Tag: 4H

County Fair

County Fairs

One of the most popular events is the Sheridan County Fair and Carnival held each July in Hoxie. The week begins with competitions for the 4-H club. Thrill-seekers can spend the end of the week at the carnival and rodeo. Thousands of people come from all over the area to enjoy the three day, home-owned carnival which has been volunteer-run for more than 40 years!  It is a grand reunion for the town and county as many of the kids that grew up and attended school In Hoxie come home to see friends and family.  Classmates are able to catch up with one another and enjoy a great visit and the festivities.  All of their children can enjoy the fair in a safe environment. 

“Life is like a Ferris wheel: sometimes you’re up, sometimes you’re down, but the view is always great.”

Our daughter came home with three of her children and we had a great time at the fair.  Grandma has never been very good with rides but now she just can’t even ride the Ferris Wheel.  The last time she rode on it, it wasn’t good.  That old motion sickness just kicks in.  Grandpa rode the Ferris Wheel with the grandkids and enjoyed every minute. 

It was sure a sweet treat to have three of the grandkids here for the weekend.  It brought back all of the memories of previous county fairs when our children were involved in 4-H and they showed the lambs they had been raising, we worked in the food stand making pies and sloppy joes, and we worked on the booth to show the value of our 4H group.  Then came the sale of the lambs they had raised and the tears.  And then the cleaning of the stalls and the counting of the money they now had from the sale. After the fair was over there were some very tired parents and children. But, oh the things that 4H taught our children were immeasurable.

Have Crafts Will Travel

“The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame.”  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Marshmallow Shooters

“Grammie did you bring any crafts?”  This is what I used to hear each time I visited a grandchild.  I love to treat my grandchildren to a new craft or an idea to create something.  We are all created in the image of God and since He is the creator we also are creative.  I didn’t use to think that I was creative but I do have some creative genes in my system. 

When my own children were young we were involved in 4-H and I do not know how this came about but I became the craft leader for the Saline Valley 4H club.  I think it was because I couldn’t really fill any of the other leadership positions.  As a young mother, I had tried my hand at a few things.  I quilted a pillow top, made some ceramics, made some macramé flower pot hangers, and a few other things.  Now that I was in leadership though I had to up my skills to lead a whole 4H group to success for the County Fair. 

This experience led me to be the Grammie that always had crafts in her sack.  I didn’t dare show up without an idea and a project.  I also would have cousin camp every summer where the grands would make some great projects including tie dye, wood projects with grandpa and science experiments. 

Now my grandchildren are in high school or college and Grammie’s stash of crafts are sitting idle.  I have found a new avenue for my hidden talent (it’s really hidden!) and that is now I am teaching Kid Zone at church and I have a whole new group of children excited about my crafts.  I think I will adopt some of them as grandchildren.  Yes, I think that is my new plan. 

“Crafting is the art of turning ordinary objects into extraordinary things.”  Unknown

HAVE CRAFTS, WILL TRAVEL!