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4-H club activity is the cat's meow
Photo
Breanna Naylor, 14, of Mecca holds her cat, Oreo, during 4-H Junior Fair cat judging at the Trumbull County Fair Thursday. Her 17-pound cat is 6 years old.
Trumbull County Fair Rain
Video
Does it always rain at the Trumbull County Fair? Several fairgoers offer their opinions.
By Ed Runyan
Parents interested in getting a child involved in 4-H can talk to club advisers or the OSU Extension Service.
BAZETTA — Four years ago, Amy Naylor of Mecca wanted her 10-year-old daughter, Breanna, to get involved in 4-H, but she wasn’t sure what aspect of it might appeal to her.
“Breanna said, ‘What about cats?’ and I said, ‘Cats?’”
Naylor said cats are not what she pictured when she thought of 4-H, but after some thought, cats seemed like a perfect fit.
Breanna had a cat but not a horse or cow.
And since Breanna is a dancer, she didn’t need another activity that would consume a huge amount of time.
On Thursday, Breanna was competing in the Junior Fair Cat Show at the Trumbull County Fair. The contest happens in the Sale Barn.
A misconception some people might have about the cat show is that the judges are especially interested in the cats — in this case, Breanna’s 17-pound domestic short hair, Oreo.
In truth, the judges were more interested in Breanna.
The contest involves looking at the contestant’s cat — especially to check its health — but the judging primarily involves asking the 4-H member questions about diseases and parasites that affect cats, plus behavioral problems and cat breeds. Then they check the cat’s cage for cleanliness and safety.
The 4-H member is also asked questions about his or her interest in 4-H, which is an organization operating throughout the United States that teaches leadership and core values indicated by the four H letters in its name: head (thinking), heart (relating, caring), hands (giving, working) and health.
The kids learn such information at their monthly meetings throughout the year, said Linda Vannelli of Howland, an adviser to Breanna’s Silver Claws 4-H Cat Club, which meets at First Place Bank in Cortland.
“Now, if something’s wrong, I know what to do,” Breanna said of the knowledge she has gained over four years.
She is considered the cat expert among her family and friends.
One time Breanna noticed that one of the family’s cats was spraying its urine in the house. Breanna mentioned that it could be diabetes, which turned out to be true. The cat is on insulin now and doing fine.
Members of Silver Claws come from both rural and suburban areas of the county, such as Kinsman, Leavittsburg, Lordstown and Cortland, Vannelli said. That has allowed club members to meet kids from all over the county, Vannelli said, adding that the group is mostly girls, but some boys have also joined.
“They love the cats, and they learn a lot,” Vannelli said.
Incidentally the biggest mistake most cat owners make is failing to have their feline checked at least once a year by a veterinarian so that it can receive its shots, Vannelli said.
Club advisers Barb Likens of Howland and Barb Ames of Champion said one of the nice things about a 4-H cat club is there isn’t a lot of expense, with the largest cost being in the construction of a cat cage.
Parents thinking about getting their child involved in a 4-H club should talk to a club adviser in the Sale Barn at the fair or call the Ohio State University Extension office in Cortland at (330) 638-6783, Likens said.
runyan@vindy.com
Trumbull County Fair Schedule
Today
8 a.m.: Admission Gate C
9 a.m.: Junior Fair rabbit showmanship
9:30 a.m.: Junior Fair dairy show
10 a.m.: Open-class draft horse halter judging, Junior Fair cavies judging, Junior Fair stick horse fun show
11 a.m.: Junior Fair free-style horse show
Noon: Junior Fair horse introduction to senior members
1 to 5 p.m.: Rides open
3 p.m.: Open-class dairy goat show, Junior Fair dairy, showmanship and cloverbud goat
4 p.m.: Junior Fair horse tack check for versatility
5 p.m.: Junior Fair versatility horse show
5 to 6 p.m.: Poodle show
5:30 p.m.: Trumbull Idol talent competition
7 to 10 p.m.: Trash Man Treasures
7 p.m.: Truck pulls — 4x4’s and semitrucks by Full Pull Productions
6 to 11 p.m.: Rides open
10 p.m.: Gates close
Saturday
Free admission to veterans with a proper I.D.
8 a.m.: Admission Gate C
9 a.m.: Open-class dairy cattle show, Junior Fair English horse show
10 a.m.: Drive-in open-class draft horse and pony half-linger-hitch show
10:30 a.m.: Junior Fair livestock sale
1 to 4 p.m.: Phillips Brothers Band
1 to 5 p.m.: Rides open
2 to 4 p.m.: Melanie May, singer
5 to 6 p.m.: Poodle show
6 p.m.: Truck and tractor pulls by Full Pull Productions
6 to 11 p.m.: Rides open
6:30 p.m.: Junior Fair stick-horse costume contest
7 p.m. : Junior Fair Trumbull Idol talent competition
7 to 10 p.m.: Country Way Band
7 to 9 p.m.: Shake Down band
8 p.m. : Junior Fair costume class
10 p.m.: Gates close
Sunday
8 a.m.: Admission Gate C, Junior Fair super showmanship horse show
8 to 11 a.m.: Breakfast in the saddle-horse area sponsored by OSU 4-H Extension Office
10 a.m.: Junior Fair Western horse show
1 to 5 p.m: Rides open
2 p.m.: Cow milking contest
2 to 5 p.m.: After Midnight
2 to 5 p.m.: Take Two
2:30 p.m.: Dress a Kow Contest in the Universal Show Ring
3 p.m.: Pee Wee Dairy Showmanship, Junior Fair lead line horse show
4 p.m.: Auto races — E-Mods, stock cars and Late Crates (rescheduled from Wednesday and Thursday rain-outs)
6 to 9 p.m.: Rides open
6 to 9 p.m.: Kassie Simpson, singer
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: David Allen & The Roadwork Band
7 p.m.: Demolition Derby
9:45 p.m. approximately: Fireworks display at the Grandstands
Source: Trumbull County Fair Board