By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS - A piglet born on the coldest day of the year was the grand champion market hog on one of the hottest days of the year Tuesday at the Cass County Fair.
In fact, the baby pig born in January at 3 a.m. when it was 10-degrees below zero was so cold Scott Hartsell and his family wrapped up the pig in a blanket, put it in a roaster pan and warmed it up in the oven.
Scott never had to bottle feed the piglet. After it warmed up, they put it back with the gilt and it started nursing right away.
Scott showed the pig that is now 280 pounds, and said, "It's a good thing we did (warm up the pig)." For the first time in his nine years of showing hogs with the Penn 4-H Club, this was Scott's first top award. Scott, 17, bred and raised the litter of 12 pigs and did it all by himself. He didn't name the pig which is a crossbred and will sell it Thursday at the fair's annual livestock sale. "I probably will not feel bad to sell him because I will have more pigs born in January," he said.
He plans to save his proceeds from the sale to put toward his college funds after graduation from Ross Beatty High School next year. The senior is captain of the varsity football team and is the son of Tom and Doris Hartsell of Cassopolis.
Scott's sisters, Cassie and Barbie, showed sheep, pigs and steers in 4-H, and his niece, Maddie, who is four-years old, is starting a show career also. She shows pigs and sheep at open shows and will be ready for the pee wee class next year.
Scott's fellow 4-H club member, Zach Fitzsimons, 16, of Vandalia showed the reserve grand champion market hog. He also showed a crossbred weighing 280 pounds and will sell it Thursday at the livestock sale.
In English horse showing on Tuesday, Christina Hans, 14, of Niles showed the grand champion English pleasure horse. The daughter of John and Tonya Hans, Christina is a member of the Silver Spurs 4-H Club and showed her Quarter Horse "Harold." Christina has been showing horses nine years at the fair and has been in the saddle ever since she was three years old. "The thrill of winning is awesome," she said. She also likes the people at the fair, especially hanging out with friends.
Showing the reserve grand champion English pleasure horse was Tory Treat, 11, of Niles. She is the daughter of Troy and Kelly Treat and belongs to the North Red Hill 4-H Club. She has been showing horses five years at the fair and about six to seven years altogether.
"It was great," said Tory of winning the reserve placing with her Paint gelding "Copa." She too likes to hang out with her friends at the fair.
The fair continues through Saturday at the fairgrounds on North O'Keefe Street,