Gina Noe
UK Cooperative Extension agent for Family & Consumer Sciences
RICHMOND —
In a world of mass production and instant gratification, it is comforting to know that there are still crafters, artisans and gardeners in Madison County that take time to create their own works of art.
Last week, fair-goers were treated to a wonderful display of Madison County talent. Floral Hall was over flowing with beautiful hand-made quilts, baskets, needlework pieces and other heritage and handiwork projects. The display of flowers and fresh vegetables was overwhelming. Several visitors to the display asked for samples of the baked and canned goods.
Occasionally, we hear the story behind the projects. This year, the Baldwin Ruritan Best in Show Award went to Deborah Lainhart. She had made a quilt she called a Legacy of Faith. A picture of the quilt accompanies this article. You can see how beautiful it is and that it looks just like the stain glass window is was modeled from.
Debbie’s church, Big Hill Christian, recently has moved to a new location. Her finished quilt now hangs in the new church to remind the congregation of the beauty of the old sanctuary.
A new category this year was Madison County Photo. The winner in the category was Myra Isbell. Her photo was of the Valley View Ferry. Her sister, Nelda Moore, submitted a picture of the Clay’s Ferry Bridge. Another sister, Paula Jones, entered a picture of an old house near Silver Creek that was at one time owned by a family member. Over the years, the old house has been used by their family for senior class photos and other family events. The Jones family took advantage of this category to record some of their family history in photos.
Many of the projects entered were labors of love and eventually will become family heirlooms. Hopefully, the skills and traditions they represent also will be passed on through their families.
Category winners for the open division of the county fair were: sewing – Ellen Willis; horticulture – Dot Kirkpatrick; food preservation – Eva Hisle; heritage skills – Herb Goodman; handiwork – Deborah Lainhart; garden – Myra Isbell; and foods – Carol Kinelski. The Mable Benge Award, for most blue ribbons, was awarded to Myra Isbell. Myra had 24 blue ribbons. The Best in Show Award, sponsored by the Baldwin Ruritan Club, was won by Deborah Lainhart.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to bring their exhibits to the fair. Special thanks to the volunteers who checked in exhibits, judged, did demonstrations and watched the exhibits in the evening. It takes a lot of people to make the Madison County Fair a success; most of them are volunteers.
Thanks also to the Madison County Extension Homemakers and the Baldwin Ruritan Club for sponsorship of awards.
