Free!
www.McHenryCountyNewspaper.com
McHenry County News DISPLAY ADVERTISING & CLASSIFIEDS: 815-877-4044 • CIRCULATION: 815-877-4044 • E-MAIL: McHenryNews@RVPublishing.com
VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 35
11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22, 2019
Alpaca show at the Fair continues to grow By Anne Eickstadt EDITOR
Boone County Fair’s historymaking alpaca show returned again this year to another full house of spectators. The third year has drawn the most alpacas to the show to date. 2019 Miss Boone County Emily Carter and Little Miss Boone County Marrah Vander Vennet came to award ribbons. Once again the alpacas had minds of their own. One stopped in the middle of the obstacle course to pose for a photo op, none of the alpaca wanted to climb the “hill,” and watching their handlers attempt to walk the alpaca through the water obstacle was... interesting… to say the least. The costume contest was hilarious and the standing-room only crowds fully enjoyed the show. The winning two alpaca, Stormy and Monte are both from Ames Alpaca Acres in Harvard. Stormy and Jim Ames were dressed as ‘The Caped Crusaders” and Monte, with handler Angelica Engen appeared as a Jester and Queen. The third place alpaca, Clover of Alpaca Pines in Poplar Grove, came with 10-year-old Christopher Donley as handler and they were dressed for a stroll in Mexico. Others came for a day at the beach, as bees, or for Hawaii. The show’s judge has been advising and judging the show since its 2017 beginning. “This is my third year here,” said Deb Yeagle, of Lindsey, Ohio. “I’m really thrilled to be back. I’ve been in llamas and alpacas for 25 years. I judge for ALSA, the Alpaca Llama Show Association, as well as being
on its board, and ILR, the International Llama Registry. “This is a growing show here in Boone County and we are starting to discuss making this a sanctioned show for next year. It has become a successful experiment. If it is sanctioned next year, it will require registration and classes will be divided into male/female, Huacaya/Suri, and, possibly, other classes as well. There will be stricter rules. “I would like to see classes for kids in showmanship, halter, obstacles, and more. We will make changes slowly and allow it to grow at its own pace. We are also planning ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTOS McHenry County News to hold an alpaca fleece/fiber show 2019 Miss Boone County Emily Carter and Little Miss Boone County Marrah Vander Vennet came to next year as well. “I first got into llamas when I had the Alpaca Show to award ribbons. Shetland sheep. They are so expensive that I got a llama to guard them. Within six months, we got six more. “I breed Argentine llamas and started alpaca 13 years ago. The first alpaca came to the US in 1980 and only a few people had them. It cost $5000 for two geldings. Now there are more alpaca in the country and prices have leveled out. “I’ve been spinning fiber since 1979. With llama fiber and the two luxurious alpaca fibers - long, silky Suri fibers and full, puffy Huacaya fiber – more readily available, it has really impacted the fiber community. When you blend the different fibers, it’s a whole new fiber world. “The alpaca industry began here as ‘exotic’ livestock. Now it is domestic. To get anywhere in the US, we needed them to be domestic. They are great for 4-H kids. The kids Left to Right; 3rd place Costume winner - Clover (dark alpaca in back wearing a serape) Clover with
See ALPACA, Page 3
Christopher Donley (in sombrero); Annie in a bee costume in front; Jim Ames (with red cape sliding to his shoulder) and Stormy; Judge Deb Yeagle (in back); Monte (as Jester) and Angelica (as Queen).
National Night Out events in McHenry County Communities across the entire county participated in the National Night Out held on Tuesday, Aug. 6. National Night Out is a communitypolice awareness-raising event in the United States, held the first Tuesday of August. The event has been held annually since 1984. National Night Out began simply with neighbors turning on their porch lights and sitting in front of their homes. The first National Night Out involved 2.5 million residents across 400 communities in 23 states; National Night Out 2016 involved 38 million residents in
16,000 communities across the United States. The event is meant to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts. The events are typically organized by block watches, nonprofit organizations, companies, and police departments. These events can be as simple as backyard cookouts or as complex as full-blown festivals and can include anything from face painting to precision motorcycle riding demonstrations.
COURTESY PHOTOS McHenry County News
Meijer, Johnsburg Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McCullom Lake Police Department, and the McHenry County Conservation District held a free bike raffle for the kids.
Woodstock Law Enforcement has put a big smile on the face of A softball Battle of the Badges between the Huntley police and fire district took place as a part of their this young child. National Night Out celebration. Congratulations on your win, Huntley Fire!