Southington Grange fair — as American as apple pie

The Grange Fair is a celebration of rural American life The Grange Fair is a celebration of rural American life. There are no carnival rides or booths selling fried dough or smoothies. There was a pancake breakfast in the morning and by early afternoon, the chicken was on the barbecue and the corn on the cob was shucked for the evening dinner. Hot dogs and hamburgers were available for lunch.

Produce was also judged. People brought in their best squash, tomatoes, green beans and other vegetables.“The judges look for consistency, size and no blemishes,” said Jim Lamoureux, the grange’s president.Animals are also an important part of agriculture. But rather than raising animals for food, Cheshire Farm Sanctuary rescues abused and neglected animals and those destined for slaughter.

Jimbo is their latest rescue. The miniature Palomino was found in a slaughter pen, destined for death and processing at a plant in Mexico or Canada.“Jimbo is friendly, so we think he was raised by a family that either gave him up because they couldn’t afford him or got bored and sold him,” said Daisy Gmitter, vice-president of the sanctuary.

Animals like Jimbo are purchased by animal rescue groups. They receive veterinary care and are looked after at the sanctuary. If someone wants to adopt an animal, sanctuary workers do a background check and visit the person’s home or place the animal will stay. They also want to adopt pigs, chickens, cows and sheep. Eventually what they hope that children and senior citizens will come to the sanctuary to visit.