By DAVE SCHULTZ
The people who served as the grand marshals for the 2023 Wells County 4-H Fair parade are a pair of longtime 4-H volunteers and leaders — and are also two of the primary people involved in the upkeep of the 4-H Park.
Cathy Neu began her involvement with 4-H when her daughter, Melissa, got involved with the program. Since then, she’s compiled a lengthy resume.
• Served as the Wells County 4-H Horse and Pony superintendent and has held various offices on the 4-H council and the 4-H association.
• Been recognized as the Indiana 4-H Leader of the Year.
• Served on the Indiana State Fair Horse and Pony Advisory Committee.
• Helped revitalize the Horse and Pony Color Guard at the Indiana State Fair, serving as the director for several years.
• Served as the director of the Miss Wells County pageant.
As to why they were chosen for this year’s honor, she said, “I think we’ve just done so much and we’ve been around so long.”
There’s more. In 2004, she took on the responsibility of being the groundskeeper of the 4-H Park.
“I do all the mowing, do the flowers, the tree trimming,” she said Saturday night as the parade was lining up.” John helps with the big jobs, such as fixing picnic tables. “He does all the hard work when I ask him to do it,” she said.
She says the couple was honored by their selection.
“It’s humbling, really,” she said. “I love 4-H and I love our park. We’ve been to a lot of 4-H parks throughout Indiana and we have one of the most beautiful parks in the state —and we have to keep it that way.”
“She takes a lot of pride in the park,” John said.
daves@news-banner.com
