50 years at the fair bring honors for 2

By ELISE FRANCO

A local cattle breeder said she loves the tradition and familiar faces of having an exhibit at the fair for 50 years.

CANFIELD — For Jane Renkenberger, no place seems more like home than her fair cattle exhibit.

The Columbiana native was honored with a plaque Wednesday by the Canfield Fair Board for the Guernsey cow exhibit her father made a tradition 50 years ago.

“Jane not only brings out good cattle each year, but she also brings out a beautiful display,” said Howard Moff, board member.

Renkenberger, 57, who works for the Mahoning County Educational Services Center as a records secretary, said the honor came as a surprise, and it was hard to put into words what it means to her.

“The fair has been a big, big part of my life,” she said. “I’ve made friends over the past 50 years that I would have never had.

“The bad side is, I’ll never again be able to convince anyone that I’m younger than 50.”

Renkenberger said after her father died, she continued the tradition of setting up the cattle exhibit.

“For the first 25 years, my dad always brought the cows down,” she said. “All the cows I have are still descendants from his original herd.”

Also honored for 50 years of fair games and concession service was Dave Pusser of Youngstown.

“It’s been a pleasure having my game stands here for 50 years,” he said. “I enjoy the people and having fun with the children.”

Pusser said he will keep bringing his games to the fair as long as he’s physically able.

Renkenberger said her favorite part is being able to chat with visitors and getting to see them enjoy her animals.

“There are people who come by every year to talk to us,” Renkenberger said. “We don’t even know some of their names, but they always stop over to say hi.”

Each year, she and her boyfriend, Paul McCartney, spend several weeks building their display and getting ready for the opening of the fair.

“We make a several-week project out of it because we live close, so we can do it little by little,” Renkenberger said. “It would probably take a full day if we did it all at one time.”

In front of her exhibit is a tractor surrounded by flowers she grew herself and a sign that reads, “Wishing Well Acres. 50th Canfield Fair.”

McCartney made the sign to commemorate his girlfriend.

“He worked so hard on the sign,” Renkenberger said, “He took a long time on it because it was very important to him.”

This year she brought five Guernseys — Kensie, Ava, Lani, McKenna and Loni, who won Junior Champion at last year’s fair — and an Ayrshire calf named Lucy, for visitors to pet.

She said the competition aspect of the fair isn’t as important as the good times.

“That part of the fair really isn’t what it’s about for me,” Renkenberger said. “I come for the fun and the tradition.”

efranco@vindy.com

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