By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
Wood County 4-H was the big winner at Friday night’s 4-H Bake Off Auction. Nearly $17,000 was raised amid friendly bidding wars by several locally elected officials and other 4-H supporters.
A total of 129 baked goods were auctioned in 35 lots that featured treats such as a chocolate cake topped with chocolate chip cookies, a Rice Crispy-sculpted dragon eating tacos, a scrumptious-looking mixed berry crisp and cupcakes that resembled a glass of strawberry lemonade complete with a straw.
Top bake-off winners included Ashlyn Nicely, Dowling, Stitch, Stir & Stock, Best in Show; Emma Carr, Clover Achievers, Junior Division Best in Class; Katelyn Barnhart, 4-Leaf Clover Kids, Senior Division Best in Class; and Alumni Division winners Janel Gerwin, Beaver Creek Boosters, Best in Class, and Marcia Latta, Stryker Daisy Maidens, Reserve Champion.
Haley Sponaugle, a nine-year member of the Dowling Stitch, Stir & Stock 4-H Club, has entered almost every year since she joined 4-H. Her chocolate cake entry earned her second place in the Junior Division decorated cakes category. It was the best result in her bake-off history, which included a personal favorite, her Grandma Mildred’s orange cookies, as well as Oreo cupcakes and caramel cupcakes.
For the past two years, in addition to entering the baking contest, the 16-year-old has volunteered her time to help during the bake off. On Friday, she was the friendly face who gave participants their free T-shirt and coveted 4-H milkshake ticket.
“She’s a good member who is always willing to help out when needed,” said her 4-H adviser Karen Kotula.
Kotula, an Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame inductee and a top-notch baker in her own right, is known for her tasty sugar cookies. Each year the lot that includes her cookies always bring a top price.
Some of the bidding, encouraged by the rhythmic cadence of auctioneer Steve Powell, was friendly competition, often with a bit of rib-poking. The effort to bump up the bids, such as between U.S. Congressman Robert Latta and a group of state and local officials—Ohio Representative Haraz Ghanbari, Wood County Clerk of Courts Doug Cubberley, Auditor Matthew Oestreich, County Commissioner Doris Herringshaw and recently retired Wood County Chief Deputy Eric Reynolds on behalf of Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn—was done in jest but with the goal of raising more money for the 4-H youth of the county.
“This auction helps everybody and goes for a good cause,” Latta said.
“It’s good to see these young folks progress, give back and invest in the next generation,” Ghanbari added.
Other consistent bidders during the auction included grandparents supporting their grandchildren, fair concessionaires supporting the families that keep them busy during the fair and local businesses that believe in supporting their local community.
Cindy Zaker bid often, sometimes having the highest bid for Cindy’s Concessions or Frank’s Fries, and more often, helping increase the final price. Frank Sales and Precision Plumbing were among the local businesses that walked away with pans full of goodies or with the satisfaction they helped raise more money for 4-H.
Grandparents Barb and Arnie Brossia of Walbridge came to support their granddaughters Cate and Charlotte Brossia of Lake Harvesters 4-H Club. Last year was their first year at the auction, and Barb Brossia admitted they came under-prepared with only $50 in cash and no checkbook. They didn’t realize that the average bid on the lots was well over what they had in their wallets.
This year, they remembered the checkbook and were the successful bidders on the lot that included Cate’s first place sprinkle cookies.
“The funds raised from the auction give back to the members and the program. Last year nearly 1,000 members were able to have one of their 4-H project books paid for at a cost between $6 and $11 each,” said Jenny Morelock, 4-H program assistant.
The funds also have purchased project awards, camp scholarships, the Quilting Square Trail, picnic tables for the fairgrounds and equipment for 4-H camp.
