Fair awards surprise winners on Family Fun Day

Jim Smith accepts the 2021 Spirit of the Fair Award from presenter Jennifer Romalia (left) and former Putnam County Extension Educator Jennifer Cannon. Smith, the current Putnam County Fairgrounds caretaker, was honored for his enthusiasm and support of the fair programs and activities.

Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

Winners of the Spirit of the Fair Award and the Edith and Noble Fry Memorial Award at the 2021 Putnam County Fair Family Fun Day were both caught unaware when those honors were presented at the Adult Open Class Building portion of the Community Building.

In presenting the annual Spirit of the Fair Award, presenter Jennifer Romalia explained how Putnam County Fairgrounds caretaker Jim Smith has had to answer a number of her frantic calls to open the Community Building or turn on the air conditioning or address other issues that would have impacted a scheduled event if not for his prompt attention.

Meanwhile, Donna Tippin (left) is presented the Edith and Noble Fry Memorial Award by Kelly Robertson in honor of her 40 years of service to Adult Open Class and other programs at the fairgrounds.

Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

The Spirit of the Fair Award, presented annually in remembrance of late former Home Extension Agent Betty Sendmeyer and longtime Adult Open Class supervisor Edith Fry, is awarded for support and enthusiasm of the Extension homemakers’ programs.

With the fair in full swing last Wednesday and Smith’s assistance probably needed in multiple places at the time, Romalia had to trick the caretaker into coming to the Community Building by telling him he was needed at once.

When Smith, a former Putnam County Highway Department superintendent, arrived, he was beckoned to the stage to receive the award from Romalia and former Putnam Extension Educator Jennifer Cannon.

Presenting the Fry Family Memorial Award was a little less dramatic.

The recipient, Donna Tippin of Bainbridge, was already in the building for the day’s program, having manned her station at the information desk near the door during the morning. Tippin, who was celebrating her birthday when the award was presented Wednesday afternoon, has assisted the Adult Open Class Department for 40 years, presenter Kelly Robertson noted.

“She’s not only greeted us at the information desk but was responsible for collecting the award money and corresponding with all the clubs,” Robertson said.

Tippin has also assisted the Bakers’ Best event and the purse auction with record keeping and collection of proceeds.

“She has always been helpful to the many Open Class superintendents through the years,” Robertson added.