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Fair leaders remember Murphy

We often don’t know what we’ve lost until it’s gone. Top officers of the Martin County Fair say that holds true for former board member and president Ed Murphy.

Murphy, who passed away last fall, had served on the board since 1981 and as board president since 2002. His contributions and dedication are remembered with fondness and admiration by those with whom he worked. This year’s fair is dedicated to Murphy.

Current President Robbin Celander, Vice President Steve Pomerenke and Secretary Lisa Wedel were available to share their memories of Murphy.

“I happened to be vice president the whole time he was president, and Ed was really great as far as making sure the team worked together,” Pomerenke said. “Now that’s basically what we’ve got as far as the fair board is concerned. I think we’ve got a really good group of team players.

“Each person has their own area that they’re in charge of and probably taken ownership for, but we still all work together for the common good of the fair. I think that’s what makes the fair really good, and Ed was good at facilitating that. He was the kind of person that everybody liked to be around. He was always a lot of fun to work with and really did a great job of keeping the team together, and everybody kind of focused on the different tasks that needed to be done.”

Pomerenke also said Murphy was really an ambassador for the fairgrounds as well.

“Anytime we had events out here, not only for the Martin County Fair itself but all the other events, Ed was always here,” he said. “He was the kind of person that people looked forward to seeing and he always made sure that everybody was welcome when they came to town. He knew every nook and cranny of the fairgrounds and made sure everything ran smoothly.”

Celander and Wedel agreed with Pomerenke’s statements about Murphy’s attitude toward others. They also mentioned that the board is still finding out just how much Murphy did during his time on the board.

“Ed’s love was the fair,” Celander said. “The thing that made him so good is that he was such a people person, and he knew everybody. There wasn’t a thing he wouldn’t do. Somebody would call for this or that and he was right there. He was just the perfect person for that job.

“He was always willing to help wherever he could. He always wanted to be there out on the fairgrounds or if there was something else going on he was always there to make sure people had everything they needed and if there was anything to let him know. He just like to be there and visit.”

Murphy’s wife Charlotte has said previously that he would often go in, no matter the time.

“There are many times he’d get up and go in late at night if somebody called,” she said. “There haven’t been too many problems lately, but I don’t think he ever turned them down once. It was his job, and he liked doing it.”

“Ed loved to drive around the fair every morning saying hi to everybody, get a cup of coffee at the 4-H stand, and make sure everybody was having a good time,” Wedel said. “That’s how I remember him, and also the work that he did, the volunteer hours. We’re still finding out all the stuff that he did during this first year without him and I can’t tell you the countless hours he put in.”

They all agree that Murphy was a beloved fixture and leader of the Martin County Fair, working to give fair-goers a unique experience.

“He did more than we even imagined, but we’re moving on and we’ll get by, but we miss him,” Celander said.

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