Newtown Entries Fare Well At Bridgewater Country Fair

By Shannon Hicks

BRIDGEWATER — Newtown fire companies brought home three awards for their marching efforts and a handful of Newtown residents won honors during last weekend’s Bridgewater Country Fair, but it was the Erdman family who gathered an armful of awards at the end of the fair when they went to the arts and crafts tent to collect their entries.

Presented from Friday, August 18, through Sunday, August 20, this year’s was the 55th staging of the weekend event coordinated by Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department. The fair, a major fundraiser for the all-volunteer fire company, opened on Friday with its traditional Firemen’s Parade.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and its Auxiliary was presented the Porges Trophy, representing Best Overall Company, at the conclusion of the parade. Also winning trophies this year were United Fire Company of Botsford, which won Best Appearing Unit in Coats; and Newtown Hook & Ladder Fire Company, Best Appearing Aerial.

Shannon and Stephanie Paproski, the daughters of Castle Hill Farm owners Steve and Diana Paproski, each earned honors in the fair’s Dairy competitions. Shannon was the winner of the Junior Dairy Showmanship class, and Stephanie won Intermediate Dairy Showman.

In the Junior division of Hobbies, Austin Hurley won a trophy and Althea Hurley took home a second place ribbon in Collections, Assorted (Class 4).

Adult residents who took home first place ribbons also included Laura Duffy, for her entry in the Novelty class of the Vegetable & Fruit Exhibition; and Frank Fuchs, for his entry in the Peaches class, also Vegetable & Fruit Exhibition.

Art Anderson collected another pair of ribbons for his photography, winning first and second places in the Senior Black & White division.

Laura Duffy swept one class of the Flowers competition (class listings were not provided).

A few other residents also won ribbons last weekend: Anita Corbeil finished in second place in Seniors Baked Goods with her raspberry rhubarb pie; Jane Duffy won second place in the Canning/Eggs competition, Blueberry Preserves class, and also a fourth place ribbon for her canning arrangement; Rob Emmerthal placed third in the 2,500 lbs class of the Antique Tractor Pull, Patrick Killey finished in fourth place in the 7,500 class, and John Ferris finished second in the 9,500 class; and Bill Hurley placed second in the Senior Hobbies competition, Collections–Assorted (Class 4).

Between the four members of the Erdman family, however, the largest percentage of ribbons and trophies was collected. The family took home 20 honors between them.

Azureen Erdman won first and third place honors in Junior Color Photography; third place in Junior Black & White Photography; first place in needlework: stuffed animal; second place in needlework: sewing; and fourth place in needlework: quilting.

Emerald Erdman was a third place winner in needlework: sewing, fourth place winner in needlework: quilting, and fourth place for needlework: quilting (different class).

Cynthia Erdman received Best in Show honors in the Flowers division. She also won the following ribbons: first place, needlework: quilting; fourth place for needlework: sewing; third place for needlework: quilting (different class); first place for needlework: quilting (different class); third place for needlework: quilting; and first place for needlework: quilt (another different class).

Ken Erdman was also a Best in Show honoree, winning those honors in the Vegetables competition. He also went home with first and second place ribbons in one class of needlework: quilting; a third place ribbon for needlework: quilting in a different class; fourth place for needlework: quilting; and second place for needlework: quilting.