BY TRACY LEE TATE
Special to the Times
LAKE BUTLER—Union County 4-H held its annual Holiday Bake Off last Monday, Dec. 4, with 96 entries in six categories, filling several long tables with sweet treats. The theme was Christmas in Florida, and many of the entries showed Christmas themes. 4-H members were allowed to enter one item per category and could compete in as many categories as they wanted. Competition was held in each 4-H age group (Cloverbud, Junior, Intermediate, and Senior), with overall winners selected in each category.
Judges for the event were Karen Cossey, Mac Johns, Vicky Johns, Lauren Kunze, Andrea Kinneman, Angie Griffis, Kerri Patrick, Stephen Etchison, Patrick Maxwell, Priti McNutt and Rebecca Hall. After sampling all the entries, the judges were treated to an Appreciation Lunch of tacos to thank them for their services and help them recover from the sugar overload many were suffering from. Winners were announced by Union County 4-H Extension Agent Meagan Daniel. Prizes were given to the top three 4-H’rs in each age group and then special gold and silver spoons, with gift cards, were given to the overall winners in each category. The event was funded with some of the proceeds from the 4-H Auction, held earlier this year.
In the Gingerbread Houses category there were 10 entries. The winners were: Cloverbud – Cadence Duniven, Presley Emery and Wave Croft; Junior – June Brooks, Callie Dicks and Nolan Elliot; Senior – Cailyn Boggs and Sydney Box. Overall winners were June Brooks and Cadence Duniven.
In the Brownies category there were 13 entries. The winners were: Cloverbud – Wayne Hartley; Junior – Tripp Pittman, Reed McNeal and Ryder Akins; Intermediate – Alyssa Lee, Weston Daniel and Layleigh Thornton. Overall winners were Tripp Pittman and Reed McNeal.
In the Cookies category there were 26 entries. The winners were: Cloverbud – Cadence Duniven, Lyle Neuhofer and Peyton Williams; Junior – Turner Dukes, Atticus Allen and Kylee Thomas; Intermediate – Ella Griffis, Mandy Scha and Natiana Hampton. Overall winners were Ella Griffis and Cadence Duniven.
In the Candies category there were 10 entries. The winners were: Cloverbud – Writ Griffis, Raylan Dyal and Warren Dukes; Junior – Lexi Kirby, Addy Reid and Anderson Griffis; Intermediate – Mandy Schafaasma, Kamryn Hartley and Alyssa Lee. Overall Winners were Writ Griffis and Lexi Kirby.
In the Cupcakes category there were 9 entries. The winners were: Cloverbud
– Shaw Daniel, Clairabelle Martin and Weston Androlevich; Junior – Paislee Ricketson, Lola Allen and Josie Harlow; Intermediate – Kamryn Hartley and Kalyn Reynolds; Senior – Cailyn Boggs. Overall winners were Paislee Ricketson and Cailyn Boggs.
In the Cakes category there were 28 entries. The winners were: Cloverbud – Ryder Gill, Noah Thomas and Weston Androlevich; Junior – Raylan Dyal, Sawyer Dyal and Lane Hartley; Intermediate – Gabe McNeal, Marcus Jefferson and Callie Smith. Overall winners were Gabe McNeal and Ryder Gill.
The final winners announced were the overall bake-off winners. They were Paislee Ricketson (cupcakes) and Ella Griffis (cookies).
Once all the awards had been granted, the audience of friends and family members were told to get in line and help themselves to the treats. The line moved slowly, as everyone made their selections. More than one expressed their admiration for the array of goodies spread before them. “These kids can cook!”
