David Groner planted a big kiss on the hairy snout of Miss Peaches the pig at Saturday's Charleston Gateway to the Delta Festival.
Groner, executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency in Tallahatchie County, earned the honor as the winner of the festival's "Smoochin' Scissors" contest.
It was said to be the first kiss for Miss Peaches, a 6-month-old KuneKune pig owned by Laura and Jeremey Woods of Tippo.
"She gets loved on, but we have never kissed her," Laura said.
For Groner, it was love at first oink, or so it seemed.
CARE Executive Director Dana Clolinger announced the results of the lighthearted contest on stage Saturday afternoon.
Groner, who kneeled and gently cupped his hands around the face of Miss Peaches before planting one on her, had more money donated in his name through the contest, a fundraiser for the Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort (CARE), than did his two volunteer challengers for the pig-puckering opportunity — local State Farm Insurance agency owner John Ball Burnett Jr., who finished second, and Charleston cabinet maker Danny Adams. The runners-up received consolation prizes.
From left, CARE Executive Director Dana Clolinger, John Ball Burnett and Danny Adams look on as David Groner kisses "Miss Peaches" the pig, held by owner Laura Woods, on the Charleston Gateway to the Delta entertainment stage Saturday afternoon. (Copyright 2024 Emmerich Newspapers, Sun-Sentinel photo by Clay McFerrin)
Collection jars for the three men were placed in The Sun-Sentinel office and in the Charleston Arts Center. The public was invited to place money into the jar of the person they wanted to see kiss the pig. Online cash app donations also were accepted.
The contest raised more than $1,600 for CARE and its many programs for the community.
Burnett anonymously purchased a large advertisement in The Sun-Sentinel urging the public to vote for Groner. Other vote-rigging shenanigans also were reported, all in good fun.
"Scissors," the pride of Pine Crest Farm near Charleston, was a two-time (1917 and 1918) “Grand Champion Duroc-Jersey Boar” at the National Swine Show in Omaha, Nebraska. The show was huge back in the day, boasting exhibits of pigs and hogs from all over the United States and Canada. Scissors still remains something of a local celebrity — his private house still stands — and CARE has often used his name for special events, thus keeping his memory alive.
