Features

[AUG. 2, 2002]  Some Logan County sports fans want a baseball pennant race. Other fans are glad that NFL teams are now in camp and that means that football is just around the corner. But on Thursday night at the Logan County Fairgrounds, tractor pulling was the only game in town. And if you think it is just relegated to local residents, you’d be wrong about that too! I saw friends from Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington, Taylorville and even a few from Iowa.

[Click here for tractor pull photos]

While tractor pulling is not NASCAR, IRL or CART, it certainly has a big following in its own right. Judging by the size of the crowd, it’s not just the drivers and tractor owners that take this stuff seriously. There was a large crowd on hand, and they were really into the festivities.

[Photos by Bob Frank]

My son and I took advantage of one of the breaks to traipse across the track and get into the infield. There we began to get an up-close look at some of those powerful machines. We were also able to experience with the drivers the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The LDN was able to crash the driver’s tent and spoke to some of the participants.

We first spoke with a team that had major problems getting out of the gate and were scratched. And before I go ANY farther, I want to place this disclaimer. I’m totally new to the tractor-pull industry. So, if I goof up some of the jargon or lingo or miss some of the obvious points of the show, please don’t shoot me, I’m just the informant…

This first interview was conducted with Alan Tenhouse who pits for his dad, Harold Tenhouse, and they live in the Quincy area:

Q: What do you think happened out there tonight?

A: We think it took our large turbo charger. The bearings went out of it… the seal went out of it… oil coming out the exhaust.

Q: Coming into tonight’s event I’m guessing that you had no idea that that would be a problem, right?

A: No. No, we pulled at Salem last Sunday night, and it ran fine when we loaded it on the truck.

Q: Isn’t that what makes tractor pulling so interesting — on any given night anything can happen?

A: That’s right. We never know.

Q: How many events do you participate in every year?

A: Probably in the neighborhood — because we live near the Missouri-Iowa line — of 20-25 a year.

Q: Judging by the markings on your tractor you live either in or near Quincy?

A: Near Quincy.

Q: So, is this a father-son operation?

A: No. It’s actually Dad’s tractor. I manage a farm equipment business in Mount Sterling, Ill., and I just brought it over for him.

Q: Mount Sterling?

A: Yes. It’s not a big town, but there’s a lot of activity there.

Q: Is the fact that you’re an equipment dealer the reason your dad is involved in this?

A: No. He’s pulled for over 40 years

Q: Something he saw other people doing, or his family did it when he was growing up? What got him involved?

A: He went to a pull, got the fever for it, and he’s been at it ever since.

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Q: Do you both drive?

A: No. He does all the driving, and he loves it just as much today as he did when he first started doing it. He’s 76 years old and still at it.

Q: So, when was his first year as a puller?

A: I think 1960 or 1961 was his first year.

Q: I would imagine that it is pretty exhilarating being at that start block, going full throttle and just letting it rip?

A: Right. It’s about like any motor sport. It gets in your blood and it’s hard to quit.

Q: What about traveling around to the different cities, county and state fairs, etc.? Is there a uniqueness that you see in each one; or when you do 20-25 do they all look alike?

A: Oh… every track is different; the fairs are all a little bit different. Of course, some pulls are a lot larger than others. This one has a really nice fairgrounds and a nice track. The people here are great. This is also a nice area and a good place to come and a good place to have this.

Q: Other than the thrill of competing and the awards, are there other tangible or intangible benefits to this?

A: Not really. We don’t have any sponsors like some guys do, which may make [it] even more enjoyable to guys like us. Although I’m sure some of the spectators would love to see some of the high-powered machinery that is out there. But you know, those folks only go to certain pulls, and they’re kind of the NASCAR of pulling.

Q: You said your dad has driven since 1960. How long have you been associated with pulling?

A: I can remember going to the very first pull with him when I was approximately 10 years old. It was in a small town right on the Mississippi River.

Q: Everyone we’ve talked to tonight can remember stuff like that. It must be a guy thing like most of us can remember our first car!

How far through the season are you right now?

A: We’re about two-thirds of the way through it.

Q: What has been the biggest thrill for your dad and you? What are the memorable moments that stand out for you over the years?

A: Probably right here on this track a year ago or at the Missouri state fair.

Q: What about the prize money?

A: First is usually anywhere from $300 to $500, and entry fees are only $10 to $20. They pay anywhere through five to 10 places. I think here tonight at the Logan County Fair they’re paying eight places. So, if we could’ve got up and running at all tonight, we might have at least made our gas money back. But, we always have a good time no matter what the outcome is.

[Jeff Mayfield]

[AUG. 1, 2002]  Emcee John Howard said it: "I’m sure glad I’m not one of the judges. They have their work cut out for them."

[Click here for talent contest photos]

Howard was watching the 17 performances in the 2002 Logan County Fair talent competition last night at the grandstand, glad he was just the master of ceremonies and didn’t have to decide which of the talented contestants would walk away with the prizes.

Top winner of the 12 contestants in the junior division was a third-grader from Mazon, Lizzie Mladic, a little girl with a big voice and a lot of stage presence. Lizzie had the audience clapping with her when she sang her number, "Gotta Dance." Her mother said she has been singing since age 3 and has entered many contests.

The top winner among the five contestants in the senior division, Rebecca Ruben, is a Lincoln College graduate who plans to major in music at Milliken University this fall. She sang "Maybe This Time," with props including a framed photograph and a rose in a vase. She said she hadn’t expected to take first place, but there was no maybe about her win this time.

Both Lizzie and Rebecca won $100 and the chance to compete with other winners at the Illinois State Fair.

Coming in second in the junior division was Danielle Shryock with a vocal number, "Hero." Second in the senior division, Heather Church, entertained the audience with a clogging demonstration to the country tune "Rocky Top." Both second-place winners took home $75.

Third place in the junior division went to 6-year-old Savannah Conrady, wearing a red, white and blue flag-theme costume and demonstrating her skill with a hula hoop to the tune of "Wipe Out." She didn’t wipe out with the audience or the judges, though.

Third in the senior division was Angela Martin of New Holland. She sang a country music medley ending with "I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart," but says what she really wants to be is a country music singer. Third-place winners got $50 prize money.

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Shelby Kottemann, wearing a blue pinafore and looking more than a little like Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz," sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" to take fourth place in the junior division. Shelby attends Central School in Lincoln.

Michelle Kaesebier of Mount Pulaski belted out "Independence Day" to take fourth place in the senior division. Both winners took home $35.

Wearing the Union blue uniform, Erich Maxheimer of Mount Pulaski played a fiddle tune used by filmmaker Ken Burns in his series on the Civil War and won fifth place in the junior division. Elizabeth Brown of Lincoln took fifth in the senior division with her vocal rendition of "This is Dedicated to the One I Love." Prizes for fifth place were $25.

Other entrants in the junior division were 4-year-old Lexie Groves, whose father is an Elvis impersonator. Lexie wore an Elvis-style white suit with fringe and charmed the audience with her stage presence.

Fifth-grader Chrissy Barrett sang “Rock This Country,” and Kayla Billington and Katie Gosda, both 10 years old, danced to "I’m a Believer." Another dancer was Justin Thompson, who is self-taught and made up his own routine.

Emily Reiners, age 13, impressed the audience with her rendition of "That Don’t Impress Me Much," and Kaylie Honkala, a seventh-grader, sang "No One Else on Earth."

A threesome, the Oo Oo girls, danced to "Get Up & Go." They were Shelby Johnston, Bethany Ray and Hannah Ray, all Central School students. The girls created their own acrobatic dance routine.

Entrants in the junior division ranged from ages 3 to 14; senior division contestants were ages 15 to 22. Contestants were rated on costumes, audience appeal, stage presence, and raw talent and ability.

Singing the national anthem to open the program were emcee John Howard and two sisters, Cindy Edwards, director of the talent show, and Rochelle Johnson.

[Joan Crabb]

[JULY 31, 2002]  ^"We know the fair queen!" squealed behind me! I just happened to be sitting in the middle of the fan section for Miss Amy Rohrer, the new 2002 Logan County Fair queen. As master of ceremonies Derek Long announced Amy’s name, the entire section around me burst into cheers and applause. What an exciting place to be sitting during the first event on the first night of the Logan County Fair.

[Click here for Logan County Fair queen pictures]

From the time the ladies were driven into the grandstand in convertibles to the announcement of our new queen, the beautiful and talented 10 contestants kept those in attendance attracted to the stage all evening long.

As the ladies were being introduced, pageant director Penny Kilhoffer told the audience, "I’ll take any of them; they’re all a great bunch of gals."

"If you could personally witness one event in history, what would it be and why?" Wow! Answer that in five seconds, wearing an evening gown and high heels, with the faces of Logan County waiting with anticipation to hear your answer!

That was the question that was asked of all 10 contestants during the evening gown competition. The responses varied from wanting to witness the Beatles perform at Shea Stadium (Lisa Behle), receiving chuckles from the audience, to responses of a more serious nature, such as the event of Sept. 11, 2001.

New Miss Logan County Fair Queen 2002 Amy Rohrer said the best thing about the pageant was meeting the other contestants. As queen, Amy is most looking forward to meeting the fair queens from counties around Illinois.

When I asked Amy if there was anything else she wanted to tell me about her experience, she replied, "No, I can’t believe it! I didn’t expect it…. And I’m sweating!"

Amy’s friends crowded around her with hugs and congratulations, wanting to know if they get free fair food now!

Rohrer is a 20-year-old junior at Western Illinois University, majoring in sports medicine with an emphasis on athletic training. Amy would like to work for a professional sports team someday.

With tears in her eyes, Amy’s mother, Deborah, said, "Can you believe it?"

Amy’s proud father, Jim, said with a smile, "I did not like the swimsuit competition — whether it’s my daughter or not!"

First runner-up was Angela Balance, the 20-year-old daughter of Sam and Priscilla Balance of Emden. Angela is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School and a junior at Eureka College, majoring in business administration.

One of Angela’s fondest memories was attending the Logan County Fair as a proud 9-year-old little girl in pink showing her 240-pound grand champion barrow named Gus.

Second runner-up was Kate Wrage, 19-year-old daughter of Kurt and Lisa Wrage of Emden. Kate is a graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School, a 2002 graduate of Lincoln College and will be a junior at Millikin University this fall, majoring in music education and vocal training.

Kate impressed the audience with her one-minute prepared speech about her business, Katie’s Berry Patch, of which she is the owner and operator.

Summer Johnson, a 19-year-old sophomore at Illinois State University, was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow competitors. After the pageant Summer she said that she was "kind of hesitant coming into the fair queen thing."

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"I didn’t know what to expect, but the girls were all awesome," she said. "It was such a great experience! All I really wanted if I got anything at all was to be Miss Congeniality!"

The 10 contestants have been preparing for this night for weeks. The summer began with the contestants visiting other county fair pageants around the state. They have enjoyed "get acquainted" parties, three mandatory rehearsals and private coaching from the pageant committee. The ladies also had a personal interview with the judges before the evening competition at the Lincoln Elks Club.

The breakdown of categories that the judges were looking for is as follows: 35 percent personal interview, 20 percent stage presence during the evening gown competition, 20 percent beauty of the face and physical condition during the swimsuit competition, and 25 percent speech and communication skills during the "fish bowl question" and the one-minute prepared speech.

Pam Birdcell from Chandlerville was one of the three judges for this year’s competition. When asked how our pageant compares to other pageants around the state, Birdcell stated that Logan County has a "wonderful pageant." She went on to say that they were "a nice group of girls."

"They all interviewed very well," she said. "They seemed to be very wholesome girls, which was a nice change."

Miss Logan County 2002 Amy Rohrer will be responsible for awarding ribbons and trophy’s throughout this year’s fair. She will represent Logan County by competing in the state fair pageant in Springfield in January, as well as attending other parades and festivals across the state on behalf of Logan County.

Over $1,000 in scholarship monies will be awarded to the 2002 queen. Her Majesty and the first and second runner-up will receive hundreds of dollars worth of gifts from various businesses and private families. All contestants received a long-stem rose, pictures from the pageant and an engraved Logan County Fair Queen Pageant charm.

The pageant crew was made up of Rochelle Johnson, Amanda Kilhoffer, Michelle Kilhoffer, Robin Levi, Georgia Nutt, Nina Westen, Brandy White and Valarie White. Penny Kilhoffer has been the pageant director for the past 10 years and said she could not put on the pageant without such a great support from her crew.

On a personal note, I have known our new Miss Logan County, Amy Rohrer, for several years now through my sister, Katie. Amy and Katie have been good friends, and I have enjoyed watching them cheer together in high school and continue to get together for reunions when home from college.

Congratulations, Amy! We’re all proud of you!

[Nicki (Knopp) Green]

[JULY 30, 2002]  An art gallery is one place to view paintings, ceramics and photographs. Another is the Logan County Fair.

[Click here for photos]

The Fine Arts Division at the fair offers 66 separate classes as well as seven best-of-show awards. Classes are divided according to medium (watercolors, woodworking), subject matter (garden theme, Christmas) and age of artist. The Photography Division comprises 21 classes divided between black-and-white and color, with one best-of-show award. Lincoln College sponsors all the best of show plaques.

Renee Sisk of rural Lincoln, who supervises the Fine Arts Division, says she sets the classes based on number of entries in recent years and other indications of local interest. In 2001, for example, Sisk responded to requests by adding a religious theme class in pen and ink.

Computer-enhanced photographs began to appear at the fair several years ago, and a category for the genre was added last year. New this year is a class called Spotlight on Logan County.

When Sisk began working at the fair 15 or more years ago, woodworking was big enough to warrant having a separate judge. But since then, she recalled, some of the local woodworkers are gone and fewer pieces are entered. Now there are just four woodworking classes — woodcarving, wood turning, furniture and small handmade objects.

Some fine arts entrants are students in art classes in Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, so the availability of classes is one predictor of interest. Sisk herself teaches painting in her home to adults, and some of her students enter.

In 2002 there are 11 classes each for oil and acrylic paintings and for ceramics but only one class for watercolors. However, Sisk says the number of people who paint ceramics is dwindling, so for next year she may cut back there and add another watercolor class. "It’s kind of a guessing game from year to year," she admitted.

Total prize money is fixed — $1,436 for fine arts, $567 for photography — so some categories must diminish when others increase. Prizes in fine arts classes vary, with the top in adult classes set at $12 for artwork and for crafts but $10 for ceramics. In classes for young people first prize is $6-8. All ages enter the same photography classes, and the top prize for each is $8.

Any amateur can enter an original work of art completed in the last two years as long as it did not win last year. "Competition is open to the world," according to the 2002 Logan County Fair book. In practice, however, most entrants live in Logan County.

Some artists exhibit for many years. "It’s neat seeing improvement in artists who come back year after year," Sisk said.

One of her favorites, Wanda Gardner, showed paintings every year until her death two years ago. "She was self-taught, spontaneous, very creative," Sisk said. She praised Gardner’s expressiveness and likened her style to that of 20th-century French surrealist Marc Chagall.

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Each work sports an exhibitor’s tag, and sometimes fairgoers contact the artists to make purchases. All works, however, remain on exhibit until 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Fine Arts Division classes for young people are separated by age — 13-17, 10-12, 7-9 and under 7. Sisk, who is art specialist for Lincoln Elementary District 27, enjoys seeing the progress of current and former students. She also expressed pleasure at the increasing number of high-school entries. "It’s neat to see parents encouraging their students," she added.

The fine arts competition has seen many different judges over the years, though Sisk likes to keep a good judge for several years. She chooses from college professors, practicing artists and others who work in the field. This year there is one judge for ceramics and another for all other fine arts classes. These include oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, pastels, pencil, pen and ink, woodworking, weaving, and stained glass. Children’s classes include acrylics or oils, crayon, chalk, markers, model kits, and sculpture.

Entries closed July 19 and are now recorded by computer. Still, division superintendents did not know until entries arrived on Monday just how many there were in each class. The reason is that one entry fee of $6 ($2 for children under 9) covers any number of entries. So an exhibitor can take a tag for every class and decide later which ones to enter.

All paintings and drawings must be framed, wired and ready to hang. Sisk said that in her first years working with the division she was at the fairgrounds until midnight hanging the show. This year entries must be submitted by 3 p.m., enabling her to finish earlier. She begins hanging as soon as works are checked in, but allocating space is complicated by not knowing the number and sizes of entries ahead of time.

For about 10 years Jo Ellen Maske of Mount Pulaski has supervised the Photography Division. It offers classes in nine subject areas: abstract or still life, animals, architectural or historical places, floral, water, scenery, sunset, people, and human interest. In addition, there are two classes for computer-modified or enhanced prints and one focusing on Logan County subjects. Steak-N-Shake sponsors eight of the classes.

Photos must be between 8-by-10 and 8-by-12 inches and mounted on a board no larger than 11-by-14 inches. Formerly, entries also had to be framed, but this year there are new racks to display the matted photographs. They could be delivered up to 6 p.m. Monday. No photo can be entered in more than one class.

[Lynn Shearer Spellman]

[JULY 30, 2002]  Marge Knowles, "The Cake Lady," will be demonstrating her cake decorating skills at the Logan County Cake Classic. She will demonstrate how to properly ready a cake for decorating, share decorating tips and answer questions at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4.

Mrs. Knowles will donate her finished cake to the Cake Classic, and it will be auctioned with the other cakes at 5 p.m. Proceeds will go to the 4-H program in Logan County.

[JULY 29, 2002]  You don’t have to go all the way to St. Louis for a great fair this year. We’re having one right here in Logan County. With rides, shows and even the ever-popular tractor pulls, what more could you ask for?

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[Gina Sennett]

Pictures

• Pictures from fair articles

• Logan County Fair queen pictures

• Talent contest pictures

• Tractor pull pictures

Schedule

* 8 a.m. — Department F Sheep

* 8 a.m. — Department G Swine

*10 a.m. — Department O Cakes and Candies (open judging)

*11 a.m. — Department L Potted Plants and Glads (closed judging)

11 a.m. — 4-H livestock and article consignment deadline

1:30 p.m. — Harness racing

2-4 p.m. — Pick up 4-H premium checks at 4-H office at north end of fairgrounds

3 p.m. — Senior citizens entertainment in Special Events Building, sponsored by Logan County Bank with The Oasis

6 p.m. — Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open

7 p.m. — Pig and calf scramble meeting

7:30 p.m. — Children’s chicken and goat scrambles; pig scramble, ages 9-15 as of Aug. 4; calf scramble, ages 12-17 as of Aug. 4

* 8 a.m. — Chili cook-off

* 8 a.m. — Department A Open Beef

* 8 a.m. — Department H Junior Beef

8 a.m. — 3-on-3-basketball

1 p.m. — Kids day, south end of fairgrounds, Special Events Building

1 p.m. — Harness racing

1 p.m. — Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open

4 p.m. — Winning smile contest, Special Events Building

7 p.m. — Country music show: Wade Dooley

1 p.m. — Luehrs’ Ideal Rides open

3 p.m. — Pick up premium checks for open classes at secretary’s office

6 p.m. — Demo derby, Webb Promotions, T.N.G., Inc.

Results

• 4-H Beef Cattle Show

• 4-H Sheep Show

• Department M photography

• Department M fine arts

• Department J agricultural products

• Junior dairy and pygmy goats

• Junior poultry

• Junior rabbits

• Junior Horse and Pony Show

• 4-H Horse and Pony Show

• 4-H Market Hog Show

• 4-H Breeding Hog Show

• 4-H Dairy Show

• 4-H Dairy Goat Show

• 4-H Cat Show

• 4-H Rabbit Show

• 4-H Visual Arts Show

• 4-H Vegetable and Fruit Gardening Show

• 4-H Crops Show

• 4-H Home Beautification Show

• 4-H Dog Show

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