×

Youth making a positive difference

I am always impressed when young people of the community do things to help others or to improve themselves. I have seen it through the many 4-H programs; FFA at Edison and Harrison Central; Smithfield baseball and softball teams; and Kara’s Kids, a program through the Brightway Center.

The Boots ‘n’ Britches 4-H Club marches in parades and took part in the Memorial Day service. Town and Country 4-H provided assistance with the Friends of Smithfield pasta benefit dinner and helped beautify the bank of flags at the fairgrounds last year. Windy Ridge 4-H rode in the Adena Memorial Day parade on a very hot day and do so in Harrisville as well. Liberty Gals and Guys 4-H sends cards to veterans, makes baskets for shut-ins and collects items for the Ronald McDonald House. Country Shamrocks 4-H goes to nursing homes. The Purple Circle 4-H Club plants flowers at spots in East Springfield, and many clubs make attractive flower beds at the Jefferson County Fair.

The Smithfield Spartans and softball teams marched in the Memorial Day parade, and two young men raised the flag during the singing of the national anthem.

I can’t forget the Girl and Boy Scout troops who march in the parade, carrying a banner or flag. And they are present at the fair for the Monday opening ceremonies when a member is chosen to carry in a flag, be it the American flag, Ohio, Jefferson County or club designation.

The fair will have 4-H awards presentations at 6 p.m. today for those who worked hard on their projects and a style show of fashions to follow. These fashions were made by members, and some of the participants have received state honors.

Edison FFA raises money for different charities with its tractor show, Chinese auction and food stand. Harrison Central holds an auction where members volunteer to work on a farm or homestead for a day when a bid is made for their services.

Kara’s Kids were organized when the Brightway Center opened outside of Smithfield. Cathy Takach leads the group that helps in relays, makes up baskets for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day to sell for funds to help others and is always on hand to help when the annual tea is held.

You will see many of these young people with livestock projects, working animal shows, running errands, cleaning barns and washing or brushing animals this week.

There also is the Fair Queen Luncheon on Monday at 2:30 p.m. This was started by Denise Rinkes, who had two daughters as fair queens and a son as prince. She invited queens, kings, princesses and princes from other counties to attend as well as the county queen candidates who have high hopes but no idea if they will be wearing the crown after the evening coronation. The Rinkes gave out goodie bags to all who attended. Along with a lovely lunch, Denise makes the most wonderful peanut butter fudge.

The fair board, advisers and parents from royalty visiting from other counties are invited, and I am proud to say that I get an invitation each year, too. It is a nice luxurious touch before the fair begins, and Greg Froehlich has been serving the great luncheons.

Now for the tea that brought 48 ladies and their daughters together at Brightway Center. Cathy Takach and Christy Holmes put together some great programs. There was a skit, “A Day in the Life of a Mother,” performed by Kara’s Kids. Mike Ward, Christy’s dad, did a spin-off of Art Linkletter with the “Kids Say the Darnest Things” program. He interviewed five young people selected from the audience in his role as Bart Binkletter.

It was nice to see the love of two sisters when Debbie Wilson came up to sing and her sister, Cathy Takach, held the microphone, as Debbie couldn’t handle the song book and mic at the same time.

There was a dainty, teapot of hot water at each table and a wide selection of tea bags to brew the beverage in elegant china cups. Every table had its own tea pourer, and Betty Ruttencutter was ours.

Carolyn Rea, Debbie Wilson, Dorothy and Nola Toth, Betty and I sat together at a table.

I was lucky to have some boisterous fans when the decorated hat contest was held. I used a derby hat that had been in the closet for years, tucked my newspaper identification card, reporter’s tablet and pen in the band and went as a “pretend” reporter. Thanks to the loud cheers and clapping from our table, I was the winner, although there were some beautiful hats in the contest.

Nola Toth came through on the same cheering when the youngsters got up to parade around. Our table was very vocal again but not any more vocal than Kennedy Arnett’s table. She had on a floppy hat and looked quite adorable. This resulted in a tie, so both got gifts.

—–

With this being the end of summer and school not far behind, folks are preparing for Labor Day grilling for the last hurrah. But grilling will go on all through the fall and into the winter to be sure.

What is a cookout without some condiments?

National Mustard Day was celebrated Aug. 6. French’s called it “National Mustard Day Peace-Love-Mustard. They are the official sponsor of the 26th event and the National Mustard Museum Middleton, N.Y., where the admission is free.

French’s has launched the “We promise” seal on all bottles, promising real ingredients, great taste and only simple ingredients. They have a super yellow mustard with an extra kick of number 1 grade mustard seeds and more turmeric spice. And the other condiment that tops the popularity chart is ketchup and there is a new Buffalo Ketchup, having no high-fructose corn syrup but infused with red hot sauce.

In the event anyone wants to visit the National Mustard Museum it holds the largest collection of mustards in the world — 5,800. Can you imagine that?

Founder and curator Barry Levenson reminds food lovers that mustard is not only a versatile condiment but a healthy one, too, containing no more than 10 calories per serving and no fat or cholesterol.

(McCoy, a resident of Smithfield, is food editor and a staff columnist for the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times. She can be contacted at emccoy@heraldstaronline.com.)

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today