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News staff writers
August 2, 2006
First Show
Photo by Sue Ryan
Brighid De Priest (far right), turns her
attention from judge Randi Howell to look at carnival rides being set
up nearby at the County Fair Tuesday.
Even Kindergarteners and first-graders competed in the small animal
divisions at the 2006 Hood River County Fair. The very youngest
members belong to a program called 4-H Adventures.
They had to answer questions on care and feeding of their animals as
well as demonstrate some parts for the judge. Brighid had quite the
wrestling match with her rabbit, Lumpy, when it came time to show her
rabbit’s teeth. She prevailed.
Each received a participant ribbon, as 4-H Adventures is a
non-competitive class.
Standing next to Brighid are Ann Marie Goodman and Maddy Mooney.
— Sue Ryan
Pieces of history
Photo by Esther K. Smith
With shades of “Antique Roadshow,”
Thursday’s “Trash or Treasure?” appraisal fair drew a few dozen people
and nearly 60 items to be considered for their value.
At left, appraiser Jeffrey Motsinger checks a gold case carefully for
identification and other marks.
“We’ve had some really interesting stuff; one man had the cutest
Popeye and Olive Oyl tin dancing toy,” said Connie Nice, director of
the Hood River County Historical Museum, which sponsored the event.
A wooden wringer-top, 1920s or 1930s paper stapler, a saddle, jewelry,
watches, artwork and many other items were brought to appraisers
Sandra Millius and Motsinger of Millius Estate Services in Portland
for their opinion as to their value.
— Esther K. Smith
Wild Things
Photo by Esther K. Smith
The shady and cool oasis next to the
Floral Building not only gave visitors a refuge from the heat, but
also a glimpse of exotic creatures in the Walk on the Wild Side
exhibit, which was open every day of the fair.
Maggie Potter, left, watches an iguana eat its afternoon snack .
Terry Dickson, reptile caretaker, pulled a 5 ½-week-old coatimundi
from the cage it shared with its siblings and let visitors get a
closer look. Someone asked if its mother was in a nearby cage.
“No, that’s its uncle,” he said.
He went through the tent feeding grapes to some of the reptiles and
answering questions.
The small tent held a surprising number of animals and insects,
including a 20-foot Yellow Head Retic snake, a 14-foot albino Burmese
snake, a 100-pound giant Sulcata tortoise, a snapping turtle, a
hissing cockroach and more.
One of the wild cats had an unusual traveling companion and cage-mate:
an ordinary tabby cat.
— Esther K. Smith
Parking Patrol
Photo by Kirby Neumann-Rea
Lime is more than just a favorite flavor
for shaved ice at the County Fair midway.
Lime, poured out in parking lot lines, was the constant task facing
the Lions volunteers who organized parking and keep traffic flowing
smoothly throughout the fair.
“Probably 10 bags a day,” said Lion Art Carroll. “It’s as much for the
Lions as it is for people driving in,” he said. Carroll and others
would repeatedly line the parking area to help guide cars into place.
At left, Carroll stands with his water jug and the chart to organize
the parking volunteers.
“All this happens because of the involvement of Lions from all over
the county, not just one club,” Carroll said.
Volunteers dressed in orange vests and wielding orange wands stood for
three hours at a time, directing cars.
“It’s a big job and it’s gotta be done,” said Carroll.
— Kirby Neumann-Rea
Hat’s off
Photo by Sue Ryan
The wind lent a capricious air to the
performance of 4-H Mexican folkdancers at the fair Thursday. Despite a
breeze that blew his hat off repeatedly, Cameron Villegas persevered
as the sole male dancer in the four-member troupe, while performing
“La Paloma” dance with Tania Garcia during the Folkdance Club’s
performance Thursday night at the Hood River County Fair.
The troupe is looking for additional members. Any children interested
in learning and performing Mexican folkdancing should call 386-5790.
— Sue Ryan |
