Another county fair for the ages
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| This year's Boundary County Fair helped celebrate 4-H and their century of service and learning in Idaho. |
By
Mike WelandThe week was warmer than normal, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid 90s. Still, the people of Boundary County went to work to put on another great fair, wiping their brow a bit more often, sipping a few more ice-cold lemonades. Folks commented on how hot and dry it was, not in the way of complaint but more as a way to start conversation.
Despite the heat, it was a fair filled with smiles, and while many were of the cut-off variety, blue jeans prevailed, living up to this year's fair theme, "Blue Jeans and Country Dreams."
While
the fair was filled with fun, a big part of the
fun, and the prime reason Boundary County always
puts on such a great, old-fashioned fair, was
all the hard work that went into; from the hard
work of the fair board; Glenda Poston, Rod
LePoidenin, Gayle Alexander, Gene Andrews, Linda
Lederhos, Chris Spangler and Bert Wood, fair
administrator Sandy Schnepf and grounds
supervisor Roy Kromher, who poured sweat like a
Vegas fountain but never lost his smile, to all
the superintendents and the retinue of
volunteers who year after year give their time
and toil to put on a great fair."I've been to a lot of bigger fairs," one visitor said, "but none better than this one!"
For
one of those superintendents, Heather Gemmrig,
who has overseen the rabbit barn for seven
years, this year's fair was bittersweet; this is
her last fair as she'll soon be moving to North
Dakota."Kids all did great this year," she posted on Facebook, "was super to see everyone that I only ever seem to see at fair time ... letting go of my barn and 4-H kids has turned out to be so much harder than I thought it would. I'm so proud of all the kids I have led over the past seven years!"
While not aimed directly at Heather, but to Krissy King, one of three ladies who'll be in charge of the rabbit barn next year, Deborah Youngwirth's sentiments are apt.
"We appreciate the time you and all other 4-H leaders give to the kids you work with," she wrote, "not to mention the blood, sweat and tears (and a few bruises!) that goes along with. I have no doubt that you are not told 'thank you' enough."
When
speaking of people who toil come fair time, you
can't forget the Boundary County U of I
Extension crew; educators Carol Hampton and
Jennifer Jensen, administrative assistant Angela
Tucker and secretary Sheila Pruitt. Oh, let's
not forget Squire Fields, either. He's the 4-H
program coordinator so much in the spotlight
this year, which marks 100 years of 4-H in
Idaho.All those folks, and more, play a huge role, but the greatest credit has to go to the folks, mostly kids, who work so hard and for such a long time in showing animals and preparing their exhibits, each a reflection of the best that is Boundary County and each a testament to the amazing talent of the people who call this place home.
For most, the reward of all the hard work are the ribbons they earn, sources of pride for a job well done. Others are rewarded for their efforts during the FFA/4-H Market Animal Sale ... for which additional thanks must certainly go out to all the many buyers; businesses and individuals who appreciate not only the hard work of those showing, but the tradition their hard work is built on.
It's a sure-fire guarantee that the values and ethics that built this great community will continue down to another generation.
"Thank
you, Brett Payne from South Hill Lockers, for
buying Savannah's lamb for the third year,"
wrote grandma Linda Alt. "Thanks also to all the
other businesses and individuals that supported
the kids in 4-H and FFA. Some people think the
kids get too much money at the sale, not what
they would in the 'real world' ... for most of
them, much of the extra money made goes into
savings for their future education."For some, the work and learning doesn't end with the fair.
"I'm looking for one of those small, hard baby pools, the cheaper the better," Kyndra Banks posted the day after the fair. "It's for our new pet duck my daughter caught at the fair!"
On behalf of an appreciative community, a big "thank you" to everyone whose hard work and dedication gave us another fair we can all be proud of.
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