As many of you know, my summer calendar is packed with the sights, sounds, and smells of area county fairs. I’ve been broadcasting live and enjoying every single minute of it. This past week, I was at the Swift County Fair in Appleton, and once again, I walked away reminding myself why I have the absolute best job in the world.
It seems like I always talk about fair food (though the food is fantastic); it’s the people I get to meet. I get to interact with folks from all walks of life, and every interview is something special.
If you couldn’t tune in live on Q-92, here is a front-row seat to my incredible week interviewing some incredible people in Swift County!
Every year, I am deeply honored to be asked to step up to the plate—literally—and judge the homemade pie contest. Let me tell you, Swift County residents take their baking very seriously, and the competition is fierce.
This year, the overall winner blew me away. It was a young girl named Lysbon, an 8th grader at LQPV. From the moment she walked up to me, her smile said everything. She was absolutely thrilled to take first place, which is a pretty big deal at the Swift County Fair!
We judge strictly on presentation, taste, and texture. Lysbon’s apple pie checked every single box:
- The Look: A flawless, beautifully browned golden crust.
- The Taste: Pure euphoria.
- The Secret: She used fresh apples picked right off her grandmother’s tree.
When it came time for the interview, she absolutely killed it, describing her ingredients and baking process like a seasoned baking professional.
Another fascinating guest was Doug Ohman, a brilliant historian who was giving presentations right next to our KLQP radio booth in the commercial building. I am a massive history nerd, so I knew I had to get Doug on the air.
Doug is essentially a walking history textbook, but his real magic lies underground. He uses a metal detector to rescue forgotten pieces of the past from people’s yards. He set up a display table overflowing with mind-blowing artifacts dating all the way back to the 1800s:
- Old coins and coat buttons
- Arrowheads and vintage tools
- Guns, ammunition, and old kitchen utensils
According to Doug, every single item he pulls from the earth has a story to tell. He is a truly captivating storyteller.
Next up was Laura Thomas, who entered a variety of baking items and walked away with the prestigious “Ruler of the Oven” award. This was her very first time entering the fair’s baking open class, and she secured a coveted purple ribbon with an incredible, traditional Turkish dessert. She told me she used to live in Turkey.
Chatting with Laura was pure joy. Her passion for baking was entirely infectious—she lights up when talking about experimenting with new recipes. She was so articulate, vibrant, and clearly living her absolute best life. I love surrounding myself with that kind of positive energy. In fact, she was such a natural on the microphone that I told her she needs to have her own radio show!
No fair is complete without a visit from my wonderful friend Sydonia Yonkovich from Appleton Area Health. I stopped by the AAH booth to interview her about all the great work they are doing, and she brought her signature spark to the conversation.
Sydonia is one of those rare people who genuinely loves living life to the fullest. She always greets you by name, flashes a giant smile, and speaks with incredible pride about her work and her community. To add to the excitement, she is getting married next month! She was absolutely beaming when she filled me in on her final wedding plans. I’m so happy for her.
Finally, I had the pleasure of interviewing Lennon Tollefson, the reigning Little Miss Appleton, who is headed into the 4th grade at Appleton Elementary.
Interestingly enough, Lennon and I actually crossed paths the day before our interview. She was working hard at the Zion Church stand and served me a delicious beef commercial and a slice of pecan pie, all with a giant smile. Her mom later told me that Lennon was on cloud nine about the prospect of getting interviewed by me.
When she sat down with me the next day, she completely blew me away. I honestly felt like I was interviewing an adult! Over the years, I’ve interviewed dozens of kids and teenagers, and usually, you have to pull teeth just to get more than a “yes” or “no” answer. Not Lennon. She was incredibly well-spoken, poised, and described her reign as Little Miss Appleton in wonderful detail. Watching her face light up made me smile, too. She represents her community beautifully, and mark my words—that girl is going places!
These were just a handful of the many interviews I conducted throughout the week. Every county fair I cover reminds me how lucky I am to learn from the people in our communities. I guess I really am just a people person at heart.
Thanks for a great week, Swift County!
Raymo's Ramblings 