Somerset County Lamb And Wool Queen
Conquers Shyness To Promote Industry
GAY BROWNLEE
Somerset Co. Correspondent
GLENCOE (Somerset Co.)
Deidra Smith, the Somerset
County Lamb and Wool Queen,
believes when you discover a
weakness in yourself the only
way to deal with it, is turn it into
a strength.
That is how she is conquering
the nerves of speaking in public
and doing a 360-degree rotation
from once being a bashful and
shy child. Inheriting the respon
sibilities of her title pushed her
toward changing. In 4-H state
events, instead of an area where
she was totally competent sew
ing she opted, instead, to com
pete in public speaking, forcing
personal growth through an ex
perience guaranteed to refine
communication skills.
Backdropped by mountains, the Smiths’
three acres are home for raising four Ten
nessee Walker horses, three breeding sheep,
six head of Limousin cattle, and two goats.
Lambs became a delight to
Smith when she was little more
than a lambkin herself and cared
for, while her mother worked
parttime, by neighbors who
raised the woolly creatures.
“It all started when our neigh
bors babysat me and had a small
flock of sheep,” said Smith. “I
knew when I was real little that I
wanted to join 4-H, and I had my
first lamb when I was nine.”
She recalls how little knowl
edge she had at the outset. “I
showed up in shorts, T-shirt and
tennis shoes,” she recalled. “I re
alized after that you don’t show
up in shorts, T-shirt and tennis
shoes. You want to show up
looking your best and trying to
look professional.’
Smith is the president of the
White Oak 4-H club and corre
Mahoning
Outdoor Furnaces
IRKS FOR
FURTHER THAN
HERE!
WOOD - COAL -
WASTE 0
Mahoning Outdoor Furnaces
1 -800-692-5200
www rnahonmgoutdoorfurnace com
Dealerships Available in some areas
spending secretary of 4-H Coun
ty Council. Thoughtful friends
who wanted to see young Smith
succeed, after the initial painful
experience, offered helpful tips
and were encouraging, she said.
The next time, Smith went into
the show ring as a much more
confident youngster, she was
decked out in leather shoes,
jeans, and a button shirt tucked
in.
“I really grew in the knowl
edge of lambs and learned how
to pick a market lamb and judge
its value as a market animal.”
Smith said.
At 6:30 a.m., in the Northamp
ton Township log house where
she lives. Smith is preparing for
classes at the Berlin-Brothersval
ley High School where she is a
junior. That early in the day she
is spared having to tend the ani
mals; however, she is responsible
for evening feedings and exercis
ing the livestock, thus giving her
parents, Dwight and Gail Smith,
a break.
“I don’t worry about feeding
animals in the morning, but
when I get home at 3:45 I try to
do homework and then spend
time with the animals,” said the
composed young woman.
Depending on the movements
of wildlife in the vicinity of their
rustic home, a deer, even a black
bear, might be spotted some
where on the very scenic moun
tainside.
On three acres the Smith live
stock is comprised of four Ten
nessee Walker horses, the three
breeding sheep they are using to
start their own flock, six head of
3 YEAR
ALL MODEI
STANDARD MOI
WOOD -C
MULTI-FUEL MOI
SAFER! LESS CHANCE OF HOME FIRE
Limousin cattle and two goats
belonging to Smith’s sister, Kel
sie, a 7th grader.
A favorite family outing, the
daughter says is an afternoon
spent with dad, mom and her sis
ter on a 10-mile ride with the
horses.
“I am a very hard worker and
set goals,” Smith says about her
self. “I like to associate with peo
ple who have a lot in common
with me, although, not necessari
ly my views.”
She is excited about participat
ing in the Make It Yourself With
Wool Pennsylvania Competition.
Smith is a junior division entrant
and anticipates meeting new
people from around the state.
The event is in the meeting
rooms at Boscovs department
store. Following the lunch break,
contestants will model their fash
ions in a public fashion show on
the Boscovs stage, the Galleria
Mall in Johnstown, Cambria
County.
Unlike making a public ad
dress, which puts butterflies in
her stomach, Smith says she en
joys modeling. “Speaking in
front of a crowd bothers me, but
not modeling,” she reports.
In addition to 4-H commit
ments, Smith considers lamb and
wool promotions a priority over
sports and other activities.
Smith wants to do whatever
she can do to awaken public
knowledge and awareness about
the value and importance of
lamb and wool products. She
said that most people are igno
rant that many small items they
use everyday have been derived
from sheep.
Lamb is tasty, if you purchase
the tender cuts from a reliable
grocer or trusted market or per
son who raises lambs, because
the meat is very different tasting
than mutton imported from
other countries.
Smith recommends the follow
ing simple recipe that is one of
her own favorites.
EFFICIENCY RATING
83% TO 85%
Deidra Smith, the Somerset County Lamb and Wool
Queen, developed an affinity for iambs at an early age.
Since then she has learned to pick a market lamb and
judge its value as a market animal.
LAMB SPREAD cocktail sauce.
Saute one pound ground lamb Chill. Garnish with fresh dill
until done. weed or parsley.
Blend together with 12-ounces Serve with crackers,
cream cheese and 2 tablespoons
Conservancy To Host Fall Hike
BRICKERVILLE (Lancaster
Co.) Join naturalist Joy Howell
on a two hour hike through
Rannels-Kettle Run Nature Pre
serve to experience The Conser
vancys northern most property
in Lancaster County. This
82-acre preserve, situated just
northwest of Brickerville and
adjoining State Game Lands
#156, was gifted to the non-prof
Lancaster Arming, Saturday, October 21, 2000-B9
it conservation organization in
1998 by the Donald Rannels
family. The Horseshoe Trail
runs along the top of the proper
ty, from where there are pano
ramic views to the south over
looking Rapho and Elizabeth
Townships agricultural lands.
There is a breathtaking vista of
Schaefferstown in Lebanon
County looking north. At the
preserves southern
boundary, a small trib
utary to Hammer
Creek, known as Ket
tle Run, meanders
through the woods.
At the Rannels-Ket
tle Run Nature Pre
serve, visitors will find
a fine example of a
mixed hardwood for
est consisting of Amer
ican beech, tulip pop
lar, black birch, and
oaks with underlying
mountain laurel, witch
hazel, spicebush and
viburnum. Bird life in
cludes wood thrush,
veery, scarlet tanagers
and ovenbirds. The
hike is schedule for
Saturday, November 4
beginning at 9:00 a.m.
The cost of the event is
$5 per person, how
ever it is free to Con
servancy members. All
participants must pre
register with The Con
servancy by Wednes
day, November 1 by
calling (717) 392-7891.
The hike will be
limited to 30 attend
ees.