Dip ladies mix spices with humor
The Chics-n-Dip booth, one of the new vendors in the Commercial Building this year, was a popular stopping point for many fair visitors Thursday afternoon.
The Pulaski company, owned by Nora Scray and Jen Rhoades, makes gourmet dips, meat rubs and bread mixes. The dips brought a satisfying smile to many visitors, who also seemed to get a kick out of the owners’ penchant for interesting names for their products.
The zesty dips, for example, include I’m Too Sexy for My Beer Belly (beer dip), Always Kiss Me Goodnight (garlic), Shake Your Ta-Ta-Tomatoes (salsa) and I Bacon Your Pardon (bacon). On the sweet side, Chics-n-Dip offers Pucker Up and Kiss Me (lemonade cheesecake), I Love You a Whole Choc-o-lot (chocolate) and Will You Strawberry Me (strawberry) and others.
The owners say the zesty best-seller is The Villain (spicy chili-cheese and beer) while The Love Affair (white chocolate caramel) tops the sweet list.
Good as new after quick fix
Dale Hodkiewicz, president of the Shawano County Agricultural Society, was called on to do some quick maintenance Thursday evening when a brace broke on a bleacher at the Coliseum right in the middle of the beef show. No one was hurt.
“It was on the part they put their feet on when they step down,” he said.
Hodkiewicz, who was already tooling around the grounds on his scooter taking care of the usual myriad things that come with running the annual fair, arrived on scene with a handful of tools and went to work.
A new piece of iron, a few holes drilled, and the problem was all fixed and bolted down. Meanwhile, the beef show continued without interruption.
Randy Wright’s in the house
A life-size cutout of Sheriff Randy Wright takes center stage in a Commercial Building booth where friends were recruiting supporters for his write-in campaign in the November election. The cutout towered over Wright himself as he sat at the table with supporters for awhile Thursday afternoon.
Wright lost the Republican primary earlier this month to Shawano police officer Adam Bieber but announced he would try to retain his seat as a write-in candidate. Joining Bieber on the Nov. 4 ballot is Independent candidate Lucas Christenson, of Shawano.
As he left the building, Wright stopped and chatted up workers at the Democratic Party booth, as well.
Ready to saddle up
About 45 4-H members are ready to show off their horses this weekend at the horse arena at the Crawford Center.
“The horses are looking good this year,” said John Arens, a member of the Shawano County Agricultural Society board of directors.
Events start with a trail class from 3-7 p.m. Friday. The open class horse show on Saturday will include dressage and jumping.
“We haven’t had jumping for open class horses, so it’s bound to be good treat for people to see,” Arens said.
Bit of everything under 1 roof
The Commercial Building again this year 0ffers an interesting mix of distractions for fairgoers who need a break from animals, rides and shows.
The displays, which share space with Living World crafts, arts and antiques, feature the conventional home improvement and landscaping businesses, as well as some vendors with offerings as diverse as vintage toy tractors, photography, pain bracelets, free Bibles and much, much more. There’s ice cream there, too.
Brad Luepke, promotions and marketing manager for the Shawano County Agricultural Society, said new vendors setting up show during the six-day fair this year include Serenity Gardens Assisted Living, Costco, Chics-n-Dips, Old Glory Candy, L’Bri, Reisner Insurance, Randsom Entertainment, Shawano-Menominee County Health Department and Gadget Gurus/Junction Media.
Junction Media, owned by Paul Spiegel, was showing videos from the fair on a monitor at the stand it shares with Gadget Gurus. The videography company does work for commercial customers, weddings, advertising, etc. Gadget Gurus, meanwhile, focuses heavily on phone, tablet and computer repairs and set-ups, according to owners Jonathan Carlson and Matt Golie.
All quiet on the EMS front
EMS personnel from several communities, including Navarino, Pella, Belle Plaine, Cecil and others, have been on hand, ready to handle any medical emergencies at the fair.
Luckily, they haven’t anything serious to do with so far, but one injury was reported Wednesday when a man’s foot was run over by a vehicle that turned to go through one of the gates. The injury was reported to be minor.
Last year, the biggest issue for EMS personnel were bee stings. So far this year, the bees have stayed away, possibly thanks to a little cooler weather.
Odds ‘n’ ends
SWEET SPOT: An enterprising youth could pick up as much candy making the rounds in the Commercial Building as on Halloween. Licorice, gum, hard candy, suckers, pops … all for free.
FAVORITE BUSINESS NAME: Git-R-On the Wall Taxidermy
GOP 17, DEMS 1: The Shawano County Republicans booth had photos of 17 candidates and officials decorating its walls. The Shawano County Democrats had one - Mary Burke. The Dems did a much better job outlining their platform, however, with signs showing they want good-paying jobs, clean air, Medicare, drinkable water and Social Security.
OVERHEARD: “I’m getting full,” from young fairgoer munching on cheese curds.
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