ELLSWORTH – 4-H alumni and friends attended the Pierce County 4-H 100th anniversary gathering on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. Around 75 attendees enjoyed the afternoon at the Pierce County Fairgrounds reminiscing of their 4-H days.

Thank you to the Martell Rushers 4-H club, the Town and Country 4-H club, the Helping Hands 4-H club and Carol Gilbertson for bringing in their historical items for people to look at. Paula (Schaller) Knutson, now the general leader of the Martell Rushers, and 4H alumni brought in the clubs’ secretary books from the 1960’s along with many club scrapbooks from the past 50 years. Gilbertson displayed her clothing items and record books she exhibited as a member of the Ottman Corner Thunderbirds in the 1960’s, along with many items of her father’s, Glen Johnson, from the 1930’s.

The Pierce County Extension office displayed plaques received in the 1920’s from the Wisconsin State Fair that the Pierce County 4-H program received for best county exhibit. An old 4-H jacket along with camp songbooks were also available to see. There were many 4-H photos not labeled or identified, for people to look through and take home.

Thank you to the Helpful Workers and The Soaring Eagles 4-H clubs for serving lunch and to Sandy Radkey and Beth Ingli for organizing the event.

Submitted by Pierce County 4-H

Photos courtesy of Beth Ingli

Carol (Johnson) Gilbertson displayed her 4-H record book from the 1960s at the Pierce County 4-H 100th anniversary celebration on Sunday, Sept. 12 at the Pierce County Fairgrounds.

Evy Johnson and Sally Grape converse and reminisce at a celebration Sept. 12 at Pierce County Fairgrounds commemorating 100 years of Pierce County 4-H.

Town & Country 4-H club displayed different scrapbooks from its rich history during the Pierce County 4-H century celebration on Sept. 12.

Helping Hands 4-H club also shared historical items from their club’s past during the 100th anniversary of Pierce County 4-H on Sunday, Sept. 12.

John Shafer chats with Paula (Schaller) Knutson, co-leader of the Martell Rushers 4-H Club during the Sunday, Sept. 12 celebration in honor of Pierce County 4-H.

Carol Gilbertson displayed her father’s 1936 4-H completion certificate at the Pierce County 4-H 100th anniversary party on Sunday, Sept. 12.