The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

v "V Shaw/Free Press Media Group, Inc. 1983 Fair Guide--Page 75 for /ummer OVERWEIGHT? OUT OF SHAPE? WHY HOT JOIH US FOR OHE OF OUR MAH Y PROGRAMS. •AEROBIC DANCING •EXERCISE CLASSES • BODY WRAP •SUNBED WE NAVE FULL-TIME INSTRUCTORS TO HELP WITH YOUR PROGRESS TO ACHIEVE YOUR PHYSICAL FITNESS GOAtS- ALSO WATCH FOR OUR. FALL& WINTER PROGRAMS M & M BODY SHOPPE •29MW.ELM (RT. 120) MCHENRY 385-5690 comes to Marengo A brand new professional Maple skating floor was installed this July and you won't believe the smoothness! So come on in and skate on yester­ day's most reliable and trustworthy surface. WE FEATURE A full service snack bar at reasonable prices: 12 of the newest in electronic games: A light show second to none: A sound system that REALLY sounds good: Skating Sessions for everyone include: Christian Night, Family Night Adult Night and Rock N* Funk Nights plus Weekend Family Metinees. WHEELS WONDERLAND ROUTE 20 • 800 W. GRANT HWY. MARENGO. IL 815/568-6767 I l BMWPMU 11 .1111 JJi Lll L. '»> »7T» • • • ..-urawM --wwr -,f- People & projects Farming tradition at his roots By Anthony Oliver Shaw/Free Press Media McHENRY -- Years of farming tradi­ tion are at the roots of both the McHenry County Fair and the life and livelihood of McHenry dairy farmer Charles "Chuck" Weingart. ~ . This year marks the 13th year that We­ ingart has been the president of the McHenry County Fair Board. Born and raised on a farm just east of McHenry, Weingart attended St. Mary School and McHenry High School as a youngster. He is presently a grain and dairy farmer, working some of the same land as did his father. Weingart, his wife and two sons, Keith and Richard, farm about 850 acres on the north side of Illinois 120, just east of Chapel Hill Road. There, they raise 50 head of dairy cattle and about 60 head of young stock, in addition to the aCres devoted to grain. "When I was young, we plowed with two horses and a hand plow," Weingart said. "There's been quite a change in farming, what with tractors with air conditioned cabs and radios.' In today's agriculture, the American farmer has learned well how to produce; perhaps too well, Weingart said. "We haven't learned how to sell to get rid of the surpluses," Weingart said. In earlier days, dairy cattle produced about 12,000 to 13,000 pounds of milk per year, and this was considered good. By to­ day's standard, that is a mediocre perfor­ mance as per cow yields have more than doubled to 20,000 and 30,000 pounds of milk per year. "This all came about because of good breeding and farming practices," We­ ingart said. Farming has become a science, We­ ingart said, noting that in grain agriculture, there is much testing to be done before seeds are sown. "The farmer today has to take soil samples and analyze the spil content," We­ ingart said. "It's a little like a menu when you go out to eat. You find out that the soil needs a little of this, a little of that. And it all works to increase yields." As yields have increased, so has the amount of paperwork associated with far­ ming, particularly in the dairy aspect. We­ ingart pointed out that each dairy cow has a registered number and has a record of production that is available to any poten­ tial buyer. "They are tested each month to see how much milk and butterfat was produced per pound of feed," Weingart said. "Every 18 months, the cows are classified." Records of each cow's production are kept at the University of Illinois. Prospective buyers occasionally drop in to see what the dairy farmers, like We­ ingart, have to offer. Weingart has sold cattle all over the world, including to pro­ ducers in Italy, Japan and Chile. In addition to changes in farming, We­ ingart noted that there have been many changes in the McHenry County Fair. He said there has been a dramatic increase in the number of fairgoers and in the number of exhibitors at the August event. In earlier years, people did not par­ ticipate as much, Weingart noted. The fair is becoming more and more ur­ ban in nature, getting away from the tradi­ tional rural atmosphere. In recent years, the number of large farm animal exhibits and farm equipment exhibits have been getting smaller and smaller. The trend ap­ pears to be toward the smaller animals -- rabbits, dogs and cats. He noted the expansion of the "big" events, like the McHenry County Queen Contest, 4-H night, the talent show, horse show, demolition derby and the profes­ sional entertainment. The increased interest in the McHenry County Fair has brought about a number of improvements at the fairgrounds in Woodstock. Paved walkways and a fenced- in fairground replaced the gravel paths of years past. Weingart said his job, as president Of the McHenry County Fair Board, is to main­ tain order among all the different groups and exhibitors. The goal for this year, as it has been for the last 12 years, is to have good weather, happy exhibitors and a large attendance. Most of the praise for a successful fair, he said, should go to the volunteers. "If it weren't for the volunteer workers, the fair would not be as successful as it is. It's not a one-man job. It takes many hands to make a successful fair," We­ ingart.said.