Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By MEGAN HUGHES
SAXON, WIS. — The Penokee Range 4H Livestock Club annual livestock auction was a somewhat solemn affair this year, as members of the community remembered Carolyn Alonen, a lifelong supporter of the Penokee Range 4H, and long time friend of the fair.
Alonen died in 2022, and fair officials honored her memory by naming the livestock show arena in her name. Organizers kicked off the annual livestock auction by auctioning off a quarter of beef to begin a scholarship in her memory.
The quarter went through not one, but two rounds of auctions, as the winner of the first round donated the beef back so it could be auctioned again. The first sale raised $2,600 and the second topped off at $2,000 — raising $4,600 for the scholarship.
Champions and reserve champions
The first animal up to bid was this year’s grand champion steer, Winsten, a polled hereford weighing 1,295 pounds. Winsten was raised by Taylor Hitter, and was sold for $5 per pound.
The reserve champion steer was raised by Colin Smee. The hereford, named Bubbles, weighed in at 1,305 pounds, and was also purchased for $5 per pound.
The grand champion broilers were raised by Piper Romosz, called the HENdersons. The 45 pound Cornish cross flock was sold for $13.50 per pound.
The reserve champion chickens were raised by Payton Maskanka, called the Carey Connection. The Cornish cross flock weighed 50 pounds and were sold for $21 per pound.
The grand champion lamb was raised by Poper Romosz, and was named Casper. Casper was a Suffolk breed lamb, weighing 130 pounds. They were sold for $12.25 per pound.
The reserve champion lamb was raised by Starr Thewis, and was called Baaaaaa-b (pronounced Bawb). They were a Suffolk/Hampshire cross, weighing 115 pounds. The lamb was sold for $12.50 per pound.
There was only one pair of turkeys entered. Baby Yoda and the Mandalorean were broad breasted white turkeys, raised by Skyler Thewis, and weighed a total of 39 pounds. They were sold for $37 per pound.
The final animals up at auction were the hogs.
The grand champion hog was raised by Bella DeRosso, and was named Harry Porker, a Berkshire hog, weighing 281 pounds. He was sold for $21 per pound.
The reserve champion hog was Bailey, raised by Piper Hitter. Bailey was a spot hog and weighed 290 pounds. They were purchased for $20 per pound.
Organizers estimate that the auction raised more than $90,000 dollars this year. The proceeds go to the kids who raised the animals.
Ashley Passuello, daughter of Alonen, spoke highly about the fair and the scholarship auction and explained how purchasing animals works. “After the auction, the kids continue caring for the animals until monday when they go to the butcher shop of their choice.”
The auction was moved earlier in the day this year in order to accommodate the live music being performed later on.
“I think we did well getting the time change out there, all of our bidders showed up,” said 4-H lead Courtney Maslanka. “It helps to create funds for the kids to use for college or other projects.”
She explained that the kids are in charge of choosing breeders and picking out their own animals, which is why there was a number of different breeds of animals in the auction.
