By SUSAN MYKRANTZ
Contributing writer
WALNUT CREEK, Ohio — During this year’s annual banquet, Kerry Taylor, president of the senior fair board, gave a positive report on the progress the fair board has made in its effort to relocate the fairgrounds.
The agricultural society received a grant from FEMA for the project, which requires the removal of three buildings on the fairgrounds; the 4-H, FFA and hog barns.
Taylor said the fair board is working with the Chamber of Commerce and village of Millersburg to extend water and sewer services to the property and within the next 60 days, the Holmes County engineer will start a formal plan for the installation of water and sewer services.
Outlook
In September, the Holmes County Park District applied for a grant through the Clean Ohio Funds. The grant will have a 75 percent-25 percent match, and the county hopes to have approval and funding by the end of the year. At that point, the Holmes County Park District will be the legal owner of the fair grounds. Taylor said the board’s goal is to begin construction in 2012 hold the first fair in the new location in 2013.
Awards
During the banquet, 4-H volunteers, members and clubs were recognized for their work during the year. The 2010 4-H Alumni Award was presented to Larry and Rose Ann Miller, who have a combined total of 40 years as 4-H volunteers, mainly with beef projects, donating both time and money to support the Holmes County 4-H program.
The Millers have served as club advisers and members of the Beef Committee for many years, including serving as president and secretary/treasurer of the Committee. Their children were also 4-H members, and active in the beef program.
The 2010 Friend of 4-H Award was presented to Marcia Calhoun, junior fair secretary. Melayna Galbraith, daughter of Duane and Rachelle Galbraith, received the 2010 Holmes County 4-H Club Treasurer Award. Galbraith is a four-year member of the Buckeye 4-H Club.
Jenna Stertzbach, daughter of Don and Penni Stertzbach, received the 2010 Holmes County 4-H Club Secretary Award. She is an eight-year member of the Classy Critters 4-H Club.
Honor clubs
The 2010 4-H Honor Clubs are: Buckeye 4-H Club, Classy Critters, Doughty Valley 4-H Club, Holmes Co. 4-H Shooting Sports, Killbuck Handy Helpers and Nashville Jolly Farmers.
Honor Clubs are also considered for Head, Hands, Heart, Health and Clover awards based on activities they have planned during the year.
The Head award went to Buckeye and Berlin Busy Bees clubs. The Heart award went to Doughty Valley and Holmes County Shooting Sports. The Hand activity award went to Berlin Busy Bees and Classy Critters.
The Buckeye and Berlin Busy Bees 4-H clubs were awarded the Health award and the Clover activity award went to Doughty Valley and Holmes County Shooting Sports 4-H clubs.
Elected to the 4-H committee were Anicia Smith, Rick Schaffer, Ashley Miller, Lisa Lang and Bill Wachtel.
