THEHERITAGE

History of the
St.Mary'sCounty Fair
A COUNTY IN TRANSITION
 Photo Courtesy Suzanne Henderson

The Budweiser Clydesdales highlighted the St. Mary's County Fair in the Mid-1950s. Shown here
with John Bernard Henderson (Rt.) at age five riding atop the Budweiser wagon.
 FOREWORD
The L e o n a r d t o w n H i g h S c h o o l P u b l i c a t i o n s ' S t a f f a n d S p o n s o r h o p e t h a t y o u

enjoy t h i s e d i t i o n o f The H e r i t a g e w h i c h f e a t u r e s t h e H i s t o r y o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s

County F a i r w h i l e s h o w i n g A C o u n t y i n T r a n s i t i o n .

Although space a n d t i m e d o n o t p e r m i t u s t o i n c l u d e e v e r y event o r e x h i b i t

o r e v e r y p e r s o n who h a s c o n t r i b u t e d , w e h a v e a t t e m p t e d t o p r e s e n t a c r o s s s e c t i o n

of t h e f a i r t o s h o w t h e atmosphere, t h e community i n v o l v e m e n t , t h e h i s t o r y , a n d

growth o v e r t h e y e a r s . A t t h e same t i m e , w e h a v e a t t e m p t e d t o s h o w h o w S t .

Mary's C o u n t y ' s changes a r e r e f l e c t e d i n t h e f a i r ( A County i n T r a n s i t i o n ) .

St. M a r y ' s C o u n t y has g r o w n f r o m a n a g r a r i a n based s o c i e t y t o one t h a t i s

more a n d m o r e h i g h t e c h . T h e c o u n t y i s n o w f i l l e d w i t h c o n t r a c t o r s a f f i l i a t e d

w i t h t h e P a t u x e n t R i v e r N a v a l A i r S t a t i o n . T h i s change i n t u r n a f f e c t s j o b

a v a i l a b i l i t y i n t h e c o u n t y and b r i n g s i n more s m a l l b u s i n e s s e s a n d f r a n c h i s e s .

As a r e s u l t , t h e c o u n t y i s g r o w i n g b y l e a p s a n d b o u n d s . A l s o many o n e - t i m e

employees a r e n o w r e t u r n i n g t o S t . M a r y ' s a n d a r e r e t i r i n g i n t h i s "Land of

Pleasant L i v i n g " . T h e y l i k e t h e r u r a l f l a v o r o f t h e c o u n t y a s w e l l a s i t s c l o s e

p r o x i m i t y t o t h e m e t r o p o l i t a n w o r l d s o f B a l t i m o r e , A n n a p o l i s , a n d Wa s h i n g t o n .

I t i s t h e r u r a l h e r i t a g e t h a t we have t r i e d t o c a p t u r e i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n ,

t h e v e r y t h i n g t h a t d r a w s m a n y t o o u r l o v e l y S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y.

We w o u l d l i k e t o t a k e t h i s t i m e t o t h a n k t h e m a n y w o n d e r f u l v o l u n t e e r s w h o

have g i v e n g e n e r o u s l y o f t h e i r t i m e , e n e r g y , a n d m o n e y t o m a k e t h e S t . M a r y ' s

County F a i r t h e c o m m u n i t y e v e n t i t i s t o d a y. A s o f 1989 a p p r o x i m a t e l y 35,000

people a t t e n d e d t h e f a i r . I t i s a p r i m e example o f what community v o l u n t e e r s c a n

do. H a t s o f f t o a l l v o l u n t e e r s !

''Copyright 1990
 The Excitement Of It All
I remember when I was l i t t l e
How t h e e x c i t e m e n t Apf t h e f a i r
Began i n t h e Autumn
When t h e t r e e s w e r e turning bare.

When t h e w e e k e n d a t l o n g l a s t e p p r o a c h e d
You c o u l d s e n s e i t i n t h e a i r
Oh t h e s i g h t s , s m e l l s , s o u n d s ,
The f e e l i n g o f t h e f a i r .

Ye a r s l a t e r , w a l k i n g t h r o u g h t h e s e g a t e s
I t a l l comes b a c k t o .me.
The l a u g h t e r , t h e e x c i t e m e n t ,
The f e e l i n g o f b e i n g f r e e .

Once a g a i n i n t h e m i d s t o f i t a l l ,
I can f e e l the excitement
Of w h e n I w a s s m a l l .

Sharon D u n n

2
 A Way Of Life In St. Mary's County

County f a i r s h a v e b e e n a w a y o f l i f e i n A m e r i c a ' s h i s t o r y a n d h a v e g r o w n a n d
changed o v e r t h e y e a r s a s e a c h c o m m u n i t y h a s e v o l v e d . R e s e a r c h i n g t h e h i s t o r y o f
the S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r h a s b e e n a n o n g o i n g e n d e a v o r b y t h e P u b l i c a t i o n ' s
S t a ff and Sponsor o f Leonardtown High School f o r t h e p a s t one and one h a l f y e a r s .
S t u d e n t s h a v e h a d t h e u n i q u e o p p o r t u n i t y t o i n t e r a c t w i t h n u m e r o u s members o f t h e
community w h o h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d i n some w a y o v e r t h e y e a r s t o t h e f a i r f r o m i t s
inception t o the present.

When w e b e g a n r e s e a r c h i n g t h e f a i r ' s
h i s t o r y, we knew t h a t o u r c u r r e n t f a i r
went b a c k a t l e a s t t o 1 9 4 7 w h e n i t w a s
f i r s t h e l d a t Camp C a l v e r t ( n o w S t .
Mary's Ryken H i g h S c h o o l ) . L i t t l e d i d we
know a t t h e t i m e , h o w e v e r , t h a t f a i r s h a d
been h e l d a t L e o n a r d H a l l i n L e o n a r d t o w n
as e a r l y a s 1 9 1 2 .

An o l d S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r
ticket d a t i n g 1 9 1 6 w a s found i n an old
f a r m h o u s e k i t c h e n o n t h e R o b e r t Thompson
f a r m b y Te d B u r c h ( b e l o w ) . H o l d i n g t h e
framed t i c k e t i s C o u n t y F a i r B o a r d
President, John Richards.

After that f i n d , we k n e w o u r w o r k
was j u s t b e g i n n i n g .

Thanks t o t h e h e l p o f L e o n a r d t o w n
H i s t o r i a n A l Gough, J r . , w h o s u p p l i e d u s
with i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m t h e S t . M a r y ' s
Beacon d a t i n g 1 9 1 2 - 1 9 1 6 a n d p i c t u r e s o f
the 1 9 1 2 F a i r , a n d J o e M a t t i n g l y , J r . ,
whose g r a n d f a t h e r w a s a c t i v e i n t h e e a r l y
f a i r a t Leonard H a l l , we were a b l e t o p u t
the m i s s i n g p i e c e s t o g e t h e r .

3
 We h a v e t r i e d t o b e c o m p r e h e n s i v e i n o u r
f i n d i n g s , b u t r e a l i z e t h a t t h e r e may b e
some d e t a i l s w e h a v e o v e r l o o k e d a n d some
v o l u n t e e r s whom we h a v e n o t h a d t h e t i m e
to i n t e r v i e w a n d who p l a y e d a r o l e i n o u r
f a i r ' s h i s t o r y.

Our g o a l h a s b e e n t o s h o w a c r o s s s e c t i o n
of t h e f a i r f r o m i t s o r i g i n t o t h e
present. W e have w o r k e d hard t o be as
accurate a s p o s s i b l e and t o i n t e r v i e w as
many p e o p l e a s o u r t i m e w o u l d a l l o w . W e
hope y o u e n j o y o u r e f f o r t s .

R o b e r t Thompson ( o n whose f a r m was f o u n d

a 1916 t i c k e t t o t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y
Fair) w a s F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t from
1961-66.

Leonardtown p r e p a r e s f o r
'I r i f f " O r iirt, the c o u n t y f a i r i n 1 9 5 0 .

Sec ion of Business District

Leoncirdtown, Md.
4 -

4
 Life On A Farm
L i f e o n a f a r m h a s n e v e r b e e n e a s y. A t t h e f i r s t c r a c k o f dawn, f e e t t o u c h
the f l o o r a n d n e v e r s t o p u n t i l t h e w h o l e b o d y i s b o n e t i r e d a t t h e e n d o f t h e
d a y. N o t a l l i s h a r d w o r k a n d l a b o r o n t h e f a r m , h o w e v e r . W a t c h i n g t h e s p r i n g
lambs s p r i n t a c r o s s t h e b l u e - g r e e n r y e g r a s s a s r o b i n s r u n t h e i r s h o r t l i t t l e
course f r o m o n e p o t e n t i a l W o r m t o a n o t h e r d e l i g h t s t h e s e n s e s a n d r e n e w s m a n ' s
f a i t h i n nature and himself.

Farm f a m i l i e s h a v e a l w a y s k n o w n t h i s s e n s e o f f r e e d o m a n d j o y t h a t c o m e s
from b e i n g i n d e p e n d e n t a n d l i v i n g c l o s e t o t h e l a n d . T h e r e i s a s e r e n i t y t h a t
boosts t h e s p i r i t a n d calms t h e s o u l . I t i s n o wonder t h a t f a r m f a m i l i e s have
for generations f o u g h t hard and l o n g t o maintain t h i s l i f e s t y l e .

I t i s becoming i n c r e a s i n g l y h a r d e r , h o w e v e r, f o r t h e f a m i l y f a r m t o m a i n t a i n
i t s own. D r a s t i c i n c r e a s e s i n p r i c e s o f c h e m i c a l s , f e r t i l i z e r s , e q u i p m e n t , a n d
l a b o r a l o n g w i t h c o m p e t i t i o n f r o m f o r e i g n m a r k e t s a r e f o r c i n g many f a m i l y f a r m s
out o f b u s i n e s s o r c a u s i n g t h e m t o t a k e o n second j o b s t o m a k e e n d s m e e t . T h e
farmer has a l w a y s f a c e d d i f f i c u l t i e s w i t h e c o n o m i c s and t h e e l e m e n t s , y e t h a s
been a b l e t o h a n g o n a n d p u l l t h r o u g h somehow.

Claude J a r b o e s i t s a t o p a n o l d C a s e t r a c t o r w h i l e t h e m e n o n t h e h a y wagon
use p i t c h f o r k s f o r s m o o t h i n g h a y a n d m o v i n g i t a r o u n d f o r b e t t e r p a c k i n g .

5
Hog Killing Was Common
On Most Farms.
(L) R o b e r t J a r b o e , u n i d e n t i f i e d , J o e
Shepard, a n d C l a u d e J a r b o e b u t c h e r h o g s
on t h e J a r b o e f a r m .
Top r i g h t : E l i z a b e t h J a r b o e ( L )
and M a r y R u t h S h e p a r d o n C l a u d e
Jarboe f a r m .
Bottom l e f t : C l a u d e J a r b o e
rendering up l a r d . H o g f a t w a s
boiled i n l a r g e v a t s and p o u r e d
into metal cans f o r cooking.
Photos 1950 s
6
Claude J a r b o e ( b o t t o m R t . )
Families and f r i e n d s would
get t o g e t h e r t o k i l l h o g s .
They w o u l d c u r e t h e i r o w n
hams i n smoke h o u s e s . T h e
lard w o u l d b e g r o u n d i n
large enamel p a n s . "We had
an e l e c t r i c m e a t g r i n d e r , "
said Jarboe. T h e f a t w a s
boiled i n a large, round
vat w i t h a d o o r a t t h e
bottom f o r b u r n i n g wood.
"You h a d t o s t i r t h e b o i l -
ing f a t c o n s t a n t l y s o a s
not t o s t i c k . " I t was
strained a n d p o u r e d
through a m e t a l s i e v e w i t h
a cheese c l o t h i n t h e
bottom.
 Tobacco i s s y n o n y m o u s w i t h S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y

"The g r e a s e w a s s k i m m e d o f f t h e t o p ; The o n e - h o r s e p l o w w a s a common

the b o t t o m w a s d a r k e r a n d w h a t was sight a t one time i n S t . Mary's
left--the dried f a t a n d pieces of C o u n t y. C l a u d e J a r b o e a t
skin ( K r a k l i n ) c o u l d be p u t i n t h e Mulberry F i e l d s w h i c h h e
oven t o m a k e t h e m c r i s p , " s a i d managed a t o n e t i m e .
Jarboe.

" To c u r e hams w e w o u l d r u b M o r t o n
Sugar C u r e ( a d r y s a l t ) o n t h e m a n d
l a y t h e m s k i n down o n a s h e l f a n d
about A p r i l , p u t h a m s i n a p a p e r
bag t o k e e p t h e s k i p p e r s o u t t h e n
hang t h e m i n t h e m e a t h o u s e i n a
cloth/muslin bag. B a c o n w a s cured
in the m e a t house a l s o , " J a r b o e
recalled.

Hogs w e r e k i l l e d a n y t i m e a f t e r
Thanksgiving; i t had t o be c o l d .

7
 Leonard Hall F o s t e r i n g A Love For Rural Life
I t s e e m s t h e P r i n c i p a l A i m s i n t h e o r i g i n a l Prospectus and Catalogue o f
Leonard H a l l a r e e c h o e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e b a s i c p h i l o s o p h y o f t h e c o u n t y f a i r a n d
4-H i n p a r t i c u l a r . L e o n a r d t o w n H i s t o r i a n , A l G o u g h , J r . , s u p p l i e d o u r s t a f f w i t h
the f o l l o w i n g q u o t e f r o m t h e o r i g i n a l P r o s p e c t u s a n d C a t a l o g u e o f L e o n a r d H a l l .

L i v e s t o c k show a t Leonard H a l l ( 1 9 1 2 - 1 9 1 4 ) . ( L t o R t . ) T a y l o r
( l a s t name), u n i d e n t i f i e d , S o n n y T h o m a s s h o w i n g b l a c k angus
c a t t l e . L e o n a r d H a l l opened S e p t . 2 0 , 1 9 0 9 a n d t h e s c h o o l ' s
curriculum s t r e s s e d s t r o n g emphasis o n a g r i c u l t u r e . T h e f i r s t
St. M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r was h e l d t h e r e i n 1912.

Leonard H a l l w a s f o u n d e d i n 1 9 0 9 a n d b y 1 9 1 4 - 1 9 1 5 a l r e a d y h a d i n p l a c e t h e
following aims:

"Besides a t h o r o u g h h i g h s c h o o l e d u c a t i o n o u r p r i n c i p a l a i m
is t o i n d u c e young boys i n t h e county t o f o s t e r a l o v e f o r
r u r a l l i f e ; t o r e m a i n a t home a n d t h r i v e b y i n d u s t r i o u s a n d
scientific farming.

Observe h o w, f o r t h i s p u r p o s e , w e h a v e p r o m i n e n t l y i n s e r t e d
in o u r c u r r i c u l u m a t h o r o u g h c o u r s e i n t h e o r e t i c a l and
practical agriculture.

Too f r e q u e n t l y y o u n g men f r o m t h e c o u n t y h a v e d r i f t e d t o
the l a r g e c i t i e s , t h e r e t o a c c e p t o c c u p a t i o n s i n j u r i o u s t o
the h e a l t h o f b o d y a n d s o u l . "

I t was F a t h e r Laurence J . K e l l y , S . J . a n d F a t h e r J o h n L a F a r g e , S . J . , who

came t o L e o n a r d H a l l i n 1 9 11 a n d s e t f o r t h t h e s e P r i n c i p a l A i m s w h i c h p u t t h e
wheels i n m o t i o n f o r a S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r . T h e i d e a b e i n g " t o e n c o u r a g e
young men t o t a k e p r i d e i n a g r i c u l t u r e a n d s t r i v e t o i m p r o v e f a r m i n g p r a c t i c e s .
Community i n v o l v e m e n t w a s s e e n a s a v i t a l e l e m e n t a n d b y f o s t e r i n g t h e s e i d e a l s
through a c o u n t y f a i r , t h e f r u i t s o f a g r i c u l t u r a l l a b o r s c o u l d b e d i s p l a y e d ,
enjoyed a n d c o n t i n u e d , " a c c o r d i n g t o t h e P r o s p e c t u s .
8
CD

L e f t t o R i g h t : D r . C h a r l e s H a y d e n (Leonardtown d e n t i s t ) , F a t h e r Lawrence K e l l y, S . J . , u n i d e n t i f i e d ,
M a t t i n g l y Swann ( b a c k ) , F a t h e r J o h n L a F a r g e ( A u t h o r o f A m e r i c a , T h e M a n o r i s O r d i n a r y , e t . a l . a s w e l l a s
being o n e o f t h e o r i g i n a t o r s o f t h e C a r d i n a l G i b b o n s H i g h S c h o o l i n R i d g e , MD), t h r e e boys a r e
u n i d e n t i f i e d , b o y ( f a r r i g h t ) l a s t name L o v e . O x C a r t e n t r y a t S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r _ ( 1 9 1 3 - 1 4 ) a t
Leonard H a l l . P h o t o c o u r t e s y o f A l Gough, J r .
 These X a v e r i a n B r o t h e r s a t L e o n a r d H a l l w e r e t h e n d i r e c t l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
the e a r l y e f f o r t s a t d e v e l o p i n g a c o u n t y f a i r . I n 1 9 4 7 t h e f a i r w a s a g a i n p u t i n
m o t i o n ( a f t e r a p e r i o d o f a p p a r e n t l a p s e ) o n t h e g r o u n d s o f Camp C a l v e r t
(operated b y t h e X a v e r i a n B r o t h e r s ) w h i c h i s now S t . M a r y ' s Ryken H i g h School.

Joseph M . M a t t i n g l y w a s o n e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y f a r m e r who p u t t h o s e f a r m i n g

p r a c t i c e s i n t o a c t i o n . A c c o r d i n g t o a n a r t i c l e i n t h e S t a r n e w s p a p e r, " J o s e p h
M a t t i n g l y was way ahead o f h i s n e i g h b o r s i n c r o p a n d l a n d u s e p r a c t i c e s . H e
pioneered m o d e r n m e t h o d s o f l a n d u s e . " T h o s e e f f o r t s p a i d o f f a t t h e f i r s t
county f a i r i n 1912 a t Leonard H a l l , where h e was a w a r d e d a g o l d medal f o r h i s
corn e x h i b i t i n 1912.

Joseph M a t t i n g l y , J r . h o l d s a g o l d
medal w h i c h h i s g r a n d f a t h e r w o n f o r
f i r s t place i n the corn exhibit a t
the f i r s t S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r
held i n 1912 a t Leonard H a l l .

Grandson J o s e p h A . M a t t i n g l y , J r . , A s s i s t a n t S t a t e s A t t o r n e y , n o w p r o u d l y
wears t h a t m e d a l o n h i s p o c k e t w a t c h c h a i n t o d a y . " I t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t
to m e , " J o e s t a t e d i n a r e c e n t i n t e r v i e w , " b e c a u s e 1912 i s t h e y e a r my A u n t
Martha M a t t i n g l y was b o r n a n d s h e i s t h e o n e who g a v e i t t o me; a l s o because i t
b e l o n g e d t o G r a n d d a d d y. "

"The c o r n t h a t h e w o n t h a t g o l d m e d a l f o r w a s r a i s e d o n t h e E l l e n b o r o u g h
Farm b e h i n d C e d a r L a n e , " r e m i n i s c e d R e t i r e d J u d g e J o s e p h A . M a t t i n g l y , S r . ,
d u r i n g t h e s a m e i n t e r v i e w . " W e h a d moved t h e r e f r o m M e d l e y ' s N e c k s o t h e g i r l s
(my s i s t e r s ) c o u l d b e c l o s e r t o s c h o o l . T h e y c o u l d n ' t g e t t o S t . M a r y ' s Academy
from t h e f a r m i n M e d l e y ' s Neck s o Dad b o u g h t t h e E l l e n b o r o u g h Farm s o t h e y c o u l d
get t o s c h o o l e a s i e r . "

10
 Joseph M a t t i n g l y , J r . , r e m a r k e d , " F o r a m a n w h o s a i d h e h a d a t h i r d g r a d e
education, Granddad c e r t a i n l y b e l i e v e d i n e d u c a t i o n and almost e v e r y one o f h i s
children went t o c o l l e g e --good c o l l e g e s , t o o --and i t wasn't e a s y back then t o
send t h e m . G r a n d d a d d y w a s a s e l f - m a d e m a n . H e w a s C l e r k o f t h e C i r c u i t C o u r t
f o r t w e n t y - o d d y e a r s a n d w a s a l s o a member o f t h e F a i r B o a r d a n d a member o f t h e
House o f D e l e g a t e s s o f a r m i n g w a s n ' t h i s o n l y l i f e ' s a m b i t i o n . "

" I r e m e m b e r D a d s a i d h e made 1 0 0 b u s h e l s o f c o r n p e r a c r e w h e n h e r e c e i v e d
the g o l d m e d a l i n 1 9 1 2 - - t h a t was a l o t f o r t h o s e d a y s , " s a i d Judge M a t t i n g l y .
"Corn s o l d f o r . 2 5 c e n t s p e r b u s h e l w h i c h w a s a p r e t t y g o o d p r i c e b a c k t h e n . "

Several o t h e r medals were won b y t h e s e n i o r M a t t i n g l y between 1912 and 1916.

Gold m e d a l s w e r e g i v e n f o r f i r s t p l a c e , s i l v e r f o r s e c o n d a n d b r o n z e f o r t h i r d .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e m e d a l s w o n , t h e r e i s a s i l v e r L o v i n g Cup d a t e d 1 9 1 3 a n d a
s i l v e r bowl d a t e d 1914 ( s e e p h o t o ) awarded t o M a t t i n g l y.

Three g e n e r a t i o n s o f M a t t i n g l y s t a k e g r e a t p r i d e i n S t . M a r y ' s
County's f a r m i n g h e r i t a g e . J o s e p h M a t t i n g l y, J r . ( L ) a n d
Retired Judge Joseph A . M a t t i n g l y, S r . ( R ) s i t amid awards and
tropheys won b y Judge M a t t i n g l y ' s f a t h e r , J o s e p h M. M a t t i n g l y
at t h e f i r s t f a i r s h e l d a t Leonard H a l l between 1912-1914.

The M a t t i n g l y s a r e s t i l l w i n n i n g r i b b o n s i n t h e c o u n t y f a i r s . J u d g e
M a t t i n g l y ' s nephew J . M a G u i r e M a t t i n g l y , J r . , h a s e n t e r e d H e r e f o r d c a t t l e f r o m
Tudor H a l l F a r m i n t h e f a i r f o r y e a r s , a n d i s a member o f t h e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s
f o r t h e f a i r a n d a c t s a s t h e B o a r d ' s T r e a s u r e r . O t h e r members o f t h e f a m i l y h a v e
also been a c t i v e i n t h e f a i r o v e r t h e y e a r s .

11
 C h a r l e s F e n w i c k , S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y H i s t o r i a n , r e c a l l s , " A s f a r a s I k n o w,
they o n l y had t h e f a i r a t Leonard H a l l f o r a f e w y e a r s . L e o n a r d H a l l a t t h a t
time was a n a g r i c u l t u r e s c h o o l . T h e X a v e r i a n B r o t h e r s t r i e d t o g e t t h e c o u n t y t o
fund t h e f a i r b u t t h e y w o u l d n ' t . "

"The o n e t h i n g I r e m e m b e r t h e m o s t a b o u t t h e f a i r a t L e o n a r d H a l l w a s t h a t
t h e y h a d a h o t a i r b a l l o o n t h a t y e a r a n d a man j u m p e d o u t o f i t a n d p a r a c h u t e d
down r i g h t a c r o s s t h e s t r e e t f r o m w h e r e I l i v e d w h i c h w a s a t l e a s t a b l o c k a w a y
from t h e f a i r g r o u n d s , " s a i d F e n w i c k .

" I a l s o r e m e m b e r t h a t m y o l d e r b r o t h e r t o o k me o u t t o t h e f a i r ( a t L e o n a r d
H a l l ) t o a t e n t t h a t had n o t h i n g i n i t b u t t o y s . I t h o u g h t I was i n heaven.
d o n ' t remember n o w w h a t I g o t t h a t d a y - - s o m e k i n d o f l i t t l e t o y I s u p p o s e .
d o n ' t r e m e m b e r v e r y much e l s e a b o u t t h e f a i r a t L e o n a r d H a l l ; I w a s r e a l s m a l l a t
the t i m e . "

Mary K a t h e r i n e B e l l r e m e m b e r s t h a t h e r f a t h e r d r e s s e d u p l i k e a p u m p k i n f o r
the f a i r a t L e o n a r d H a l l . " W e c h i l d r e n p l a y e d w i t h t h a t costume f o r y e a r s , "
stated Mrs. B e l l .

" I d o r e m e m b e r w h e n t h e f a r m e r s came i n t o L e o n a r d t o w n o n C o u r t T u e s d a y,
h o w e v e r. E v e r y f a r m e r i n t h e w o r l d came t o t o w n . M e n b r o u g h t t h e i r h o r s e s a n d
paraded t h e m a r o u n d t o w n f o r p o t e n t i a l b u y e r s t o s e e . I t c e r t a i n l y w a s a m a n ' s
d a y. W o m e n a n d c h i l d r e n w e r e s u p p o s e d t o b e o f f t h e s t r e e t s - - a t h o m e s o m e w h e r e .
We c o u l d n ' t b e o u t t h e r e w i t h t h e m e n , b u t I l i v e d r i g h t t h e r e o n M a i n S t r e e t
where I c o u l d s e e e v e r y t h i n g . "

"My h u s b a n d ' s ( W e b s t e r ) f a t h e r , M r . R o y B e l l , w a s q u i t e a g o o d h o r s e
doctor- - h e knew h i s h o r s e s ! H e r a i s e d h o r s e s a n d t r a i n e d u n d e r a w e l l - k n o w n
v e t e r i n a r i a n i n B a l t i m o r e . B a c k i n t h o s e d a y s t h e r e was n o c e r t i f i c a t i o n , y o u
know. A t t h a t t i m e , t h a t ' s h o w d o c t o r s a n d l a w y e r s t r a i n e d --under o l d
e s t a b l i s h e d e x p e r t s . W h e n I m a r r i e d Webster i n 1932 we l i v e d a t Cedar P o i n t ( n o w
P a t u x e n t R i v e r N a v a l A i r B a s e ) a n d I c a n t e l l y o u , a n y o n e i n t h a t a r e a who n e e d e d
t h e i r animals checked went t o M r . B e l l . H e w a s v e r y w e l l r e s p e c t e d a s a
v e t e r i n a r i a n , " reminisced Mrs. B e l l .

When t h e B u d w e i s e r C l y d e s d a l e s
came t o t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y
Fair i n the l a t e 4 0 ' s , M r. B e l l
examined t h e m l i k e t h e y w e r e a
piece o f j e w e l r y. H e had a l o t
of r e s p e c t f o r them."

Buck Briscoe,
Mr. St. Mary's County,
stands with the Clydesdales.

As t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n w e n t t o press, a
h a n d w r i t t e n l e t t e r f r o m B r o t h e r Walter,
C.F.X. t o H e n r y F o w l e r, S r. c a m e t o u s
f r o m H. Fowler, Jr. o u t l i n i n g the history of
the L e o n a r d Hall fair.
See pages 181 & 182.

12
 Cover p i c t u r e s h o w s t h e c a t t l e s h o w r i n g a t Camp C a l v e r t ( 1 9 4 7 ) w h i c h i s n o w
the S t . M a r y ' s R y k e n c a m p u s . A l e x B l a c k h a l l ( s h o w i n g h e r e f o r d ) a n d H e a t h S t e e l e
(Glenn M a r y F a r m s ) e n t e r i n g t h e r i n g . S t e e l e w a s i n s t r u m e n t a l i n o r g a n i z i n g t h e
f i r s t f a i r a t Camp C a l v e r t ( 1 9 4 7 ) . T o t h e r i g h t i s a n o l d B u i c k - - " a r e l i c t h e n
i n 1 9 4 8 , " s a i d Suzanne Henderson whose f a t h e r owned t h e c a r a n d " u s e d t o announce
the e v e n t s f r o m a s p e a k e r s y s t e m h e h a d i n s t a l l e d . H e w o u l d a l s o p l a y r e c o r d s
and m a r c h e s f o r t h e f a i r g o e r s o n a t u r n t a b l e . "

From Leonard Hall to Camp Calvert

For s e v e r a l y e a r s t h e f a i r was n o t i n p r o g r e s s . A c c o r d i n g t o S t . M a r y ' s

County H i s t o r i a n Charles Fenwick, " T h e Xavarian Brothers asked t h e county t o t a k e
over t h e f a i r o r h e l p f u n d t h e f a i r b u t t h e y w o u l d n ' t , " h e s a i d , " s o t h e r e was n o
fair f o r several years."

In 1947 t h e f a i r was a g a i n u n d e r t a k e n and t h e f o l l o w i n g l e t t e r d e t a i l s t h e

events a s t h e y d e v e l o p e d . M r . H e a t h S t e e l e r e c a l l s how t h e 1947 S t . M a r y ' s
County F a i r a g a i n came t o b e .

13
 HEATH W. STEELE
106 WOODSTOCK DR.
CHES. CITY, MD 21915

ite , Z t e / t a t 4 4 /?f-

a l C c , 7ykt

,g4 (-4/ 4 ) / c i %/V -441/4ePor

cda-2- 14
 et s A 614. C C 2 - -461z
e9c4J- F c t i , % F i g , ; ; ,ttt;%- ; 2 ( 4 2 4 4 . . 9 .0

CY11 G C . J 1 4 - r . 4 9 , c r ?

LAJ1 64- (4-ft,11;,,C44:,(4, ) _

( ) . et, j c Q
V _ - 9c2-
t07-tsc 6 P. V t
[).2- a a 41412 i s r 2 , , t t i
FctQA&Lid,
(eA f e z 4 ) - 6 6 0 4

gICA4A. cPt. C 4 3 A . n t A . a_ L 4 ) 424._. 2 2 4 2 - i c - e k i l t 1 0 2 4 1

cluicz4_
kAazI,J e r 1AEACatv-z:4-A-, 4 4 -tug c - - -

41C-e,_ c a r a t _ c d e Q c y z

.1;, ,eC 6 1 1 144a...

Lt)g i d u , k
eL fzci p a L .

X eti1A-i-,-,c a - , ( 2 /

15
 Liuzx / 2 - L t ( 2 - #
f-L7 , t a e izt frta. J2t,-
. / 9
yzf- ,

sietA- / 4 6 ( aA /_c
I
c?iLf70...fp_ s z . c . 4

41/24 .obe-Ar-e
L.
7 7 - 1 f474teao..a/7._

L j a - - 7 - 7-1-10/t4 2 t i r F a 4 r
4

f x < L . / . s Z e

/ ( m A i e f / b t i f^'Lj" / 5 / i ? ( W A - a 4 e

r3-ze.cee1
l ,

J-d/L.-Q , 0 4 7 4 4 , 0 4 . T ta.J,6.

da-t-

y e Z " C 9 ( - c t

16
 &)r' ,etr,,J2. L a : 4 04
c00.-1/4g / C I /43% 4 J -2-C a l - - 4 - . - 1 ' 4 7 &t j k i 3

a k s , - k -Q + A 7 4 & 1 1 A L(

7sp,
(741 1 6 # ( . 4 -1.-

Left to Right: A Blackhall twin, Ben Parran, Elwood Cusic, Ignatious Pilkerton, Man from Cage
Farm (owned by The Parrans), and one of the Blackhall twins.

17
 R i g h t . S e n a t o r Henry F o w l e r ,
S r. i n o n e o f h i s many r o l e s a t
the S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r .
Shown h e r e w i t h The Q u e e n o f
To l e r a n c e .

From Horse And Buggy To Super Highway

The Fair Has Maintained Its Own.
O r i g i n a l l y, t h e f a i r was s t r i c t l y a g r i c u l t u r a l i n t h a t i t was a m e e t i n g t i m e
f o r f a r m e r s t o show t h e i r a n i m a l s and goods, a n d f o r f a r m e r ' s w i v e s t o show t h e i r
needlework and sample e a c h o t h e r ' s c o o k i n g . T h e e a r l i e s t known " s h o w i n g s " g o a l l
the way b a c k t o t h e o r i g i n o f S t . M a r y ' s C i t y . A c c o r d i n g t o H e n r y F o w l e r , J r . ,
"the e a r l y beginnings o f t h e f a i r were i n S t . M a r y ' s C i t y. . . I ' v e seen pen and i n k
s k e t c h e s o f men s h o w i n g t h e i r a n i m a l s i n t h e m i d d l e o f t h e s e t t l e m e n t . "

As t h e p o p u l a t i o n o f S t . M a r y ' s C i t y e x p a n d e d , s o d i d t h e d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e
s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a s . A t some p o i n t , " t h e f a r m e r ' s ' s h o w i n g s ' b e g a n t a k i n g p l a c e o n
the g r e e n s i n L e o n a r d t o w n o n Wednesdays, t h e o f f i c i a l ' F a r m e r ' s M a r k e t D a y ' a n d
'business d a y ' o f t h e w e e k , " s t a t e d F o w l e r. I t was a l s o r e v e a l e d t h a t b u s i n e s s
people w o u l d t a k e advantage o f t h e g a t h e r i n g s t o a d v e r t i s e t h e i r m a c h i n e r y a n d
farm implements. " M e r c h a n t s l o v e d t h e g a t h e r i n g s because f a r m e r s f r o m f a r t h e r
o u t o n l y came i n t o t o w n maybe f o u r t i m e s a y e a r . "

" R a i l r o a d s e r v i c e o n l y extended i n t o M e c h a n i c s v i l l e i n 1946, s o t h a t when

v i s i t i n g merchants c a m e i n o n t h e t r a i n , t h e y had t o r i d e a buck board i n t o t h e
c o u n t y, a n d t h e y w o u l d s p e n d t h e w e e k w i t h c o u n t y s t o r e o w n e r s d o i n g b u s i n e s s , "
said F o w l e r . L a t e r , t h e r a i l r o a d w a s extended i n t o L e x i n g t o n Park w i t h t h e
i n s t a l l a t i o n o f t h e Patuxent River Naval A i r Station.

County g r o w t h h a s become a m a j o r i s s u e i n t h e p a s t 4 0 y e a r s b e c a u s e t h e
county h a s changed f r o m b a s i c a l l y a g r a r i a n t o " m o r e h i g h - t e c h " . F o w l e r remembers
much o f t h e c o u n t y ' s c h a n g e s t h r o u g h t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s o f h i s f a t h e r , S e n a t o r
Henry F o w l e r , S r . " D a d d y a l w a y s s a i d t h a t b e t t e r t h a n 9 0 % o f t h e c o u n t y w a s
r e l a t e d u n t i l t h e base opened d u r i n g World W a r I I . D a d w a s i n s t r u m e n t a l i n
bringing the f i r s t d u a l highway i n t o the county while i n the state l e g i s l a t u r e ,
and u s e d h i s g i f t o f g a b a s t h e f a i r ' s P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s m a n , a n d a s a b e h i n d - t h e -
scenes o r g a n i z e r o f t h e f a i r a n d a s t h e Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e C o m p e t i t i o n M a s t e r o f
Ceremonies f o r many y e a r s . "

18
 Bernard Johnson ( L ) e x p l a i n s h i s f a t h e r ' s ( J u l i u s Johnson- -
County E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f o r S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y f r o m 1 9 3 2 - 1 9 5 9 )
role i n t h e e a r l y f a i r t o p u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s Angela
Coblentz ( m i d d l e ) a n d L i s a G r e e r a s t h e y s t r o l l J o h n s o n ' s
beautiful gardens.

As t h e c o u n t y became m o r e p o p u l a t e d , i n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n i n c r e a s e d a s w e l l a s
i n t r a - s t a t e communication. A g r i c u l t u r a l agents were a s s i g n e d t o e a c h county i n
order t o h e l p f a r m s m e c h a n i z e t h e i r f a r m s and show them d i v e r s i f i e d t e c h n i q u e s
f o r f a r m i n g . J u l i u s Johnson was t h e e x t e n s i o n a g e n t f r o m 1 9 3 2 t o 1 9 5 9 , d u r i n g
which t i m e t h e o f f i c i a l S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r w a s f o u n d e d , a span o f t w e n t y -
seven y e a r s , " a n d h e w a s t h e o n l y e x t e n s i o n a g e n t w i t h o u t a c o l l e g e d e g r e e - - a
self-educated man," s a y s h i s s o n , Bernard Johnson, who has been a c t i v e w i t h t h e
c o u n t y f a i r many y e a r s . J u l i u s J o h n s o n ' s f i r s t w i f e , L y l i a n M a t t i n g l y J o h n s o n ,
was e q u a l l y i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e a g r i c u l t u r a l e x p a n s i o n o f t h e c o u n t y , h o l d i n g t h e
p o s i t i o n o f Home d e m o n s t r a t i o n A g e n t - - t h e f e m a l e e q u i v a l e n t t o t h e e x t e n s i o n
agent. " S h e w a s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r b r i n g i n g i d e a s t o f a r m e r s ' w i v e s a b o u t
h o u s e c a r e , c o o k i n g a n d c a n n i n g . S h e h a d g o n e t o s c h o o l i n Te n n e s s e e t o q u a l i f y
f o r t h e p o s i t i o n , " s t a t e d Bernard Johnson. " D a d ' s second w i f e , Anna, was a l s o a
Home D e m o n s t r a t i o n A g e n t i n C h a r l e s C o . "

" A r o u n d 1 9 4 6 , " s a i d J o h n s o n , " m y f a t h e r J u l i u s , l o c a l f a r m e r s , members o f

t h e F a r m B u r e a u , members o f t h e M a r y l a n d To b a c c o A s s o c i a t i o n , a n d l o c a l c i v i c
organizations got t h e idea t o organize t h e f a r m e r s ' g a t h e r i n g s i n t o a county
f a i r. T h e y , i n t u r n , c o n t a c t e d t h e Maryland S t a t e F a i r Board t o g e t approval and
the g u i d e l i n e s n e c e s s a r y f o r a l o c a l f a i r . O n c e e v e r y t h i n g w a s a r r a n g e d , t h e
X a v a r i a n B r o t h e r s o f f e r e d t h e g r o u n d s o f t h e i r n o v i t i a t e , a l s o k n o w n a s Camp
C a l v e r t , i n 1 9 4 7 t o b e t h e home o f t h e f a i r . T h e f i r s t t w o y e a r s o f t h e c o u n t y
f a i r were s p e n t t h e r e o n t h e grounds o f what i s now S t . M a r y ' s Ryken High S c h o o l .
The f a i r b u i l d i n g s c o n s i s t e d o f N a t i o n a l G u a r d t e n t s t h a t w e r e u s e d f o r a b o y ' s
camp t h e r e i n t h e s u m m e r, " J o h n s o n r e l a t e d .

19
 (L) H e n r y F o w l e r t a l k s t o a p r i n c e s s f r o m t h e Q u e e n ' s C o u r t .
O f f i c i a t i n g Queen, J u l i u s Johnson ( C o u n t y Extension A g e n t ,
1932-1959) a n d B i l l y C u s i c r e c e i v i n g t r o p h y f o r b e s t s t e e r .

"Money f o r t h e f i r s t f a i r u n d e r t h e f i r s t f a i r b o a r d p r e s i d e n t , M a j o r H o w a r d
C. D a v i d s o n , o w n e r o f Cremona F a r m , w a s r a i s e d b y s e l l i n g s t o c k , " a c c o r d i n g t o
B i l l H o l l e y , c u r r e n t f a i r b o a r d m e m b e r. " S h a r e s o f s t o c k i n t h e f a i r w e r e s o l d
f o r t e n d o l l a r s e a c h , a n d t h a t f i r s t y e a r , o v e r $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 was r a i s e d . S t o c k h o l d e r s
are t h e o n l y members a l l o w e d t o v o t e o n t h e B o a r d o f D i r e c t o r s . I f y o u h a d 1 0
s h a r e s , y o u h a d 1 0 v o t e s . T h e d e c i s i o n w a s made t o l e a s e t h e l a n d a c r o s s f r o m
t he S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y P o o r h o u s e F a r m , " a c c o r d i n g t o B i l l H o l l e y , " a n d t h e c o u n t y
paid one d o l l a r a y e a r f o r t h e 2 5 - y e a r l e a s e o n t h e f a i r g r o u n d s . A f t e r t h a t
f i r s t 2 5 y e a r l e a s e , t h e same g r o u n d s h a v e b e e n l e a s e d f o r 5 y e a r s a t a t i m e
according t o MaGuire M a t t i n g l y, F a i r Board Tr e a s u r e r. " W e d o a b i t o f l o b b y i n g
with t h e County Commissioners," s a i d M a t t i n g l y.

20
 _
NCORPORATED UNDERTHE
_ LAWS OF THE

S TAT E O F M A R Y L A N Q

,It.t.t.t.takko lext 17.

F U L LY PA I D NON- A S S E S S A B L E

u r SAINTMARY'SCOUNTYFAIRASSOCIATION,INCORPORATED
LEON ARDTOWN, M A R Y L A N D

C A P I TA L S T O C K $25,000.00
2,500 S H A R E S C O M M O N $ 1 0 . 0 0 E A C H

://'/tio //%/i; (;0f/W . f y / . /

SAINT M A R Y ' S C O U N T Y F A I R ASSOCIATION, I N C O R P O R AT E D
,
ii,///.//*////' ( 7/4/ ( / X / ' / / r 4 ( / / / f 74,ifrif(//iyi / y / f f i r l
A i / K w 7)/ ( % / ( ; / / / / / 0 ( 7 / .17/%1f//(7 ( 1 % / I i * ( % " % . 0 ( ' % / / f , i 0 ( ' 1 / / / ' ( 1 / ( 4 1 . / ( 4 (
,
.-- 1 , 1 1 ; a i i t a i i i ) I R M . t 1.'14, / 4 , . / ( / / / / / o 0 i ' / / / / / ( 9 , i ' / . . / W l f . / 0 7 . . / k i ( i ' / / / . / 4 0 / . / t / ( , / ' t , i 1 ( / / / i ' r /
_ ,
, 4 ) 7 7;!./ ( / ' / / 7 a f i l h ( , / f i r r i ( / / / ( (41 I l i a 46 e,i/r(,171/, / 7 / 7 / /(' 7y / / i ifwitit, / / / A i x y /
//1I 1 / ( 1 7 (3,/ ' ( 7 ' 2 z 7 .

S E C R E TA R Y - T R E A S U R E R

SHARES $ 1 0 . 0 0 E A C H st:

S t o c k s w e r ew
er s o l d f o r $ 1 0 . 0 0 p e r s h a r e a n d o n l y a s t o c k h o l d e r c o u l d v o t e . T h i s s t o c k i s t h e p r o p e r t y o f S u z a n n e
Henderson, S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r B o a r d Member.
 " B u i l d i n g s s u c h a s t h e b a r n s , a n d t h e a u d i t o r i u m were b u i l t a s a community
e f f o r t b y v o l u n t e e r s , i n a l m o s t t h e same s p i r i t a s c o m m u n i t y ' b a r n - r a i s i n g ' , " M r.
H o l l e y r e l a t e d t o u s i n a n i n t e r v i e w . E v e n n o w, a l l t h e f a i r buildings are run by
volunteers- - t h e people a r e t h e r e b e c a u s e t h e y l o v e what t h e y do a n d t h e y want
others t o see i t , e n j o y i t , a n d share i t .

Local businessmen h e l p b u i l d t h e
Smith b u i l d i n g ( n o w t h e f l o w e r
b u i l d i n g ) . T h e b u i l d i n g has
been d e d i c a t e d t o B a r n a r d J .
Smith who d o n a t e d a l l m a t e r i a l s .

Henry F o w l e r , S r . ( L ) , t w o
identified w o r k e r s ( c e n t e r ) ,
and B a s c o m B r o u n ( R t ) d u r i n g
the b u i l d i n g o f t h e S m i t h
building donated a n d b u i l t by
Barnard J . S m i t h ( S u z a n n e
Henderson's f a t h e r ) . T h e
building i s on the p a r k i n g l o t
side o f t h e s t r e e t a n d i s now
the f l o w e r b u i l d i n g .

22
 "The f i r s t f e w b u i l d i n g s w e r e t h e w o o d e n o n e s s u c h a s t h e f l o w e r b u i l d i n g
and t h e a g r i c u l t u r e b u i l d i n g s ( t h e 3 t h a t l o o k a l i k e ) , " s a i d E l w o o d C u s i c w h o w a s
in on t h e volunteer w o r k from t h e beginning o f the f a i r . " T h e b i g c a t t l e barn
was b u i l t f o r t h e f i r s t f a i r a l s o . "

Suzanne H e n d e r s o n remembers t h a t h e r " f a t h e r b u i l t t h e f l o w e r b u i l d i n g o u t

of h i s own p o c k e t and i t was t h e f i r s t o n e t o have a c o n c r e t e f l o o r , t h e f i r s t t o
have s h e e t r o c k , a n d i t a l s o h a d a s t o r a g e t a n k i n t h e b a c k o f t h e b u i l d i n g , "
says H e n d e r s o n . " T h e b u i l d i n g w a s l a t e r d e d i c a t e d t o m y f a t h e r b y t h e f a i r
board- - t h e r e i s a p l a q u e t o t h a t e f f e c t i n t h e b u i l d i n g . "

Wo r l d Wa r I I b r o u g h t a b o u t s t r a n g e a r r a n g e m e n t s w i t h t h e A n d r e w s A i r F o r c e
Base. " T h e o f f i c e r s a t A n d r e w s A i r F o r c e B a s e w e r e n e r v o u s t h a t W a s h i n g t o n , D C ,
m i g h t b e bombed, s o t h e y w a n t e d t o r e n t a n a r e a w h e r e t h e y c o u l d s t o r e s u p p l i e s
t h a t c o u l d b e u s e d i n c a s e o f s u c h a n e m e r g e n c y, " s a i d S u z a n n e H e n d e r s o n who
r e l a t e d t o u s i n a n i n t e r v i e w t h a t " t h e a u d i t o r i u m was r e n t e d f o r $ 2 , 0 0 0 a y e a r
and t h e s u p p l i e s w e r e o n l y r e m o v e d o n e w e e k b e f o r e t h e f a i r w a s t o b e g i n a n d
r e t u r n e d one week a f t e r t h e B l a c k F a i r was d o n e . B a c k t h e n w e h a d t w o f a i r s .
Ours w a s h e l d o n e w e e k a n d t h e B l a c k F a i r w a s h e l d a f t e r o u r s . A f t e r t h o s e t w o
weeks, t h e s u p p l i e s w e r e p u t b a c k . "

"The 4 - H c l u b s w e r e a l w a y s a c t i v e i n t h e c o u n t y f a i r a s w e l l a s I c a n
r e m e m b e r, " s a i d E l i z a b e t h R u s s e l l , s e c r e t a r y t o J u l i u s J o h n s o n f r o m 1 9 4 1 t o 1 9 6 8
when h e w a s a C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t . " E t h e l J o y w a s t h e C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t
f o r 4 - H w h e n i t w a s f i r s t s t a r t e d i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y, a n d I b e l i e v e t h a t i t w a s
s t a r t e d i n t h e 3 0 ' s . M o s t l y t h e y worked t h r o u g h t h e s c h o o l s ; t h e n t h e y s t a r t e d
m e e t i n g i n g r o u p s i n homes a s w e l l a s s c h o o l s . I d o b e l i e v e 4 - H p a r t i c i p a t e d i n
t h e v e r y f i r s t f a i r a t Camp C a l v e r t i n 1 9 4 7 , " s a i d R u s s e l l .

Clockwise L . B i l l G e i s e r,
County A g r i c u l t u r e A g e n t
a f t e r J u l i u s Johnson, M r s .

ARYLAND AL Robert S t e v e n s , s o n Danny

Stevens ( b a c k ) , M r . R o b e r t
N STEVENS II Stevens, a n d c e n t e r ,
7 1 4 1 1 4 1 1 r ,
Luther Wolf.

"Danny S t e v e n s w a s o n e
of t h e most outstanding
4-H'ers s i n c e w e have had
4-H i n t h i s c o u n t y . H e
always won a n d w o r k e d v e r y
hard t o w i n , " s a i d Elwood
Cusic.

23
Some o f t h e f i r s t f a i r
buildings o n t h e s i t e
where t h e o f f i c e i s n o w
located. O n the f a r
left i s t h e f i r s t
building o n the existing
grounds a c c o r d i n g t o
Suzanne H e n d e r s o n .

L i o n s Te x A s h e n b e c k ( l e f t ) , R o n
G r a y, a n d S a l R a s p a m a n t h e
main g a t e t o t h e f a i r g r o u n d s a s
Lions h a v e d o n e p r a c t i c a l l y
since t h e f a i r opened i n 1947.

The l o c a l L i o n s C l u b s h a v e v o l u n t e e r e d t o t a k e t u r n s s e l l i n g t i c k e t s a t t h e g a t e
o f t h e f a i r g r o u n d s a s f a r b a c k a s a n y o n e c a n r e m e m b e r. T h e c l u b s d e c i d e among
t h e m s e l v e s w h o t a k e s w h a t d a y a n d t h e n t h e members d i v i d e u p t h e t i m e s o t h a t n o
one h a s a n u n f a i r t i m e s c h e d u l e .

24
 A County In Transition
by Andrew Stone

St. M a r y ' s County used t o b e a s m a l l r u r a l community w i t h most o f i t s income

coming f r o m f a r m i n g a n d f i s h i n g . N o w , w i t h t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f t h e P a t u x e n t
River N a v a l A i r S t a t i o n t h e c o u n t y i s becoming more u r b a n i z e d w i t h a c o n s t a n t l y
i n c r e a s i n g p o p u l a t i o n . T h i s g r o w t h i s h a v i n g d r a m a t i c e f f e c t s o n a number o f
issues c o n t r o v e r s i a l i n n a t u r e .

The g r o w t h o f i n d u s t r y a n d t e c h n o l o g y d u e t o c o n t r a c t o r s a f f i l i a t e d w i t h t h e
Patuxent R i v e r N a v a l A i r S t a t i o n , a n d t h e g r o w t h o f s m a l l businesses a s a r e s u l t ,
have h a d a l a r g e i m p a c t o n t h e e x p a n s i o n o f u r b a n d e v e l o p m e n t i n t h e c o u n t y . I t
is possible t h a t without t h e Naval A i r S t a t i o n , S t . Mary's C o u n t y ' s main source
of income w o u l d s t i l l b e a g r i c u l t u r e a n d seafood. P a x R i v e r and i t s v a r i o u s
m i l i t a r y r e l a t e d i n d u s t r i e s around t h e t r i - c o u n t y area a r e t h e s o l e r e a s o n s f o r
t h i s c o u n t y ' s r a p i d expansion coupled w i t h t h e f a c t t h a t people a r e moving t o t h e
more r u r a l a r e a s t o e s c a p e t h e c i t i e s a n d t o r e t i r e . O n e - t h i r d o f t h e c o u n t y ' s
population i s near Lexington Park.

According t o t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y Department o f Economic a n d Community

Development r e p o r t o f J u n e , 1 9 8 8 , a b o u t 3 , 3 7 7 r e s i d e n t s i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y w e r e
employees a t P a x R i v e r o r NESEA, o r a r e w i t h some c o n t r a c t o r a f f i l i a t e d w i t h P a x
R i v e r . S i n c e 1 9 4 3 , w h e n t h e N a v a l A i r S t a t i o n came t o t h e L e x i n g t o n P a r k a r e a ,
the p o p u l a t i o n h a s s t e a d i l y c l i m b e d . J u s t i n t h e l a s t e i g h t y e a r s , t h e
population grew f r o m 5 9 , 8 9 5 r e s i d e n t s i n 1 9 8 0 t o 7 8 , 9 0 0 r e s i d e n t s i n 1989
a c c o r d i n g t o t h e S t . M a r y ' s D e p a r t m e n t o f P l a n n i n g a n d Z o n i n g Census B u r e a u a n d
the Census o f A g r i c u l t u r e . A c c o r d i n g t o t h e l a t e s t f i g u r e s , c o u n t y g r o w t h
between 1 9 8 0 - 1 9 8 9 w a s m o r e t h a n a n y o t h e r 1 0 y e a r p e r i o d s i n c e t h e U . S . C e n s u s i n
1790 r e c o r d e d 1 5 , 0 0 0 c o u n t y r e s i d e n t s .

Left t o R i g h t : T o n y D e l o s i e r,
Howard Y o u n g , J o e D e l o s i e r ,
Warren D e l o s i e r a n d C l a u d e
Jarboe o n J a r b o e ' s f a r m i n
1948.

25
 W i t h t h e g r o w t h o f p o p u l a t i o n comes t h e g r o w t h o f s h o p p i n g c e n t e r s , p r i v a t e
i n d u s t r y and t h e need f o r more s c h o o l s and more highways. T h i s g r o w t h a l s o h e l p s
a c c o u n t f o r some o f t h e d e c r e a s e i n f a r m l a n d a c r e a g e .

Examples o f t h i s r e c e n t g r o w t h i n t h e L e x i n g t o n P a r k a r e a i n c l u d e S a n S o u c i
Plaza ( s h o p p i n g c e n t e r ) w h i c h was o n c e f a r m l a n d i t s e l f , t h e W i l d e w o o d C e n t e r
(shopping c e n t e r ) w h i c h w a s a p a r t l y w o o d e d a r e a , a n d t h e n e w h o u s i n g
development, H u n t i n g C r e e k , l o c a t e d i n t h e P a r k H a l l a r e a and a t t h i s w r i t i n g i s
s t i l l b e i n g d e v e l o p e d . F a r m s a l o n g C h a n c e l l o r s Run Road a n d G r e a t M i l l s Road a r e
being developed. T h e scene i s b e i n g r e p e a t e d i n o t h e r a r e a s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t y.

Since 1 9 8 2 , t h e amount o f f a r m l a n d h a s d e c r e a s e d b y 2 0 , 0 0 0 a c r e s w i t h a l o s s
of a l m o s t 2 0 0 f a r m s . T h e a c r e a g e o f l a n d s t i l l i n f a r m i n g has decreased 1 9 . 7
percent, f r o m 100,221 a c r e s a c c o r d i n g t o D e p a r t m e n t o f A g r i c u l t u r e and Resource
Economics. D e v e l o p m e n t , g r o w t h a n d e x p a n s i o n a r e a m a j o r c o n t r i b u t i n g f a c t o r
added t o t h e c o m p e t i t i v e f o r e i g n m a r k e t f o r f a r m p r o d u c t s . T h i s u r b a n i z a t i o n h a s
i t s p o s i t i v e a n d n e g a t i v e e f f e c t s . M a n y people f e e l t h a t t h e development i s a
good t h i n g f o r i t h a s b r o u g h t a h i g h e r l e v e l o f e c o n o m y t o t h e a r e a . H o w e v e r ,
t h i s u r b a n i z a t i o n i s a l s o t a k i n g i t s t o l l . T h e a g r i c u l t u r a l i n d u s t r y and water
industry i s s l o w l y f a d i n g . T h e market value f o r a g r i c u l t u r a l p r o d u c t s s o l d has
dropped f r o m $ 2 2 , 5 1 7 , 0 0 0 i n 1 9 8 2 t o $ 1 3 , 2 7 1 , 0 0 0 i n 1 9 8 7 , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e 1 9 7 4 -
1987 S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y C e n s u s o f A g r i c u l t u r e . T h i s i s d u e p a r t l y , h o w e v e r , t o
the f a c t t h a t o v e r t h e l a s t f e w y e a r s , a d r o u g h t s i t u a t i o n h a s h u r t t h e c r o p
growth. T h i s i s a l s o due i n p a r t t o t h e c o m p e t i t i o n o f f o r e i g n markets h a v i n g
much c h e a p e r l a b o r a n d t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y c a n s e l l t h e i r p r o d u c t s f o r a l o w e r
price.

Another r e a l i t y f o r f a r m e r s i s t h a t t h e y a r e a l l t o o o f t e n f a c e d w i t h t h e
dilemma o f h a v i n g t o s e l l t h e i r p r o p e r t y t o s u r v i v e . O f t e n a p i e c e o f l a n d m i g h t
stay i n one f a m i l y f o r g e n e r a t i o n s u n t i l f a m i l y m e m b e r s a r e f a c e d w i t h modern
r e a l i t y and a r e f o r c e d t o g i v e i t u p . M a n y f a r m e r s t r y t o supplement t h e i r
income w i t h p a r t - t i m e j o b s o r t h e i r w i v e s w o r k a t p u b l i c j o b s i n o r d e r t o make
ends m e e t .

Also a t t h i s w r i t i n g , t h e r e a r e m o r e t h a n t w e n t y - e i g h t m i l l i o n a c r e s
nationwide t h a t a r e e n r o l l e d i n s i x t y - s i x - f o o t -wide b u f f e r s t r i p s b e t w e e n f i e l d s
for w i l d l i f e o r wetland areas according t o t h e U.S. Department o f A g r i c u l t u r e . A
Ninth Conservation Reserve Program has been s e t t o t a k e h i g h l y e r o s i v e l a n d o u t
of c r o p p r o d u c t i o n and h a s i t p l a n t e d w i t h new f o l i a g e t h a t p r o h i b i t s e r o s i o n .
The maximum r e n t a l f o r M a r y l a n d h a s b e e n s e t a t $ 8 5 . T h i s s h o u l d h e l p p r o t e c t
w i l d l i f e areas: h o w e v e r, t h e f a c t i s t h a t land i s being taken from farmland.

Left t o R i g h t : C l a u d e J a r b o e ,
Howard Yo u n g , a n d t w o u n i d e n t i f i e d
tenant farmers ( c u t t i n g potatoes o n
the c a r t r e a d y i n g t h e m f o r
planting).

26
 Lack o f o y s t e r s i s h a v i n g a tremendous e f f e c t o n t h e waterman's l i v e l i h o o d . T h e
St. M a r y ' s County O y s t e r F e s t i v a l i s a r e m i n d e r o f t h e g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e
o y s t e r c r o p . " T h e o y s t e r h a t c h e r i e s ' g o a l o n S t . G e o r g e ' s C r e e k i s t o make a
cooperative e f f o r t w i t h u n i v e r s i t y, s t a t e and l o c a l government t h r o u g h a p r i v a t e
company, t o f i n d s o l u t i o n s t o p r o b l e m s w i t h o y s t e r s i n t h e C h e s a p e a k e B a y a n d t o
provide a b e t t e r supply and a h i g h e r q u a l i t y o y s t e r t o t h e customers," according
t o M i k e S t a t l e r , P r e s i d e n t o f t h e S t . G e o r g e ' s O y s t e r Company. ( E n t e r p r i s e )

County D i r e c t o r o f E c o n o m i c a n d C o m m u n i t y D e v e l o p m e n t , J o s e p h M i t c h e l l , t o l d
a group o f farmers and business p e o p l e a t t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y A g r i c u l t u r e
C o n f e r e n c e h e l d o n T u e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 2 0 , 1 9 9 0 , t h a t t r e n d s i n f a r m i n g m u s t c h a n g e
i f t h e f a r m e r i s t o s u r v i v e e i t h e r i n S t . M a r y ' s County o r anywhere e l s e i n t h i s
c o u n t r y. I n 1 9 8 7 , t o b a c c o a n d c o r n a c r e a g e e a c h d r o p p e d t o t h e l o w e s t p o i n t
s i n c e 1 9 4 5 w h i l e s o y b e a n p r o d u c t i o n r e a c h e d i t s h i g h e s t l e v e l d u r i n g t h a t same
period. ( E n t e r p r i s e , F e b r u a r y 1990)

Wheat a c r e a g e d e c r e a s e d s t e a d i l y i n 1 9 7 8 a f t e r a n i n c r e a s e i n 1 9 7 4 . W h e a t
acreage t h e n i n c r e a s e d u n t i l 1 9 8 2 w h e r e i t r e m a i n e d s t a b l e u n t i l 1 9 8 7 . E x c e p t
for a l a r g e unexplained " j u m p and d e c r e a s e " i n 1 9 7 4 , vegetable production has
been i n c r e a s i n g e a c h y e a r s i n c e 1 9 6 4 . B e t w e e n 1 9 7 8 a n d 1 9 8 7 , t h e n u m b e r s o f
c a t t l e a n d s h e e p decreased w h i l e between 1 9 7 4 a n d 1 9 8 7 h o g numbers i n c r e a s e d .
(Enterprise, February 1990).

"The k e y t o t h e p r o b l e m s s m a l l f a r m e r s f a c e i n t h i s d e c a d e w i l l b e f a r m
management," s a i d J u d s o n A l v e y , t o b a c c o a n d l i v e s t o c k f a r m e r s o u t h o f C h a p t i c o .
"Successful f a r m e r s w i l l h a v e t o b e businessmen, e c o l o g i s t s , n e g o t i a t o r s ,
conservationists and marketers," he s a i d , "and i t ' s n o t going t o g e t any b e t t e r. "
A c c o r d i n g t o L e r o y G r e y, a n 1 8 - y e a r v e t e r a n o r g a n i c f a r m e r who m a n a g e s w h a t w a s
f o r m e r l y Thompson's O r c h a r d , " f a r m e r s w i l l have t o p l a n t f o r t h e m a r k e t s o t h e y
can s e l l w h a t t h e y p r o d u c e , n o t j u s t p r o d u c e . "

Farming i s c h a n g i n g , a n d t h e r e i s n o d o u b t t h a t t h e c o u n t y i s a l s o c h a n g i n g .
Perhaps w i t h c o n t r o l s o n g r o w t h a n d w i t h a l o n g - r a n g e p l a n , S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y c a n
s t i l l grow and y e t keep i t s r u r a l f l a v o r a n d q u a i n t c h a r m o f t h e c o u n t r y s i d e .
St. M a r y ' s has a p r i d e a l l i t s own.

27
 MARYLANDAGRICULTURALTRENDS--ST. MARY'S COUNTY

Table 1. Acres o f Land by Type of Use

Cropland not
Number Land not Land Percent o f Cropland harvested & Top: M a r y l a n d ' s A g r i c u l t u r e
Year of farms in farms in farms land i n farms harvested not pastured trends f r o m t h e H i s t o r i c a l Data
1920 1,790 47,053 190,387 80.2 __a --
1930 1,392 69,893 167,547 70.6 38,698 13,304 f o r Maryland A g r i c u l t u r e , 1920-
1940 1,347 87,552 147,328 62.7 35,338 12,088 1982. M a t e r i a l C o u r t e s y M a r t h a
1950 1,380 83,390 151,490 64.5 37,506 17,076
1959 1,104 108,425 126,455 53.8 43,156 8,676 J. D a u g h d r i l l , A g r i c u l t u r e /
1964 1,032 118,100 116,785 49.7 38,740 10,911 Seafood D e v e l o p m e n t S p e c i a l i s t .
1969 862 143,830 95,146 39.8 30,649 10,663
1974 829 136,063 102,913 43.1 39,677 7,204
1978 871 134,325 104,395 43.7 39,645 7,093
1982 940 138,204 100,221 42.0 39,779 6,547

Cropland Other pasture Woodland Total

used o n l y not cropland Woodland not Other land Total
Year for pasture or woodland pastured pastured land pastured cropland
1920 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1930 23,769 5,321 9,045 71,853 5,557 38,135 75,771
1940 21,456 -- -- -- -- -- 68,882
1950 10,889 5,365 5,506 67,785 7,363 21,760 65,471
1959 5,939 2,905 3,505 55,576 6,698 12,349 57,771
1964 4,612 4,128 4,021 49,576 4,771 12,761 54,263
1969 4,755 -- -- -- -- -- 46,067
1974 5,544 -- -- -- -- -- 52,425
1978 5,400 1,528 6,372 38,384 5,973 13,300 52,138
1982 4,403 3,500 4,254 31,716 1,Q2 12.157 50 729
Table 2. Acres o f Crops Harvested
Wheat Soybeans Barley Oats Vegetables Land i n
Year Corn (grain) (beans) (grain) (grain) Tobacco Hay & melons orchards
1920 21,137 15,808 __a 13 337 5,626 5,631 914 --
1930 15,724 11,184 -- 16 159 5,439 4,957 311 338
1940 13,229 6,331 75 402 196 5,838 7,820 140 105
1950 13,058 7,504 645 885 551 7,643 7,869 96 120
1959 12,540 5,721 9,367 1,393 1,215 7,528 7,035 60 42
1964 12,708 4,530 5,981 1,817 649 7,437 5,514 35 41
1969 11,163 2,520 5,924 -- -- 5,230 2,929 62 40
1974 13,721 4,604 10,382 -- -- 5,533 3,889 738 22
1978 15,037 1,992 10,707 2,002 525 6,410 4,262 91 59
1982 11,564c 3,834 10,962 1,564 464 8,104 4,238 139 45 Bottom: L o w e r l e f t . T o b a c c o
Table 3. Number o f Livestock and Mature Chickens on Farms i s s t i l l h a r v e s t e d b y hand o n
and Number o f Broilers and Chickens Sold Maryland f a r m s .
Chickens Broilers &
Cattle Hogs Sheeo Horses 3 months chickens
Year and calves Milk cows and pigs and lam - ind mulesb old & older sold Lower r i g h t . C l a u d e J a r b o e
1920 7,195 2,479 10,170 3,585 4,573 71,085 71,592 surveys a h e a d o f hereford
1930 5,399 2,502 6,671 6,785 3,236 65,425 83,808 cattle on t h e Jarboe farm i n
1940 4,683 2,709 5,050 1,802 2,924 67,602 46,717
1950 5,887 2,658 8,029 889 2,019 78,596 73,641 Va l l e y L e e , M a r y l a n d .
1959 6,997 1,503 9,882 375 398 94,402 99,838
1964 5,823 888 10,290 257 __a 75,287 D
1969 4,272 457 16,101 259 432 49,450 20,305
1974 5,613 563 15,813 545 494 27,163 14,555
1978 5,630 542 16,347 281 789 26,734 20,768
1982 5,177 608 15,413 540 847 24,733 14,513
a_..Not available. b H o r s e s and ponies f o r 1969 and l a t e r years. D = Disclosure.
cGrain o n l y.

28
 Operating Expenses Always An Issue

As w i t h a n y o r g a n i z a t i o n , m o n e y i s a l w a : i s a n i s s u e a n d t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y
F a i r Board i s n o e x c e p t i o n . T h e y have had good y e a r s and bad b u t a r e now o n a n
even k e e l a c c o r d i n g t o b o t h C o u n t y F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t , J o h n R i c h a r d s a n d
McGuire M a t t i n g l y , T r e a s u r e r .

"One s o u r c e o f i n c o m e f o r t h e f a i r i s T h e M a r y l a n d A g r i c u l t u r e F a i r B o a r d ,
w h i c h i s c o m p o s e d o f n i n e members a p p o i n t e d b y t h e G o v e r n o r a n d a s s i s t s t h e S t .
Mary's County F a i r Board b y c o n t r i b u t i n g m o n e y f o r p r e m i u m s each y e a r , " s t a t e d
Robert J a r b o e , S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r a n d C h a i r m a n o f t h e M a r y l a n d
Agriculture F a i r Board f o r t h e p a s t t h r e e y e a r s . T h e p u r p o s e o f t h e Maryland
A g r i c u l t u r e F a i r Board i s t o e m b e l l i s h and f o s t e r t h e i d e a l s o f a g r i c u l t u r e .

(L. t o R t . ) F r a n k Brown ( L ) o u t g o i n g Chairman o f t h e

Maryland A g r i c u l t u r e F a i r Board p r e s e n t s R o b e r t J a r b o e
w i t h a g i f t a t t h e t i m e J a r b o e became C h a i r m a n . ( O n
board t h e g o v e r n o r ' s y a c h t i n A n n a p o l i s . ) J a r b o e h a s
been C h a i r m a n f o r t h e p a s t t h r e e y e a r s . S t . M a r y ' s
County F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t , J o h n R i c h a r d s , h a s
r e p l a c e d J a r b o e a s a member o f t h e M a r y l a n d F a i r B o a r d
this year (1990).

The b o a r d a l l o c a t e s f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t t o o v e r 1 6 0 e v e n t s a n n u a l l y a c r o s s t h e
s t a t e f r o m c o u n t y f a i r s t o 4 - H t o F FA ( F u t u r e F a r m e r s o f A m e r i c a ) . " A n y o r g a n i -
z a t i o n r e c e i v i n g m o n e y m u s t b e a f f i l i a t e d w i t h a g r i c u l t u r e i n some w a y , " s a i d
Jarboe. T h e c o u n t y f a i r s i n t u r n must a d h e r e t o t h e r e g u l a t i o n s o f t h e s t a t e
board. F o r example, t h e f a i r c a t a l o g u e must b e o u t t o t h e p u b l i c a t l e a s t 3 0
days b e f o r e t h e f a i r o p e n s . " A l l r e p o r t s m u s t b e i n 3 0 d a y s a f t e r t h e f a i r
closes a n d a l l premiums m u s t b e p a i d w i t h i n 45 d a y s a f t e r t h e c l o s e o f t h e f a i r , "
said M c G u i r e M a t t i n g l y , t r e a s u r e r o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r f o r t h e p a s t

29
three y e a r s . " S o m e t i m e s t h a t i s v e r y h a r d t o d o when y o u have a b o u t 9 0 0 c h e c k s
to w r i t e and s i g n . T h e Maryland A g r i c u l t u r e F a i r Board c o n t r i b u t e d a p p r o x i m a t e l y
$ 1 9 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 f o r t h e 1 9 8 9 f a i r , " s a i d M a t t i n g l y . " T h e r e a r e a l s o many t r o p h i e s
donated b y v a r i o u s l i v e s t o c k a s s o c i a t i o n s . "

J. M c G u i r e M a t t i n g l y , J r . ( F a i r B o a r d Tr e a s u r e r ) ( l e f t ) s i t s
at h i s d e s k i n t h e o f f i c e b u i l d i n g . ( R t . ) J o h n Richards,
F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t a n d w i f e , A n n , r e s t f r o m t h e i r b u s y d a y.

According t o J a r b o e , "We r e c e n t l y h a d a l a r g e i n c r e a s e f r o m Paramutual

Betting. W e w e n t f r o m $450,000 t o $600,000 from a l l race tracks. T h r o u g h
l e g i s l a t u r e i n t h e M a r y l a n d G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y, t h e f a i r b o a r d m u s t g i v e a
percentage t o p r o m o t e a g r i c u l t u r a l e v e n t s . W h e n h o r s e r a c i n g was e s t a b l i s h e d a s
a s t a t e money m a k i n g a c t i v i t y , i t w a s d e c i d e d i n l e g i s l a t u r e t h a t a c e r t a i n
percent was t o g o t o a g r i c u l t u r e r e l a t e d a c t i v i t i e s . "

When a s k e d a b o u t t h e b e s t y e a r a t t h e c o u n t y f a i r a s f a r a s p r o f i t s a r e
concerned, M a t t i n g l y s a i d t h a t o f h i s t h r e e y e a r s a s t r e a s u r e r , t h i s y e a r h a s
been t h e b e s t . H e e s t i m a t e s t h a t a t l e a s t 3 8 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e a t t e n d e d t h e f a l l o f
1989 ( w h i c h i s a b o u t t h e same a s t h e l a s t t h r e e y e a r s ) d e s p i t e t h e c o n s t a n t
t h r e a t o f H u r r i c a n e Hugo. H u g o c a u s e d t h e f e r r i s w h e e l t o b e t a k e n down a n d p u t
back u p s e v e r a l t i m e s . T h e t h r e a t e n i n g w i n d s c r e a t e d a n e e d f o r c o n s t a n t
assessment a n d c h a n g e s a s t h e w e e k e n d p r o g r e s s e d . " B y S u n d a y, h o w e v e r , t h i n g s
had s e t t l e d d o w n a n d n i c e w e a t h e r a l l o w e d p e o p l e t o come o u t b y t h e h u n d r e d s , "
said M a t t i n g l y. " S u n d a y s a r e o f t e n t h e b e s t d a y r i g h t a f t e r t h e c h u r c h h o u r s .
T h i s y e a r w a s n o d i f f e r e n t ; a s a m a t t e r o f f a c t , d u e t o H u g o , m o r e p e o p l e came o n
Sunday t h a n e v e r . "

When a s k e d h o w d i f f i c u l t i t i s t o o b t a i n i n s u r a n c e f o r t h e c o u n t y f a i r ,
M a t t i n g l y r e p l i e d t h a t " n o w we h a v e a company t h a t s p e c i a l i z e s i n i n s u r i n g f a i r s ,
John R . D r u r y a n d S o n i n L e o n a r d t o w n . O u r p r e m i u m s r u n f r o m $ 8 , 0 0 0 t o $ 1 0 , 8 8 8
per y e a r . "

30
 M a t t i n g l y s t a t e d t h a t o f t e n h e i s a s k e d what t h e f a i r board does w i t h t h e
money t h e y p u l l i n f r o m t h e f a i r . H i s r e p l y i s t h a t m o s t o f t h e money i s p u t
r i g h t b a c k i n t o t h e f a i r g r o u n d s . I n 1983 and 1987, paved walkways were added,
and i n 1 9 8 9 , w e p u t a n e w r o o f o n t h e g r a n d s t a n d b y t h e h o r s e s h o w r i n g . T h i s
year a new hog b u i l d i n g was b u i l t ( 1 9 9 0 ) .

(L. t o R . ) A n n R i c h a r d s , J o h n
Richards, E l w o o d C u s i c a n d
James Owens s t a n d b e f o r e t h e
new r o o f b u i l t i n 1 9 8 9 .

Elwood C u s i c ( 2 n d f r o m r i g h t ) r e m e m b e r s w e l l t h e b u i l d i n g o f
the g r a n d s t a n d b l e a c h e r s . " T h e y w e r e b u i l t i n s t a g e s . T h e
f i r s t h a l f was b u i l t i n 1 9 8 7 a n d t h e second h a l f i n 1988.
This was o n e o f my p r o j e c t s . I s u p e r v i s e d t h e b u i l d i n g f r o m
scratch. T h e f i r s t h a l f c o s t r o u g h l y t e n thousand d o l l a r s
and t h e s e c o n d h a l f t h e s a m e .

31
There i s a l w a y s s o m e t h i n g t h a t n e e d s t o b e d o n e o n t h e g r o u n d s a s w e l l a s o t h e r
expenses a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e r u n n i n g o f t h e f a i r . " W e a l w a y s s e t a s i d e m o n e y, i f
we c a n , i n c a s e o f a b a d y e a r a n d w e t r y t o make i n v e s t m e n t s w i t h a n y money t h a t
i s l e f t o v e r , b u t t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e money i s u s e d t o u p g r a d e t h e f a i r a n d p a y
e x p e n s e s , " s a i d M a t t i n g l y . " A t l e a s t w e d o n ' t h a v e t o b o r r o w m o n e y. "

L. R i c h a r d Owens. R t . D e n n i s W o l c o t t s i t t i n g o n n e w l y
purchased g o l f c a r t s ( 1 9 8 9 ) .

"Our l a r g e s t i n t a k e i s , o f c o u r s e , f r o m t h e m a i n g a t e w h i c h h a s b e e n manned
f o r t h e p a s t s e v e r a l d e c a d e s b y t h e l o c a l L i o n s C l u b s i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y. T h e y
organize t h e t i m e s a m o n g t h e v a r i o u s c l u b s a n d d o n a t e m a n p o w e r, " s t a t e d
M a t t i n g l y. " W e a l s o g e t a percentage o f t h e c a r n i v a l a t t r a c t i o n s and c o - o p w i t h
school o r g a n i z a t i o n s a n d o t h e r n o n - p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n s . W e s e l l space f o r
e x h i b i t o r s f r o m t h e c o u n t y a n d we a l s o have o u t s i d e c o n c e s s i o n s . T h e r e i s a f l a t
fee d e p e n d i n g o n t h e c o n c e s s i o n ' s h i s t o r y o f p r o f i t s ( f o o d s t a n d s , i c e c r e a m ,
peanuts, e t c . ) . W e r u n t h e beverage s t a n d o u r s e l v e s b u t c l o s e t h e s t a n d o n
F r i d a y, k i d s d a y , " s a i d M a t t i n g l y .

32
 AwLds"- '

Li bAY PASSES
CURVIUN
FFIDAYSCWOOtDA
iNS CLUBS SCHOOLCNIEDP04
ART'S COUNTY

CINS

'WV:1702'

Chester L y n c h ( L ) , J o h n B r a d f o r d , a n d T e x
Aschenbeck, m e m b e r s o f t h e L e x i n g t o n P a r k L i o n s
Club, s e l l t i c k e t s a t t h e m a i n g a t e .

"As f a r a s e x p e n s e s c o n c e r n i n g o u r l i v e s t o c k , o u r y o u n g s t e r s g e t b e t t e r t h a n
market p r i c e f o r t h e i r a n i m a l s a n d w e h a d b e t t e r t h a n 1 0 0 b u y e r s t h i s y e a r , "
remarked M a t t i n g l y . " B e t w e e n $ 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 a n d $ 8 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 p e r y e a r , c h a n g e s h a n d s
between t h e o w n e r s o f t h e a n i m a l s o n e x h i b i t a n d t h e b u y e r s . " T h e r e a r e v a r i o u s
p e o p l e w h o b u y t h e a n i m a l s : t h o s e w h o j u s t w a n t t o f i l l t h e i r home l o c k e r s , t o
business p e o p l e who m a y d i v i d e t h e a n i m a l s a m o n g t h e m s e l v e s . U s u a l l y t h e
e x h i b i t o r w r i t e s a l e t t e r o f thanks t o t h e b u y e r ; i t ' s good p u b l i c r e l a t i o n s - -
brings them back."

C h a r l i e Wo o d b u r n ( M a n a g e r o f S a f e w a y a t t h e t i m e , c e n t e r )
buys C h a m p i o n s t e e r t o g r a c e t h e S a f e w a y s h e l v e s .

33
 The c o u n t y f a i r b o a r d d o e s p a y t o h a v e t h e a n i m a l s t r a n s p o r t e d t o t h e n e w
b u y e r. W h e n a s k e d w h a t h a p p e n s t o t h e a n i m a l s w h e n t h e y a r e s o l d , " M a t t i n g l y
replied t h a t " t h e y a r e s t r i c t l y market animals. T h e y w i l l be k i l l e d and used as
food. T h e r e a r e o f t e n t e a r s i n t h e show r i n g b u t t h e y o u n g s t e r s know t h e f a t e o f
the a n i m a l w h e n t h e y r a i s e i t . I t i s e a s y t o become a t t a c h e d t o a n a n i m a l t h o u g h
a f t e r being w i t h i t every s i n g l e d a y. "

" A l l a n i m a l s s o l d i n t h e show
ring g o t o t h e market," said
McGuire M a t t i n g l y . B e t w e e n
sixty a n d e i g h t y t h o u s a n d
d o l l a r s changes hands each y e a r
between e x h i b i t o r a n d b u y e r .
However, m a n y t i m e s t e a r s a r e
exchanged w i t h t h e m o n e y. "

34
The Tear Stained Auction Block
The g e n t l e e y e s o f t h e m a s s i v e b r o w n s t e e r
looked k i n d l y a t t h e c h i l d .
She k n e w t h e e n d w a s n e a r f o r h e r f r i e n d
and d a y s w h e n s h e c o u l d s m i l e .
Her b i g g e n t l e f r i e n d w a s g o i n g a w a y
n e v e r t o come b a c k .
She t r i e d t o f i g h t t h e t e a r s i n s i d e
for happiness she lacked.
She remembered t h e d a y t h i s s t e e r a r r i v e d
he w a s j u s t a t i n y c a l f .
She h a d g r o w n t o l o v e h i m s o
her h e a r t was b r e a k i n g i n h a l f .
As t h e a u c t i o n e e r t o o k h e r f r i e n d
She c o u l d n ' t h e l p b u t c r y .
She t o o k h e r f r i e n d a n d g e n t l y s a i d
her l o n g a n d p a i n f u l goodbye.

Sara J e n k i n s

35
D i g n i t a r i e s h a v e a l w a y s b e e n commonplace a t t h e S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r a s
evidenced b y t h i s p h o t o o f C o m p t r o l l e r L o u i s G o l d s t e i n c r o w n i n g t h e Q u e e n o f
To l e r a n c e .

36
 The Fairest Of The Fair
Kim Kliner, Amy Quinlan

The Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e r e i g n s o v e r t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r , r e m o v i n g a l l
doubt t h a t s h e i s , i n d e e d , t h e " f a i r e s t o f t h e F a i r " , b u t b e a u t y i s n o t t h e o n l y
criterion for her selection.

From e a c h h i g h s c h o o l , t w o c o n t e s t a n t s a n d o n e a l t e r n a t e a r e c h o s e n , e i t h e r
by f a c u l t y s e l e c t i o n o r s t u d e n t v o t e s , d e p e n d i n g o n t h e s c h o o l . M o s t o f t h e
g i r l s chosen a r e honor r o l l students, a c t i v e i n s p o r t s and o t h e r a c t i v i t i e s ; and
most p l a n t o g o o n t o c o l l e g e a c c o r d i n g t o Te r e s a S t e r l i n g , c h a i r p e r s o n o f t h e
Queen o f To l e r a n c e c o n t e s t f o r o v e r 2 5 y e a r s .

Te r e s a S t e r l i n g , c h a i r p e r s o n o f t h e Queen o f To l e r a n c e
Contest f o r o v e r 2 5 y e a r s , s t a n d s w i t h t h e r e i g n i n g
Queen.

"We t r y t o g e t t h e i r r e s u m e s a h e a d o f t i m e s o t h e j u d g e s c a n r e v i e w t h e m "
said S t e r l i n g . " T h e judges a r e f r o m o u t o f t h e c o u n t y s o t h e r e i s n o b i a s .
have a m e e t i n g a t m y h o u s e - - I h a v e d o n e t h i s f o r s e v e r a l y e a r s - - a n d t h e g i r l s
t a l k among t h e m s e l v e s . I t g i v e s t h e m a c h a n c e t o g e t t o k n o w o n e a n o t h e r , "
Sterling stated.

37
 For t h e p a g e a n t i t s e l f , t h e c o n t e s t a n t s a r e a s k e d t o w e a r f o r m a l g o w n s a n d
"model" them t o demonstrate p o i s e a n d c o m p o s u r e f o r t h e j u d g e s . T h e n each
hopeful c o n t e s t a n t m u s t answer a q u e s t i o n ( g i v e n t o them before t h e pageant) t o
the b e s t o f t h e i r a b i l i t y , t o i l l u s t r a t e t h e i r p u b l i c - s p e a k i n g c a p a b i l i t y . F r o m
the s c o r e s t h e y r e c e i v e i n t h e s e t w o c a t e g o r i e s , a s w e l l a s a r e v i e w o f e a c h
g i r l ' s resume, t h e c o n t e s t a n t s a r e e v a l u a t e d and a w i n n e r i s s e l e c t e d . S h e i s
crowned o n T h u r s d a y , t h e b e g i n n i n g d a y o f t h e F a i r , b y a c o u n t y o f f i c i a l , a n d
spends h e r w e e k e n d r e i g n i n g o v e r t h e F a i r a n d m i n g l i n g w i t h t h e m a s s e s . P r i z e s
a r e g i v e n t o t h e Queen b y l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s . T h e Queen t h e n g o e s o n t o t h e s t a t e
f a i r i n Ti m o n i u m .

Sometimes r o y a l t y i s n o t a l l i t ' s c r a c k e d u p t o b e . D u r i n g
rainy f a i r days even g e t t i n g t o t h e merry-go-round can be a
challenge.

In t h e p a s t , though, t h e process w a s d i f f e r e n t . A c c o r d i n g t o Ann (Lacey)

A b e l l , t h e Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e i n 1 9 5 0 , i n a February 1990 i n t e r v i e w, " . . . t h e
f i r s t g i r l s ( 1 9 4 7 - 4 9 ) w o n b y g e t t i n g t h e m o s t money d o n a t e d . T h e n , w h e n I came
along i n 1 9 5 0 , e a c h d i s t r i c t h a d a dance . . . a n d a g i r l was c h o s e n . W e w a l k e d
around s c a r e d t o d e a t h a n d n e v e r o p e n e d o u r m o u t h s - - w e w e r e s o n e r v o u s . " F r o m
t h e r e , t h e w i n n e r s f r o m e a c h d i s t r i c t b e c a m e c o n t e s t a n t s i n t h e Queen o f
To l e r a n c e p a g e a n t . A c c o r d i n g t o M r s . A b e l l , t h e c o m p e t i t i o n w a s a l i t t l e e a s i e r
back t h e n . " . . . We d i d n ' t h a v e t o s a y a n y t h i n g , j u s t s t a n d t h e r e a n d s m i l e . "

38
 "Amid t h e r a i n - s o a k e d A l m s H o u s e g r o u n d s ( t o d a y k n o w n a s t h e
fairgrounds) p r e t t y , auburn - h a i r e d , b l u e - e y e d Ann Lacey r u l e s
as Q u e e n o f T o l e r a n c e o v e r t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r , "
stated t h e 1950 a r t i c l e i n t h e S t a r n e w s p a p e r. A n n Lacey
A b e l l w a s t h e f o u r t h Queen t o g r a c e t h e f a i r .

Ann L a w r e n c e A b e l l w a s t h e f i r s t Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e i n 1 9 4 7 a n d i n a p h o n e
i n t e r v i e w w i t h h e r i n F e b r u a r y, 1 9 9 0 , s h e r e l a t e d t h e e v e n t s s u r r o u n d i n g h e r
r e i g n a s q u e e n : " W e had a dance a t T a l l Ti m b e r s ; b a c k t h e n t h a t was ' t h e ' p l a c e
to g o . W e h a d been c o l l e c t i n g ( s e l l i n g ) v o t e s and t h e y were c o u n t e d a t t h e
dance. T h e o n e w i t h t h e m o s t v o t e s w o n . I remember H e a t h S t e e l e was o n e o f
those c o u n t i n g . T h e c r o w n i n g t o o k p l a c e a b o u t a week l a t e r a t S t . M a r y ' s C i t y
with a d a n c e f o l l o w i n g i n t h e h a l l (where S t . Mary's College i s now). I f e l t
v e r y h o n o r e d t o b e q u e e n b u t I d i d n ' t c a r e much f o r t h e s y s t e m o f g e t t i n g v o t e s .
A f t e r t h e f i r s t t w o y e a r s , t h e g i r l s won o n t h e i r own m e r i t a n d n o t because t h e y
s o l d m o r e v o t e s . I d i d n ' t h a v e t o d o much a s q u e e n b a c k t h e n ; t h e f a i r h a d j u s t
s t a r t e d - - t h i s w a s t h e f i r s t y e a r , a n d w e w e r e a t Camp C a l v e r t ( S t . M a r y ' s R y k e n ) .
Everything was h e l d u n d e r t e n t s o r p a v i l i o n s o u t s i d e . G i r l s t o d a y a r e more
i n v o l v e d t h a n we w e r e b a c k t h e n . "

K i t t y B a i l e y S w a n n w a s t h e s e c o n d Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e i n 1 9 4 8 a n d a l t h o u g h
the dance was h e l d a t a d i f f e r e n t p l a c e , t h e e v e n t s a r e s i m i l a r t o 1 9 4 7 . I n a n
i n t e r v i e w ( F e b r u a r y 1 9 9 0 ) w i t h Swann, s h e r e l a t e d t h a t " w e h a d a b i g d i n n e r d a n c e
at t h e Wharf Club where e i g h t o r n i n e g i r l s were honored. T h e one w i t h t h e most

39
votes ( s o l d b y p a r e n t s , e t c . ) was chosen queen. I was p i c k e d a t t h e Wharf C l u b
but was crowned i n S t . M a r y ' s C i t y i n t h e b i g h a l l a t t h e c o l l e g e . S e n a t o r
Barkley crowned m e . H e p u t my crown o n backwards. I t was w h i t e w i t h r e d r o s e s
i n i t . T h e f a i r i t s e l f w a s h e l d a t Camp C a l v e r t ; i t w a s j u s t a c a m p g r o u n d b a c k
then."

K i t t y B a i l e y ( n o w Swann) w a s s e l e c t e d a s t h e s e c o n d Queen o f
To l e r a n c e a t a d a n c e h e l d a t t h e L e o n a r d t o w n W h a r f a n d
crowned b y S e n a t o r B a r k l e y , D e m o c r a t f r o m K e n t u c k y a t a
ceremony a t S t . M a r y ' s C i t y , S e p t e m b e r 1 8 , 1 9 4 8 .

A c c o r d i n g t o A r l e n e C a n d e l a C u l l i n s ( Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e , 1 9 5 1 ) , " C a n d i d a t e s
attended a Princess B a l l a t w h i c h a g i r l w a s c h o s e n f r o m e a c h d i s t r i c t ; b u t
anyone c o u l d g o . T h e q u e e n w a s s e l e c t e d f r o m t h o s e c h o s e n . T h e c r o w n i n g t o o k
place o n a n o u t d o o r p l a t f o r m about where t h e A r t s B u i l d i n g i s now o n t h e c u r r e n t
fairgrounds. T h e r e were v e r y f e w b u i l d i n g s t h e n . " S e e photo page 4 1 .

The m a i n d u t y o f t h e Queen o f To l e r a n c e i s t o r e p r e s e n t t h e e s s e n c e o f S t .
M a r y ' s C o u n t y, b u t s h e i s a l s o o n h a n d t o p r e s e n t a w a r d s a t t h e F a i r ' s o t h e r
c o n t e s t s a n d s h o w s . B e i n g Queen i s a b i g r e s p o n s i b i l i t y b u t i t i s d o u b t f u l t h a t
any p r e v i o u s w i n n e r w i l l s a y i t w a s n ' t w o r t h i t .

Rt. A r l e n e C a n d e l a i s crowned
Queen b y U . S . C i r c u i t C o u r t
Judge D u d l e y D i g g s f r o m L a
Plata i n 1951.

40
A r l e n e C a n d e l a b e i n g c r o w n e d t h e f i f t h Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e b y U . S . C i r c u i t C o u r t
Judge D u d l e y D i g g s f r o m L a P l a t a i n 1 9 5 1 . T h e c r o w n i n g t o o k p l a c e o n a n o u t d o o r
p l a t f o r m w h e r e t h e A r t s B u i l d i n g i s n o w.

41
 S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y Queen o f To l e r a n c e
Previous Winners

1947 - Anne Lawrence 1970 - Debbie Stone

1948 - Kitty Bailey 1971 - Anne Levay
1949 - Janet Burroughs 1972 - Jan Colleary
1950 - E l i z a b e t h Ann Lacey 1973 - Debbie B e n n i n g f i e l d
1951 - Arlene Candela 1974 - M a r i l e e Candela
1952 - E l v a Anderson 1975 - Theresa Boole
1953 - Cathie Davis 1976 - Bonnie Lynn M a t t i n g l y
1954 - S u e Magee 1977 - Sharon T i a r i B a r l e y
1955 - R o b e r t a Wood 1978 - Nancy I m b e r
1956 - Patsy Napier 1979 - M a r i e Hodges
1957 - Connie M i l e s 1980 - L i n d a Palma
1958 - Susie Blake 1981 - D e b o r a h Behm
1959 - P a t Adams 1982 - J u l i e Lawrence
1960 - To n y Wormwood 1983 - C y n t h i a Ta y l o r
1961 - S h a r o n Feengan 1984 - R e g i n a Sances
1962 - Ruth Drury 1985 - Minday Kinoo
1963 - L o i s Anderson 1986 - Andrea Knowlton
1964 - Diane Weiner 1987 - Jennifer Kirby
1965 - Kathy B e l l 1988 - A l l i s o n Dameron
1966 - S h a r o n Dumont 1989 - Ta n y a Hughes
1967 - Ronda W e t z e l
1968 - Diane H u n t t
1969 - C a r o l e Anne N o r r i s

42
" T h i s i s t h e Queen a n d h e r c o u r t ( f r o m t h e v a r i o u s d i s t r i c t s ) a s t h e y p o s e i n 1960 i n t h e o l d a u d i t o r i u m
(on c u r r e n t f a i r g r o u n d s ) b e f o r e t h e p a r t i t i o n s w e r e p u t i n , " s a i d E l w o o d C u s i c , F a i r B o a r d member.
 Top: H e n r y F o w l e r , S r .
officiates. ( B o t t o m L.)
Queen o f To l e r a n c e
(1982), J a n C o l e a r y
Pennissi. ( B o t t o m R t . )
A l l i s o n Dameron, 1 9 8 8
Queen.

44
 Top: T h e Q u e e n a n d h e r c o u r t o n t h e M e r r y -Go- R o u n d .
(Bottom L . ) J e n n i f e r K i r b y , 1 9 8 7 Queen a n d h e r e s c o r t .
( B o t t o m R . ) Ta n y a H u g h e s , t h e 1 9 8 9 Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e .

45
P u b l i c a t i o n ' s s t u d e n t s p o s e i n t h e 4 - H b u i l d i n g w i t h Ann
Richards ( 3 r d f r o m R t . ) , whose husband has been F a i r Board
President f o r t h e p a s t seven years. A n n i s o f t e n j u s t as
busy a s h e r h u s b a n d a t f a i r t i m e t o w h i c h a n y p a s t f a i r
board p r e s i d e n t ' s w i f e c a n a t t e s t .

John L a n c a s t e r ( C e n t e r ) , C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f o r A g r i -
c u l t u r a l Science a n d Black 4-H d u r i n g t h e years o f i n t e -
g r a t i o n ; James F o r r e s t ( L ) a n d M r s . F o r r e s t , who were b o t h
very a c t i v e i n t h e B l a c k 4-H, t a l k w i t h P u b l i c a t i o n ' s
s t u d e n t s L a u r e l P o t y e n ( s e c o n d f r o m r i g h t ) a n d Shannon
Rhodes ( R ) .

46
 4-H Makes The Best, Better.
by Sharon Dunn

The l a r g e s t i n f o r m a l e d u c a t i o n p r o g r a m f o r y o u n g p e o p l e c a r r i e s t h e s l o g a n
"Learn b y D o i n g " . T h i s group i s t h e 4 - H . T h e 4 - H e x i s t s i n o v e r 8 0 c o u n t r i e s i n
the w o r l d t o d a y, w i t h c h i l d r e n r a n g i n g i n ages f r o m 9 - 1 9 .

The 4 - H ' s c r e e d s t a n d s f o r t h e H e a d , H e a r t , H a n d s , a n d H e a l t h . T h e y f o l l o w
t h e m o t t o , " T o make t h e b e s t b e t t e r " ; a n d a t e v e r y m e e t i n g t h e y r e c i t e :

I pledge
My Head t o c l e a r e r t h i n k i n g
My H e a r t t o g r e a t e r l o y a l t y
My Hand t o l a r g e r s e r v i c e a n d
My H e a l t h t o b e t t e r l i v i n g ,
f o r m y c l u b , m y c o m m u n i t y,
my c o u n t r y , a n d my w o r l d .

The f i r s t 4 - H w a s i n t r o d u c e d t o t e a c h c h i l d r e n s k i l l s t h a t w i l l h e l p t h e m i n
the a d u l t w o r l d . T h e y l e a r n r e s p o n s i b i l i t y , h o w t o w o r k w i t h o t h e r s , a n d s k i l l s
such a s p u b l i c s p e a k i n g , f a r m i n g , c o o k i n g , e t c . " T h e 4 - H w a s i n t r o d u c e d t o t h e
f a i r i n 1 9 4 7 , " a c c o r d i n g t o E l i z a b e t h R u s s e l l , s e c r e t a r y t o J u l i u s Johnson,
County E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f r o m 1 9 4 1 - 1 9 6 8 . " I t h e l p e d h o m e m a k e r s a n d f a r m e r s
i n c r e a s e t h e i r k n o w l e d g e a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f f a r m p r o d u c t s a n d homemaking
through shows a n d c o m p e t i t i o n s . " T h e a g r i c u l t u r a l a s p e c t s o f t h e 4 - H a r e w e l l
exhibited i n the county f a i r .

During t i m e s o f s e g r e g a t i o n , when t h e r e were separate w h i t e and b l a c k f a i r s ,

there were a l s o separate w h i t e and b l a c k 4 - H g r o u p s . A c c o r d i n g t o M r . J o h n
L a n c a s t e r, " M r . B i l l G a i s e r w a s t h e A s s i s t a n t C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f o r
A g r i c u l t u r a l Science, b u t he a l s o handled 4 - H f o r w h i t e s o n l y. H e s e r v e d as
assistant u n d e r M r . J u l i u s J o h n s o n , S t . M a r y ' s County Extension Agent. M r .
Johnson d i d n o t h a n d l e 4 - H . I was County Extension Agent f o r Agricultural
Science a n d 4 - H ( b l a c k o n l y ) . I went s p e c i f i c a l l y t o a s s i s t b l a c k farmers and
handled t h e b l a c k 4 - H C l u b s o n l y . "

Through a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h M r . J o h n L a n c a s t e r , M r . F o r r e s t , a n d M r s . F o r r e s t ,
more i n f o r m a t i o n w a s u n c o v e r e d c o n c e r n i n g t h e b l a c k f a i r a n d t h e b l a c k 4 - H .
Their p a r a d e " w a s s t r i c t l y 4 - H g r o u p s , " a c c o r d i n g t o M r s . F o r r e s t , w i t h
e x c e p t i o n s b e i n g m a d e f o r o u t - o f - c o u n t y b a n d s . " E a c h 4 - H g r o u p made a f l o a t t o
show o f f i n t h e p a r a d e . I n t h e w h i t e f a i r , a n d n o w i n m o d e r n t i m e s , t h e r e i s a
Queen o f T o l e r a n c e . I n t h e b l a c k f a i r t h e r e w a s a V o i c e o f S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y,
also known a s M i s s 4 - H o f S t . M a r y ' s . E a c h 4 - H c l u b w o u l d e n t e r o n e g i r l t o
r e p r e s e n t t h e m , a n d t h e y w o u l d c o m p e t e w i t h a l l o f t h e o t h e r s . O n S u n d a y, a b i g
ceremony w a s h e l d f o r t h e w i n n e r . "

47
stripes. T h e c h i l d r e n would e x h i b i t chickens and hogs, and t h e l e a d e r would help
set u p a b o o t h p e r t a i n i n g t o t h e theme f o r t h a t y e a r . "

In 1962, due t o i n t e g r a t i o n , M r. J o h n Lancaster w a s reassigned a s County

Extension Agent f o r t h e 4 - H o f b l a c k s and w h i t e s . B e f o r e s e g r e g a t i o n , 1 , 5 0 0
black c h i l d r e n and 1,000 w h i t e c h i l d r e n i n t h e c o u n t y w e r e i n v o l v e d i n 4-H.
A f t e r i n t e g r a t i o n , a l l p a r t i c i p a t i o n dropped d r a s t i c a l l y. A c c o r d i n g t o Mrs. Jean
Dean, t h e C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f o r 4 - H s i n c e J u l y 1 9 8 8 , " i n 1 9 8 6 t h e r e w e r e
o n l y t w o 4 - H c l u b s i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y, w i t h o n l y 3 5 t o t a l members. T h e n u m b e r s
have r i s e n t o 2 6 5 t h i s y e a r , w i t h 28% o f t h e members b l a c k . "

Mrs. D e a n g a v e u s some r e a s o n s w h y 4 - H i n v o l v e m e n t numbers h a v e d r o p p e d s o .

" I n t h e 5 0 ' s a n d 6 0 ' s t h e r e w e r e n ' t a s many e x t r a c u r r i c u l a r a c t i v i t i e s f o r
c h i l d r e n t o d o , a n d women v o l u n t e e r e d m o r e . T h e 6 0 ' s a n d 7 0 ' s m o v e m e n t s w e r e
'back t o t h e l a n d ' . T h e r e were more i n d e p e n d e n t , s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t p e o p l e who d i d
not j o i n groups r e a d i l y . N o w t h e County E x t e n s i o n S e r v i c e g i v e s seminars f o r
more s e l f h e l p ; 4 - H w a s a n o u t g r o w t h o f t h e t i m e . "

Not a s m a n y c h i l d r e n j o i n
l o t . E a c h member i s r e q u i r e d t o
of p r o j e c t s , w h i c h c h i l d r e n c
certificates, ribbons, trophies,
to t h e Maryland S t a t e F a i r Board
4 - H c l u b s n o w, b u t t h o s e w h o d o l e a r n a n d e a r n a
do a t l e a s t one p r o j e c t a y e a r. T h e r e a r e l i s t s
a n d e s i g n o n t h e i r own. T h e y c a n e a r n medals,
and even scholarships. A s t a t e g r a n t i s g i v e n
f o r awards.

Children i n 4 - H c a n j o i n s p e c i a l i n t e r e s t g r o u p s , compete i n speaking

contests, and contests o f o t h e r s k i l l s . T h e y a l s o perform community services,
and c a n g o t o a summer c a m p .

Although 4-H i n v o l v e m e n t has d e c l i n e d , c h i l d r e n w h o do p a r t i c i p a t e g e t a

variety o f educational opportunities, while having fun. H o p e f u l l y i n t h e future
we w i l l s e e m o r e i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h i s g r e a t c l u b .

This s t e e r w o n 4 - H Grand
Champion o v e r a l l i n b o t h
St. M a r y ' s C o u n t y a n d
Charles C o u n t y i n 1 9 8 8 .
Joey R o b e r t s ( n o t
pictured) r a i s e d the steer
which i s s h o w n b y h i s
sister Dawn Roberts a n d
f r i e n d C h r i s Swann.

1;
48
Caring f o r a n i m a l s i s l e a r n e d e a r l y o n t h e f a r m and f a i r
week c a l l s f o r e x t r a c a r e f o r t h e s h o w r i n g .

Dawn R o b e r t s o f C h a r l e s
County s e e m s t o k n o w
exactly w h a t t o d o t o
spruce u p b r o t h e r J o e y ' s
winning m a r k e t s t e e r !
The s t e e r t o o k G r a n d
Champion i n 1 9 8 8 .

49
Ode To The Smell!
Ode t o t h e s m e l l
That w a f t s t h r o u g h t h e a i r
That c l i n g s t o t h e b r e e z e
And s t a y s i n y o u r h a i r
To l i v e s t o c k a n d r i d e s
To t h e smoke a n d t h e t r a s h
That b u r n s i n y o u r n o s e
And t a r n i s h e s b r a s s
To t h e h o r s e s a n d c o w s
To t h e p i g s a n d t h e g e e s e
To t h e g i r l s a n d t h e b o y s
Who m u s t c l e a n o f f t h e i r f e e t
To t h e c h a m p i o n b u l l
Unaware o f t h e j u d g e
Who m u s t c a r e f u l l y s t e p
Through t h e m u c k w i t h a g r u d g e
Unaware o f t h e f a c t
That h e w i l l s o o n b e b l e d
So many a f a m i l y
Soon c a n b e f e d
And w h e n a l a s
The g o o d d a y i s d o n e
You m u s t s i m p l y s a y
That y o u s u r e d i d h a v e f u n !

Andrew S t o n e

50
 Ode To A Cow
Ho-hum, I ' m a c o w t h a t s a y s m o o .
My l i f e i s d u l l , m y f a t e - b e e f s t e w .
I e a t and sleep, d o b o t h w h i l e standing.
My f o o d i s g r a s s ; I ' m n o t d e m a n d i n g .
Moo, I s a y - - b u t n o t h i n g , I d o .
I ' d g i v e my l i f e t o b e l i k e y o u .
My o n e e x c i t e m e n t i s t h e F a i r ,
Though t h i s o c c a s i o n i s q u i t e r a r e .
My a u n t s a n d u n c l e s , c o u s i n s , f r i e n d s ,
A l l o f my f e l l o w cows a t t e n d .
A l l s o r t s o f people gaze and poke,
prod, swarm, j u d g e , a n d j o k e .
To t h e m I ' m j u s t a b a r n y a r d c r e a t u r e
Soon t o b e a m e a l t i m e f e a t u r e .
Perhaps o n e d a y I ' l l b e t a k e n s e r i o u s l y . . .
even t r e a t e d q u i t e i m p e r i o u s l y .
For n o w I ' l l j u s t h o p e t h a t i t i s n ' t m y f a t e
To e n d u p a t h i c k s t e a k o n a W e s t e r n S t e e r p l a t e .

Kim K l i n e r

51
 _

v

of,
qAs4:;f.-
.,

;:-

(L.) P u b l i c a t i o n student Sharon

Dunn makes a f r i e n d .

O p p o s i t e p a g e top: W a s h i n g ,
a l l t h a t wool i s n ' t easy!

Bottom: T h e s e 4 H m e m b e r s
await t h e o u t c o m e o f t h e
judges' d e c i s i o n .

52
53
Winning i s i m p o r t a n t t o 4 - H ' e r s b u t b u i l d i n g c h a r a c t e r a l o n g
the way i s a g o a l w h i c h i s n o t o v e r l o o k e d ( 1 9 7 3 ) .

54
C h a r l i e Wo o d b u r n ( b u y e r f o r l o c a l s u p e r m a r k e t ) i n s p e c t s a
winning Hereford s t e e r ( 1 9 7 3 ) .

Winning 4 - H E n t r i e s i n t h e 1989 F a i r

55
 It's Not All Hog Heaven
by Karen Raley

Raising p i g s d e m a n d s m o r e t h a n a s m a l l s h a r e o f
responsibility since t h e owner s t a y s q u i t e b u s y feeding,
watering, brushing, a n d cleaning u p a f t e r t h e i r hogs. M a n y
youngsters awaken r a i n o r s h i n e i n t h e e a r l y morning h o u r s i n
order t o f i n i s h t h e i r c h o r e s b e f o r e g o i n g t o school. T h e y
o f t e n s h a r e t h e s e d u t i e s w i t h t h e i r f a m i l i e s a n d d o n ' t seem
to mind t h e r o u t i n e . I t i s v e r y r e w a r d i n g i n t h e end t o
e x h i b i t a p i g and place i t i n competition.

56
 Piglet At The Fair
by Sara Jenkins

Ti n y p i n k s n o u t s a n d l i t t l e c u r l y t a i l s ,
Cute l i t t l e e y e s , p e e k i n g t h r o u g h t h e r a i l s
Grunts a n d t i n y s q u e a l s , e c h o t h r o u g h t h e a i r ,
Is t h e r e anything so sweet a s a p i g l e t a t t h e f a i r ?

"The g r e a s e d p i g c o n t e s t
is coming b a c k t o t h e
1991 f a i r , " s a i d M r .
Elwood C u s i c . " W e u s e d
to h a v e i t a l l t h e t i m e
but h a v e n ' t had i t f o r a t
least t h e l a s t f i v e
years." (1972)

57
Onyx T h e Angus

Onyx t h e A n g u s w a s s o l i d a n d b l a c k ,
P u t t i n g a l l o t h e r s t o shame.
No v a l u a b l e q u a l i t i e s d i d h e l a c k .
A w i n n e r h e became.
I h e l d my b r e a t h a s b i d s w e r e m a d e .
A glance a t him I dared.
Suddenly I h o p e d a n d p r a y e d
That O n y x w o u l d b e s p a r e d .

Beth A l t o n

58
( L e f t / C e n t e r ) R a l p h B o y d e n and h i s b r o t h e r , N e a l Boyden ( R t . ) w i t h d a u g h t e r, P a t s y, show t h e i r w i n n i n g
polled Herefords i n t h e 1960 f a i r .
 ;
lopeA, /

410.2, ell 0.41:V

- A i
f t s ,
*as-
4 0.114 010'44111 ^ " . A k i t t i . " d
' Ir., n f t l i t T l i t II % 1 1

I M e g Sp
dIUU

41.111.01111110 a 1
1111111 r 1 rrell4111 I
" 1 ; 1 4 f 1 i t i V i

AO- t o t e t o s 1
or-mior I ,060:00011Z40 t l i E - - " I I /111118.4
Irr.;00411 . 0
illsomiss t l o o k i '!! I ' M i l l i isirt3/411!:
117041.1ii I 114* i t i . T. I . M r
r " rier.." k o i i n t a
AO' V R I F " 1 / 1 1 1 1

uird klunoo a t a w Jarnalloi oD oj, 'Haas siatioad puy ind

Farmers From St. Mary's And Neighborhood Counties
Frequent The Fair And Take Home Ribbons.

( L . ) One o f t h e B l a c k h a l l t w i n s , ( R t . ) N e a l Boyden ( B e l A l t o n )
Charles C o u n t y s h o w i n g S h o r t h o r n c a t t l e . ( P h o t o c o u r t e s y
Elwood C u s i c )

( L . ) B u d d y " B e n , J r . " P a r r a n f r o m Cage F a r m i n C a l v e r t C o .

(Rt.) F r e d Crouse, 1960.

62
L. t o R . H e n r y F o w l e r ' s s i s t e r , M r s . L o u i s e P a r l e t t ,
Susanna F o w l e r , H e n r y F o w l e r , S r . , v i s i t o r f r o m B a l t i m o r e ,
Larry M i l l i s o n . M i l l i s o n bought beef c a t t l e f r o m the f a i r
on a r e g u l a r b a s i s f o r t h e B e l v e d e r e R e s t a u r a n t .

Mrs. P a r l e t t a n d Elwood C u s i c w i t h Grand Champion.

(Photo c o u r t e s y E l w o o d C u s i c )

63
L. M r . G i b s o n ( 2 n d f r o m L . ) , J o e C u s i c , 3 r d f r o m L . , B o b b y C u s i c , a n d R t . B i l l y C u s i c s t a n d w i t h Champion
Hereford c a t t l e f r o m P a t u x e n t V i e w Farm i n M e c h a n i c s v i l l e . ( P h o t o c o u r t e s y Elwood C u s i c )
 The T r - C o u n t y a r e a i s
well represented i n the
c a t t l e show r i n g .

LEOWARDTOWNwD

65
 A Proud Moment For Black 4-H.
(History of a Separate Fair)
Staff

Few p e o p l e w h o w a n d e r t h r o u g h t h e e x h i b i t s a t t h e f a i r t o d a y , r e a l i z e t h a t
there was a s e p a r a t e b l a c k f a i r w h i c h t o o k p l a c e i n September e a c h y e a r f r o m 1949
u n t i l i n t e g r a t i o n i n t h e e a r l y 1 9 6 0 ' s . I n a n e x t e n s i v e i n t e r v i e w w i t h M r. James
F o r r e s t , h i s w i f e , H a r r i e t , a n d J o h n L a n c a s t e r, much l i g h t was s h e d o n t h e days
of o l d .

"The f i r s t b l a c k f a i r w a s h e l d a t t h e C a r d i n a l G i b b o n s H i g h S c h o o l i n R i d g e ,
Maryland, i n 1 9 4 9 " , s a i d F o r r e s t , t h e p a s t p r e s i d e n t o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s County
Board o f E d u c a t i o n a n d p a s t p r e s i d e n t o f t h e c o u n t y ' s B l a c k F a i r . C a r d i n a l
Gibbons H i g h S c h o o l w a s t h e f i r s t b l a c k h i g h s c h o o l i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y . " W e
had a F a r m e r ' s a n d H o m e m a k e r ' s A s s o c i a t i o n w h i c h w a s a n o r g a n i z a t i o n o f l o c a l
f a r m e r s a n d homemakers w h o s e p u r p o s e w a s t o t e a c h f a r m e r s h o w t o g r o w t h e i r f o o d
b e t t e r , h o w t o s e w, c a n f o o d , a n d r a i s e h e a l t h i e r a n i m a l s . M o s t o f t h i s was d o n e
t h r o u g h t h e h o m e m a k e r ' s c l u b ; t h e n t h e i d e a came a b o u t t o c o m b i n e t h e f a r m e r s a n d
t h e homemakers k n o w l e d g e a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g t o w a r d d e v e l o p i n g a q u a l i t y p r o d u c t , "
said John L a n c a s t e r, a County E x t e n s i o n Agent d u r i n g t h e B l a c k F a i r y e a r s .

John L a n c a s t e r ( c e n t e r ) , C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f o r A g r i c u l t u r e
and B l a c k 4 - H d u r i n g t h e y e a r s o f i n t e g r a t i o n ; J a m e s F o r r e s t
(second f r o m l e f t ) , P a s t P r e s i d e n t o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y
Board o f E d u c a t i o n a n d P a s t P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B l a c k F a i r ; a n d
Mrs. F o r r e s t ( l e f t ) , w h o a l o n g w i t h h e r husband was v e r y a c t i v e
with t h e i r c h i l d r e n i n 4 - H , e x p l a i n w h a t t o o k place i n and
around B l a c k F a i r w e e k . Right: Shannon Rhodes 2nd From Right: Laurel Potyen

66
 "The i d e a w a s t o i n c r e a s e t h e q u a l i t y o f l i f e - - t o i m p r o v e t h e s t a n d a r d o f
l i v i n g , " s t a t e d F o r r e s t . " J o h n had t h e knowledge a n d know-how t o i n s t r u c t u s .
By c o m b i n i n g t h e 4 - H c l u b s w i t h t h e h o m e m a k e r s , w e w e r e a b l e t o move t o w a r d s t h a t
goal. P e o p l e brought t h e i r c o r n , t o b a c c o , hogs, c h i c k e n s , canned g o o d s , e t c . ,
and t h e r e w e r e a f e w t h o r o u g h b r e d h o r s e s . "

"The f a i r w a s moved f r o m C a r d i n a l G i b b o n s t o L o v e v i l l e . W e h e l d i t o n t h e
Bernard S o m e r v i l l e p r o p e r t y i n a t e n t . T h e l a s t f a i r w e h a d a t L o v e v i l l e was
ruined by r a i n so w e n e g o t i a t e d i n t h e 1 9 5 0 ' s w i t h t h e S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r
Board t o a l l o w u s t o u s e t h e f a i r g r o u n d s o n R o u t e 5 . T h e w h i t e s h e l d t h e i r f a i r
one w e e k a n d w e h e l d o u r s t h e n e x t , " r e l a t e d F o r r e s t .

According t o M r s . H a r r i e t F o r r e s t , " w e had a Miss 4 - H o f S t . M a r y ' s County

who w a s c h o s e n f r o m t h e v a r i o u s b l a c k 4 - H g r o u p s i n t h e c o u n t y . W e w o u l d h a v e
e i g h t o r n i n e g i r l s f r o m w h i c h t h e queen was c h o s e n . W e h a d a b i g ceremony o n
Sunday f o r t h e c r o w n i n g o f t h e q u e e n a n d h e r c o u r t . O u r p a r a d e h a d m o r e
p a r t i c i p a n t s t h a n t h e w h i t e f a i r ; we a l w a y s had a n i c e parade. O u r bands were
from o u t o f t h e c o u n t y.

The B l a c k F a i r ' s E d u c a t i o n a l F l o a t w a s o n e o f m a n y f l o a t s
and b a n d s w h i c h moved f r o m S t . M a r y ' s Academy a r o u n d t h e
square a n d o n t o b u s e s w h i c h t o o k t h e m t o t h e f a i r g r o u n d s .
( P h o t o s c o u r t e s y James a n d H a r r i e t F o r r e s t )

67
Leonardtown had n o band a t t h e t i m e ; w e u s e d t o g e t t h e B a t e s H i g h S c h o o l Band
f r o m A n n a p o l i s , a n d many o t h e r s . W e a l s o h a d t h e C a r d i n a l G i b b o n s D r u m a n d B u g l e
Corps. W h e n t h a t p a r a d e w e n t t h r o u g h L e o n a r d t o w n , i t w a s s o m e t h i n g ! P e o p l e
w o u l d r e a l l y come o u t t o w a t c h t h e p a r a d e . O u r f l o a t s w e r e s i m p l y b e a u t i f u l . "

"Our 4 - H ' e r s w o r e u n i f o r m s . T h e b o y s w o r e w h i t e p a n t s a n d w h i t e s h i r t s a n d
the g i r l s w o r e g r e e n - s t r i p e d d r e s s e s . W e used t o have more y o u t h p a r t i c i p a t i o n :
the young p e o p l e u s e d t o w o r k t o g e t h e r b a c k t h e n . T h e n w h e n t h e f a i r was
i n t e g r a t e d i n t h e 1 9 6 0 ' s f e w young people p a r t i c i p a t e d . T h e y s t i l l d o n ' t , " s a i d
Mrs. F o r r e s t .

(L) L o u i s F o r r e s t ( s o n o f J a m e s a n d H a r r i e t F o r r e s t o f
Leonardtown), a n d Jean Fenwick ( R ) p o s e d u r i n g 4 - H e v e n t .
The 4 - H u n i f o r m s c o n s i s t e d o f w h i t e p a n t s a n d w h i t e s h i r t
with g r e e n t i e f o r b o y s a n d g r e e n and w h i t e s t r i p e d
d r e s s e s f o r g i r l s . ( P h o t o s c o u r t e s y James a n d H a r r i e t
Forrest)

"The f i n a n c i n g f o r o u r f a i r w a s p a r t l y f r o m t h e M a r y l a n d A g r i c u l t u r e F a i r
Board. T h e y p a i d f o r r i b b o n s a n d a w a r d s f o r t h e c h i l d r e n . W e , i n t u r n , h a d t o
report everything t o the s t a t e f a i r b o a r d : g a t e receipts, f e e f o r r e n t a l o f
ground a n d a n y o t h e r money t r a n s a c t i o n s , " r e l a t e d M r s . F o r r e s t . " W e h a d o u r o w n
f a i r catalogue and s o l d ads t o pay f o r i t . "

68
 "Our j u d g e s f o r t h e e x h i b i t s w e r e f r o m t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d w h o w e r e
specialists i n t h e i r a r e a , agronomists, e t c , " s t a t e d J o h n L a n c a s t e r, former
County E x t e n s i o n A g e n t f o r t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M a r y l a n d . " I t i s s t i l l d o n e t h e
same w a y t o d a y . "

"Once t h e b l a c k f a i r w a s i n t e g r a t e d w i t h t h e w h i t e f a i r , t h e b l a c k s l o s t
t h e i r l e a d e r s h i p r o l e s . W e used t o g o o u t a n d g e t o u r own a d s a n d r u n o u r own
e x h i b i t s a n d o r g a n i z e e v e r y t h i n g . W e h a d o u r o w n c a t a l o g u e w h i c h was a l o t o f
w o r k ; i t t o o k l e a d e r s h i p a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n t o p u t o n e o u t , " s a i d James F o r r e s t .
"When F r a n k Guy w e n t o u t o f t h e p r i n t i n g b u s i n e s s , a l l t h e f a i r b o o k s w e r e p u t
t o g e t h e r a n d g i v e n t o R a y e t t a M c W i l l i a m s , w h o i s s t i l l a member o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s
County F a i r B o a r d t o d a y . "

" To d a y ' s y o u n g p e o p l e a r e n ' t i n t e r e s t e d m u c h i n 4 - H , " s t a t e d James F o r r e s t .

"When I w a s y o u n g , w e r a i s e d c h i c k e n s , h a d t o s e l l t h e e g g s - d o o r t o d o o r . "

L o u i s F o r r e s t ( s o n o f James
and H a r r i e t F o r r e s t o f
Loveville) poses w i t h t h e 150
chicks h e r a i s e d f o r a 4-H
Club p r o j e c t . ( P h o t o c o u r t e s y
James a n d H a r r i e t F o r r e s t )

"We h a d p o u l t r y c o n t e s t s a n d y o u c o u l d r e a l l y s e e t h e d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e o n e s t h a t
were r a i s e d p r o p e r l y . O u r g o a l w a s t o c o m p e t e a g a i n s t o u r s e l v e s - t o d o a b e t t e r
job e a c h y e a r. I f I h a d n ' t been i n 4 - H , I w o u l d n ' t b e where I am t o d a y . I
j o i n e d when I was t e n y e a r s o l d . "

Lancaster e x p l a i n e d t h a t " t h e c h i l d r e n were t a u g h t p u b l i c speaking, a s w e l l

as l i f e s k i l l s i n t h e b l a c k f a i r . T h e 4 - H l e a d e r s w o u l d g o i n t o t h e home a n d
teach t h e c h i l d r e n s k i l l s . I t was i m p o r t a n t f o r them t o l e a r n how t o b e o u t i n
f r o n t o f t h e p u b l i c . T h e y w o u l d g o o n t r i p s t o Wa s h i n g t o n , h a v e d a n c e c o n t e s t s ,
e t c . " W e made y o u t h r e s p o n s i b l e f o r s e l f , " s a i d L a n c a s t e r .

69
 "The b l a c k 4 - H ' e r s w o u l d g o f o r a w e e k t o a s t a t e 4 - H Camp e a c h y e a r h e l d a t
Princess Ann College o n t h e Eastern Shore. T h e r e a g r o u p p i c t u r e w a s t a k e n o f
them i n u n i f o r m . T h e y h a d c l a s s e s e v e r y d a y i n c o o k i n g , s e w i n g , e t c . , " e x p l a i n e d
Harriet Forrest.

"After integration o f the f a i r s , t h e black participation wasn't there. T h e y

c o u l d n ' t compete- - t h e i r f a i r w a s n ' t o f f e r i n g what o u r s was o f f e r i n g , " s a i d M r s .
F o r r e s t . " F o r e x a m p l e , I w o u l d g r o w my f l o w e r s i n my y a r d - - n o t i n a h o t h o u s e - -
why e n t e r m i n e w h e n I c o u l d n ' t c o m p e t e . " L a n c a s t e r r e f l e c t e d , " P u r e b r e d h o g s a r e
going t o be above what o u r s w e r e ; t h e y w e r e g i v e n v i t a m i n s and supplements--we
d i d n ' t have any purebred hogs."

"They g a v e m y s o n , G e o r g e , o n e h o g ( a s o w ) a n d h e h a d t o r a i s e
i t and h e r p i g l e t s f o r a 4 - H P r o j e c t . " ( P h o t o s 1961 c o u r t e s y
James a n d H a r r i e t F o r r e s t )

" W e ' r e n o t b l a m i n g a n y o n e , " s a i d James F o r r e s t , " t h a t ' s j u s t t h e w a y t h i n g s

w e r e . A l l t h e l e a d e r s h i p t h e b l a c k s h a d j u s t f e l l a w a y. F r o m t h e e a r l y 1 9 6 0 ' s
b l a c k s f a d e d a w a y a n d p a r t i c i p a t e d l e s s . T h e n a v a l b a s e came i n , f a r m i n g b e g a n
t o d w i n d l e , j o b s became m o r e a v a i l a b l e a n d e v e r y t h i n g h a s c h a n g e d a l o n g w i t h i t . "

70
The Smell Of Tradition Southern Maryland Stuffed Ham.
by Julie Miles

"My g r a n d m o t h e r t o l d m e t h a t s t u f f i n g h a m g o t s t a r t e d t h r o u g h t h e s l a v e
people. P e o p l e o n t h e o l d e s t a t e s would t a k e t h e p i g ' s head and j o w l s t h e n s t u f f
them w i t h c a b b a g e a n d k a l e . P e o p l e f r o m t h e ' b i g h o u s e s ' w o u l d come d o w n a n d
t a s t e t h e s t u f f i n g ; t h e y l i k e d i t s o much t h e y a s k e d t h e s l a v e s t o s t u f f t h e i r
hams. M y m o t h e r w o u l d s t u f f f o u r o r f i v e h a m s a t a t i m e f o r d i f f e r e n t p e o p l e .
W h i t e f o l k d i d n ' t w a n t t h e i r homes a l l s m e l l e d u p . Y e a r s a g o t h e y w e r e c o o k e d i n
an o l d i r o n k e t t l e . M o s t p e o p l e w o u l d make homemade b a g s o f m u s l i n t o c o o k t h e i r
hams i n , " s a i d v e t e r a n ham s t u f f e r , M r s . H a r r i e t F o r r e s t .

Outside o f b e i n g one o f S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y ' s most b e n e f i c i a l h i s t o r i a n s , M r s .

Forrest constructs a n d submits t h e guidelines f o r t h e judging o f t h e S t . Mary's
County F a i r S t u f f e d Ham C o n t e s t . T h e b a s i c p r o c e s s f o r s t u f f i n g a h a m a s s t a t e d
by M r s . F o r r e s t d u r i n g a r e c e n t i n t e r v i e w : " Y o u c u t p o c k e t s i n t h e h a m , t h e n
s t u f f t h e pockets w i t h f l a v o r e d greens, season i t t o t a s t e , t h e n cook i t . "

S o u t h e r n M a r y l a n d s t u f f e d hams a r e j u d g e d a t t h e c o u n t y f a i r .
Ve t e r a n ham s t u f f e r , H a r r i e t F o r r e s t , w h o c o n s t r u c t s a n d
submits t h e g u i d e l i n e s f o r t h e j u d g e s s t a n d s a t f a r l e f t .

The c o n t e s t a n t s a r e j u d g e d o n t h r e e b a s i c c r i t e r i a . " F i r s t , t h e hams a r e t o

be c u t i n p o c k e t f o r m f o r t h e s t u f f i n g p r o c e d u r e . S e c o n d , t h e c o l o r o f t h e h a m
should be l i g h t p i n k . T h i r d and f i n a l l y , t h e s t u f f i n g s h o u l d b e d e e p g r e e n i n
c o l o r, n o t a l l k a l e , a p p r o x i m a t e l y o n e - h a l f cabbage, o n e - h a l f k a l e and o n i o n s . "
After a l l t h e physical q u a l i f i c a t i o n s have b e e n met, t h e r e a l c o n t e s t begins.

71
The f i n a l p h a s e o f t h e c o m p e t i t i o n i s t h e t a s t e t e s t . J u d g e s i n c l u d i n g M r s .
Forrest, a r e from various backgrounds a n d p r o f e s s i o n s f r o m a r o u n d o u r l o c a l
region and o t h e r c o u n t i e s . S e a s o n i n g v a r i e s f r o m m i l d t o u n b e a r a b l e , i t a l l
depends o n t h e s t u f f e r ' s p r e f e r e n c e a n d a d d e d p r o p o r t i o n s o f r e d p e p p e r . " S o m e
c o n t e s t a n t s b r i n g t h e ham r i g h t t o t h e f a i r i n t h e o l d c l o t h , o t h e r s d e c o r a t e t h e
ham b e a u t i f u l l y . "

Contestants must r e p r e s e n t a s t o r e , r e s t a u r a n t , o r t a v e r n w h e r e t h e k i t c h e n
has b e e n e x a m i n e d b y t h e H e a l t h D e p a r t m e n t . N o i n d i v i d u a l s t u f f e r s a r e a l l o w e d
to p a r t i c i p a t e .

Southern M a r y l a n d s t u f f e d
hams l i n e t h e t a b l e s t o b e
judged. H a m s a r e donated
to t h e S t . M a r y ' s N u r s i n g
Center and h a m sandwiches
are s o l d d u r i n g t h e f a i r
to r a i s e m o n e y f o r t h e
institution.

Prizes c o n s i s t o f a l a r g e b l u e r i b b o n f o r t h e f i r s t p l a c e w i n n e r, a s m a l l e r
red r i b b o n f o r second p l a c e , a n d a w h i t e r i b b o n f o r t h i r d p l a c e . E a c h w i n n e r
receives a p l a q u e t o p l a c e i n t h e s t o r e t h e y represent. A f t e r t h e b a t t l e i s
o v e r, a n d v i c t o r y h a s b e e n c l a i m e d , t h e r e m a i n i n g h a m s a r e d o n a t e d t o t h e S t .
Mary's N u r s i n g C e n t e r a n d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s e l l z e s t y h a m s a n d w i c h e s a s a
f u n d r a i s e r t h r o u g h o u t t h e f a i r f e s t i v i t i e s . I n 1 9 8 9 s i x t e e n hams w e r e d o n a t e d .

72
The Mighty World Of Carousels
by Angela Coblentz
The m u s i c o f a l u l l a b y c a r e s s e s m e ,
Welcoming me l i k e t h e a r m s o f a g r a n d m o t h e r,
P u l l i n g me t o w a r d s
Its h i s t o r y o f gentleness.

My f i n g e r s s t i c k y w i t h
L e f t o v e r s p i d e r t h r e a d s o f c o t t o n c a n d y,
Grasp t h e l e a t h e r s t r a p
To " l e a d " m y m i g h t y f r i e n d a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .

As h e g a l l o p s a l o n g , m o n o t o n o u s u p a n d d o w n movement,
To t h e s o u n d o f o r g a n m u s i c ,
I s e e s e p a r a t e w o r l d s around me,
That o f games, f o o d , v o i c e s a n d p e o p l e .

I r i d e above a l l o f t h e s e w o r l d s
Master o f a l l I s e e , t o m y s e l f ,
I l i s t e n t o o t h e r people g i g g l e ,
And w o n d e r w h y t h e y d o n ' t s h a r e t h e a n c i e n t n e s s o f t h i s w o r l d .

I p a t my m i g h t y c r e a t u r e
As i t s Movement s l o w s ,
Melody s l o w i n g w i t h t h e r h y t h m o f o u r b r e a t h i n g - -
I have conquered t h e mighty w o r l d o f c a r o u s e l s .

73
 Peanuts From Heaven
by Clayton Hartley

Each y e a r a m a j o r h i g h l i g h t o f t h e c o u n t y f a i r i s t h e a n n u a l p a r a d e w h e r e
many p e o p l e c o m e t o g e t h e r t o c a t c h t h e s p i r i t o f t h e f a i r .

Suzanne H e n d e r s o n , f a i r p a r a d e c h a i r p e r s o n , r e c a l l s a p a r a d e i n t h e m i d - 5 0 ' s
when a p i l o t f r o m D i x o n s ' a i r p o r t i n P a r k H a l l s e n t a b a r r a g e o f " p e a n u t s f r o m
heaven" i n t o t h e c h e e r i n g c r o w d . F o r t h e f i r s t t i m e i n f i f t e e n y e a r s t h e 1 9 8 8
f a i r parade boasted l i v e l y music, l a u g h t e r, a n d t h e sound o f marching f e e t i n t h e
s t r e e t s o f Leonardtown. T h e parade m a d e i t s w a y f r o m t h e Governmental C e n t e r,
past t h e r e v i e w i n g s t a n d and t h e n on t o t h e f a i r g r o u n d s .

Henderson s a i d " b a n d s u s e d t o come f r o m a l l o v e r ; P r i n c e G e o r g e ' s C o u n t y,

C a l v e r t C o u n t y, N a v y b a n d s , M a r i n e C o r p s b a n d s a n d s c h o o l b a n d s . I n e a r l y
parades 4 - H g r o u p s h a d b e a u t i f u l f l o a t s a n d we h a d a n t i q u e c a r s , c l e a n a n d s h i n y
t r a s h t r u c k s , l o c a l f i r e t r u c k s , a n d N a v y a n d M a r i n e C o r p s e x h i b i t s a n d m u c h much
more. B u c k B r i s c o e , M r . S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y, w o u l d b r i n g d i g n i t a r i e s f r o m t h e
White House t o j u d g e t h e f l o a t s . H e w o u l d g e t s e n a t o r s a n d c o n g r e s s m e n f o r
example. F u l t o n L o u i s , J r . , t h e f a m o u s n e w s c a s t e r w o u l d c o m e . T h o s e t h a t h e
asked u s u a l l y c a m e . A l l f l o a t s h a d t o f o l l o w a t h e m e . I n 1 9 4 8 t h e t h e m e w a s S t .
Mary's County Farming: P a s t , P r e s e n t , F u t u r e . "

"A h i g h p o i n t i n f a i r h i s t o r y w a s w h e n t h e B u d w e i s e r C l y d e s d a l e s , t a l l ,
powerful d r a f t horses bred i n t h e Clyde Va l l e y i n Scotland, g r a c e d o u r f a i r one
glorious y e a r. P e r h a p s i n t h e f u t u r e , we c a n coax them back t o o u r f a i r once
a g a i n , " s t a t e d Suzanne.

74
( To p ) T h e R i d g e D r u m a n d B u g l e C o r p . m a r c h i n t h e p a r a d e .
(Bottom) T h e C h o p t i c o n H i g h S c h o o l Band m a r c h e s f r o m t h e
Te c h n i c a l C e n t e r t o t h e f a i r g r o u n d s i n 1 9 7 3 .

75
The S e v e n t h D i s t r i c t b o y s 4 - H f l o a t m o v e s t h r o u g h L e o n a r d t o w n .


The Fair Parade Never Lacked Variety!

77
I t Wo u l d n ' t Be a Parade W i t h o u t Bands!

STMARTS COUNTY
TECHNICALCENTER

78
79
80
op

One o f t h e m a n y e x a m p l e s o f t h e d i v e r s i t y o f t h e f a i r . ( 1 9 6 0 )
 A Little Bit Of Something For Everyone
by Kim Miner, Matthew Olson

Entertainment a t t h e f a i r h a s changed o v e r t h e y e a r s l i k e e v e r y t h i n g e l s e .
Although t h e b e s t i s d i f f e r e n t , i t s t i l l goes o n . C h u b b y Checker " r o c k e d " young
and o l d a l i k e i n t h e 1 9 5 0 ' s a t t h e f a i r a n d G r a n d p a J o n e s g a v e t h e c o u n t r y m u s i c
f a n s some " g o o d o l e , ' d o w n home, f o o t s t o m p i n ' e n j o y m e n t . "

However, a t t h e e a r l i e s t f a i r s e n t e r t a i n m e n t f o c u s e d l e s s o n a c i r c u s
atmosphere a n d m o r e a g r i c u l t u r a l a c t i v i t i e s . E v e n t o d a y , t h e c o m p e t i t i o n s f o r
the b e s t p r o d u c e a n d / o r l i v e - s t o c k a r e s t i l l v e r y e n t e r t a i n i n g . E v e n t h e f i r s t
f a i r i n 1 9 4 7 introduced r i d e s as a r e g u l a r p a r t o f t h e f a i r as evidenced by t h e
f e r r i s wheel and carousel. T h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r w i l l never b e s h o r t o f
entertainment s i n c e t h e r e i s s u c h a smorgasbord o f a c t i v i t i e s .

Members o f t h e L e o n a r d t o w n P u b l i c a t i o n s C l a s s mug f o r t h e
camera w h i l e r i d i n g t h e c a r o u s e l , a f a v o r i t e a t t h e f a i r .
L. t o R . B e t h A l t o n , M a t t O l s o n , A n d y S t o n e , C l a y t o n
H a r t l e y, Amy Q u i n l a n , a n d K a r e n R a l e y.

Rides a t t r a c t e v e r y o n e f r o m age t w o
to e i g h t y - t w o . F r o m a t r a d i t i o n a l pony
ride t o t h e incredible Gravitron, t h e r e
is something t o a r o u s e e v e r y person's
f a n c y. S c r e a m s o f j o y c r y o u t a s
contagious l a u g h t e r w o r k s w o n d e r s o n
everyone a r o u n d . T h e c a u s e o f t h i s
constant j o y s e e m s t o b e i n c r e a s i n g l y
evident. " T h e F a i r " i s t h e cause, and
everyone, y o u n g o r o l d , l a r g e o r s m a l l ,
contributes t o the f e e l i n g .

82
 A view of 1988's entertainment
T h u r s d a y, S e p t e m b e r 2 2 , 1 9 8 9 , w a s " Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e D a y " , a n d among t h e
amusement o f f e r e d t o f a i r - g o e r s w a s t h e D i x i e R a m b l e r s . T h i s b l u e g r a s s b a n d
p l a y e d i n t h e P a v i l i o n a t 6 p m a n d t h e down-home s t y l e p r o v e d t o b e a r e a l c r o w d
p l e a s e r. T h a t e v e n i n g , t h e s k y w a s i l l u m i n a t e d w i t h a b a r r a g e o f c o l o r f u l
f i r e w o r k s . T h e d i s p l a y r a i s e d e y e s t o t h e s k y a n d d r o p p e d a f e w j a w s among t h e
awestruck audience.

"A t r e a t o f $ 3 , 3 0 0 f i r e w o r k s w a s p r e -
sented b y t h e Z a m b e l l i B r o t h e r s o u t o f
New C a s t l e , P e n n s y l v a n i a , " s a i d J o h n
Richards, f a i r b o a r d p r e s i d e n t . " T h e y
built t h e fireworks a n d o u r licensed
fireworks e x p e r t , L u t h e r Horne, s e t them
off. W e a r e s h a r i n g t h e c o s t w i t h
Rosedale C a r n i v a l A t t r a c t i o n s w h o r u n s
our f a i r c a r n i v a l . "

1 /// z .
\iil

83
 A c a r n i v a l h a s t h r i l l e d f a i r g o e r s a s f a r b a c k a s t h e 1 9 4 7 f a i r a t Camp
C a l v e r t . S u z a n n e Henderson r e c a l l e d how a M r. J a c k G a l l i g e r and h i s w i f e s e t u p
t h e i r c a r n i v a l each year a t t h e f a i r . " M r . G a l l i g e r would s t o r e a l l h i s c a r n i v a l
equipment i n V i r g i n i a a n d o n e y e a r h e d i d n ' t h a v e t h e m o n e y t o g e t h i s e q u i p m e n t
o u t o f s t o r a g e a n d m y f a t h e r , B a r n a r d S m i t h , a f a i r b o a r d member h i m s e l f , l o a n e d
Mr. G a l l i g e r t h e money t o b r i n g t h e e q u i p m e n t t o S t . M a r y ' s . T h e y d i d t h e
carnival up u n t i l he d i e d . H e would a d v e r t i s e f o r us, and p u t up posters a l l
over S t . M a r y ' s , C a l v e r t , C h a r l e s a n d P r i n c e G e o r g e ' s C o u n t i e s . T h e y a l s o g a v e
away t i c k e t s a n d s t u f f e d a n i m a l s t o n e e d y c h i l d r e n . "

"Each y e a r w h e n t h e f a i r s e a s o n w a s o v e r , h e w o u l d p a c k u p h i s e q u i p m e n t , g o
down t o B e l l M o t o r Company, b u y a n e w c a r a n d g o t o F l o r i d a f o r t h e w i n t e r . T h e y
made g o o d money g o i n g f r o m f a i r t o f a i r , " r e c a l l s H e n d e r s o n .

"After t h e G a l l i g e r s ,
another company c a m e i n - -
I t h i n k i t w a s Snyder,
then w e c o m m i s s i o n e d
Rosedale Amusement Company
out o f R o s e d a l e , M a r y l a n d ,
and t h e y a r e s t i l l w i t h
us. T h e y come i n , s e t t h e
c a r n i v a l u p a n d we g e t a
commission o n t h e t i c k e t
s a l e s , " Henderson s a i d .

F r i d a y, S e p t e m b e r 2 3 w h i c h w a s " S c h o o l D a y " , d r e w s t u d e n t s t o t h e f a i r b y
the hundreds. T h e D o u b l e D u t c h R o p e Jumpers p e r f o r m e d w i t h a m a z i n g s k i l l a n d
e x p e r t i s e t w i c e d u r i n g t h e d a y, t o t h e d e l i g h t o f t h e i r a u d i e n c e s .

84
 Each y e a r n e w a t t r a c t i o n s a r e a d d e d t o t h e f a i r s u c h a s t h e s e
e x p e r t r o p e j u m p e r s f r o m Wa s h i n g t o n , D C . T h e y a r e s e e n h e r e
s t r u t t i n g t h e i r "Double-Dutching s t u f f " f o r f a i r g o e r s .

L a t e r, p i n k t u - t u e d c h i l d r e n f r o m t h e N o r m a J e a n S c h o o l o f Dance e x e c u t e d
p i r o u e t t e s and arabesques p e r f e c t l y, w h i l e a p u p p e t s h o w p u t o n b y B l u e Sky
Puppet T h e a t e r , a m u s e d c h i l d r e n i n t h e P a v i l i o n . T h e D i x i e R a m b l e r s w e r e i n v i t e d
back f o r a n e v e n i n g p e r f o r m a n c e , n o d o u b t d u e t o p o p u l a r demand.

S a t u r d a y, S e p t e m b e r 2 4 w a s " P a r a d e D a y " ; t h e p a r a d e b e g a n l a t e i n t h e
morning i n L e o n a r d t o w n a n d w o r k e d i t s w a y down t o t h e f a i r g r o u n d s . V i e w e r s d i d
not seem t o m i n d t h e m i n o r t r a f f i c p r o b l e m s a s t h e y l i n e d t h e s t r e e t t o w i t n e s s a
wide v a r i e t y o f f e s t i v e f l o a t s a n d v e h i c l e s a s t h e y p a s s e d . L a t e r i n t h e
a f t e r n o o n , t h e A r k a n d Dove Square Dancers p u t o n a c l a s s i c s q u a r e d a n c e r o u t i n e
to t h e amusement o f t h e i r v i e w e r s . A t 4 o'clock the Jazzercise "dancers"
illustrated t h e simplicity involved i n physical f i t n e s s a n d weight l o s s .
Wrapping u p S a t u r d a y ' s a c t i v i t i e s , t h e S t . M a r y ' s A d u l t W i n d E n s e m b l e l u l l e d
t h e i r l i s t e n e r s i n t o t r a n q u i l i t y w i t h t h e i r gentle rhythm a n d b e a u t i f u l melodies
as t h e f a i r d r i f t e d p e a c e f u l l y i n t o t h e t w i l i g h t .

NOTE:

(The 1990 St. Mary's County Fair w i l l feature Cissy Lynn, Loretta Lynn's
daughter, as a highlight. A large turnout is expected to see the Nashville Star.)

85
 M r. a n d M r s . D a l l i s H i l l ,
members o f t h e A r k a n d
Dove s q u a r e dancers show
off t h e i r "down-home"
costumes. Dallis i s
president of t h e
organization.

"The f i t t e s t a t t h e f a i r . " T h e s e J a z z e r c i s e d a n c e r s c a n g i v e
a t i r i n g demonstration a n d s t i l l manage a s m i l e f o r the
camera.

86
 The f a i r w a s c a p p e d o f f o n S u n d a y, S e p t e m b e r 2 5 , a s t h e i n c r e d i b l e v o i c e s o f
the B l a c k w e l l B r o t h e r s a n d t h e Z i o n M e t h o d i s t Men G o s p e l S i n g e r s e n t i c e d t h e i r
listeners w i t h t h e i r musical expertise.

After a l l t h e e x h i b i t s w e r e dismantled a n d the l a s t o f the prize-winning

l i v e s t o c k was t a k e n b a c k t o t h e f a r m o r t o t h e s l a u g h t e r h o u s e , e v e r y o n e h a d t o
come t o g r i p s w i t h t h e f a c t t h a t 1 9 8 8 ' s f a i r w a s o v e r . E v e n t h o u g h t h e y w e r e
saddened, a l l l o o k e d f o r w a r d t o w h a t t h e f a i r h e l d i n s t o r e f o r t h e y e a r s t o
come.

87
Carnival workers a r e always on
hand i n c a s e o f a b r e a k d o w n .
"Ah, c o m e o n ! I t c a n ' t b e t h a t
bad!" Leonardtown High S c h o o l
s t u d e n t To n y K n o t t p r e p a r e s t o
board c a r n i v a l r i d e .

88
 The Lottery Comes To town

Mr. Z e r o , t h e l o t t e r y m a s c o t , a c c o m p a n i e d b y c e l e b r i t y p i n g - p o n g b a l l s a n d
television personalities, attended t h e Maryland S t a t e L o t t e r y drawing o n
September 2 4 , 1 9 8 8 . T h e y managed t o a t t r a c t a l a r g e c r o w d t o s e e t h e " P i c k
Three", " P i c k F o u r " l o t t o d r a w i n g s a t t h e S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r g r o u n d s . T h e
l o t t o had an estimated a n n u i t y value o f 1 . 2 m i l l i o n d o l l a r s .

89
 --'i-,i,i..:,.. .
.4:1g4:,'i;.:.:.E,., :.:.',........ .
-!li,.,;,,.::,.:,.,.,.,:,,.;:,:.,.:.:,.,..::,..:.....,....:.:.. .:..:.......:.:..:.

90
 Bike Rodeo!

Top a n d b o t t o m . P a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h e b i k e r o d e o w a i t f o r a
t u r n t o show t h e i r b i k i n g s k i l l s t o t h e crowd. ( 1 9 8 7 )

L . t o R t . S t u d e n t s W a r r e n W e i s m e r,
Sharon H o p k i n s , G l e n L e s k i n e n , W i l l
A r i c k , a n d K a r e n McAloon t r y t h e i r
l u c k a t o n e o f t h e m a n y games a t
the f a i r .

91
 The c l o w n s a r e a
favorite w i t h children
at t h e f a i r .

Thrills a b o u n d f o r
youngsters a t t h e f a i r .

92
93
Catching t h a t g r e a s e d p i g a t t h e f a i r i s n e v e r e a s y, b u t i t
sure i s f u n . ( 1 9 7 5 )

94
The W i n s l o w F a m i l y p e r f o r m s a t The o l d t i m e r s g e t i n t o t h e
the f a i r . act a s w e l l . ( 1 9 7 3 )

CASINO.SKYFARK
AMUSEMENT PARK P01111

/is.wAff

" T h i s was a f u n c a r w e i g h t e d down i n t h e b a c k ; i t w o u l d r e a r u p a n d g o

on i t s b a c k w h e e l s , " s a i d E l w o o d C u s i c . ( 1 9 6 0 )

95
A g o - c a r t t r a c k once e x i s t e d o n t h e grounds - now grown u p i n woods. ( 1 9 6 0 p h o t o )
Top. T h e p o l i c e d o g d e m o n s t r a t i o n i s a l w a y s a n e x c i t i n g e v e n t . B o t t o m L .
Wheel o f F o r t u n e . R . M e a s u r i n g u p .

97
Volunteers, Without Them There Would Be No Fair
In t h e s p i r i t o f t r u e community s p i r i t , volunteers l i t e r a l l y b u i l t t h e
county f a i r f r o m t h e g r o u n d u p . W i t h o u t t h e i r e f f o r t s t h e f a i r a s we k n o w i t
today w o u l d n o t e x i s t . N o t o n l y have m a t e r i a l s a n d s u p p l i e s b e e n d o n a t e d and
equipment l o a n e d b u t c o u n t l e s s h o u r s o f h a r d w o r k a n d s w e a t h a v e g o n e i n t o e v e r y
aspect o f t h e f a i r . T h e f o l l o w i n g a r t i c l e s w h i c h d a t e b a c k t o t h e b e g i n n i n g o f
t h e f a i r a t Camp C a l v e r t a n d t h e A l m s H o u s e p r o p e r t y ( n o w k n o w n a s t h e F a i r
Grounds) t e l l t h e s t o r y o f v o l u n t e e r i s m a n d i t s r o l e i n o u r f a i r .

R a i n y, m u d d y w e a t h e r a l w a y s p r e s e n t s a p r o b l e m a t t h e f a i r .
Vo l u n t e e r s s m o o t h t h e r o a d - 1 9 7 5 .

98
 FRIDAY, J U LY 8, 1949 00.-,The- Ye a r I n Advance

ites on New Fair GroundSelected:

esand Entertainment Chairmen ppoint
A Ji

-4-474;
-.Plans f o r holding the S t M a r y ' s .County..Fair are n o w w e l l und`
way. M r. D a n .Davis, Chairman o f t h e B u i l d i n g .Cqmnaittee, announCe.4.1
, at the last meeting o f the board , o f directors ;that the location o f , t b
building, sites o f _the n e w f a i r ground h a d been selected and definitelY,
_there would b eat least three buildings erected rin t i m e f o r this .;ear's'
fair .f These-buildings w i l l , be used.i.7-TtYrt-thel-
i l s . c t ' the. farm exhibits. , F o r r t h e . , :
housrng of the cattle, probabliii4e.ii
L.J
-"Illawaimi ' tents w i l l . 4 a v e t o be brought back
/ i n t a ' p l a r o r this season. 3 3 3 3 3
t . L . . 2 . 0 i l b y i , ' F P - L i O N , Lumber Needed .
In..order to erect these buildings;
) naturally materials a're n e e d e d t a
lousewivse, Farmers, Cattlemen do t h i s . -The m o s t i m p o r t a n t i t e m
being l u m b e r. ; I r v i n g - H e w i t t ' o f
nvited To Exhibit At St. Mary's Fair H e w i t t L u m b e r C o m p a n y, . C a l l -
oway, has. generously, consente44df
saw, f r e e o f charge, a n y l o g s ' :
'Banquet In Honor Of Sen. Barkley At Lcrcal , brought to his m i l l . ."'Many other
Wharf Club. Miss Kitty Bailey To Be Crowned' have 'joined I n t h i s Worthy..move-:
"Queen Of :Tolerance", A t Seminary ment t o s t a r t t h e l o g s t r o l l i n g .

AmongAmong,there: - . a r e M r s . . . _Susan.
d
Greenwell, M r s . M a u d e G a r d i n e r,
(Special to T h e BEACON) '
"Pick y o u r b e s t preserves o f f Mrs.' M a t t i n g l y G u i a n d . M r s .
ae s h e l f a n d g e t y o u r husband's Frank Hayden. E a c h has- donated
est tobacco and corn and b r i n g 1000-feet ef l i l t r b e r to the c a u s
!m to the f a i r " were the words on W i t h 'this 4000:feet, .. your County
iany lips this week as the Second F a i r is' off t o a good start.
nnual: St. M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r
ets u n d e r w a y . R e s i d e n t s o f
outhern Maryland, and especially
t. M a r y s County, w e r e asked t o
xhibit as much as possible and to Volunteers In Action
upport t h e f a i r b y attendance as
ften as possible o n S e p t e m b e r
From t h e Henry F o w l e r, S r . f i l e s . These Clippings
7, 18, and 19.
(Courtesy Henry F o w l e r, J r . ) From The
Announcements o f e v e n t s t o
)me and reminders of deeds to be St. Mary's Beacon
Crie came f a s t and furious t h i s Show the Power
Week as t h e workers started t h e Of Volunteerism
rection o f shelves, tents and pens
t. t h e Camp Calvert site.

99
 tikzi
New Buildings Highlight
Plans For Ste Mary's Fair ,
Civic groups, merchants and in-
dividuals a r e w o r k i n g h a n d -in-
hand toward the success of the St.
Mary's County Fair, Even at this
early date, many details o f build-
ings, entertainment, concessions,
etc., have already been ironed out
and are ready for operation.
"74*- New exhibit buildings w i l l soon
be under w a y, w i t h m a n y :local,
merchants chipping in wi'h mater-
ials for construction. .
.. The Leonardtown S a n d a n d
Gravel Company and the Leonard-
town Concrete Company have do-
nated cement f o r the foundations.
H. E . Buckler o f Oraville has a l -
.26
Volfinteer-Labor'
Needed To Erect
V4it Buildings
The sills f o r the buildings to be
used a t t h e F a i r a r e now being
laid, thus setting the stage for the
coiCstruction. Actual erection of the
buildings . w i l l b e g i n n e x t week.
Si:nce the F a i r Js a non-profit or-
.
g nization and has small amounts
af money, the most of. this *building
vkll have to be done with volunteer
labor. So all of you who can weild
a shammer an.d pull a saw come on
'old 'and 'give ,a days' work to your
St. Mary's County Fair. For infor-
mation-as to the time, you may get
in touch w i t h ' M r . Dan Davis of
Chaptico or. Mr. Irving H e w i t t o f
Calloway. .
100
P-1(fci
ready delivered his 1000 feet o f
lumber to the saw mill. Bradfcird
Reeves o f Chaptica, assisted b y
Mrs. Susan- Greenwell, i s solicit-
ing lumber i n t h e upper p a r t o f
the county, while Robert A . Stev-
ens h a s been designated f o r the
lower section. ,
Among the new attractions to be
offered a t the F a i r is a Marathon
sponsored b y t h e Little Theatre
Group. M r s . Nancy Robinson re-
ports that this will highlight Sat-
urday's entertainment.
Many concessions a n d 11/11118e-
ments will be added t o the, 1949
agenda. J o h n Gardiner i s i n
charge o f arrangements f o r .con-
.cessions as well as special exhibits
of farm machinery, electrical ap-
pliances, furniture a n d similar
The Soroptomist Club will be re-
sponsible f o r running the gapes
and Dickie Duke will again take
on the job of supplying food. O f
course, the Leanardtown Volunteer
Firemen will be there with a ferris
wheel, merry-go-round and other
amusement devices.
The plea f o r lumber h a s met
with good response. Among the lat-
est donors a r e M r s . Pearl Boyd,
Mr. Guy Herbert, M r . Nick Hall,
Mr. Sprigg Reeves, M r s . 'Mary
Reeves, a n d Mr. Harry Moreland.
Also M r s . Claude Guy a n d Zach
Fowler have donated nails.
v---The- printers- of- this_yeaes Fair
Catalogslia,Ve completed the books.
Top. L . V e t e r a n F a i r B o a r d Member R a y e t t a M c W i l l i a m s ; To p R . F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t
John R i c h a r d s ; ( c e n t e r ) F a i r S e c r e t a r y , M a r y P f e i f f ; R . B i l l H o l l e y , V e t e r a n F a i r
Board M e m b e r . B o t t o m : J a m e s O w e n s ( P a s t F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t ) t a l k s t o
P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s f r o m Leonardtown H i g h School a s t h e y r e s e a r c h f a i r h i s t o r y .

101
Top. H e n r y F o w l e r , S r . o f f i c i a t e s a t t h e h o r s e s h o w - - o n e o f
h i s many d u t i e s a t t h e C o u n t y F a i r .

441

L. t o R . P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s , B r i a n N e v a l a , S h a r o n Dunn;
MaGuire M a t t i n g l y ; E l w o o d C u s i c ; T i n a W e l a n d e r, S w e d i s h
foreign exchange student on the P u b l i c a t i o n s s t a f f ; a n d
B i l l H o l l e y.

102
 Volunteers In Action
L. C l y t h e n e H a l l i s
presented a w i n n i n g r i b b o n
by K a r i n e I n g e r s o l i n
1975. T o p . R . B e r n a r d
Johnson, S p e e c h C o n t e s t
Chairperson, o f f i c i a t e s
the c o n t e s t e a c h y e a r.

Bottom L . t o R . B u c k B r i s c o e , J a m e s O w e n s
(Fair B o a r d P r e s i d e n t 1 9 7 9 - 8 1 ) , a n d G l e n n
Wood ( F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t 1 9 7 1 - 7 4 ) .
Bottom R . J a m e s F o r r e s t ( V e t e r a n F a i r
Board M e m b e r a n d P a s t P r e s i d e n t o f S t .
Mary's County's B l a c k F a i r b e f o r e i n t e g r a t i o n .

103
It's Friday And School's Out! Yipee, Let's Go To The Fair.
Every f a i r F r i d a y d a t i n g a l l t h e w a y b a c k t o t h e f i r s t f a i r h e l d a t Camp
C a l v e r t i n 1947 i s " K i d ' s D a y. " S t u d e n t s w e r e a d m i t t e d f r e e o f c h a r g e at that
f i r s t f a i r a l s o a c c o r d i n g t o The S t . M a r y ' s Beacon newspaper: " S t u d e n t s w i l l be
admitted f r e e o f charge o n F r i d a y. C h a r g e s f o r admission a f t e r t h a t w i l l be 25
cents f o r t h o s e u n d e r t w e l v e a n d 5 0 c e n t s f o r a d u l t s . "

Not o n l y d o t h e s t u d e n t s come t o t h e f a i r b u t t h e i r t e a c h e r s , p r i n c i p a l s ,
and t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f s c h o o l s . I n t h e l a s t f e w y e a r s , h o w e v e r , t e a c h e r s a r e
not p e r m i t t e d t h e d a y o f f a s s t u d e n t s a r e . T h e y must r e p o r t t o w o r k a s u s u a l .
For t h e s t u d e n t s , f a i r F r i d a y i s f i l l e d w i t h e x c i t i n g r i d s a n d t a s t y t r e a t s a s
well as e x h i b i t s and animal a n t i c s .

104
105
 Impressions Of The Children
by Tina Welander

Every y e a r , t h e p r i n c i p a l s o f S t . M a r y ' s
elementary and s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s r e c e i v e a n
invitation f o r t h e i r school t o e n t e r t h e
County F a i r .

The e x h i b i t s a r e d i v i d e d i n t o t w o d i v i s i o n s ,
elementary and s e c o n d a r y. E a c h d i v i s i o n has
different categories w i t h s e v e r a l l e v e l s .
Children i n p r e k i n d e r g a r t e n t o f i f t h g r a d e
show t h e i r t a l e n t s i n s c i e n c e , s o c i a l s t u d i e s ,
language a r t s , m a t h e m a t i c s , m u s i c , a n d a r t .

Sixth g r a d e s t u d e n t s t o high school seniors

enter t h e i r w o r k i n a r t , h o m e e c o n o m i c s ,
horticulture, m e t a l shop, music, p r i n t i n g ,
science f a i r p r o j e c t s , s c u l p t u r e , woodshop,
and c o m p u t e r p r i n t o u t s .

The C o u n t y S u p e r v i s o r s a r e i n c h a r g e o f t h e
exhibits, b u t each i n d i v i d u a l s c h o o l h a s t o
take c a r e o f i t s own d i s p l a y s . T o f e a t u r e t h e
various p r o g r a m s w i t h w h i c h t h e school has
been i n v o l v e d , s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l s c a n s e t u p a
booth t h a t w i l l n o t b e j u d g e d . E v e r y p u b l i c
school i n t h e c o u n t y a s w e l l a s p a r o c h i a l
schools e n t e r t h e f a i r .

L. Dwight Chakales, Principal of Leonardtown High

School and R. Linda Patton, Supervisor of Art and
See previous page Music.

Top L . L e o n a r d t o w n M i d d l e S c h o o l P r i n c i p a l , Art, language a r t s , a n d

George K i r b y ; T o p R t . , R e t i r e d p r i n c i p a l science f a i r p r o j e c t s a r e
Francis Bodine ( L ) a n d P a s t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t the c a t e g o r i e s w i t h t h e
of S c h o o l s , M a r v i n J o y ( R ) ; L e f t C e n t e r , most e n t r i e s . J u d g e s o f
Chopticon H i g h S c h o o l P r i n c i p a l , S t e v e O l z a k ; these e x h i b i t s i n c l u d e
Bottom l e f t , L e o n a r d t o w n H i g h S c h o o l M e d i a experts o n a r t a n d
Specialist B r u c e Perrygo and h i s w i f e Linda, E n g l i s h a n d o f t e n members
who i s C h o p t i c o n H i g h S c h o o l ' s M e d i a of t h e r e t i r e d t e a c h e r s
Specialist; i n b o o t h , v o l u n t e e r s m a n n i n g association.
booth; f a r r i g h t , Nathan Perrygo and f r i e n d .
Bottom R . D r . S a l v a t o r e R a s p a , S u p e r v i s o r F i r s t place i n each c a t e -
of I n s t r u c t i o n f o r Science, S t . M a r y ' s County gory a t e a c h l e v e l g e t s a
P u b l i c S c h o o l s ( L ) We n d y S t i c k e l w i t h w i n n i n g blue r i b b o n ; second p l a c e
Aberdeen A n g u s . red; t h i r d p l a c e , w h i t e ;
and a l l p a r t i c i p a n t s a r e
given r e c o g n i t i o n .

106
 To p . L e o n a r d t o w n H i g h
School A r t i s t S h a r o n Dunn
puts f i n i s h i n g t o u c h e s o n
her d r a w i n g .

Bottom and o p p o s i t e p a g e :
Students g e t a c h a n c e t o
see t h e i r w o r k e x h i b i t e d
at t h e f a i r .

107
 11CI N DE RGA T E NI

Students f r o m a l l g r a d e l e v e l s a r e encouraged t o e n t e r t h e i r
work a t t h e f a i r .

LANGUAGE ARTS

LETTER C O M P O S I T I O N

wz,,,PAINIMPUINIMMM

108
 Shaky Knees And Butterflies In The Stomach
(The Speech Contest)

Imagine b e i n g i n a c r o w d e d a u d i t o r i u m o n a w a r m September a f t e r n o o n ,
s t a n d i n g o n a s t a g e , c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n r e c i t i n g a s e l f -composed s p e e c h .
Experience t h e f l u t t e r i n g s t o m a c h , w o b b l y knees, a n d s h a k y v o i c e , a n d p i c t u r e
being " t a c k l e d " d u r i n g y o u r speech as a young b o y , sneaks u p f r o m t h e audience
and g r a b s y o u r k n e e s . T h i s a c t u a l l y d i d h a p p e n t o someone a c c o r d i n g t o M r .
Bernard Johnson, C h a i r m a n o f t h e f a i r s ' s p e e c h c o n t e s t s i n c e t h e 5 0 ' s .

In 1954, t h e S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r Board decided t o h o l d an a n n u a l speech

contest f o r s c h o o l age c h i l d r e n i n t h e upper grades. I n 1955, Bernard Johnson
took o v e r a s Speech C o n t e s t C o o r d i n a t o r and has " r u n t h e s h o w " e v e r s i n c e . I n
the f i r s t y e a r , t h e c o n t e s t was h e l d o u t d o o r s , a n d t h e o n l y t h i n g s e p a r a t i n g t h e
s t a g e f r o m t h e a u d i e n c e w a s a r o p e . T h a t i s h o w t h e y o u n g man w a s a b l e t o r e a c h
the s p e a k e r .

M r. J o h n s o n i n s u r e d t h a t t h e r e w o u l d b e n o r e c u r r e n c e o f s u c h i n c i d e n t s b y
having l o c a l h i g h s c h o o l s t u d e n t s a c t a s guards d u r i n g t h e c o n t e s t . T h e r e have
been n o m o r e s i m i l a r i n c i d e n t s i n t h e c o n t e s t s i n c e i t s o r i g i n . N o w t h e c o n t e s t
i s h e l d i n a p r o f e s s i o n a l m a n n e r.

"The s p e e c h c o n t e s t i s d i v i d e d i n t o t w o
sections, t h e S e n i o r d i v i s i o n f o r high school
students, and t h e J u n i o r d i v i s i o n f o r middle
school s t u d e n t s , " s t a t e d J o h n s o n . " E a c h
county s c h o o l s e l e c t s o n e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e f o r
the c o n t e s t , a n d awards a r e g i v e n t o t h e t h r e e
top s c o r i n g s p e a k e r s i n b o t h d i v i s i o n s , a n d a n
honorable m e n t i o n i s g i v e n t o t h e l a s t p e r s o n
in the Senior d i v i s i o n s i n c e t h e r e a r e only
four schools a n d therefore o n l y f o u r students
on s t a g e f o r t h a t g r o u p . " H o n o r a b l e m e n t i o n ,
according t o M r . J o h n s o n , i s a commendation
f o r t h e h a r d w o r k o f t h e s t u d e n t , a n d a way t o
show t h e s t u d e n t t h a t h e / s h e h a s b e e n
recognized f o r a c h i e v e m e n t a n d f o r s t a n d i n g
alone o n t h a t s t a g e i n p a r t i c i p a t i o n .

The S p e e c h C o n t e s t h a s a l m o s t a l w a y s b e e n
an " o p e n t o p i c " e v e n t . S t u d e n t s h a v e
presented o r a t i o n s o n s u b j e c t s v a r y i n g f r o m
world e v e n t s a n d p o l i t i c s t o r e l i g i o n ,
personal e x p e r i e n c e s , i n t e g r a t i o n , a n d
abortion. A c c o r d i n g t o M r . J o h n s o n , " t h e r e
has n e v e r b e e n a p r o b l e m w i t h t h e s p e e c h e s
given, t h e r e h a s never b e e n t o o s t r o n g o f a
need f o r l o c a l t e a c h e r s t o c e n s o r t h e
s t u d e n t ' s speeches a l t h o u g h i t i s suggested
that teachers r e a d student speeches and give
guidance when needed. I h a v e b e e n i m p r e s s e d
by t h e s e n s i b i l i t y w i t h w h i c h s u c h d i f f i c u l t L. B e r n a r d J o h n s o n
subject m a t t e r has been presented." l i s t e n s a s Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e , J e n n i f e r
Kirby speaks t o t h e audience.

109
 One p a r t i c u l a r y e a r , t h e s p e e c h e s w e r e t o b e g i v e n o n a n a s s i g n e d t o p i c f o r
a s p e c i a l 3 5 0 t h a n n i v e r s a r y s p e c i a l f o r t h e c o u n t y. M r . J o h n s o n s a i d , " e v e n
though I p r e f e r t h e c o n t e s t t o b e a n o p e n t o p i c e v e n t i n o r d e r t o p r o m o t e
o r i g i n a l i t y and t o s p a r k i n t e r e s t , I f e l t t h e 3 5 0 t h theme was a s u i t a b l e t r i b u t e
to t h e c o u n t y a n d was p r o u d o f t h e s t u d e n t s f o r a l l o f t h e r e s e a r c h i n v o l v e d a n d
the c r e a t i v i t y a n d i n d i v i d u a l i t y e a c h speech emanated.

Top R . B e r n a r d J o h n s o n o f f i c i a t e s a t a
speech c o n t e s t ( i n t h e 7 0 ' s ) i n t h e
auditorium o f t h e fairgrounds.

Bottom: P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s A n g e l a
Coblentz a n d L i s a G r e e r g e t t h e h i s t o r y
behind t h e speech c o n t e s t .

110
 Speeches a r e j u d g e d o n t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n , d e l i v e r y , o r g a n i z a t i o n o f m a t e r i a l ,
knowledge o f t h e s u b j e c t , s u i t a b i l i t y o f t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r , a n d o n o r i g i n a l i t y .
A l l speeches a r e w r i t t e n e n t i r e l y b y t h e s t u d e n t s , w i t h o n l y r e v i s i o n h e l p f r o m
t h e i r s c h o o l i n s t r u c t o r s , a n d each speech i s between t h r e e and f i v e m i n u t e s i n
length.

Below: T h e w i n n i n g 1 9 8 9 s p e e c h a s i t a p p e a r e d i n t h e E n t e r p r i s e
n e w s p a p e r. M i c h a e l B o n d s w a s a s e n i o r a t L e o n a r d t o w n H i g h S c h o o l
at t h e t i m e h i s speech was g i v e n .

Se/V, / 9 7 9 I

My Speech, Our Flag
By J. MICHAEL BONDS
This is my speech. This is my pen.
These are my words. These are my
ideas. This is my life...and I'm not
afraid.
I lie comfortably in bed listening
to the hum of my little brother's fan
in the next room. I am trying to think
of how I can express myself to you,
how I will give this speech, how you
will react.. and I look out my win-
dow into the darkness knowing that
after this speech no one will break
in, punish me or kill me because of
what I say.
In this country I can use my ideas,
in this country I can use my words,
in t h i s c o u n t r y I c a n use m y
thoughts. I can express myself to
you in any way I feel. I can even
burn the American flag.. .but I never
would.
My right to say this to you is in
that flag, your right to hear this is in
that flag, and our rights to talk about
rights are i n that flag. I bet m y
grandfather never fought in World
War II so his grandson could stand
up here at a county fair and talk
about burning his flag. Thank you,
Grandpop, for giving me this free-
dom.
My dad and I disagree on a lot of
things. Once we were arguing over
an issue. My dad said to me, " I f you
don't like it, then get the hell out!" I
bet that's what Hitler told the Jews.
That's a great thing about this
country; if Ite don't like what we're
being told tnen we don't have to lis-
ten. They ,:an't burn flags in China.
They dor 't have the right to dis-
agree. L i July thousands of dead
corpses of young men and women
my age rotted around Tiananmen
Square. Well thank God we can burn
flags here! Have you noticed it's the
fascist, terroristic, totalitarian na-
tions that kill people for expressing
their beliefs?
Is that the fate of America--today
a flag, which is a symbol; tomorrow
books, which arewords; then maybe
lives, for we speak the words which
create the symbols. Two hundred
thirteen years ago we burnt our flag,
unashamed and openly we set our
nation's flag on fire. It's a good thing
,Great Britain couldn't stop it or we'd
still be a part of them.
I wonder why they were fighting
to protect their ideas or to allow us to
have our own? I'm sure they didn't
fight for me; my family didn't make
it over on the boat until the 1800s. But
why was everyone fighting for or im-
migrating to this land?
Freedom, the freedom millions of
American men and women died for
to preserve, the men and women
who saw World War I, who heard
Hitler's words, who fought in Korea
and still cry for Vietnam.
I thank them for this freedom. For
me, a 17-year-old boy in St. Mary's
County to stand here and share my
beliefs to you about burning flags.
Not that it's right, not that it's
wrong.. .but it's m y freedom, o u r
freedom. Yours and mine. When I
see the American flag I salute. Not
because I'm forced to, but it's my
choice to proudly do so.
I know after this speech, tonight,
when I'm lying in bed comfortably,
listening to The hum o f m y little
brother's fan, I'll look out into the
darkness knowing that no one will
break in and punish me or kill me
because of my beliefs. Because this
is America, people don't get killed
for their beliefs. ..right?
These are my ideas, these are my
words, this is my pen, this is my
speech...and this is our flag.
(J. Michael Bonds is a 12th-grader
at Leonardtown High School.)

111
Top: C h o p t i c o n H i g h School band d i r e c t o r , D a r w i n E n g l e , c o n d u c t s
his s t u d e n t s i n t h e a u d i t o r i u m a t t h e f a i r . ( m i d - 1 9 6 0 ' s )
Bottom: G e r a l d C o n j e l k o , Esperanza M i d d l e School b a n d d i r e c t o r
and h i s s t u d e n t s have a n a t t e n t i v e audience a t t h e c o u n t y f a i r .

112
Babies, Babies And More Babies

113
 Ruffles And Smiles The Baby Contest
by Tina Welander (Swedish Foreign Exchange Student)

A l i t t l e g i r l i n a white dress, t i r e d o f waiting f o r her turn r o l l s i n the

d i r t o n t h e f l o o r . H e r mom p u l l s h e r u p , b r u s h e s t h e d i r t o f f h e r d r e s s a n d s h e
gets j u d g e d .

Another l i t t l e g i r l , h o l d i n g a h e l i u m b a l l o o n , l o s e s h e r g r i p o n i t and i t
f l i e s u p t o t h e c e i l i n g , c a u s i n g a t r a n s f o r m e r t o b r e a k . A f t e r more t h a n a n h o u r
of w a i t i n g i n t h e d a r k , t h e c o n t e s t c a n go o n .

Ye s , y o u ' r e r i g h t . I ' m t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e b a b y s h o w. T h e b a b y s h o w i s
presented o n Sundays i n t h e a u d i t o r i u m o n t h e F a i r g r o u n d s . T h e b a b i e s a r e j u d g e d
on n e a t n e s s , b e a u t y , g e n e r a l a p p e a r a n c e , a n d p e r s o n a l i t y . A c c o r d i n g t o M r s .
Nancy W o l f e , i n c h a r g e o f t h e s h o w , t h e i r p e r s o n a l i t y s h o w s i n " c u t e - a c t i n g " - -
like f l i r t i n g w i t h the judges.

Boys c o m p e t e a g a i n s t b o y s , a n d g i r l s
against g i r l s , i n 6 d i f f e r e n t categories.
0-6 m o n t h s ; 6 m o n t h s - 1 y e a r ; 1 - 2 y e a r s ;
2-3 y e a r s ; 3 - 4 y e a r s ; a n d 4 - 5 y e a r s .
Twins a r e i n a s e p a r a t e c a t e g o r y .

Three t o f i v e j u d g e s c h o o s e t h e
w i n n e r. T h e y m u s t c o m e f r o m o u t o f
c o u n t y, s o t h e y a r e n o t l i k e l y t o k n o w
the b a b i e s i n t h e c o n t e s t . T h e j o b i s
v o l u n t a r y , b u t i f t h e y come a l o n g w a y
they g e t a m i l e a g e reimbursement.

The n e a t e s t , m o s t b e a u t i f u l b a b y
with t h e b e s t p e r s o n a l i t y, gets a blue
ribbon, $ 5 , and a t r o p h y . N u m b e r two
gets a r e d r i b b o n a n d $ 3 , a n d number
three g e t s a w h i t e r i b b o n a n d $ 2 .
Beginning t h i s y e a r , a l l p a r t i c i p a n t s
w i l l g e t an honorable mention.

The V e n t u r e C l u b w a s t h e f i r s t
sponsor o f t h e B a b y S h o w , t h e n t h e
Catholic D a u g h t e r s t o o k o v e r --1982 was
t h e i r l a s t y e a r . T h e F a i r Board t o o k
o v e r i n 1 9 8 3 , t h a t y e a r t h e B a b y Show h a d
90 e n t r i e s . Brandywine G r a n g e h a s
sponsored t h e show s i n c e 1 9 8 5 .
Registration i s made b y m a i l i n a d v a n c e ,
or a t t h e F a i r . The e n t r y f e e i s o n e
d o l l a r.

114
 Deciding w h i c h baby i s
cutest i s n o t a l l t h a t
easy w h e n t h e y ' r e " a l l "
cute.

During t h e 1 9 8 8 f a i r , 3 2 0 e n t r i e s were r e g i s t e r e d , t h e most c o n t e s t a n t s

e v e r. A b o u t 98% o f t h e b a b i e s a r e w h i t e b a b i e s . S a i d G l a d y s H i l l L o n g , a f o r m e r
c o n t e s t a n t o f t h e 1 9 4 9 b a b y s h o w, " I r e m e m b e r g e t t i n g m y f i r s t n e w d r e s s b e c a u s e ,
coming f r o m a f a m i l y o f 1 4 , w e d i d n ' t g e t b e a u t i f u l , f r i l l y , n e w d r e s s e s v e r y
o f t e n . " S h e r e m e m b e r e d , " . . . t h e y t o l d me t o s h o w my k n e e s a n d I d i d . F o r m e ,
being i n t h a t c o n t e s t was a b i g d e a l ! " A f t e r 4 1 y e a r s , a p e r s o n c a n s t i l l
remember b e i n g a t h r e e - y e a r - o l d c o n t e s t a n t i n t h e i r f i r s t b e a u t i f y p a g e a n t . T h e
baby s h o w i s a w o n d e r f u l o p p o r t u n i t y f o r b a b y - l o v e r s t o g o a n d c o o a t n e r v o u s
c h i l d r e n o u t t o make a n i m p r e s s i o n a s t h e c u t e s t k i d i n t h e c o u n t y .

115
 Babies At The Fair
by Tina Welander

S m a l l human b e i n g s r u n n i n g a r o u n d
To g e t h e r m a k i n g a l o u d h a p p y s o u n d .
Mothers a n x i o u s l y l o o k i n g a t t h e c l o c k
Only t o g e t a n u n p l e a s a n t s h o c k .
Trying t o f i n d t h e i r dressed-up d a r l i n g s
They l o o k a r o u n d u n t i l t h e b e l l c h i m e s
Chaos a b a t e s a s m a n y l e a v e
Some t o h a v e f u n , o t h e r s t o a c h i e v e .
Many w i l l l o s e , o n l y o n e w i l l w i n ,
Honor a n d G l o r y , b l u e a n d g o l d o n a p i n .

Winners s h o w t h e i r s t u f f i n t h e f a i r ' s B a b y C o n t e s t .

116
No m a t t e r w h a t t h e a g e , b a b i e s a r e a l w a y s a f a v o r i t e w h e t h e r t h e y w i n
a ribbon o r not. T h e y ' r e a l l winners!

117
00*

118
 A Time Capsule Unlocked
The Farm Museum
by Clayton Hartley

A n c i e n t p l o w s , d e c a y e d m a c h i n e r y, a n d d u s t y b a b y d o l l s w i t h c r a c k e d b l u e
eyes a r e a l l a r t i f a c t s t o b e f o u n d i n t h e " F a r m Museum". T h e museum i s f o u n d o n
the c o u n t y f a i r g r o u n d s a n d h o l d s many m e m o r i e s f o r t h e r e s p e c t e d e l d e r s o f o u r
area. M a n y , many p e o p l e e n t e r t h e b u i l d i n g a n d a r e t r a n s p o r t e d t o y e s t e r - y e a r
when t h i n g s w e r e s i m p l e r a n d e a s i e r t o u n d e r s t a n d . T h e p a s t i s n i c e t o v i s i t a n d
f u n t o remember f o r a l l o f u s .

The F a r m M u s e u m i s
operated b y t h e S t . M a r y ' s
Historical S o c i e t y. T h e
collection o f a r t i f a c t s w a s
o r i g i n a l l y brought t o g e t h e r by
Aloysius F e n w i c k . W i t h t h e
help and d e d i c a t i o n o f Norvey
Greenwood a n d C o l . T h u r s t o n
B a x t e r, w h o p i l f e r e d t h r o u g h
many a b a r n i n Southern
Maryland, t h e c o l l e c t i o n h a s
grown t o b e w h a t i t i s t o d a y .
The museum i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o
everyone i n t h e c o u n t y, a f t e r
a l l we a l l w a n t t o know where
we came f r o m .

119
120
 Fair Catalog: Insight Into Events To Come
"We w o u l d s i t f o r d a y s a d d r e s s i n g e n v e l o p e s ; m y l i v i n g r o o m w a s c o v e r e d w i t h
books, e n v e l o p e s , e t c . W e u s e d t o m a i l t h e m t o p e o p l e i n t h o s e d a y s a f t e r t h e y
were p r i n t e d . W e w o u l d p r e - s o r t t h e m a c c o r d i n g t o w h a t a r e a i n t h e c o u n t y t h e y
would g o t o , t h e n t i e t h e m i n t o b u n d l e s a n d t a k e t h e m t o t h e p o s t o f f i c e i n b o x e s
t o m a i l , " s a i d S u z a n n e H e n d e r s o n , v e t e r a n f a i r b o a r d member. " T h e c a t a l o g s h a d
to b e o u t t o t h e p u b l i c s i x weeks p r i o r t o t h e f a i r . "

"Each y e a r a g r o u p o r o r g a n i z a t i o n w o u l d t a k e c h a r g e o f t h e c a t a l o g . T h e y
would b e i n c h a r g e o f s o l i c i t i n g a d s f r o m l o c a l b u s i n e s s e s a n d t h a t was t h e i r
only r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. V a r i o u s p r i n t e r s would t h e n b i d o n t h e j o b . D o i n g t h e
catalog became a n i m p o s s i b l e t a s k w h i c h w a s e v e n t u a l l y t a k e n o v e r b y t h e
E n t e r p r i s e . T h e y s o l i c i t t h e a d s , make i t u p , a n d p r i n t i t a t n o c o s t t o t h e
f a i r b o a r d . T h e y h a v e b e e n d o i n g t h e c a t a l o g f o r a b o u t f i v e y e a r s n o w. I d i d
the f a i r b o o k ( c a t a l o g ) f o r 1 0 - 1 2 y e a r s f r o m t h e m i d - 1 9 5 0 ' s t o t h e m i d - 1 9 6 0 ' s .
We w o u l d t h e n p u t t h e m i n g r o c e r y s t o r e s , b a n k s , a n d o t h e r p l a c e s w h e r e p e o p l e
were l i k e l y t o v i s i t o f t e n . T h e y w e r e s t i l l m a i l e d t o s t a t e o f f i c i a l s , a n d 4 - H
leaders w o u l d d i s t r i b u t e t h e m t o 4 - H g r o u p s . A t o n e t i m e anyone who e n t e r e d a
f a i r e x h i b i t would g e t a c a t a l o g ; t h a t ' s how w e g o t o u r m a i l i n g l i s t , " s t a t e d
Henderson.

"A man o n t h e E a s t e r n S h o r e i n D e n t o n , M a r y l a n d , n a m e d C h a r l e s ' D o c ' B a k e r

printed t h e book f o r years, never m i s s i n g a d e a d l i n e . I h a v e s e e n my f a t h e r ,
B a r n a r d S m i t h , f l y o v e r , p r o o f t h e b o o k , t h e n f l y b a c k . F r a n k Guy p r i n t e d t h e
f a i r b o o k b a c k i n t h e e a r l y 5 0 ' s . H e t y p e s e t i t b y h a n d a n d d i d some o f t h e
freehand w o r k . I t e v e n t u a l l y g o t t o o b i g f o r h i m . W h e n we s t a r t e d g e t t i n g 2 , 5 0 0
copies, i t was t o o l a r g e a n o r d e r f o r h i m , " r e m i n i s c e d H e n d e r s o n . S h e a l s o
remarked t h a t t h e c o v e r d e s i g n i s s e l e c t e d f r o m a r t w o r k s u b m i t t e d b y t h e a r e a
schools. T h e f i r s t p l a c e w i n n i n g e n t r y goes o n t h e c o v e r , second p l a c e goes o n
t h e f l y e r a n d u s u a l l y t h e t h i r d p l a c e e n t r y g o e s i n t h e b o o k somewhere.

"People have t a k e n t u r n s s i n c e Henderson s t o p p e d d o i n g t h e c a t a l o g i n t h e

mid- 6 0 ' s , " s a i d R a y e t t a M c W i l l i a m s , c u r r e n t f a i r b o a r d R e c o r d i n g S e c r e t a r y . " I
d i d i t a t o n e t i m e w i t h Te r e s a S t e r l i n g a n d L i b H o f f a n d s e v e r a l o t h e r f a i r b o a r d
members h a v e t a k e n t u r n s d o i n g t h e c a t a l o g . " A c c o r d i n g t o A n n R i c h a r d s w h o s e
husband i s t h e c u r r e n t f a i r b o a r d P r e s i d e n t a n d w h o i s n o w i n c h a r g e o f t h e
c a t a l o g s " s i n c e t h e E n t e r p r i s e d o e s t h e c a t a l o g f o r u s , a l l we d o i s s e n d i n a n y
changes t h a t a r e t o b e m a d e i n t h e v a r i o u s c a t e g o r i e s . I c h e c k w i t h t h e
committee c h a i r p e o p l e t o s e e w h a t a d d i t i o n s o r d e l e t i o n s m u s t b e m a d e , p r o o f t h e
f i n a l , a n d a p p r o v e f o r p r i n t i n g . " T h e same p r o c e s s w a s u s e d i n t h e m i d - 1 9 7 0 ' s
according t o S h i r l e y C o l l e a r y, who c h a i r e d t h e c a t a l o g i n 1974 o r 5 t h r o u g h 1978.
"The c a t a l o g a t t h a t t i m e w a s 5 " x 8 " , s a i d C o l l e a r y .

"A f e w p e o p l e i n t h e c o u n t y h a v e c o m p l e t e s e t s o f f a i r c a t a l o g s . S e n a t o r
Henry F o w l e r , S r . h a d a c o m p l e t e s e t , a s d o e s E l w o o d C u s i c , " s a i d H e n d e r s o n .
"Rayetta McWilliams h a s a complete s e t except f o r t h e y e a r 1963. S h e would v e r y
much l i k e t o c o m p l e t e t h e s e t . P e r h a p s s o m e o n e o u t t h e r e r e a d i n g t h i s w i l l
contact h e r.

The following pages contain copies of a complete set of fair catalog covers supplied to us by
Henry Fowler, Jr. and catalog covers from the Black Fair before integration belonging to James
Forrest, current fair board member.

121
 COME T O 3I-Aarga.
ST. Pt RY ' S cov4fdtr , ,
COUNTY C_17C)uNTY
riktk
St:Mari M _
Counlid

8;EFT,07/
*1975
2 5 1 I I z.A. a3,D4haa
lr,19/6 a2.25-z+25

ST tri,,APYS St. Mary's County Fair St. Mary's County Fair St. Mary's County Fair
Sept. 25. 20. 27 and 25 p
Sept. 24 thru 27. 1981
Sem . 70 a n d RI
St. Mary's County Fair

c5CpT 21.22 25,24

St. Mary's County Fair St. Mary's

m
County Fair S t . Mary's County Fair
Septeber 2 5 , 2 8 , 2 7 , 2 8
September 26. or, 28. 29,1529

St. Mary's County Fair /976 Septembe: 25. 25. 24.27

Sept. 27, 28. 29, 30. 1984

/977
St. Mary's County Fair
Sept 2 2 , 2 3 . 2 4 . 2 5 . 1 9 8 3

St. Mary's County Fair

1988
St. Mary's County F a i r 1989 September 20, 21, 22, 23

September 22 23, 24, 25

St. Mary's County Fair 1990
N M : E l September 21, 22, 23, 24

NATALIE STRICSLAND OF FSPERSHFA WOOLS SCHOOL

kat Cisco M o m s of FM, Book Design Congeal

Fair Catalog Covers Courtesy Henry Fowler, Jr.

122
 FIRST ANNUAL Second Annual Third Annual FOURTH FIFTHANNUAL SIXTHANNUAL
SAINT MARY'S 'ANNUAL
COUNTY SHN
II ST.MARYS
' COUNTY St. Mary's County
St.Mary's County

FAIR FAIR FA I R
Leonardtown, Maryland
Leona:drown, Maryland
LEONARDTOWN,MD.
L E O N A R D TO W N , M D .
LEONARDTOWN,MD.
September17,18,19 September23 -24 - 25
SEPTEMBER19, 20, 21,
1948 1949
September21, 22, 23
1947
SEVENTHANNUAL
1951 September19, 20, 21
2MRIUM
4 9 4 7 / 6 6 3 4 4 ( 0
1952
St.Mary's County
ST.NARY'SCOUNTY

PAI1Ft la" ANNUAL

LEONARDTOWN, M D
ST.MARY'SCOUNTY
LEONABDTOWN,MD.
EIGHTHANNUAL
FAIR
.0101111191.11. 111/LBTIAND
er
SEPTEMBER
21.22.23
ST. MARY'S COUNTY 1956
4 1 ) AV
UOMARDTOWIL

September 18, 19, 20 SEPTEMBER211,24,2.6

September 24, 2 5 . 2 6

1953 1 9 5 4
lath A N N U A L
1955

12th A N N U A L 14th A N N 1 .
ST. M A RY ' S C O U N T 1 ST. M A R Y ' S C O C N T Y
ST. M A R Y ' S C O L \ TY

L-; St. Mary's 1614

- County
St. Mary's County

September
14
15
16
17
1961
September 25. 26. 27, 1959
October 3-4-5, 1958 September 16, 17, 1 9 6 0
L E O N AR D T O N N. M D
17th Annual LEONARDTOWN D
18th ANNUAL
St. Mary's Courh. A N N O U N C I N G
ST. M AW ' S
ST. M A R T ' S C O U N T Y
COUNTY FA I R FAIR

S E P T. 2 4 , 2 5 , 2 6 , 2 7
1964 r
2111, I N N 1 I L
LE YIN
23rd A N N U A L ST. MARY'S COUNTY
S e i d e m b e r 2 1 - 2 2 . 23-21
Twenty-Second i m o l a i
ST. MARY'S ST. M A RY ' S / 0 7
FAIR COUNTY - . U r s n m u z

1 ;=171

1:Ii..21 2 ,

L I A A A A A A 121.404, 4 1 1 0 1 . A N D
FAIR
SEPTEMBEI18-19-20-21RT.5
Sepletnher 17.111.11).
Route 5 1 0
1 ; 5 1 i O 4 t

A k
I
=
9
: '

LEONARDTOWN,MARYLAND Leonardlown, Mary1461 ia71

123
 Black Fair Catalog Covers

Matat

PREMIUM LIST PREMIUM L I S T 1P R E M I U M LIST

PREMIUM LIST
FIFTH A N N U A L
Third Annual S6X4601..
Sixth A n n u a l
County F a i r
County Fair The Farmers & Moment ke rs County Fair
'NEFARMERSANOMEMAKERS Assonint on THEFARMERSANDHOMEMAKERS
AS000IAT.011OFAT.MARY'SCOUNTY 01St. Mary's CtItentY ASSOCIATIONOF ST. MARY'SCOUNTY
"IS

(0"..
.4430
LEONA N , kRyt71-ND
Route 5I v
LOVEV1LLE. MARYLAND
LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND
'MUTE 5 LEONARDTOWN, MARYLAND
DM= SI Sept. 30; O c t . 1 4C6 2
SEPTEMNER 21I, 21, 30, 1151
OCIOber 17 2, 3, 1954 I 9 5 5
September 25, 26, 27, 1953
132321111,111,n119,,,,reirrwir,sa.

7eak / K a u a i
PREMIUM LIST PREMIUM LIST E t e . e . a rie
PREMIUM
NINTH A N N U A L LIST PREMIUM
LIST

COUNTYFAIR COUNTY FAIR COUNTY FAIP

THEFARMERSANDNOMEMARERS
THEFARMERS AND HO ASSOCIATION,INCORPORATED
09090'S .190NaNENAgENs
ASSOCIATION,INCORPOItA OFSAINTMARYS ' COUNTY
OFSAINT MARY'SCOUNTY - ASSOCIATION.INCORPORA1V
LEONARDTOWN. MD. OFSAINTMARYS ' MUNI)
LEONARDTOWN, M
(11.. SI LEONARDTOWN

[October 10, 11, 12, 1958 ij

Sept. 28, 29,30, 1956 r S E P T. 27, 2 8 , 2 9 , 1 9 5 7 1
Ot Met 2, .i, 4, 1959

PREMIUM L I S T PREMIUM LIST PREMIUM LIST

fifteenth tritium/
fourteenth annual

COUNTYFAIR COs I R

IREFARMERSAND0001MANORS ARMERIADIIERIArs
ASSOCIATION.INCORPORATED Associamio.INCORD09ED
OfSAINTMARY'SCOUNTY OfSAINTMARYSCOUNTY

L E O N A R D TO W N , M D . L E O N A R D TO W N , MD.
Itearglt51 s)

iSept. 30Oct. 1 4 2,1960 September 28.29. 30, 19-162 L c t o b e r 4 - 5 - 6, 1 9 6 3 )

The Black Fair was held on the fairgrounds one week after the white fair until
integration in 60s. The Black Fair was first held on the grounds of the Cardinal Gibbons
High School then it was moved to Loveville and eventually to the current fairgrounds.
(See article pages 66 - 70)
Fair catalog covers courtesy James Forrest, fair board member.

124
 Quilting: A n Ancient Art
by Kim Miner

The homemaker o f y e s t e r y e a r h a d t o b e a v e r y r e s o u r c e f u l p e r s o n . H e r d u t i e s
included r a i s i n g c h i l d r e n , g r o w i n g a garden, c a n n i n g f o o d , c l e a n i n g house and
cooking meals. S h e a l s o had t o h e l p h e r husband o n t h e f a r m , s e w t h e f a m i l y ' s
clothing, curtains, and f u r n i t u r e covers.

Winters c o u l d be b i t t e r i n Southern M a r y l a n d , s o q u i l t s were m a d e t o h o l d

the w a r m t h o n c o l d w i n t e r n i g h t s . Q u i l t i n g bees we re h e l d o f t e n t o g a t h e r
neighboring farm wives t o g e t h e r so t h a t t h e tiresome t a s k might go f a s t e r. T h i s
was a t i m e o f s o c i a l i z a t i o n a s w e l l a s a t i m e f o r w o r k f o r women c o u l d c a t c h u p
on t h e l a t e s t n e w s d u r i n g t h e s e g a t h e r i n g s .

Louise Dean, H o m e A r t s C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n , i s i n c h a r g e o f t h e F a i r
b u i l d i n g . T h i s h a r b o r s t h e needlework, s e w i n g , a n d baked and canned goods.

"Baked g o o d s a n d some c a n n e d g o o d s s u c h a s p i c k l e s a r e
tasted. P i c k l e s f o r example m u s t be f i r m and c r i s p .
Canned g o o d s a r e j u d g e d o n l o o k s , u n i f o r m i t y , c o l o r , h o w
the p i e c e s a r e c u t ( r i g h t s i z e ) , w h e t h e r t h e j a r i s
f i l l e d t o t h e r i g h t a m o u n t , t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e produce
t h a t w e n t i n t o t h e j a r , e t c . , " s a i d M r s . D e a n Home A r t s
Committee C h a i r p e r s o n .

125
 Sewing and Baking

"We t a s t e a l l t h e b a k e d g o o d s . T h e
contestants can then t a k e t h e m home o r
take 1 / 2 home. M a n y j u s t l e a v e t h e m
there w h o l e , " a c c o r d i n g t o L o u i s e Dean,
Home A r t s C o m m i t t e e C h a i r p e r s o n .

"Machine s e w i n g h a s s e e n a s h a r p d e c r e a s e . M o s t p e o p l e j u s t
d o n ' t have t i m e t o sew any more. W e s e e more d o l l s and
household i t e m s ( p i l l o w s , n a p k i n s , p l a c e m a t s , l i n e d b a s k e t s ,
e t c . ) - more c r a f t y t h i n g s , " s a i d M r s . Dean.

126
Ms. D e a n s t a t e d t h a t a s f a r b a c k a s s h e r e m e m b e r s t h e r e h a v e a l w a y s b e e n q u i l t s
entered i n t h e f a i r . " T h e r e a r e t h i r t y c a t e g o r i e s f o r q u i l t s and d i f f e r e n t t y p e s
of p a t t e r n s ( e m b r o i d e r e d , a p p l i q u e d , e t c . ) . M a n y a r e h a n d s e w n o r a r e a
combination o f hand sewn ( p i e c e d b y h a n d ) a n d m a c h i n e sewn, w i t h machine sewn
q u i l t s p a y i n g l e s s e r premiums t h a n hand s e w n , " s a i d Dean.

"There a r e a l s o s e v e r a l t y p e s o f q u i l t e d w o r k s sewn: q u i l t e d p i l l o w s ,
vests, w a l l hangings, s k i r t s , e t c . W e have a l s o had a n t i q u e q u i l t s displayed
from t i m e t o t i m e --some u p t o 7 5 t h r o u g h 100 y e a r s o l d , " s t a t e d Dean.

The o r i g i n o f q u i l t i n g g o e s b a c k much f a r t h e r t h a n m o s t o f u s w o u l d s u s p e c t .
The a n c i e n t a r t o f q u i l t i n g b e g a n d u r i n g t h e r i s e o f E g y p t , C h i n a , a n d I n d i a
a c c o r d i n g t o R a c h e l P e l l m a n a n d J o a n n e R a n c k who r e s e a r c h e d q u i l t i n g d u r i n g a
study o f t h e Amish and Mennonites. T h e y
also wrote t h e b o o k , Q u i l t s Among t h e
P l a i n P e o p l e . T h e v a l u a b l e warmth o f
three l a y e r s o f f a b r i c w a s l e a r n e d
q u i c k l y a n d u s e d f r e q u e n t l y . I t came t o
England a s q u i l t e d c l o t h i n g u n d e r t h e
armor o f t h e C r u s a d e r s r e t u r n i n g f r o m t h e
Middle E a s t . T h o u g h b o t h q u i l t i n g and
patchwork were s e p a r a t e c r a f t s i n Europe,
the j o i n i n g o f t h e t w o o c c u r r e d f i r s t i n
America, i n t h e p a t c h w o r k q u i l t . W h e n
t h e y came t o A m e r i c a , w o m e n w e r e f o r c e d
to b e r e s o u r c e f u l w i t h imported f a b r i c .
Patches o f o l d c l o t h e s w e r e s e w n t o g e t h e r
t o make b e d c o v e r s a n d b l a n k e t s m a i n l y f o r
warmth. W h e n f a b r i c s b e c a m e m o r e
available, t h e o l d i d e a g r e w, and the
c r a f t t o o k o n a more d e c o r a t i v e a i r .

To d a y, m a n y d i f f e r e n t c o l o r s a n d
designs a r e c o m b i n e d i n t h e a r t o f
quilting. N o t only quilts are made, but
wallhangings, d r a p e r i e s , t a b l e c l o t h s , and
clothes a r e m a d e a l s o . Q u i l t i n g has
become a s i m p l i s t i c s t a t e m e n t o f b e a u t y
that c a n b e r e l a x i n g a s a h o b b y o r
p r o f i t a b l e a s a m o n e y -making v e n t u r e .
Quilts c a n b e s o l d f r o m $125.00 t o
$800.00 o r m o r e a n d c a n t a k e m o n t h s o r
years t o f i n i s h , d e p e n d i n g u p o n t h e f r e e
time o f t h e q u i l t e r .

In t h e s e m o d e r n times, q u i l t i n g i s
a l i v e a n d w e l l . I t i s covered b y S e c t i o n
11, u n d e r D e p a r t m e n t 0- - N e e d l e A r t , i n
the S t . M a r y ' s County Fair g u i d e . T h e
rules o r r e g u l a t i o n s concerning needle
art are:

a) A r t i c l e s s h o u l d b e c l e a n a n d i n
new c o n d i t i o n ;

127
 b) P i c t u r e s s h o u l d b e f r a m e d a n d w i r e d f o r h a n g i n g ;

c) E n t r i e s t h a t a r e p a r t o f a s e t s h o u l d b e p i n n e d o r a t t a c h e d t o p r e v e n t
loss;

d) E n t r i e s m u s t b e t h e w o r k o f t h e p e r s o n i n whose name i t i s e n t e r e d .

Monetary p r i z e s a n d r i b b o n s a r e g i v e n a n d t h e j u d g i n g i s b a s e d o n
appearance, w o r k m a n s h i p , a n d d e s i g n . " A s o f 1 9 8 8 a s e p a r a t e p r i z e i n n e e d l e w o r k
i s g i v e n f o r q u i l t i n g , " a c c o r d i n g t o L o u i s e Dean. " T h e b e s t i n t h e show a l s o
gets a b i g p u r p l e r i b b o n .

Q u i l t i n g w i l l c e r t a i n l y remain one o f A m e r i c a ' s f a v o r i t e h o b b i e s , a n d w i l l

no d o u b t l e a d t o t h e c r e a t i o n o f m a n y b e a u t i f u l , a s w e l l a s p r a c t i c a l w o r k s o f
art.

"As f a r a s n e w c a t e g o r i e s i n o u r b u i l d i n g , w e n o w h a v e a d d e d ,
as o f l a s t y e a r ( 1 9 8 8 ) , h a n d s p u n y a r n s . M a n y r a i s e t h e i r o w n
sheep ( f o r t h e w o o l ) , o r t h e y c a n b u y t h e w o o l ; t h e y d o t h e i r
own c a r d i n g , s p i n n i n g , d y i n g , a n d t h e n m a k e t h e i r o w n
c l o t h e s , " s a i d L o u i s e D e a n , Home A r t s C o m m i t t e e C h a i r m a n .

128
 Produce, Tobacco, Grains -
Staples In Southern Maryland Farm Life

Norris S h e p h e r d k e e p s
track o f a w i d e a r r a y o f
fruits a n d vegetables in
the F a r m a n d G a r d e n
exhibit.

Bottom. T o b a c c o f a r m i n g
is a family t r a d i t i o n .

Tobacco h a s b e e n a s t a p l e o n S o u t h e r n M a r y l a n d f a r m s s i n c e t h e A r k a n d D o v e .
Farmers t a k e g r e a t p r i d e i n t h e y e a r r o u n d c a s h c r o p t h a t consumes u n t o l d h o u r s
of t h e f a r m e r ' s t i m e s i n c e e v e r y l e a f i s handled b y hand s e v e r a l t i m e s . I t is
cut b y hand, s p e a r e d
by h a n d , h u n g b y
h a n d , i n the a i r -
cured b a r n s t o d r y ,
and t h e n s t r i p p e d b y
hand a n d p a c k e d i n t o
bales f o r market.

129
Some o f t h e many e x h i b i t s d i s p l a y e d a t t h e f a i r i n 1 9 6 0 .
B r i g h t , s h i n y apples and green l e a f y k a l e l i n e t h e shelves i n t h e
Farm a n d G a r d e n b u i l d i n g i n 1 9 6 7 .
Bees, c h e s t n u t s , h a z e l n u t s , p e a n u t s ,
tobacco- - a l l a p a r t o f t h e f a i r .

132
 L. L o c a l f a r m e r s B o w l e s ( l e f t ) a n d
Nelson h o l d a s t i c k o f q u a l i t y , a i r -
cured t o b a c c o .

Middle: P a t r i c i a Shepherd ( l e f t ) ,
10 y e a r s , a n d J e f f r e y S h e p h e r d 1 4
years, o f L e o n a r d t o w n , h o l d t h e
winning 34 pound watermelon grown b y
J e f f r e y.

Bottom: L . t o R t . N o r r i s S h e p h e r d ; Gene
H i l l (who won f i r s t p r i z e f o r t h e l a r g e s t
pumpkin); s i t t i n g o n pumpkin, G e n e ' s s o n
B i l l y Joe H i l l , 1 3 m o n t h s ; a n d B i l l y ' s
Grandfather D a l l i s H i l l .

When a s k e d i f he fed the

pumpkin a n y t h i n g s p e c i a l , G e n e

replied, " n o t h i n g b u t regular

10/10/10 and m u l c h . I had one

larger than t h i s but i t rotted.

This one i s only 3 / 4 the size

of t h e o t h e r o n e . "

133
Suzanne H e n d e r s o n ( c e n t e r ) c h a t s w i t h v i s i t o r s t o
t h e F l o w e r B u i l d i n g a s R o b e r t Thompson s t a n d s t o
right.

Oh, The Beauty Of A Rose

(or Petunia, or Marigold or Mum or . . .)

"The F l o w e r B u i l d i n g w a s n ' t a l w a y s
the f l o w e r b u i l d i n g , " s a i d Suzanne
Henderson w h o s e f a t h e r b u i l t t h e
b u i l d i n g when t h e f a i r f i r s t o p e n e d
on t h e c u r r e n t f a i r g r o u n d s . " I t w a s
one o f t h e f i r s t t h r e e b u i l d i n g s t o
be b u i l t o n t h e g r o u n d s , t h e f i r s t
to have d r y w a l l s , t h e f i r s t t o have
a cement f l o o r , " r e c a l l e d Henderson.
"My f a t h e r h a d i t b u i l t r i g h t o u t o f
h i s own p o c k e t d i d n ' t c o s t t h e f a i r
board a c e n t . T h e b u i l d i n g h a s now
been d e d i c a t e d t o h i m b y t h e f a i r
b o a r d , " s t a t e d Henderson.

134
Bottom. 1 9 8 7 P u b l i c a t i o n ' s s t u d e n t Shannon Rhodes examines
James O w e n ' s w i n n i n g mum.

135
 Fading Beauty
by Kim Kliner

A whisper echoes, t h e b u i l d i n g bare

is empty o f a l l b u t a ghost crowd once t h e r e .
A s i n g l e f l o w e r o f a c l a s s unknown
w i t h e r s a w a y, i t s c r e a t o r a t h o m e .
The f l o w e r h a d o n c e p e r f o r m e d a g r e a t d u t y ,
by t a k i n g f i r s t p l a c e w i t h a w a r d - w i n n i n g b e a u t y .
Now, m e r e l y a h i n t o f i t s p r e v i o u s s t a t e
i s s e e n b y t h e p e o p l e who p a c k u p e a c h c r a t e .
Slowly and p a i n f u l l y each p e t a l does f a l l ,
t h e moment o f g l o r y g o n e , a f t e r a l l .

136
 Outside Space
Enough To Go Around
Outside space i s r e n t e d t o
groups a n d o r g a n i z a t i o n s
who s e t u p t h e i r w a r e s o n
the f a i r g r o u n d s .

George C o p p a g e , k n o w n t o
many c o u n t i a n s a s " M r .
George" p r o m e n a d e s a s a
lion throughout the f a i r -
grounds w i t h h i s l i t t l e
dog.

Bottom: E v e r y o n e w a n t s t o
be a c l o w n , e s p e c i a l l y t h e
youngsters.

137
Get y o u r h o t r o a s t e d p e a n u t s f r o m D o n S t i l l m a n , f r o m S e l m a , N o r t h C a r o l i n a . F o r
the p a s t 4 4 y e a r s , h e h a s b e e n w o r k i n g f a i r s u p a n d d o w n t h e e a s t c o a s t . " I
s t a r t t h e f a i r s e a s o n i n New J e r s e y , t h e n g o o n t o New Yo r k , t h e n b a c k t o N o r t h
Carolina, and then on t o Maryland." F o r 1 8 years h e has b e e n the S t . Mary's
County F a i r ' s " p e a n u t m a n " .

The 1 9 8 4 E x c a l i b u r , o w n e d b y D u k e H e n d e r s o n , h a s v i s i t e d t h e c o u n t y f a i r i n
recent y e a r s . B u i l t i n Milwaukee, Wisconsin, i t i s #8 f r o m a s i g n a t u r e s e r i e s o f
only 50 m a d e t h a t y e a r . T h e o r i g i n a l c o s t o f t h e v e h i c l e was e s t i m a t e d between
60 a n d 7 0 t h o u s a n d d o l l a r s . H e n d e r s o n i s p r o u d o f t h e f a c t t h a t i t i s a n
original, not a k i t .

138
 Dotting t h e f a i r g r o u n d s a r e
vendors w i t h t r i n k e t s f o r s a l e .

A p o t e n t i a l buyer hops i n t o t h e
seat o f a H o v e r c r a f t .

139
 ork

The c o m m e r c i a l b u i l d i n g i s a v a i l a b l e f o r b u s i n e s s e s t o s e t u p t h e i r d i s p l a y s . In
y e a r s p a s t a c c o r d i n g t o T h e B e a c o n ( S e p t e m b e r 1 0 , 1 9 4 8 ) , o t h e r s p a c e w a s made
available. I n 1948 two l a r g e Q u o n s e t t y p e b u i l d i n g s w e r e u s e d f o r c o m m e r c i a l
buildings.

140
 Olivers Restoration Of A Memory

A n t i q u e t r a c t o r s seem t o a t t r a c t t h e
notice and a t t e n t i o n o f t h e l o c a l
farmers a s w e l l a s t h e n o t - s o -
agrarian people o f t h e c o u n t y. T w o
o f t h e m o s t f a m o u s e x h i b i t o r s who
truck t h e i r a n t i q u e s i n t o t h e
fairgrounds a r e R i c h a r d W a y n e
P i l k e r t o n a n d Guy T i p p e t t .

Pilkerton s t a r t e d h i s h o b b y o f
collecting a n d r e s t o r i n g O l i v e r
tractors i n 1974. H i s interest i n
O l i v e r s b e g a n a s a y o u t h when h i s
uncles used them on t h e f a m i l y f a r m
in Clements, M a r y l a n d . H e h a s
restored f i f t e e n O l i v e r t r a c t o r s
with models r a n g i n g f r o m 1 9 3 8 t o
1953. " T h i s w a s q u i t e a t a s k
considering m o s t o f t h e m w e r e
'buckets o f r u s t ' h a v i n g b e e n
abandoned o f u s e y e a r s a g o , a n d w e r e

Guy T i p p e t t s i t s a t o p h i s
antique O l i v e r t r a c t o r .

Guy T i p p e t t h a u l s h i s
antique O l i v e r s t o t h e
f a i r each y e a r.

141
found i n m a s s i v e o v e r g r o w t h o f u n d e r b r u s h a n d h o n e y s u c k l e v i n e s , " s a i d P i l k e r t o n
of h i s accomplishments. I n a d d i t i o n , h e a l s o c o l l e c t s 1 / 1 6 s c a l e m o d e l t o y
tractors. P i l k e r t o n h a s w o n numerous a w a r d s a n d r i b b o n s f o r h i s antique
tractors.

Tippett a l s o s t a r t e d c o l l e c t i n g O l i v e r s i n 1 9 7 4 . H i s r a r e s t t r a c t o r i s a
model " G T - 1 2 5 " , w h i c h t o o k h i m r o u g h l y t e n y e a r s t o f i n d . T h i r t e e n O l i v e r s h a v e
been r e s t o r e d b y T i p p e t t , a n d s e v e n h a v e b e e n r e p a i n t e d . M u c h t i m e a n d e f f o r t
has b e e n d e v o t e d t o t h e r e s t o r a t i o n o f e a c h t r a c t o r . L o c a t i n g r e p a i r p a r t s i s
frequently a major t a s k s i n c e m a n y p a r t s a r e n o l o n g e r a v a i l a b l e f o r the
t r a c t o r s . " M a n y phone c a l l s and m a n y l e t t e r s a r e r e q u i r e d t o r e s t o r e one o f
these t r a c t o r s b a c k t o i t s o r i g i n a l c o n d i t i o n . " T i p p e t t s a i d o f h i s h o b b y , " I
f e e l l i k e I am k e e p i n g a n o l d p a r t o f U . S . H i s t o r y a l i v e , a n d I ' m p r o u d o f t h i s
fact."

As o f t h i s w r i t i n g , T i p p e t t h a s j u s t p u r c h a s e d t w o n e w O l i v e r s w h i c h w i l l b e
on d i s p l a y a t t h e 1 9 9 0 f a i r .

P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s B r i a n N e v a l a ( l e f t ) , T i n a Welander
( c e n t e r ) , f o r e i g n e x c h a n g e s t u d e n t f r o m Sweden, a n d S h a r o n
Dunn ( r t . ) m u g f o r t h e c a m e r a o n G u y T i p p e t t ' s a n t i q u e
Oliver t r a c t o r.

142
 The Fair Has Never Been Lacking For Dignitaries!

"We've a l w a y s h a d d i g n i t a r i e s a t t h e f a i r , " s a i d E l w o o d C u s i c . " O n e y e a r a

h e l i c o p t e r b r i n g i n g G o v e r n o r Ta w e s l a n d e d i n t h e h o r s e r i n g . " C u s i c h a s s e e n
d i g n i t a r i e s come a n d g o s i n c e t h e 1 9 4 7 f a i r a t Camp C a l v e r t .

"Buck B r i s c o e u s e d t o g e t p e o p l e d o w n f r o m t h e W h i t e H o u s e , " s a i d Suzanne

Henderson. " T h e r e w e r e s e n a t o r s a n d c o n g r e s s m e n , a d m i r a l s a n d s u c h . "

P o l i t i c i a n s seem t o f r e q u e n t t h e f a i r a s p a r t o f t h e i r campaign t r a i l .

L . t o R t . R o b e r t Thompson ( F a i r B o a r d P r e s i d e n t f r o m 1 9 6 1 - 6 6 ) ; G o v e r n o r ' s b o d y -
g u a r d s ; t h e Q u e e n o f T o l e r a n c e ; G o v e r n o r Ta w e s a n d B u c k B r i s c o e , M r . S t . M a r y ' s
C o u n t y. T h e h e l i c o p t e r l a n d e d i n t h e h o r s e r i n g . ( 1 9 6 0 )

143
Maryland S t a t e C o m p t r o l l e r, L o u i s G o l d s t e i n r i d e s i n t h e b a c k o f a F o r d Model T t o u r i n g c a r i n 1 9 6 0 .
Louise Gore campaigns f o r g o v e r n o r. Governor M a r v i n M a n d e l c h a t t i n g
with f a i r g o e r s holding up h i s
favorite pipe.

L. t o R . B u c k B r i s c o e , M r . S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y ; 2 n d f r o m l e f t , f o r m e r
County C o m m i s s i o n e r, L a r r y M i l l i s o n , M i s s M a r y l a n d ( 1 9 7 3 ) , t h e 1 9 7 3
Queen o f To l e r a n c e a n d J u d g e J o h n H a n s o n B r i s c o e .

145
 Ik'
'ffht:1/!,4e0C/g4.316k4rIstYtiVolkoor S'' IIPPeP4'
4-4 e r r e k sr. MARY' roGeptek
S .l.Aq._
ROY DYSON -
km, smiPsofii a c e e weltuel .POICs'IfoLoGeS
"...IONA/ SZPOE
""k WE (MCC P / 4 16,11 P f r r i r A v a l e mosan
WAITER DORSEY Z O O S e t e s w,
FA; ;ve. .5:94,841,4,s i m k V $E(C P m PATT,PGLY
Raffecor JARBOE 4 ' o A m 4 017141,5'04, 7/4141 PhOnteh,
E D 8 A / L E V J O N I / 4CPEY p r 4 k A i P P
A W N C O / C P. 5 W C A W WI CARPER #4110n00,5/70
JOHN W O O D 0 0 R O T N Y P.41fy j o i t * p i e , ; i e

DMI
NEADM
GRA
OPEh
MONDA
Si
Il

Congressman R o y D y s o n w e a r i n g h i s f a m o u s Democratics a n d R e p u b l i -
"boot" p i n o n h i s l a p e l . T h e b o o t was a can's e x h i b i t l a t e s t
symbol h e u s e d t o i n d i c a t e h i s g r a s s information. P e o p l e c a n
roots a p p r o a c h t o campaigning t o work always r e g i s t e r t o v o t e
h a r d a n d g e t o u t t h e r e among t h e p e o p l e . at t h e f a i r .

P o l i t i c i a n s abound a t t h e c o u n t y f a i r .

REPUBLICAN
WOMAN'S CLUB

John L a n c a s t e r , R e t i r e d C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n
Agent d u r i n g i n t e g r a t i o n ( w o r k e d w i t h 4 - H )
and c u r r e n t C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n e r.
146
 Beauty In Motion
by Sara Jenkins

With elegance, b e a u t y, s t y l e , a n d g r a c e ,

With r i p p l i n g muscles, t h e wind he d i d r a c e .

H i s e b o n y mane a n d f l o w i n g b l a c k t a i l

f l y through the a i r l i k e a boat s e t f o r s a i l .

With p o w e r f u l s t r i d e s h e s e t s f o r t h e s u n - -

The w i n d i s n o m a t c h , t h e s t a l l i o n h a s w o n .

H i s p o w e r f u l b o d y, h i s e y e s b l a c k a s c o a l

R e f l e c t i n g a beauty s e t deep i n h i s s o u l .

147
 Horses and Riders: Strutting Their Stuff
by Sara Jenkins (Publications Student and Horse Show Participant)

"One o f t h e many i n t e r e s t i n g a t t r a c t i o n s a t t h e C o u n t y F a i r i s t h e h o r s e
show w h i c h h a s b e e n g o i n g o n s i n c e t h e e a r l y f i f t i e s , " s a i d B e t t y T a y l o r . M a n y
people e n j o y w a t c h i n g t h e h o r s e s a n d r i d e r s p e r f o r m and t h r o u g h a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h
B e t t y T a y l o r , M a r y Wood, a n d A n n D r u r y , w e g a i n e d a b e t t e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f w h a t
goes o n . A l l t h r e e w o m e n h a v e b e e n c h a i r m e n o f t h e h o r s e s h o w s - - a t v a r i o u s
times.

Mary Wood, c u r r e n t h o r s e s h o w c h a i r p e r s o n , g o t h e r f i r s t h o r s e w h e n s h e w a s
seven y e a r s o l d . " I s t a r t e d s h o w i n g i n t h e e a r l y s i x t i e s , t h e f a i r b e i n g m y
f i r s t s h o w. B a c k t h e n , t h e r e w e r e h a r d l y a n y i n s t r u c t o r s o r p l a c e s w h e r e y o u
could even l e a r n t o r i d e . "

Mary Wood, c u r r e n t H o r s e Show C h a i r p e r s o n i s p r e s e n t e d a

winning t r o p h y i n 1960.

148
 Mary Wood, H o r s e Show C h a i r p e r s o n , i s i n t e r v i e w e d i n h e r
Leonardtown L i b r a r y O f f i c e b y P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t , M a r y
Clark.

Ann D r u r y a n d B e t t y T a y l o r a l s o u s e d t o r i d e a n d s h o w. " A n n u s e d t o s h o w i n
the e a r l y 5 0 ' s , " s a i d h e r s i s t e r , Ta y l o r . T a y l o r a l s o s t a r t e d d r i v i n g ( h o r s e a n d
c a r t ) i n 1 9 7 8 . " W e were b o t h chairmen o f t h e h o r s e shows a t v a r i o u s t i m e s . W e
were a l s o s e c r e t a r i e s w h e r e w e r e c e i v e d e n t r i e s , t o o k c a r e o f e n t r i e s a n d c l a s s e s
before t h e s h o w , a n d g o t a r e g i s t e r e d j u d g e , u s u a l l y f r o m o u t o f t h e c o u n t y. I
can remember w h e n G e n e r a l D u k e w a s t h e o n l y j u d g e , " s a i d T a y l o r .

The s h o w s a r e d i v i d e d i n t o d i v i s i o n s a n d t h e n f u r t h e r d i v i d e d i n t o c l a s s e s .
There a r e b a s i c a l l y t h r e e d i v i s i o n s i n a n E n g l i s h h o r s e s h o w. T h e s e a r e t h e
H u n t e r, P l e a s u r e , a n d E q u i t a t i o n d i v i s i o n s . E a c h o f t h e s e d i v i s i o n s i s j u d g e d
based o n d i f f e r e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s . I n t h e h u n t e r d i v i s i o n , t h e h o r s e s h o u l d h a v e a
b o l d , b u t c o n t r o l l e d pace a n d s h o u l d b e a good j u m p e r.

Karine I n g e r s o l presents a f i r s t p l a c e t r o p h y t o C l y t h e n e H a l l f o r t h e Hunter

Class i n 1 9 7 5 .
149
I n t h i s d i v i s i o n , t h e jumps a r e u s u a l l y h i g h e r and t h e c o u r s e i s more d i f f i c u l t .
The p l e a s u r e d i v i s i o n a s k s t h e h o r s e a n d r i d e r t o c r e a t e t h e i d e a t h a t a n y o n e
could g e t u p o n t h a t h o r s e a n d r i d e i t w i t h o u t any problem. T h e h o r s e s h o u l d
have a n i c e , e a s y , a n d c o m f o r t a b l e p a c e a n d s h o u l d n e v e r r u n o f f o r b u c k .
L a s t l y, e q u i t a t i o n m e a n s t h e r i d e r ' s p o s i t i o n w h i l e mounted o n t h e h o r s e . I n
this d i v i s i o n , t h e r i d e r ' s p o s i t i o n i s j u d g e d a s w e l l a s h o w w e l l he/she
communicates w i t h t h e h o r s e .

In each d i v i s i o n , t h e r e a r e u s u a l l y t h r e e o r f o u r classes. T h e r e a r e t h r e e
types o f c l a s s e s : o v e r f e n c e , f l a t , a n d t r a i l .

The o v e r f e n c e s c l a s s c o n s i s t s
of a c o u r s e o f j u m p s t h a t t h e
r i d e r must j u m p . I n t h e f l a t
classes, everyone p a r t i c i p a t i n g
i s i n t h e r i n g a t t h e same t i m e
and t h e y a r e t o p e r f o r m
commands t h a t t h e j u d g e c a l l s
out s u c h a s w a l k , t r o t , o r
c a n t e r. L a s t l y , t h e t r a i l
class i s a l w a y s a p a r t o f t h e
pleasure d i v i s i o n and t h i s asks
the h o r s e a n d r i d e r t o
negotiate a s e r i e s o f
obstacles. E a c h o f these
classes i s j u d g e d w i t h r e s p e c t
to t h e d i v i s i o n , b u t t h e r e a r e
other t h i n g s t h a t t h e j u d g e
w i l l look f o r . I n the jumping
classes, t h e j u d g e w i l l l o o k
for a consistent pace, how w e l l
the h o r s e j u m p s , a n d h o w w e l l
the r i d e r m a n e u v e r s a r o u n d t h e
turns and approaches t h e jump.

Sara J e n k i n s r i d i n g H i g h l i g h t i n a
flat class.

The f l a t c l a s s e s a r e j u d g e d o n h o w f a s t a n d c o r r e c t l y t h e r i d e r c a n p e r f o r m
t h e commands. T h e h o r s e ' s o b e d i e n c e i s t h e m a i n c r i t e r i a f o r t h e t r a i l c l a s s .

150
 Tommy L i s k a o n S p a r k l e P l e n t y i n t h e J u m p i n g C l a s s .

Judging t h e s e c l a s s e s g e t s more p r e c i s e and t h e r e a r e t h r e e main t h i n g s t h a t

the j u d g e s l o o k f o r : m a n n e r s , w a y o f g o i n g , a n d s u i t a b i l i t y . M a n n e r s a r e h o w
responsive t h e h o r s e i s t o i t s r i d e r and h o w w e l l t h e r i d e r communicates w i t h
his/her horse. W a y o f going refers t o t h e horse's g a i t . A horse w i t h a long
graceful s t r i d e would p l a c e above one w i t h a s h o r t choppy s t r i d e . S u i t a b i l i t y i s
how w e l l t h e h o r s e a n d r i d e r l o o k t o g e t h e r . Y o u w o u l d n ' t w a n t a s m a l l c h i l d
r i d i n g a b i g t h o r o u g h b r e d o r a l a r g e r p e r s o n r i d i n g a p o n y.

The w a l k t r o t c l a s s i s o n l y o p e n t o c h i l d r e n u n d e r 1 0 y e a r s o l d .

151
 Each c l a s s i s p l a c e d a n d t h e r i d e r s w i n r i b b o n s f o r f i r s t t h r o u g h s i x t h
place. W i t h f i r s t p r i z e u s u a l l y c o m e s a t r o p h y and f o r each r i b b o n won, t h e
rider earns a c e r t a i n number o f p o i n t s : h i g h e r points f o r the higher places.
The r i d e r w i t h m o s t p o i n t s i n t h e i r d i v i s i o n w i n s t h e c h a m p i o n r i b b o n f o r t h a t
d i v i s i o n . T h e r e a r e s p e c i a l a w a r d s o f f e r e d a l s o a t t h e s h o w. T h e b e s t c h i l d
r i d e r w i n s t h e Agnes T . Duncan Award w h i c h h a s t o b e r e t u r n e d t h e n e x t y e a r .

Karen C o a t e s ( t h e f i r s t
winner o f t h e A g n e s T .
Duncan A w a r d ) p r e s e n t s
Clythene H a l l ( G u y ) t h e
award f o r t h e b e s t c h i l d
r i d e r. R i d e r s k e e p t h e
award f o r o n e y e a r a n d
then pass t h e award o n t o
the n e x t w i n n e r . A
replica i s t h e n given t o
the p a s t w i n n e r.

Frank Lantham was a n e a r l y h o r s e s h o w e n t h u s i a s t i n t h e c o u n t y a n d t h e F r a n k

Latham M e m o r i a l T r o p h y i s g i v e n f o r t h e b e s t h o r s e a n d r i d e r c o m b i n a t i o n . T h e J .
L . McNey M e m o r i a l T r o p h y i s g i v e n t o t h e b e s t p o n y a n d r i d e r c o m b i n a t i o n .

152
 Ann D r u r y ( R t . ) p a s t C h a i r m a n o f t h e H o r s e S h o w, p r e s e n t s
Scotty C o f l i n a f i r s t p l a c e t r o p h y i n t h e Pony H u n t e r
Division.

I n c l u d e d i n t h e s h o w a r e some W e s t e r n a n d d r i v i n g c l a s s e s . " B a c k w h e n I w a s
showing, w e h a d a We s t e r n s h o w , " s a i d M a r y W o o d . T h e W e s t e r n c l a s s e s a r e
generally p l e a s u r e a n d t r a i l c l a s s e s , b u t t h e r e i s a big difference i n the
Western h o r s e ' s w a y o f g o i n g c o m p a r e d t o t h e E n g l i s h h o r s e s . T h e y a r e g e n e r a l l y
kept o n a v e r y l o n g r e i n a n d a r e much more e a s y - g o i n g a n d g e n t l e .

"They u s e d t o h a v e b a r r e l r a c i n g a t t h e f a i r a l s o , " s a i d Wood. " T h i s i s a n

event f o r t h e w e s t e r n r i d e r s a n d t h e o b j e c t i v e i s t o g e t a r o u n d s e v e r a l o b s t a c l e s
(barrels) i n t h e s h o r t e s t t i m e . " T h e r e a r e t w o d r i v i n g classes which are
pleasure a n d a n o b s t a c l e c l a s s where t h e d r i v e r maneuvers h o r s e a n d c a r t t h r o u g h
o b s t a c l e s s u c h a s b r i d g e s a n d o t h e r t h i n g s t h a t m i g h t b e r u n i n t o o n a Sunday
drive.

"Is i t our turn yet?"

Both h o r s e a n d r i d e r
are u s e d t o t h e
w a i t i n g game.

153
 B e t t y Ta y l o r l o o k s h e r v e r y Sunday B e s t a s s h e p r e p a r e s f o r
the D r i v i n g D i v i s i o n .

The h o r s e s h o w s a t t r a c t p e o p l e n o t o n l y f r o m t h i s c o u n t y , b u t f r o m C a l v e r t
and C h a r l e s a s w e l l . T h i s i s a l s o a t i m e w h e n p e o p l e w h o w a n t t o s e l l t h e i r
horses c a n s h o w t h e m o f f . " S o m e t i m e s i f s o m e o n e l i k e s t h e way y o u r h o r s e
performs, t h e y m i g h t o f f e r t o b u y i t , " n o t e d B e t t y Ta y l o r . T h e o n l y r e q u i r e m e n t s
are t h a t t h e r i d e r m u s t w e a r t h e i r p r o p e r a t t i r e . T h i s i s m o s t p r e v a l e n t i n t h e
English classes where t h e r i d e r has t o wear b r i t c h e s , b o o t s , a c o a t , a n d a hard
hat. T h e r e i s n o age l i m i t a t i o n e x c e p t i n t h e 4 - H show where t h e r i d e r must b e
under e i g h t e e n . M o s t o f a l l , t h e m o s t b a s i c r e q u i r e m e n t i s t h a t y o u h a v e f u n .

A bond develops
between h o r s e a n d
h a n d l e r.

154
 Jolly Gents Add Spice To Life
by Amy Quinlan

Helping t h e c o m m u n i t y was t h e b a s i s f o r t h e f o r m a t i o n o f t h e J o l l y Gents, a

service o r g a n i z a t i o n dedicated t o h e l p i n g S t . M a r y ' s countians i n need. A l o n g
w i t h t h e i r g e n e r o s i t y , t h e J o l l y Gents d i s h o u t o n e o f t h e c o u n t y f a i r ' s most
delectable concessions. T e d Newkirk, a former president o f t h e c l u b r e l a t e s t h e
story o f t h e J o l l y Gents.

"When w e f i r s t s t a r t e d , t h e r e w a s n o b u i l d i n g , t h e n t h e f a i r b o a r d s u p p l i e d
the m a t e r i a l s a n d t h e J o l l y G e n t s c o n s t r u c t e d t h e b u i l d i n g a t t h e f a i r . S i n c e
then t h e f a i r b o a r d h a s t a k e n o v e r a n y c o n s t r u c t i o n . W e s t a r t e d s e r v i n g barbeque
a t t h e f a i r a r o u n d 1 9 6 6 a s a f u n d r a i s e r . O u r o r g a n i z a t i o n r a i s e s money s o w e c a n
help t h e c o m m u n i t y m a i n l y i n e m e r g e n c y s i t u a t i o n s , f u e l i n w i n t e r s , h e l p f o r
young p e o p l e f o r c o l l e g e , e t c . "

Boy, t h a t b a r b e q u e s m e l l s g o o d !
Ted N e w k i r k g i v i n g J o l l y G e n t s
barbeque t h a t s p e c i a l t o u c h .

"I b e l i e v e t h e g r o u p was
organized b a c k i n 1958, a n d I
joined i n 1959. I s e r v e d as
vice-president t o George
Fenwick, t h e f i r s t p r e s i d e n t o f
t h e J o l l y G e n t s , t h e n I became
the s e c o n d p r e s i d e n t , " s t a t e d
Newkirk.

"We g e t o u r m e a t f r o m w h o l e s a l e
d i s t r i b u t o r s a n d we u s e a s l o w
cooking p r o c e s s t o c o o k t h e
meat. W e u s e d t o u s e o a k wood
but n o w w e u s e g a s , " s a i d
Newkirk.

Newkirk t a k e s a b r e a k f r o m c o o k i n g t h e
d e l i c i o u s barbeque s o l d b y t h e J o l l y
Gents e a c h y e a r a t t h e f a i r .

155
 Ted N e w k i r k t a l k s w i t h
Leonardtown H i g h S c h o o l
students about J o l l y Gents.

When a s k e d a b o u t t h e b a r b e q u e s a u c e
recipe, h e smiled then stated t h a t " i t i s
made b y t h e J o l l y G e n t s a n d o n l y t h e y
know t h e i n g r e d i e n t s . " W h e t h e r w e k n o w
how t h e t a n t a l i z i n g f l a v o r c o m e s a b o u t o r
not, f a i r g o e r s c o m e back year a f t e r y e a r
for another " t a s t e o f the f a i r " .

Rescue Vehicles

_
Rescue S q u a d s h a v e a l w a y s b e e n o n h a n d a t
the f a i r g r o u n d s t o a s s i s t w h e n e v e r
needed. T h e i r p r e s e n c e l e n d s a f e e l i n g
of s e c u r i t y t o a l l f a i r g o e r s , young and
old.

156
Maryland's Jousting Song
Jousting's the sport, Marylander's claim
And w e p r o u d l y b o a s t o f i t s
H a l l o f Fame,
Our m a i d s a n d k n i g h t s a r e s t a n d i n g b y
A s t r i d e t h e i r mounts i n s t i r r u p s h i g h .

Our p a g e a n t r y a s d a y s o f o l d
Our c o l o r s a r e b r i g h t , s o m e r e d , s o m e g o l d ,
And a s w e w a i t t h e b u g l e ' s c r y ,
Three c h e e r s f o r y o u a s y o u r i d e b y .
Jotlithig- n e raws
Henry's t h e k i n g we a d o r e ,
A l i c e t h e Queen f o r e v e r m o r e .
The f r i e n d s w e ' v e made b o t h f a r a n d n e a r ,
5,000atSt.MarysFair
SpecialDispatchtoTheStar
No o t h e r s p o r t c o u l d e r e c o m p a r e .
LEONARDTOWN, M d . , S e p t .
Charge o n ! C h a r g e o n ! F a i r m a i d s a n d k n i g h t s 25.A c r o w d o f 5,000 shrugged
Just spear those r i n g s w i t h a l l y o u r m i g h t . off a c h i l l i n g w i n d a t :the A l m s
We ' r e p r o u d t o r e p r e s e n t o u r S t a t e , House grounds yesterday to watch
Oh! M a r y l a n d w e t h i n k y o u ' r e g r e a t ! a jousting tournament w h i c h
Yes, M a r y l a n d ' s t h e " J o u s t i n g S t a t e " ! ended t h e t h r e e - d a y S t . M a r y s
County F a i r.
Joseph B r a d y o f B a l t i m o r e
County w o n i n t h e professional
class, w h i l e H o w a r d G a t e s a n d
his b r o t h e r L a w r e n c e o f P r i n c e
Georges County t o o k second a n d
third places.
Bernard C l a r k o f Hollywood,
Md.,- speared o u t a w i n i n the
amateur c l a s s o v e r H e n r y J .
Fowler, p r e s i d e n t o f t h e f a i r
board, w h e n , the t w o r o d e t h e
course f o r t h e seventh . time t o
break a- tie...-. George p i t m a n o f
Westminster was third. -

157
 Jousting T h e Maryland Sport
by Karen Raley

Top R t . H e n r y F o w l e r d a n c e s w i t h
his L a d y E d w i n a d u r i n g t h e
jousting tournament on the f a i r -
grounds i n 1 9 7 5 .

"Somewhere i n B a l t i m o r e C o u n t y, M a r y L o u
Bartram found a L a n d a u s t y l e d c a r r i a g e .
Dad f e l l i n l o v e w i t h i t , " s a y s H e n r y
F o w l e r, J r . , t h e s o n o f t h e l a t e S e n a t o r
Henry F o w l e r . " H e u s e d h i s g i f t o f g a b
to h e l p t h e f a i r i n m a n y w a y s . " T h i s
t a l e n t was r e s p o n s i b l e f o r o b t a i n i n g t h e
c a r r i a g e , made a r o u n d 1 7 1 0 , a s w e l l a s
f o u n d i n g t h e M a r y l a n d J o u s t i n g To u r n a m e n t
Association. H e n r y S r. s p e n t t i m e i n t h e
Maryland G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y, s e r v i n g S t .
Mary's County f o r s i x t e e n y e a r s .

158
 Are t h e d a y s o f c h i v a l r y , s p l e n d o r , p a g e a n t r y , a n d t r a d i t i o n l o s t i n t h e
ever c h a n g i n g m o m e n t s o f t i m e ? D o m e n l i v e w i t h o u t t h e m y s t i q u e t h e i r
f o r e f a t h e r s once o b t a i n e d t h r o u g h t h e i r horsemanship and s k i l l f u l accuracy w i t h a
lance? T o d a y , j o u s t i n g i s l o s t i n t h e t r e m e n d o u s a d v e r t i s e m e n t o f more p o p u l a r
sports, y e t , S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y i s u n i q u e i n i t s i n v o l v e m e n t i n t h e
distinguishable sport.

Jousting i s nothing l i k e t h e f a m i l i a r p i c t u r e w e i m a g i n e o f t w o knights

c h a r g i n g a t e a c h o t h e r i n a b l o o d - t h i r s t y m a n n e r. T h e g o a l o f t h e s p o r t i s f o r
the r i d e r t o b e a b l e t o s p e a r t h r e e r i n g s o n e a c h r i d e i n a t o t a l o f n i n e
seconds. T h e r i d e r m u s t r i d e a t o t a l o f e i g h t y y a r d s t o s p e a r a l l t h r e e r i n g s .
Each k n i g h t i s g i v e n t h r e e c h a r g e s f o r t h e i r f i r s t c l a s s . A f t e r t h e i r f i r s t
three r i d e s , t h e r i d e r w i l l t h e n go t o t h e n e x t s m a l l e s t s i z e i n r i n g s which a r e
reduced a q u a r t e r o f a n i n c h a t a t i m e . R i n g s r a n g e i n s i z e f r o m one a n d t h r e e
quarters o f a n i n c h t o one h a l f o f a n i n c h , and on occasion one q u a r t e r o f a n
inch s i z e r i n g w i l l be used.

There i s m u c h m o r e t o t h e s p o r t t h a n j u s t a b i d i n g b y t h e r u l e s . T h e r i d e r s
must a l s o m a i n t a i n t h e i r e q u i p m e n t a n d e v e n c o n s t r u c t t h e i r o w n l a n c e s . A
k n i g h t ' s l a n c e i s a l w a y s homemade s i m p l y b e c a u s e t h e r e i s n o p l a c e t o b u y o n e .

159
The l a n c e s r a n g e i n s i z e f r o m f i v e t o s e v e n f e e t i n l e n g t h a n d u s u a l l y w e i g h
between o n e a n d f i f t e e n p o u n d s . T h e p o i n t o f t h e l a n c e i s m a d e o f e i t h e r
aluminum o r s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , a n d a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f c o n s t r u c t i n g a l a n c e i s t o
establish a balancing p o i n t . F i n a l l y , a k n i g h t must l e a r n t o use h i s / h e r lance
e f f e c t i v e l y. A r i d e r ' s s k i l l l a r g e l y depends o n h i s h o r s e a s w e l l a s l e a r n i n g t o
use h i s l a n c e . H e m u s t e f f e c t i v e l y l e a r n h o w t o t r a i n h i s h o r s e t o r e s p o n d t o
his voice. A knight can j o u s t very w e l l but h i s horse can j u s t as e a s i l y decide
between a w i n o r a l o s s f o r t h e t e a m . T h e h o r s e h a s t o b e a b l e t o k e e p a s t e a d y
pace w i t h o u t b o u n c i n g t h e r i d e r . S o m e t i m e s i t c a n t a k e u p t o t h r e e y e a r s t o
t r a i n a h o r s e t o become a c c u s t o m e d t o t h e r i d i n g p a t t e r n . A k n i g h t l o o k s f o r a
horse t h a t i s n o t s k i t t i s h o r t e m p e r a m e n t a l . T h e h o r s e m u s t n o t s h y a t a n y t h i n g
during t h e r i d e , s o t h e r i d e r s t r a i n them t o g e t u s e d t o a n y d i s t r a c t i o n . N o
breed o f h o r s e i s c o n s i d e r e d b e t t e r t h a n a n o t h e r, j u s t a s l o n g a s i t i s w e l l
trained.

(Top R . ) P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t A n d y S t o n e ( L ) a n d B r i a n N e v a l a ( R )
p o s t w i t h P h i l C l a r k e , K n i g h t o f t h e L i t t l e R e d Wagon, a m i d a w a l l
f u l l o f t r o p h i e s . C l a r k e d i s p l a y s a mounted b r o a d s w o r d w h i c h i s
the t r a d i t i o n a l p r i z e awarded t o t h e n a t i o n a l j o u s t i n g champion.
He w o n t h e p r i z e i n 1 9 7 0 .

( B o t t o m R . ) P h i l C l a r k e a t home w i t h h i s t r u s t y s t e e d .

160
1-9l
 State and National Jousting Champion,
Phillip A. Clark

Famous M a r y l a n d j o u s t e r a n d r e s i d e n t o f S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y, P h i l l i p C l a r k ,
who h a s b e e n j o u s t i n g f o r some 5 0 y e a r s s a y s o f h i s c h i l d h o o d , " I l i v e d o n a f a r m
and w e a l w a y s h a d h o r s e s . " C l a r k t o l d u s d u r i n g o u r i n t e r v i e w , " I n t h e o l d d a y s ,
they used t o have j o u s t i n g tournaments a t a l l t h e churches i n t h e c o u n t y . T h e y
had b i g c h u r c h s u p p e r s f o l l o w e d b y a d a n c e . N o w m o s t p e o p l e l i v e s o f a r a w a y
that t h e y c a n ' t s t a y f o r a dance. S t . J o s e p h ' s , S t . J o h n ' s , H o l y A n g e l ' s , and
f i r e departments would have them. T h e y used t o have a charge, f o r c h a r i t y. " M r .
C l a r k r e m e m b e r s , " T h e y u s e d t o t e l l m e , t h a t ' s h o w some o f t h e m o n u m e n t s i n S t .
M a r y ' s C i t y w e r e p a i d f o r . " M r . C l a r k h a s a l w a y s e n j o y e d j o u s t i n g m o r e t h a n some
o t h e r h o r s e c o m p e t i t i o n s . " W i t h j o u s t i n g , i f y o u made t h e t i m e a n d s p e a r e d t h e
r i n g s , t h e r e was n o q u e s t i o n . "

Some p e o p l e m i g h t r e m e m b e r P h i l l i p C l a r k a s t h e K n i g h t o f t h e L i t t l e R e d
Wagon, h i s j o u s t i n g t i t l e . H e c l a i m s t h a t t h e name s t a r t e d o u t a s a j o k e b u t
that i t j u s t s t u c k w i t h him. " I b u i l t t h i s horse t r a i l e r and painted i t r e d , s o
I d e c i d e d t o u s e t h e K n i g h t o f t h e L i t t l e R e d Wagon a s m y t i t l e . "

Tr o p h i e s c o v e r o n e w h o l e w a l l o f M r . C l a r k ' s l i v i n g r o o m . G l a s s c a s e s a r e
f i l l e d w i t h s i l v e r t r o p h i e s a n d numerous a w a r d s . O n e , " F t . F r e d r i c k S t a t e P a r k
1988", h a d t o b e w o n t h r e e t i m e s i n o r d e r t o k e e p i t . A c c o r d i n g t o M r . C l a r k ,
t h e w i n n e r ' s n a m e i s p r i n t e d o n t h e t r o p h y f o r e a c h w i n u n t i l someone w i n s i t
three t i m e s . H i s l a r g e c o l l e c t i o n a l s o i n c l u d e s a l a r g e number o f p l a q u e s w h i c h
hang i n m o r e t h a n o n e r o o m . M r . C l a r k m e n t i o n e d t h a t h e h a d w o n a t l e a s t o n e
hundred t r o p h i e s . " I t r y t o p r a c t i c e a b o u t h a l f a n h o u r , a c o u p l e o f t i m e s a
week."

"The h o r s e i s t h e b i g g e s t p a r t o f i t . P e o p l e p r e f e r d i f f e r e n t t y p e s o f
horses, s i z e , e t c . T h e r e a r e n o r e s t r i c t i o n s . " M r . C l a r k t o l d u s t h a t t h e y k e y
was t o h a v e a h o r s e w i t h a v e r y s t e a d y g a i t , s o t h e j o u s t e r c o u l d c o n c e n t r a t e o n
spearing t h e r i n g s . " M y l a s t h o r s e , Specks, l i v e d t o b e 36 y e a r s o l d , t h a t i s
144 i n human y e a r s . T h e n I h a d L a d y . "

"I r o d e f o r a f e w y e a r s b e f o r e 1 9 4 8 , t h e n I b u i l t a horse t r a i l e r and

competed a l l o v e r M a r y l a n d . " M r . C l a r k t o l d u s t h a t c o m p e t i t i o n s w e r e h e l d f r o m
e a r l y Summer t o l a t e F a l l , t h e S t a t e a n d N a t i o n a l To u r n a m e n t s a r e u s u a l l y h e l d i n
O c t o b e r. M r . C l a r k won t h e S t a t e C h a m p i o n s h i p t i t l e i n 1 9 6 8 , a n d i n 1 9 7 0 , t h e
N a t i o n a l To u r n a m e n t w h e r e h i s p r i z e w a s a m o u n t e d b r o a d s w o r d . M r . C l a r k a n d h i s
w i f e a r e b o t h i n t h e j o u s t i n g H a l l o f Fame i n t h e S e v e n C h i m n e y s S t a t e P a r k i n
Mt. S a l o n , V i r g i n i a . H e h a s b e e n p u b l i s h e d i n T i m e W o r l d B o o k E n c y c l o p e d i a ,
under S t a t e S y m b o l s , P a r a d e m a g a z i n e , a n d h a s b e e n o n t h e M i k e D o u g l a s s h o w.

His w i f e , M a r y E t h e l C l a r k , w a s a l s o v e r y i n v o l v e d i n M a r y l a n d j o u s t i n g .
" T h a t ' s h o w I m e t m y w i f e , I c r o w n e d h e r Queen o f a j o u s t i n g t o u r n a m e n t a t S t .
Joseph's i n Morganza." C l a r k s a i d , " S h e n e v e r r o d e , b u t s h e helped k e e p s c o r e .
She w a s v e r y m u c h i n v o l v e d i n w h a t I d i d . " M a r y C l a r k i s t h e a u t h o r o f t h e
Maryland J o u s t i n g Song. S h e passed away i n 1986. M r . C l a r k m e n t i o n e d t h a t f o r
every w i n , h e p i c k e d Mary a s h i s queen.

(See Photos Preceding Page)

162
 Giants Of The Equine World
by Karen Raley

For c e n t u r i e s , d r a f t h o r s e s h a v e b e e n a s y m b o l o f g r e a t w i l l a n d s t r e n g t h .
According t o N e a l Boyden, t e a m s o f C l y d e s d a l e s , B e l g i a n s , a n d Percherons were
f r e q u e n t l y used f o r l o g g i n g a n d p l o w i n g a c r e s upon a c r e s . W i t h t h e advance i n
farm m a c h i n e r y, t h e m i g h t y h o r s e s a r e m o r e o f t e n e n g a g e d i n s h o w s a n d
competitions r a t h e r t h a n f o r e s t r y and a g r i c u l t u r e .

Leonardtown H i g h S c h o o l
s t u d e n t , S h a u n C o n n o r, h a s b e e n
subjected t o d r a f t horses a l l
his l i f e . R i s i n g b e f o r e t h e
sun, S h a u n h e a d s t o t h e b a r n t o
feed, w a t e r, a n d groom " t h e b i g
babies." A t night, Shaun
returns t o t h e s t a b l e s where he
works w i t h t h e g e n t l e
creatures. " T h e y a r e s o
f r i e n d l y ; t h e horses f o l l o w you
around l i k e d o g s ! " C a r i n g f o r
the h o r s e s does n o t t a k e a b a c k
seat o n C h r i s t m a s m o r n i n g , when
most f a m i l i e s a r e n e s t l e d i n
t h e i r homes. F r o m t h e s t e a m y
months o f J u l y a n d A u g u s t r i g h t
through t h e b l u s t e r y c h i l l s o f
J a n u a r y a n d F e b r u a r y, t r a i n e r s
religiously practice with their
horses. S h a u n s a i d he " w o u l d
rather b e o u t s i d e w i t h t h e
horses t h a n b e h i n d a d e s k ,
a n y d a y. "

163
 The t e a m s o f h o r s e s c o s t a n y w h e r e b e t w e e n $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 t o $ 2 5 , 0 0 0 . A s w i t h a n y
investment, h o r s e buyers l o o k f o r s p e c i f i c q u a l i t i e s i n t h e horses. S h a u n does
not l i k e h o r s e s w i t h l o n g b a c k s ; h e l e a n s t o w a r d t a l l , p o w e r f u l a n i m a l s , o r s h o r t
and s t o c k y o n e s . D r a f t h o r s e s t h a t c a n s o m e t i m e s w e i g h a r o u n d 3 , 2 0 0 p o u n d s l u n c h
on " h a y a n d s t r a i g h t o a t s m i x e d w i t h m o l a s s e s , n o t h i n g e x t r a , " s a i d S h a u n . T h e
horses a r e know t o b e g e n t l e g i a n t s w i t h m i l d d i s p o s i t i o n s .

A f t e r days and days o f strenuous work, t h e h o r s e s a r e w e i g h e d according t o

Maryland l a w , t h e n h i t c h e d t o a s l e d f o r a p u l l i n g c o n t e s t . T h e t e a m has t h r e e
t r i e s t o p u l l cement b l o c k s , a l s o known a s a " s l e d " o r a " b o a t " 2 7 f e e t 6 i n c h e s .
"The h a n d l e r s , o n e t o d r i v e a n d o n e t o l e a d , a r e a l l o w e d t o t a l k t o t h e h o r s e s
but d o n ' t have r e i g n s t o s t e e r , n o r c a n t h e y s l a p o r j e r k t h e h o r s e s . " E v e r y
entry i n t h e c o n t e s t must please t h r e e t o f i v e l i n e j u d g e s .

Not o n l y i s t h e r e r e w a r d i n t h e p r i z e s t h e t e a m s b r i n g h o m e , b u t t h e r e i s
reward i n t h e l o v i n g a f f e c t i o n f r o m t h e h o r s e s a n d t h e f e e l i n g o f a c c o m p l i s h m e n t .

According t o Robert L . Anderson, S r . o f Clements, Maryland, " T h e h o r s e p u l l

i t s e l f i s n o t w h a t ' s h a r d o n t h e h o r s e s , i t ' s t h e months o f p r e p a r a t i o n ahead o f
t i m e t h a t i s h a r d e s t o n t h e m . I w o r k my h o r s e s t w o t o t h r e e h o u r s m o s t d a y s .
They n e e d t h i s p r a c t i c e t o d e v e l o p t h e p o w e r t h e y n e e d . T h e y l o v e t o p u l l b u t i n
t h e summer t h e h e a t i s h a r d o n t h e m . I t t a k e s o n e y e a r o f w o r k t o m a k e a g o o d
p u l l i n g h o r s e a n d y o u h a v e t o f e e d h i m a l l h e c a n e a t . I f e e d my h o r s e s a 1 0
quart bucket f u l l t h r e e t i m e s a day o f f e e d g r a i n c o n s i s t i n g o f s w e e t horse f e e d
or o a t s o r a m i x t u r e w i t h c o r n . M y b i g g e s t h o r s e weighs a r o u n d 2 , 2 0 0 l b s . "

Each y e a r A n d e r s o n g o e s a r o u n d t o s L a t e f a i r s a n d c o u n t y f a i r s t o e n t e r h i s
P e r c h e r o n a n d B e l g i a n t e a m s a n d o f t e n comes home a w i n n e r .

164
 To The Arena
by Julie Miles

Taken t o t h e A r e n a
Connected w i t h a r o p e o f c h a i n s
To a b l o c k o f c i n d e r .
As t h e w h i s t l e b l o w s
The w h i p c r a c k s h a r d o n t h e s p i n e
A piece o f hide breaks loose.
The w h i p s t h r u s t h a r d a g a i n ,
The w o u n d i s d e e p e r .
Gravity snaps t h e i r necks a s t h e team p u l l s h a r d .
The g r a s s t r a i l i s m a t t e d b y t h e immense w e i g h t ,
The d i r t i s c l u s t e r e d i n l a r g e m a s s e s
Inscribed b y t h e hooves o f t h e o v e r s i z e d work horses.
Another heave a n d t h e team s t o p s .
They b r e a t h e h a s t i l y k n o w i n g o n c e t h e w e i g h t i s a d j u s t e d ,
T h e y ' l l s t a r t a g a i n , when a t once,
The w h i s t l e b l o w s ,
The w h i p c r a c k s h a r d o n t h e s p i n e .

165
 Bridging The Generations
by Andrew Stone

A c h i l d s t a n d s by t h e dusty r o a d , next t o an o l d , faded b l u e Ford. H e

g r a s p s t h e h a n d h e l d o u t t o h i m b y a man w h o s e f a c e i s a g e d w i t h d e e p l i n e s l i k e
rivers from his eyes, t h e seas.

They w a l k t o w a r d a g a t e c o v e r e d w i t h i v y g r o w i n g t h r o u g h t h e l i n k s . T h e
soft breeze l i g h t l y s t i r s t h e leaves exposing rusted j o i n t s .

The o l d man g i v e s t h e k e e p e r o f t h e g a t e t h e p a y m e n t f o r t h e i r e n t r y a n d
they p r o c e e d . T h e b o y ' s stomach c h u r n s a s h e w a l k s a l o n g t h e t h o r o u g h f a r e : h i s
heart races and h i s f e e t a r e t o o s m a l l t o proceed a t t h e p a c e necessary t o t a k e
i n a l l o f t h e s i g h t s o f t h i s e x t r a v a g a n z a . H i s mind i s overwhelmed b y h i s
feelings as sounds o f games, r i d e s , s h o w s , and a n i m a l s f l o w t h r o u g h the a i r.
Huge, m o v i n g , m e t a l m o n s t e r s o r c h e s t r a t e s o u n d s o f c a l l i o p e m u s i c w h i c h m i n g l e
w i t h r o a r i n g m a c h i n e r y. F u r t h e r a l o n g t h e p a t h t h e c r a c k o f a s h o t a n d t h e r i n g
of a b e l l sound o u t , f o l l o w e d b y shouts o f g l e e .

The c h i l d ' s m i n d a n d s e n s e s a r e o v e r w h e l m e d b y t h e s c e n t s o f c a n d y, h o t d o g s
and p o p c o r n , b l e n d i n g w i t h t h e s m e l l o f c o w s a n d h o r s e s . O c c a s i o n a l l y c h i l d r e n
saunter b y w i t h c o t t o n c a n d y s t i c k i n g t o t h e i r f a c e s o r i c e c r e a m d r i p p i n g down
their chins.

The b o y ' s g r a n d f a t h e r h a n d s h i m a t i c k e t a n d t h e y
w a l k t o w a r d a m a s s i v e w h e e l t h a t seems t o s t r e t c h upward
to t h e c l o u d s and f i l l t h e s k y. H e hands t h e a t t e n d a n t
h i s t i c k e t a n d t h e y b o a r d t o g e t h e r . A moment l a t e r t h e y
are d r a w n b a c k a n d t h e n l i f t e d , s u s p e n d e d o v e r t h e m a s s
of scrambling f i g u r e s t h a t were once people b u t a r e now
mere i n s e c t s . T h e w i n d w h i p s t h r o u g h t h e b o y ' s h a i r a n d
gives h i m a n i n s e c u r e f e e l i n g a s h e l o o k s t o h i s
companion f o r r e a s s u r a n c e .

The s l o w r o c k i n g o f t h e i r c a r , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e
vibration o f t h e engine c a u s e t h e b o y ' s heart t o race
and h i s m i n d t o s i n g w i t h a n t i c i p a t i o n o f e a c h n e w
moment. H e c l u t c h e s t h e s a f e t y b a r i n e x c i t e d g l e e . H e
peers o v e r , s t r e t c h i n g h i s n e c k t o s e e t h e s p o t s t h a t
move t o a n d f r o , i n a n e n d l e s s maze o f t e n t s a n d r i d e s
u n t i l , f i n a l l y , t h i s a r r a y o f motions d i e s , along w i t h
the s t r a n g e t i n g l i n g ; a n d t h e companions d i s e m b a r k .

Once a g a i n t h e y s t r o l l a l o n g t h e t h o r o u g h f a r e a s
the b o y ' s m i n d r e v e l s a t t h e e m o t i o n s t h a t f l o w o v e r L i o n Ed R u s s e l l
him l i k e a h u g e w a v e . T h e m a r v e l s t h e g a m e s a n d t a k e s time out
a t t r a c t i o n s seem t o c a l l t o h i m a l l a t o n c e . H i s f r o m manning
grandfather buys him a h o t d o g a n d t h e y p r o c e e d t h e main gate t o
through t h e haze, i n t o t h e e v e r l a s t i n g c o m m o t i o n o f w a t c h h i s grand-
the c o u n t y f a i r , s o n o n t h e
merry-go-round.

166
To My Grandad
by Clayton Hartley

My t h o u g h t s o f G r a n d a d
were o f a s t e r n o l d m a n .
He w o r k e d me r e a l h a r d
with a cane i n h i s hand.
He t a u g h t me t o d r e a m
and s e e p i c t u r e s i n c l o u d s .
Compared t o h i s s i l e n c e ,
I must seem q u i t e l o u d .
I t h o u g h t h e was wrong;
he k n e w h e w a s r i g h t .
I j u s t wish I ' d listened
to h i s r a m b l i n g i n t h e n i g h t .
You s e e , m y g r a n d a d i s s i c k - -
Cancer s t r i k i n g h i m d o w n ,
but n o m a t t e r what - -
he s a i d , " N e v e r f r o w n " .
Perhaps w h e n h e ' s g o n e ,
I w i l l s e e w i t h my e y e - -
I f I look r e a l hard- -
His c l o u d i n t h e s k y.

167
 All s i z e s , shapes,
colors, a n d b r e e d s
imaginable a r e
welcome t o e n t e r t h e
pet s h o w . P r o -
fessionals a r e n o t
allowed. T h i s one i s
for the kids!

(The Pet Show)

168
 From Alligators To Dace
The d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a s p e c i a l i z e d , c o m p e t i t i v e p e t s h o w a n d t h e o n e h e l d
at t h e S t . M a r y ' s County F a i r c a n be e x p l a i n e d w i t h o n e word: c h i l d r e n . " N o
Adults" i s a phrase c h i l d r e n l o v e t o h e a r, a n d i t i s a r u l e s t r i c t l y enforced a t
t h e c o u n t y f a i r ' s a n n u a l p e t s h o w. " O t h e r w i s e i t becomes t o o c o m p e t i t i v e , " s a y s
pet show c h a i r m a n , J o e R i d g e l l . " P e o p l e u s e d t o b r i n g i n t h e i r p e d i g r e e a n i m a l s
and e x p e c t t o c o m p e t e w i t h k i d s w h o h a d t u r t l e s . "

The s h o w g i v e s c o u n t y c h i l d r e n t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o b e i n t h e s p o t l i g h t a n d
show o f f t h e i r f a v o r i t e p e t . A c c o r d i n g t o R i d g e l l , " t h e f a i r i t s e l f i s r u n
f a i r l y s i m p l y. C h i l d r e n b r i n g i n t h e i r p e t s ( w h i c h range f r o m a l l i g a t o r s t o
mice) t o b e j u d g e d . A l m o s t a n y k i n d o f a n i m a l i s a l l o w e d , b u t t o p r e v e n t t h e
spread o f d i s e a s e , t h e S t . M a r y ' s H e a l t h Department o r d e r e d t h a t a l l a n i m a l s m u s t
have u p d a t e d s h o t s . V o l u n t e e r s a r e t o b e s e l e c t e d f r o m t h e a u d i e n c e t o b e t h e
judges; t h i s way t h e j u d g i n g process i s k e p t f a i r . W i n n i n g p e t s and t h e i r owners
r e c e i v e r i b b o n s ; a l t h o u g h a t o n e t i m e t h e y r e c e i v e d b o t h money a n d r i b b o n s . "

" I have been involved i n t h e p e t show s i n c e b e f o r e Hazel

Madsen became p r e s i d e n t o f the county f a i r i n 1 9 6 9 , " stated
R i d g e l l who t r a v e l s t o o t h e r s t a t e and county f a i r s " t o see
how t h e y d o t h e i r s . M a n y d o n ' t d o e v e r y t h i n g we d o ; many
specialize.

The S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r P e t Show p r o v i d e s a n e n t e r t a i n i n g , e d u c a t i o n a l ,

not- t o o - c o m p e t i t i v e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r c h i l d r e n t o show o f f t h e i r f a v o r i t e p e t . N o t
to m e n t i o n t h e t h r i l l p a r e n t s g e t w a t c h i n g c h i l d r e n t r y i n g t o c o n t r o l t h e i r own
c h i l d r e n . F o r , a s M r. R i d g e l l s a y s , " A n i m a l s a r e r e a l l y f u n n y y o u k n o w . T h e y
always a c t u p a t t h e w r o n g t i m e . . . J u s t l i k e k i d s . "

iffiV433iiiiii,
WOIWIWOkt

M r. J u l i u s J o h n s o n , C o u n t y E x t e n s i o n A g e n t ( s e c o n d f r o m l e f t ) , h i s
wife, A n n a ( f a r l e f t ) , a n d W i l e y H a r t w e l l t a k e a l o o k a t young
John B a r n a r d H e n d e r s o n ' s p e t m i c e t h a t h e e n t e r e d i n t h e f a i r ' s
amateur p e t s h o w i n 1 9 5 6 . ( G i r l , r i g h t , u n i d e n t i f i e d )
"At one point the mouse ran up Hartwell's sleeve and we had a heck of a time getting him
out, "said Suzanne Henderson, John's mom.

169
 St. Michael's Manor Revisited
(A Working Farm In The 1800s Today Bed And Breakfast)

Many o l d m a n o r h o u s e s s t i l l s t a n d a s a c o n s t a n t r e m i n d e r o f t h e d a y s w h e n
agriculture, o y s t e r i n g , f i s h i n g , a n d c r a b b i n g f l o u r i s h e d a s t h e m a i n source o f
income i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y. T o d a y many o f t h e s e o l d homes a r e o n t h e h i s t o r i c a l
s o c i e t y ' s l i s t o f b e a u t i f u l o l d homes t o v i s i t ; h o m e s w h i c h a r e a l o o k i n t o a
past w h i c h n o l o n g e r e x i s t s . A p a s t when t o b a c c o was packed i n t o hogsheads a n d
loaded o n t o b a r g e s d e s t i n e d f o r f o r e i g n a n d d o m e s t i c p o r t s . A p a s t w h e r e m u l e s
t i l l e d t h e f i e l d s a n d s l a v e s w e r e n e c e s s a r y t o k e e p t h e economy s t a t u s q u o . A
place where l i f e was s i m p l e and l e s s h a r r i e d a n d p e o p l e h a d t i m e t o v i s i t one
a n o t h e r, e n j o y t h e f r u i t s o f t h e i r l a b o r s , a n d s p e n d t i m e w i t h t h e i r f a m i l i e s .

Today l i f e i n S t . M a r y ' s i s s l o w l y j o i n i n g t h e h e c t i c p a c e o f o u r
m e t r o p o l i t a n n e i g h b o r s i n Wa s h i n g t o n , D C , B a l t i m o r e , a n d A n n a p o l i s . T h e f a r m s
have l e s s a n d l e s s a c r e a g e u n d e r c u l t i v a t i o n . M o s t f a r m e r s o r t h e i r w i v e s h a v e
second j o b s t o s u p p l e m e n t t h e i r i n c o m e s a n d a r e f i n d i n g i t h a r d e r a n d h a r d e r t o
make a l i v i n g b y f a r m i n g . Y e a r s a g o , h o w e v e r , f a r m s s u c h a s S t . M i c h a e l ' s M a n o r
were s e l f - s u f f i c i e n t a n d m a i n t a i n e d a t r a n q u i l a i r o f p r o s p e r i t y .

P u b l i c a t i o n s S t u d e n t s A n g e l a C o b l e n t z ( L ) a n d S h a r o n Dunn
stand w i t h Nancy D i c k ( R t . ) w h o a l o n g w i t h h e r h u s b a n d
Joe h a v e t u r n e d S t . M i c h a e l ' s M a n o r i n t o a b e d a n d
breakfast h a v e n w i t h v i n e y a r d s , sheep and a w a t e r f r o n t
v i e w.

St. M i c h a e l ' s i s l o c a t e d o n e m i l e f r o m S c o t l a n d a n d a m i l e a n d a h a l f f r o m P o i n t
L o o k o u t . I t i s c u r r e n t l y owned b y C a p t . J o s e p h L . D i c k a n d h i s w i f e , N a n c y, w h o
are e n l a r g i n g t h e i r v i n e y a r d i n h o p e s o f p r o d u c i n g m o r e w i n e t h a n t h e y c u r r e n t l y
produce. S h e e p a n d g o a t s r o a m t h e l u s h g r e e n l a w n a n d t h e b o r d e r i n g p a s t u r e .

170
 Leonardtown H i g h S c h o o l P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s A n g e l a C o b l e n t z ( L )
and S h a r o n D u n n ( R t . ) h e l p N a n c y D i c k ( c e n t e r ) , o w n e r o f S t .
M i c h a e l ' s M a n o r, f e e d t w o b a b y g o a t s .

Ducks, d o g s a n d a n a s s o r t m e n t o f o t h e r a n i m a l s g i v e t h e o l d m a n o r h o u s e a f l a v o r
o f t h e p a s t , b u t t h e o l d f a r m , l i k e many f a r m s i n t h e c o u n t y , h a s h a d s e c t i o n s
sold o f f o v e r t h e y e a r s and no l o n g e r f u n c t i o n s a s a l a r g e s e l f - s u s t a i n i n g f a r m .
Today t o u r i s t s f r o m a l l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y e n j o y t h e b e d a n d b r e a k f a s t h o s p i t a l i t y
provided b y Captain and Mrs. D i c k .

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e h i s t o r y o f S t . M i c h a e l ' s M a n o r, s u p p l i e d t o u s b y M r s .
Dick, " t h e l a n d o f t h e o r i g i n a l e s t a t e was one o f t h e t h r e e manors s o u t h o f S m i t h
Creek g r a n t e d t o G o v. L e o n a r d C a l v e r t i n 1 6 3 9 , " w i t h t h e r i g h t o f C o u r t B a r o n a n d
Court L e e t .

The m a n o r w a s p r o b a b l y b u i l t b y J a m e s R i c h a r d s o n a b o u t 1 8 0 5 . T h e r e i s a
b r i c k i n t h e house, f o r m e r l y i n t h e cornerstone, t h a t says J . L . R . , 1805. T h e
two- a n d - a - h a l f s t o r y h o u s e l i e s w i t h i n f i f t y f e e t o f t h e w a t e r i n a meadow a l m o s t
l e v e l w i t h t h e c o v e . T r a d i t i o n h a s i t t h a t t h e b r i c k s i n t h i s h o u s e came f r o m
England, a n d i t i s s a i d t h a t o n e c a n s e e t h e r e m a i n s o f t h e b o a t w h i c h c a r r i e d
them, s u n k i n t h e c o v e . A u n t M a r y P i d g e o n , a n a g e d n e g r e s s l i v i n g n e a r t h e M a n o r
and r e p u t e d t o b e o n e h u n d r e d a n d f i f t e e n y e a r s o l d , q u o t e s h e r g r a n d m o t h e r a s
supporting t h i s s t o r y ( H i s t o r i c a l S o c i e t y ) .

171
 A v i n e y a r d now d o t s t h e landscape o n S t . M i c h a e l ' s Manor- - a
f a r m n o w owned b y J o e a n d N a n c y D i c k . S h e e p g r a z e i n t h e
a d j o i n i n g f i e l d s . P u b l i c a t i o n s s t u d e n t s T i n a Welander ( L . )
and A n g e l a C o b l e n t z p o s e w i t h N a n c y D i c k ( R t . )

Produce f r o m f a r m s s u c h a s S t . M i c h a e l ' s M a n o r w a s a g r e a t s o u r c e o f p r i d e
f o r t h o s e who h a d a p a r t i n g r o w i n g i t . F a l l w a s a s p e c i a l t i m e f o r h a r v e s t i n g
and c e l e b r a t i o n s . F a m i l i e s w o u l d o f t e n g e t t o g e t h e r f o r s q u a r e d a n c e s , q u i l t i n g
bees, h o g k i l l i n g s a n d o t h e r s u c h a c t i v i t i e s e m a n a t i n g f r o m f a r m l i f e . T h e s e
were o f t e n f a m i l y a f f a i r s a n d r e l a t i v e s w o u l d g a t h e r t o w o r k a n d t o c e l e b r a t e .

Produce s u c h a s t h a t g r o w n a t S t . M i c h a e l ' s M a n o r w o u l d t h e n b e b r o u g h t t o
the f a i r t o b e a d m i r e d b y f r i e n d s , n e i g h b o r s a n d r e l a t i v e s . H o u s e w i v e s w o u l d
bring t h e i r j a r s o f f r e s h l y canned peaches, p e a r s , s t r i n g beans, p o r k t h e l i k e t o
compare w i t h j a r s c a n n e d b y o t h e r l o c a l w i v e s .

Such w a s t h e l i f e i n d a y s p a s t o n t h e f a r m s i n S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y - - a l i f e
that i s s l o w l y being a b s o r b e d b y development, h i g h t e c h i n d u s t r y and a computer
revolution.

172
Animal Antics

173
174
 Stop! Is That Food I Smell?
by Sharon Dunn and Clayton Hartley

My f e e t g o p i d d e r - p a d d e r , p i d d e r - p a d d e r ,
shuffling through the dust.
A l l o f a s u d d e n my b r a i n s h o u t s " S t o p ! " ,
and m y l e g s q u i t m o v i n g .

Wiggle, w i g g l e goes my n o s e ,
I s m e l l t h e s w e e t a r o m a o f c o t t o n c a n d y,
the s p i c y s c e n t o f t h e barbeque,
the s m e l l o f p o p c o r n , h o t d o g s , r o a s t e d p e a n u t s .

My s t o m a c h g r o w l s , a s a r e m i n d e r o f t h e n e a r n e s s o f l u n c h t i m e
I l i c k my l i p s i n a n t i c i p a t i o n o f s t r i n g s o f c h e e s e ,
s t r e t c h i n g t o my mouth f r o m a p e p p e r o n i p i z z a .

175
 Fair Food Junkie
by Julie Miles

Hunger s e t s i n , m y s t o m a c h g r o w l s l o u d l y
From t h e f r u i t f u l a r o m a s t h a t w h i s p t h r o u g h t h e a i r .
What t o e a t ? C o t t o n c a n d y, o y s t e r s , f u n n e l c a k e s
Candy a p p l e s , f r e s h f r e n c h f r i e s , o r p o s s i b l y a
Chewy c h o c o l a t e c h i p c o o k i e .
The p e a n u t s s m e l l h e a v e n l y, t h e p i z z a d i v i n e ,
Newly r o a s t e d h o t d o g s , d r e n c h e d i n c h i l i .
P l e a s e c a n I make t h e m a l l m i n e ?
An u p s e t s t o m a c h ? S t r a n g e l y , I d o n ' t c a r e ,
For I k n o w i t ' s a l l b e c a u s e I s p e n t t h e d a y
At t h e c o u n t y f a i r .

176
 Activities Year Round On The Grounds
by Karen Raley

The S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r g r o u n d s a r e used f o r m a n y a c t i v i t i e s o t h e r t h a n

the c o u n t y f a i r . O t h e r organizations sponsor competitions, c l i n i c s , a n d
festivals that t a k e place throughout the y e a r. The Humane S o c i e t y s p o n s o r s a
rabies c l i n i c , t h e S t . M a r y ' s Riding c l u b sponsors horse shows, and i n summers
past t h e l o c a l y o u t h g a t h e r e d f o r r o c k c o n c e r t s o n Saturday n i g h t s sponsored b y
A l l M u s i c ' s Yo u t h . M a n y o t h e r o r g a n i z a t i o n s s p o n s o r a c t i v i t i e s o n t h e g r o u n d s a s
well.

A major extravaganza which t a k e s place a n n u a l l y on the fairgrounds i s t h e

St. M a r y ' s County O y s t e r F e s t i v a l . T h e O y s t e r F e s t i v a l began i n 1967, w h e n t h e
Rotary Club w a s s t i l l a young c l u b l o o k i n g f o r a p r o j e c t i n which t h e e n t i r e
membership c o u l d i n v o l v e i t s e l f f o r t h e g o o d o f a l l c o n c e r n e d . S i n c e t h e n , t h e
f a i r g r o u n d p r o p e r t y h a s b e e n t h e home o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y O y s t e r F e s t i v a l .
A c c o r d i n g t o a r e c e n t summary i n t h e A p r i l 5 , 1 9 8 9 M e m o r a n d u m t o t h e S t . M a r y ' s
County C o m m i s s i o n e r s , t h e f e s t i v a l a t t r a c t s a n a v e r a g e o f 2 2 , 0 0 0 v i s i t o r s ' e a c h
y e a r.

Seventy t o e i g h t y p e r c e n t o f t h e v i s i t o r s come f r o m o u t s i d e t h e c o u n t y . S i x t e e n
l o c a l n o n - p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o t a l e d $145,000 o f n e t proceeds i n t h e p a s t f i v e
years, g r o s s r e c e i p t s t o t a l e d $485,000. T h i s i s a good example o f how o u r c o u n t y
has g r o w n a n d c h a n g e d s i n c e t h e i n c e p t i o n o f t h e f i r s t c o u n t y f a i r .

177
 The N a t i o n a l O y s t e r S h u c k i n g C h a m p i o n s h i p C o n t e s t i s a grand event a t t h e
f e s t i v a l . C o n t e s t a n t s come f r o m a l l o v e r t h e c o u n t r y .

TER SHUCK
MPIONSHI

M r. D a v i d S a y r e ( l o c a l w a t e r m a n a n d f o r m e r C o u n t y
Commissioner) i s t h e o f f i c i a l j u d g e . H e t e l l s t h e
amateur c o n t e s t a n t s t o " m a k e t h e m l o o k a s n i c e a s
you c a n . I k n o w y o u c a n ' t m a k e t h e m l o o k a s n i c e
as a p r o f e s s i o n a l , b u t m a k e t h e m l o o k n i c e e n o u g h
t o s e r v e t o s o m e b o d y. "

Prizes o f $150 and $300 g o t o t h e f i n a l i s t s w h o shuck 24 o y s t e r s w i t h a n emphasis

on " a p p e a r a n c e o v e r s h a d o w i n g r a w s p e e d " . T h e o v e r a l l w i n n e r becomes t h e N a t i o n a l
Champion a n d g e t s a n a l l - e x p e n s e t r i p t o I r e l a n d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e U . S . i n t h e
International Oyster S h u c k i n g Contest. A major a d d i t i o n t o t h e f e s t i v a l i s t h e
O y s t e r C o o k - O f f t h a t b e g a n i n 1 9 7 9 w h e n L u c y W i n g , t h e n F o o d E d i t o r o f Good
Housekeeping m a g a z i n e t o l d B u c k B r i s c o e o f t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y E c o n o m i c
Development C o m m i s s i o n t h a t w e n e e d e d a n o y s t e r c o o k i n g c o n t e s t ( O y s t e r F e s t i v a l
h i s t o r y b y E s l e y N. S c h w a r t z ) . I n a t y p i c a l y e a r 500 r e c i p e s f o r e n t r e e s ; soups
and s t e w s , a n d h o r s d ' o e u v r e s a r e r e c e i v e d f r o m a p p r o x i m a t e l y 3 0 s t a t e s . W i n n e r s
receive p r i z e s w o r t h up t o $500. ( S e e r e c i p e n e x t page)

178
 Fiesta Oyster 'N' Corn Chowder Ole
Shirley De Santis, E. Windsor, N.J.

1 q u a r t ( 4 cups) m i l k
1 package ( 3 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1 can (15 o r 16 ounces) cream- s t y l e c o r n
6 s t r i p s bacon, d i c e d
1 o n i o n , chopped
4 medium p o t a t o e s , c o o k e d , p e e l e d , d i c e d
1 c a n ( 4 ounces) chopped green c h i l i e s , d r a i n e d , d i v i d e d
1/2 t e a s p o o n s e a s o n e d s a l t
1/8 t e a s p o o n c a y e n n e p e p p e r
1 q u a r t Maryland s e l e c t o y s t e r s
1/2 c u p d a i r y s o u r c r e a m

Place m i l k i n l a r g e s a u c e p a n a n d s l o w l y b r i n g t o a b o i l ; l o w e r h e a t . A d d
cream c h e e s e c u b e s a n d c o r n . C o o k , s t i r r i n g o f t e n , o v e r l o w h e a t , u n t i l c r e a m
cheese h a s m e l t e d . R e s e r v e .

In s m a l l s k i l l e t cook bacon and o n i o n u n t i l bacon i s c r i s p ; d r a i n o f f excess

bacon f a t a n d d i s c a r d .

Add b a c o n , o n i o n a n d p o t a t o e s t o m i l k m i x t u r e . R e s e r v e 2 t o 3 t e a s p o o n s
green c h i l i e s f o r t o p p i n g . A d d r e m a i n i n g g r e e n c h i l i e s t o m i l k m i x t u r e a l o n g
w i t h seasoned s a l t a n d cayenne p e p p e r. H e a t t h r o u g h . T a s t e ; a d j u s t s e a s o n i n g s ,
i f n e c e s s a r y.

Drain Maryland s e l e c t o y s t e r s ; a d d t o h o t soup and c o o k , j u s t u n t i l edge o f

oysters c u r l .

Ladle soup/chowder i n t o b o w l s . T o p e a c h s e r v i n g w i t h a dollop o f sour

cream; s c a t t e r r e s e r v e d c h i l i e s o v e r s o u r c r e a m . E n j o y .

Yield: S e r v e s 6 t o 8 .

The 9 t h a n n u a l N a t i o n a l O y s t e r C o o k - o f f w i n n e r f o r 1 9 8 8
was S h i r l e y D e S a n t i s o f E a s t W i n d s o r , N e w J e r s e y .
De S a n t i s w o n $ 1 , 1 2 5 a n d a s i l v e r t r a y f o r h e r t a s t y
chowder.

Entertainment has continued t o bloom a t t h e f e s t i v a l as p u b l i c i t y increases.

Local and s t a t e newspapers a l o n g w i t h t e l e v i s i o n programs h a v e h i g h l i g h t e d t h e
c o n t e s t s a n d e x h i b i t s o n c e a g a i n p u t t i n g S t . M a r y ' s o n t h e map.

179
180
 X AV E R I A N B R O T H E R S
MOUNT SAINT JOSEPH COLLEGE
4 4 0 9 F R E D E R I C K AV E N U E
BALTI MORE 2 9 . M A R Y L A N D

See Article Pages 8 - 12

/7.lo;4)-1-171-Th,4
I W -

77A,
4z.2.222

cLe./ezi r e t i Z e .

;d--70A-06A4J-f,C./wyt
ye/4.(zifialatAz a , e 4 / & 101/141/
0 - / r )
7 1 f , t 4 d a p z a r. . e .

a . 0 4 0 6 , t )

c v i A l - d e l ? / v < / o t e r n - t . V e 4 i l t , P 7 v t / zYLv 1 . & 7 - -7?)//

cL7vsifiz t C / 4 / .

arrt.c6 6/-uc - c c , & t R -z/a4G6 - 11 - 6 - " - 4 Z ' -3Cit'dt

a c o f V 7 , d x ; 2 , t AL ` 'r V ' t / / e t z d V I ' v ' t 7 t 4 oitts2,c4<

roL / 7 /,3 t i L L , _ 4 - e - 4 0 - - d 4 G 1 4 A 2 . 0 d -E) 0_,64 , , e '

7
-4-cc7;47.,1 ,.(//-a.; J ---/c4. g A - a - 4 4
e 4 c t &
A.;l6J %z-zi-,:cea4
_ _ _ _ _ _ a- c ( , ' 0 - 1 , r /--61/a_/ V

,e1 , / a / 3 -t-06 - 1 - , - a -C L - 7 , u/eJzX, _ ? _ & o , t , e , 7 4 Z -e/

181
 X AV E R I A N S R O T H E R S
M O U N T SAgNT JOSEPH C O L L E G E
4 4 0 3 FREDER/CK AV E N U E

B A LT I M O R E : 2 R . I V I A R Y L A N D

T.tv&
O d e i , a A j C ; / , 0 1 ( 1 . 9 ( r a p

a t , t , c 6 / 6 . , 6 4 } t , C A 5 X J U A I " e P A d A ' t t r e 7

9t a i d i ; s i , - - z z n / / 4 - - 4 1 a 2ce,a,t,)6 / 7 f 7 r

6-4.) _ i 4 4 " i t 4 cZe-actie,

7jtw JA4 ats-LeZ1.<JGec;zq c 2 , / a J
) 4 . 0 ; z 7 0 , 1 / 0 , IL,w-;6 / 1 . " Z t a'rAc L i e <

ofzi-aAeL ,2412 cZvtec,&Z d q / ) / 7 / 7 crt/ 2 8 : a - , 1 4 di-ed

_fLatc605447, /kon4d Z i L f .

d64-cxeza1 /0-neAvi-avf/i) - d e

Xe - h " * C 4 4 / 1 2 4 4 . 4 1 1 726-Ze;t) , o c r o r - 4 ,

a a x . T e c i e L A I i n , 6 s 4 0 , 1

-IrtOwl.& 7 1 ; 1 . / , 4 A S . d 2 1 r - )

44eVe-e,4,
7_e444.4,fr/z,ce.,;, . , 4
& CZ/z./, /414.1,22:1'4. ( % e

(1, l e e - - f A / - 4 Z t 4 a e k
o & , 2 3 e c r i ; i C a > 4 0 ; . 7 , - o G a - 2 , 1 / 711-a-divn)

JJA41-4;e1.,,v,a4, d z i ; t ffal/t//
d4E., Z 1 2 4 ,
. deZti aiirze
ic;
i7Y4eJ
16v-t---fer(fed-rzd
c.;Px
182
Photography Credits: Art Credits:
Tom B u r k e Sharon D u n n
Elwood C u s i c Brian Nevala
Henry F o w l e r , J r . Karen R a l e y
Suzanne H e n d e r s o n
James a n d H a r r i e t F o r r e s t
A l Gough, J r .
Claude J a r b o e
Robert J a r b o e
Sue N a v a l a
Myra R a s p a
John a n d A n n R i c h a r d s
St. M a r y ' s County F a i r Board

Board of Directors (1990)

John R i c h a r d s , P r e s i d e n t
J. Elwood C u s i c , V i c e P r e s i d e n t
J. MaGuire M a t t i n g l y, J r . , T r e a s u r e r
Rayetta McWilliams, Recording S e c r e t a r y
Mary M . P f e i f f , F a i r S e c r e t a r y
Agnes B i r c h
Tom C l a r k
James F o r r e s t
W i l l y Goddard
Suzanne H e n d e r s o n
W i l l i a m G. H o l l e y
Charles S a s s c e r, J r .
N o r r i s Shepherd
James R . Owens
Philip Scriber
Theresa S t e r l i n g
Robert Lee Tr o s s b a c h
Lloyd Cusic (Honorary)
Franklin Hewitt (Honorary)
John S l a d e I I I ( F a i r A t t o r n e y )

183
Past Presidents Of St. Mary's County Fair
And Dates Served

Major General H. C . D a v i d s o n 1947-1948

Henry J . F o w l e r 1949-1951
J. S . M a t t i n g l y 1952-1954
Lester M a t t i n g l y 1955
Richard L . S t o u t 1956
C. L . L e e 1957-1958
John S . M a t t i n g l y 1959-1960
Robert H . Thompson 1961-1966
Anna S . J o h n s o n 1967-1968
Hazel Madsen 1969-1970
Glenn W. Wo o d , J r . 1971-1974
J. R i c h a r d M a t t i n g l y 1975-1976
Howard A . L a n c a s t e r 1977-1978
James R . Owens 1979-1981
Franklin Hewitt 1982-1983
John L. Richards 1984-

At., q t A 3 9 0

1947 -48 Board of Directors

(First Board of Directors of Current Fair)
Howard C . D a v i d s o n
Susan P. G r e e n w e l l
Heath S t e e l e
Frank D. Hayden
Roland B . D u k e , S r .
John H . B r i s c o e
Compton Swann
Daniel H. Davis
John F . G a r d i n e r
Lela C. S t r i c k l a n d
Julia Cuniberti
L e t t y M. D e n t
Joseph M . M a t t i n g l y
Leon G r e e n w e l l
Henry J . F o w l e r , S r .

184
 Fair Committee 1990
AGRICULTURE N o r r i s Shepherd JOUSTING H e n r y J . F o w l e r, J r .
Betty Shepherd Phil Clark
Bill Bartlett LAMBS R o b e r t Tr o s s b a c h
ART N a n c y Glenn LIVESTOCK E l w o o d Cusic
BABY SHOW N a n c y Wolfe LIVESTOCK SALES E l w o o d C u s i c
BEER STAND ( C h a i r ) To m C l a r k Neal Boyden
Tim Wa t h e n John R i c h a r d s
BIKE RODEO J a m e s Farrell Tommy B i g g s
CATALOG A n n Richards Tim Wa t h e n
CATTLE E l w o o d Cusic Larry L u t t r e l l
Frank Tr o s s b a c h Eddie B o w l i n g
CERAMICS B a r b a r a Allston MAINTENANCE ( C h a i r ) P h i l i p S c r i b e r
CRAFTS J e a n Frost & GROUNDS N o r r i s Shepherd
DRAFT HORSE PULLING R o y Guy R i c h a r d Owens
Robert Tr o s s b a c h Tim Wa t h e n
Jennings Anderson Franklin Hewitt
FARM MUSEUM A l Dillow OUTSIDE SPACE A g n e s Birch
B i l l Clements PARADE ( C h a i r ) S u z a n n e H e n d e r s o n
FLOWER SHOW M r s . R o b e r t Thompson PERSONNEL J a m e s Owens
4-H CLUBS & F FA J e a n C. Dean PET SHOW J o e Ridgell
GATES L i o n s Club POULTRY J o h n Campbell
GENERAL MANAGER J a m e s Owens PUBLICITY ( C h a i r ) R a y e t t a M c W i l l i a m s
B i l l Holley /PROGRAM Elwood C u s i c
GOATS J e a n i e Rowell QUEEN OF TOLERANCE PAGEANT
HOBBIES B e t h Fedasz ( C h a i r ) Theresa S t e r l i n g
HOGS R o b e r t Tr o s s b a c h Marion S t e r l i n g
HOME ARTS L o u i s e Dean SCHOOLS Linda P a t t o n
HORSE SHOWS M a r y Wood SPEECH CONTEST Bernard Johnson
Bobby L i n d s l e y TROPHIES Rayetta McWilliams
INSIDE SPACE R a y e t t a M c W i l l i a m s

Maryland Agricultural Fair Board (1990)

P h i l i p Brendel, Chairman
Joseph F r e e , V i c e C h a i r m a n
Wa l t e r Buck I I I , S e c r e t a r y
F r a n k Downey
John B a r t o n
Edna W h i t e
Joy G . S c h w a b
John R i c h a r d s
Chrine M. B l o o m , E x e c u t i v e S e c r e t a r y

185
 Acknowledgements

We owe o u r t h a n k s t o m a n y, m a n y p e o p l e f o r h e l p i n g t o make t h i s s p e c i a l

project a success. I t has taken u n t o l d h o u r s , d a y s , a n d m o n t h s o f research

before w e c o u l d g o t o press. W e w o u l d l i k e t o t h a n k M r. D w i g h t C h a k a l e s ,

p r i n c i p a l o f Leonardtown High School f o r a l l o w i n g t h e s t a f f and s p o n s o r t h e t i m e

necessary t o complete s u c h a n u n d e r t a k i n g . M u c h o f t h e w o r k f o r t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n

took p l a c e o u t o f t h e c l a s s r o o m . S t u d e n t s a n d s p o n s o r, b y n e c e s s i t y, m e t w i t h

people a l l o v e r S t . M a r y ' s , C a l v e r t a n d C h a r l e s C o u n t i e s t o r e s e a r c h o r a l h i s t o r y

never b e f o r e r e c o r d e d . O u r t h a n k s t o a l l t h o s e w o n d e r f u l v o l u n t e e r s who g a v e o f

t h e i r t i m e t o spend hours w i t h us g o i n g o v e r f a c t s and i n f o r m a t i o n .

Our s p e c i a l t h a n k s a r e e x t e n d e d t o J o h n a n d A n n R i c h a r d s ( J o h n h a s b e e n F a i r

Board P r e s i d e n t f o r s e v e n y e a r s a n d i s s t i l l s e r v i n g i n t h a t capacity a t this

w r i t i n g ) whose p h o n e was c o n s t a n t l y r i n g i n g due t o t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n . T h e y were

gracious and never s a i d t h e y w e r e t o o b u s y t o help u s i n our quest for

information.

There a r e o t h e r s w h o a l s o d e s e r v e s p e c i a l r e c o g n i t i o n f o r t h e i r d e d i c a t i o n

to o u r cause. E l w o o d C u s i c h a s s p e n t h o u r s and d a y s w i t h u s i d e n t i f y i n g p e o p l e

i n p h o t o g r a p h s a n d r e - l i v i n g t h e f a i r h i s t o r y f o r u s ( E l w o o d remembers t h e f a i r

f r o m i t s e a r l y b e g i n n i n g s i n 1 9 4 7 - - e v e n b u i l t t h e f i r s t l o a d i n g c h u t e a t Camp

Calvert). W e are deeply indebted t o him.

Without Suzanne H e n d e r s o n ' s p a t i e n c e a n d w i l l i n g n e s s t o h e l p u s s e e k o u t t h e

f a c t s a n d t r a c k down i n f o r m a t i o n a n d p h o t o g r a p h s , t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n w o u l d n o t b e

as c o m p r e h e n s i v e . H e r p h o t o g r a p h s a n d a c c u r a t e a c c o u n t s o f d a y s p a s t h a v e b e e n

i n v a l u a b l e t o u s . O t h e r s who m a d e o u r l i v e s e a s i e r w e r e B i l l H o l l e y , MaGuire

M a t t i n g l y , R a y e t t a M c W i l l i a m s , J a m e s Owens, B e r n a r d J o h n s o n , H e a t h S t e e l e ( w h o s e

h a n d w r i t t e n l e t t e r s u p p l i e d u s w i t h much n e e d e d h i s t o r y s u r r o u n d i n g t h e o r i g i n o f

the c u r r e n t f a i r ) , C l a u d e a n d R o b e r t J a r b o e , H e n r y F o w l e r , J r . ( w h o w a s e v e r s o

186
h e l p f u l w i t h h i s t o r i c a l f a c t s a n d c a t a l o g u e s ) , N e a l Boyden, A n n D r u r y, B e t t y

Ta y l o r , M a r y W o o d ( h o r s e s h o w c h a i r p e r s o n ) , J o h n L a n c a s t e r , J a m e s a n d H a r r i e t

F o r r e s t , a n d Te r e s a S t e r l i n g ( Q u e e n o f To l e r a n c e C h a i r p e r s o n ) .

S p e c i a l t h a n k s a l s o t o A l Gough, J r . w h o l e d u s t o t h e L e o n a r d H a l l t i e s t o

the 1912 f a i r a n d t o J o s e p h M a t t i n g l y , J r . ( a n d R e t i r e d J u d g e J o s e p h M a t t i n g l y ,

S r . ) w h o s e g r a n d f a t h e r w a s a p a r t i c i p a n t a n d w i n n e r many t i m e s o v e r i n t h e 1 9 1 2 -

1914 f a i r s a t L e o n a r d H a l l .

A v e r y s p e c i a l t h a n k s t o George K l e a r o f The P r i n t i n g P r e s s f o r h i s p a t i e n c e

and h i s w i l l i n g n e s s t o w o r k w i t h u s a n d o u r d e a d l i n e s a s w e p l u n g e d d e e p e r a n d

deeper i n t o o u r r e s e a r c h a n d t o o k m o r e a n d m o r e o f h i s t i m e . T h a n k s also to

Mary A n n C h a s e n who t y p e d t h e f i n a l d r a f t f o r u s a n d w h o a l l o w e d u s t o i n t e r r u p t

her l i f e d a y a n d n i g h t f o r t w o weeks a s we s t r o v e f o r p e r f e c t i o n .

A s p e c i a l t h a n k s t o D r . S a l v a t o r e Raspa f o r h i s p a t i e n c e a s h i s w i f e , M y r a

(The P u b l i c a t i o n s s p o n s o r / t e a c h e r i n charge o f t h i s project) spent countless

weekends, h o l i d a y s , a n d t w o s u m m e r s w o r k i n g o n t h e publication instead of

spending t h a t t i m e w i t h h e r f a m i l y .

Thanks a l s o g o o u t t o t h e S t . M a r y ' s C o u n t y F a i r B o a r d f o r h e l p i n g u s f u n d

the p r o j e c t . W e s i n c e r e l y hope t h e y a r e p l e a s e d w i t h our efforts and will

c h e r i s h t h e memories we have p r e s e r v e d f o r a l l t i m e .

Words c a n n o t b e g i n t o e x p r e s s o u r g r a t i t u d e t o t h e c o u n t l e s s v o l u n t e e r s w h o

not o n l y h e l p e d u s w i t h i n f o r m a t i o n f o r t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n , b u t who f o r y e a r s h a v e

trudged t h r o u g h t h e mud, w o r k e d t i r e l e s s l y , g i v e n c o m p l e t e l y o f t h e m s e l v e s a n d

s a c r i f i c e d - - o f t e n - - t h e i r p r i v a t e l i v e s t o make o u r c o u n t y f a i r t h e s u c c e s s t h a t

i t i s t o d a y. W e h a v e t r u l y come f u l l t e r m w i t h v o l u n t e e r i s m i n t h e " L a n d o f

Pleasant L i v i n g " .

187
 Fair Daze
by Beth Alton

I move t h r o u g h t h e g a t e , g l a n c e a r o u n d ,
Ready t o s t a r t m y t o u r .
I ' m w a l k i n g i n t h e f o o t s t e p s made
Several y e a r s b e f o r e .
The a n i m a l s s t i l l l o o k t h e s a m e .
They're making noises t o o .
Clucking chickens, p i g s t h a t s q u e a l ,
And c o w s , o h h o w t h e y m o o .
Displays o f a r t s and c r a f t s and such,
Are l o o k e d u p o n b y a l l .
Canned g o o d s a n d p u m p k i n s i g n i f y
That s o o n t o come i s f a l l .
Rich aromas f i l l t h e a i r ,
My s t o m a c h s t a r t s t o g r o w l .
I sure would l i k e a f u n n e l cake
And r o a s t e d p e a n u t s n o w.
Suddenly b e f o r e me s t a n d s
A carnival of fun.
This new p a r t o f t h e c o u n t y f a i r
Is d i f f i c u l t t o shun.
Children w i t h great s m i l i n g faces
Ride t h e c a r o u s e l .
"Mom a n d D a d , l o o k a t m e ! "
How g a i l y t h e y d o y e l l .
I t u r n a r o u n d , r e t r a c e my s t e p s ;
I pause t o s t o p and s t a r e .
Until next year farewell t o thee- -
St. M a r y ' s County F a i r .

188
 Matthew Olson Sara Jenkins
Clayton Hartley
Elizabeth Alton
Amy Quinlan Andrew Stone
Karen Raley

Contributing - Publications
Class of 1988 - 1989
Angela Coblentz Brian Nevala
Sharon Dunn Karen Raley
Kimberly Kliner Andrew Stone
Julie Miles Christina Welander

Sponsor/Teacher - Myra Raspa

 Photo courtesy of Al Gough, Jr.
From Left to Right: Dr. Charles Hayden (Leonardtown dentist); Father b o o k s and also was one of the originators of the Cardinal Gibbons High School
Lawrence Kelly, S.J.; unidentified; Mattingly Swann. Foreground: Father i n Ridge, MD; three boys (unidentified); and boy (far right) last name is Love.
John La Farge (sitting), author of America, The Manor is Ordinary and other O x cart entry at St. Mary's County Fair (1913- 1914) held at Leonard Hall.
 DollarScan

ldollarscan.com (zLibro, Inc.)

1590 Oakland Rd. B105,
San Jose, CA 95131

I agree with the following things:

I) I am using ldollarscan.com services based on my own

request.

2) I agree to Terms and Conditions at ldollarscan.com,

http://1dollarscan.com/terms.php and my use of
ldollarscan's services will be within the scope of the Fair
Use Policy (http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html).
Otherwise, meet at least one of the following;

a) I am the copyright holder of this content.

b) I have the permission from copyright owner.

3) I understand that ldollarscan shall have no liability to

me or any third party with respect to their services.

This sheet should be inserted at the last page of each file generated by
ldollarscan.com scanning services.
 ,t.. r :