I-69 Heritage Corridor - Hamilton County
DeKalb Cty -- Coney
-- Hochstettler
-- Houser
-- Minard
-- Myers
-- Placencia
-- Riser
-- Waterloo jam session
-- Sarasien
-- Sechler
-- Stackhouse
-- Rowe
Grant Cty -- Adkins
-- Butler
-- Petro
-- Neuhouser
-- Garage pickers
-- Cox
-- Hoke
-- Cash
-- Powers
Hamilton Cty -- Bundy
-- Davis
-- Day
-- Gordon
-- Cricket players
-- Dr. Bomie Han
-- Gerald Terry
-- Bobbie Kauffman
Delaware Cty -- Jackson
-- Doris Jean Coil
-- Ronald Davis
-- John Zile
-- Ken Shipley
-- Atchade
-- Roberts
Allen Cty -- Mowry
-- Zehner
-- Bozarth
-- Cynar
-- Lengacher
-- Gorman
-- Hollman
-- Patria Smith
-- Penny Myers
-- Rugsaken
Madison Cty -- Spencer
-- Joe Rice
-- Theoharris
-- Carol Ball
-- Greg Adams
Huntington Cty -- Enyeart
-- Glessner
-- Alice Stickler
-- Company Singers
-- Dick Hinton
-- Goldenberg
-- Jay Peters
-- Gil Shideler
Henry Cty -- Bennett
Brothers Nathan and Cameron Day demonstrate their swine showing techniques at home in Westfield, Indiana. Both are accomplished livestock showmen, having accumulated over fifteen titles between them. --
Photo by Brent Bjorkman
Day family -- Hogs showmen
The Day and Wheeler families of Westfield, Indiana have participated in Hamilton County farming and 4H for over 60 years. Three generations of Days – Don and Mary Lou Day, their daughter Becky, their son Kevin, and Kevin’s sons Nathan and Cameron – plus Kevin’s wife Ann and her family, the Wheelers, have all been integral to the success of the annual Hamilton County Fair.
Ann, a member of the 4H Council, grew up on a Purdue research farm outside of Carmel. Since 4H is an extension of Purdue, Ann says, “it was in our blood.” Her father started the Supreme Showmanship contest at the fair in 1973, where the Grand Champion Senior Showmen compete against each other in six species: cattle, swine, dairy cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. Ann won this competition in 1974, and her son Nathan, himself an accomplished showman, has won it as well. Nathan acknowledges his skill with characteristic modesty: "I’ve had good luck, I guess."
Though they have seen changes in the county’s population over the years, the Days believe 4H continues to be relevant to the lives of Hamilton County youth. The projects target important areas for development in a young person’s life: building friendships, learning responsibility, gaining confidence, as well as fostering salesmanship and public speaking skills. Says Ann Day: "People sometimes don’t think of it that way, they just think of it [as] you’re moving a pig around the ring with a stick, or whatever, and it’s not that at all."
Listen to Ann Day:
Talk about showing hogs
(transcript)
.