We have received word that our Valley Home community was very well represented at the California State Fair. Our 4-Hers Jenna Heaton, Cody Bartholomew, Samuel Fletcher, Conner and Collin McKenzie and helped by Benjamin Fletcher, brought home many ribbons and lots of happy memories. Our group of 4-Hers would like to offer a very special thank you to Ryan and Christine Neugebauer for their support with their animals. The group of youngsters attending the State Fair kids left that area and headed home at 9 p.m. Saturday evening. Arriving back in Valley Home, the group took advantage to grab some sleep for a couple of hours, and then headed off to the County Fair at 3 a.m. in the morning.

Although all were very tired, more work had to be done to get ready for exhibiting at the County Fair. By morning all the animals they were showing were in place, bedded down in fresh shavings, fed and watered and ready to show! Valley Home residents are all very proud of all our hard working 4-Hers and FFA students.
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We have gotten word that incoming Valley Home 4-H president, Jordan McCain had a very successful Fair showing with both his hog and his heifer. Also we have received word that Gunter Brisi is having a great year! Gunter showed his Meat Goat to overall Reserve Grand Champion Meat Goat honors. Also showing a Meat Goat and doing extremely well was Wyatt Rosebury. Wyatt won Champion middleweight goat. Savannah Rogers had the Reserve Champion lightweight goat.

The Pee Wee show was well represented by Valley Home also. Maci Soares did a great job as did Emma Wuchener showing a meat goat. Benjamin Fletcher, Cooper Bartholomew, Wyatt Wucher and Cody Soares all showed their great showmanship skills in the Hog Ring. Valley Home has many future showmanship stars to look forward to!

Bryce McKinsey worked hard in the Farmyard Experience. Thank you Bryce and Mom, Michelle for helping to make the farmyard a great place to visit at the Fair.

Halley Smith and Samuel Fletcher earned 1st Place in the decorated cupcakes and homemade beef jerky. Ben Fletcher was also a first place winner with his decorated cupcakes. What a tasty way to earn a ribbon at the Fair.

More details on county Fair results and exhibitors will be available in next week’s column as they become available.
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We have received word that the Smith family has just returned from a trip to Idaho to fish and visit family and were able to visit with the Doyle family. Justin Doyle is getting ready for Gem County Fair in Emmett, Idaho with his market goats and misses his old Valley Home 4-H group. Justin and Halley had a good time fishing and camping in the Caribou National Forest near Yellowstone where they saw a Bald Eagle fishing in a lake right in front of them.
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Ready to start off a summer of fun meetings and delicious lunches, our Oakdale Fun Lovin’ Ladies will be found today, Wednesday, August 1st, enjoying the tasty cuisine at Cafe Bravo in Oakdale. Welcome back, ladies and thank you for the lovely birthday card!
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The Neighborhood Watch-National Night Out festivities will be held on Tuesday evening, August 7th at the Valley Home Community Park. All friends and neighbors are invited to bring favorite food dishes to share at the event which begins at 5:30 p.m. Paper plates, cups, silverware, napkins and bottles of ice cold water will be provided.

This event is a great way to enjoy an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and share news on what is happening, both good and bad, in your neighborhood. In addition the word is there will games and coloring books for kids and NNO pencils for others. It will be a family fun night and the committee is hoping that our family members, friends and neighbors all will find the time to join us on this special night.
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Valley Home friends traveled to Tracy on Sunday afternoon to join in a 75th birthday celebration for Roger Beymer. The festive event was held at the Tracy home of Roger’s son, David and daughter in law, Alicia.
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Your reporter enjoyed birthday festivities on Sunday hosted by family members at the Golden Corral in Modesto. We won’t mention how old Laura is!