www.boonecountyjournal.com In Our 21th Year 815-544-4430 The Boone County Journal August 5th, 2016 1 FREE COUNTY LOCAL NEWS, OPINION & HISTORY Real Journalism for a Real Democracy www.boonecountyjournal.com Published Every Friday • August 5th, 2016 • Vol 21 • Issue 14 No. 1054 2 August 5th 2016 The Boone County Journal 815-544-4430 In Our 21th Year www.boonecountyjournal.com What’s New at the Fair? By James Middleton For decades the Grange Organizations of Boone County have managed and staged the largest entertainment and educational event in the county and region, the Boone County Fair. Every year the Grange Organizations have also invested thousands of dollars and, over the years, millions of dollars into expanding, improving and modernizing the Boone County Fairgrounds and buildings. Today, the Boone County Fairgrounds are a state of the art venue in terms of the modernization and the conveniences that have been erected. The Grange Organizations of Boone County have made these improvements every year with an eye to providing the best venue for people of all ages to enjoy the Fair. In 2016, the improvements continued to be executed and Fairgoers will appreciate what has been done. A major investment was made to improve the lighting at the fairgrounds with the installation of new lighting pedestals and lights along the main midway. This route moves from the main gate entrance east to the grandstand area. Those who were involved in the planning and the execution of the improvements indicated that the cost for this improvement was substantial. In addition to the installation of the new pedestals, water lines and underground electrical lines were replaced. Along with that the organization also installed three new transformers and expanded the total electrical service on the fairgrounds. Overall, with these improvements to the lighting and the electrical service, the chance for power outages has been reduced. The Fair organization was also busy in 2016 improving the walkways and the driveways within the fairgrounds. Many local people might remember the condition of the Boone County Fairgrounds a dozen or more years ago after heavy rain shower dampened the fairgrounds. The result of those rainstorms was for walkways and driveways to become pocked with mud-puddles. Much of that concern, over the last few years, has been eliminated. This year fairgoers will note that the roadway at the Main Gate has been resurfaced and improved. Also, the walkways leading fr0m the Main Gate entrance to Gate #2 has also been resurfaced and improved. These improvements will make a big difference for those who come to the Fair needing a wheelchair or a motorized chair. The improved surfaces will also make it easier for those who operate the electric golf carts to move people from the parking lot to all areas of the fairgrounds. The improved pathways will also make it easier for all fairgoers to move around the grounds come rain or come shine. Of the buildings at the fairgrounds, many of them have been improved this year, too. New paint, in other instances new sheetrock and still other improvements have been made to make the fairgrounds easier to move within. Fairgoers will also note that improvements were made this year to the fairground restrooms. Finally, the Boone County Grange Organizations also painted the exterior of the antique school house that has been on the grounds for many years. The antique school house remains one of the top attractions that has been for many years a permanent exhibit. Those who visit the building get a sense of what it was like for students many decades ago to get their education. The old school house is a testament to the community and the Boone County Grange Organizations that have kept up and beautified that building for these many years. Many fairgoers might not recognize the many improvements to the fairgrounds. All of the improvements were managed to improve the efficiency of the area for those who come to the Fair and to also avoid problems from developing. The 2016 edition of the Boone County Fair continues to be a top county fair in the nation and the event opens on Tuesday, August 9 and continues through Sunday, August 14. The fun the excitement and the entertainment of the Fair is contagious and everyone should come for the fun of it. The Boone County Fair, now “That’s the Ticket.” www.boonecountyjournal.com In Our 21th Year 815-544-4430 The Boone County Journal August 5th, 2016 3 Ms. Jilliana Marie Paul of Caledonia chosen Miss Boone County Fair 2015, last year, and Little Miss of 2015, Melrose Martinez. 34th Annual September 24th & 25th 4 August 5th 2016 The Boone County Journal 815-544-4430 In Our 21th Year www.boonecountyjournal.com 2016 Miss Boone County Queen Contestants Queen Contestant #1 Queen Contestant #2 Queen Contestant #3 Rebecca Suzanne Houlihan Braylee Alizabeth Cebuhar Madison Elizabeth O’Hern Rebecca is the 16 year old daughter of Paula and Samuel Braylee is the 17 year old daughter of Michelle and Madison is the 18 year old daughter of Terri O’Hern of Muse and Richard Houlihan, of Belvidere. Jason Cebuhar of Loves Park. Belvidere. Rebecca will be entering her junior year at North Boone High Braylee currently attends Belvidere North High School Madison is a 2016 graduate of Belvidere High School. School this fall. She plans on attending college after graduating and will be a senior this fall. She plans to attend a four year She has also completed the Nursing Assistant program at high school, but is yet undecided in her choice of universities. university and then medical school, focusing on obstetrics. Rock Valley College. She would like to study art. In the future she plans to be a Someday Braylee would like to live in Tennessee and Madison will be attending Northern Illinois University photographer because looking through the camera lens enables become an obstetrician. in the fall to pursue a nursing degree. She then plans to us to notice details we may have missed. Braylee is employed at Justice, working very hard to continue to earn her master’s degree and become a Nurse Through Girls Scouts of Northern Illinois Rebecca often save money for her future education. Practitioner in either oncology or pediatrics. volunteers by hosting camps and events for younger scouts. Braylee is a member of the Science National Honor Madison’s currently employed as a Nursing Assistant a Through Girl Scouts Rebecca has earned her Silver Award by Society at BNHS. Northwood Care center in Belvidere. hosting an obstacle course that was open to her school and the Braylee is a two-time NIC 10 Varsity Scholar Athlete On the Honor roll all throughout high school Madison community. and a NIC 10 Conference Champion as of January, 2016. was awarded the Belvidere Junior Tackle Scholarship. She participates in Girls Scouts through Mariner Ship 361. Braylee was 1st runner up in the coed division at the IHSA She also received the Michael Bergman Scholarship, Mariner Ship 361 is a larger version and older division of Girl Cheerleading State Competition in February, 2016. which was based on academics, athletics and community Scouting whose events are very water-based, focusing on water Braylee continues to be in Varsity sideline and involvement. skills and safety. competitive cheerleading at Belvidere North, and she Madison has been a volunteer for Special Olympics, Rebecca participates in Student Council, and has been the Vice spends many nights tumbling at Wight Tumble Academy. enjoys bow hunting, fishing, softball and cheerleading. President of her class. Braylee is currently reading Miracles from Heaven by Madison’s hobbies include reading, especially Nicholas Rebecca also participates in the drama club at BNHS. Productions she has been in include Transylmania, Cinderella, Christy Beam. She enjoys cleaning and organizing to feel Sparks and JoJo Moyes. She enjoys working out, running, Anything Goes and her personal Favorite, Murders in the Air. more at peace with herself. She love to shop, spend time listening to music, going on long walks and archery. Acting relaxes Rebecca and she enjoys slipping into a new roll with friends and especially her family. Braylee also helps Her family will tell you she makes a really good cherry which brings a new perspective to her everyday life. others with their self-image and coping skills by mentoring cheesecake. A few of her hobbies include sketching, being outside, acting, those who are going through a hard time. Madison is Sponsored by ICAW OUTDOORS writing and reading. Braylee is Sponsored by KELLY WOLF REALTOR Madison’s Platform is THE IMPORTANCE Rebecca is Sponsored by UNCLE JOHN’S RESTAURANT Braylee’s Platform is INVISIBLE ILLINESS OF OUTDOORS Rebecca’s Platform is THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUNK DRIVING HOT! (*) on qualifying equipment (**) for Qualified Customers BELVIDERE - ROCKFORD - FREEPORT www.boonecountyjournal.com In Our 21th Year 815-544-4430 The Boone County Journal August 5th, 2016 5 2016 Miss Boone County Queen Contestants Queen Contestant #4 Queen Contestant #5 Queen Contestant #6 Ivy Lynne Rebecca Steege Hannah Jane Elizabeth Riley Lexi Susanne Tintlemann Ivy is the 16 year old daughter of Angel and Todd Steege Hannah is the 17 year old daughter of Josie and Rodney Riley Lexi is the 16 year old daughter of Rhonda Tintlemann and the of Belvidere. of Belvidere. late Tony Passero of Belvidere. Ivy will be entering her junior at Belvidere High School Hannah will be a senior at Belvidere High School this fall. She Lexi will be a junior this year at Belvidere High School. She this fall. plans to study Pre-Medicine in college and then enter Medical was enrolled in dual credit courses last year through Rock Valley She plans on attending either the University of school to become a Pediatrician.