The Courier Electronic Edition
Loading Weather Widget...
Thursday, September 2nd, 2010McComb couple is serious about fair competition Some people enter a few contests at the Hancock County Fair. more >>Life of a baked goods judge -- How sweet it is!No matter how small the pie slices, this year's baked goods judges at the Hancock County Fair said sugar overdoses would be unavoidable. more >>Many winners named as Hancock Fair opensAn estimated 16,500 people turned out for opening day at the Hancock County Fair on Wednesday, despite some hot afternoon temperatures. more >>Today at the fair7:30 a.m. -- Open class lamb carcass (south show arena). more >>Grant to hire kindergarten teachers OK'dNORTH BALTIMORE -- North Baltimore schools will receive federal money to hire kindergarten teachers for all-day classes next school year. more >>Findlay man stabbed, police charge girlfriendA Findlay man was stabbed Tuesday night, and police have issued an arrest warrant for his girlfriend. She remains at large. more >>Public RecordDocket more >>Local News McComb couple is serious about fair competitionBy DENISE GRANT Staff Writer Some people enter a few contests at the Hancock County Fair. Then there's the Schwabs. Bob and Marcia Schwab of McComb have more than 100 entries at this year's fair. Marcia, 61, entered 44 jars in the canning competition alone, including jars of jams and jellies, sauces, salsa, ketchup, pickles, fruits and meat. Marcia (Todd) grew up in McComb and has been coming to the fair since she was a child and a member of 4-H. She is also competing in the cakes, cookies, quick breads and photography contests. Her blueberry pie took "best of show" on Wednesday. Bob, 62, a native of Custar, grew up going to the Henry County Fair. This week at the Hancock fair, he entered numerous vegetables and fruits, including peaches, grapes, popcorn, root crops, hot peppers, bell peppers, several types of tomatoes and squash, broccoli, gourds, eggplants and more. This is the first year he has entered the woodworking competition, and he took first place for his mantel clock. By mid-morning Wednesday, he had already won several prizes for his vegetables: short carrots, second place; mini carrots, first place; red radish, first place; and white radish, first place. Judging in the canning competition will take place this morning, and Marcia is undoubtedly a favorite to win some ribbons. She has taken "best of show" for the past two years at the Hancock County Fair. Last year, she took home the top prize for a jar of pickles and peppers. The year before, she won it with a jar of green beans. She also won 24 first-place and three second-place ribbons for canning last year. For all the years Marcia has been canning, it was a first-place ribbon last year for her candied sweet pickles that really won her heart. She used her aunt Norma Hartman's recipe. Hartman, from Michigan, died in April 2009. "She always made me a gallon of those candied pickles every year, so I didn't have to make those. It was the first year I tried to make them, so it really meant a lot to me," Schwab said. She got a little teary-eyed just telling the story. The Schwabs have been married for 38 years. Together they grow and prepare their fair entries on three acres just outside of McComb. "It's a lot of work," they said, almost in unison. They call the time they spend working in their garden, orchard and kitchen a labor of love. "It started out as a hobby, and then got out of control and engulfed our lives. Our friends all tell us we're crazy," Marcia said. "Canning is a part of our garden." At Christmastime, though, everyone enjoys receiving gifts from the garden, she said. The best jars go to the fair, and their pantry is packed full. This year, labor and love are good words to use when it comes to gardening in northwestern Ohio. Coaxing fruits and vegetables out of the weeds, bugs, torrential rain and heat was hard work. "This was the worst year for gardening that I have seen in 10 years," Bob said. The Schwabs spent three days over the July Fourth weekend weeding their garden in 90-degree heat. "I actually got sick from the heat," Marcia said. "But it had to be done, the weeds were going to overrun the garden." Peppers, onions and squash all struggled this year, and Bob said it showed in entries at the fair. It was a good year, however, for cucumbers, gourds and apricots. "That's unusual with the apricots," Marcia said. "I was pretty excited about it." They said apricots are among the first fruit trees to blossom in the spring, and the frost usually ruins them. The Schwabs said their work is satisfying, and it's becoming rare. "It is heart-warming to open those doors and look into the pantry. It is so colorful. ... These things are really becoming a lost art," Bob said. "Everyone is too busy. ...We have a lot of friends that say they can't wait to retire and move south where it never gets cold. We kind of like the seasons. We've learned to live with the seasons." Grant: 419-427-8412, denisegrant@thecourier.com Life of a baked goods judge -- How sweet it is! By JORDAN CRAVENS staff writer No matter how small the pie slices, this year's baked goods judges at the Hancock County Fair said sugar overdoses would be unavoidable. "By about 8 p.m., we are still going to be feeling pretty miserable and pretty sugared out," said Doris Herringshaw of Wood County, who judged the baked goods Wednesday along with Marcia Jess from Ottawa County. But a love of sweet treats is what keeps them going, the judges said. "You really have to like sugar and desserts, otherwise you might as well not be on a (judging) list," Herringshaw said. While there's no numbering system for rating entries, Herringshaw and Jess both draw on years of experience as Extension educators in their respective counties to decide which zucchini bread trumps another, and which chocolate chip cookie has just the right flavor. First, contestants have to follow the rules. The judges disqualified a few people Wednesday who submitted extra cookies or who didn't have their goods properly labeled. Next, it's all about looks. Cookies, muffins, and rolls should be a uniform shape and texture, and any sprinkles or frosting on top should be evenly spread. After that comes an examination of the treat's inside. Is the cinnamon roll too dry? Are the cookies crumbling? Is the pie runny? Then, of course, is the taste test. "It really doesn't take very much," Herringshaw said of tasting the samples. "But if it's something I like, I might take a second bite," she said with a laugh. Their goal is to be objective, but both admitted sometimes it comes down to personal taste. After they tore off small samples, the two judges thoughtfully chewed, thinking over the taste and texture before they cleansed their palates with water. Some, they decided, were too sweet, others didn't capture the right flavor, and some left them with a floury taste. "They are nice and uniform, consistent, and evenly done," Jess said of the first-place winner in the sugar cookie category. "And they are just a nice, tender cookie without being too stiff." And to the third-place finisher: "Wonderful flavor. The only thing I would suggest is just a little more care for the sugar on top." During judging, fairgoers are allowed to watch, ask questions, and get feedback on their entries. The judges stand at a counter and face the audience while they inspect. Herringshaw and Jess also used the judging as a teaching tool for bakers young and old. "As I am taking these out of the bag, I am looking for evenness in the shape, color, and attractiveness. Appearance is pretty important in breads," Herringshaw said to the audience while judging the white breads. "See, this one has a couple of air holes, so that probably means it needed to be kneaded a bit more," she said. The judges are paid, and Herringshaw and Jess said they were booked by Hancock County Fair organizers back in February. "We commit pretty early," Herringshaw said. Over the course of several fairs, the pair have encountered some entries that aren't so good. "We have some that we won't taste," Jess said. Typically, those entries are undercooked or significantly burned. Once, at a different fair in a men's baking contest, Herringshaw said she bit into a pecan pie with bad pecans. "I'll tell you, that first bite," she said. "He came up afterward and said, 'What was wrong with my pie?' He had no idea." After Wednesday's judging, Herringshaw and Jess planned to consume plenty of protein to balance the sweets. Cravens: 419-427-8422, jordancravens@thecourier.com Many winners named as Hancock Fair opens An estimated 16,500 people turned out for opening day at the Hancock County Fair on Wednesday, despite some hot afternoon temperatures. The first-day attendance was "very consistent with the past couple of years," ticket chairman Darrell Baird said. As usual, the county band show Wednesday night drew a big crowd. Cooler temperatures are in the forecast for the next five days of the fair, which continues through Labor Day. Today's high is predicted to be 82, according to Robert Shiels of WTOL-TV, and highs in the 70s are expected Friday through Monday. That's "good fair weather," Baird said. As the fair opened, winners were named in several Junior Fair competitions: Junior Fair Swine Champion barrow -- Levi Stauffer, Barnstormers. Reserve champion barrow -- Madison Mains, Barnstormers. Champion gilt -- Levi Stauffer. Reserve champion gilt -- Tyler Horn, Barnstormers. Senior showmanship -- Tyler Horn, first; Emily Clymer, Kountry Kids, second. Junior showmanship -- Levi Stauffer, first; Nick Burner, Lucky Stars, second. Beginner showmanship -- Nathan Zuercher, Country Critters, first; Joshua Augustine, Country Critters, second. Super showmanship -- Tyler Horn. Adult swine showmanship winners: Women -- Jill Woodward, first; Lauren Pepple, second. Men -- Miles vonStein, first; Ryan Stamper, second. Rabbits Showmanship winners were: Senior -- Olivia Crawford, Hancock Hareraisers, first; Halle Renn, Jolly Jacksons, second. Junior -- Bailey Rader, Kountry Kids, first; Kyle Inbody, Biglick Buckeyes, second. Beginner -- Kim Reigle, Kountry Kids, first; Jonathan Corbin, Country Critters, second. Super -- Olivia Crawford, first; Kara Reigle, Kountry Kids, second. Fair Booths Winners were: Best use of theme: Large booth -- Buttons & Bows; small booth -- Country Bumpkins. Most creative: Large booth -- Hancock Hareraisers; small booth -- Milk-E-Whey. Best display of projects: Large -- Prospectors; small -- Northwest Stars. Best explanation of club work: Large -- Riverbend; small -- Pride of Pleasant. Best use of motion/movement: Large -- His Kids; small -- Clever Clovers. Horse & Pony Show Winners were: Senior English showmanship (14-18 years old) -- Erica Frantz, Rocking R Riders, first; Rae Lynne Lee, Rocking R Riders, second. Junior English showmanship (8-13 years) -- Allie Dukes, Horsemasters. Senior western showmanship (14-18 years) -- Allie Begg, Lucky Horseshoes, first; Cristen Cramer, Horsemasters, second. Junior western showmanship (8-13 years) -- Kayla DeMuth, Horsemasters, first; Dylan Waaland, Horsemasters, second. Pony showmanship (8-18 years) -- KC Critchet, Horsemasters, first; Lindsey Barchent, Rocking R Riders, second. Novice showmanship, first-year members -- Nathan Knicely, Freedom Reins, first; Cheyenne Potteiger, Horsemasters, second. Novice showmanship, second and third years -- Taylor Roeder, Horsemasters, first; Mackenzie Stevens, Horsemasters, second. Pleasure driving (8-18 years) -- Lane Palmer, Gentle Giants, first; Austin Desgranges, Circle V Riders, second. Cart obstacle driving (8-18 years) -- Lindsey Barchent. Trail -- Cristen Cramer, Horsemasters, first; Caleb Parke, Freedom Reins, second. Senior champion showmanship -- Ashley Flick, Lucky Horseshoes, first; Cristen Cramer, second. Junior champion showmanship -- Kayla DeMuth, Horsemasters, first; Dylan Waaland, Horsemasters, second. Senior poster (14-18 years) -- Savannah Long, Bit of Class, first; Lauren Schimmoeler, Bit of Class, second. Junior poster (8-13 years) -- Nathan Knicely, Freedom Reins, first; Abigail Schultz, Freedom Reins, second. Cart championship -- Lindsey Barchent, Rocking R Riders, first; Lane Palmer, Gentle Giants, second. Vegetable Display Winners were: Sweet corn -- Aubry vonStein. Tomato -- Michaela Breece, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Tomato, yellow -- Logan Young, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Tomato, Italian -- Ashton Beach, first; Michaela Breece, second. Tomato, yellow salad -- Caleb vonStein, first; Logan Young, second. Tomato, red salad -- Ashley Siferd, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Beets -- Michaela Breece, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Carrots -- Logan Young. Onions -- McKenna Morey, first; Ashton Beach, second. Peppers, bell -- Aubry vonStein, first; Ashton Beach, second. Peppers, sweet -- Brent Warren, first; Ashton Beach, second. Peppers, hot -- Aubry vonStein, first; Brent Warren, second. Peppers, hot -- McKenna Morey, first; Logan Young, second. Cabbage -- McKenna Morey, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Pumpkin, mini -- Aubry vonStein. Pumpkin, 20 pounds and over -- Caleb vonStein, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Any other variety, squash -- Michaela Breece, first; Ashton Beach, second. Other vegetable -- Aubry vonStein. Gourds -- Aubry vonStein, first; Gannon Darrach, second. Gourds, large -- Michaela Breece. Junior vegetable tray -- Michaela Breece, first; Brent Warren, second. Senior vegetable tray -- Caleb vonStein, first; Aubry vonStein, second. Champion vegetable and reserve champion vegetable -- Aubry vonStein. Most points vegetable -- Aubrey vonStein; runner-up, Michaela Breece. Decorated Vegetable/ Fruit Contest Winners were: Intermediate -- Taylor Roeder, first; Michael Horton, second. Senior -- Mariah Weihrauch, first; Daniel Horton, second. Flower Display Winners were: Coleus -- McKenna Morey, first; Nathan Zuercher, second. Celosia, plumed -- Rachael Reichley, first; Adam Beagle, second. Dusty Miller -- Nathan Zuercher, first; McKenna Morey, second. Geranium -- Nathan Zuercher. Impatiens -- Nathan Zuercher, first; Adam Beagle, second. Marigold, large bloom -- Ashton Beach, first; Melissa Finsel, second. Marigold, spray -- McKenna Morey, first; Adam Beagle, second. Petunia, spray -- McKenna Morey, first; Adam Beagle, second. Salvia -- Nathan Zuercher, first; Ashton Beach, second. Snapdragon -- McKenna Morey, first; Adam Beagle, second. Sunflower -- Nathan Zuercher, first; Chad Shoop, second. Zinnia, large -- Nathan Zuercher, first; Adam Beagle, second. Zinnia, small -- Aaron Rider, first; Jacob Rider, second. Any other annual, spray, spike or stem -- Ashton Beach, first; Melissa Finsel, second. Champion annual and reserve champion annual -- Nathan Zuercher. Any biennial, spray -- McKenna Morey. Any perennial, spray -- McKenna Morey, first; Adam Beagle, second. Any mini rose -- Ashton Beach. Gladiolus -- Ashton Beach. Dahlia -- McKenna Morey, first; Ashton Beach, second. Canna, 1 flower stalk -- Ashton Beach. Tuberous begonia -- McKenna Morey. Non-flowering house plant -- McKenna Morey, first; Adam Beagle, second. Champion non-annual and reserve champion non-annual -- McKenna Morey. Most points -- McKenna Morey; runnerup -- Ashton Beach. Pumpkin Display Largest mature -- Jack Bateson. Smallest mature -- Jerome Kloepfer. Best shape round -- Matthew Horton. Best shape oval -- Olivia Line. Oddest shape -- Cheyenne Welch. Greenest -- Amber Durliat. Sunflower Display Largest -- Brandon Zuercher. Smallest -- Emily Durliat. Best shaped -- Karoline Pees. Oddest shaped -- Ryan Strapp. Art Exhibit Best of category winners were: Water colors/opaque -- Gabraell Zechman, Arlington Art. Pencil drawing -- Tyler Wolleson, Arlington Art. Pottery, wheel thrown -- Jake Leonard, Arlington Art. Sculpture -- Andrew Glick, Arlington Art. Acrylics -- Rachelle Palmer, Arcadia Art. Pastels, crayon, charcoal -- Caitlin Stahl, Arcadia Art. Computer design -- Julia Edelbrock, Van Buren Art. Photography -- Meg Ewing, Van Buren Art. Water colors/transparent -- Taylor Fieger, Van Buren Art. Printmaking -- Taylor Fieger. Three-dimensional design -- Kalyn Leeper, Van Buren Art. Copy/copy -- Rachel Adolph, Van Buren Art. Mixed media -- Brooke Barnhisel, Van Buren Art. Graphic design -- Stephanie Williams, Cory-Rawson Art. Pottery, hand built -- Hailey Clymer, Cory-Rawson Art. Oils -- Lexie Gauss, Cory-Rawson Art. Ink drawing -- Jordan Mattice, Cory-Rawson Art. Glass -- Celeste Montgomery, Cory-Rawson Art. Best overall -- Layne Turner, Van Buren Art, mixed media. Agricultural Engineering Best of show -- Matthew Smith, Arcadia FFA, farm tractor/implement reconditioning. Today at the fair 7:30 a.m. -- Open class lamb carcass (south show arena). 8 a.m. -- Junior Fair sheep show (south show arena). 8 a.m. -- Junior Fair horse show (north grandstand). 9 a.m. -- Poultry showmanship (poultry barn). 9 a.m. -- Judging of antiques, canning (Grange building). 10 a.m. -- Open class poultry, waterfowl (poultry barn). 10 a.m. -- Weigh-in market steers. 12:30 p.m. -- Ag Credit Dairy Feeder Show (north show arena). 1 p.m. -- Theme basket (Grange building). 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. -- Home and garden program (Grange building). 1:30 p.m. -- Junior Fair goat show (south show arena). 3 p.m. -- Junior Fair draft horse decorating (barn), followed by Junior Fair draft horse show (north grandstand). 5 p.m. -- Open class rabbits (large show tent). 6 p.m. -- Harness racing (south grandstand). Grant to hire kindergarten teachers OK'd NORTH BALTIMORE -- North Baltimore schools will receive federal money to hire kindergarten teachers for all-day classes next school year. Superintendent Marlene North said the district will get about $185,000 to hire an estimated four teachers. The Education Jobs Fund is part of federal legislation passed in August. It provides states money to save or create education jobs. Separately, the board approved the purchase of a 30-passenger bus from Cardinal Bus Sales & Service, Lima. Cost is $45,701 and will be paid from permanent improvement funds. Separately, teachers Barb Wymer and Beth Kreais received a $3,000 grant from Dollar General stores to purchase mini-laptop computers, software and materials to teach literacy in their classrooms. Separately, district personnel will hold meetings at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 27 to get public input on the junior high and high school building. The first meeting will discuss uses for the building after the new school opens, North said. The second meeting will discuss plans for a celebration to commemorate the building's closure. The structure will be replaced with a new building which will open in March 2012. Grounds preparation began this week. Findlay man stabbed, police charge girlfriend A Findlay man was stabbed Tuesday night, and police have issued an arrest warrant for his girlfriend. She remains at large. Jeremy Emmons, 31, was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after police found him on the ground outside 511 E. Sandusky St. with a stab wound to his torso, according to police Lt. Chuck Wilson. The hospital confirmed Emmons was there, but did not release information on his condition Wednesday. Police have charged his girlfriend, Charmain Jackson, 30, of Findlay, with felonious assault in connection with the stabbing. While fleeing the crime scene in a vehicle, Jackson hit a pedestrian, Amy Bell, 41, also of Findlay, Wilson said. Bell was also taken to the hospital, which did not release information on her condition. The vehicle was later found in the 100 block of Center Street. Anyone with information on Jackson's whereabouts is being asked to call police at 419-424-7150. Public Record Docket From the public records of the Findlay Police Department: Police Department Two females, 15 and 16, were charged Monday after they attempted to shoplift cosmetic items from Walmart, 1161 Trenton Ave. A domestic dispute was noted Tuesday on Cove Court. A bike was swiped Tuesday from 234½ E. Pine Ave. Suspected marijuana was found in a 15-year-old male's wallet Tuesday after he got off a Findlay school bus. A fight between two males was reported Tuesday at 2030 Breckenridge Road. Two golden retriever/labrador puppies were purloined Tuesday from the backyard of 524 Hull Ave. Three males, ages 16, 16 and 15, were cited Wednesday after police allegedly saw them sitting in a circle smoking a cigarette in the 700 block of Swing Avenue. Two of the males were charged with possession of tobacco, and the third for possession of drug paraphernalia after he was allegedly found with a drug pipe. A student was arrested at Glenwood Middle School on Wednesday after he allegedly punched another male student. Anyone with information about a crime can call Findlay/Hancock County Crimestoppers between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays at 419- 425-TIPS, or visit the Web at www.HancockCrimeStoppers.org. Callers may remain anonymous. Courthouse From the public records of Hancock County Common Pleas Court: Divorces, Dissolutions Eva K. Sydnes and Rheubin B. Sydnes, dissolution. Joan M. Patterson and Patrick L. Patterson, dissolution. Suzanne M. Collingwood from Roger L. Collingwood, divorce. Tracy Miller from Angela Miller, divorce. Julia Baker from Michael D. Baker, divorce. Sandra L. Sweet from Thomas R. Sweet Jr., divorce. Christina D. Mock and Adam S. Mock, dissolution. Michael R. Spradlin from Kimberly D. Spradlin, divorce. Nicole L. Rider and Heath D. Rider, dissolution. Tiffani M. Murray-Hogrefe and Gregory A. Hogrefe, dissolution. Ryan W. Blackburn from Fantazia K. Blackburn, divorce. Rachel A. Combs and Jonathon R. Combs, dissolution. Keomany Sompasong and Boualoune Souksavanh, dissolution. From the public records of the Hancock County auditor's office. No money changes hands in some real estate transfers between family members, in some bank repossessions, and in some other transfers. Real Estate Transfers Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. and American Home Mortgage Investment Trust 2005-2 to James P. and Verne J. Sweeney, 342 Winter Pine Drive, Findlay, $112,000. James L. and Mary D. Wolfe and J&M Wolfe Properties to Pneuman Properties, 222 Center St., Findlay, $297,500. U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Michael S. and Susan L. Blasius, 300 Second St., Findlay. Gao Yang Enterprises to Kelly N. Mendoza, 508 College Ave., Fostoria, $66,800. Fifth Third Mortgage Co. to U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, 641 Remington St., Findlay. Joseph R. Balega to First Federal Bank of the Midwest, 8108 Shawnee Forest Drive, Findlay. |
IMAGE BLOG: Go behind the scenes with Courier photographer Randy Roberts.
You can purchase photographs from The Courier through our easy-to-use online system. Get prints, mousepads, T-shirts and more!
This loser knew how this little incident was going to end! He knew EXACTLY what was gonna happen when he pretended to level a w...
Read More...
Thank you "just saying" and "Ykfm" I to am getting tired of grandpa Tony trying to paint his grandson as a victim, whenhe was ac...
Read More...
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...
Well leave it to the courier to keep sterring the pot. The video that the courier itself posted clearly shows the suspect jump o...
Read More...
what good does it do to blog on the couriers web site when the courier only post the blogs they want you to read how about posti...
Read More...
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...
Kenton has alot more drugs than Findlay!!! To those of you who don't like Hancock county, LEAVE! Everytime law enforcement in...
Read More...
I'm sorry but there are way too many personal attacks allowed on this forum. You invalidate your point when you stray from the f...
Read More...
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...
What a lovely article. Will have to check out their goods at the fair.
Read More...
