WELLINGTON — Nearly twice as many contestants are vying for the title of Lorain County Horse King and Horse Queen this year as last, even with the months of hard work and a nerve-wracking public-speaking test.

Skye Reid, 17, of Wellington

“I don’t really like doing speeches, and I was really nervous,” said 14-year-old contestant Christina Lehane. The speech contest, held in May, is the first hurdle to clear in a bid for the crown.

Public speaking was mentioned a lot by the contestants, but all agreed it’s an important skill to master.

“A lot of my 4-H members urged me to do it,” said 14-year-old contestant Cheyanne Holt. “They think it’ll help because I’m not into the public speaking, so they’re trying to help me be more outgoing.”

Will she compete again next year knowing what to expect?

Angela Gorka, 18, of Sheffield

Bethany O'Connor

“Yeah, probably,” Cheyanne said. “It is definitely a lot of work, but I think it does help me with public speaking. I really am not into it. The more you do it, the easier it does get. Overall, I enjoyed the competition. The interview I thought was going to be scary, but it ended up being a lot of fun.”

The next hurdle was the written essay in June. The topic was easy for Christina to pick.

“I wrote about my experiences with horseback riding and how I learn from it,” she said. “I had two horses before Braid, and I wrote about them and I wrote about my experiences with her.”

Cassie Lampe, 16, of Wakeman

Cheyanne Holt, 14, of Columbia Township

A written test in July quizzed contestants about their motivation for seeking the crown as well as questions about the grooming and care of horses.

The contestants were then evaluated on etiquette during a dinner complete with more questions and the scores of those were added to the fifth category — showing — to determine the winner.

“It’s not based on popularity —you work hard for it,” said 17-year-old contestant Skye Reid.

The kids show their horses all summer and this competition was one way to get to know each other.

Christine Lehane, 14, of Columbia Township

Aaron Sterk, 16, of Wakeman

That camaraderie may be the most important thing the six Horse Queen contestants and Aaron Sterk, the lone Horseman contestant, take away from this experience.

“It’s been fun and a great experience,” said 15-year-old Bethany O’Connor. “It’s allowed me to get to know a lot of the people I show (horses) with better.”

All of the contestants are long-time 4-H Club members.

“It’s helping me with public speaking and interviews, just being more comfortable talking to people,” Skye said. “4-H helps with leadership, communication skills, responsibility. When you hold offices in your club and stuff like that, 4-H can do a lot of things for you down the road. It’s a good outside school activity to be involved in.”

Horse Queen and Horseman of the year will be crowned on Monday at the county fairgrounds and will march in the Junior Fair Parade on Thursday.

Horse Queen contestants

• Christine Lehane, 14. of Columbia Township, freshman at Columbia High School, daughter of Lauren and Mike Lehane.
• Cheyanne Holt, 14, of Columbia Township, freshman at Columbia High School, daughter of Chris and Ron Holt.
• Bethany O’Connor, 15, of Penfield Township, junior at Open Door Christian High School, daughter of Pat and Tony O’Connor.
• Cassie Lampe, 16, of Wakeman, junior at Firelands High School, daughter of Jeannie and Ed Lampe.
• Skye Reid, 17, of Wellington, senior at Keystone High School, daughter of Dawn and Rich Reid.
• Angela Gorka, 18, of Sheffield, graduate of Brookside High School, daughter of Karen and Mike Gorka.

Horseman contestant

• Aaron Sterk, 16, of Wakeman, junior at Firelands High School, son of Shelly and John Sterk.

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastellI@chroniclet.com.

WELLINGTON — Four girls and four boys are vying for a $1,000 college scholarship and the title of Lorain County Junior Fair Queen and King. The winners will be announced at noon Monday at the pavilion behind the grandstands at the county fairgrounds.

Four girls — Victoria Colella, Amanda Price, Madalyn McMinn and Rebecca Burgdorf — are the contestants for queen.
Price, 18, of Wellington, said agriculture is in her blood.

“I could be in Girl Scouts or 4-H. I really loved animals and being outdoors,” so her choice was simple, she said.

Raising sheep since she was young, Price has experience breeding and selling the animals at auction. She plans to attend The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster to study livestock science and specializing in Angus beef and sheep.

“Not as many kids are coming back to family farms (after college) to settle down these days,” Price said. “We’re losing a new generation of farmers. And the field doesn’t have many women. That makes the work even more important.”

Colella, 18, of New London, also has a love of farming and animals.

“You realize that these animals are for consumption,” she said. “You’re not raising them as pets. Yet you bond with them because you show them and work with them.”

Colella plans to major in agriculture and extension education in the fall at The Ohio State University. She raised turkeys in Lorain before moving to the country and hopes to create a 4-H program for city kids to get them involved in the fair.

Four boys — Tyler Johnson, Garrett Schwedt, Ben Brasee and Matthew Bremke — are hoping to walk away with the $1,000 scholarship. The amount was raised from $500 for king and queen last year to $1,000 each this year.

Another queen candidate, Madalyn McMinn, has been a member of 4-H for 13 years, and a Junior Fair board member for four years, serving as treasurer, vice president and now as a member of the executive committee. She’s the department chair for special events, meaning she helped organize events including the opening ceremonies, the watermelon-eating contest, Junior Fair night and Sweepstakes Showmanship.

Madalyn, who’ll be heading to Ohio Northern University in the fall to study pharmacy, said being on the Royal Court showcases those Junior Fair members who are great role models and who best represent the Lorain County Fair.

“I feel that, through my involvement, I fit these descriptions well,” she said via e-mail.

For Madalyn, 4-H has been a family affair. Her mother was involved growing up, and she said she’d like to remain involved even as she tackles college and beyond.

Johnson, 18, of Wellington, would use his scholarship to fund his studies in mechanical engineering at the University of Akron.

A 10-year veteran of 4-H, Tyler said he’s more interested in bows, swords and medieval weapons than animals, but he’s undertaken some 16 county fair projects over the years.

Schwedt, 19, of Elyria, hopes to be a farmer in his own right one day.

A four-year member of the Junior Fair Board, Schwedt is also a 14-year member of 4-H. He began showing pygmy goats at age 11 and presently shows market hogs. He regularly takes part in community service projects and charitable fundraising events.

“Service to others is very important because not everybody has an easy life,” he said.

Schwedt, a member of the National Honor Society, plans to attend The Ohio State University’s Agricultural Technical Institute where he’ll study livestock science and specialize in swine. He said he hopes to have his own hog farm someday.

Queen candidates

Colella

McMinn

Burgdorf

Price

• Victoria Colella, 18, of New London, is a five-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Admiral King High School and Lorain County Community College. She is the daughter of Barbara and Jeff Gott of Brighton Township.
• Madalyn McMinn, 18, of Wellington, is a 13-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Wellington High School. She plans to attend Ohio Northern University. She is the daughter of Jennifer and Thomas McMinn.
• Rebecca Burgdorf, 19, is a six-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Amherst Steele. She plans to attend Lorain County Community College. She is the daughter of Justine and William Burgdorf.
• Amanda Price, 18, is a 10-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Wellington High School. She plans to attend The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster. She is the daughter of Brenda and Bruce Price.

King candidates

Schwedt

Johnson

Brasee

Bremke

• Garrett Schwedt, 19, of Elyria, is a 14-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Elyria High School. He plans to attend The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute. He is the son of Laura Schwedt and Robert Scwedt.
• Tyler Johnson, 18, of Wellington, is a 10-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Keystone High School. He plans to attend the University of Akron. He is the son of Jackie and Duane Johnson.
• Ben Brasee, 17, of Wakeman, is a 10-year member of 4-H and a graduate of Keystone National. He plans to attend Lorain County Community College. He is the son of Tina and Dan Brasee.
• Matthew Bremke, 17, of Elyria, is a 12-year member of 4-H and a senior at Oberlin High School. He plans to attend Lorain County Community College after high school. He is the son of Karen and Darren Bremke of Elyria and Donna Forbush of Oberlin.

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.

The old saying about one man’s junk being another man’s treasure isn’t just a bunch of words to three Lorain County boys, especially when that junk is an old tractor.

Clayton Jones, 12, of Avon, has spent the better part of the summer restoring a 1964 Simplicity tractor.

“It was a piece of junk, a rusted thing sitting in the back of our shed,” Clayton said. “My dad wanted to get rid of it, but we thought I could do it as a 4-H project.”

Though it’s a small tractor, the project has taken a lot of work.

Luckily, few mechanical parts needed replaced. After it was taken apart piece by piece, the outside was sandblasted and primed, followed by more sanding before paint could even be applied, Clayton said.

The finishing touches still needed to be applied a couple weeks before the fair.

“My dad helped on a couple of things,” Clayton said. “We did a good job. I can’t wait for the fair to show it off.”

Clayton hopes to sell the tractor at the Engine Show in Wellington after the fair, but if it doesn’t sell, he can always use it for something around the small farm where he lives.

Clayon, who has been with the All-American Farmers 4-H club for the past two years, usually trains dogs for the fair.

The Keystone Middle School student says rebuilding the tractor is the biggest project he has undertaken — so far.

John DeChant's tractor.

Sixteen-year-old John DeChant of the Tri-City Critters agrees that rebuilding a tractor is a tough job, but he enjoys doing it so much that he’s done it twice now.

He restored a 1939 Allis Chalmers Model B that he purchased from his neighbor for this year’s fair and two years ago, he restored a tractor that his grandfather gave to him.

He’s had the Allis Chalmers since June 2007 and has been working on it here and there ever since. Although with the fair only a couple of weeks away and work still to be done, John said he wasn’t worried.

“I tried to start it the second day I had it, and it didn’t run for another year,” he said.

“It needed quite a bit of everything,” he said. “The body was in decent shape, but there was a quite a bit of mechanical work.”

From a new radiator to new water gaskets and paint, the 16-year-old Avon High School student was doing it all.

He learned some of his mechanical skills from his dad, as well as from helpful neighbors.

“It takes a lot of time,” John said.

But in the end, it’s all worth it, he said.

The 1949 Farmall Cub that his grandfather gave him still runs. His dad uses it to cultivate the garden.

“I’ll never get rid of that because my grandpa gave it to me,” John said.

He isn’t sure what he will do with the Allis Chalmers after the fair.

The 1974 Cub Cadet that Jared Kromer’s grandfather purchased new 35 years ago was still running through 4.5 acres as recently as two years ago. When it finally went kaput, Jared’s grandfather thought of selling, but then decided to give his grandson a crack at it.

“My dad is a mechanic and I’ve helped him with a few cars here and there, but this is the first project I’ve done on my own,” the 15-year-old Firelands High School student said.

While the tractor’s body was in “OK shape,” Jared decided to completely redo the entire tractor, taking it down to the block, sanding and painting everything all over again. In order to get it to run again, he replaced the oil seal.

“It was a fun 4-H project, and it’s something that we’ll be able to use for years ahead,” he said.

Jared began working on the tractor on Feb. 25 and like the other boys, still had some finishing touches to add before the fair.

“I’m starting to put it back together, but I’m waiting on some parts,” he said with the fair only weeks away. “The engine is in pieces. The tractor is in pieces.”

The Brownhelm Perfection and BB’s 4-H club member said he has it all under control, though — as long as everything runs once it is put back together.

Contact Christina Jolliffe at 329-7155 or ctnews@chroniclet.com.

LORAIN — The mood was downright festive Thursday as state, county and city officials touted the launching of the Jet Express ferry service to the Lake Erie islands as a first step in turning around Lorain’s economic struggles.

“It’s a day of great potential here in Lorain,” said U.S. Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Copley Township. “This is a jewel in the crown of our county … we are all going to benefit from the economic strengthening of our region.”

Mayor Tony Krasienko labeled the day a culmination of two decades worth of effort to develop the city’s lake and river waterfront areas.

“We’re not starting a new chapter in the city of Lorain, but continuing the momentum for the city of Lorain,” Krasienko said. “… This could drive tourism and revitalize the city for decades to come.”

The Lorain Port Authority owns a 51-percent interest in the 147-passenger boat while the Put-in-Bay Boat Line Co. owns the remaining 49 percent and will operate the business.

Ralph Bruening of the Lorain Port Authority talks to Lynne Lisner of the Lorain County Visitors Bureau as Jet Express IV makes its maiden voyage from Lorain. The boat is about ti pass under the Charles Berry Bascule Bridge. (Photo by Bruce Bishop, The Chronicle-Telegram.)

Several officials cited the weekend ferry business as a regional benefit as well as a boon to Lorain’s flagging economy.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to get people coming downtown,” Councilman Greg Holcomb, D-6th Ward, said. “It’s a good example of the regional effort of government and … it will establish Lorain as the gateway for Lorain County. It will also draw attention to the attractions already here at our beautiful site.”

Councilwoman Melanie Szabo, I-1st Ward, said she hopes Jet Express will lead to more downtown revitalization, including the re-opening of the closed Renaissance hotel at the corner of Broadway and East Erie Avenue —  a desire shared by Councilman Bret Schuster, D-4th Ward.

“Get The Renaissance to re-open and restaurants and other shops and businesses will follow,” Szabo said.

“This is going to be a great opportunity for us to attract tourism dollars,” Schuster agreed, adding that having the hotel re-opened along with the Jet Express service could attract island weekenders — and their pocketbooks — to the city.

State Sen. Sue Morano, D-13th District, also believes Jet Express may translate into tourism money for Lorain’s coffers.

“I think we have a terrific opportunity here in Lorain to focus on the tourism industry,” Morano said. “This will not only benefit Lorain, but all of the county.”

U.S. Rep Betty Sutton, Ben Fligner of the Lorain Port Authority board and Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko cut the ribbon to welcome the Jet Express Thursday in Lorain. (Photo by Bruce Bishop, The Chronicle-Telegram.)

Sheffield Mayor John Hunter agreed.

“One for all and all for one,” Hunter said. “We can do it all together if we collaborate together. I feel that whether it’s Lorain or Sheffield Village, everything is for Lorain County … because our residents will be using this boat and going to local restaurants.”

Rick Novak, director of the Port Authority, said the Jet Express will bring more than economic development and additional money to the city.

“It will give us all access to something we all need and that’s fun,” Novak told the crowd.

Lorain Service Director Robert Gilchrist agreed.

“Jet Express adds a new level of excitement to our city,” he said. “It’s connecting Lorain to other communities and will bring in a new level of economic development and tourism dollars.”

Karl Zuber, mayor of Avon Lake, is one of those other communities and agreed Jet Express is good for everyone.

“Lorain is another lakefront community, and we’re all working as hard as we can to develop the lakefront to bring more people to Lorain County,” Zuber said.

Jet Express General Manager Lance Woodworth said the city’s future plans for development were attractive.

“It felt right, that Lorain is a good port to have,” Woodworth said.

The ferry service will leave from the Black River Landing at 9:30 a.m. Friday through Sunday mornings with a return ferry back to the city by 9 p.m. each night.

Jet Express will take passengers to Kelleys Island for $52 round trip, to Put-in-Bay for $58 round trip or to both for $64 round trip, said Port Authority Events Coordinator Ralph Bruening. Parking at the landing for those using the ferry is free.

Contact Alicia Castelli at 329-7144 or acastelli@chroniclet.com.