MONROE - For one 12-year-old girl, the Green County Fair may be nothing new, but putting together two exhibits - an arts and crafts project as well as a home furnishing project - was an original experience.
Brenna Aebly, a Monroe seventh-grader, has been going to the fair for years. Originally, she planned to show chickens like her older brothers, Trevor and Tanner, but her mom, Aimee Williams, said last year Aebly decided against it.
Instead, she opted for crafts, using skills she learned from her grandmother, Luan Ott. A sunflower wreath and home furnishing pillow, which took Aebly a combined three hours to complete, were both made under Ott's supervision. Throughout the years, Aebly said she has learned to complete different types of projects.
"My grandma does a lot of arts and crafts," Aebly said. "We do crafts once in a while, draw and stuff like that."
Aebly found that the "coolest" part of the exhibits is the arts and crafts area. She also felt a bit of concern when she decided to construct the wreath, but it ended well after roughly two hours of work with the mesh-like material.
"I thought the sunflower was going to be really hard," Aebly said. "But I got used to it. It got easier."
Aebly admitted some nervousness Wednesday morning while awaiting the judging results of her pillow. Cultural arts judging began at 9 a.m. Home furnishings judging was scheduled for 9 a.m. today. Though she felt anxious, Aebly expressed confidence in her work.
"I think I'll do good," she said with a smile.
Aebly has a support system to shake the nervousness during the wait and her time at the county fair. Support comes from a variety of family members. Aebly's cousin, 13-year-old Katelyn Eyler has more experience showing; this year with a rabbit and crafts like woodworking. Eyler said she did not lend Aebly help with her first year of projects, but was nearby in the Exhibition Hall during judging Wednesday.
Aebly's stepfather of eight years, Dusty Williams, serves as vice president of the Green County Fair Board. He said even his youngest daughters, both under the age of 7, are "very involved with the animals" and help other young people with projects despite being too young to show animals themselves.
"It's a great opportunity for them to learn what hard work is and see the reward, or the pay off of their hard work," Dusty Williams said.
The family lives on a small farm. Dusty Williams teaches agribusiness and farm management at Blackhawk Technical College. He said he's proud of Aebly and her hard work on fair projects. Though he enjoyed the pillow, Dusty noted "the sunflower wreath is pretty cool."
Brenna Aebly, a Monroe seventh-grader, has been going to the fair for years. Originally, she planned to show chickens like her older brothers, Trevor and Tanner, but her mom, Aimee Williams, said last year Aebly decided against it.
Instead, she opted for crafts, using skills she learned from her grandmother, Luan Ott. A sunflower wreath and home furnishing pillow, which took Aebly a combined three hours to complete, were both made under Ott's supervision. Throughout the years, Aebly said she has learned to complete different types of projects.
"My grandma does a lot of arts and crafts," Aebly said. "We do crafts once in a while, draw and stuff like that."
Aebly found that the "coolest" part of the exhibits is the arts and crafts area. She also felt a bit of concern when she decided to construct the wreath, but it ended well after roughly two hours of work with the mesh-like material.
"I thought the sunflower was going to be really hard," Aebly said. "But I got used to it. It got easier."
Aebly admitted some nervousness Wednesday morning while awaiting the judging results of her pillow. Cultural arts judging began at 9 a.m. Home furnishings judging was scheduled for 9 a.m. today. Though she felt anxious, Aebly expressed confidence in her work.
"I think I'll do good," she said with a smile.
Aebly has a support system to shake the nervousness during the wait and her time at the county fair. Support comes from a variety of family members. Aebly's cousin, 13-year-old Katelyn Eyler has more experience showing; this year with a rabbit and crafts like woodworking. Eyler said she did not lend Aebly help with her first year of projects, but was nearby in the Exhibition Hall during judging Wednesday.
Aebly's stepfather of eight years, Dusty Williams, serves as vice president of the Green County Fair Board. He said even his youngest daughters, both under the age of 7, are "very involved with the animals" and help other young people with projects despite being too young to show animals themselves.
"It's a great opportunity for them to learn what hard work is and see the reward, or the pay off of their hard work," Dusty Williams said.
The family lives on a small farm. Dusty Williams teaches agribusiness and farm management at Blackhawk Technical College. He said he's proud of Aebly and her hard work on fair projects. Though he enjoyed the pillow, Dusty noted "the sunflower wreath is pretty cool."