July 19, 2004

Sunol's 4-H made a terrific showing at the Alameda County Fair this year. A big thank you goes to 4-H reporter Gabrielle Gilbert for keeping track of all the award winners.
Jessica Crawford won 2nd place in Swine Showmanship and because of a technicality with the 1st place winner, Jessica moved into Advanced Master Showmanship. Mike Brunicardi won 7th place and Danielle Scroggins won 9th place for Swine Showmanship for age 13 to 15 class. Jeff Clark won 7th place for Swine Showmanship in the age 16 and up class. Frank Imhoff won 2nd place and Shane Schvaneveldt, 12th place for Swine Showmanship for age 11-12 class.
Amanda Hoxie won1st place and Gabrielle Gilbert won 2nd place for the Livestock Skillathon. Amanda Hoxie won 2nd place, Brittany Harper won 4th place and Gabrielle Gilbert won 5th place for the Horse Skillathon. Amanda Hoxie was also awarded high point for the Skillathons. Mrs. Adrienne Hoxie won 1st place in horse and 2nd place in livestock and Mrs. Gina Nelson won 2nd place in horse and 5th place in livestock for the adult Skillathons
The Sunol 4-H Beef group earned 1st place in "Clean Pen", the Sheep group earned 2nd place and the Swine group earned 3rd place. Sunol 4-H was awarded 1st place for "Over-all Clean Pen". The Beef group was also awarded 1st place for having the best-decorated beef area.
Luke Donovan received a $25 gift certificate to JE Higgins Lumber for student recognition and Nicole and Andrew Nelson received $15 certificates for woodworking.
Nicole Nelson received 1st place in English Equestrian, Pleasure and Halter/Hack in the horse show division that was actually on May 9th. Nicole also received Champion Highpoint and in western pleasure won 1st place, trail 2nd place and reserve high point buckle. In the age 9-10 showmanship class Andrew Nelson received a 1st place buckle, 5th place for Halter Gelding and 7th place for western walk/Jog.
Gabrielle said, "To me, everyone in Sunol 4-H is a winner! Everyone works hard through out the year and its always a team effort no matter what project your in. We couldn't have done any of it with out our 4-H leaders or our parents, or the support of our community."

I must mention two more Sunolians (that I know of) who made a big impact showing amateur gardening in the garden produce category of the Fair and that's Pat and Jim O'Laughlin. I've been told that their garden is amazing. Of course, most of the vegetables were judged early and not available for me to see but I did get a chance to see two of Jim's vegetable centerpieces which won a 1st place each. Jim was also a winner for his onions, tomatoes, potatoes and walnuts. And in my favorite category, Monstrosity Vegetables, Jim's giant-sized Torpedo Onions won 2nd place. Overall Jim won Best of Show, nine 1st place blue ribbons, seven 2nd place ribbons and four 3rd place ribbons. Wife Pat won two 1st place ribbons for her flowers and this was her first year showing at the fair.

The Sunol Bocce group meets this Thursday evening at the Sunol Depot Gardens Park. For more information contact Tom Harland at 925-862-2915.

The Niles Canyon Railway is offering train rides to the public as a fundraising effort for the Sunol Business Guild, which in turn uses the funds to support local organizations such as the Boy Scouts, the Sunol 4-H, and Sunol Glen School. A portion of the funds raised also go towards park maintenance and park operating expenses. Come out and support your local organizations this Saturday by taking a train ride at 11:30 and 1:30. The cost is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and $4 for children 3-12 yrs old.

Kevin Matlock invites all to join the drumming group, which meets this Sunday at the Little Brown Church from 6:30 - 7:30. Call Lina Owsley at 925-862-2004 for more information.