By: James Pruitt
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
Two longtime volunteers for the Williams County Fair Foundation were recognized for their many years of service April 14.
The group presented potted flowers to Janet Follett and Jean Darby who each put in 32 years of service. The pair were part of the group that reenergized the foundation in the early 80s to build the Gillette Building.
The foundation was formed in 1974 by seven men who led a fundraising campaign to build new grandstands. The mortgage for the effort was paid off in 1979.
In other business, Fair Board member Chuck Wallace asked the foundation to remove its locks from the Gillette Building so fair board officials can allow people who have rented the facility to have access. Wallace said he wanted to show a woman who was going to have a reception the facility, but could not because the locks were different from the fair board’s keys.
Fair Foundation officials said they have used the space to store their property and since they installed the kitchenette, they thought they owned it.
Foundation President John McDonald reviewed the last fish fry and noted the group sold all 250 pounds. Another fish fry is coming up later this month.
The gun shows proved popular this year.
The maple syrup festival is not a fundraiser, McDonald said. The purpose of the event is educational. Only the foundation and the maple syrup groups will see any money from a split of the profits.
The event is popular with 1,400 plates sold in 2015 and about 1,700 plates this year.
“It’s not a huge success at $5 a plate,” McDonald said. “It’s an education program not a fundraiser.”
James Pruitt may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com