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Local News

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Opening day means competition
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

A quiet, leisurely stroll up the midway on the first afternoon of the Hancock County Fair served as a counterpoint to the intensity inside barns and buildings.

Wednesday was judgment day for competitive types of all ages and talents, and no one was taking it very lightly.

Eyes bored into the baked goods judges as they sliced into sugar-coated pies, scooped small bites into their mouths and sighed with the heaviness that only such an hours-long eating event can bring.

An empty lawn chair stood sentinel before the Grange Building's arts and crafts entries, waiting for its owner to have a seat and scrutinize the afghans piled on glass display cases.

A Junior Fair vegetable judge, eyeballing a pile of beans perched on a paper plate, was not particularly pleased. "More strings than beans. Ah, let's give them a 'B,'" he said to the recordkeeper.

Dog obedience judging may have been the quietest tent around, with only the sound of chains rattling as owners ordered pets to sit before a judge.

But weeks, months and years-long endeavors were paying off for many.

Down a ways from the inferior beans was Zach Scoles' meticulously remodeled 1953 John Deere 40 tractor. The Cory-Rawson FFA member had won grand champion and best of show ribbons for his shiny green and yellow machine, which was stealing attention away from the cornhole games constructed by other fair competitors.

The rooster judge praised a group of 4-H members for raising "beautiful birds," which he said were "in great condition for the most part."

"We've got some good pigs out here, certainly some muscular pigs," said an announcer in one show ring.

Despite the comparatively cool, sunny weather, reminders were offered regarding the animals and heat exhaustion. "Make sure that if you're in the barn holding rabbits, that you're not holding them too long. They'll get too hot, and then bad, nasty things can happen," said an announcer during rabbit judging.

Freshly paved walkways, in places that used to be covered with dirt and gravel, were so smooth and convenient that they seemed to go unnoticed by all but those using assistance devices like scooters and canes.

Near the new lanes, lunch-goers ordered perennially popular items like Be Tran's eggrolls and cheeseburgers made with Hancock County-raised beef.

There were new food offerings, too. This year, the Van Buren boosters tent is selling sausage gravy and biscuits daily starting at 8 a.m. until they are sold out. Across the lane, Papa John's has a booth with $2 pizza slices. And just east of the pizza purveyor is a towering, shiny Jalapeno's Mexican grill booth offering burritos and the like.

Old and new, fun and sedate offerings are sprinkled at other fair venues, too.

Updated landscaping at Old Millstream Park, beside the senior fair office, offers more shady places to sit and relax. "I've got to have my lemon shakeups," said a woman walking down the midway.

Ballot issue promoters, politicians and churches are again present. Even the guy dressed like the Statue of Liberty, usually seen dancing outside Liberty Tax Service on Tiffin Avenue, is there.

Demand for rides was slow Wednesday afternoon, but Burton Brothers was prepared for an attendance uptick later.

"No broken bones or injuries permitted," stated a ticket booth sign.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

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4 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
Doug wrote:
Ride prices
“ I went to the Fair yesterday with my grand children and upon entering I was given a Fair Program which states ride tickets could be purchased @ 20 tickets for $15.00. Upon buying tickets the signs read 20 tickets for $18.00! I am guessing the pricing was worked out with The Burton Bros. prior to printing these programs, and with a tanked economy you would think the someone would be held to their word! Someone isn't talking to someone and we are paying the price!! Almost sounds like Politicians have taken over the Fair!!!!!!!

As far as changing the the traffic patterns in and out of the Fair, I give kudos as traffic sure moved easier getting out of there yesterday!!! ”
Friday, September 04, 2009 8:39:26 AM
TC wrote:
traffic
“ I couldn't agree more with CS. We went to the fair Wednesday night. We waited for about 45 minutes on Sandusky just to get in to the parking area off of Fishlock. Then when we went to leave, we waited about 30 minutes in line just trying to get out! Maybe we need to rethink this great new traffic pattern!! ”
Friday, September 04, 2009 8:27:39 AM
fairgoer wrote:
Fair
“ I was at the fair yesterday and everything looked very nice. However I wanted to comment on the rides being slow. Maybe its because the price of tickets and bracelets. For 1 ride you have to buy like 5 tickets. And if you want a bracelet its $17. thats ridiculous!! Especially for families with multiple kids. How can anyone afford this with the economy like it is. Maybe Burton Brothers need to rethink the price!!! Some fairs include rides with admission prices....man that would be nice! ”
Thursday, September 03, 2009 3:32:03 PM
CS wrote:
The fair......
“ I would like to know who's genius idea it was to change the traffic in & out of the fair? My thought has always been, if it's not broke, don't fix it.
Obviously, someone thought their plan was somehow better than the 'just fine' way it's been done for yrs. & yrs.
I've heard this change is for the concert on Fri. OMG, I'd better stay home on Fri. because the traffic in Findlay is going to be atrocious! ”
Thursday, September 03, 2009 9:13:51 AM
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  LATEST COMMENTS Last 10 comments submitted by our readers...
just sayin wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
drugs
“ sick of the whiners...kenton has more drugs than findlay ?how would you know that unless your involved in the drug scene?I love... ” Read More...
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tired of this wrote in article "Shooting video":
benton ridge shooting
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just sayin wrote in article "Heroin outbreak":
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retired OH cop in MT wrote in article "Shooting video released":
shooting
“ Nate.....after reading your comments, you wouldn't live long on the street as a police officer. I was involved in two shootings... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 11:30:30 AM
SICK OF THE WHINERS wrote in article "31 charged in Hardin drug probe":
DRUG BUST
“ Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in... ” Read More...
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9/2/2010 11:08:44 AM
j wrote in article "Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens":
Good but little expensive
“ The fair was interesting, but at $5 for the more popular rides on the expensive side, same with the food, many people commented... ” Read More...
9/2/2010 10:37:10 AM
JM wrote in article "McComb couple is serious about fair competition":
Very nice!
“ What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair. ” Read More...
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.