News Release
January 20, 2010
Five Were Honored with the 2010 Friend of Illinois County Fair Award
Springfield, IL—The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) presented their coveted “Friend of Illinois County Fair” award to Darlene Henninger from the Boone County Fair; Verne and Diane Lemker of the Adams County Fair and Doug and Pat Skinner from Crystal Lake for their service to county fairs and dedication to the IAAF.
Each year the IAAF recognizes individuals who are outstanding Illinois county fair supporters, volunteer workers or innovators. This year the IAAF had a special birthday celebration for their 100th annual convention at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield last week end.
Darlene Henninger from Belvidere
A Belvidere native, Henninger started volunteering as superintendent and food stand worker. She’s been superintendent of concessions, carnival midway and camping area for 24 years. Managing 400 concessionaires/vendors last year she turned over the highest dollar receipts in fair board history with compliments coming from those vendors. They say that Henninger goes by the rules, plays no favorites and is very fair to everyone.
Boone county Fair Board Director, Gordon Butt says, “If anyone eats, sleeps and breathes the fair it’s Darlene! I realize that a lot of people contribute to the operations of our fair, but people like her are a rare commodity especially in these times.” These sentiments are echoed repeatedly by many other fair board members and volunteer workers and are quick to praise her dedication, her willingness to share knowledge, and her extraordinary work ethic, too. Her husband, Al, has been President for 20 years of the Boone County Fair and son, John, is a 30 year director. Together this family’s support and dedication has earned the Boone County Fair the reputation of being one of the best fairs in the Midwest
Henninger has been a member of the Grange for 65 years. She has held county, state and national offices.
Verne and Dianne Lubker of Lima
Vern and Dianne Lubker of Lima were presented the “Friends of Illinois County Fair” Award.
Verne and Dianne have exhibited at the Adams county Fair 65 and 64 years respectively. Both have been co-superintendent of the Adams County Fair Sheep Department for over 30 years. He has shown Holstein cattle, Dorset and Hampshire sheep. She has exhibited Milking Shorthorn cattle, Hampshire sheep and numerous exhibits in other departments.
He was a leader of the Lima Victory Volunteers 4-H Club for 15 years, a member of Adams Telephone Co-operative board for 15 years serving several years as president. He is a member of the Unit 4 Foundation board and a former president of that organization.
She was a 4-H leader for the Coatsburg Lucky Clovers and Lima Victory Volunteers clubs for a combined total of 14 years. The Lubkers have been members of the American Hampshire Sheep Association since 1965. They have shown their Hampshires since 1966 in 5 states. Dianne was secretary of the Illinois Hampshire Sheep Association for 20 years. She was the first woman appointed and then the first woman elected to the Adams County Board. She has now served that board over 5 years and has been a member of Adams County Board of Health for 10 ½ years.
After 38 years Verne retired from Roquette America (formerly Hubinger Co., a subsidiary of HJ Heinz). He began his career as a sample carrier in the laboratory and retired as manager of the corn refinery department.
Doug and Pat Skinner of Skinner’s Amusements Crystal Lake
Doug and Pat Skinner of Skinner’s Amusements Crystal Lake, Illinois were presented the “Friends of Illinois County Fair” Award. They are celebrating 100th anniversary this year, too.
Skinners’ Amusements was founded in 1910 in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Doug and Pat are a 5th generation to own and operate their family business. Doug’s grandfather started the business with a merry–go–round. One hundred years later they can provide equipment for any size midway and are known as “The Cadillac of Carnivals”.
Skinners’ Amusements is one of the oldest associate members of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs. Doug and Pat have contributed program donations, hospitality and auction items to enhance the annual convention over the years.
Doug and Pat always have the best interests of the County Fairs at heart and contribute to the success of the events they play. They are strong believers in community events and promote the organizations and affiliated memberships. Pat is respected for her avid and aggressive volunteer efforts on the Mental Health Resource League Board of Mc Henry County.
Because of their extraordinary commitment and contributions to our Association, Doug and Pat Skinner have been selected the 2010 “Friends of Illinois County Fair” Award recipients.
IAAF president, Bill Diller says, “it takes dedicated people like Darlene Henninger, Verne and Diane Lubker and Doug and Pat Skinner to make county fairs what they are today. Members like her make a difference at the county fairs and ultimately the Illinois State Fairs. And because of people like Darlene Henninger many young people’s lives have been touched, keeping county fairs alive and flourishing and a gathering place to neighbor each year. She is truly deserving of the 2010 Friend of Illinois County Fair award”.
The IAAF “Friend of Illinois County Fair Award” is sponsored by Jeff Blomsness of North American Midway entertainment from South Barrington. Blomsness says, “ Henninger certainly has earned this coveted award for her, dedication, invaluable time and service to the Boone County Fair.”
Over 4,000 county fair members and friends spent this past weekend selecting their entertainment and service needs for the 2010 county fair season. The 103 county fairs culminate with the Illinois State Fair, August 13-22, 2010 and the DuQuoin State Fair, August 27th through September 6th, 2010. Visit our website at www.illinoiscountyfairs.org.
The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs is a non-profit corporation formed in 1910. It serves 103 Illinois County Fairs and Expositions. Its purpose is to provide guidelines, inform, and monitor and /or initiate legislation that promotes and assist Illinois County Fairs. The association is volunteer based and is dedicated to the promotion of agriculture, development of youth, and as a showplace of American agriculture’s traditions and future agricultural innovations
News Release
January 18, 2010
Jerseyville Man Elected President of Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs
Springfield, IL—The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs (IAAF) elected Tom Moore of Jerseyville as president
at their annual convention at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Springfield this past weekend.
Moore has been on the Jersey County Fair Board for 28 years-and has served as treasurer for 22. In 2002 he was elected as vice-president of the Central Zone of the IAAF.
Moore and his wife, Sandy, currently own and operate their family farm with his father and brother. Their operation consists of 1,600 acres and a have a purebred shorthorn herd.
Moore serves as chairman of the Jersey County Farm Service Agency and the Tri-County Shorthorn Association board. He is the past chairman of the Jersey-Calhoun Extension Council and Southwestern FFA Alumni.
He became involved with the Jersey County Fair after watching his father, Hugh, who has served the Jersey County Fair board 48 years. Moore’s love is in the livestock department serving as the 4-H and open beef superintendent for 25 years.
Tom and his wife Sandy make their home in Jerseyville and have a son, Alex, two daughters, Jamie and Kelsey and four grandchildren.
President Moore says, “We have had a century of blue ribbon success and strives to strengthen county fairs as we start another century of showcasing agriculture to the citizens of Illinois”.
George Fewkes of Jerseyville was elected as 1st Vice-President. Directors elected on the Northern Zone were Ron Meyer of Manteno and Ken Tyrell of Sheridan. In the Central Zone Bill Redshaw of Rushville and Mary Lou Wright from Paris were elected. The Southern Zone elected Bill Jennings of Olney and Russell Vandeveer of Salem.
Elected to serve as at-large directors were: Marvin Perzee from Ashkum representing the Northern Zone; Elizabeth McDevitt from New Berlin representing the Central Zone and Jim Walsh from Carmi representing the Southern Zone. Bill Diller from Princeton is the past president.
The board re-appointed William H. Fugate from Fairbury as the Secretary/Treasurer and Marla Behrends from Carlock as Publicity Chairman.
Over 4,000 county fair association members and friends spent this past weekend selecting their entertainment and service needs for the 2010 county fair season. The 105 county fairs culminate with the Illinois State Fair, August 13-22, 2010 and the Du Quoin State Fair, August 27th through September 6th, 2010.
The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs is a non-profit corporation formed in 1910. It serves 105 Illinois County Fairs and Expositions. Its purpose is to provide guidelines, inform, and monitor and /or initiate legislation that promotes and assist Illinois County Fairs. The association is volunteer based and dedicated to the promotion of agriculture, development of youth, and as a showplace of American agriculture’s traditions and future agricultural innovations.
Over 4,300 county fair association members and friends spent this past weekend selecting their entertainment and service needs for the 2006 county fair season. The 105 county fairs culminate with the Illinois State Fair, August 11-20, 2005 and the DuQuoin State Fair, August 26 thru September the 4th, 2006.
New Vice President of the IAAF, George Fewkes from Albion