Edith Fry Memorial Award presented to Eric Bernsee

Noble Fry (left) recalls memories of his late wife Edith as during the presentation of the inaugural Edith Fry Memorial Award to longtime Banner Graphic editor Eric Bernsee.

Banner Graphic/Jared Jernagan

Over the years, there was perhaps no name more synonymous with the Putnam County Fair than that of Edith Fry.

Progressing from 4-H member to Junior Leader to 4-H leader to co-founder of the Adult Open Class program in the early 1980s, the fair was a part of Fry’s life for 85 years.

With Fry having passed away last November, it was fitting that her home extension club, Northern Town & Country Lights, presented an award in Edith’s honor during Family Fun Day at the 2018 fair.

“The Putnam County Fair has been a very special part of Edith’s life and her family’s life,” club member Vonda Phelps said.

In Fry’s honor, the inaugural edition of the award was presented to Banner Graphic editor Eric Bernsee, a staple at the fair and regular at Ladies Day (as Family Fun Day used to be called) since he came to the community in September 1975.

A native of suburban Chicago, fairs and 4-H weren’t very much a part of Bernsee’s life prior to his arrival in Putnam County.

And yet, here he’s been in the years since, where the world practically stops for the fair each July, taking pictures and copious notes at events ranging from the dairy show to the purse auction.

Despite his hard work and good humor, the award caught Bernsee by surprise.

Even when daughter Nicole Bullard, grandkids Macy and Mack and girlfriend Cammie Goldman were in attendance, it was business as usual.

“I had no idea,” Bernsee said. “I didn’t put two and two together.”

Club member Kelly Robertson, who presented Bernsee with the award, fondly recalled calling the Banner office to remind someone it was “Robertson, not Robinson.”

“In all the years my kids were in 4-H, I had to call and spell my kids’ names and you always knew it was me,” Robertson told Bernsee.

It was also fitting that Bernsee received the first award in Fry’s honor, as both she and husband Noble spoke highly of Bernsee over the years, a sentiment the veteran editor returns.

“Great lady, great gentleman — great to know you,” Bernsee said to Noble Fry. “I’m flabbergasted to get this.”

Edith Fry was a charter member of Town & Country Extension Homemakers Club, continuing her membership when it merged with Northern Lights Extension Homemakers Club several years ago.