DELAWARE STATE FAIR DOLES OUT HONORS DURING ANNUAL APPRECIATION DINNER

HARRINGTON, DE - September 27, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Last Monday night, the Delaware State Fair’s volunteers, superintendents, assistant superintendents, contracted workers, board members and staff headed to the fairgrounds in Harrington. Only on this night, they weren’t going to work; they were going to enjoy a fantastic meal at the annual appreciation dinner.

According to the Fair’s public relations and marketing director, Tricia Southard, “The evening is designed to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those who love the Fair and to simply say ‘thank you’.” The president of the Fair, William DiMondi and general manager, Dennis Hazzard, both thanked all in attendance. Hazzard went on to recognize several outstanding businesses and participants, including Helen Maloney and Anne Minner.

Two days before her 71st birthday, Helen Maloney was recognized for her 31 years of service in Delmarva Power’s First Aid Station at the Fair. Maloney has been a nurse for 47 years—45 of which were spent working at Milford Memorial Hospital. Maloney retired a few years ago, enjoyed one wonderful cruise, and then decided retirement was not for her so she went back to work. Maloney’s daughter, Jill Tatman, stated her mom has been a great role model, and she loves being able to work side-by-side with her mom during Fair week. Maloney currently works in the Outpatient Surgery Department at BayHealth in Milford and part-time at a local pediatrician’s office.

Anne Minner, a retired teacher in the Lake Forest School District, was also honored for her 30+ years of service to the Fair, especially in the needlework department. Many of Minner’s former students were on-hand to wish her well. Minner is a very active member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and is involved in the community, including the Harrington New Century Club, Harrington Raceway Board, Delaware State Fair Board, Milford Memorial Hospital’s library, the Harrington Ladies’ Bridge Club, the Kent County Parks & Recreation board, former member of the Board of Directors for the Harrington Day Care Center, and in her “spare time” has tutored adults in reading. Minner is retiring this year as superintendent of the needlework department but promises to stay involved.

The Fair also recognized the efforts of two businesses which provide an inordinate amount of assistance: Ron’s Mobile Homes and WBOC. Each year, during the Fair, the General Manager presents a “Manager’s Award” for the best concession space(s). Year after year, however, two businesses continue to raise the bar on their exhibits. Therefore, the Fair presented a lifetime award to Ron’s Mobile Homes’ owner Ron Messick and WBOC’s general manager, Rick Jordan, and national sales managaer, Dave Speicher, for the benchmarks they set in outdoor and indoor displays, respectively.

Also honored during the dinner was the Delaware Army National Guard. Representing the Guard were SSG Kelly Rossi and SSG Steve Chillas. The Fair presented the pair a check from the proceeds of the Fair's 2005 souvenir bear, Sergeant Freedom, to be donated to the Delaware National Guard and Reserves Emergency Assistance Fund (DNGREAF). DNGREAF is a fund designed to assist deployed members and their families experiencing financial hardships due to their participation in the Global War on Terrorism. In addition to the financial donation, the Fair donated all of the remaining bears to be distributed to children of Delaware Army National Guardsmen and women who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to Hazzard, "We are pleased to acknowledge, with gratitude, the sacrifices these Delaware citizen soldiers continue to make.”###Last Monday night, the Delaware State Fair’s volunteers, superintendents, assistant superintendents, contracted workers, board members and staff headed to the fairgrounds in Harrington. Only on this night, they weren’t going to work; they were going to enjoy a fantastic meal at the annual appreciation dinner.

According to the Fair’s public relations and marketing director, Tricia Southard, “The evening is designed to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of those who love the Fair and to simply say ‘thank you’.” The president of the Fair, William DiMondi and general manager, Dennis Hazzard, both thanked all in attendance. Hazzard went on to recognize several outstanding businesses and participants, including Helen Maloney and Anne Minner.

Two days before her 71st birthday, Helen Maloney was recognized for her 31 years of service in Delmarva Power’s First Aid Station at the Fair. Maloney has been a nurse for 47 years—45 of which were spent working at Milford Memorial Hospital. Maloney retired a few years ago, enjoyed one wonderful cruise, and then decided retirement was not for her so she went back to work. Maloney’s daughter, Jill Tatman, stated her mom has been a great role model, and she loves being able to work side-by-side with her mom during Fair week. Maloney currently works in the Outpatient Surgery Department at BayHealth in Milford and part-time at a local pediatrician’s office.

Anne Minner, a retired teacher in the Lake Forest School District, was also honored for her 30+ years of service to the Fair, especially in the needlework department. Many of Minner’s former students were on-hand to wish her well. Minner is a very active member of the Asbury United Methodist Church and is involved in the community, including the Harrington New Century Club, Harrington Raceway Board, Delaware State Fair Board, Milford Memorial Hospital’s library, the Harrington Ladies’ Bridge Club, the Kent County Parks & Recreation board, former member of the Board of Directors for the Harrington Day Care Center, and in her “spare time” has tutored adults in reading. Minner is retiring this year as superintendent of the needlework department but promises to stay involved.

The Fair also recognized the efforts of two businesses which provide an inordinate amount of assistance: Ron’s Mobile Homes and WBOC. Each year, during the Fair, the General Manager presents a “Manager’s Award” for the best concession space(s). Year after year, however, two businesses continue to raise the bar on their exhibits. Therefore, the Fair presented a lifetime award to Ron’s Mobile Homes’ owner Ron Messick and WBOC’s general manager, Rick Jordan, and national sales managaer, Dave Speicher, for the benchmarks they set in outdoor and indoor displays, respectively.

Also honored during the dinner was the Delaware Army National Guard. Representing the Guard were SSG Kelly Rossi and SSG Steve Chillas. The Fair presented the pair a check from the proceeds of the Fair's 2005 souvenir bear, Sergeant Freedom, to be donated to the Delaware National Guard and Reserves Emergency Assistance Fund (DNGREAF). DNGREAF is a fund designed to assist deployed members and their families experiencing financial hardships due to their participation in the Global War on Terrorism. In addition to the financial donation, the Fair donated all of the remaining bears to be distributed to children of Delaware Army National Guardsmen and women who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. According to Hazzard, "We are pleased to acknowledge, with gratitude, the sacrifices these Delaware citizen soldiers continue to make.”###