Rain and cooler temps didn't dampen spirits
Vollmer named Queen, Miss Congeniality
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

It was a double win for Courtney Vollmer, daughter of John and Pamela Vollmer of Osgood, as she claimed both the 2004 Ripley County Queen title and the coveted "Miss Congeniality" on Sunday, July 25, at the opening of the 2004 Ripley County Fair.

An evening of rain and 63 degree weather didn't seem to dampen the spirits of the 11 queen contestants nor the large crowd that gathered in the grandstand to watch.

Members of Queen Courtney Vollmer's court include First Runner-Up Jessica Geisler; Second Runner-Up Jenna Menchhofer; and Third Runner-Up Holly Toops.

Geisler's parents are John and Lisa Geisler of Versailles; Menchhofer is the daughter of Glen and Joan Menchhofer; and Toops is the daughter of Ray and Freda Toops of Holton.

Other contestants were Brittany Boles, daughter of Warren & Leslie Boles of Holton; Courtney Bruns, daughter of Bill & Carrie Burns of Milan; Sarah DeBurger, daughter of Robert and Jeanne DeBurger of Osgood; Sarah Kraushar, daughter of Dr. B. Scott and Donna Kraushar of Dillsboro.

Also, Brandy Lanham, daughter of Kim Lanham of Versailles; Erica Myers, daughter of Rob & Lisa Russell of Milan; and Samantha Swinney, daughter of David and Melinda Swinney of Osgood.

Emcees for the contest were Fern Baumer of Batesville and the 2003 Ripley County Fair Queen Mandy Thompson of Versailles. Both judges live outside Ripley County and were introduced during intermission.

When the 2004 Ripley County Queen Contest got underway at 8:15 p.m., following this year's 4-H Fashion Revue, the 11 contestants appeared in business attire, while a tape they had made during the Queen's Tea told their goals and aspirations.

As they appeared in evening gowns, emcees took turns relaying their activities and asking them an impromptu question.

Their parents accompanied them for their third stage appearance before the announcement of this year's winners.

In remarks during her first appearance, Courtney Vollmer said she felt the way success can be measured is in the way you treat people. "Treat people the way you want to be treated," she said, noting that she sets goals for herself and tries to accom
plish them.

Queen Courtney will be a senior at Jac-Cen-Del High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the drill team, and both the basketball and softball teams. She is president of the Sunshine Society.

Prior to the fashion revue, the 4-H Junior Leader King and Queen were crowned. This year's king is Jake Eckstein, a seven-year member of 4-H, whose special interest is horses; the queen is Kim Harmeyer, a nine-year member of 4-H, whose favorite project is sewing.

Both the 2004 Fair Queen and her court and the 4-H King and Queen will be present at all the events of the Ripley County Fair this week. They will assist in awarding ribbons and
grand champion designations to winners of all the judging events.

Entertainment during the queen contest was by Share-the-Fun participants: Tori Clayton, Kaitlin Hughes, and Meagan Hughes.

The Queen Pageant committee consisted of LouAnn Menchhofer, chairperson; Rahe Ann Bergman, Monica Hansen, and Erin Menchhofer.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

2003 Ripley County Fair Queen Mandy Thompson crowns her successor 2004 Ripley County Fair Queen Courtney Vollmer of Osgood. The crowning took place at the conclusion of the contest on stage at the Ripley County Fairgrounds on Sunday, July 25.