Fair Queen Abbie Frei By Lorie Palmer
“I am so grateful for everyone who has made this year so special so far,” Idaho County Fair Queen Abbie Frei stated.
Idaho County Free Press Frei, 17, is going into her senior year at Grangeville High School. She is the youngest child of Steve and Kristie Frei of Grangeville. She has brothers who are twins, Zach and Cody, 26; sister, Katrina, 24; brother, Kyle, 21; and brother, Caleb, 19. She is the granddaughter of Gerry and Jan Frei of Grangeville and Richard and Dorothy Nuxoll of Greencreek. Frei is a member of Grangeville FFA, and is a three-sport student: volleyball, basketball and softball. She is a member of the National Honor Society, HOA, Youth Legislature, Varsity Blue Choir and student council. She is also active in Sts. Peter and Paul youth group and works for Clearwater ChemDry. “Some of our most memorable experiences this year have been our shopping trip to Spokane, the Lumberjack Days carnival, and the Riggins Rodeo parade,” Frei said. When running for the position of Idaho County Fair Queen in 2022, Frei stated, “My strongest personal quality is being true to myself and sticking up for what I know is right, even if I am standing alone. The most important things to me are the relationships I have with my family.” She enjoys spending quality time with her more than 60 first cousins. The fair queen crown is something she shares with her sister, Katrina, who served as queen in 2016. “I remember helping Trina get dressed and ready during the fair, and it was always in my mind that I wanted to be a part of royalty someday, too,” Frei smiled. Following graduation, she plans to attend the University of Idaho and obtain a teaching degree in elementary education with plans to become a teacher. First Princess Makenna York  By Lorie Palmer
“I thoroughly encourage all young ladies in our
community to consider the opportunity to be part of Idaho County Fair
royalty,” Makenna York stated. “Not only is it a scholarship program,
but it is very rewarding and builds personal character, as well as
memories and friendships that last a lifetime. It also drew me into our
surrounding community events, experiencing the wonderful people and the
many treasures of Idaho County.”
Idaho County Free Press York, 15, is the Idaho County Fair First Princess. The daughter of Eric and Heidi York, she will be a junior this fall at Grangeville High School. Her grandparents are Mark and CJ Agee of Kooskia, Don and Christy Owens of Stites, Duane and Leah York of Kamiah, Mark and Patti Kelly of Grangeville, and Guy VonBargen of Grangeville. She has one sister, 11-year-old Brynnley. York is a member of Crazy Critters 4-H Club and attends Centennial Evangelical Free Church. At GHS she plays volleyball, basketball and softball, and is involved in BPA and student council. She also plays club volleyball with the Legacy Volleyball Club based out of Kamiah. York is playing with an international volleyball team in Europe, plays club softball with the local Grangeville Club and is a youth softball umpire. She has a freshie scent business and enjoys babysitting. “Overall, I have loved getting to know the girls and their families in our royalty group better,” she said. “We have always known each other, being in the same high school, but royalty has provided the opportunity to develop more personal relationships that will last forever.” “Taking each of our ideas and building them into reality through our theme and on our float, of course with the help of our parents, was so rewarding,” she added. “This continued the entire reign representing the Idaho County Fair.” York’s favorite memory of the year so far was their shopping trip in Spokane. “We enjoyed full days of bonding and shopping for clothes and float items. My favorite day was easily our dress-shopping day,” York recalled. “We arrived at A Finer Moment dress shop, all having similar ideas on what we were looking for. We were about 15 minutes early, so we waited outside, peering through the windows at the beautiful gowns. Without even walking in, we spotted our dresses, and right away knew they were the ones. We tried them on first, and they all fit us perfectly. I loved how our eyes lit up, knowing we couldn’t love another gown more!” Following graduation, York is considering attending the University of Idaho to pursue a law degree or to become a CPA. 2nd Princess Payton Brown 
Laughing with court, parades are good memories for Brown By Lorie Palmer
“I am thrilled to be representing Idaho County and have had a great year,” said Payton Marie Brown.
Idaho County Free Press Brown, 17, has served as the Idaho County Fair 2nd Princess. She is the daughter of Rocky and Nichole Howe of Grangeville and Jacob Brown of Lewiston. Her grandfather, Chris Seubert, of Clarkston, Wash., is a former resident of Cottonwood. At Grangeville High School, where Brown will be a senior this fall, she is involved in FFA and student council and participates in volleyball, cheer and softball. She also takes part in competitive dance through Stars Dance Academy. In her spare time, she works as a barista at Blue Tick Coffee. Brown has six siblings: Bryant, 25; Talum, 15; Callie, 13; Avery, 13; Tucker, 11; and Blake, 9. One of her favorite memories of her royalty reign is shopping for dresses with Abbie and Makenna. “All the planning and laughter that comes with everything,” she said. “Also, Kamiah Barbecue Days was memorable because it was our first parade as new royalty.” Following high school, she hopes to attend college at Washington State University or the University of Idaho and major in a branch of psychology. “See you at the fair!” she smiled. Ambassadors celebrate 26 years  The 2023 Idaho County 4-H Ambassadors are shown. Front from left are Autum Martinez, Chloe Rowland and Jessie Sonnen. Back from left are Dylan Klapprich and Kieran Gallagher. Photo by Kelly Terney.
By Lorie Palmer There they are, those
helpful teens in the green shirts and khakis — they’re at the heart of
what keeps the fair running smoothly. They’re the Idaho County 4-H
Ambassadors.Idaho County Free Press The brainchild of former University of Idaho extension agent, Mary Schmidt, the Idaho County Ambassadors made their debut in 1997. Twenty-six years later, Idaho County 4-H Program Director, Jill Bruegeman, said she feels the Ambassador program gives the older 4-H kids more responsibility and an opportunity for them to expand their leadership role. “The Ambassadors have always been looked up to by the younger members, so they are essential role models not only in their club, but also at all 4-H events and the fair,” she stated. “The Ambassadors are in charge of teaching club roles at the annual Club Officer Training Day, ribbon recording at the spring show and fair, announcing at 4-H events, and helping out at day camps.” This year’s members are Autum Martinez (Clearwater Valley High School), Chloe Rowland (Prairie High School), Rachel Sonnen (St. John Bosco Academy), Dylan Klapprich (Prairie High School) and Kieran Gallagher (Grangeville High School). Those who are Ambassadors must maintain membership in their chosen club(s), be a sophomore through senior in high school (public, private or home-schooled), and have been a member of 4-H for at least four years. They go through an application and interview process, and up to 10 students are chosen each year. For details, call Bruegeman at 208-983-2667.  The
2023 Idaho County Fair Board (L-R) Mary Charley, Alicia Jones, Joyce
Gehring Sonnen, Pam McIntire, Andy Schumacher Sr., Matt Beckman, Andy
Terhaar and Nancy Uptmor. Contributed photo
Take 5 with the Idaho County Extension Office staff By Lorie Palmer The University of
Idaho-Idaho County Extension Office has a new feel from a year ago with
the retirement of county fixtures Jim Church and Susie Heckman.Idaho County Free Press As we go into the Idaho County Fair for 2023, here’s a quick “Take 5” with the newest employees in the office. (See photos on page 13).  Meranda Small What’s the best thing about your job?University of Idaho, Idaho County Extension The diversity of producers and segments of the industry I get to work with at local, state, regional and national levels. It’s exciting to be a part of conversations in each space and then tie it all together to share information and develop and expand programming of benefit to cattle producers. 1. What do you hope to offer Idaho County youth? I hope to offer encouragement to be passionate about the agriculture industry and their role in it and recognize how important it is that our industry is positively represented for generations. 2. What’s the best thing about growing up in Idaho County? The beauty of our landscape. 3. What are some of the most unique projects or programs U of I Extension-Grangeville has to offer? I don’t know that our programming is necessarily unique by comparison to the type of programming being done in other county extension offices in regard to how we each work to serve our communities. I suppose it’s unique in that we tailor it based on community and constituent needs. But I do feel confident the Idaho County Extension team is very dedicated to the programming we offer being high quality and seen as a valuable resource for our community. 4. What do you hope to accomplish during the year? I feel pretty accomplished so far in the success of Regional Beef Schools, 2023 Three Rivers Grazing Conference, great participation from our area youth at several 4-H Livestock educational events, industry support for Farm and Forest Fair, and several of our local young cattle producers participating in the 2023 Young Cattlemen’s Conference. At this point I’m looking forward to getting to work with my great teammates, Jill and Stephanie, during Idaho County Fair and begin planning for 2024!  Jill Bruegeman 1. What is the best thing about 4-H?Idaho County 4-H Kids learn so many practical life skills. From public speaking, giving demonstrations, to record keeping, these are skills that they will continue to use for the rest of their life. 2. What do you hope to offer the Idaho County 4-H, what legacy do you hope to leave? We have a very strong 4-H program in this county. I hope to just have it continue to be a staple in our communities. 3. What is the best thing about growing up in Idaho County? The small-town atmosphere, and everybody knows everybody. Some people hate that about rural areas, but to me they are a blessing. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else! For instance: you can run into your local vet at the store, and they ask you about your dog and they call her by name. Each one of our little communities in this county is amazing. They all come together and support people in need or to teach a young 4-H’er a new skill. We have about 100 volunteers who donate their time and talent to teaching these kids, and somehow year after year we never run short of volunteers. Our volunteers care and want to see these kids succeed. 4. What are some of the most unique projects Idaho County has to offer? Personally, I think all of our projects are great; from sewing to raising an animal and everything in between. Some of the fun projects most people don’t think about are: survival, shooting sports, Dutch oven cooking, beekeeping, welding, and vet science. 5. What do you hope to accomplish at the fair, and during the year in general? I currently hold our office record for the most pieces of pie eaten in a day at the fair… . I hope to continue that tradition. There is nothing better than a good old-fashioned marionberry pie at the fair. In all seriousness, I just want the fair and the year to go smoothly, and for everybody to have a great experience! Susie Heckman ran this program so tremendously well all these years, I just want that expectation to continue.  Stephanie Corbit 1. What is the best thing about your job? Extension Office Manager Being a 4-Her as a child for approximately nine years, I participated in the horse 4-H and really enjoyed it. It’s neat to see the office side of the program and to learn about all the other fair animals. I am excited to help children learn and grow into responsible young adults. 2. What do you hope to offer to Idaho County 4-H in your position? In the role I am in, I hope to offer Idaho County 4-H a sharing of the knowledge that I learned when I did horse 4-H, as well as expanding my knowledge in the other animals and programs that 4-H has to offer. In turn, I can help families and our community continue to have a great experience and lasting memories with 4-H. 3. What’s the best thing about growing up in Idaho County? One of the best things about growing up in Idaho County is our location. We live in paradise! We are pretty much 0-15 minutes away from fishing, four-wheeling, camping, and horseback riding trails. It’s a perfect place to raise a family and lead a simple life. 4. How can you help people who walk into the extension office? When people walk into the extension office, they will receive a warm welcome and be acknowledged on what they may need assistance with, whether it’s with our 4-H program, weed department and/or our other programs through the University of Idaho. 5. What do you hope to accomplish at the fair, and during the year in general? At fair, I plan to help the week run as smoothly as possible and have some fun, too!  Some of the Jerzee barriers surrounding the Fairgrounds have had the 4-H and FFA logos stenciled onto them. |