone Ave. Columbus, IN 47201 (812) 379-9581 • (800) 551-6863 fax (812) 378-7278 www.boyermachine.com 2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

25

Free entertainment David Boll Theatre (next to the 4-H Community Building) Friday, July 5

7 p.m.

Kristen Wright – Nashville folk singer-songwriter

Saturday, July 6

2 p.m.

Share the Fun 4-H Winners – Skits, musical numbers & novelty acts!

Saturday, July 6

6 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Fair Fit: Be active and get fit! Zumba!

Vinyl Harvest – new local rock band

Sunday, July 7

6 p.m.

Newbury Road – bluegrass, Americana & blues

Monday, July 8

7 p.m.

Columbus City Band - Marches, show tunes & light classical

Tuesday, July 9

7 p.m.

Chordlighters – Barbershop Quartet

Wednesday, July 10

10 a.m. – noon 1 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

7 p.m.

Adventure Day Carnival – games and prizes for kids – Cloverbuds & Mini 4-H 4-H Robots 4-H Blacksmithing 4-H Hippology (the study of horses) The Crossing – contemporary Christian band from Nineveh

Thursday, July 11 7:30 p.m.

Telegraph Road Band – 3 piece band rooted in country and classic rock with strong vocals and harmonies

Friday, July 12 6:30 p.m.

8:15 p.m.

Dance by Design Project Dubru – 2011 Battle of the Bands Winner – Opener for 38 Special, Rock the Park – ’80s rock and current alternative

Saturday, July 13

Fair Fit: Dealing with Life’s Stressors – Yoga Demonstration

6 p.m.

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2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Kids Day Activities WEDNESDAY, JULY 10

10 a.m. – noon

Adventure Day Carnival – David Boll Theatre – Clover Buds and Mini 4-H

Noon – 10 p.m.

Lil’ Hands on the Farm open

10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

4-H Community & Family Arts Buildings Open

Noon (All day)

Midway Opens – Kids Day $12 wristbands (no age limit)

1 p.m.

2 p.m.

3 p.m.

5 p.m.

Registration Pedal Tractor Pull – Near Farm Bureau Building 4-H Robotics – David Boll Theatre Pedal Tractor Pull – East of Farm Bureau Building Lil’ Wrangler Sheep Show (K/1st/2nd grade) – Pavilion 4-H Blacksmithing – David Boll Theatre 4-H Hippology (the study of horses) – David Boll Theatre

Proud To Support the Community and the 4-H Livestock Auction

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www.nugentsand.com

372–7508

St. Rd. 11 North–Columbus

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5

YEAR

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

27

midway schedule 4-H members may purchase one wristband for $10 during the fair week any day wristbands are offered.

Ticket prices: $1 each, 20 for $18, 60 for $50 Thursday, July 4

5 p.m.

$15 Wristbands 5-11pm

Friday, July 5

5 p.m.

Regular tickets only

Saturday, July 6

5 p.m.

10 p.m.

Regular tickets until 10 p.m.

Midnight Madness - $10 wristbands until 1 a.m.

Sunday, July 7

5 p.m.

$20 wristbands until close

Monday, July 8

5 p.m.

Dollar Day - $1 per ride

Tuesday, July 9

2-4 p.m.

5 p.m.

Community Day Midway closed to public. Handicapped/disadvantaged/at risk can ride for free. $20 wristbands or 1 free ticket per canned good

Wednesday, July 10

Noon

Kids Day - $12 wristbands (no age limit)

Thursday, July 11

5 p.m.

Family Day - $15 wristbands until close

Friday, July 12

5 p.m.

10 p.m.

Regular tickets until 10 p.m.

Midnight Madness - $10 wristbands until 1 a.m.

Saturday, July 13

5 p.m.

$20 wristbands until close

HACKMAN’S FARM MARKET

fresh homegrown produce Sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, squash, cucumbers, peaches, watermelon, cantaloupe and much more Fresh cheese, eggs, baked goods, local beef, honey, jams and dressings

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2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

(812) 372-7831

gausmanndental.com

Robert A. Gausmann DDS

submitted photos

outstanding 4-h’ers

Joy Decker

Kyler Brumley

785 S Marr Rd | Columbus, IN 47201 | 812-379-9501 2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

29

10-year members of 4-H

30

Laura Barkes

Sara Bean

David BrownReed

Lauren Brunn

Melissa Crider

Lynsey Daily

Molly Dana

Taylor Embry

Betsy Gant

Becca Garrison

Coledan Hoeltke

Anne Johnson

Kyley Kamman

Hannah Kestler

Roth Lovins

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Britni McKee

Nathan Mensendiek

Paige Miller

Laney Pearson

Kelsey Pearson

Katie Schmidt

Emily Stephens

Whitney Swift

Michaela Walker

Craig Walls

Smoking is not permitted At the 2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair.

Thank you for your cooperation.

63 Years of Service, Strength & Integrity Join us on

Monday, July 8 at the Columbus Regional Health booth and for FREE parking!

Congratulations to all the 4-H’ers!

6672 East 650 South | Edinburgh, IN 46124 812-526-5574 | 800-284-2676 | kokomograin.com

The Tobacco Awareness Action Team, A Healthy Communities Initiative 2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

31

Discover

in Columbus!

some Grab at gre ur s at o e i b e fre , too! booth

We’re giving away FUn this summer!

Sign up at The Republic’s fair booth, and you could win prizes that’ll help you discover the places and activities serving up summer fun in Columbus!

Otter Creek Golf Passes | IU Football Tickets and Parking Passes Columbus Visitors Center Architectural Tours Bubba Blues BBQ | Amazing Joe’s Grill & More!

Your town. Your community. Your media company.

333 2nd Street, Columbus | 812-372-7811 | TheRepublic.com 32

2013 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

We’re Telling the stories of

Local Farmers, Farm Families & Agricultural Businesses

June 2013 | Section A

JUNE 2013 | SECTION

A

Ron and Alma Myers reap the rewards of keeping their a honeybees healthy

one of in the background as fainting Whitney Rogers stands goats, known for their her family's myotonic jumps from a platform. spells when startled,

bee

feature

is sweet Life

By Ed WEnck photos By Josh marshall

Farm Indiana's monthly publication is now available online at TheRepublic.com or at The Republic, Daily Journal, Seymour Tribune and Brown County Democrat offices.

Ron Myers checks on his bees at his home in Greenfield, Ind. Right: The rewards of beekeeping, Myers' honey.

T

The sign’s almosT impossible To see — a tiny black-and-yellow placard that reads “Honey For Sale.” In fact, it’s less prominent than the “RV For Sale” sign that marks the front yard of Ronald and Alma Myers, the source of some of the most renowned honey around Greenfield.

While Alma handles a small bit of the process, it’s primarily Ron who tends to the insects. A quarter-century ago when he was working as a lab tech, a co-worker handed him a frame of honey, the wooden structure upon which the combs are built, and Ron admired it so much “I went out and purchased two hives from the same beekeeper,” he says.

Ron’s speech is measured. He has the demeanor of a scientist: quiet, inquisitive, a man who cherishes precision. He is clearly an Indiana farm boy by birth, however, completely comfortable in work boots and a Carhartt jacket.

Ron’s bees are, according to him, “mostly mongrels … you can start out with a pure line, but as it mates, it becomes a mongrel.” And for those mongrel bees, the Hoosier heartland is prime honey-making country.

As far as Indiana pollen goes, Ron says that “all (sources of pollen) are good, and the bees will choose the flower that has the best nectar.” So it seems there’s nothing to it: Build a hive near a field of blooming clover, let the bees buzz off and collect their nectar, then wait. A simple process, correct?

“It would be,” cautions Ron, “if our bees weren’t like pigs and chickens and other farm animals. You must keep them strong and healthy.”

And how does one tend to the health of a bee? Keep the colony thriving through proper reproductive practices.

“In this day and age, you must help your bees reproduce or they’ll die out,” he explains. Ron makes sure that a portion of his bees winter in warmer climes.

Last year he kept half his

FAMILY FARMS

bees here and let the balance ride out the shorter days in South Carolina.

(His bee population drops by a third when exposed to an Indiana winter; numbers in the Carolina colony only drop by about 10 percent.)

In winter, a bee’s life span is six months, says Ron, but in the summer that expectancy drops to six weeks. Bees will, quite literally, work themselves to death.

So overexertion and cold can shorten the lives of these insects, but there’s a darker issue concerning not just beekeepers but anyone who needs bees for pollination. It’s called Colony Collapse Disorder, the sudden disappearance of a colony of honeybees. (See related story on pg. A2.)

While the reasons for large die-offs are certainly complex and varied, Ron has been closely following research from Greg Hunt, an entomologist at Purdue University. Hunt thinks that a

for a goat,” says birthday, but I asked or chocolates for their goat her husband, “Most ladies want flowers points out the myotonic toward the barn and Staci Rogers as she walks Hill Farm, Whitney, gave her. have named Moenning Greg, and daughter, in a home on land they dparents, who originally The Rogers family lives name of Staci’s great-great-gran passed to her great-grandparents, in reference to the family house was built by Staci’s the farm is still bought the land. Their of her father. She says the childhood home grandparents and became are not comthese family. but by farm, the surrounded goats on has approximately 60 Livestock Breed The family currently named on the American are myotonic goats, mon goats. The animals GOATS ON A2

Left: Ron and Alma Myers at their Greenfield home and honey farm.

Inset: Some of Myers' 50,000 to 60,000 bees. Above: The Myers rely on an honor box to collect money for their jars of honey that they sell from the front porch of their Greenfield home.

STORY BY JENNI L. MUNCIE-SUJAN PHOTOS BY JOSH MARSHALL

SEE

specific kind of seed coating used to protect crops from pests may be having a deleterious effect on some bee populations, and the symptoms described

by Hunt match up with some of what Myers has been seeing over the last few years.

“What we see is a farmer within a quarter-, half-mile planting his corn, and on that day, or a couple of days after, we’ll see dead bees outside the hive.” While the colony can recover, there’s concern that the treatments might work their way into pollen fed to baby bees over the winter, poisoning the young in a way that can ultimately lead to disaster for a particular colony.

When all’s going well, however, there are normally 20 to 30 frames in a hive in the peak of summer housing 50,000 to 60,000 bees.

That’s when the hives are most efficient. Those white boxes need to have their frames replaced every four or five years, though; pesticides from other ag operations and suburban lawns can build up inside the structure and pollute the comb, harming the colony.

See MyeRS on pAGe A2

63 Years of Integrity Service, Strength & 6672 East 650 South

| Edinburgh, IN 46124

Farm Indiana A H o m e N e w s EN T ER P R I SES P u b l i c a ti o n

The Rogers family raisesing Hill Farm fainting goats on Moenn

.com

800-284-2676 | kokomograin | 812-526-5574 |

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333 2nd Street, Columbus | 812-372-7811 | TheRepublic.com