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Ultra-Competitive Repeat Winners Dominate at Local Fairs: ‘I Don’t Take Vacations’
WSJ ^ | 15 Aug 2022 | Scott Calvert

Posted on 08/16/2022 12:51:59 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT

This summer Larry Smith grew kohlrabi, lima beans, black cherry tomatoes, zucchini, five kinds of string beans, six types of peppers and more on a plot in Portland, Ore. Now he hopes the bounty is good enough to make him a champion gardener—once again.

The 65-year-old has won that title at the Clackamas County Fair every year since 1999, except for 2020 when the pandemic prompted the event’s cancellation.

“Obsessiveness” explains his long-running success, he said ahead of this year’s fair, which starts Tuesday. “I don’t think I’m the world’s best gardener, but I outwork people when it comes to the competitions. I don’t take vacations in the summer.”

“I just like to do it. I love sewing, making things. I love cooking and baking,” said Ms. Skeens, 74. She appeared on NBC’s “Today” show and was congratulated by a Walmart checkout clerk. But normal life has resumed in rural Virginia, she said: “I’m back to being me. I’m cleaning my house today.”

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Gardening; Hobbies
KEYWORDS: win
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To: Hot Tabasco

—”Then start posting #2 rather than the unaccessible #1.”

“There is none so blind as he who will not see,”

https://freerepublic.com/help.htm#guidelines
Don’t be a whiner - If you really, really find Free Republic not to your liking, let the webmaster know directly (webmaster@freerepublic.com), learn to live with it, or move along.


21 posted on 08/16/2022 1:49:33 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
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To: FLNittany

—”One of the non-winners (but still a fan favorite):”

For some reason, don’t remember Green Acres being in color.

“Out of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most.”
Mark T.


22 posted on 08/16/2022 1:55:18 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
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To: FLNittany

LOL - I remember one episode where she tried a new way to make “hots-cakes” by pouring out the batter and cutting out the pancakes like with a cookie-cutter.

Oliver held up the remains and realized it would make a great head gasket for his tractor engine.


23 posted on 08/16/2022 1:57:57 PM PDT by Mr. K (No consequence of repealing obamacare is worse than obamacare itself)
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To: Mr. K

Or making spaghetti by throwing the whole box of pasta into the water (at least she knew how to boil water).


24 posted on 08/16/2022 2:01:36 PM PDT by decal (They won't stop, so they'll have to be stopped)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

Wow. Those mushrooms- impressive!


25 posted on 08/16/2022 2:09:23 PM PDT by spankalib
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To: DUMBGRUNT
Don’t be a whiner - If you really, really find Free Republic not to your liking

I'm not a whiner, I've been around here long enough to know, as you should know, that you don't post to websites that require a subscription.

Nice try resident jerk..........

26 posted on 08/16/2022 2:26:24 PM PDT by Hot Tabasco (Don't walk thru the watermelon patch)
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To: Hot Tabasco

—”Nice try resident jerk..........”

Wow! you must be smoking hot to start with the childish name-calling!

Just wow!

Call me anything but late to dinner.


27 posted on 08/16/2022 2:47:09 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
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To: Mr. K; FLNittany

Eddie Albert

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Albert#Military

Prior to World War II, and before his film career, Albert had toured Mexico as a clown and high-wire artist with the Escalante Brothers Circus, but secretly worked for U.S. Army intelligence, photographing German U-boats in Mexican harbors.[8] On September 9, 1942, Albert enlisted in the United States Coast Guard and was discharged in 1943 to accept an appointment as a lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat “V” for his actions during the invasion of Tarawa in November 1943, when, as the coxswain of a Coast Guard landing craft, he rescued 47 Marines who were stranded offshore (and supervised the rescue of 30 others), while under heavy enemy machine-gun fire.[9]


28 posted on 08/16/2022 2:52:52 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT (("The enemy has overrun us. We are blowing up everything. Vive la France!"Dien Bien Phu last message)
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To: Mr. K

I was just about to post that.


29 posted on 08/16/2022 4:02:11 PM PDT by packrat35 (Pelosi is only on loan to the world from Satan. Hopefully he will soon want his baby killer back)
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To: Liz

LOL! Well, I screwed up this year. Thought I had until Sept 2nd to register everything, but the deadline was AUGUST 2nd. Duh. We have the last County Fair in the county; Labor Day weekend.

That’s OK. Everything will keep for next year and I will be back with a VENGEANCE!!

Two Blue Ribbons so far. I’m hedging my bets now with photography and canned goods.

As a ‘Senior’ (*SHUDDER*) it’s the most fun you can have around here for the ten bucks entrance fee - plus you get free parking and a free day pass! Win/Win!

I’m still going to the Fair. Mom and I LOVE the Harness Races (horses) on Sunday afternoon. ;)


30 posted on 08/16/2022 5:11:49 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have, 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust Post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

SOUNDS LIKE FUN........you’re B/R winner on FR.


31 posted on 08/16/2022 6:24:04 PM PDT by Liz (MAN PROPOSES....GOD DISPOSES.)
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