January may be known as the start of the new year -- and a time for making resolutions -- but for me it means PENNSYLVANIA FARM SHOW time!!
This year's Farm Show opens Saturday and runs until Jan. 14 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
This year's huge butter sculpture was revealed today, and here is a shot that was provided by the Farm Show. It's very different from sculptures I've seen in past years, so I'm withholding judgment on it for now. I'm used to seeing huge sculpted animals and people, so this is quite the change.
This was part of last year's butter sculpture at the 100th Pennsylvania Farm Show. Yes, just a part of the sculpture. It truly was amazing!
I love the Farm Show, and it was great to be part of last year's 100th celebration by entering some photos -- and winning best of show! My daughter also won several honorable mentions!
But the true fun is just seeing all the different exhibits and sampling the wonderful food from Pennsylvania producers.
I adore the tractor square-dancing event, and am so glad that PCN covers the Farm Show from start to finish each year. That way I can see this event and snap some photos on the TV.
PCN is a fabulous resource if you can't get to Harrisburg to see the show. And in February, PCN covers Groundhog Day live from Punxsutawney.
But I digress... I hope to get to the Farm Show again this year. I didn't enter anything because of a few different reasons, but maybe next year.
This year would just be a year to nosh a bit, walk a lot and soak it all in.
So here's hoping. And I hope you'll get to enjoy the show -- either in person or by tuning in to PCN! And if you get to the show and are tweeting, @PAAgriculture asks that you use the hashtag #PAFS17 -- will do!
Many, many years ago, I was a 4-H member.
Not as many years ago, my daughter was a 4-H member.
So every year when August rolls around, we make sure to head out to the Montgomery County 4-H Fair on Route 113 in Skippack.
Here are just a few photos from opening night.
As you look at these, remember that the fair continues Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You can check out all the various projects completed by 4-H members, take in cattle shows, see the rabbits and guinea pigs, eat a part of the world's largest sausage patty and enjoy live music on Friday evening by the Daisy Jug Band.
Maybe you'll even be inspired to have your children join a club, or check out ways in which you can help the 4-H program.
It's a great event! If you want more information, check out the Montgomery County 4-H program website. Don't miss the fair!
As a former 4-H member … and mom of a former 4-H member… I love going to the Montgomery County 4-H Fair each year. This year's fair just ended, and I hope you were able to get to the 4-H Center in Skippack to check it out.
If not, make plans next August to be there. And if you have children ages 8 to 18, consider getting them into one or more of the many great programs that are offered.
Here are a few photos that capture just a taste of what the fair had to offer this year…
As someone who raised and showed dairy animals, I have a soft spot in my heart for them.
Here piggy, piggy
Loved the goats...
Veggie creations and exhibits, etc...
Food, of course, including the world's largest sausage patty … and turner!
Furry friends...
Yep, a good time was had by all!
Cleaning out a basement is something like an archaeological dig.
There's plenty of dirt and debris, and every now and then you unearth a real gem.
It's embarrassing to say that, after filling up a dumpster, we're still at work on this project.
But such is life after keeping far too many things throughout a lifetime, storing items after my parents died and having my daughter move back into the house years ago.
But one "interesting" find was "The Inside Story," a company newsletter from February 1976, back when The Reporter was known as the North Penn Reporter. Yes, I worked there back then, having retired as editor of The Reporter at the end of 2011.
Anyone recognize anyone here?
It's noted in the newsletter that the photo won first prize in the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association competition for Planned Classified Campaigns and had been used in The Reporter as an ad promoting "Golden Oldies" in the classified section and was organized by the "classified girls."
If anyone knows Helen Harlow Schwartz, Diana Augustine or Harry Wurster, go ahead and rib them about this photo!
But I can't ignore my own "winning" photo. I'm not sure what year this photo was shot, but I must have been in junior high school. My 4-H entry at the annual Montgomery County 4-H livestock show won grand champion that year.
Yep, that's me ... go ahead and laugh!
