On 4-H, 'Bricks & Books' - and the 'Muck Queen'

Across this nation, scholarly types and the person-next-door alike are expressing concern with the physical and emotional well-being our of most valuable asset - young people.

Their concern is well-founded.

Youth today, perhaps more so than at any other time in history, must struggle on a daily basis to decipher the mixed messages which modern society and culture send their way.

Anyone searching for a vehicle designed to help young people during this important phase of life could find it parked last week in their own backyard - the Clinton County 4-H & Youth Fair.

For more than half a decade, 4-H programs in Clinton County have provided a means for our community's young people to grow and develop in the most positive fashion. The route 4-H takes to achieve this desired end result is really quite simple - meaningful interaction between adults and young people, blended with lessons on responsibility and the real and intangible rewards that fulfillment of those responsibilities can provide.

The beauty of 4-H was on full display at the Fair. We salute all the adult volunteers, teen leaders, and youthful participants who proved once again that the future of our community, our nation, and our world can be bright and hopeful.

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The week of the 4-H Fair proved to be a little too eventful for Wendi Eldridge and her steer, Magnet. The daughter of Shirley and the late Ken Eldridge spent much of the week anxiously awaiting word on the whereabouts of Magnet - who decided participation in the Fair wasn't part of his personal agenda.

Magnet bolted during the unloading process at the start of Fair week, and was sighted thereafter at various locations south of the Fairgrounds.

Friends of the Eldridge family remarked the Ken was surely making his presence known at this year's Fair - the first he's missed since his own youthful days as a 4-H'er.

Ken was true supporter of 4-H, and his life was an example of its positive benefits. Perhaps, Magnet helped friends and family alike refocus on the spirit of 4-H that Ken's life exemplified - that's a good thing to do.

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Although droves of customers didn't appear at the Central School site last week to snatch up the commemorative 'Bricks & Books' being offered with a donation to the St. Johns Schools Foundation for Excellence, it seems that the fundraiser is helping some folks learn job skills.

A pair of retired St. Johns teachers, Bette Munger and Beth Swears, may have found new careers as brick-cleaners.

As it turned out, getting the 'clean interior bricks' that Mark Barber donated from the school building into tip-top saleable shape required more than a little scraping and cleaning. Bette and Beth provided the elbow grease to get the job done.

Personally, I think there's a future for this team. B&B Brick Cleaning - it could be the start of something big.

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Finally, a caller in-the-know about Mint events provided a tip last week about a possible succession for some local royalty.

It seems that there may be a new Muck Queen in 1999.

Apparently for the past few years, the crowning of the Muck Queen has been part of the annual Henning family reunion festivities that coincides with the St. Johns Mint Festival. Each year on the weekend of the Festival, the extended family - and a few friends - gather at the old Henning still in the mucklands south of St. Johns to reminisce about time spent harvesting the fragrant crop.

Crowning a Muck Queen to preside over the event seemed like an entirely appropriate part of the fun event.

According to my source (who prefers to remain anonymous - but has the initials of R.Z.), Joyce Henning Wilson was the original Muck Queen. She was succeeded several years ago by Jean Barnhart.

Rumor has it that Muck Queen Jean may be dethroned in '99.