Brittney Lohmiller Photography

Lynsie Messmer of Huntingburg, 15, squeezed in between the fence and her horse, Sugar, to watch barrel racing at the Dubois County 4-H Fairgrounds in Bretzville. Messmer braided her hair and Sugar's mane for the senior gaming horse show.

From left: 9-year-old Ian Arnold and 9-year-old Brandon Christenson both of Midland pull themselves up on ropes to climb the oak tree in Whiting Forest while Dow Gardens arborist Ray Jennings talks to Josh Kline, 12, of Midland about how to descend using the rope. This is the first year that Dow Gardens is offering a recreational tree climbing class. Climbers are belted into a harness and use a rope and pulley system to shimmy their way up the tree. "Mike Whiting wanted to see kids up in the trees," Jennings said. "because that's what he and his brother did growing up so he helped get this program started."

The Jasper High marching band competed in its' first contest for the season at Evansville Central. While waiting to get off the buses 17-year-old Sarah Engelhardt, right, helped Makayla Norman, 14, finished her eye make-up before they pair got dressed with the rest of the color guard. After getting off the bus Sarah finished Makayla's make-up. "I got half of the eye done," Sarah said. "I'm pretty proud of myself." Jasper High placed second in the contest.

Eight-year-old Peyton Hickerson of Midland climbs into one of the four monster truck tires on display at the Midland County Fairgrounds.

Tom Harris of Edwardsburg walks down the midway back to the game booth, Shooting Stars, he works at during the Midland County Fair. This is Harris's first time working at the Midland County Fair.

From left: Adam Zinger of Evart comforts Jaidee Rodewig, of Coleman, center, and Melissa Harnick of Clare after they watched the motorcade carrying the body of Pvt. Robert Snear through Railway Road in Coleman. Rodewig and Harnick were raised with Snear.

Rosa Miller of Midland will be turning 100 on March 9, spends her time sewing quilts for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. "Even as old as I am, I want to be busy," Miller said. "I don't want to just sit around doing nothing. I always want to be busy."

Eleven-year-old Brianna Quarterman and Kendrick Johnson, 10, practice dribbling between their legs with help from Larry 'Gator' Rivers at the Tompkins Community Center after school. "I usually come to the center right after school," Quarterman said. "And stay until my parents are home."

Manuela Hooper of Fort Stewart checks her hair and make-up before competing in women's open figure category in the 14th Annual Southern Isles Bodybuilding at the Savannah Civic Center. Hooper used to compete in women's body building but wanted her body to look more feminine. "It's a total transformation to go from such a high muscle mass," Hooper said. "I not only had to cut back on how much weight I was lifting but I had to change what I was eating."

Erin Higginbotham, right, of Huntsville, Ala. helps 16-year-old Kenny Murphy of Nashville, Tenn., left, with the last steps of the Highland reel before competing in the Highland Dancing Southern Regional Championship during the 38th Annual Savannah Scottish Games at Bethesda Academy.

Midland County Fair queen, Sara Reisinger, 18, of Freeland, watches friends Chris Compton of Freeland toss Jessica Craig of Midland to John Bergtold of Midland catches during the rodeo's intermission. "My favorite part of the fair is that even if I haven't seen someone since last years' fair, we always pick-up right where we left off." said Reisinger.

Don Smith of Saginaw practices for his rendition of "Suspicious Minds" for the Saginaw King Fest at the Temple Theatre. Smith, a long time Elvis fan, will be competing for the first time in an Elvis impersonation contest and is spending 2-3 hours singing in his basement every weekend to prepare for the competition. "I don't care whether I win or lose," said Smith "I just do it for fun and because I've always had a love for Elvis and his music."