2014 Shawano County Fair

THE SHAWANO LEADER2 SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014 SHAWANO COUNTY FAIR

THE SHAWANO LEADER 3SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014 SHAWANO COUNTY FAIR

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A fireworks celebration, a magic and hypnosis show, fresh musical performanc-es and a new Speedway race will highlight this years Shawano County Fair.

With all the new attractions joined pop-ular returnees, Shawano Area Agricul-tural Society President Dale Hodkiewicz said there is something for everyone who makes their way to the fairgrounds.

The Shawano County Fair one of the finest fairs in the area, Hodkiewicz said.

Shawano County 4-H is celebrating the centennial of Wisconsin 4-H with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Grandstand. The fireworks are sponsored by Fireworks Country of Wittenberg.

Prior to the fireworks, a program about the history of 4-H will take place beginning at 8:30 p.m. The program will include past and current members sharing memories of 4-H, a trivia contest, singing and T-shirt giveaways.

Terri Brunner, Shawano County 4-H program assistant, said 4-H has been an

important part of the fair and the commu-nity.

Without the involvement of our youth, you would miss a major portion of the fair, because there would be about 7,500 entries that wouldnt be there, Brunner said.

Making his first appearance at the Shawano County Fair is magician and

hypnotist Rondini, who will perform with his sidekick, Einstein, the Worlds Cutest Bunny, in the 4-H Junior Fair Building.

Rondini has been performing magic since 1976 and was named the Fox Cities Favorite Local Entertainer in 1998 and 1999.

I believe in letting the audience have a lot of fun, Rondini said. My shows in-clude a lot of audience interaction, and people really enjoy it.

Rondinis hypnosis show includes turn-ing a female audience member into Rocky Balboa and a male audience member into Shania Twain, which ends with the male giving birth on stage.

Hodkiewicz said the fair has not fea-tured a magic or hypnosis show in many years, and he is excited to have Rondini perform.

The magic show should be fun, we are looking forward to it, Hodkiewicz said.

Rondini said he appreciates the oppor-tunity to bring a little magic back to the fair.

Its definitely a big honor, Rondini said. I am sure everybody who comes will enjoy the show.

This years musical lineup also features some first-time performers at the fair.

The Drovers, of Elderon, are bringing their classic country, rock, polka and waltz covers to the stage. Band member Gary Wyman said the group, which formed in 1962, loves to see audience members request songs during their show, which includes cov-ers of songs by Buddy Holly, Buck Owens and Waylon Jennings.

Its just a complete va-riety and its worked really great for us so far, Wyman said. We are looking for-ward to being there. Just getting out in the fresh air and seeing all of the people is great.

Another newcomer to the fair is Savannah Jack, of Nashville, Tennessee. The band has toured

nationally and abroad for almost 11 years, opening for the likes of John Fogerty, Vince Gill and Kenny Rogers.

Singer Don Gatlin said the band prides itself on its show and features a segment called the Savannah Jack Speed Round, where audience members shout out the name of their favorite artist and the band plays a snippet of one of their songs, re-gardless of the genre.

We are really looking forward to (the fair), Gatlin said. Getting out there with the people and showing them something they have never seen before is what we like to do. Hopefully we have some sur-prises in store for everyone.

Other musical performances include Geoff Landon and the Wolfpack, of Mil-waukee, and Led West, of Wittenberg.

For racing entertainment, the Sha-wano Speedway will debut a bumper-tag relay race, where teams of will square off navigating a road course through the in-field. After completing the course, drivers must tag the bumper of their teammates cars to keep the race going.

Brad Luepke, Shawano Speedway pro-

mo -


FIREWORKS, MAGIC AND FUNNew bands and race coming to county fairBy Tom [email protected]

The Shawano County Fair is one of the finest fairs in the area.DALE HODKIEWICZ, Shawano Area Agricultural Society president

Nashvilles Savannah Jack will make their debut at the Shawano County Fair,

performing under the Grandstand at 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOMagician and hypnotist Rondini, along with his side-kick, Einstein, the Worlds Cutest Bunny, will perform at the Shawano County Fair this year.

SEE FUN, PAGE 5


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tions and marketing man-ager, said the race will be a nice addition to the fairs racing lineup.

It should be a fun little race, Luepke said.

Also, the Speedways fi-nal races of the season will be held Aug. 30 at the fair.

In addition to the new attractions, this years

fair will feature more than 12,000 exhibit entries, Bingo, beer and wine judg-ing, the Kids Klassic Pedal Pull, an antique tractor and equipment show, rides and plenty of food.

Rainbow Valley Rides will again provide the mid-way rides and games.

For more information, visit the www.shawano-countyfair.net or call 715-526-7069.

FUNFROM PAGE 4

Season ticket: $20, includes daily gate admission and parking. Does not include rides or grandstand admis-sion

Children under 11: Admit-ted free

Wednesday, Aug. 27: Gate admission $3, free parking

Thursday, Aug. 28, to Mon-day, Sept. 1: Gate admission $5, parking $5 per car

Friday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: Senior citizen gateadmission, 62 and over $2, parking $5

Lifetime membership: $275

County Fair Admission

LEADER FILE PHOTO BY LEE PULASKITiella Zellmer and her mother, Jamie Zellmer, of Brookfield, check out a sheep at the 2013 Shawano County Fair.

Visit us online at

www.shawanoleader.com


Krull a jack-of-all-tradesBonduel student takes leadership roleBy Jason [email protected]

Versatility has been a key part of Jen Krulls success at the Shawano County Fair since she started showing animals in 2006.

The 18-year-old incom-ing senior at Bonduel High School captured a triple crown of honors at the 2013 fair, includ-ing being selected grand champion in showman-ship in the horse and dairy classes, along with top handler for dogs.

Krull this year will show her quarter horse, Doogy, and a 3-year-old Holstein cow, Go-Make

Balt Destination.Her dog, Macy, is an

English springer spaniel that has been part of her family since the dog was a puppy, Krull said.

She plans to show Macy at the Wednesday evening dog show at the Crawford Center and will participate in the junior class horse show begin-ning at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Krull said working with each animal can be a challenge.

The most work goes into preparing the ani-mals for the fair, Krull said. You have a pattern to perform for the judge, and the judge looks at how well you and your horse work together.

The dairy judge evalu-ates each cow on physical composition, including muscle build and udder composition, and how

well it produces milk.Dairy is a really in-

tense class at Shawano because we have a lot of really good showman-ship, so it should be an exciting class to watch, said Krull, who will show a heifer on Saturday at the Coliseum.

Krull recently partici-pated in the dairy show at the Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis.

I think it is so cool that people come up and ask you questions about dairy, and (you get to) educate people on the in-dustry, she said.

Active in 4-H and FFA, Krull also served as a youth leader of a horse camp presented by the Shawano County Univer-sity of Wisconsin-Exten-sion.

Krull was the only per-son to volunteer for the 2014 horse camp, where her role was to chair the meetings and communi-cate with Terri Brunner, county 4-H youth devel-opment leader.

The three- to five-day horse camp is held ev-ery summer at the Craw-ford Center in Shawano. Horse owners network with each other, and re-ceive information from clinicians and veterinari-ans. Participants are able to spend the night at the camp.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOJen Krull, of Bonduel, will showcase her quarter horse, Doogy, at the Shawano County Fair.

The most work goes into preparing

the animals for the fair. You have a pattern to perform for the judge, and the judge looks at how well you and your horse work

together.JEN KRULL


Bonduel teen is countys Fairest of the Fair

Agriculture, volunteer work motivate Bergsbaken

By Tom [email protected]

A love for agriculture, family ties to the fair and a passion for volunteer work resulted in a winning combination for Bonduels Ashley Bergsbaken, who will represent Shawano County as the 2014 Fairest of the Fair.

It was kind of some-thing that, in the back of my mind, I knew I would want to run for someday, Bergsbaken said. Its been something Ive want-ed to do for a long time.

Bergsbaken, 18, grew up on her parents small dairy farm in Bonduel, where she quickly became interested in agriculture. Her involvement in the fair began when she joined 4-H as a Cloverbud in first grade.

During her very first fair showing, Bergsbaken said her judge was unable to taste her chocolate chip cookies due to a chocolate allergy. She was not de-terred, however, and she has since entered numer-ous categories at the fair, including visual arts, pho-tography, arts and crafts,

sheep, beef, swine and home environment.

As Bergsbakens in-

volvement at the fair grew, so did her involvement at school. A 2014 graduate of

Bonduel High School, she participated in 4-H, FFA, FCCLA and student coun-cil. She also represented her peers as a school board liaison and class president for three years but thats just the tip of the iceberg.

Through high school, I think I was involved in at least 22 different clubs, Bergsbaken said.

At the state level, Bergsbaken was elected as the 2013-14 vice presi-dent of SkillsUSA. In her time in office, Bergsbaken traveled around the state connecting with students. She also spoke at the state conference in Madison in front of 1,600 people.

The next step for Bergsbaken was to fulfill her goal of becoming Sha-wano Countys Fairest of the Fair like her cousins Jennifer Erb, 1985-86, and Rachel and Sarah Wussow, 1997-98 and 2001, respectively.

Its kind of something thats been in the family, Bergsbaken said. Ever since (my cousins) got crowned back when I was really little, Ive looked up to them and all of the Fair-est of the Fairs.

Bergsbaken was se-lected Fairest of the Fair in May and has been busy ever since. She attended parades in Bonduel, Pulas-

ki, Navarino and Gresham. At the events, Bergsbaken raises awareness for the fair.

We are kind of the pub-lic relations for the fair, Bergsbaken said. We are the ones who are going to get out there and tell peo-ple what days the fair runs and what kinds of events are going on.

When she is not busy with the fair, Bergsbaken partakes in one of her other passions: volunteer work.

In her four years of high school, Bergsbaken logged more than 500 hours vol-unteering between school groups and personal proj-ects, including a Christ-mas charity program.

It never feels like vol-unteering because I love it so much, Bergsbaken said.

Bergsbaken said she plans to continue her in-volvement in agriculture and volunteer work as she enters her freshman year at the University of Wis-consin-La Crosse this fall for communications and public relations.

I plan to run for state FFA office sometime in the future, and then after I graduate from college running for Alice in Dairy-land, Bergsbaken said.

When she finally has a moment to spare, Bergs-

baken said she just enjoys soaking in the fair with her family as they camp, show

FAIREST OF THE FAIR1982: Kathleen Jarek1983: Teresa Tauchen (1st Runner-up at State)1984: Teri Schultz1985: Jennifer Erb1986: Jennifer Erb1987: Susan Wnek1988: Tammy ONeil1989: Julie Engel1990: Lori A. Bodart1991: Jill Romberg1992: Jeannine Holewinski1993: Ann Marie Onesti1994: Katy Lucht1995: Theresa Luepke1996: Jessica Wolf1997: Rachel Wussow1998: Rachel Wussow1999: Hamby Alford2000: Roxanne Schaewe2001: Sarah Wussow2002: Amber Swenor (2003 Wisconsin Fairest of Fair)2003: Kelly Kolaske2004: Megan Fuhrman2005: Jenny Christiansen2006: No program2007: Suzzie Long2008: Samantha Huss2009: Angela Beilfuss2010: Angie Brusky2011: Amber Mallmann2012: Aly Dallas2013: Megan Welk2014: Ashley Bergsbaken

LEADER PHOTO BY TOM BESCHTAAshley Bergsbaken, 18, of Bonduel, is Shawano Countys 2014 Fairest of the Fair. Bergsbaken is entering her freshman year at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where she will purse a degree in communications and public relations.

SEE FAIREST, PAGE 8


animals and snack on deep-fried cheese curds.

People that dont get to see animals very often, or its their first time seeing a cow or sheep, and getting to see their face light up, its something you dont get to see real often, Bergsbaken said. I have to remember not to take it for granted because I get to see (ani-mals) every day, and they maybe get to see them once a year.

In preparation for the fair, Bergsbaken is remind-ing everyone of why the fair is such an important event.

Its a time where people get to see others that they dont see very often, but then its also a very good booster for the economy in Shawano County, because its not only people from the county but people outside of the county who are going to come, Bergsbaken said.

FAIRESTFROM PAGE 7

Carnival toys await the arrival of fair goers prior to the start of the 2013 Shawano County Fair. More prizes will await local game players when this years fair opens Aug. 27

LEADER FILE PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI


Inman developed confidence in showcase ringBonduel teen praises family for fair supportBy Jason [email protected]

Samantha Inman admits being nervous two years ago when she exhibited her first steer at the Shawano County Fair.

I was so nervous I didnt know what I was doing even though I had people with me, said Inman, who plans to exhibit two steers, Sal and Black Duke, at this years fair, which opens Wednesday.

Inman, who is president of the FFA chapter at Bon-duel High School, where she will be a senior this fall, received both animals in April 2013 and had early dif-ficulties with Duke.

When I was first train-ing him to walk, he was al-ready getting pretty big, Inman said. Every time he would get outside, he would run away or take off.

The steer, like Inman, has calmed considerably since then.

Its been a long journey for me, Inman said. I just love to be in the ring and to exhibit my hard work.

Inman credits her time with FFA and 4-H for giv-ing her the strength to get out of her shell, including the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends.

It teaches kids of all ages useful, valuable and lifelong skills like time man-agement, financial indepen-dence and responsibility, Inman said. It also taught me patience, leadership and countless other invalu-able qualities.

According to livestock key committee member Gary Retzlaff, it takes up to 18 months to develop steer into beef cattle. The aver-age weight of a steer calf is about 300 pounds. By the

time its ready for market, the ideal weight is 1,300 to 1,500 pounds.

Inman washes and grooms Sal and Black Duke daily and feeds them twice a day.

It would be nice to get a blue ribbon on one of my steers after all of the work I put in, said Inman, who keeps a steady supply of grains, fresh hay and water in front of the two.

The livestock auction will be held at 6:30 p.m. Fri-day at the Coliseum.

Inman also showed Sal and Black Duke at the Wis-consin State Fair in West Allis earlier this month. Her brother, Spencer, and father, Lee, were there to support Samantha in her first state fair show.

I couldnt do everything that I do, including my fair projects, without the help and support my family blesses me with, she said.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOBonduel High School senior Sara Inman will showcase two steers, in-cluding Sal, at the 2014 Shawano County Fair.


WEDNESDAY, AUG. 275 p.m.: Gates open

EVENTSAll day: Antique Farm Tractor and Equipment Show, Craw-ford Center

5 p.m.: Junior class dog show and Pee Wee showmanship class

6 p.m.: Junior cat projects with cat show

ENTERTAINMENT7 p.m.: County Farm Tractor Pull, Grandstand

ACTIVITIES5-10 p.m.: Rainbow Valley Rides

THURSDAY, AUG. 289 a.m.: Gates open


9 a.m.: Junior class swine show and Pee Wee showman-ship class with open class to follow

5 p.m.: Open and junior class beef show

ENTERTAINMENT6-10 p.m.: Truck Town Polka Sounds, Presidents Park

6 p.m.: The Drovers perform, under the Grandstand

9:30 p.m.: Fireworks over the Fair and 4-H Centennial Cel-ebration, Grandstand


5 p.m.: Bingo Bash, north side of fairgrounds

6 p.m.: Sausage, Beer and Wine Judging, Crawford Cen-ter

9 p.m.: Cosmic Bingo

FRIDAY, AUG. 299 a.m.-5 p.m.: Senior Discount Day (over 62)

9 a.m.: Gates open


9-11 a.m.: Junior class pet show

9 a.m.: Open and junior class rabbit show

9 a.m.: Open and junior class sheep show and Pee Wee showmanship class

11 a.m.: Open and junior class dairy, meat and goat show.

11 a.m.: Open and junior class exotic and domestic animal show

5 p.m.: Decorated cake auc-tion

3-6 p.m.: Junior horse exhibi-tor trail class, Coliseum

6:30 p.m.: Market Animal Auc-tion of beef, swine and sheep

ENTERTAINMENT1-5 p.m.: Rogers Polka Party, Presidents Park

7 p.m.: Shawano Speedway Enduro Race, Grandstand

7-11 p.m.: Chad Przybylski, Presidents Park

7:30 p.m.: Led West, under the grandstand

ACTIVITIES12:30 p.m.: Bingo Bash, north side of fairgrounds


5-10 p.m.: Rainbow Valley Rides

6:30 p.m.: Livestock Auction, Coliseum

9 p.m.: Cosmic Bingo, north side of fairgrounds

SATURDAY, AUG. 309 a.m.: Gates open


All day: Open horse show, Coliseum

9 a.m.: Open and junior class poultry and poultry products show

9 a.m.: Junior division dairy cattle show

10 a.m.: Open division horse show

11:30 a.m.: Shawano County 4-H Cantering Clovers Drill team, Coliseum

ENTERTAINMENT11 a.m.: Kids Klassic Pedal Registration, Grandstand, noon start

1:30-5:30 p.m.: Gene Lettau, Presidents Park

2 p.m.: Rondini Magic Show, Junior Fair Building Stage

4 p.m.: Rondini Hypnotist Show, Junior Fair Building Stage

Shawano County Fair Calendar

SEE CALENDAR, PAGE 12



6 p.m.: Stock Car Races - Championship Night, Grand-stand

8:30 p.m.: Neal Zunker, Presi-dents Park

8:30 p.m.: Geoff Landon and Wolf Pack, under the grand-stand

ACTIVITIESNoon-11 p.m.: Rainbow Valley Rides

Noon: Kids Klassic Pedal Pull, under the grandstand

12:30 p.m.: Bingo Bash, north side of fairgrounds



SUNDAY, AUG. 319 a.m.: Gates open


9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Junior horse show, Coliseum

10 a.m.: Open division dairy cattle show

Noon: Junior division horse show

Noon: Dairy Pee Wee show-manship class

ENTERTAINMENT10 a.m.: Contemporary church service, under the Grandstand

11 a.m.: Polka Mass with Jerry Voelker, Presidents Park

1 p.m.: Spectator Eliminators - Tag Races - Trailer Races, Grandstand

1-5 p.m.: Jerry Voelker Or-chestra, Presidents Park

2:15 p.m.: Rondini Magic Show, Junior Fair Building Stage

4:30 p.m.: Rondini Magic

Show, Junior Fair Building Stage

6:30 p.m.: Rondini Magic Show, Junior Fair Building Stage

7-10 p.m.: Alvin Styczynski, Presidents Park

8:30 p.m.: Savannah Jack, under the Grandstand



1 p.m.: Awards program, Cen-tury Farm, Senior Citizen and Friends of the Fair



MONDAY, SEPT. 19 a.m.: Gates open

EVENTSAll day: Antique Farm Tractor and Equipment Show,

Crawford Center

9 a.m.: Rooster crowing con-test

9:30 a.m.: Chicken flying con-test

9:45 a.m.: Human crowing contest with small animal auc-tion to follow

11 a.m.: Fun day horse show, Coliseum

ENTERTAINMENT1 p.m.: Demolition Derby, Grandstand


1-4:30 p.m.: Concertina Rich, Presidents Park


ACTIVITIESNoon-6 p.m.: Rainbow Valley Rides


1-3 p.m.: Ag Olympics, Coli-seum-

CALENDARFROM PAGE 10

Since growing up in Gresham, Melissa Braun has always had agricul-ture on her mind.

Now she is paying it forward, serving as co-organizer of the Ag Olympics at the Shawano

County Fair, as well as serving as the FFA advis-er at Shawano Commu-nity High School, where she teaches agricultural science.

As a member of the Gresham FFA growing up, I would exhibit entries in the crops and flowers and I always enjoyed it,

Braun said.When I was hired at

Shawano (in 2011), Steve Stomberg, co-adviser, and I saw a need to of-fer a child-friendly, free event on the last day of the fair.

The Ag Olympics idea, targeted toward children under 12, was well re-

ceived by her FFA stu-dents in 2011 and has been a mainstay at the fair since.

Braun anticipates 10 to 15 FFA students from SCHS will help with the Ag Olympics, which will be held from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Coliseum. Children can register at the event.

Its a fun and educa-tional event for young-sters to take advantage of at the fair, and its free, Braun said. We always try to do a mix of activi-ties for them.

The Olympics have featured events such as lasso throwing, egg toss, tire roll, pail stacking, hay bale toss, sack races and tug of war.

The Shawano County Farm Bureau is providing free ice cream to children participating in the Ag Olympics.

Senior Courtney Ain-sworth, one of the FFA officers at SCHS, has helped Brauns 5-year-old daughter, Mallory, pre-

pare for the fair.Its awesome to see

the older (members) working with younger potential members and sharing what they have learned over the years, said Braun, whose daughter will be showing at the peewee dairy calf show on Sunday.

Braun will not only help coordinate the Ag Olympics, she will also show her work, including photography and craft items.

Braun said she also will be there to support her students, provid-ing assistance and input throughout the fair.


Office: [email protected]

Tom MartinOwner/President

123 W. Main StreetEmbarrass, WI 54933

Ag Olympics entertains youngstersBy Jason [email protected]

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOShawano Community High School senior and FFA officer Courtney Ainsworth helps Mallory Braun, daughter of SCHS FFA adviser Melissa Braun, walk a baby calf. Ainsworth will be one of several FFA students helping at the Ag Olympics at the county fair Sept. 1.


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LEADER FILE PHOTO BY CAROL WAGNERCrede Timm, a member of the Belle Plaine 4-H Club, exhibits his bird-house to woodworking judge Scott Zittlow at the face-to-face judging prior to the 2013 Shawano County Fair.


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LEADER FILE PHOTO BY GERRARD DIAZ Ciara and Josh Oakley, of Clintonville enjoy a ride at the 2013 Shawano County Fair.

LEADER FILE PHOTO BY LEE PULASKIThe midway was abuzz with people and aglow in lights during the 2013 county fair.


Horse riding can be art formBy Jason [email protected]

Communication can make or break a routine on the horse show circuit.

The judge is always looking for a strong part-nership between the horse and rider, said Sarah-Baker Walker, Shawano County Fair horse key committee member. It is the riders job to make everything they do look easy.

Walker, 27, of Bonduel, is entering her third year as a key committee mem-ber and owns a 17-year-old quarter horse named Chip.

The county fair horse show held at the Coliseum includes six classes: plea-sure, halter, showman-

ship, equitation, dressage and jumping.

Judges evaluate how well the horses listen to their riders, Walker said. Riders and horses are evaluated on handling and movement.

Showmanship con-sists of how well the horse moves through a course on the show floor.

In equitation and dres-sage, the rider is evaluated on proper handling of the horse and how they pres-ent themselves.

The riders are judged (in equitation) completely on how they look and ride, Walker said. There is a correct way to sit in the saddle, hold your hands CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Horse key committee member Sarah-Baker Walker rides her 17-year-old quarter horse, Chip.SEE HORSE, PAGE 19

THE SHAWANO LEADER 19SATURDAY, AUGUST 23, 2014

and move with the horse.In dressage, rider

and horse perform from memory a series of pre-determined movements. Walker said movement and flow are key to the category.

The jumping course consists of four to eight bars set at different heights.

This can be difficult at times, but several of our students have grown into excellent horsemen and horsewomen and really

know how to impress the judges, Walker said.

The rider is on the ground in the halter cat-egory.

Walker said one of the most common questions asked at the county fair is how difficult it is to learn to show a horse.

For any beginner, learning to ride can be overwhelming at first, Walker said. There are a lot of things that riders do while they are in the saddle that spectators do not see.

However, horses and people can become fast friends on and off the

show floor, she said.Horses are amazing

creatures and are ready to love their owners com-pletely, Walker said. They can be the best partner you ever had.

But always be cau-tious when walking or working around horses. They can hurt people very easily with no intention of doing so.

The horse shows open with the 4-H junior trail class at 3 p.m. Friday. Open show classes begin at 9 a.m. Aug. 31. The ju-nior show begins at 9 a.m. Aug. 31. All shows will be at the Coliseum.

HORSEFROM PAGE 18


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Wisdom, work ethic inspire Esch kidsBy Jason [email protected]

The 2014 Shawano County Fair will mark the final show for Shawanos Sara Esch, 19, who has ac-cumulated multiple grand championships dating back to 2006.

However, the eldest child of Steve and Wendy Esch hopes her experi-ence and wisdom rub off on her three younger sib-

lings, Emma, 16, Eliza-beth, 13, and Clayton, 7.

I am passing on my knowledge to them, the next generation, and, yeah, they have showed a lot of interest in it too, said Sara, who will be showing a steer at this years fair.

Emma said she has learned a lot through years of observing Sara exhibit her steer and heifers at the annual county fair.

I learned a lot just by

watching her and what she does, and my grandpa (James), when he was here, he showed me a lot, too, Emma said. I made a lot of successful times at the fair with my family and I just really enjoy it. Being with the family and other 4-H people is good,

Sara said the time she spent with her grandfa-ther on the family farm, consisting of 130 acres and up to 40 beef cattle, as a child made an impact in her life.

He taught me a lot, and without him I dont know where I would have been right now, she said.

Sara has won two grand championships, two re-serve championships, three awards for supreme champion female and two more for beef feeder steers.

I have been doing this

every year and have been working with these ani-mals all year, she said. I have a good set of cattle.

Emma is also compet-ing in the photography show at the fair.

Showing is a big thing for our family, she said. I usually get first or second. I am really good at taking pictures of flowers and the cows.

Emma, who will be a junior at Shawano Com-munity High School, said the local FFA chapter also has helped develop and ex-pand her interests.

The most important part is to get involved, and getting a little help, in the long run it helps in getting into a good college, she said.

Sara is about to start her sophomore year at College of Menominee Na-

tion, where she is studying elementary education.

She had a final word of encouragement and wisdom, passed on to her from her grandfather, to share with her siblings

and others.If they really want to

put the time and effort into it, they can do it, Sara said. As much time effort you put into an animal, the more you will get out it.

LEADER PHOTO BY JASON ARNDTSara Esch, 19, and her 16-year-old sister, Emma, groom an Angus steer named Clyde on their farm.


LEADER FILE PHOTO BY LEE PULASKICake decoration judge Patricia Beining asks a contestant a question about her cake entry in the Junior 4-H building during the 2013 Shawano County Fair.


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Schnells instill responsibility and love of animalsBy Jason [email protected]

Since Diane and Dan Schnell welcomed the el-dest of three daughters into the world 14 years ago, the Bonduel couple has tried to share their passion for ani-mals with the girls.

Diane and Dan, who have been married 24 years, were raised on farms with dairy and beef cattle, hogs, chickens, ducks, horses, cats and dogs. Both were involved 4-H.

We both believe in the work we do is to help feed our neighbors, whether directly or in the world,

through production agricul-ture, Diane said.

All five of them, includ-ing daughters Ashlyn, 14, Breanna, 11 and Cierra, 6, will participate in the 2014 Shawano County Fair, which opens Wednesday.

First thing (the fair) teaches them is, it is their job to take care of animals, and second is sportsman-ship and learning how to win with grace, Dan Schnell said.

Diane Schnell said Ash-lyns greatest 4-H accom-plishments have been in the field of showmanship, while Breanna is developing her craft in horse care. Cierra

is just getting started.She is so excited about

showing a horse at the fair this year, because she says, she is finally old enough to ride a horse, Diane said.

Dan and Diane became involved in the fair as dairy judges in the early 1990s, but stopped judging in 2000 to focus on raising livestock and horses.

They have up to 25 horses on their property at a time. They also have 12 pigs, 15 cats and two dogs.

Diane, who is one of the horse key chairpersons for the fair, believes the vari-ety of animals allows her children to demonstrate responsibility, including the importance of animal wel-fare and husbandry.

It is hard to describe in words. There is a lot of re-sponsibility and pride, she said.

The fair has become an extension of the familys commitment to its animals.

My husband and I have shown a love of animals,

Diane said. Our whole family is involved in the fair.

The family plans to ex-hibit five horses this year ranging in age from 8 to 22 years.

Dan Schnell said pigs are the most difficult of their animals to raise and show.

You have a new set

each year, so you have to train it and walk it around, he said.

Additionally, the family is also exploring branching out to other areas such as photography and dogs.

Me and the girls like to take a lot of pictures, Diane said. Cierra wants to show the dogs as well as the other animals.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTODiane and Dan Schnell, of Bonduel, will show up to five horses at the 2014 Shawano County Fair. The couple is pictured with their three daughters, from left, Ashlyn, 14, Cierra, 6, and Breanna, 11.

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2014 Shawano County Fair