Pictured from the left are Wayne Nelson, Hadley Anderson Hanna Francis and
Sharon Nelson

by Dian Courtright

Wayne and Sharon Nelson, lifetime Coos  County residents and Coquille graduates have been  given the honor of being chosen Grand marshals at  the 2009 Coos County fair. The Sentinel sat down  with the Nelsons to talk about their involvement  with the fair and the 4-H program.

Wayne said in  the last 50 years he's probably only missed the fair  twice and that was when he was in the army.  Wayne and
Sharon raised their children in the 4-H  program. The Nelsons donate starter horses to kids  in the 4-H program. The only requirement is the  kids that are chosen to receive one of the Nelson  horses stay actively involved in the program for  two years. Wayne said he believes they've given  about 10 horses over the years to the program and  almost all of them have been blue ribbon winners.

When asked what was the most rewarding part of  donating to the program, Wayne and Sharon  agreed it was knowing that they've help change the  lives of the kids for the better. Wayne said they've  made many lifelong friends and Sharon said the  looks on the kids faces that win a horse is wonderful  to see.

Wayne said he considered the 4-H the  most successful youth program for kid’s and that is  why they continue to support it. Sharon believes  the relationship between a young persons and their  horse is priceless.