MONROE - Gloria Sutter of Brodhead has been participating in open class exhibits at the Green County Fair since her daughter graduated in 1997 and left the world of showing cats and dogs behind.
"I really just missed it," Sutter said. "I missed being around the kids and seeing all of the projects. I simply like doing it."
Now a grandmother and retired teacher, she can show off her skills during the fair while her grandchildren show their own work.
Setting up among displays of fellow adults highlighting their work in the Exhibition Hall of the fairgrounds, Sutter carefully placed her hand-sewn jackets along the white table, with cut flowers of vibrant colors and a variety of photographs. She also grows herbs, puts together home furnishings and creates artwork. In nearly 20 years of competition, Sutter said she has learned different methods and tips. She has won a number of awards for her work - so many she is not sure of the total - but the ribbons are not the driving force that keeps her coming back to compete each year.
"I like learning and the judges are wonderful about telling you how things should be done and giving pointers," Sutter said. "You can always improve. I'm a lifelong learner."
Throughout the year, Sutter may not get to see those she has met and befriended as a result of her time showing her items each year, but she knows she will get to visit with everyone when fair time rolls around. The days of displays allow for time to catch up on the year's events. With open class, the competitions are among all adults, which usually makes friends easy competitors when the contest begins. It varies each year, Sutter said, but she enjoys the challenge.
Sutter also complimented the Green County Fair staff, which she said does their best to ensure a number of different items are part of the displays.
"There's such a variety," Sutter said. "Everybody can find something for them around here."
And she has the experience to compare to other fairs, since Sutter travels to judge roughly five each summer. She said a recent trip to Dane County had proved lucky because of the air conditioning but also provided a time crunch since her fresh cut flowers needed to be to the Green County Fair office at the same time she needed to be traveling, which meant rising earlier than usual to arrange her entry before enlisting her daughter to deliver them in her absence. In addition to Dane, Sutter said she judged in Lafayette County and is scheduled to visit Rock and Grant counties before the end of summer.
Sutter plans to continue competing because it helps her finish the projects she begins but also because of how much she enjoys taking part in the Green County Fair.
"I really just missed it," Sutter said. "I missed being around the kids and seeing all of the projects. I simply like doing it."
Now a grandmother and retired teacher, she can show off her skills during the fair while her grandchildren show their own work.
Setting up among displays of fellow adults highlighting their work in the Exhibition Hall of the fairgrounds, Sutter carefully placed her hand-sewn jackets along the white table, with cut flowers of vibrant colors and a variety of photographs. She also grows herbs, puts together home furnishings and creates artwork. In nearly 20 years of competition, Sutter said she has learned different methods and tips. She has won a number of awards for her work - so many she is not sure of the total - but the ribbons are not the driving force that keeps her coming back to compete each year.
"I like learning and the judges are wonderful about telling you how things should be done and giving pointers," Sutter said. "You can always improve. I'm a lifelong learner."
Throughout the year, Sutter may not get to see those she has met and befriended as a result of her time showing her items each year, but she knows she will get to visit with everyone when fair time rolls around. The days of displays allow for time to catch up on the year's events. With open class, the competitions are among all adults, which usually makes friends easy competitors when the contest begins. It varies each year, Sutter said, but she enjoys the challenge.
Sutter also complimented the Green County Fair staff, which she said does their best to ensure a number of different items are part of the displays.
"There's such a variety," Sutter said. "Everybody can find something for them around here."
And she has the experience to compare to other fairs, since Sutter travels to judge roughly five each summer. She said a recent trip to Dane County had proved lucky because of the air conditioning but also provided a time crunch since her fresh cut flowers needed to be to the Green County Fair office at the same time she needed to be traveling, which meant rising earlier than usual to arrange her entry before enlisting her daughter to deliver them in her absence. In addition to Dane, Sutter said she judged in Lafayette County and is scheduled to visit Rock and Grant counties before the end of summer.
Sutter plans to continue competing because it helps her finish the projects she begins but also because of how much she enjoys taking part in the Green County Fair.