By Lori Ehde
In most local events, such as in next week's Rock County Fair, the work gets done by planners and doers.
In the case of Vernon and Ida Reverts, Ida's the planner and Vernon's the doer. Together they have nearly 70 years of experience with Rock County Fairs.
He'd rather be a doer
Vernon has been on the Rock County Fair Board since 1967 when his children started in 4-H. He describes himself as a doer rather than a planner.
"I'd rather have someone else be the boss and tell me what to do," he said. "There's always work to do."
Scott Beers, Fair Board treasurer, said Vernon is always willing and ready to work.
"He's always ready with his equipment. He's always there to work nights, and he's always there to help," Beers said. "He's very reliable."
Beers said Vernon has been a strong, silent force behind the scenes. "He's one of these guys who doesn't say much, but when he talks, people listen," Beers said.
He said Vernon was instrumental in moving the livestock wash racks to their current location, which has proven to be a good idea.
At 75 years old, Vernon has contributed a great deal to the fair's progress through the decades, but he's quick to give credit to others on the board, particularly Beers, Ron Fick and Dean Greenfield.
"They're an excellent group of people," he said.
She's a good planner
Ida, as a complement to her husband, is an accomplished planner. She perfected her management skills running the 4-H eat stand for more than 20 years.
Now, she organizes open class competition in the Floral Hall.
Every year, she makes sure the paperwork and display areas are ready for the hundreds of entries that flood the Floral Hall on judging day.
"She really does a good job, and it's a big job," said Vernice Jauert, who heads up the floral division with her daughter, Lynette.
"Ida's there from the very start to the very end. She's there when the doors close every night."
Ida said entry day is most challenging. Similar to the days she organized incoming pies at the eat stand, she now accepts and organizes all the entries prior to judging, which often doesn't conclude until after 11 p.m.
Under Ida's guidance, open class entries increased from about 800 in 1990 to more than 1,200 in 1999.
Phyllis Siebenahler said the success of the open competition has hinged largely on Reverts' efforts.
"I think it's operated really well," said Siebenahler, who heads up the fruits and vegetables competition with Becky Husen.
Siebenahler said entry day runs smoothly because Reverts has everything ready.
"I think Ida has done really well," Siebenahler said. "She puts a lot of work into it. There aren't many people willing to take time with that kind of work."
Saving Floral Hall has been a good idea
Ida credits the new interest in open class to a number of things, including the remodeled Floral Hall.
Prior to 1990, the building was moved from the current 4-H eat stand location, and the east door was closed off, providing more interior wall space for exhibits.
The building received overall repairs, including new windows and woodwork in the dome and new wood on the center pedestal where flowers are displayed.
The Floral Hall, which the board had considered tearing down, is the only building remaining from the original fairgrounds campus.
New ideas spark more interest in open class
With a mere $400 stipend for all her efforts, it isn't the money that keeps Ida returning to her post year after year.
"I enjoy the challenge of it," she said. "I always look forward to finding new ideas."
SheÕs added a wood category that includes such things as furniture, doll houses and bird houses. Gift baskets have joined the baked goods and fruit categories. The tallest corn stalk has been a popular newcomer, as has the bucket of flowers.
"When people make requests for categories, we try to add it," she said. "You try to make it a little bit better every year."
Last year, schnapps was added to the home brewing category, and this year homemade liquors will join the list.
Also new this year, Red Star Yeast will award prizes to winning baked goods that contain yeast.
Ida said flowers and arts and crafts still see the most entries every year.
She and Vernon travel to area county fairs, and she also relies on input from her co-workers and the Fair Board.
"We've got excellent help," Ida said. "The Fair Board is super cooperative, and I've got some very good superintendents and volunteers who have had very good suggestions."
Entry day is Wednesday, Aug. 1, for open class competition. Entries will be accepted between noon and 7 p.m. Judging starts at 7:30.