By Wade Linville – Ripley Bee

The first Brown County 4-H Craft Show held at the fairgrounds in Georgetown on April 9 proved to be a great success with crowds of people venturing to Rhonemus Hall throughout the day to show their support.
Buyers made their way up and down the lines of vendors booths, checking out everything there was to offer from 4-H groups throughout the county.
With growing expenses and a tight budget, Brown County’s 4-H clubs were pleased to get the opportunity to earn some needed cash. Many of the items for sale were made by local 4-H members.
Gerlinde Shelton, who has been a 4-H advisor for more than 20 years, and members of her 4-H Club near Ripley were among the many vendors selling goods at the craft show, which ran from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
“We have bracelets, we’ve got a blue jean jackets, and bows,” Shelton said when asked about the items her 4-H group brought to sell. “It’s a good way to make a little money for the 4-H.”
Also selling items at the craft show was 10-year 4-H advisor, Angie Luti, and her club known as The Mt. Orab Renegades.
“I think the community needs to come out and support 4-H as a whole, because funding is being cut and 4-H is one of the places where they are going to cut the funding,” said Luti. “Without 4-H, how are kids going to learn skills like how to take care of animals, sewing, and cooking? It’s such an important part of a child growing up.”
Not only is Luti head advisor of the Renegades, but she currently has a child involved in 4-H.
“My child does all kinds of non-food projects, food projects, sewing, and textiles. It’s just such a learning experience for these kids. It’s a big responsibility,” said Luti.
Assisting Luti at the Renegades’ vendor booth were 4-H her fellow 4-H advisors Tammy Stacy and Debbie Longbottom.
The 4-H Craft Show has been set up as an annual event, taking place in unison with the 4-H 5K Run/Walk that has been among the most successful Brown County 4-H fundraisers in past years.