THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 20, 1996 TAG: 9610180277
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: COASTAL JOURNAL
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
LENGTH: 90 lines
Crystal, Katylynn and Danny Beltz kept it in all in the family at the Junior Market Hog Show at the State Fair recently.
Between them, the three siblings took four first places and a grand champion award along with winning lesser ribbons in several categories. They are all members of the Virginia Beach 4-H Livestock Club.
``It was amazing,'' said mom Laura Beltz. ``Every time they announced a winner, it was my child!''
Danny, the youngest at 9, came away a winner for the first time. He won two first and a second place ribbon, along with a big purple and gold banner for winning Grand Champion Futurity.
``Futurity is when the pig and its parents are born and raised in Virginia,'' explained the Creeds Elementary School student.
Danny's winning Virginia hogs were Duroc/Hampshire crosses. One was red and the other pink.
On the other hand, Katylynn, an 11-year-old Princess Anne Middle School student, had success with her black and white Hampshire hogs. She won blue ribbons for Singles Class I and Singles Class II .
``My pigs looked like Oreo cookies,'' Katylynn said.
And Crystal, 14, who attends Kellam High School, won first in Singles Class III. Her two hogs were pink with bluish spots on their backs. ``They're just called blue butts,'' she explained.
The Beltzes got their pigs in July when the animals weighed about 110 pounds. By the time, they got to the State Fair, their youngsters were really hogs, weighing in at about 250 pounds each. That's probably more than the Beltz kids weigh combined.
Even as big as they were, the pigs were not hard to care for, Katylynn said. ``Feed them, that's all we do,'' she explained.
The Beltzes also entered their chickens and turkeys in the Junior Market Poultry Show at the State Fair and didn't do nearly as well. ``I got last place,'' said Danny with a laugh.
Although the Beltzes live on a farmette down in Pungo, only the kids are farmers, Laura Beltz explained. She encouraged them to join 4-H because along with ribbons and banners, college scholarships are part of the winnings in 4-H competitions.
``The thing that's neat about them is they're not a farm family,'' said 4-H Extension Agent Tom Baker. ``They're doing this on their own in a small yard in a pen about the size of my office.''
This year, Crystal already has a steer, her first one. She's grooming and working with the big animal to show it in the Virginia Beach 4-H Show and Sale in May. But before too long, you can bet your bottom dollar all the Beltz kids will be taking honors with steers.
The Beltzes weren't the only Virginia Beach 4-H Livestock Club members to do well at the state fair. Lisa Kovacs came away a top local winner in the Junior Market Hog show also taking a first in Singles Class V, and winning Reserve Champion, Pairs. In addition, Lisa won a first in Junior Showmanship and took the Sweepstakes Award.
Some other local winners in the Junior Market Hog Show were Shane Horsley, Reserve Champion Futurity and Grand Champion, Pairs; Hollie Kovacs, first, Pairs Class I, and Ryan Horsley, first in Pairs Class IV.
Other Junior Market Hog Show results include Ryan Horsley who was first in Senior Showmanship. Jimmy Vaughan, the Beltz family and the Kovacs family won first, second and third respectively in the Pork Promotion Award class.
Virginia Beach winners in the Junior Market Poultry Show include Misty Thomas, first in Chicken Class I; Hilary Pavlidis, Reserve Champion, Chicken Class II, and Amanda Baker, Grand Champion, Chicken Class III, and first in Chicken Class IV. Kathleen Roberts was Grand Champion in Turkey Class I; Jennifer Talbott, Reserve Champion in Turkey Class II and Becky Talbott, first, Turkey Class III.
P.S. MOONLIGHT CANOE TRIPS will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at False Cape State Park. The fee is $5. Call 426-7128 for reservations.
FAVORITE WATERWAYS, volunteers in action and before-and-after photos of water clean-up efforts are the categories of a statewide Fall River Renaissance photography contest, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Entry forms and information are available at Richmond Camera stores. Submission deadline is Nov. 15. Top prize is a log-cabin weekend at a state park of the winner's choice.
WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS are needed to work in the gift shop and as docents at the Old Coast Guard Station museum, 24th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Call Ann Dearman, 422-1587, if you are interested.
CORRECTION: The Virginia Beach Audubon Society meeting is Monday at 7:30 p.m. not Tuesday, as reported. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY REID BARROW
Award-winning animal handlers Danny, Katylynn and Crystal Beltz show
off Crystal's newest livestock, a steer. by CNB