Residents of Holden will be watching the Summer Olympics with more interest than normal this year. Courtney McCool, the young gymnast who won the hearts of fans all over the United States when she qualified for the Olympics at recent trials in Anaheim, CA, has several connections to the Holden area.

McCool’s mother, Linda Harter-McCool, was a special education instructor in the Holden School District for a number of years and her grandmother, Bonnie Harter, lives in rural Holden.

McCool, 16, became the first Kansas City-area gymnast ever to be chosen for the Olympic games. McCool finished second in the trials, knocking co-national champion Carly Patterson out of one of the guaranteed slots for the games.

According to Harter, the feat is incredible and one the entire family will cherish for years to come. She referred to something her granddaughter said, which she said summed up the experience well. “It’s kind of hard to have something this incredible happen and it might take a lifetime to realize it.”

Harter also said the family was thrilled to learn from a conversation with Linda that former gold medal winner, Mary Lou Retton, said McCool was the most polished gymnast among those competing.

According to one of several websites dedicated to McCool, she spends over 35 hours a week training at the Great American Gymnastics Express in Blue Springs. She is a junior in high school and lists science and physical education as her favorite subjects.

The Olympic selection camp takes place in mid-July and the final Olympic team will be announced July 18. Opening ceremonies begin Aug. 13.

According to Harter, Courtney will depart for Greece on Aug. 1 and her family will leave Aug. 15.

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Danny Guinn is the recipient of the monthly Outstanding Customer Service Award presented to employees of local businesses by the Holden Image.

Danny works at Lloyd’s Thriftway where he has been employed for the past two years. He will be a senior at Holden High School and Lloyd’s is his first job, he says. He just celebrated his eighteenth birthday and is the son of Ted and Pam Guinn of Holden.

A life-long resident, Danny says he enjoys working and living in a small community. His job duties include stocking and carrying out groceries for customers. “I enjoy the small town environment because you get to know so many people. I like to visit with my customers and most people are very nice and friendly.”

Danny’s favorite part of his job is the friendly working environment and the opportunity to work with others his own age. He attributes his success at his job to being friendly and easy to get along with.

One memory that stands out in his time with Lloyd’s is when he accidentally ran a forklift into the garage door. He thought he might get in trouble but says, “It wasn’t too bad and we got the door fixed.” He notes that he wasn’t the first one to run into the door! Danny and his co-workers can laugh about the situation now.

Danny seemed pleased when he learned he had won the award. “It feels really cool to win and I am really surprised,” he said.

Danny is a member of St. Patrick’s Church and the FCCLA Club at school, where last year the club brought in canned goods for the homeless at Christmas time. His plans after graduation are to attend CMSU and continue working at Lloyd’s.

Nominations for the monthly award can be made with Pat Zvacek at the Holden Image.

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Opening ceremonies for the annual Johnson County Fair were held last night (Tuesday) at the fairgrounds on 50 Highway. Fair committee members have a full slate of activities planned through Sunday, July 11.

Agricultural events highlight early Wednesday activites with the open sheep show at 10 a.m. 4-H achievement events are from 3 to 6 p.m.; open exhibits can be entered from 4 to 7 p.m.; the carnival opens at 6 p.m. and team roping practice is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the main arena.

Activities on Thursday begin early with the goat show weigh in at 7 a.m. followed by the show at 9 a.m. The steer show weigh in is slated for 10 a.m. and booth and exhibits open at the same time. At 3 p.m., the 4-H/FFA open beef show takes place followed by the fire safety house opening at 4 p.m.; 4-H/FFA tractor redeo and tractor pull at 5:30 p.m.; mutton bustin’, 6 p.m.; wristband night for the carnival begins at 6 p.m. along with horse drawn wagon rides; 4-H farm time fun, 7 p.m.; team roping, 7:30 p.m..

On Friday, events kick off with the swine weigh in at 7 a.m. followed by the show at 9 a.m.; 4-H/FFA open dairy show, 10 a.m.; booths and exhibits open at 10 a.m. along with the mechanical bull. At 1 p.m., the 4-H small animal show begins; fire safety house opens at 4 p.m.; open 4D barrel race, 5 p.m.; ice cream social, horse drawn wagon rides and the carnival opens, 6 p.m.; 4-H/FFA livestock sale, 6:30 to 8 p.m.; antique/classic/local tractor pull, 7 p.m. and team roping (jackpot) begins at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, July 10, a pancake breakfast from 7 to 9 p.m. gets things going followed by the opening of the fire safety house at 9 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., horse show registration begins with the show scheduled from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. A sewing display is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and the mechanical bull opens at 10 a.m. along with other booths and exhibits. A petting zoo is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; KCBS sanctioned BBQ contest, 12 noon; carnival wristband matinee, 12 noon to 4 p.m.; kids pedal tractor pull, 1 p.m.; BBQ dinner, 4 to 7 p.m.; fire fighter’s muster, 5 p.m.; MSTPA truck/tractor pull, 7 p.m.

Activities for Sunday include: driving horse show, 10 a.m.; pony pull, 5 p.m. and draft horse pull at 7 p.m.

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