Submitted photo Paul and Ruth Lanoue’s family keeping a family tradition alive with continual participation in Lyon County Fairs.Two of their children, Simon, left, and Mary show off their calves for 2017 Lyon County Fair.

MARSHALL — Paul and Ruth Lanoue are familiar faces from many past Lyon County Fairs, and they still play an important role in 2017.

Their three oldest children will show projects at the fair this week. The oldest, Simon, will be eligible to earn a trip to the Minnesota State Fair for the first time. Their daughter, Mary, also shows projects, and their son David is a Cloverbud member. The three youngest — Rose, Luke and Joy — will most likely join the family tradition in the future.

“We’ll be involved in the fair for the next 20 years,” Paul said. “Our kids are getting the same good things from it that we did.”

They listed the fair, being involved in a club, the opportunity to eventually become role models for younger members, and the educational value as some of the greatest 4-H rewards.

“It’s a really good program for kids,” Ruth said. “It’s something to keep them busy in the summer. They enjoy spending time on their projects. During the school year, they can take part in club activities and set goals for the fair season.”

She said success with any project are depends on hard work, a willingness to invest time, and a positive attitude.

Competition becomes a bigger factor as 4-H members gain experience. Judges at the fair have higher expectations for older members. No matter how well someone places, however, every participant gains more than just a ribbon.

“Someone has to come in last,” Paul said. “Winning isn’t the most important goal. It was a success if they were dedicated and if they learned from it.”

Although Paul and Ruth didn’t start dating until after they graduated from 4-H, they credit the program with helping to form a friendship that led to marriage.

Ruth started 4-H with the former Sodus High Flyers club, then joined the neighboring Lake Marshall Eagles after the Sodus club disbanded. Paul was part of the Amiret Busy Bees club north of Tracy. His parents, Larry and Phyllis Lanoue, also met in 4-H as Amiret club members.

Since Paul and Ruth went to high school in different communities, it’s likely that they wouldn’t have met if they had not both joined 4-H.

“It all started with a conversation we had at the beef barn during the fair,” Ruth said. “We had some extra time, so we talked about what we wanted out of life. We said almost all of the same things.”

Paul now works as a farm management educator for Minnesota West. Ruth is a part-time registered nurse at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center. They are also involved in farming by raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa and beef cattle. They live at the same Lake Marshall Township farm site where Ruth grew up, after trading houses with her parents, Pat and Barb Verly, as their family grew.

They said many 4-H parents enjoy seeing their children continue a family tradition, but that past family experience isn’t required to belong.

“I’d definitely encourage new people to try it,” Paul said. “There’s always room for more families. The first generation is where it starts.”

Mary said she enjoys showing cattle and swine. She’ll be trying the goat project for the first time this week. Another of her favorite projects is child development which she chose because of her experiences helping to care for her younger siblings.

“It’s fun to go the fair,” Mary said. “I like showing projects and seeing friends.”

Pat Verly said the benefits of 4-H are the same as when he was a first generation Lyon County club member.

“The program is all about family, fun and friendship,” Verly said. “I have many very positive memories of it. The fair is a great opportunity to meet people and show our results. It’s a highlight of the summer.”