Swan River 4-H Club has strong showing at fair

By JACOB DORAN / Bigfork Eagle

Linda Stewart has seen her share of fairs. After all, she has been the organization leader for the Swan River 4-H Club for 25 years.

During that time, she has watched groups of 4-H children come and go, helping them develop new skills and refine existing ones, and then watching with a satisfying sense of pride and applauding them when they succeed.

Some years, she conceded, are better than others. And, while this was not the strongest year in terms of membership, it was certainly a good year in terms of performance.

"We have had as many as 50-60 kids," she said, explaining that the numbers rise and fall like the tide as older children move on and new groups come in to take their place. "Right now, we have 16 members, and we're starting with a fairly new group of kids."

With that in mind, she beamed with delight like a proud grandparent to report that the new kids on the block have already begun to shine.

"They did great," she said approvingly. "All of the projects, all of the beautiful things that they brought in, their attitudes, everything was wonderful. Even our float took second place among all the 4-H groups in our area. We also received a traveling trophy for our barn display and an award for keeping our pins so clean."

"The kids do really well, especially in the hog barns. The older kids have been really supportive of the younger ones, and that's what it's all about, too. They need everyone's support to be successful. The parents have been very supportive, as well, and a lot of the parents volunteer to be leaders."

Sure, every 4-H leader could say similar things about their group, but the list of ribbons and awards that the Swan River 4-H Club has to its credit for the 2008 Northwest Montana Fair speaks volumes for what was actually accomplished, both at the fair and during the year leading up to the fair.

Eleven-year-old Colton Woll of Bigfork, had his first showing this year with his hog Millie, who at six months old weighed in at 233 lbs. Woll said he's definitely caught the competition bug, adding that the two blue ribbons he now has under his belt have only fueled his desire to do better next year.

"4-H is great, because I like being involved in lots of things," he said. "You get to do lots of things that a lot of people wouldn't normally get to do. I like the competition at the fair, because I like to make stuff and I like to be judged. This is one of the chances you have to show your pig or other animals with other people."

For some, 4-H is a family affair. Charles and Nathaniel McAllister have two sisters, ages 20 and 21, who were involved in 4-H before them. When the two brothers expressed their own desire to be in 4-H, their parents wholly supported them.

Nathaniel, age 12, showed his steer at this year's fair for the second year. He was named Grand Champion Showman in the Junior Novice division for the one-and-a-half year-old 1,193 lbs. steer, which he named Cooter, while his older brother Charles, age 13, took Reserve Champion Showman with his 1,205 lbs. steer, Kokanee, placing sixth among the top 10.

"You learn a lot of responsibility," Nathaniel said. "You have to spend a lot of time working with your animal, and you have to get up early to feed them when school starts. You feed them twice a day and check on their water throughout the day, and you also have to brush and wash them when it gets warm. It's hard work, but then you get to the fair and you feel happy because you worked hard for this all year."

Charles and Nathaniel even built their own stall in the cattle and hog barn at the fair, to keep their steer separate from the others and show them off. They built the stall out of wood they collected with their father, putting about seven hours into the project between preparing the wood, building and setting up the stall.

Kate Lamm, one of the older members of Swan River 4-H, also had a strong showing this year, in addition to the leadership role she assumed by helping the other kids in the club. At 16 years old, she has been a member for seven years and has shown a hog for the past six, as well as competing in cooking and Youth Speaks, which is similar to speech and debate.

This year, she was awarded Grand Champion Senior Showman, along with a blue ribbon for her hog, an achievement she attributed largely to the work ethic she acquired in 4-H.

"I like the work ethic 4-H instills in kids at a young age," Lamm said. "You learn how to win and how to lose, how to be frustrated and still be in control. You learn to be committed to something but still love what you do. You learn how to work hard and you get to see the rewards of what you've done. It's so good to see all the little kids grow up and all the experience 4-H gives them.

"Most kids in school don't realize how hard you have to work and how perfect it has to be. It really builds confidence and it gives you a lot of pride in what you do. This is a family heritage for me, and it's very fun to continue that tradition."

The impressive list of Swan River awards is as follows:

Cody Johnson received two blue ribbons for his hog, as well as one blue and one red ribbon for woodworking. Bailey Johnson received two blue ribbons for her hog and one blue ribbon in the horseless horse category.

Bucky Nelson won two ribbons for his hog, as well as a blue ribbon in the wildlife category. Michaela Nelson also won two blue ribbons for her hog and a blue ribbon in foods.

Kate Lamm received a blue ribbon for her hog, a red ribbon in foods and was named Grand Champion Senior Showman. Logan Lamm received two blue ribbons for his hog and a third blue ribbon in arts and crafts.

Colton Woll won two blue ribbons for his hog. Kassie Rost won two blue ribbons for her hog and a blue ribbon in shooting sports.

Charles McAllister was named Reserve Showman for his steer and placed sixth, earning himself a purple ribbon. Nate McAllister took one blue ribbon for his steer and was named Grand Champion Showman.

Lisa Jorgenson took two blue ribbons in the foods category and was awarded best of show for her cake.

Melissa Maitland received one blue ribbon in the horseless horse category, two blue ribbons in foods and was also named for best exhibit in beginning foods. Damon Maitland received a blue ribbon in shooting sports.

Megan Paulson took one blue ribbon in foods, while Glen Paulson took one red ribbon for foods, as well a blue ribbon in the beefless beef category. Jackson Wynn took two blue ribbons and two red ribbons in woodworking.

Angelica Curtis received a blue ribbon in foods, as well as one blue ribbon and two red ribbons in quilting. Jackson Wynn was awarded two blue ribbons and two red ribbons in woodworking.