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4-H Kids Prepare for Fair
4-H organizers to celebrate 100 years
by Christina Eberhard
Brent Connor, 13, leads his 1,100 pound steer, Ears, firmly
and assertively by his halter, commanding him to walk.
"Come on," he urges, using an authoritative voice.
With some luck, Ears may go on to win a ribbon at next week's
Winona County Fair, or may even advance to the state fair.
Although Brent is a city boy who lives in Winona, he leases his
steer and a heifer with sister, Kelly, 10, from the farm of Steve
and Becky Verthien, Altura.
"Every day, I walk him, wash him and clean his stall,"
said Brent, a 4-H member for four years. "I like showing
the animals. It's exciting when they do good."
Other young 4-H members across Winona County like Brent and Kelly
are currently busy grooming and training their animals for the
fair, scheduled for July 3 to 7 at the fairgrounds in St. Charles.
This year's fair marks the 100th anniversary of 4-H in Winona
County.
"The competition is pretty fierce," said Brian Connor,
Brent and Kelly's father, with about 225 dairy cows and steers
competing this year.
Kelly describes her heifer, Jade, as "stubborn. Sometimes
she doesn't want to walk."
As Brian demonstrates, leading Jade, the calf jerks away and
bucks.
"But by the time the fair comes, she could be the most docile
one," said Brian. "That's happened before."
For the past two weeks, Brent, Kelly and Brian have come to the
farm every day for two to three hours to train the animals, which
will be judged upon showmanship, cleanliness and trimming. All
those hours of preparation culminate in what turns out to be
just a few minutes of presentation before the judges.
"It takes about fifteen minutes for the first round for
all animals in the category," said Brian.
After four years of competing, Brent is accustomed to fair judging
and has honed his skills.
"Brent has done well in the past and taken pointers that
will hopefully benefit him this year," said Brian.
Blue ribbons aside, the experience of 4-H is unmatchable, believes
Brian.
"The kids take a lot of pride in their projects and you
see that. They enjoy it and learn so much. You can read about
it in books, but until you work with these animals you don't
really know what it's like," he said.
While Brent's ultimate goal is to bring his steer to the state
fair and meet other 4-Hers from around Minnesota, he says he
doesn't mind the daily trips to the farm, even though it's hard
work.
"It's pretty fun out here. Otherwise if you're home, you're
on the computer or watching TV," said Brent.
Working with one animal for so many weeks, attachment is inevitable.
"They're like pets away from home," explained Brent.
"Once these animals get to know you, they will come up to
you and want to be petted. That's how tame they are," said
Brian.
The Connors first became involved with 4-H four years ago when
they learned of the newly-formed Winona River City 4H Club from
their neighbor, Ann Lubinski, key leader.
Ann's daughters, Maggie, 14, and Jordan, 12, will compete with
seven dairy steers they purchased from funds raised through the
4-H auction and two mini-lops rabbits. The Lubinskis' steers
also live at the Verthien farm.
"We go there every day, sometimes twice a day," said
Maggie, who won at the state fair last year with a dairy steer.
"Taking care of the animals keeps us busy. It's a lot of
hard work but a lot of fun."
Maggie's steer is James, weighing in at 1,198 pounds. Her two-year-old
rabbits, raised at home in Winona, are named Snicker and Skipper.
"Meeting new people," is Maggie's favorite part of
her involvement in 4-H. She also cites "getting away from
all the noise in the city," as a good reason to visit her
animals.
Jordan, who is eligible for state fair competition for the first
time this year as she enters seventh grade, said she enjoys going
to the state fair to "see a lot of people from around Minnesota."
Her red steer, Rusty, and one-horned steer, Dalton, will compete,
as will a calf named Sadie.
Jordan's only regret about 4-H, she says, is "I wish I would
have joined 4-H earlier."
The girls' mother, Ann, said 4-H provides quality family time
and teaches kids self-confidence.
"It's the time you spend together as a family," she
said. "It's a time we can talk without interruptions. Families
don't have that much anymore. You learn from each other. And
they learn leadership skills. The older kids help out the younger
kids. I think they've become better citizens by being involved
in community projects. When I see them up there showing their
animals, it makes me proud."
Even though these kids don't live on a farm, their enthusiasm
for the animals is apparent.
"I think the farm families are surprised at how eager and
willing they are to do things like shovel manure," said
Ann.
Whether they live on a farm or in the city, 4-H kids will come
together the first week of July to compete, laugh, talk and get
to know each other as they share their animals with the community.
Both the Connors and Lubinskis said their participation in 4-H
would not be possible without the generosity of the Verthien
family, to whom they extend a heartfelt thanks.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of 4-H, special centennial
4-H displays will be shown in the center of the fair's 4-H building,
said Janet Beyer, 4-H program extension educator. A guest book
for current and past 4-H members to sign will be available, and
alumni 4-H members may pick up a centennial ribbon.
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Winona Native to Unveil New CD
at Entertainment Sports
by Christina Eberhard
A 20-year-old Winona woman made her second appearance in Winona
District Court Friday facing one felony count of drug possession.
An omnibus hearing was set.
Heather Rossin was also charged with third degree DWI, open bottle,
possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding when she was stopped
by an officer on April 28, 2001.
According to a criminal complaint, Rossin failed field sobriety
tests administered at the scene. Behind the driver's seat, officers
found a brass pipe smelling of burnt marijuana and an open can
of beer. Three white pills, determined to be a schedule III controlled
substance by the Minnesota Bureau of Crime Apprehension, were
found in the vehicle's center console, the complaint states.
Charged with one fifth degree felony count of a controlled substance
violation, Rossin faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000
fine. She was released on her own recognizance. Her omnibus hearing
was set for Aug 8.
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Winona man killed in La Crosse
high speed chase
Claude Grant Pettus, 19, Winona, was killed Friday when his
motorcycle struck a vehicle at an uncontrolled intersection on
the north side of La Crosse following a high speed chase with
police.
According to La Crosse police reports, Pettus allegedly committed
several traffic violations near West Avenue and La Crosse Street.
An officer pursued the motorcycle until it collided with the
car at Campbell Street and Loomis Street, resulting in a fire.
Police later determined the motorcycle to be stolen from Winona.
Pettus' identity was not known until Sunday morning when confirmed
using photographs contributed by his sister, according to a statement
issued by Lt. Robert Berndt.
Investigation of the accident is underway by La Crosse police
and the Wisconsin State Patrol
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Blair women killed in rollover
accident
A 21-year-old Blair, Wis., woman was killed Monday in a rollover
accident on U.S. Highway 53 at Torpen Road in the Town of Hale.
Rachel Nordby was identified as the driver of the vehicle by
the Trempealeau County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's report
indicates Nordby was ejected from the vehicle after her 1994
Geo Tracker first struck a northbound guard rail, rolled and
skidded, striking the southbound guard rail on Highway 53. The
accident occurred at 2:50 a.m.
Nordby was pronounced dead at the scene by the Trempealeau County
coroner. The accident is still under investigation.
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Jail inmate suing county for
injury
by Christina Eberhard
A personal injury lawsuit filed June 5 by a Winona County
Jail inmate seeks in excess of $50,000 after he allegedly fell
out of bed in his cell while intoxicated.
Jean Judge, the inmate, filed suit against Sheriff Dave Brand
and Winona County for "severe and permanent injury"
sustained on Dec. 16, 2000, when a deputy placed him in the top
bunk of his cell. According to the court complaint, an intoxilizer
test administered to Judge just prior to the fall from his bunk
indicated his blood alcohol level to be at 0.21.
Judge is seeking compensation for "pain and suffering, lost
wages, medical and chiropractic expense," as well as future
compensation and other damages.
According to documents filed by Judge's attorney, Ross Phelps,
La Crescent, "the defendants breached their duty to the
plaintiff and failed to protect the plaintiff while he was incarcerated,"
when they "delayed unreasonably in obtaining medical attention
for the plaintiff thereby aggravating his injuries."
The county was served with papers Monday. Roger L. Rowlette,
Minneapolis, attorney for the county, has 20 days to respond
to the allegations.
.
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Living Proof tour in Lewiston
Phil and Pam Morgan Living Proof tour will present a concert
of southern gospel music on Sunday, July 21, 7:30pm at St Paul's
UCC/ELCA in Lewiston, Mn. This free concert is sponsored by the
Lewiston Ministerial Association. St Paul's church is located
at 100 Fremont Street in Lewiston. For further informatin contact
Sue at 507-523-3117 or Pastor Roy at 507-523-2643.
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Bunke family reunion
The annual "Bunke Family Reunion" will be held at
Creekside Park in Rushford at noon on Sunday July 14, 2002 .
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Habitat seeking families
Habitat for Humanity -- Winona County is planning an upcoming
build in Winona, and is currently looking for a potential homeowner
family to partner with. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit,
ecumenical, grassroots, Christian organization, dedicated to
eliminating poverty housing. Habitat partners with homeowner
families, the members of the local community, and volunteers
to build simple, decent, affordable houses. The houses are sold
to those in need at no profit, through no-interest loans.
To qualify for a Habitat home, families must currently live in
substandard housing, be unable to obtain a conventional loan
from a bank, have the resources to pay a monthly mortgage and
be willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Before moving
into a Habitat home, families must contribute 300 hours of "sweat-equity"
to the building of the home and must make a modest down payment.
Anyone who is interested is urged to apply. Applications are
available from the Habitat for Humanity -- Winona County office,
by writing to PO Box 1183, Winona, MN 55987, or by calling (507)
457-0003. More information is available by e-mail: info@habitatwinona.org
or visit our website at www.habitatwinona.org
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D.A.R.E. pool party
All 5th grade D.A.R.E. Graduates from 2002 are invited to
the Winona Aquatic Center for the 2002 D.A.R.E. POOL PARTY. The
event will be on Saturday, June 29, from 7PM until 9PM. This
event is free for the graduates, and will include games and munchies.
Rain make-up date is set for Sunday, June 30, 7PM to 9PM.
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Fourth of July ice cream social
at Old Main, Galesville
The Garden of Eden Preservation Society is having an ice cream
social at the Historic Old Main Building on the former Gale College
Campus, from 12:30 to 3:30 on the afternoon of July 4th. The
public is invited to explore the old stone building, one of Wisconsin's
very first incorporated Universities, to have an ice cream cone,
popcorn, or pop and learn about the restoration project which
is now underway.
A croquet game will be set up on the expansive lawn, and musical
entertainment will be provided. According to the society's Vice
President Wade Britzius "this will be a wonderful opportunity
to soak up the old-fashioned flavor of an ice cream social, and
learn more about the transformation of the building into the
Old Main Historical and Community Arts Center. We invite people
to stop in after they've had their chicken dinner provided by
the Galesville Lions Club down at Reception Park."
Old Main is located on Galesville's West end at 20869 S. 12th
Street.
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Old Village Hall to open July
4
Buffalo City - Cochrane Area Historical Society is pleased
to annouce the Grand Opening of the Old Village Hall on July
4th. The Village Hall is now located at Goose Lake Park in Cochrane
between the pool and the VFW.
Restoration is nearly complete. Many articles of the past will
be on display. Stop and visit us during the 4th of July celebration.
A member of the Society will be on hand to assist or answer any
questions.
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