Tama County Extension celebrated the ISU Sesquicentennial on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at the Tama County Fair in Gladbrook. We dedicated a portable display cabinet with which we could present to the public a historical story of the ISU Extension Service and 4-H Club Work through the years here in Tama County. Over the years we have accumulated many news articles, photos, scrapbooks, official records and reports, and even donated trophies, etc. from 70 years ago. Since these are simply being stored in the office at present, it would be a shame not to share their history with the public. We set up the display in the Rogers (4-H) building at the fairgrounds.

However, what really made the day successful was due to the fact that Doug Rogers, DVM, PhD., contacted us in late June indicating that his father, Gress, would like to visit the fair one more time, and would be there around noon on Saturday, July 21.  G. Gress Rogers was the Tama County Extension Director from 1949 to 1973. He literally built the Tama County fairgrounds in the mid-1950s, and the Rogers Building was the first building erected, and later named for him after he had retired. Gress is approximately 90, and had not been at the fair for “a very long time.” Therefore, we contacted individuals approximately his age that we knew had worked with him in Extension and at the fair, as well as former 4-H’ers from his era.

We opened our display at 11:00 and Gress started greeting friends, and continued to do so till about 3:00 (a long hour!). The fairboard furnished cakes and lemonade for everyone. Ann McMullin, Tama County Agricultural Extension Council member, estimated that she served cake to about 75 visitors over the noon hour, and that about 200 fairgoers viewed the display while Gress was there.

We’ve received many favorable comments and thank yous from the event. I believe everyone had a good time and thoroughly enjoyed it. The “old-timers” are still talking about it. The former 4-H’ers are continually recalling their 4-H activities.  Many are already looking forward to what we’ll have on display next.