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Shaw Mod» Group 1962 Fa* Quide-Peg* 51 -- -- • projects ---- Quiet banker helps build a fair By Don Peasley Special to Shaw Media Group WOODSTOCK -- Keenly taftefeated la the 1982 McHenry County Pair, Harold Bath ia involved -- as he has been Involved In the fair since tta revival In IHI. More than that ... ... Harold was in revival, voting from a dual role aa a com­ munity leader and chamber of commerce official in the mbMMQs. The ton, soft-spoken, KmA--» recalls in vivid detail thoae founding years, and he amiles with satisfaction when asked to detail his part in that beginning. He aideetepe his role, but heaps praiae on such community stalwarts as Frank Deueter and Bob Rutledge, chamber managers in the mid-lMOs; Jake Heisler and Ehrood Howell, plus such civic minded people as Einar Bakkotn, Bill Tammeus and A B McConnell. Nearly forgotten was his role in establishing the first Miss McHenry County Pageant Bath's determination to develop a countywide conteat makes this year's frfffMtifril rtry pntlhii But ... we (ttgreas and resume our rhra«n|pgk*?i to Hip readers understand how and why today's county fair evolyed ... in large put because of the «nH devotion of men women such aa Beth, Pirat National Bank of Woodatock vice president at the time he had a key role in the fair's revtvaL "In about IMS weaawthe4-H its cooteats at the Mgh school grounds, and I waa in the chamber at the time," he aaya. "Along with Jake Heisler and Bob Rutledge, we asked Elwood Howell, Woodatock vocational agriculture in­ structor, about holding it at the lurgrounas. Bifctaim) Tammeus, Howell and Beth -- the Mg four--met and decided to reactivate the fair. Beth recalls the fairs of the lMa, describing in detail through drawings and conversation the location of buildings, the race track and the grandetand. "We asked A.B. McConnell, a member of the county board, to help get a lease ar­ rangement on the grounds. He did. A 9R-, year lease st a dollar a year was worked out with a new corporation called 4-H Town," he explains. In 1M7 the 4-H show waa held at the fairgrounda. The 4-H food tent and the cattle tent were the only tents, he aaya. In 19M, the fair had begun to become organised and a few more tents and a trailer to aerw aa headquarters at the main gate materialis­ ed. In lit®, the fair was revived with 4-H and Section VIFFA competition. That year the grandstand, washrooms (now abandoned) and the office building (now preas head­ quarters) were built Beth says he asked to have a queen conteat and waa given the job of finding candkiatea. 'I went to every community aeak- he aaya. "I talked to dvic I had a good reception at every place bat one where I was practically run oat of town. Some mothers said they didnt of their daughters parading in coverage of the fair's atari, hats the i of the flrat cortteatanti in the 1MI Miss McHenry County pageant won by Miss Woodtfock--Marilyn Thomeon. For it mar its repeating thoae Woodatock had a contact with Dan Nor­ ton, owner of the Woodstock Players, aa chairman. The Woodatock Journal, a locally-oriented newspaper with generous . Marengo; Virginia Sears, Union; Marie Pinnei, Huntley; Pat Stanley. Hebron; Marilyn Skinner, Crystal Lake; continued on page 52 W\ 2020VJ SO. Roate 47 Woodatock, Illinois 815-338-3550 ShOR sz • TACKLE • LIVE BAIT • CAMPING • ARCHERY CUSTOM CANVAS WORK THE MEADOWS FROZEN CUSTARD PROUDLY PRESENTS THE REAL, OLD-FASHIONED FRESH FROZEN CUSTARD FRESH DAILV FRESH CREAM ft EGGS! MEADOWS FROZEN CUSTARD Route 120. Boone Creek Plozo McHenry (NSXT TO NSW JSWSL/OSCO) 385-6236 A.A.ANDERSON, INC. TRACTOASFARM MACHINES New Idea - Gehl Line - International Harvester - Brilliop <29 BULLION Newiotlĵ > HOME APPLIANCES General Electric • Kitchen Aid NEW and USED FARM EQUIPMENT V • Larg« Stock of Parts and Repairs Shop DEPENDABLE and PROMPT SERVICE A.A.ANDERSON, INC. 815-943-5454 RL 14 20909 CROWLEY RD., North at Crowftoy Rd.v HARVARD i. •• . t* • «v» r- S» . %«. V% .V