PAGE 24 - INTER-COUNTY LEADER - NEWS SECTION - A - SEPTEMBER 26, 2012
Polk County shepherds at state fair
POLK COUNTY – Polk County youth exhibitors in the sheep program at the Wisconsin State Fair, Aug. 6-9, did an outstanding job of representing the county. Polk County had more pens for lambs than any other county in Wisconsin. Their educational display included pictures of the exhibitors, information on various breeds of sheep, and the Baa Booth, an educational area where people could ask questions about sheep - and they did - anything from, “Why do sheep wear the jackets?” (to keep them clean), to “What is the difference between a sheep and a goat?” The display was coordinated by Emily Petzel and Haley Yunker this year. Polk County ranked first in Educational Display in the state. The individual sheep exhibitors made their mark on the statewide competition as well. Emily Petzel, Centuria, daughter of Mark and Debbie Petzel, was the only shepherd from Polk County in open class. Petzel’s open show honors included reserve junior champion Shropshire, Chairman’s Award for Educational Exhibits, and Shepherds Award for herdsmanship. During the junior show her honors included grand champion and reserve champion Shropshire bred and owned ewes, and champion Shropshire ram. Showmanship ranking for Petzel in the 18-year-old division was third. She ranked in the top 10 in the Premier Exhibitor program. Haley Yunker, St. Croix Falls, daughter of Jay and Tara Yunker, won reserve grand champion fall Southdown ram, reserve grand champion bred and owned Southdown ram, grand champion any other breed-Lincoln ewe, reserve grand champion AOB-Lincoln ewe, grand champion bred and owned and reserve champion bred and owned AOB-Lincoln ewes. Yunker ranked ninth in showmanship in the 17-year-old division. She ranked in the top 10 in the Premier Exhibitor program. Yunker also received a $500 scholarship at the Governor’s Red White and Blue Livestock Auction at the state fair. Mitchell Johnston, Milltown, son of Brian and Denise Johnston, won reserve grand champion bred and owned Suffolk ram, which was his big highlight. He placed 10th in skillathon, fifth in quiz, 19th in industry interview in the Premier Exhibitor program. “This has been my best year yet for breeding classes. Next
Polk County sheep exhibitors at the Wisconsin State Fair included, front row: Alex Wirth, Heather Wirth, RaeAnna Johnston, Kaitlyn Filkins, Nicole Dittbrenner and Jena Alling. Back: Jenelle Larsen, Emily Petzel, Haley Yunker, Mitchell Johnston, Reese Johnston and Randy Bertelsen.
year is my last year to exhibit, so I hope to continue with the breeding program I’ve started.” Reese Johnston, Milltown, son of Brian and Denise Johnston, won reserve grand champion Shropshire ram, grand champion bred and owned Shropshire ram and first-place yearling Shropshire ram. In the Premier Exhibitor program, he placed seventh in the quiz and skillathon and 12th in the industry interview. “I have chosen to specialize in raising Shropshires, I am glad things went as well as they did this year.” Randy Bertelsen, Cumberland, son of Brian and Sandy Bertelsen. This is Bertelsen’s last year exhibiting at the county and state fair as he graduates out of the 4H/FFA programs. Not only did he exhibit his lambs in the market and performance classes at the state fair, he also exhibited the grand champion market lamb at the Polk County Fair this year. He said his most memorable moment was “winning grand champion market lamb, champion rate of gain, and reserve total performance all with one lamb at the Polk County Fair.” Jenelle Larsen, Centuria, daughter of Evelyn Larsen, is in her last year exhibiting at the Polk County and state fairs as she graduates out of the 4-H/FFA programs. She placed fourth and fifth in her
The Baa Booth was an educational display where Polk County sheep exhibitors took turns manning the booth answering questions from spectators at the Wisconsin State Fair. Emily Petzel, Randy Bertelsen and Haley Yunker were among the exhibitors. Petzel and Yunker were instrumental in getting the Baa Booth organized. Bertelsen is displaying the plaque for Polk County’s top educational display for the junior sheep show in 2012 at the state fair.
Polk-Burnett Retired Educators to meet SIREN – The Polk-Burnett Retired Educators cordially invite all retired educators and spouses, administrators and support staff to the October general meeting which will be held Thursday, Oct. 11, at Siren’s Bethany Lutheran Church. Plan on arriving at 11:30 a.m. with lunch starting at noon, a short program and business meet-
ing to follow. Reservations need to be made in advance. Singer Terri Stoner will provide the entertainment. Call your contact person if you are planning to attend. Emma Kolander, 715-653-2385, and Kay Stoner, 715-635-2388, are in charge of arrangements. - submitted
live performance classes with her lambs at state fair. “Sitting at the Baa Booth answering questions about sheep was very interesting. I like educating people about agriculture. I have learned a lot in the past five years showing sheep. I really appreciate the friendships I have gained over the years with our fellow shepherds,” she commented. Larsen placed 10th in the industry interview. Jena Alling, Centuria, daughter of Al and Jeanne Alling, is in her seventh year in the sheep program and fifth year showing performance lambs at the Wisconsin State Fair. “I really appreciate how the sheep exhibitor’s families work together to make everyone feel a part of the program. A special thank-you to Ed and Pam Dittbrenner for being always there to help and Brian and Denise Johnston for the little extras they are willing to do for people.” Nicole Dittbrenner, Cumberland, daughter of Ed and Pam Dittbrenner, exhibited breeding stock and market/performance lambs. She also participated in the Premier Exhibitor program. In the judging component she placed 10th overall, ninth in the quiz, and 21st in the industry interview. “Every year I learn more and have learned to talk to people more about the sheep industry. I have so much fun and love meeting people now.”
Heather Wirth, Dallas, daughter of Greg and Peggy Wirth, exhibited a market/performance lamb. This is Wirth’s second year at the state fair. “It is interesting to talk to people who do not know about sheep, I feel I can make a difference in educating them about the sheep industry,” she commented. Alex Wirth, Dallas, son of Greg and Peggy Wirth, exhibited a market/performance lamb. This is Alex’s second year at the state fair. He says that he has fun showing sheep and that he learns from watching others show their sheep. RaeAnna Johnston, Milltown, daughter of Brian and Denise Johnston. This is RaeAnna’s first year as an exhibitor at the Wisconsin State Fair. “Watching my brothers show in the past has made me anticipate showing for myself. I was really excited and pleased with the placing I received,” she said. RaeAnna placed ninth in 12-year-old showmanship. RaeAnna was ninth in the quiz, and 20th in the Premier Exhibitior industry interview. Kaitlynn Filkins, Amery, daughter of Tracy and Loren Dusek. This is Kaitlyn’s first year as an exhibitor at the Wisconsin State Fair. Kaitlynn placed third in the industry interview and ninth in the quiz for the Premier Exhibitor program. “I had a lot of fun and learned a lot. It paid out more in experience than in awards and I appreciate that.”
In the Wisconsin State Fair Champion Drive to the Colliseum, the breed champions were Emily Petzel, Haley Yunker, Mitchell Johnston and Reese Johnston. – Photos submitted
National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day Saturday, Sept. 29 POLK COUNTY - Polk County Sheriff’s officials will be participating in the National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Sat., Sept, 29 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Polk County Justice Center parking lot in Balsam Lake. The initiative is part of a national effort to keep unused prescription drugs out of the hands of criminals, children and people who should not be
taking the medications. The effort is led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, and is taking place in all 50 states and U.S. Territories. Liquid medications must be in the their original containers, inhalers and needles or sharps cannot be accepted. Questions or details can be answered at 800-882-9539. - with submitted information