People on park benches tell great stories.

Sitting on benches, enjoying a rest or waiting for family, people at the GDS Fair smiled warmly at passersby. Sure, you could sit next to them. Yes, they’d love to chat.

Robert Lupyak of Dyberry, head of the Sheep Department, was enjoying the old gas engine demonstrations nearby. He’s been helping at the fair for 40 years.  

He still lives on the family farm, though they’ve long since sold off the cows. He was 13-years-old when they move to the farm. “I’m 80 now, so you figure,” he said as to how many years he’s lived there. “I liked haying. Everything there is, I liked,” he said about farming life. Was it hard? “Ah, not really,” he said.

“In 1972, [we] sold the cows all out. We went to sheep and I’ve been down here ever since,” he said. “Fleece was worth money then — a dollar some cents a pound. You made money then, but then [demand] came down and you couldn’t even give it away.”

Bob and Peggy Grabowski
Bob Grabowski was waiting for his wife, Peggy. How long have they been attending the GDS Fair? “Oh my gosh, I would say five or six years. And the only reason it’s only been five or six yeas is I retired from Connecticut. My wife is looking around, I’m just sitting here enjoying the view,” he said with a laugh. Horses are his favorite part. That and the pirogues, can’t leave without having some of those, he says.

Peggy arrives on scene to say the animals are her favorite, with horses at the top of the list. She wants to go see the chickens next. Bob’s mom had chickens when he was young. “He used to harass them,” she says with a chuckle.

The Molls and Phillipses
Howard Phillips was born and raised in Sterling. Though he spent 36 years enjoying Whitehall, PA with wife June, they eventually came back to the family homestead.

While in Whitehall, they met Bill and Betty Moll, good neighbors who became great friends.
Asked what he likes best about the GDS Fair, Bill says, “the whole thing ...The food. Oh yeah, the cheese steak.” Wife Betty says it used to be about the homemade maple ice cream, something no longer offered at the fair. June says it was all about the homemade pie ala mode. Don’t leave out the maple syrup drizzled over top, says Howard.

Howard has been coming to the fair for 50 years, his friends not far behind at 30 years.
Opening day at the fair found approximately 3500 people coming through the gate. Wednesday was another great weather day. “We’re just hoping for great weather and lots of fairgoers to come in and enjoy the fair,” said Jocelyn Stackhouse, Fair Treasurer.                

 The schedule for Wednesday and Thursday follows. See www.gdsfair.com for the full schedule or call (570)676-4047.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 2008    10:00 a.m 4-H and Youth Beef Cattle Show, Barn
11:00 a.m. to 10:00  p.m.     Gates Open and Exhibit Buildings Open
1:00  p.m.     Open Dairy Cattle Show, Barn
1:00  p.m.     Midway Opens
Daily
Ed & Geraldine Barn Yard Music, Strolling Grounds
The Big Tiny Young Show
Jo Jo the Clown
Craft Demonstrations,  Agland Tent
Ag Land Antique Farm Machinery Shows
Chainsaw Carver
Mike the Hypnotist
2:30  p.m.     Kid's Pedal Pull Contest, Pavilion
starting at 3:00  p.m.     Tweeder's Band, Stage
4:00  p.m.     Barber Shop Quartette
6:30  p.m.     Wallenpaupack High School Marching Band
7:00 p.m.     Stock and Diesel 4W Drive Truck Pull, Arena.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 29TH, 2008    9:00 a.m.      Open Goat & Open Sheep Show, Barn
9:30 a.m.     Gates Open
11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Exhibit Buildings Open
12:00 p.m. Midway Opens
2:00 p.m.     Open Beef Show, Barn
Daily
Ed & Geraldine Barn Yard Music, Strolling Grounds
The Big Tiny Young Show
Jo Jo the Clown
Craft Demonstrations,  Agland Tent
Ag Land Antique Farm Machinery Shows
Chainsaw Carver
2:30 p.m.     Kid's Pedal Pull Contest, Pivilion
3:00, 5:00 7:00 p.m. Aaron Kelly, "A Legend in the Works" with Tiny Young, stage
4:00, 6:30. 8:00 p.m. Shelby Nestler and Strawmill Road Band, Pavilion
5:00 p.m.     Team Milking Contest, Barn
7:00 p.m.     Big Rig Truck Pull, Arena.