140 Entries Compete in Senior Division Flower Show at Pickaway County Fair

Circleville, Ohio (June 25, 2009) - Nearly 140 entries were judged today in the Senior Division Flower Show at the Pickaway County Fair. The Senior Division is open to anyone aged 18 years or older.

"Considering it's a June show, when many people do not even have flowers blooming at their homes yet, it was an excellent representation of the horticulture community," said Steve Speakman, chairman of events at the Ankrom Building.

Top winners in various categories include:

Horticulture Excellence Winner (for best single bloom): Holly Hulse of Circleville, with a day lilly.

Best In Show - Senior Design: Jayne Barnes of Williamsport, and Steve Speakman of Chillicothe.

Green Thumb Award (most Award Point in the house or patio plants category): Abbie Riley of Mt. Sterling.

This year's entry included 22 entries in the Arrangement category, three in the House and Patio Plant category, and 137 in the Horticulture category.

"It's an understatement to say that judges were impressed with the quality of this year's entries," said Speakman.

The Horticulture Sweepstakes Award, given to the individual with the most Award Points in various categories, will be awarded tomorrow.

Candlish named Pickaway County Homemaker of the Year

Circleville, Ohio (June 24, 2009) - Christine Candlish of Circleville was named the inaugural 'Homemaker of the Year' today at the Pickaway County Fair.

Candlish earned the title by collecting 69 Award Points, which were given based on ribbons collected in the homemaking, and hobbies and crafts competitions in the Ankrom Building at the fair, said Steve Speakman, chairman of building activities.



The mother of five earned 27 total ribbons, including 19 Blue ribbons (including a Sectional Championship for a crocheted pumpkin pie), four 2nd Place ribbons, and four 3rd Place ribbons. (Candlish is shown in photo at right with her five children.)



"(Candlish) has worked full-time since last year's fair to come up with projects that would make this year's fair more interesting to the public," said Speakman. "Her craftsmanship is just totally amazing, and it's her attention to detail that impresses me the most. She definately made this year's fair special."



Asked when she finds time for all the crafts, Candlish said she's not much of a television viewer, preferring to work on various hobbies and crafts when she's not caring for her children.



The closest competitor to Candlish had a total of 51 Award Points.







Candlish received a gift basket and variety of retail coupons as prizes for earning the title.

Inaugural Homemaker of the Year Winner to be announced today

Circleville, Ohio (June 24, 2009) - The winner of the inaugural Homemaker of the Year contest will be announced at 4 p.m. today in the Ankrom Building at the Pickaway County Fair.

The announcement will be made by Steve Speakman, chairman of Ankrom Building competitions. The winner is the person collecting the most "Award Points" gained by collecting 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons in various Home Arts competitions.

Pickaway County Commissioners Candy Jar Contest Announced

Circleville, Ohio (June 24, 2009) - The 2nd Annual Pickaway County Commissioners Candy Jar Contest is underway in the Ankrom Building at the Pickaway County Fair. The winner will be announced Saturday.

Visitors can vote for their favorite candy jar by making donations in containers with each entry. Money from donations will go to the Junior Fair Fund. The winning entry will be displayed at the Commissioners Office, with the remainder to be displayed at the Pickaway County Visitor's Center throughout the summer.

Winners Announced for King Arthur Baking Challenge at Pickaway County Fair

Circleville, Ohio (June 23, 2009) - Samantha Roberts of Circleville won the junior division with her Peanut Butter and Jelly muffins, while Alice Woolever of Circleville won the senior division with her Morning Glory muffins today during the 2nd Annual King Arthur Baking Challenge at the Pickaway County Fair.

"Judges were impressed with the incredible taste and texture of both recipes," said Steve Speakman, chairman of Ankrom Building competitions at the fair. "I say they were both just plain good, and you want more."

Woolever repeated as King Arthur Baking Contest winner. She won in 2008 with her Banana Nut Bread recipe.

Roberts, 11, won with a Peanut Butter and Jelly muffin recipe. (See photos of both winners to right.)

The 2009 winning recipes:

Peanut Butter & Jelly Muffins (Yield: 12 muffins)

2c. King Arthur flour

1 1/2 t. salt

1 T. baking powder

1 c. milk

2 lg. eggs

2/3 c. sugar (plus additional 1/4 c. for sprinkling on muffin top)

1 c. creamy peanut butter

1/3 c. pure vegetable oil

1/2 c. seedless strawberry jam.

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 375. Spray muffin pan with no-stick cooking spray. Stir together flour, salt and baking powder in lg. bowl. Add milk, eggs, sugar, peanut butter and oil in another bowl. Combine ingredients, just until moistened. Do not over beat. Fill muffin cups evenly with 1/2 the batter. Place 2 t. jam in the center of each muffin. Evenly divide remaining batter between muffin cups. Sprinkle with additional sugar. Bake for 18 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool in pan for 5 min.

Morning Glory Muffins (Yield 12 muffins - Each muffin contains 4 grams of fiber)

1 c. raisins

2 c. grated carrots

1 lg. graded apple (tart)

2 c. King Arthur flour

1 c. light or dark brown sugar

2 t. baking soda

2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ginger and salt (each)

1/2 c. chopped nuts

1/3 c. wheat germ

3 lg eggs

2/3 c vegetable oil

1/4 c. orange juice

2 t. vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Put raisins in small bowl & cover with hot water; set aside to soak. Whisk flour, sugar, baking soda, spices and salt in bowl. Stir in carrots, apple, nuts, and wheat germ. In another bowl, beat eggs, oil, orange juice, and vanilla. Add flour mixture and stir until evenly moistened. Drain raisins and stir in. Bake at 375 degrees until tooth-pick test done.

Azbell takes BIS in Quilting competition at Pickaway County Fair

Circleville, Ohio (June 23, 2009) - Jo Ann Azbell of Williamsport took Best In Show and Sectional titles with her quilting skills at the Pickaway County Fair. The craftsmanship of Azbell's green and white jacket with purple trim impressed judges.

"The judges where supremely impressed with (Azbell's) skill and artistic flare," said Steve Speakman, chairman of Ankrom Building competitions at the fair. "The bottom line is that this is a beautiful jacket."

Azbell said she took a different approach to this project by quilting materials before sewing the jacket, a method she said seemed to speed up the process.

The Ankrom Building is located at the northwest entrance of the fair, along State Route 22. It is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the fair, which runs through Saturday.

Wilton Cake Decorating Contest tomorrow at Pickaway County Fair

Circleville, Ohio (June 23, 2009) - The Wilton Cake Decorating Contest is scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 at the Pickaway County Fair. Entries will be accepted from 9 a.m. to Noon at the Ankrom Building, with closed-door judging to begin at 1 p.m.

Junior (ages 8-16) and Senior (ages 17+) entries will be accepted. Contest categories include:

- Cake baked in specially shaped pan (Junior and Senior)

- Cake featuring icing flowers (Junior and Senior)

- Holiday cake (Senior only)

- Three decorated cupcakes on plate (Junior only)

For more information about the contest, call the Fair Office at (740) 474-2085.

For more information about Wilton Enterprises, go to: www.wilton.com.

King Arthur Baking Challenge today at Pickaway County Fair

Circleville, Ohio (June 23, 2009) - The 2nd Annual King Arthur Baking Challenge will begin at 1:30 p.m. today with closed-door judging of entries in the Ankrom Building at the Pickaway County Fair. The competition includes "fruited" muffins in the adult division, and "non-fruited" muffins in the junior division.

"The competition is a result of our ongoing, positive relationship with King Arthur Flour," said Steve Speakman, chairman of Ankrom Building Shows, which include homemaking, hobbies and crafts, flowers, grass and hay, and fine arts. "Last year's competition was intense, and I expect nothing less this year."

For more information about King Arthur Flour, visit: www.kingarthurflour.com.

Check back to this blog for results and winner's photos, which will also be posted on our Facebook page at: PickawayRoss CTC.

Ashville youth impresses with fresh citrus cookies in Culinary Division competition at Pickaway County Fair

Circleville, Ohio (June 22, 2009) - Callen Ett of Ashville took Best In Show and Sectional titles in the Culinary Division (home baking) with her fresh citrus cookies at the Pickaway County Fair today. (See photo of Ett on right, and on Facebook at PickawayRoss CTC.)

"Judges could not find a fault with (Callen's) cookies, from a freshness and flavor perspective," said Steve Speakman, chairman of Ankrom Building competitions at the fair. "One judge asked for a glass a milk so he could finish the plate."

Blue ribbons in the Culinary Division were handed out in the following categories:

Bread and Rolls:

Betty Wolford of Stoutsville for her wheat bread.

Marvene Koch of Circleville for zucchini bread.

Coleen Abaffy of Chillicothe won blue ribbons for her whole wheat bread, whole wheat biscuits, whole wheat crescent rolls, and her banana nut muffins.

Heather Ban of Circleville for her dinner rolls.

Kersi Sethna of Circleville for cheese/onion white bread.

C. Miller of Circleville for her banana bread.

Cakes:

Heather Barr of Circleville for her spice cake.

Martha Ewing of Williamsport for her carrot cake.

Nancy Herron of Williamsport for her pineapple upside-down cake.

Yulia Fallon of Circleville for her pumpkin roll.

Callen Ett of Ashville for her chocolate cupcakes.

Diane Bond of Circleville for her white meringue cake.

Marvene Koch of Circleville for her angle food cake.

Cookies (Junior Division)

Mindy Barr of Circleville for her M&M cookies.

Kaitlynn Sandstrom of Williamsport for her M&M cookies.

Rachel Shaw of Williamsport for her M&M cookies.

Natasha Fallon of Circleville for her Buckeyes.

Mindy Barr of Circleville for her Buckeyes.

Pickaway County Fair: Junior Artistic Design Results In

Circleville, Ohio (June 22, 2009/11:20 a.m.) - Blue ribbons were awarded in the Junior Artistic Design competition at the Pickaway County Fair. (See photos of winning designs on this page and on Facebook at PickawayRossCTC.)

"It's exciting to see the new talent that's out there that hopefully will be nurtured and go into the the mainstream of our floral industry," said Steve Speakman, chairman of the Ankrom Building Shows, which includes fine arts, homemaking, hobbies and crafts, flower show, and grains and hay.

Blue ribbons awarded in various categories include: (Photos above in reverse order of list below.)

Sunflowers (Framed seed picture) by Courtney Thomas of Commercial Point

Vacation Trips (Incorporating map or travel brochure into design) by Roxanna Withrow, member of the Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center FFA Club.

Picnic In The Park (Using a basket or container) by Amy McCoy of Orient.

County Fair Fun (Showcasing the designer's interpretation) by Amy McCoy of Orient.

Parade of the Fourth (Incorporating Red, White and Blue) by Ivy Hammond of Williamsport.

Queen of the Back Roads (Featuring wild Queen Anne's Lace) by Amy McCoy of Orient.

Hayride at Uncle Bill's (Designer's interpretation) by Amy McCoy of Orient.

Post Rain Shower Rainbow (Colorful mass arrangement) by Roxanna Withrow, member of the Pickaway-Ross CTC FFA Club.

Live Blogs from Pickaway County Fair next week

Pickaway-Ross Career & Technology Center will do "live" Blogs, Tweets and Facebook updates all next week from the Ankrom Building at the Pickaway County Fair in Circleville, Ohio.

PRCTC Landscaping & Horticulture Instructor Steve Speakman will direct and manage a plethora of events and activities during the fair. Those events and activities include the "Ladies Department" competitions (i.e.: Sewing, Embroidery, Baking, Canning, and Crafts.)

Speakman will also oversee the Flower show, Art show (adult and junior exhibits), and Grain show. Other events in the Ankrom Building include the 4-H Apple Pie Baking Contest, King Arthur Baking Challenge, Inaugural Homemaker of the Year competition, and Pickaway County Commissoners Candy Jar Contest, which benefits the Pickaway County Junior Fair Fund.

For more information, go to: http://www.pickawayross.com/.