Slight Detour: Fair Potpourri

A newly minted retiree, spaghetti-eating 4-H'er, former student, colleague and longtime friend: that's how I describe Tom Albertson, who recently retired as Lake Pend Oreille School District 84 superintendent.

Yesterday Tom sat with his mom Terri and sister Nani at the fat steer quality competition.

Great to see them all, and see you, Tom, at the SHS "Ha-Ha, We Don't Have to Go to School" retired faculty party.

And, by golly, there's a lady sitting behind the Alberstons who used to spend much of her time managing the fair: Lynnette Rembowski and her hubby.

She wears 4-H earrings AND she embodies all that 4-H is about: amazing young lady.

CayliJo won rabbit fitting and showing yesterday at the fair.

Truly a great all-around example of what 4-H does for kids and what kids do with 4-H.

Call it serendipitous.

Gabe's grandmother Sue came over to visit with me while I was watching some classes of swine fitting and showing yesterday.

And, by golly, her grandson won one of the classes.

Nice visiting with Sue; nice for Gabe too.

I knew Tony when he was a young cop.

He's put in a career, working in law enforcement, both at the city and the county. And, he's every bit as nice as he was way back when.

Great to see him yesterday at the fair.

Boots were made for walking, and there is definitely a lot of walking at the Bonner County Fair.

My 75-year-old knees can attest to that.

Melissa is a former student and an active, upbeat parent in Gold n' Grouse 4-H activities.

I know this young man's name is William. I watched with amazement as he gave the spiel about all the features available at his booth.

It was serious business for William, to say the least.

Could be he'll go into sales some day.

Why should Nick receive grand champion rabbit showman at the 2022 Bonner County Fair?

"It's my last year of showing," he told the judge.

Well, Nick earned reserve champ in a very impressive competition.

I had never watched rabbit fitting and showing until yesterday.

Between the passionate and charismatic judge and the amazing knowledge and performance of the competitors, I think rabbit fitting and showing is one of the more delightful and fun aspects I've ever seen at the fair.

Kids are happy, the rabbits are generally happy and the judge was fully engaged in ensuring that each competitor had a positive experience.

Alison, on the left, learned about horses and especially how to judge horses from my sisters, Barbara and Laurie.

She now practices law in Sandpoint.

Pearl, on the right, is the daughter of one of Alison's best friends.

When Pearl joined Clover Leafs, a preliminary to 4-H and took the rabbit project, Alison turned the tables and did a little teaching of her own.

She knew nothing about rabbits but went to meetings and learned.

Having known Alison since she wasn't much older than Pearl, it was pure delight to watch the grown-up mentor advise her young friend who competed in her first rabbit showing contest yesterday.

Pearl had quite a contingent of fans as yesterday's rabbit show at the fair.

New surgeon in town.

F. Ames Smith, Jr. M.D., orginally from Houston, most recently Seattle, specializes in breast cancer surgery and hereditary cancer risk.

He has a Physicians Specialists Northwest booth at the fair.

Yes, Steve, I'll write in your name for Idaho State Senator, District 1.

Steve Johnson is a retired educator, Bonner County native and very thoughtful, sensible, informed citizen.

He deserves our vote, and we deserve to have him representing us in the Idaho State Legislature.

It's always nice to see Wood family patriarch and matriarch, Jim and Virginia at the fair.

They've probably attended more Bonner County fairs than anyone else.