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RI County Fair queen now reigns over state
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By Laura Anderson Shaw, landerson@qconline.com
By Laura Anderson Shaw, landerson@qconline.com
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It was a big weekend for Miss Rock Island County Fair QueenAmelia Martens. The 20-year-old Orion native was crownedMiss Illinois County Fair on Sunday in Springfield during the annual convention of the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs. "It's a dream come true," Ms. Martens said recently in an email, adding she is thankful for the support she's received from her parents, friends, the Rock Island County Fair Board and pageant director Shauna Learn. As the Miss Illinois County Fair queen, Ms. Martens will be the official hostess of the Illinois State and DuQuoin State fairs this summer. She also received a $1,000 scholarship from Prairie Farms and many gifts, according to the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs' website, illinoiscountyfairs.org. Ms. Martens said the 70 contestants vying for the crown were split into two preliminary groups during last weekend's competition, which consisted of a one-minute speech, a four minute interview and evening gown and swimsuit categories. The top 15 contestants were announced on Sunday night, Ms. Martens said, and the slate was "wiped clean." "We all had a two-minute interview, three onstage questions, our speech, then swimsuit and evening gown. It was a long evening," she said. Then, she was crowned the winner. "It is truly an honor to represent the state of Illinois and agriculture as Miss Illinois County Fair," Ms. Martens said. "I am very excited about my year of service and look forward to traveling the state this summer, visiting county fair queen pageants and spreading the message of agriculture." Ms. Martens is a 2010 graduate of Orion High School and is attending the University of Illinois, majoring inagricultural communications. She is the daughter ofPatrick and Annette Martens. The Illinois State Fair will take place Aug. 9-19 in Springfield, and the DuQuoin State Fair will be Aug. 24-Sept. 3. For more information, visit illinoisstatefair.info or illinoiscountyfairs.org. 
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Today is Thursday, May 23, the 143rd day of 2013. There are 222 days left in the year.
1863 — 150 years ago: Messrs. J. and M. Rosenfield have moved their leather and hidestore to the building formerly occupied by Temple Bufords's store. They buy and sellhides, pelts, furs, wool, beeswax, lard, tallow, etc.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The Rock Island Lumber Company has recovered 5,000 of the8,000 logs that were carried away by the Mississippi River flood last week.
1913 -- 100 years ago: John J. Ullemeyer has been awarded the contract to furnish RockIsland fire and police department members with uniforms, at the city's expense.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Work on Aledo's new $38,000 swimming pool was started thismorning at South Park when ground for the pool was broken by Mayor John W. Murphy.
1963 -- 50 years ago: Students and teacher at Moline High School called today "MissLeona Day" day at the school in honor of the government teacher who retires at theend of the school term. Although she's been teaching for 43 years at the school, Miss Dayfound a new way of arriving at the school this morning. At 7:30 a.m., a police squad carpulled up in front of Miss Day's home and escorted her to school. A caravan of students' cars joined the procession along the way.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Barbecue cooking and riverfront antics are planned for Discover the
River Day Saturday in Leach Park, Bettendorf. A 5K run, wind surfing, a canoe race, hogcalling and more will round out the day under the Interstate 74 bridge.
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