The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Spencer's Romanzo A. Coates Questers Club recently recognized and honored Derek Johnson, a fifth-grade student at Clay Central/Everly Elementary School, with the 4-H Preservation and Restoration Award during the 2022 Clay County Fair. The award is similar to an existing Quester's state-level award presented during the Iowa State Fair each year.

The local award honored Johnson, who is a member of the Clay Raiders 4-H Club. For the honor, he received a certificate of recognition, a ribbon, a $25 cash prize from the local group, and a $25 donation to which Johnson may designate to a museum or historical society of his choosing.

According to Romanzo A. Coates Questers' President Sandy Thiesen, the club became aware of the restoration award given on the state level during the Iowa State Fair several years ago.

"We felt it was a great idea to create our own honor within Clay County. This is our third year to give the honor, and it's been a joy to view and consider the 4-H projects for this award on the county level," she said. "There are several 4-H'ers in our community each year who share a passion for historic preservation. This is the Quester's mission: 'Keeping history alive by supporting preservation, restoration and education.' "

Johnson, who is the son of Val and Frayne Johnson, of Spencer, received the award for his historic preservation efforts on a vintage metal lawn chair, which had been previously owned by his paternal grandparents. He restored the chair, painting it a vibrant teal.

"Johnson's chair was well done, and we were impressed by his workmanship during the restoration. It is now prominently displayed at the Clay County Fair's 4-H building the remainder of the week at the fair," Thiesen said.

Criteria for the award required participants' projects to follow Clay County 4-H criteria. It may serve as a historic restoration or preservation item or an educational piece. It should include a written report telling the history of the item, including the process to restore the piece or research the information. Pictures of a restoration or educational project should be included in the report. Judging included consideration for the quality of workmanship in preserving and restoring the item and explanations of the written report detailing the process.

All 4-H classes qualified for the Questers Award and all qualifying Clay County 4-H projects were judged by members of the Romanzo A. Coates Questers Club, who are antique/history enthusiasts. Projects included previously judged items during Clay County's 4-H Achievement Day and projects brought to the fair for pencil judging.