The temperature at 8 oclock on Thursday morning was already approaching 80 degrees, and the humidity was enough to stamp large, polymorphic patches of sweat onto the backs of the 4-H volunteers who hustled to and fro in their final preparations for the Allen County Fair.
As the sun beat down on the roof of the show arena, a group of young 4-Hers formed a semicircle inside, each member standing stock-still, with a leash in their hand and a well-trained show dog heeling at their side.
Among the group were James and Mary Brown, a sandy-blonde brother and sister duo from Savonburg, who at 14 and 12, respectively, are at the midway point in their 4-H journey, a cargo of county fair successes behind them and a golden road of experiences ahead.
