LARRY AND KARLA PALS talk to fairgoers the evening of July 11 at the Wright County Fair. The Pals were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

By CLAYTON RYE

“mailto:crye@wctatel.net”>crye@wctatel.net

EAGLE GROVE – A ceremony was held at the Wright County Fair Thursday night honoring the 100th anniversary of the Iowa State University Extension Service in Wright County and announcing inductees into the 2013 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame.

Prior to the ceremony, cookies were given to fairgoers with a sticker honoring the Extension Service’s anniversary.

Dr. Cathann Kress, ISU’s vice president for Extension, presented a framed certificate honoring the county’s centennial anniversary to Kevin Moss, chairman of the Wright County Extension Council.

KEVIN MOSS, chairman of the Wright County Extension Service, holds up a framed plaque noting the county’s 100th year with Iowa State University Extension. At right is Dr. Cathann Kress, ISU’s vice president of Extension.

In her remarks, Kress said that Iowa, besides having the first land grant university, was the first with an Extension Service when it started a century ago. Wright County has the distinction of being the birthplace of the 4-H emblem in Clarion.

Belmond residents Larry and Karla Pals were honored by being inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame for 2013. Larry Pals, who did not have a 4-H background, said he became active in the program because of his children, helping with their projects through the years. Pals has served on the Wright County Fair Board for more than 10 years.

Karla Pals, who has been a 4-H leader of the Iowa Hawkeyes 4-H Club for many years, said she “was floored” when she learned of receiving the recognition.