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September 2019 THE BEACON Page 5A
County Fair Bonds a Community and Shapes the Future
Volunteers Kyle Stenger, Jacob Kuhn, John Kruse and Heath
Doll help set up tents in the rain in preparation for The Dearborn
County Fair.
Debra Galey and Fair
Board of Directors President
and Swine Chairman,
Rob Herth, help weigh the
4-H swine during animal
check-in day.
Two sweet and exhausted
pigs take a break from all
of the excitement!
Photos by
Maureen Stenger
Continued from page 4A
The pork chop dinner and
Kiwanis 4-H Livestock Auction
is held the Friday evening
of fair week. Seeing all of the
buyers that come out to support
the kids is truly amazing!
Local business owner Bonnie
Powell shared that she was
a 4-H leader for many years.
She and her husband Ron’s
children were very involved
in 4-H. The Powells are huge
supporters of the kids. Mrs.
Powell explained, “Now, each
year we can participate as buyers
at the livestock auction to
support the kids and families
that are involved. We feel that
it’s a way that we can give
back a little bit to the organization
that gave us so much.”
Dearborn County Prosecutor,
Lynn Deddens, shared her
thoughts on why she attends
the Livestock Auction. “There
is nothing like a county fair!
When the 4-H kids parade
their animals at the auction,
you see a connection with
them and their animals along
with pride. Pride in their hard
work and dedication in getting
their animals to the sale. To be
able to participate in bidding
and purchasing one of the
animals is the best! The generosity
of our community in supporting
the kids at the auction
never ceases to amaze me.”
The Alig family is another
one of the many supporters of
our youth. Dave Alig said, “We
participate in the 4-H auction
to support the youth. The youth
invest their time, energy, and
money all year to care for the
animals. The auction is very
important to them and their
families. 4-H teaches the kids so
much- being responsible, teamwork,
leadership, and how to
make good business decisions.
We’re happy to be a part of it.”
E.G. McLaughlin, President
of Civista Charitable Foundation
and Board Member of
Civista Bank, was a major
supporter at the auction this
year. “Civista and the Civista
Charitable Foundation is
proud to support the 4-H auction.
The kids who are part of
the 4-H program are amazing,
and their families are always
so appreciative of our participation
in the auction.”
The generosity of the buyers
is staggering; our community is
lucky to have all of them, and
we need to support them! Auctioneer
Dale Lutz elaborated,
“I’ve assisted with the auction
for forty years, and after every
auction, I walk away astounded
at how generous our business
community is. Many buyers are
small, family-owned businesses
or former 4-H members.”
4-H is a tremendous program
that teaches life lessons. Dearborn
County GOP Chairman
and County Commissioner Jim
Thatcher said, “I would like to
share some of my observations
of being around 4-H kids at the
Dearborn County 4-H Fair. I
saw kids building life skills by
leading hands-on projects that
help them grow confidence,
become independent, resilient,
compassionate, respectful,
and develop a strong work
ethic. They are future leaders. I
watched the adult mentors instilling
these values in the kids.
They are to be commended for
their hard work and for providing
such a positive environment
where the kids learn by doing.
I also learned that “service” is a
hallmark of all 4-H programs,
teaching young kids about the
importance of giving back and
improving our community. We
in Dearborn County are blessed
to have such a wonderful organization
as 4-H.”
On a personal note, I echo
this sentiment as I have three
children who are part of the
St. Leon Lucky Leafers 4-H
club. My sons show animals
and my daughter made a
poster this year for the sports
category showcasing her love
for soccer. My children have
been involved in the shooting
sports program. They have
made posters and projects, and
have won ribbons and trophies
galore. But that is not what
makes me proud of them. The
moments that make me proud
are when I see them smiling
from ear to ear, beaming with
pride, win or lose during their
show, showcasing the animal
they have taken care of and
raised. I am proud when the
school bus pulls in at 6:45
A.M., and they have already
been out there at 6:25 A.M.
making sure their animals have
been fed and watered. They
light up when the projects on
which they have worked so
hard are on display in Agner
Hall for all to see, whether
they win or not. They are
learning to step outside of
their comfort zone, to try new
things, and to be responsible.
These are valuable lifelong
lessons. The 4-H program is
shaping my children for the
better, and they would not be
who they are without it. The
memories of their years at the
Dearborn County Fair will stay
with them always, just like I
carry mine. Those memories
are invaluable.
It is worth your time to
check out the 4-H program.
There truly is something for
everyone, no matter what your
JOIN US FOR
SUNDAY BRUNCH
interests may be! The 4-H
program is always in need of
volunteers. Please contact Elizabeth
Beirsdorfer at ebeiers@
purdue.edu or call the Purdue
Extension Office at 812-926-
1189 if interested.
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