Dierdorf wins Grand Champion Meat Pen at state fair

By FRANK PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
They are like three peas in a pod with nearly perfect fur and lots of meat on their bones.
What are they? They are rabbits raised and selected for a rabbit meat pen entry that not only made it to the Indiana State Fair, but were selected as the Grand Champion Meat Pen on Tuesday.
The proud owner is Joey Dierdorf, son of Joe and Diane Dierdorf of Clay County.
“I was shocked,” Joe said Thursday morning in a telephone interview on his way back to the state fair. “I didn’t know what to say. I was so happy.”
In recent years, the Grand Champion Meat Pen has brought $4,250-$5,000, Joey’s father, Joe Dierdorf, said. The record is around $15,000.
Dad plans to encourage bidding by calling the various manufacturers that contributed to the winning rabbits’ growth — such as the company that manufactured the feed used by Joey Dierdorf.
“It’s good advertising for them,” Joe said.
He hopes that with a heads up, the manufacturers will work to outbid one another and drive up the price of Joey’s meat pen.
Joey plans to buy another goat (which he also raises) or put the money from the auction into his college fund.
It’s hard to say who is more excited — Joey or his father.
“It’s probably the most exciting thing I’ve ever gone through,” Dad said.
The rabbit meat pen consists of three rabbits, 3-5 pounds each, not over 70 days old.
The pen is judged on meat, uniformity of weight and the appearance of the rabbits’ fur.
“You have to breed the bucks to the does (rabbits) and pick out the three from the litter that are the most alike,” Dad said Thursday. “It’s an art. The biggest thing is luck.”
Joey picked the three rabbits for his meat pen Tuesday.
The hot weather did not facilitate raising rabbits this summer. The animals did not eat as much as they usually would and that meant there was less nutrition than normal.
There were 42 meat pen entries Wednesday. Each rabbit in each pen has to be weighed and examined individually as well as together by the judge. Judging began at 9:15 a.m. and concluded at 12:30 p.m.

Hospital opening free clinic

By FRANK PHILLIPS
frankphi@hotmail.com
St. Vincent Clay Hospital is opening a free community health clinic for people without health insurance.
Appointments are encouraged. Residents should call Michelle Arnold, 442-2741, for more information.
The clinic has grown out of community programs such as “Cover the Uninsured Week” and the “Poverty Experience,” according to Andrea Baysinger, RN, BSN, with the hospital.
“It is through these experiences and efforts that a common need was recognized ... the need for health care for the uninsured,” she wrote in a recent press release.
The hospital has established the community Health Access Worker position and the Medication Data System to enhance the hospital’s ability to serve those in need.
The free clinic is called the St. Vincent Oak Park Clinic because the original Clay County Hospital was built in 1928 on a wooded tract of land called Oak Park, Baysinger said.
Appointments are being made for the free clinic on Monday, Aug. 28, 8 a.m.-noon.
Patients age 18 and older will be treated. Proof of household income and identification are required.

"Great Times," Chapter 30

Copyright 2006, Terry F. Phillips Sr.
All rights reserved.

Chapter 30
As things worked out, Howard wasn’t interested in any stories about why or how they disappeared from the train between New Mexico and Los Angeles. They were young people, and he assumed, they found ways of passing the time he needn’t know anything about.
“We do think you need to press on with your television plans,” Ted said.
“You do?” Howard said, not really believing him.
“Yes, we do,” Connie said.
“Well, I’m not so sure,” Howard said. “Instead of waiting on you two, I went ahead and talked to some of my contacts in the movie industry. They are discouraging the idea. They claim they will fight the widespread growth of the television industry. They say they learned their lesson when radio came along and offered live entertainment inside the home.”
“What about ‘Time For Beany’?” Ted asked.
He thought a minute. What was that string of words Smith had used? Color TV? Nothing there. Satellite TV. Hmm.
Ted strained to think what the word meant. He would have to think back to his high school science class for the answer.
Finally, it occurred to him - satellite. One body floating around another. The moon is a satellite of the earth.
Sadly, he could think of no way to connect the moon with what little he had seen and heard about television.
Another tact would be necessary. But, Connie was ahead of him.
“Of course the motion picture studios will try to discourage television,” she said. “They will never allow new movies to be shown on TV. TV is black and white and many of the best movies are made in color.
“But, what about some of the older pictures, some of the older sound pictures?”
She thought of her brothers who spent so many Saturdays at the local movie house.
“What about those old black and white serials? You know, Buck Rogers and the others.”
Ted picked up her line of thought.
“Sure,” he said. “And, what about the old westerns? No movie house shows them any more. Maybe they could be packaged for TV.”
Howard, who felt like a sucker for their youthful enthusiasm, was caught up in it nevertheless.
“That is an avenue to explore,” he said.
“Well, I can’t afford to build a TV station right now,” he said. “It’s going to take more capitol than I realized. I’m about ready to go home. How about you two?”
Ted and Connie were surprised by the statement. They anticipated being in California longer than this!
“We thought we might be able to do a little sight-seeing while we were here, Mr. Howard,” Connie said.
“And you could have, young lady, if you hadn’t spent so much time off the train! I’ve been here for a week and a half. I have conducted my business and done all the sightseeing I care to do.
“Now, I plan to be on the train at 8 a.m. tomorrow. If you two plan to work for me in the future, you will be on the train, too! Now, good night!”
There was nothing left but to leave Howard’s room.
“I guess we better make the most of tonight,” Ted said.
“I suppose,” Connie replied. “But, I certainly don’t feel like going out. Not after what happened the night we arrived with Mr. Howard - you know, the first time.”
The two had stopped walking. They were in front of Connie’s room.
Ted looked into her eyes and, finding the courage he had lacked since he met her, he took her in his arms and kissed her lips.
“Oh, Ted,” she said, when he let her go. She handed him her room key and said, “Let’s make the most of tonight!”