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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (July 26, 2017)
UMATILLA COUNTY FAIR From cupcakes to chaperoning Volunteer of the Year Alice Newman plays major part in fair By Emily Olson EO Media Group A lice Newman doesn’t just plan the Umatilla County Fair’s annual appreciation dinner. She and her granddaugh- ters bake all 400 cupcakes served for dessert. She also organizes the kick- off barbecue, works the livestock scales, chaperones the fair court and serves whatever offi ce duties are left unmanned. “If it needs to get done, I’ll do it,” she said. “That’s what I’m here for.” Newman has been a fair vol- unteer since 1973, assisting 10 different fair managers. She was awarded the 2016 Female Volun- teer of the Year for her dedication. But for Newman, working the fair is about more than just service — it’s a family affair, as well as a way to shape the community she loves. Newman’s fi rst visit to the Umatilla County Fair was a wel- come break from unpacking mov- ing boxes. She and her husband, Gay, who serves as chairman of the board of directors, moved from Washington the same week the fair opened for what was sup- Staff photo by Emily Olson Fair court chaperon Alice Newman helps princesses Kira Krumbah-Kuhar, Karolyn Jones and Janessa Prewitt prepare for the Athena Caledonian Parade on July 9. posed to be a temporary stay. Gay had a summer contract with Hansell Farms. The year was 1972. Newman has been to the fair every year since. Her husband stayed on with Hansell because Hermiston felt like home. In 1973, the two be- came 4-H leaders. They loved how the program helped the youth develop a sense of responsibility and leadership. “If you talk to any legislator, they’ll tell you that any money we put into 4-H and FFA kids comes back tenfold,” Gay said. “They become the kind of people you need in society.” Newman has since worked in various 4-H roles, including food preparation superintendent and Cloverbuds supervisor. After her daughters served on the fair court in 1989, 1992 and 1993, Newman started volunteering as a chaper- one, the position for which she spends the majority of her volun- teer time today. For the court’s full year term, Newman serves as the woman in charge of up to four princesses. That includes shopping for match- ing outfi ts, scheduling parade ap- pearances, coordinating volun- teer work and “watching the girls grow,” she said. “The fi rst time you get them, they’re energetic but kind of ner- vous,” she said. Newman coaches the girls on how to present them- selves publicly, in everything from posting on social media to giving speeches. One of her recent princesses continued on to be- come a television show host. An- other became a teacher. They all become confi dent young women, Newman said. “She’s the best court chap- erone out there,” said princess Kira Krumbah-Kuhar, who has known Alice for over three years. The princesses appear at so many events they often lose count. Newman doesn’t just keep them on track, she’s “a kick in the pants,” said princess Janes- sa Prewitt. And she’s “defi nite- ly a second mom,” often guiding the young women through stress relating to family and school, ac- cording to princess Carolyn Jones. Aside from mentoring the prin- cesses, Newman’s favorite part of the fair is spending time with her family. All of her 13 grandchil- dren, ranging in age from 1 to 23, will be in attendance this year. “Our family vacation has al- ways been the week of fair,” she said. For nine days, she’ll camp with her husband in RV, watching the grandkids participate in 4-H and enjoy the carnival. And, of course, she’ll be per- forming whatever last-minute volunteer duties are needed. Umatilla County Fair Board of Directors GAY NEWMAN MEL KEELY CYNDIE DRISCOL L STEVE ANDERSON DAN DORRAN DON MILLER LUCAS WAGNER BOB WOLFE Chairman Vice Chairman Sponsorship and Activities Director Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member 8 | Umatilla County Fair Guide 2017
