The 2012 Brown County Youth Fair came to a close on Saturday night with the crowning of this year’s Miss Brown County Fair Association and the annual premium auction, but in the midst of the closing events was a special recognition for a lady who has had an impact on the youth fair for the past half-century.
Joyce Parker was recognized for the years of work and dedication she had at the Brown County Youth Fair and the community. Although she passed away in August of 2011, her influence is felt and will continue to be felt at the youth fair for years to come.
Beverly Hohertz highlighted Mrs. Parker’s accomplishment and dedication to the area during the ceremony.
“Mrs. Parker’s first passion was young people,” Hohertz said.
Mrs. Parker taught at Early High School for 44 years – 41 of those as home economics teacher. Hohertz said that Mrs. Parker always encouraged her students to enter the foods and crafts divisions and spent endless hours with her students at the sewing machine preparing each garment for the closing show.
Her second passion was the Brown County Youth Fair. For 50 years or more, she was actively involved in the home economics division at the fair. Hohertz said that Mrs. Parker served as general superintendent for many of those years and continued to serve at the fair even after she retired from teaching.
Mrs. Parker was instrumental in establishing the first style show that is held on Thursday night at the fair, and she spent hours assisting each individual as they wrote a description of their garment. She also helped the contestants practice their modeling and made sure that the style show was the highlight of the clothing division.
Hohertz said that Mrs. Parker’s proudest moment came when the new home economics building opened so she could enjoy a style show without the cold or dust with plenty of room for the contestants to dress and change.
“For all of the ladies who ever worked in the home economics division of our fair, there is now a vacant place that no one can ever fill,” Hohertz said. “Mrs. Parker was our mentor and our rock.”
Mrs. Parker’s son Kris was presented with a plaque which reads:
PRESENTED IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
MRS. JOYCE LAVERNE (EOFF) PARKER
FOR TIRELESS DEDICATION OF TIME, COMMITMENT, AND SUPPORT OF THE
BROWN COUNTY YOUTH FAIR
CLOTHING DIVISION AND
HOME ECONOMICS DIVISION
FOR OVER 50 YEARS
The plaque will be displayed in the Fair Association’s Home Economics Building
Pictured above is Courtney Branstetter (left) presenting Kris Parker with the plaque with Karen Fisher (right).
