By HOLLY GASKILL
When selling thousand-dollar pies, presentation matters — that’s why Helen Witte is proud to display her famed pies for the Wells County 4-H Fair in one-of-a-kind plates.
This year’s ceramic plates are made by John and Angie Platt of Platt Pottery in Auburn. Witte used to source plates from John’s father, also named John, until a few years ago when he was unable to because of his health.
“I’m just elated to have something so nice to give buyers and to work with the Platts again,” Witte said.
Witte has been making pies for the 4-H auction for almost 40 years, although the tradition began entirely out of coincidence. When there was a brief delay in the auction, Witte volunteered two pies that sold for just under $30.
In the years following, the price began to grow and grow. When it hit a first high of $800, Witte said, “I thought, ‘I’ve got to do something different — they can’t just have an old tin plate!’”
Last year, the prized pies went home for $1,000 apiece. During Ossian Days in 2023, the pies hit a new record of $4,500 each, totaling $9,000 for Witte’s 90th birthday.
The 4-H auction pies benefit the 4-H Foundation, which offers scholarships to students. “I just love that the foundation is a scholarship for anybody — it’s a part of the auction that’s for everybody, not just the animal kids,” Witte said.
Janelle Frauhiger of the 4-H Foundation estimates that Witte’s pies alone have raised approximately $100,000.
The auction is slated for Thursday, July 18, beginning at 2 p.m. with the premier auction. The livestock auction will follow at 3:30 p.m.
holly@news-banner.com
