A32—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 15,1981
Ready to run Dale Balmer demonstrations the two-finger
style of milking, with a stance that keeps him well out of range
of a well-aimed foot.
Troy Bucher puts his mind to milking this high volume
“And they said this was going to be a piece of cake.” Alan
Balmer appears to be looking for some advice on just what to
do next.
Ed Kegereis of R 2 Myerstown won the title
of champion bale thrower of the Lebanon Fair
Lebanon 9 s
is farmers 9 fun fair
LEBANON —Although there is a
lot of serious competition between
fanners during the Lebanon Area
Fair who has the best hay, com,
cows, hogs, goats, lambs, and
steers there is always time for
fun.
At this year’s Fun Night, held
Tuesday evening m between the
raindrops, farmers could match
their skills and 'show off’ for a
crowd of admiring city cousins on
just how a good Lebanon County
farmer can hoist a straw bale, spit
tobacco, milk a cow, dress a calf,
and haul a load in a wheel barrow.
The kids got the first crack at the
fun, to the delight of fanners and
spectators, alike, as they tugged
and pulled an array of costumes
over the spindly, uncooperative
joints and limbs of bewildered
dairy calves. Winning the event by
crowd consensus in the 8-12 age
group were Kathy Mase and An
drea Wampler of Lebanon.
Although their calf spent most of
its time on the ground, the girls
struggled to outfit it m a
cheerleaders costume, complete
with pompoms.
Lebanon County’s dairy prin
cess, Joanne Weidman, Lebanon
and partner Theresa Tyson,
Palmyra, captured the crowd’s
enthusiastic approval for their
comical clown calf. The calf’s
outfit was perfection from the
tip of its hat to its floppy shoes. The
dairy princess created the 'calf
original’.
Others competing m the calf
dressing contest included: Laura
Harding and Krista Hetnck;
Wesley Harding and Matthew
Hetrick; and Marlin and Marilyn
Deaven.
As the calves exited the dairy
tent for the safety of the bams,
four unsuspecting dairy cows were
led into the midst of hundreds of
spectators for the grueling hand
milking contest. Little did they
know they were in for an old
fashioned tug ’o war.
Youngsters and older folks who
probably should have known better
took up their pails to test their
manual dexterity against the clock
and the ever-challenging power to
'let-or-not-let down’ that is the
whim of every dairy cow.
In a sheer display of skill, Bob
Bomberger captured the blue
ribbon in the 18 & Under contest,
followed by Troy Bucher, Brian
Adley, Allen Balmer, and Tony
Bucher.
For those in the 19 & Older
division, there was an obvious line
of demarcation between the
trained and untrained hand.
Taking first place with the most
milk in the pail was Luke Hagy,
followed by Ruben Houser, Connie
te secoi
consecutive year.
Hoffer, Ernest Koons, and project a streak (but usually
‘Skillful’ Miller. spray) of brown juice. This wasn’t
Even before all the ribbons were a contest for the spectator with a
handed out, farmers and spec- weak stomach,
tators headed over for the In the end, the Lebanon County
unrivaled event, the tobacco chewers were bested by a neigb
spittmg contest where some of the boring Lancaster County chewer
counties best showed just how far
and how accurately they could
“Oh, what those two-legged creatures won't do for a good
laugh. Dressing me up in this crazy clown costume is the
craziest thing Joanne, who represents me as a princess, has
done, yet.”
"Now what’s Theresa looking for? Uh oh she’s going for
those rings of plastic. They wouldn't dare."
‘‘Why would anyone want to hide this adorable face un
derneath all that stuff? I guess it's all part of being a clown.
Just so this doesn't get back to my barn pals. I'll be glad when
Joanne's reign is over or I grow up, whichever comes first.”
(Turn to Page A 33)