Date: Fri 13-Sep-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDREA

Quick Words:

Mittens-Marge-Costa

Full Text:

with cut: Fair Judges: Thumbs Up For Marge Costa's Mittens

B Y A NDREA Z IMMERMANN

Marge Costa of Hattertown Road never expected to win the first time she

entered a contest at an agricultural fair, especially not one as large as the

Bethlehem Fair. But last weekend she was awarded a first place ribbon in the

Yarn Knitting division in the category of mittens, and won third place for her

white eggs.

"It was the first time I entered - a new experience," she said. "The

competition is very stiff. I'm very happy to win anything because I wasn't

expecting to win at all! Some women have been entering every year. There were

so many beautiful things."

Marge entered white eggs from her White Leg Horn chickens, and brown eggs from

her Golden Hall Cross chickens. She couldn't quite gather the dozen green eggs

needed for competition from her Araucana this is correct hens, but plans to

enter those next year.

Raising chickens is a hobby for Marge, who finds it relaxing to "putz" around

her yard where she has a lamb, rabbits, 40 chickens, 4 roosters, a goat, a

pony, five cats, and bees. It is a nice escape after a stressful day working

as a special police officer, she said.

Marge heard about the 72nd Bethlehem Fair contests through radio

advertisements. She entered two sweaters, a knitted argyle vest, two crocheted

doilies, and, as an afterthought, a pair of brown and white mittens.

"The Bethlehem show was awesome," said Marge. "It rained most of the time, but

it never dampened the spirits of those who were exhibiting or the people who

went to the fair."

Next year, Marge plans to enter some honey from her beehives, eggs, and some

knitted and crocheted pieces. But she'll have to get busy knitting because

contestants are not allowed to enter the same piece twice.