SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR

Sheep to Shawl – Another Successful Year

Story contributed by Jeanie Fodor
Matt Pranger Photos

posted 08/24/04
Rain, rain, rain......what a day! Sheep to Shawl began this year with the shearing of the sheep. Taking Larry Cochrans place this year was the knowledgeable 4-H Sheep Superintendent LeAnne Grosjacques accompanied by husband Don Burt and shearer Monte Larsen. LeAnne gave a detailed commentary while Monte sheared, then answered questions from the audience. She also shared the need for shearers and where the shearing schools are located. After their demo the youngsters and others were invited to take home some of the fleece.

This year the Sheep to Shawl was not a competition, rather a demonstration. Due to numerous problems experienced by both teams and the judge it was decided to do a demo. In a much more relaxed atmosphere onlookers were able to casually ask all the participants questions and thanks to the supporting husbands nobody was flooded out. Bob Nutt from Orcas was busy sweeping all the excess water off the court while Steve Brandt made some minor adjustments to the tent to keep the water from dripping onto the court. Short of sandbags Steve went home and got sheets to put down on the concrete to stop the water from coming onto the court. What a day! Rain, rain, rain.

The teams this year were San Juan and Orcas. Weavers were Judy Brandt for SJ and Maria Nutt for Orcas. The Orcas team had two youngsters on their team Liam Nutt 9 and Mara Nutt 7. Liam picked, carded and sold raffle tickets and Mara was spinning. Both are weavers and won Blue ribbons in the Youth Division for weaving. Mara also won Best of Class for the Youth Division.

The finished shawls this year were wonderful, inspite of all the rain and shuffling around to keep out of it. The Orcas team had a beautiful cool blue with turquoise shawl while San Juans shawl was warm with the fall colors of black, Crimson Red and Burnt Orange. When the time came for the drawing the crowd anxiously gathered. The weavers from each team came forward and gave a short talk about the construction of the shawls then the drawing began by long time islander Ev Tuller. The winner of the San Juan shawl was Shari Larsen from San Juan Island and the winner of the Orcas shawl was Robin Stinardo from Bothell. Both were elated.

Thanks again to all the participants of this years Sheep to Shawl, the hours of work always come shining thru at Fair time.

Wool Shed wins Black & White Award

Story by Sharon Kivisto
Matt Pranger photos

Members of the Fiber Arts Group, Fiber Arts Superintendents Sally Stern and Karen Hogan and Textile Arts Superintendent Krispi Staude were on hand when the award was announced Thursday. (FRONT ROW, left to right:) Carol Ann Marcin, Hogan, Stern, Staude, Kathy Chadwick. (BACK ROW:) Sue Brady, Pat Diviney, Doris Van Alen, Sheila Metcalf and Judy Brandt.

posted 08/20/04
The Fiber Arts and Textile Arts exhibits in the Wool Barn won a Black and White Award from the state fair commissioner visiting this year's fair. The prestigious award is awarded at the sole discretion of the fair commissioner. It can be awarded to an individual, an exhibit or fair boards.

Sally Stern and Karen Hogan are the Fiber Arts superintendents. Textile Arts superintendents are Christy Hinkle and Krispi Staude. Staude was ecstatic over the award. "My throat is sore from screaming," she said.

SAN JUAN ISLANDER © 2010

editor@sanjuanislander.com

About Us | Advertising Info | Contact Us | Privacy Policy