Newton County Fair Queen Contestants at Kentland Rotary

Five of the twelve contestants competing for the title of Miss Newton County Fair visited the Monday noon luncheon meeting of the Kentland Rotary Club.  Those attending were (l to r) Courtney Rainford, Mandi Olson, Kayla Leach, Shelby Crone and Shay Britzke.  The young ladies have been meeting every Friday since the last Friday in May preparing for the Queen competition with the guidance of Amanda Shedrow and Sara Conn, both former Miss Newton County Fair Queens. 

The competition will take place on Monday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. at the Newton County Fair Grandstand.  Contestants compete in several events: Interview, Professional wear and evening Gown.  Poise, ability to converse and stage presence are among the evaluated skills. Miss Newton County 2012 will receive a $1000 scholarship from the Newton County Fair Association.  She will also receive the use of a car for the fair week from Emerson-Sondgerath Chevrolet Buick in Kentland, and of course, a trip to Indianapolis to compete for the title of Miss Indiana State Fair.  

At Monday's meeting the Queen candidates introduced themselves and fielded questions from club members.  They also had questions of their own for Club members.  One such question was, " What does the Rotary Club do?"  It was a question that Rotarians proudly and gladly answer.  Rotary International is a service club ---- the first of its kind founded over 100 years ago in Chicago.  Rotary's main objective is service---in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe.  The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up the more than 34,400 Rotary Clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self.  

Rotary's most significant success story is its effort to eradicate polio worldwide.  Presently there are only three remaining polio-endemic countries----Nigeria, Pakistan  and Afghanistan.  Since it is possible to eradicate the crippling disease of Polio for good, Rotary International is determined to continue its efforts. 

Locally, the annual truck raffle has been the club's most successful project.  The proceeds of the raffle go to help students graduating from South Newton and area adults to achieve their educational goals.  This last year $4,500 was awarded to adults, and the graduating high school seniors received $7,000 in scholarship aid. Since 1994 the Kentland Rotary Club has given away a grand total of $155,600 in scholarships.  The success of the raffle can be attributed largely to very generous local support.  

The Kentland Rotary Club (photo) with the faithful support of Emerson-Sondgerath, Inc. is now raffling a 2012 Chevrolet pick-up truck to replenish its scholarship fund.  Discounted raffle tickets will again be on sale at the Pun' kin Vine Fair.  Purchase a ticket, and you will have a chance to win a 2012 Chevrolet pick-up truck or $20,000 cash or other smaller prizes.  The winners names will be drawn at the Kentland Bank on Monday, September 3, 2012 at 12:00 noon.  Only 450 tickets will be sold.  Be sure to get yours soon.