Area residents win at Iowa State Fair

Several area residents have won contests at the 2012 Iowa State Fair.

Cindy Veldhuizen of Fairfield placed second in the Ladies? Chicken Calling contest judged Thursday. Heather Kennedy of Birmingham and Michele Pinney of Stockport were two of the three competitors in the three-way tie for third place.

In the Doll Houses and Miniature Rooms competition judged Aug. 6 prior to the start of the 2012 Iowa State Fair, Marilyn Elke of Farmington placed first in Doll Houses-Traditional Design; first in Doll Houses-Novelty Design; and second in Miniature Rooms-Creative Container.

In the Creative Arts contest judged prior to the start of the fair, Ashley Stout of Brighton placed second in Beadwork-Needle Constructed Jewelry.

In the Fabric and Threads Crochet contest judged prior to the start of the fair, Geri Nordyke of Agency won several accolades: first place, in framed crochet item; third places in both baby jacket with cap and doll garment-yarn; fourth place in dresser scarf or runner; and honorable mentions in doily (less than 14 inches, colored thread), centerpiece (14-21 inches in diameter), afghan (ripple pattern), shawl/poncho, and toy.

In the Fabric and Threads Quilting contest, also judged before the start of the fair, Betty Bradley of Hedrick placed third and Judie Herzog of Fairfield earned honorable mention in Team or Group Mixed Technique. Ashley Stout of Brighton placed first in Other Pieced Quilt Block.

In the Senior Citizens Division of the Fabric and Threads contest judged prior to the start of the fair, Judie Herzog of Fairfield earned honorable mention in Pieced Quilt - Individual or Team (Pattern Prior to 1935).

In the Fabric and Threads Toys and Dolls contest judged before the fair opened, Judie Herzog of Fairfield placed fourth in Doll (stuffed, display).

Heritage Exhibits contest judging was accomplished before the start of the fair. Carolyn Fye of Ollie placed third in China-Worthy Item Not Listed, second in Clear Glass-Cake Plate on Stand, second in Paper-Photograph Album, first in Small Glass Item Collections-Toothpick Holders and the Worthy Collection Not Listed Sweepstakes. Doris Nordyke of Richland placed second in Furnishings-Lamp-Kerosene, second in Primitives-Coffee Grinder and second in Toys-Cast Iron.

Exhibitors entered 691 vegetables in the FFA Horticulture competition judged Thursday at the 2012 Iowa State Fair. The Pekin FFA placed ninth in the FFA Chapter.

In the FFA Breeding Beef Show Thursday, Tucker Black of Batavia showed the reserve champion crossbred cow-calf and Avery Bennett of Richland showed the reserve champion commercial heifer.

The Iowa State Fair Food Department is the largest of any state fair in the country. Food Department judging is held in the Elwell Family Food Center.

Michelle Pinney of Birmingham won first place overall and a $75 gift card in the Chiquita Ultimate Banana Bread competition judged Thursday during the fair. Entries were judged on texture, flavor and aromas and appearance. Her bread placed first in Banana Bread (without nuts).

Midwest Living Cookies competition was held Wednesday and Thursday as part of the 2012 Iowa State Fair Foods Department judging. Nanette Everly of Batavia earned honorable mention in Drop Cookies-Fruit Drop (dried fruit). Michelle Pinney of Birmingham placed first in Drop Cookies-Chocolate Chip, and Heather Kennedy of Birmingham placed second in Health Cookies-Cookies Made with Honey.

In Dahl?s Canned Vegetables competition judged Wednesday, Michelle Pinney of Birmingham placed first in Tomato Juice.

In Chocolate Storybook Candies competition Wednesday, Michelle Finney of Birmingham earned honorable mention in Fudge-Other Than Named.

Finney also took third place in the Favorite Frosted Sugar Cookies competition judged Friday. All entrants had to provide a brief short story on why they created their recipe and what the inspiration was.  Entries were judged on taste, texture, appearance and story.

Emma Kennedy of Birmingham placed first in the Sugar Cookies-Drop division of the Adventureland Park Junior Division contest judged. Chefs ages 6 to 11 submitted entries.