IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON
HOOD RIVER, OREGON
OCTOBER 2, 3, AND 4, 2009
When I received my brochure and registration form for the Tri-State Court Reporters Convention, I saw a very clever fundraising idea being proffered. In keeping with the theme of the convention, “Harvesting the Fruits of our Profession,” the Convention Directors came up with an Apple Pie Contest fundraiser. This sounded like a really fun activity. I filled out my form and sent my entry fee in immediately. It turns out I was the first contestant to enter the contest.
In the meantime, I received support from my fellow court reporters in my county encouraging me to enter a pie. I was getting very excited for the convention. I always look forward to the speakers, seeing old friends, and meeting new friends.
It was necessary to actually make my pie on Thursday, Oct 1, because I was traveling the next day to the convention. Since I was staying in a hotel, there was no place to bake a pie after I arrived. Mind you, the actual judging was not to take place until Saturday afternoon! Oh, no. Would any of the pies be fit to eat after sitting for so long?
For a mere $1, you could purchase a ticket to be an Apple Pie Judge. The judges were summoned and the nail biting commenced. I was shaking in my boots. I have not been this nervous or excited since I sat for my Idaho State Exam in 19–, well quite some time ago! I am sure I wasn’t the only nervous Apple Pie Baker. All the entries looked delicious.
As I walked into the banquet hall Saturday evening, there sat all the apple pies. Some already had ribbons on their tops. Three had nothing on top. My curiosity and anticipation was still building even stronger.
We had a fantastic buffet dinner and great entertainment. Finally, the time came for the announcement of the winner of the Apple Pie Contest. The Third Place winner was announced. The Second Place winner was announced. The First Place winner was announced and some crazy person jumped out of her seat, hugged her friend sitting next to her, and bowled everyone over as she rushed to the stage to accept her blue ribbon. Geesch! You would have thought I had won a million dollars!
The evening continued with a fantastic band, live auction, and raffle prizes being awarded. The next morning all the entries were able to be tasted. They were all wonderful. The second place winner was a student from Oregon. I requested her recipe. I hope she sends it to me. Her pie was wonderful, and I would have voted it First Place.
The convention was a huge success thanks to the efforts of the three states’ representative Convention Directors, state officers, and court reporter participants. Thank you all for the time and talent you put in to make another successful convention where we all can come away refreshed and invigorated to continue “Harvesting the Fruits of our Profession.”
Ronelle Corbey, Vice President
Idaho Court Reporters Association
