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            Part 2 
            Tractor pullin’ and a couple of visits By Jeff Mayfield 
            [Click here for Part 1] 
            [AUG. 
            3, 2002]  
            After interviewing Alan 
            Tenhouse, who pits for his dad, Harold 
            Tenhouse, from the Quincy area, we met 
            a team that was in some "mini" division in tractors that looked like 
            they had car bodies. The first crew we hooked up with was from the 
            Decatur area. Their thoughts and comments follow: 
            [Click 
            here for tractor pull photos] |  
            | 
            Q: May I have your name, sir? 
            A: Greg Bandelow, and I’m from 
            Decatur, Ill. 
            Q: How many events will you be 
            attending this year? 
            A: About 30-plus. We used to be 
            up in the 50s. They’re cutting us down. Some of the fairs are 
            cutting back a little too. They’re spreading them out with different 
            events. Then you might come back to the same fair again after 
            skipping a year or two. 
            Q: How long have you been 
            involved with this? 
            A: Well, I’ve been pulling since 
            1983. I started in mini-rods, but when the mini-rods started going 
            downhill I either had to get out or move up to two-wheel drive. So, 
            I chose the two-wheel drive class, and I’ve been doing that ever 
            since. I even helped my uncle, and we started out in 1968. So, I’ve 
            been around it for quite a few years. I was pit crew for a couple of 
            decades and then became a driver in the ’80s. 
            Q: What’s the biggest thrill 
            being involved in pulling? 
            A: For me it’s the horsepower! I 
            mean, the alcohol, the fumes, the horsepower… When you’re out there 
            watching that guy pull before you … the ground-pounding shake … just 
            that awesome power that you get out of these motors. It’s not like 
            drag racing, going 300 miles an hour, but they say this is the 
            heaviest motor sport on wheels! 
            Q: Best memories you’ve had in 
            this sport would be…? 
            A: Well, I think the ultimate 
            goal is winning at the state fair, and I did that about four years 
            ago. To go and win in Springfield with all of those entrants, that 
            was really something special. Winning in your home town is always 
            tough. Like Darrell Ebbersten runnin’ tonight here in Lincoln/Logan 
            County… It’s always tough to win at home. It’s just kind of hard for 
            you to win your hometown fair. Like, I can pull in Decatur, and I’ve 
            always been the bridesmaid but I’ve never been the bride! I’ve 
            gotten a few seconds and thirds, but I’ve never won it. 
            Q: How do you rate the Logan 
            County Fair and the track conditions here? 
            A: Well, the track, being a 
            horse track, is not usually one of your better tracks. But with the 
            Hager sled that we have tonight it will make up for any bad track 
            that you have. If you have a good sled, you can have a good show. It 
            can let you run a little farther. With one of the older, heavier 
            sleds it can really bog you down. But with this one here, we can 
            fly. 
              
      
       
            Q: So, our local guys do a 
            pretty good job, then? 
            A: The track is set up pretty 
            good. Darrel is in charge of the track, and he does a great job 
            setting it up. He’s a puller; he’s just a great guy. He gets good 
            people to help him. Last year we got rained out, and he made it to 
            the point where we got paid because he knew that some people came a 
            long way — three or four hours or more. You know, that little money 
            you get — I think first prize is $500 or $600 — it doesn’t really 
            pay for what you’ve got in these motors, but every little bit helps.
             
            Q: Who’s this kid with you? 
            A: This is my son, who is a 
            wanna-be driver right now. He’s 15, and the rule says you have to be 
            16 to drive ’em. I let him drive it a little bit here in the pits so 
            he can get some experience. Two years from now he’ll probably be 
            driving and I’ll be the pit crew! 
            Q: May we have a word with him? 
            (He was inside the vehicle. We had to 
            crawl over the chassis and duck under the body, which was raised to 
            do this portion of the interview; BUT, as always, the LDN will crawl 
            if it has to, to bring you loyal readers the real inside stories!) 
            A: Sure. 
            Q: What’s your name? 
            A: Jase   
        
             [to top of second column in
this article]
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            Q: How do you like this sport? 
            A: I like it a lot. I like being 
            around it and feeling the power, the rumbling and feeling the ground 
            shake. 
            Q: How long have you been 
            helping your dad and hanging around this stuff? 
            A: My whole life. 
            Q: Were you ever scared or 
            afraid? 
            A: Since I’ve been around [it] 
            so long, I’ve never been scared of it. I’ve never really thought 
            about fearing it. I’m just used to it. 
            Q: Are you really anxious for 
            the day that you can put that helmet on and say now it’s my turn? 
            A: I really want to do it since 
            I’ve waited 14 and it’s going to be 15 years. I don’t know what will 
            happen when I go off to college, but this is something that I want 
            to do. 
            Q: Jase, do you do other sports 
            besides this? 
            A: I play basketball, soccer and 
            golf in Mount Zion, but when I go to college I want to go on to law 
            school. 
            Jeff: Well, Jase and Greg, it 
            was a pleasure meeting you both and good luck in the competition. 
            Editorial note: It must have 
            been a great night for the Bandelow family. According to the final 
            stats that were submitted to me by the fairgrounds, Greg Bandelow 
            took first place in the 6,200-pound two-wheel drive truck 
            classification last night. Congratulations, Greg! 
            Also, congrats to Lincoln’s own Clark 
            Oltmanns who captured first-place prize money in the 6,000-pound 
            super stock division! 
            And congrats to all the others who 
            placed Thursday night in arguably one of the most exciting events at 
            this year’s fair! 
              
      
       Other fair 
            happenings 
            Allan Anderson of Petersburg was on 
            hand with his booth showcasing the use of concrete. Anderson 
            Building Systems can build an entire home from concrete, and this 
            technology is being featured all over the country. Allan said that 
            the Logan County midway was as busy as or more busy than any other 
            fair in central Illinois, and he was very impressed with the people 
            of Lincoln and Logan County. He further stated that one sale would 
            not only make it worthwhile but would put icing on the cake. 
            He couldn’t get over the fairgrounds — 
            how well kept up they were, how friendly the people were and just 
            the crowds in general, especially considering the heat. Allan 
            intends to return to the fair and other Logan County events because 
            of the great reception he has received so far. 
            Welcome, Allan, and we’re glad that 
            you’ve had a good experience here. We hope you’ll be back often. 
            The LDN also spoke with Tom Peifer over 
            in the livestock area. Tom told us that he’s been showing hogs since 
            1959! I think he told me that he was only 8 years old at the time! 
            And others around the barns told me that he’s done quite well 
            through the years! He said his family has now been showing since the 
            kids were little but that this could be their last year. 
            Tom even reminded me that my good 
            friend and former area resident Matthew Rogers not only did well 
            locally, but that he once won the Illinois State Fair! I had 
            forgotten that, but now I remember it. Just like Tom to downplay his 
            successes and promote someone else’s. 
            Good luck to the Peifer family and to 
            all the contestants during this week’s judging! 
            The LDN tried to reach this year’s fair 
            queen, Amy Rohrer, to get some quotes about how she likes being 
            queen so far. We’re still playing phone tag. We think all of the 
            contestants were great. But we knew Amy from our days with the 
            Lincoln Railer basketball program and we haven’t met many people 
            that we like better than Amy. We’re sure that she will make a great 
            representative of Lincoln and Logan County. We think she’ll make us 
            all really proud! Once again, 
            CONGRATULATIONS, Amy! [Jeff
Mayfield] 
      [Click here for 
      tractor pull results] |  
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            Part 1 
            Are you ready for 
            some…tractor pullin’???
 By Jeff Mayfield 
            [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. 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 drivers’ 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.   [to top of second column in
this article]
             | 
 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] [Click 
            here for Part 2] 
      [Click here for 
      tractor pull results] |  
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            Contest 
            brings talentedyoung people to fair
 
            [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.   [to top of second column in
this article]
             | 
             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] |  
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            Miss Logan County Fair 2002 crowned 
            By Nicki (Knopp) Green [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."   [to top of second column in
this article]
             |   "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] |  
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            Fair’s attractions includepaintings and other fine arts
 [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.   [to top of second column in
this article]
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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] |  
          | 
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            | 
            
            Cake Classic demonstration |  
            | [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. |  
          | 
 |  
            | 
            Meet me at 
            the fair [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? |  
            | Entrance fees are the 
            same as usual $2 for adults, children 12 and under go free. Or, you 
            can buy a season ticket at the gate for just $7! And if you want to 
            save some steps, seasonal parking is available for just $3. Luehrs’ Ideal Rides 
            will grace the skyline and provide hours of fun for kids of all 
            ages. During the week, the carnival opens at 6 p.m., but on Saturday 
            and Sunday they’re open from 1 p.m. If it’s the rides you like, be 
            sure to visit Tuesday and Sunday, because that’s when all rides are 
            one ticket each (tickets cost $1 each or 16 for $15). You can visit 
            their website for ticket coupons: 
            http://www.luehrs.com. Other standard 
            attractions this year include the agriculture, livestock and art 
            shows, children’s scrambles and the annual talent show. Harness 
            racing will occur each afternoon Thursday through Sunday. Judging 
            will occur throughout the week. Click here for a full
            schedule of events. The grandstand will 
            be rocking most of the week. Most grandstand events will require an 
            extra fee, but there are two free events: the 4-H Horse Show on 
            Tuesday morning and the Open Horse Show on Wednesday morning. For 
            all other events, you can reserve seats ahead of time for a slightly 
            higher fee. Children under six are admitted to general admission 
            free with an adult, except for Sunday evening. One special feature 
            this year will be the grandstand bonus and added season-ticket 
            awards, sponsored by CEFCU. Each night, except for Sunday, everyone 
            entering the grandstand will be given a ticket for a $100 drawing. 
            You must be present in the grandstand to win. On Sunday, the $100 
            prize will be given to a season ticket or exhibitor ticket holder. 
            To enter, put your name and phone number on the back of your ticket 
            and drop it off on Sunday. You do not have to be present to win this 
            drawing. So what’s going on when? The fair will kick 
            off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at 9. Judging 
            will continue all day. At 7:15 p.m., the Interveteran Council will 
            host the official opening ceremony, followed immediately by the fair 
            queen pageant. Ten girls from all over the county will compete in a 
            quest for the crown. The chosen Miss Logan County Fair will serve as 
            hostess for the fair. She will present trophies and ribbons and 
            assist in other activities throughout the fair. If you see her, you 
            will know her by her attire: a dress, crown and sash. She will also 
            represent Logan County for the next year at many events around the 
            state, including the Miss Illinois County Fair pageant next January.
            
            [Click here for contestants.] Just before the queen 
            pageant, in addition to the grandstand bonus, there will be another 
            drawing. P&M Communications will be giving away a direct TV 
            satellite system. Once again, you have to be there to win.   [to top of second column in
this article]
             | 
             Wednesday’s main 
            attraction is the talent contest, sponsored by Kroger. Logan 
            County’s finest will gather to show off their skills in dancing, 
            singing and banjo picking for your entertainment and a chance at 
            cash prizes. The talent contest will take place at 7:30 p.m. Those 
            wishing to enter should contact Cindy Howard. Thursday afternoon 
            will bring the Flying Feet Cloggers. They will perform in front of 
            the Special Events Building at 5 p.m. The tractor pull contest, 
            sponsored by Sheley’s Repair and FS Service, will be at 6:30 p.m. in 
            the grandstand. There will be five classes, all ITPA-sanctioned. Friday is Senior 
            Citizens Day and 4-H Night. Seniors get in to the fair and to the 
            afternoon harness racing in the grandstand absolutely free. Logan 
            County Bank and The Oasis will be sponsoring other activities in the 
            Special Events Building starting at 3 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., the 4-H 
            children’s scrambles will be in the grandstand. Sixteen children age 
            5 or 6 will chase chickens around the field, trying to catch the 
            flapping creatures to win a prize. Children ages 7 through 9 will 
            scramble for a kid goat, and 4-H’ers ages 9 through 14 will fumble 
            after pigs. Youth ages 12 through 17 will compete in the calf 
            scramble. Those who catch goats, pigs or calves will then become the 
            owners of those animals. Saturday is Kids Day. 
            The day will begin with a chili cook-off and 3-on-3 basketball. At 1 
            p.m., there will be children’s events in the Special Events 
            Building, harness racing in the grandstand, and Luehrs’ rides begins 
            their bargain afternoon for kids (which continues until 5 p.m.). The 
            winning smile contest will be in the special events building at 4 
            p.m. The evening will finish out with a country music concert by 
            16-year-old Wade Dooley. 
            [Click here for a 
            picture of Wade Dooley] Sunday is the final 
            day of the fair. It is also Family Day. Luehrs’ rides will cost only 
            one ticket each. The Logan County Cake Classic auction will be at 5 
            p.m. in the Special Events Building. Proceeds from the auction will 
            go to the Logan County 4-H. The fair will end with a closing 
            ceremony hosted by the Interveteran Council and a demolition derby 
            sponsored by Webb Promotions (6 p.m. in the grandstand). So come out and see what the fair has to 
            offer you, and don’t forget to schedule for next year’s fair, July 
            29-Aug. 3, 2003. [Gina
Sennett] |  
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