Hartke Honored at State Fair Convention; Jasper County Entry Wins State Talent Contest

(CAROL AND PHIL HARTKE ARE FLANKED BY IAAF OFFICIALS AT SATURDAY'S PRESENTATION IN SPRINGFIELD)

Teutopolis' Phil Hartke has been involved in the Effingham County Fair as a fair official for more than 30 years.

Hartke's service was celebrated Saturday at the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs Convention. He received the "Friend of Illinois County Fairs" Award.

The award is designed to recognize those who have donated their time, efforts and unique contributions to the fair industry.

Hartke is devoted to the county fair and is currently serving as fair board president. Among his accomplishments are changing the bylaws to save the fair on real estate taxes, starting an annual scholarship program for two graduating seniors in the county, a sponsorship program to help area businesses make donations to the fair, implementing an endowment plan for long-term funding of the fair, improvements and renovations to the fairgrounds and buildings, and encouraging support for horse racing, including five days of racing each year, which is the most of any county in the state.

Hartke was inducted at the 2016 Illinois State Fair into the 4-H Hall of Fame.

Congratulations to the Junior Division winner at the 2016 Jasper County Fair Talent Show, a piano duet by Jaclyn Street and Miranda Ochs, who won the state competition on Saturday and will perform at this year's Illinois State Fair and DuQuoin State Fair. Effingham County Fair senior division winner Lynzee Hagen and junior division winner Grace Hoene also competed Saturday.

Miss Henry County Claudia Van Opdorp was crowned Miss Illinois County Fair 2017. Miss Clay County Kortney Stanfield was honored as 4th Runner Up. Hartke said Miss Effingham County Fair Ashley Jamerson "did a wonderful job, but did not place in the Top 15".