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KAREN MARGARET MURPHY - MARKHAM FAIR PRESIDENT 2009

Karen was born on December 12, 1974 and began her Markham Fair career as a contestant in the baby contest the following year, just prior to her first birthday.  The daughter of David Paisley and Margaret White she was born in the Newmarket Hospital and was raised on Kennedy Road between Stouffville Rd. and Bloomington Rd. on the Paisley family farm, known as Little Rouge Farms.  The Fair President of 100 years ago Edward Kirk farmed less than two miles south on Kennedy Rd. and was related through her paternal grandmother Eva Kirk.  Karen’s father’s family also produced two other Fair Presidents. T. Harry Paisley, President in 1958 and Bert Paisley, President in 1971. They were both livestock drovers.

Cattle have been in Karen’s background long before she was born.  Margaret White’s family raised Holsteins on a farm just north of the Paisley farm where her brothers, Jim and Don White continue to raise cattle and crops. They are both involved in the Special Displays section at the fair.  Mrs. Paisley recalls as a child working at top speed to bring in the fall harvest so that the family could attend Markham Fair on the Saturday afternoon.  David Paisley, Karen’s Dad, who passed away in November of 1988 was the Third generation of his family to farm Lot 4 Conc. 5E.  Scott Paisley, Karen’s brother, carries on the tradition by milking 85 of his 180 Holstein cattle herd.  Karen and her family live on the north end of the original farm property, allowing her to continue to be involved with the farming operation.

Scott has been a Fair director for five years, and is a regular winner in the produce competitions.  Gloria, his wife, is a lunchroom director and their children David, age 12, and Emily, age 6, are involved in several competitions and are part of the Fair Parade Float promoting the Fair at a number of parades in the region.

Karen met her husband, Tyler Murphy, at the aforementioned Markham Fair baby show!  He has a twin sister and as the only set of twin contestants, won their category. Karen did not win hers!  As members of a youth group at Markham Missionary Church Karen and Tyler re-connected and married on May 4th, 1996. Tyler is a Computer Technician with the Information Technology Services Department of the York Region District School Board.  Both Karen and Tyler have experienced serious health issues in the past, but have never allowed this to interfere with their ambitious lives.  Tyler, born and raised in Unionville by his parents, Marg and Brian, has one brother and four sisters including his twin.  The Murphy family has been involved in the Fair for many years including singing on the entertainment stage, winning a red ribbon in the children’s pet show twice, entering 4-H competitions and Special Needs categories etc.  Most of the family have been coerced by Karen, at one time or another, into being Fair Crow. Currently Marg, Brian, and Ashley serve on the School Children’s Committee; Brian judges the School Children’s Spelling Bee; and Ashley and her Husband Sam Barry serve on the Welcome and Information Booth Committee.   The Murphy’s grandsons, Braydon (9) and Jackson (6), have attended the Fair since birth.

Karen and Tyler are the proud parents of Sarah, age seven.  She attends Whitchurch Highlands Public School and is also involved in the Fair Parade promotions.  Sarah and her cousin Emily entered Aunt Nicole Murphy’s dog in the pet contest in 2009, a very exciting and fun foray into competition.  The Paisley farm and Sarah’s house are connected by a family built bridge that spans the Little Rouge River, allowing the cousins and extended family closeness which is also evident through the Murphy side of the family. 

Karen’s official Fair duties started as a child when Past President and Holstein farmer Don Miller had Karen volunteering in Old Macdonald’s Barn holding baby chicks.  Mr. Miller’s Ashlane Farm also sponsored Karen in the 1992 Fair Queen competition in which she became a Fair Princess.  Karen has served on the Markham Fair Board of Directors for over 16 years and has chaired or co-chaired director’s lunch, the information booth, the ambassador committee, the advertising committee and the 4-H committee. Having been around the Fair for as many years as Karen has, she has, no doubt, lent her considerable skills and energy to almost every area, in some capacity.  She was also an active participant in 4-H until the age of twenty-one. Karen exhibited and in 1999 became President of the York Region 4-H organization.

Karen attended Orchard Park Public School in Stouffville and Stouffville High School.  She found her niche in life while volunteering at Parkview Nursing Home and studied at Seneca College to become a personal support worker.  She is still with Parkview, twenty years later.  Karen volunteers on the Relay for Life, a Cancer Society fundraiser, and has played on the Stouffville Amateur Hockey League for the past five years.  She maintains an involvement with her brother’s cattle and is an active member of Markham Missionary Church. 

Karen is very grateful for the encouragement and assistance she has received from Past Presidents, not only in this year as President but throughout her many years as a volunteer.  Agriculture is, of course, a prime focus of this year’s President who hopes to present a mini version of the York Region Farmers Project to help educate children on the source of their food.  Long term planning for the Fair as well as meeting the challenges presented by the current downturn in the economy are also prime concerns for Karen.  She is grateful that the Board and Staff work as a team particularly through this transition period after many years of stability under the management of Dave Morrison.  Despite the economic woes of the times, rentals are still up for the Fair. 

Our Fair president of 2009 is historically and emotionally very connected to both the area and the event.  She embodies commitment and community spirit that has guided the Fair through many ups and downs under the guidance of her predecessors.  Karen is very proud to be a part of the Fair Family.