Hot days equal hot wins at the fair

      The new fair building lived up to many of the Washington County Fair Board's goals by providing a cool place to escape the heat and shelter from the thunderstorm that roiled through the county last evening. After learning that a severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Washington, fair officials spread the news through the fairgrounds and asked Dog Show officials to quickly conclude the competition.

      At the close of the Dog Show, Amanda Smith of the Over Achievers 4-H Club carried off the Overall Grand Champion trophy. Summer Fritz of the Horse and Pony Club exhibited the Overall Reserve Grand Champion dog. Elizabeth Schrock of the Kalona Klassics received the Reserve Champion Dog Obedience Showmanship trophy for first and second year dog project members. Jenisa Hanson of the Over Achievers walked away with the Champion Dog Obedience Showmanship trophy for third year members and older, with Smith winning the Reserve trophy. Gavin Parker of the Washington Hustlers was awarded the Champion Dog Obedience Sub Novice trophy for a first-year member. Lucas Snedigar of the 76 Progressives earned the Reserve Champion Dog Obedience Sub Novice trophy for a first-year member. Results for the Champion Dog Obedience Sub Novice and the Reserve second year members were not available.

      Prior to the Dog Show, two unusual pets were named champion and reserve champion. McKenna Lebsack of the Prairie Pride 4-H Club won the top spot with her American Fuzzy Lop rabbit. Whitney Gibbs of the Over Achievers came in second with her albino corn snake. Twelve 4-H'ers competed for the Pet Show trophies.

      Crooked Creek 4-H members dominated last night's Poultry Show, winning nine of 14 trophies. Troy Farrier of the Crooked Creek 4-H Club won the Champion Pen of Two Turkeys trophy and Kyle Leichty the Reserve trophy. Crooked Creeker Marty Lintz showed the Champion Production Pullets Pen of Three award, while Brett McArtor won the Reserve. McArtor also showed the Champion Meat Production Pen of Three trophy; Jeremy Miller of the Limecreek Livewires took home the Reserve trophy. Kendall Leichty of the Crooked Creek club won the Champion Fancy, Exotic Hobby, Bantam-type designation, with Michelle Flanegan of the Limecreek Limelights, the Reserve. Allison Martin of the Crooked Creek Club took home the Champion Fancy Exotic, Larger Breeding Pair trophy, while her fellow club member, Taric Leichty, won the Reserve. The Champion Pen of Two Ducks/Geese trophy went to Kyle Brinning of the Franklin Cubs, with the Reserve going to Troy Farrier of Crooked Creek. Adam Michel of the Riverside Ramblers picked up the Champion Pen of Two, Other Poultry trophy. Michel also won the Champion Senior Showmanship award. The Champion Junior Showmanship trophy went to Kerwin Leichty of Crooked Creek.

      The following 4-H'ers won special county awards for non-livestock projects:

      Outstanding Home Improvement: Ty Sexton

      Outstanding Textiles: Kelci Eakins

      Outstanding Food and Nutrition: Hayley Sieren

      Outstanding Child Development: Allison Moeller

      Best Interior Design: Kailey Clawson

      Outstanding Photography Award: Ryan Schneider

      Best Junior Photograph: Logan Moeller

      Best Intermediate Photograph: Ryan Schneider

      Best Senior Photograph: Kelsey Martins

      Most Educational Ag and Natural Resources: Shelby Sieren

      Most Educational Science and Engineering: Nick Kleese

      Overall Conservation Award: Logan Moeller

      Best Restored Tractor or Farm Implement: Caleb Boyd

      Best Use of Design in Visual Arts: Paige Steele

      Outstanding Woodworking: Bryan Wehr

      Outstanding Personal Development: Kristi Branham

      Premier Garden Exhibitor: Allison Martin

      Outstanding Flower Arrangement: Shari Temple