Below are Whiteside County Fair interviews of Tuesday, August 16, 2022. All towns are in Illinois unless noted.
Hannah Vander Molen of Morrison was the first youngster to win a blue, Trek Precaliber, trail bicycle. Her name was drawn and announced over the speaker system; within seconds, she and her father hurried into the office of the Secretary. Six-year-old Hannah is a “rising” first grader at Northside Elementary, who would start school the next day. She was assisted in writing the traditional thank you note to her donor, Craft Magic. Hannah stated she has a Princess Elsa-themed bike, but it “is getting smaller.” Parents Jennifer and Craig are pictured with their lucky daughter, Hannah Vander Molen.
Whiteside County Sheriff John Booker was gratified to bring an impressive, new exhibit to the Sheriff’s Office dsplay. The grand, rolling, command center belongs to the Illinois Office of Homeland Security Illinois Terrorism Task Force. Inside is a well-equipped space to meet with staff or conduct Law Enforcement procedures. Surveilance cameras on mounted on top.
For the first time, Lennie Bertrand from Watseka displayed a pair of appealing Fair attractions: pony rides and a petting zoo. Bertrand’s Horse Ranch was the enterprise of Lennie and his late wife, Neena, who passed away seven years ago this month. In Illinois and Indiana, he continues the business at auctions, company picnics, fairs, festivals, and picnics. Various clean and contented mammals with soft fibers were available for riding or petting: miniature horses and donkeys; an African Zebu calf; a white mountain sheep; sleek 4-horn sheep; rabbits; a llama; Lennie’s pet cat. Bertrand breeds and raises Zebu cattle, the oldest cattle breed in the world. They are used for milk, meat, labor, and plowing. Notice its shoulder hump. He has cups of animal feed to purchase and western hats to sell. With years of experience behind him, Bertrand assessed the local fair, stating enthusiastically, “This is an A+ fair!”
WHOA (White Oaks Therapeutic Equestrian Center) of Morrison is located in the General Store vender booth, outside the grandstand on the north face. This is useful information, because their venue sells canned pop and bottled water at the cheapest prices on the grounds. Beverages are $1; giant, frozen squeeze pops are $2. The booth sells candles and 2021 Sesquicentennial t-shirts for $10 each; $5 seat cushions; koozies; colorful 2020 and 2021 tractor plaques. Purchase Raffle Tickets to support WHOA student scholarships ($5 each or three tickets for $10.) The drawing is Friday, August 19, at 5:00 p.m., but the single winner need not be present to win. Three items include a patio-size Dynatrap Insect Trap; Pit Boss Table Top Griddle; Griddle Accessories. Volunteers left-to-right are Danielle Decker, who sang the “Star-Spangled Banner” to open Next Level Pro Bull Riding that evening; ten-year-old daughter Reece, a “rising” 5th grader at Southside School; Carol Stichter.
