HoosierBuddy
Well-known member
So,
I was at the Indiana State Fair yesterday to see how my 16 yo's woodworking project came through the judging. His chess set in a walnut box was one of the first projects we came to and was judged to be deserving of a blue ribbon with special merit.
That's really a pretty big deal. I'd guess about 1 out of 25 projects gets a special merit award. The only higher accolade would be Grand Champion...which is awarded to the best project submitted. This year that went to an heirloom quality desk that I drooled over for about 15 minutes.
Anyway...4H is pretty much nationwide (I think) so if you get a chance to get to see what the kids are up to at your state fair...take the opportunity. I got several ideas for projects of my own there...and I came back a lot more optimistic about today's kids.
Speaking of today's kids...here's one of mine with his chess set.
It goes with the chess board he made for last year's project which also was sent on to the state fair (but did not receive "special merit" award). He probably had between 60 and 80 hours in this project...mostly on the lathe. This is the 8th year in a row that his project has been sent on from the county fair to the state fair. He's gotten to the point he's a better woodworker than I am, because he has more patience and really sweats the details on his projects.
I was at the Indiana State Fair yesterday to see how my 16 yo's woodworking project came through the judging. His chess set in a walnut box was one of the first projects we came to and was judged to be deserving of a blue ribbon with special merit.
That's really a pretty big deal. I'd guess about 1 out of 25 projects gets a special merit award. The only higher accolade would be Grand Champion...which is awarded to the best project submitted. This year that went to an heirloom quality desk that I drooled over for about 15 minutes.
Anyway...4H is pretty much nationwide (I think) so if you get a chance to get to see what the kids are up to at your state fair...take the opportunity. I got several ideas for projects of my own there...and I came back a lot more optimistic about today's kids.
Speaking of today's kids...here's one of mine with his chess set.
It goes with the chess board he made for last year's project which also was sent on to the state fair (but did not receive "special merit" award). He probably had between 60 and 80 hours in this project...mostly on the lathe. This is the 8th year in a row that his project has been sent on from the county fair to the state fair. He's gotten to the point he's a better woodworker than I am, because he has more patience and really sweats the details on his projects.
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