June Dairy Month activities planned

By Janice M. Howard / Style Editor for the Southern Standard

Mary Beth Gribble, left, April Kirby and Erika Betschart promote June Dairy Month in Warren County. (Janice M. Howard photo)

Delicious, creamy, rich, sweet tooth satisfying, chocolaty and… good for you? That’s what dietitians at the Southeast Dairy Association are telling us, just in time for Dairy Month. “Got Chocolate Milk?” is the theme being touted in Warren County and across the nation.

This year marks the 65th annual celebration of June Dairy Month. It was started in 1937 by grocer organizations sponsoring “National Milk Month.” By 1939, it became “Dairy Month,” promoting the use of all dairy foods and saluting America’s dairy farmers.

June Dairy Month has become a time to honor the contributions of dairy farmers who work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to provide consumers with fresh, wholesome milk and milk products.

Mary Beth Gribble has been selected to serve as chairperson for area Dairy Month events with April Kirby learning the ropes as the co-chair. Also making public appearances and assisting with special activities at Three Star Mall will be Erica Betschart, reigning Warren County 4-H Dairy Princess.

Mary Beth, 15-year-old daughter of Larry and Tammie Gribble and an upcoming sophomore at Warren County High School, has been an active 4-H member since fourth grade. She competed in dairy foods, public speaking, History Bowl, bread baking, photo search and poster contests.

She was selected to attend the UT Academic Conference and UT Electric Camp. She is a member of the 4-H Honor Club and Cumberland District All Stars. During the recent 4-H Congress in Nashville, Mary Beth served as a member of the House of Representatives and was a candidate for Speaker of the House. She will be attending 4-H Round-up at UT Martin in July.

At the high school, Mary Beth is a member of the Beta Club and WCHS Tennis Team. She is a 4-H volunteer for the Farm Bureau Women’s Committee annual Farm Field Day and also participates in the Midway Community Softball League as a player for the Flower Basket team. She attends Mt. View Church of Christ.

April, 15, daughter of Carla Kirby, is an active 4-H member with special interest in the health project. The upcoming WCHS sophomore holds membership in the high school Beta Club and Tennis Team, 4-H Honor Club, Cumberland District All Stars and Midway Community Softball League playing for the Flower Basket. She participated in 4-H Congress, Farm Bureau Women’s Farm Field Day and will attend 4-H Round-up.

Erika, 12-year-old daughter of Michael and Tina Betschart, is an upcoming seventh grader at Warren County Middle School where she served as Student Council vice president during the recent school year.

As an active 4-H’er, Erika recently completed the Chick Chain project. She was named among the top three Outstanding Junior 4-H’ers, was one of the county dairy poster winners and a sub-district demonstration winner. Having been crowned the 2001 Dairy Princess, she rode in the Christmas Parade, distributed winners’ ribbons at the county fair and is now actively promoting June Dairy Month.