Joe F. Knight teaches 4-H Fair-goers how to paint landscapes. This work of art took him less than 30 minutes to paint.

Today was "Home and Family Arts Day" at the Allen County 4-H Fair. I was lucky enough to catch the end of "Paint with Joe" in the Home and Family Arts building. Joe F. Knight painted a landscape of mountains, pines, and pristine water in less than 30 minutes. He said that his landscapes usually take that long or less to paint, which is impressive to me. When he was finished with his oil painting, he donated it to an audience member whose name was drawn from a box. He encouraged beginners:

"Do yourself a favor and don't be too afraid to try. If you do one and don't like it, don't stop. And if your first one is a masterpiece--STOP!"

Paul Creager (left), Sam Tash, and Eli Arnold of the Northeast Indiana Banjo Society played old-time ditties Wednesday afternoon in the Home and Family Arts building.

Next for the day at 2 p.m. was the Northeast Indiana Banjo Society. With their striped red-and-white vests, old-fashioned hats, and garters, these boys were charming relics of the past. I recognized a lot of the songs even though they were before my generation by far, some choices being "Oh Suzannah", "Tennesee Waltz" and "Amazing Grace."


Several pies were contributed for judging and auctioning this year. Judge Laurie Weir said that, in her opinion, pies made with lard taste the best.

After that performance, the building was abuzz for the pie-baking contest and auction. The judges for the contest were Nadine Scholz and Laurie Weir. Before the contest, Weir explained what factors are considered when judging. They are:

▪ Color: Pies should be evenly browned.
▪ Edges: Should be regular, not bulging.
▪ Size: Should fit the pie pan.
▪ Taste: Tender and flaking, not crumbly.
▪ Flavor: Rich, well-blended, not doughy.
▪ Filling: Taste like the fruit, not too sweet or starchy.

Among the pies were pecan, chocolate, cherry, apple, peach and blueberry. When Weir came to the last pie, a peach-blueberry pie, she shook her head and said:

"There is no pie more perfect than this one. It should be in a magazine."