Addison and Andrew Zellmer (l-r) put the re-"finishing" touches on 4-H projects to be judged at next week's Plymouth County Fair. [Click to enlarge]

(Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories profiling 4-H families as they prepare for the Plymouth County Fair).

Between baseball and 4-H projects it's been a hectic summer to say the least for this male duo. As Andrew and Addison Zellmer gear up for another Plymouth County Fair, they've been busy balancing baseball practices, games and tournaments with Share the Fun skits, 4-H club meetings and working exhibits.

"Our high school baseball team has done great this season but that has meant not a whole lot of time to work on 4-H projects," says Andrew, 18, who plays shortstop and third base for K-P.

Addison's eighth grade baseball season has also ended recently with a bang or more like with a black-eye as he is now sporting a scarlet shiner and stitches across his brow with pride.

"The ball hit me during the last game of the season," Addison says grinning. "That was a good thing cause otherwise I would have had to miss a bunch of my games!"

Now that 14-year-old Addison has one good eye and a little more free time on his hands, he's been steadily working on a variety of 4-H projects for next week's fair.

One of those projects is an activity fun box for children ages 5-10.

"I'm planning to give it to my aunt who has a daycare in Kingsley. The activity box will be filled with games for the older kids to play with at the daycare."

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The youngest Zellmer is also working on an energy drink and candy bar comparison, and autobiography while also refinishing a desk.

"Me and my brothers have always taken woodworking projects to the fair. My family was the one who taught me how to do the refinishing and so far my projects have turned out pretty good."

Addison will also be doing a working exhibit with another club member where they will be making rock necklaces for Friday afternoon passerbys at the fair to make and take.

Addison says that his favorite part of the Plymouth County Fair is hanging out with friends and seeing his 4-H projects do well and advance to the state fair.

"I love going to the Iowa State Fair," says Addison.

This Zellmer duo is also teaming up on a number of fair projects together such as a wooden storage container for the K-P Booster Club, a fruit smoothie recipe for Pride of Iowa and a group skit for Share the Fun.

"Our 4-H club (Kingsley Krowners) is 70 years old this year so all the members of our club are putting on a patriotic skit for Share the Fun," says Andrew.

Not only has Andrew stayed busy this summer slugging it out for K-P, but he's also been saving lives at the Kingsley Pool and working at Prime Pork hog confinement near his home.

Somehow Andrew is still finding time to refinish a wooden stool, perfect a nutritious brownie recipe, capture some photos and create a poster that differentiates between the good and bad fats in food. Not to mention this Kingsley Krowners member is also vying for the title of the 2007 Plymouth County Fair King.

"The king judging went really well," says the amiable Andrew. "They asked me questions about my family and my favorite things to do at the fair."

Whether or not this potential potentate wins, he says that the contest has been a positive experience and has made a lot of friends with

Plymouth County 4-H'ers.

"I'm excited to see everyone again at the fair."

He will also be putting his communication skills to the test in the extemporaneous speaking contest on Thursday at the fair.

"I love to talk and I've done lots of educational presentations in the past so I should be ready for this (extemp. speaking)."

Andrew says that he is also most looking forward to the fair food and being hypnotized in Pioneer Village.

Of course the Zellmers are no strangers to the Plymouth County Fair as their plethora of projects have been steadfast at the county fair and Iowa State Fair for many years.

"We've learned that it's the quality of projects that matter rather than the quantity you take," says Andrew.

As the Zellmer brothers round their last week to finish their "quality" projects, Addison and Andrew are confident that they will be ready in time for judging on Tuesday.

"We have a lot left to do," said Addison. "but It's weird because you're so ready for the fair to come and once it's over you don't know what to do with yourself!"