2008 Porter County Fair 4-H auction: Jim Chaplin, owner of Shady Lawn Florist, purchased the Reserve Champion Simmental Steer from his grandchildren at the Thursday evening Livestock Auction at the Porter County Fair. Pictured from left to right are buyer Jim Chaplin, 4-H members Christopher and Stephanie Chaplin and the children’s mother Beth Chaplin. The Steer was purchased for $1.25 per lb.

Reserve Champion Meat Ducks: Showing off their Reserve Champion Meat Ducks are Kelly Tofte-Patrick and her daughter Amanda Tofte-Patrick of Jackson Township. The ducks were purchased by Circle R Farms of Wanatah. 

Local Buyer: Sutton Excavating of Chesterton purchased Champion Pen of Two swine for $2.75 per pound at last night’s Livestock Celebration Auction at the Porter County Fair. The company also purchased Reserve Champion Roasters. Pictured left to right are Miss Porter County Haleigh Yergler, seller Jenna Jessen, and friend Ashley Kneifel, buyers, Rudy Sutton and Randy Darnell, 4-H achievement ambassadors Aris Ringas and Clay Thomas.

LEL buys Grand Champion Steer: Lake Erie Land Company purchased this year’s Grand Champion Steer for $3.00 per pound at the Porter County Fair Livestock Celebration Auction. Pictured from left to right are sellers parents Matt and Pam Herzog with son Stetson, Miss Porter County Haleigh Yergler, 4-H achievement ambassador Clay Thomas, buyer Keith Sharpe and seller Justin Herzog.

Preparing to Show: 4-H member Jeanne Bullock of Liberty Hotshots prepares to show her 2nd place lamb. Jeanne will be a senior this fall at Chesterton High School.

In the Show Ring: 4-H member Jeni Tofte-Tourloukis of Jackson Township is in the show ring with her individual pig during this year’s Porter County Fair 4-H Celebration Auction. The fair continues through Sunday.

Darnell family buys steer: The Darnell Family of Chesterton has supported 4-H for more than 25 years. The Reserve Champion Market Heffer was purchased by the Darnell Family for $1.75 per pound. Pictured left to right are buyers Randy Darnell holding grandaughter Morgan, and standing in back his son Mike Darnell shown with seller 4-H member Stephanie Chaplin.

Blooms Buy Reserve Champion Bronze Turkey: Carol Bloom of Jackson Township purchased this year’s Reserve Champion Bronze Turkey sold by 4-Hers Jeni and Gianis Tofte-Patrick. Pictured left to right are Miss Porter County Fair Haleigh Yergler, Jeni and Gianis Tofte- Patrick, buyer Carol Bloom of Bloom Angus Farms of Jackson Township and standing behind are 4-H achievement ambassadors Sierra Gearhart and Anthony Zeese. Carol and her husband Don also have purchased the Grand Champion Steer Banner for more than 15 years.

Supporting 4-H: Bob and Vicki Rhoda of Liberty Township purchased the Champion White Turkey sold by Krystal Phelps. Pictured left to right are 4-H achievement ambassador Anthony Zeese, Miss Porter County Haleigh Yergler, buyer, Vicki Rhoda, Krystal’s grandfather Roe Phelps, seller Krystal Phelps, 4-H achievement ambassador Sierra Gearhart and buyer Bob Rhoda.

Reserve Grand Champion Eggs: Adam Tofte-Patrick of Jackson Township sold his dozen eggs for $325 to a Medaryville buyer at Thursday evening’s 4-H Celebration Auction at the Porter County Fair.

Grand Champion Holstein Milk: 4-H member David Jones, 8th grader at Chesterton Middle School, is shown at right with his Holstein cow in the auction ring of this year’s Porter County Fair Celebration Auction. Shown at left holding the prize winning gallon of milk in a basket, which was sold for $400, is friend and 4-H member Chris Ruge.

Reserve Grand Champion Holstein Milk: 4-H member Elisabeth Jones of Chesterton will be a junior this fall at Chesterton High School. She is shown with her Holstein after the gallon of milk was sold for $350 at the Porter County Fair Celebration Auction on Thursday.

(Tribune photos by Dana Gilbertson)

Posted 7/25/2008