Photo Finish

I probably lost money in the long run. But there's more to entering a county fair than just adding up the balance sheet. It's not an inexpensive proposition to enlarge photos, buy matboard and encase the mounted photos in plastic sleeves.

It takes time to figure out which of thousands of photos to enter. That's probably one of the hardest things for me, someone who ponders every decision so she doesn't make a "mistake."

But I don't do it for the prize money. (And isn't that a good thing?!) I didn't do it for my mental health (also a good thing - see above).

I've been entering county fairs since I was a 4-Her back in Pratt County. I believe in county fairs. And if no one participates by entering exhibits, there's not much of a fair.

I must admit, a purple ribbon is nice, too. My little lucky charm - Miss Kinley - earned me the Reserve Champion overall in open class photography (the photo at the top).

In open class at the Stafford County Fair, only the top three photos in each class are awarded a ribbon and the accompanying premium money. Lots of years, I use the same photos and enter them in the Pratt County Fair the following week. Since both fairs were going on at the same time this year, I couldn't double up.

But I was pleased with the results. My other blue ribbons were:

Black and White, People

Black and White, Animals

 Black and White, Miscellaneous

Color, Computer Manipulated

Color, Nature

In addition to the first-place photos, I got 11 second-place ribbons and 3 thirds.

My windmill at sunrise photo was chosen in a special contest for the St. John Birthday and Anniversary calendar next year - the second year in a row! (That prize money helped me recoup some of my costs!)

And this photo got a $25 prize sponsored by the Stafford County Economic Development, which wanted photos of work, play and life in Stafford County.

Old habits die hard. There must still be a bit of 4-H competitor in me!