Logan County Fair

Rabbits and Poults show well at the 2018 Logan County Fair

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[August 02, 2018]  Tuesday morning the day started early for 4-H youth participating in the annual rabbit and poultry shows at the Logan County Fair.

Rabbits began at 7:30 a.m. and poultry followed shortly thereafter starting at 8 a.m.

This year there were some top quality animals shown in both categories.

The number of youth participating this year in the rabbits seemed to be down just a little bit, and at the same time, it appeared that there was a small increase in those participating on the poultry side.

Will Stambaugh was a returning showman on the rabbit side and represented well in every class. The judges' comments reflected that Will is doing a great job raising his animals.

Others in the show were equally impressive including a young lady named Ivy Sandel. Ivy took her task of showing her rabbit very seriously but did manage to give us a sweet smile when she had that first big win behind her.

While there were a half dozen excellent youngsters showing excellent animals, when it came down to the wire, Ivy edged everyone out, taking the Grand Champion Rabbit.

On the poultry side, Reed Naughton was a familiar face as was Ethan Bertram who was doing double duty showing rabbits and chickens. Several of the others on deck were a little less familiar but no less capable of putting on a good show with their birds.

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As the judge worked through each class, he took the time to speak with the kids one-on-one and also collectively giving them tips on showmanship and talking to them about what he wants to see not just in the bird, but also in the young men and women showing.

One key point he brought out to the youngsters was that of good sportsmanship. He talked to the kids, saying that when they are doing well and see someone else struggling a bit, to reach out and give that person a hand. If they are struggling to get a bird in the show cage, be a good sport and offer assistance if possible. He noted to the kids that it is the right thing to do and that it bodes well on the kind of person they are when they have the compassion to help others.

One noticeable difference at this year's show was the absence of David Opperman. David with assistance from son Sam and daughter Meghan has overseen the 4-H poultry judging for the past several years. This year, the show was hosted by Sam and Meghan, who did an excellent job. Dad should be proud.

At the end of the chicken division, Reed Naughton came out the big winner, taking the championship chicken trophy. Naughton had taken first in Chicken and first in Rooster. The championship would come down to the two birds face-to-face, so to speak. Reed's rooster was already in his judging cage and he went to grab his hen. When he returned, the judge smiled and said, don't bother putting her in the cage, she is the winner.

This is Naughton's second year to take the championship trophy.

The Maxine Maxheimer Memorial Children Award for the Champion Chicken was presented to Naughton by members of Maxine's family. Left to right are Maxine's grandson Tanner Stramp, Naughton, Maxine's son Dale and granddaughter Jessa Maxheimer.

Teresa Stramp, who normally stands to the side and takes a picture of the occasion for the family album, this year took her turn in front of the camera posing with Reed and her brother Dale for a second championship photo.

The poultry show would continue with turkey and geese. In that show there were a couple of really nice looking geese, and one incredibly large turkey. Those birds had no doubt been taken very good care of and would go on to show well at the Logan County Fair.


[Nila Smith]

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