FALL FAIR Round Up

By Tony Threlfall

This Year's Fall Fair theme, Poultry In Motion, was probably the most, and best incorporated theme in recent memory. Chicks, chickens, roosters, eggs, and feathers were seen in virtually every category. There was a scare crow entry that literally stole the show. It was a large chicken, standing about 4 feet
tall, whose head bobbed and wings flapped when switched on. The hen sported it's own solar panel( organic chicken ??) and was certainly a hit with everyone, especially the kids. Director Paul Minvielle had a great time inviting all the youngsters to have a visit with the chicken and to flip the switch.
This was a very difficult year for the Horticulture sections. The early, hot and dry summer, wasn't conducive to the usual large number of floral entries. Dahlias did well and contributed a colourful show. Andrea's section was, as usual, outstanding considering the limitations mother nature imposed.
Fruit and vegetables suffered from the early season as well. Although most of the categories were represented, the volume of entries wasn't as large as in a normal year. That being said, the “ Family Garden” entry submitted by Mike and Marjorie Lane from Ruckle Farm certainly didn't suffer from the drought. It was, in a word, spectacular. Well done !! Junior Horticulture, as usual, put on a wonderful display, despite the fact that they had the same problems as their senior mentors.
Once again, the Poultry theme was more than evident in the Needlework sections. Chickens appeared all through the various sections, both junior and adult. A most impressive display of quilts , knitting and embroidery. As always, a very colourful and well displayed section. Speaking of colourful, the baking section was spectacular. Poultry was certainly in Motion with the cake decorating artists. As usual, all entries were a gourmands delight. The preserves section was well represented and was one of the few sections that may have benefited from the early season.
Hobby Arts and Photography sections were again one of the highlights of the Fair. The coordinators of these two sections do an exceptional job of displaying the sometimes difficult submissions. It's fun to wander through these section and see excited young people viewing their work and enjoying the fact that their efforts are being displayed for all to see and admire.
In the Annex, the craft sections all had great displays and the section coordinators presented working displays of the various arts and crafts. The Basketry and Pottery Guilds also provided instruction areas for children which proved to be very popular. Lots of colourful healthy roosters and verdant farms were featured in the Painters Guild display. The painters also had an artist doing demo painting.
The Poultry building was, as one would imagine, given the Fair Theme, the highlight of the barn areas. Co-ordinator Mike Hogan and his crew outdid themselves in their presentation. Mike's large hanging chicken display where everyone, especially kids, could tug on a rope and have all the represented chickens busy pecking away. The brooder, with baby chicks hatching, was another super feature.
Undoubtedly, one of the real hits of the Fair were the chicken races. Seeing 3 adult handlers on their hands and knees “egging” on their rooster to win the race was a crowd pleaser....the cries of more, were heard at every outing. There seemed to be fewer entries in the livestock barn, but the animals that were shown were all quality specimens. Of special interest, considering the theme was the Rooster Crowing Contest. Arthur Black was the host and emcee for this prestigious event. The winner this year, with a really healthy cockle-doodle-doo was a lady. Word is that she practiced diligently all year in preparation !! As usual, the 4-H group outdid themselves and presented a quality representation of their year's activities. They featured lots of well behaved and trained chickens, bunnies, sheep and their photography exhibit.
Needless to say, the Zucchini races maintained their magnetism for the crowd,,,,you could hear the roars as people cheered for their racer of choice. One added feature, John Pottinger, the emcee for the original races several years ago, made an unexpected visit to the Fair and took a turn at the microphone. Nice to see and hear John !!
The sheep in the neighbouring field, which performed for Mike and Marjorie Lane and their superbly trained sheep dogs, seemed unaffected by all the noise from the Zucchini races and went about their business of challenging the dogs. Fortunately, these well trained sheep dogs triumphed at every outing and the sheep were successfully penned. Right next door to the sheep dogs, another troop of super intelligent canines went about their business of Dog Agility. Again an outstanding demonstration and very entertaining.
Rod Bailey and his crew put on another great display with their restored farm equipment and machinery. Of particular interest was the threshing display and people always seem drawn to the antique tractors. A new feature this year was the operational restored sawmill. Really interesting to see a perfect maple board appear from an otherwise nondescript muddy old log. These gents seem to be getting more and more of these antique machines restored and the interest by the public never wanes.
The Blacksmiths were busy all weekend, in their new home, displaying all of their techniques in this, one of the oldest surviving trades. Their area seemed to be constantly crowded with appreciative audiences.
The first building as you enter the grounds is the Bittancourt Museum. This year we were showing off the new addition to the building which allowed for a much expanded display of the history of Salt Spring Island and how we got to this point. Two large murals, painted by Alfred Temmel, illustrated some aspects of early life on the Island.
Top all of the above off with the best 2 days of music from the stage ever, 20 or more vendors providing an outstanding array of international food types, a beer garden featuring local beer, ale and wine, vendors telling their story or presenting unusual merchandise to see and purchase and you've seen the results of months of planning and hard work. Another great Fall Fair and so

SALT SPRING ISLAND 4H COMMUNITY CLUB

by Loretta Rithaler
The Salt Spring Island 4H Community Club was extremely busy preparing their lambs and other projects (Rabbit and Photography) for the fair season. So much work goes into the preparations and this year the members learned about the realities of arranging for transport of animals (that are bigger than poultry and rabbits) as well as the special care that sheep require for showmanship competitions.

The Sheep Project (all 8 members of our 4H Club) learned to fit their project animals for show. This includes bathing, drying, clipping, shaping, health checks, hoof trimming, etc. There was so much to learn but the members were eager to do so and achieved great success in such a short time.

In July and August, the members benefitted greatly from the assistance of our former Club president and current Saanich Sheep project leader, Rosalie Beaudoin. Rosalie gave freely of her time and knowledge to help our members become familiar with requirements for show, health and conformation of their project animal, and care and husbandry tips and techniques. It was fabulous and the experience of learning to “do by doing” was truly visible during these outings.

On August 21st, the the entire club travelled to Pender Island to participate in the August 22nd Pender Fair Animal Display. A former 4H Leader, Barb Grimmer, conducted a mock showmanship event where she shared her knowledge of the sheep project and provided the members with many tips and techniques for success. The expert sheep shear man, Peter DeMooy, took the time to provide extra tips on fitting to our group. The members participated in the Fall Fair Parade, and even came away with a first place trophy for Best Group Parade Entry! It was a fabulous day overall. The crowds were delighted with the display put, and were amazed at the knowledge the members shared about their projects.

Early September brought the members back to their studies at school and preparations for their remaining fair and achievement days. On September 12th, the Photography project submitted their entries to the Open Classes for Junior and Intermediate Photography, at the Cowichan Exhibition. Success was achieved once again! Two members also submitted displays of their 4H Unit work in a special section within the Junior Display – both entries achieved top honours. The rest of the club members also attended the CowEx, to see demonstrations of Beef, Poultry and Rabbit showmanship classes and demonstrations. Fun was had by all and at the end of the day, we stayed to watch the 4H Beef Auction followed by a barbecue, hosted and prepared by the Cowichan 4H District.

The third week of September challenged our members to put the skills they had acquired and newly gained knowledge to work, preparing their projects for achievement day. All members had sheep to prepare, and a few members also had Rabbit projects and Photography exhibits to prepare, not to mention all the work to ready the barn for our displays and guest participants - Whew~! We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge “THANK YOU” to Jerome Wilkinson, who freely shared his time and strength to assist our Club in having facilities made ready for the Fall Fair.

We were delighted to host the Parksville-Qualicum Poultry Club, who were first-time participants in the SSI Fall Fair. Our guests camped at the Rithaler Farm, and both clubs enjoyed meeting new friends, sharing a barbeque on the Saturday evening, and lots of fun. This was a highlight of the year for both clubs and they hope to come back again. As usual, all the 4H members shone at the fair.

The Sheep Project displayed their skills in the Show Ring all Saturday morning with demonstrations and classes of Fitting, Showmanship and Husbandry, which were judged by 4H Alumni, Nigel Irving from Saanich. The kids put on tremendous displays and received a fabulous response from the community, and other visitors to the fair, remarking on their amazement at the level of skill and knowledge of such young people. This is what it’s all about. Nigel noted that he was impressed by the effort of the members in bringing their animals to such a high standard. The large audience at the show ring shared their praise with the members for their physical strength and determination to move and show their animals with such skills – they really thought that “flipping” the sheep to show their underbellies was amazing!

The early afternoon brought the visiting Parksville-Qualicum Poultry Club to the show ring, again sharing their skills and knowledge in Showmanship, Husbandry, Breed knowledge – Rosalie Beaudoin was our 4H Judge and she just could not manage to stump the members with questions. She was impressed with their knowledge and challenged them to another level for next year… they have accepted that challenge!

Sunday morning had the Rabbit Project being judged on Showmanship, Care and Condition and Husbandry by 4H Alumni Danica Jensen. Our two Rabbit members even presented a fitting demonstration for an enthusiastic audience – for their very first time! Danica was most impressed by this impromptu event, as were the audience members who had many questions to test their knowledge.

Sunday afternoon kept four volunteer guest judges from the Saltspring Camera Club to judge the displays of our three photography members’ work which was on display in the portable 4H Photography Building. The judges were impressed by the work and skill level of our young photographers and their remarks resulted in well-earned ribbons celebrating their talents. Thank you to our volunteer judges!

All of these demonstrations and displays are judged and marks submitted towards a members’ project achievement for the year. It couldn’t be done without the tremendous commitment and determination of the members, the patience of the animals and the direction and support of the volunteer Leaders, Judges, alumni and of course family members to assist with the transport and movement of the animals.

Our members have submitted their record books for marking as the last part to meet achievement requirements for their projects. Focus will now be on preparing for our Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony on November 14th where members, sponsors and community supporters will be recognized for their efforts and contributions to the Club this past year.

A reminder, November is National 4H Member – if you have something green to wear, please join us in “showing your 4H colours”. We are welcoming new members, beginning now, for the coming year.

A special thanks goes to Club Sponsor, Country Grocer, for continuing to support our club and its members with their annual Wheel of Fortune – it has become a real staple of the fair – to the delight of all visitors and especially the grand prize winners. Everyone is a winner!

The Saltspring Island 4H Community Club members wish to thank their Project Leaders, families and sponsors, for the benefit of all their ongoing help and support to achieve success in their project and program work.

Special thanks to our Club Sponsors:
- Country Grocer (Saltspring)
- Slegg Building Materials (Saltspring Division)
- Foxglove Farm and Garden Supply
- Thomas Brainerd
- Big Bear Services

And anyone else we may have inadvertently overlooked. Thank you!

Last but certainly not least, we wish to share a special thanks to our Loose Cannon Leader, Art Falardeau, who is retiring this year. We will miss Art’s knowledge of all things “bird” related – he has shared so much with us over the years. We thank Art for his many years of dedication, hard work and service to the members of SSI 4H Community Club and the farming community…. But we’ll be seeing him at many future 4H events, and we’ll see him at the Banquet!

From the Saltspring Island 4H Community Club,

Thank you for another great year!

Turnip, Potato and Swiss Chard Hash

The humble turnip becomes a superstar in this mildly spicy dish. Serve it as a welcome addition to your harvest feast and watch as friends and family become enthusiastic turnip lovers. If you don't have a large enough skillet, divide the mixture between two smaller pans.

1 lb (454 g) white turnips
1 lb (454 g) yellow-fleshed potatoes
4 cups (1 L) packed chopped Swiss chard, (with stems)
3 tbsp (45 mL) olive oil
4 oz (113 g) ham steaks,
cubed1 onion, diced3 cloves garlic,
minced2 tsp (10 mL) chopped fresh thyme
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) hot pepper flakes, crushed

Peel and cut turnip and potatoes into 1/2-inch (1 cm) cubes. In large pot of boiling salted water, cook turnip for 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to bowl.
In same pot, cook potatoes for 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, add to turnip.
In same pot, cook Swiss chard for 1 minute; drain and set aside.
In deep 12-inch (30 cm) nonstick skillet, heat 1 tbsp of the oil over medium-high heat; cook ham, stirring often, until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add to turnip mixture.

Add remaining oil to pan; cook onion, stirring often, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, thyme, salt and hot pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is light golden, about 3 minutes.
Add turnip mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and edges are crisped, about 12 minutes.
Stir in Swiss chard; cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes.