July 16 was a big night for members of the Cloverdale Livestock Club as they gathered at the Moss Ranch for showmanship trials. This is essentially a dress rehearsal for the event for all the marbles — the Deschutes County Fair & Rodeo, July 30-August 3. At the fair some hundreds of 4-H youth will compete in five categories – beef, sheep, goat, swine, and poultry.

4-H has been around for 123 years, and for 77 of those, 4-H has thrived in Sisters Country as Cloverdale Livestock Club. 4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization surpassing Scouting. The 4‑H idea is simple: help young people and their families gain the skills needed to be proactive forces in their communities and develop ideas for a more innovative economy.

Today, 4‑H serves youth in rural, urban, and suburban communities in all 50 states. 4‑H participants are tackling the nation’s top issues, from global food security, climate change, and sustainable energy to childhood obesity and food safety.

Photo by Bill Bartlett

Yesenia Ortiz’ steer is about 15 times her size – but she shows that steer who’s boss.

4‑H out-of-school programming, in-school enrichment programs, clubs and camps also offer a wide variety of STEM opportunities — from agricultural and animal sciences to rocketry, robotics, environmental protection, and computer science — to improve the nation’s ability to compete in key scientific fields and take on the leading challenges of the 21st century.

Dressed in their show attire, with their animals groomed to perfection, each of the 55 members aged 9 to 18 patiently waited their turn to enter the pen and be judged under the same rules and conditions as would be typical at the Fair. The Cloverdale club boasts eight “Cloverbuds.” They are under age 9, the starting age for 4-H.

Their animals, on the other hand, were not always so nonchalant, eyeing the lush green grass abundant at the Moss family property or otherwise eager to get the show over.

Five managed their chickens, a relatively easy task. Three were showing their goats, a still relatively manageable chore. Twenty-seven handling sheep had to use some muscle as in many cases the animal weighed twice as much as the kid. The five showing swine used brain over brawn to out-clever and wrangle them.

The 11 kids keeping their cows in line were a master class in leverage. Yesenia Ortiz let her 1,500 pound steer — about 15 times her size — know who the boss is.

Show day at the Fair is the “moment of truth.” What youth and teens have learned, how they have managed their animal, and how well they control their animal are all tested.

Showmanship contests are evaluated based on preparation of animals for show, the apparent training, and the appearance and behavior of the exhibitor. An animal’s conformation should not be considered except as it may affect the way an animal should have been fitted or shown. Basic skills and both grooming and showing should not be confused with current fads and trends.

Show rings come in many different sizes. Regardless of the shape or the size of the ring, a good showman will utilize all the space available. Animals on the move should be held towards the outer edge of the ring to provide adequate room for evaluation.

A big percentage of showmanship is how well an animal handles, cleanliness, and cooperation between the animal and the handler.

Exhibitors must pay attention to the straightness of lines when bringing their animal to a stop in side-by-side or head-to-tail alignments.

The Nugget asked Issac Vanaken (12), showing for his second year, what he valued most about the Club.

“Seeing how other people work and handle, what I can learn from them,” he answered.

In typical modest fashion, a characteristic of 4-H kids, Vanaken said “he hoped to do well at the fair, improve on last year.”

His steer Rex weighed in at 1,530 pounds. However, he was like a poodle under Vanaken’s deft steering.

Evelyn Webb (11) is a third year Club member. She let her steer Colt, also 1,530 pounds, know who was in charge as we asked her to change positions for photos when he preferred to stay right where he was.

“What’s best about 4-H is working on your project. It keeps you really busy and it’s challenging,” she said. She hopes to do well at the Fair where last year she won a blue ribbon.

The last day of the fair can be bittersweet, and for some downright heart-wrenching. Auction day is when many 4-H kids must say goodbye after a year of training, feeding, and caring for an animal.

But their parents and Club leaders have prepared them well for the eventual good-bye, and living with the outcome. 4-H kids, many from farming and ranching families, beyond demonstrating showmanship, display a sound understanding of “the circle of life.”

News and Insights

July 22, 2025

Summer is arguably the most important season for the travel industry. Full stop.

But here’s a hot take: it’s not because of school breaks, longer days, market seasonality, or a consumer expectation of higher spend.

For tourism industry professionals, summer is the season of trendcasting, budgeting, data analysis, and most importantly, of idea sharing. 

More than 2,000 – including an international delegation from FINN – gathered this year at the Destinations International Annual Convention to: dig into the current challenges facing destination marketers; celebrate the most strategic, innovative forward-looking solutions; and explore the complex interplay between tourism organizations, private sector partners, and consumers’ travel booking behaviors.

Four themes permeated the conversation:

1. Advocacy drives investment.

This topic is one of the core themes in the Destinations International landmark research DestinationNEXT Futures Study, an initiative funded by the Destination Foundation which aims to serve as essential guidance for leaders to strategically adapt and thrive.  

It comes as no surprise that during times of uncertainty and unrest, investment sources are a hot topic, and according to the Futures Study, 42% of destination organizations foresee funding risks within three years. 

The most consistent discussion across sessions reiterated the importance of destination organizations diversifying their funding sources to ensure if one source disappears, there are still others available. The Convention saw many themes within this overarching theme:

• Bolster community engagement. The input of the local community is critical, and worth the time and resources to recruit and compile. Community voices –
  spanning private sector businesses to residents – can be powerful advocates when it comes to policy-making.
  
• Curate relationships with local officials. They’re the ones making the policy decisions.
• Develop sustainably (in all senses of the word). Protect your land, and the culture of the people who live there. Level out visitation peaks and valleys with robust offerings in what is typically considered off-season to avoid overcrowding. Engage the community around decisions around environmental impact, keeping in mind that the majority of travelers are thinking about their environmental footprint. Build and market for a sustainable visitor economy that delivers long-term positive impact on the community.
• Paint a complete picture. Champion the tourism industry by showcasing economic impact and growth potential, along with community support.

2. Events matter, and Sports Tourism is here to stay.

In-market activations and events engage local communities (see #1!), and also drive overnight bookings in a big way.

According to Sports Events Tourism Association, spectator sports generated $47.1 billion in direct spending last year. This number does not include spending around amateur or youth sports, which in 2023 generated another $52.2 billion in direct spending. Meanwhile, according to the American Express 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, 60% of respondents planned to travel for events or sporting events this year.

The economic impact of sports tourism is significant. In September, the NFL will play its first-ever game in Dublin. Ireland anticipates the arrival of approximately 30,000 international visitors, generating over €60 million for the Irish economy, and an additional €20 million for the treasury.

Similarly, Expedia shared data around YoY search trends for the cities that hosted Club World Cup matches this summer. For the group play round which ran in June, host cities saw a 3.3x increase in QoQ search. There was similar lift around the quarter and semi final rounds, and a 4.3x increase for the final rounds in the NY area.

3. There is growing awareness around the importance of elevating Indigenous tourism, equitably.

An increasing number of destinations are cultivating relationships with inclusive engagement at the forefront. Meet Minneapolis’ Native American Tourism Strategy and Explore Edmonton’s mâmawokamâtowin (Walking Forward Together) initiative were exceptional case studies. There was conversation around storytelling, land-based programs, land acknowledgments with true meaning, and Indigenous art. Most significantly, multiple sessions addressed the importance of authentic partnerships rooted in learning, amplifying (not editing), and collaborative product development rooted in Indigenous values.

4. Generative AI meets authenticity.

Travel is driven by curiosity and emotional connection – to places and people. Tourism is at the crossroads here, with the potential to leverage data to create customized digital experiences that bring people closer to the places they’re passionate about. For development, management or marketing organizations without their own direct booking mechanism, it is increasingly important to deliver sophisticated interactive digital experiences that celebrate travelers’ reliance on AI in the planning process while opening the door for authentic local connections.

So, what is the red thread?

This industry brings people together all over the world, through exploration, education, and emotion, and this connection is precious. 

We’ve got our work cut out for us.

ATASCADERO — Atascadero Recreation is inviting young athletes to join the 2025 Fall Youth Pickleball program, offering kids the chance to learn one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Pickleball blends elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, making it accessible, fun, and a great way to stay active. Students will learn fundamental skills, strategies, and game knowledge in a supportive environment.

Class Details:

• Grades: 5th/6th & 7th/8th
• Location: Colony Park Community Center Gym, 5599 Traffic Way
• Schedule: Mondays & Wednesdays, Oct. 6 – Oct. 29
   • 7th/8th grade: 5 to 6 p.m.
   • 5th/6th grade: 6 to 7 p.m.
• Cost: $64 (Residents) / $75 (Non-Residents)

Paddles are provided, but players may bring their own. Participants should wear comfortable athletic attire.

Registration closes September 26. Don’t miss out on the fun — sign up today!

Related

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has donated $100,000 to support the Timberlake High School Field House, a project that will provide a place for youth in northern Kootenai County to stay active throughout the year.

“Timberlake High School staff, students, community members and myself want to send a sincere thank you to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe for their support of the Timberlake High School Field House Project,” Timberlake Principal Ryne Eberlin said. “The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s $100,000 donation will positively impact the Spirit Lake, Athol, Bayview, Twin Lakes and surrounding areas for years to come.”

The donation and recognition have been a year in the making. Eberlin said when he met with Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council Chairman Chief Allan in spring 2024 to discuss the field house project, Allan understood the importance of youth staying active and the benefits to the school and community the project would provide.

“Chief and I both grew up in North Idaho and understand how important community and opportunity is for our next generation and current citizens,” Eberlin said. “Extracurricular opportunities teach so many life lessons and support academics.”

In July 2024, Timberlake’s bookkeeper called Eberlin with news that the school had received the Tribe’s donation.

So far, Eberlin said $700,000 has been raised and another $400,000 is needed to complete flooring and other phases that will make the facility optimally accessible to the community.

The facility will be a 90-by-120-foot steel structure with bathrooms and storage. It will provide space for baseball, softball, golf, track and field, soccer, basketball and other activities, with K-12 youth athletics prioritized followed by community needs.

The Timberlake High School Field House Project is funded by donations.

“The Coeur d’Alene Tribe is a huge supporter of education,” Allan told The Press. “Athletics are a vital part of a balanced and rounded educational experience, teaching kids invaluable lessons about hard work and, of course, healthy lifestyles. The field house project will go a long way to supporting athletic opportunities at Timberlake and is a great fit for the Tribe’s priorities.”

In the two years since the project was announced, Eberlin said fundraising has consumed his summer months, nights and weekends.

“I have really enjoyed meeting everyone and discussing the importance of this project for the community,” he said. “I have found everyone to be willing to listen. Although only half of the meetings resulted in success, the drive to help people has kept me going.”

He said he is ready to see this facility built, but a little more support is needed through in-kind and cash donations.

“I hope a few more folks can step up,” he said. 

All of the geotechnical work, surveying and architectural plans have been completed. The electrical and gas connections and agreements have been completed thanks to Perry Huston and Salmon Electric, Eberlin said. 

Next steps:

• Bid documents are available. The project has been posted to the architectswestplans.com as well as other plan rooms.
•  The bid is open for earthwork, steel building package and foundation.  

Assuming all goes well and funds are in place, construction is expected to begin this fall. Building will be completed as funds are raised for the interior finishes such as flooring, athletic equipment, parking and landscaping.

“I’d like to see it open by summer 2026,” Eberlin said.

Info: ryne.eberlin@lakeland272.org

    With a $100,000 donation from the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, the Timberlake Field House Project — funded 100% by private donations — is getting closer to its fundraising goal.
  

The average cost to register a preschooler for a single season of sports is around $80. For many families already facing financial hardships, that’s a barrier to something every child deserves: the chance to play and grow through athletics.

That’s why Disney Jr.’s Let’s Play! and ESPN’s Take Back Sports have teamed up with Every Kid Sports. Right now, eligible families are invited to apply for grants to cover fall sports registration costs under the Fall 2025 Every Kid Sports Pass.

Family eligibility requirements include:

Children currently enrolled in Medicaid, SNAP, or WIC Children between the ages of 3-7 Child is applying for a recreational sport (not elite or travel) with a season lasting at least 4 weeks

Learn more and apply here.

The Disney Jr. Let’s Play! campaign is part of Disney’s commitment to delivering happiness to kids, families, and communities.

Disney is the parent company of ABC11.