Finally we are seeing the sun again and what beautiful weather we have had the past couple of days. I can't remember the last time November was so busy. Lots going on with 4-H in November! Don't forget these upcoming dates that were mentioned in your last 4-H Newslettter.

Leader's Training -Nov 5 at 6:30 p.m.

Veteran's Day Parade-Nov 11 meet at the Legion at 2 p.m.

Internet Safety Program-Nov 12 at 7 p.m.

4-H Bake Sale-Nov 14 at the Centralia Buchheit from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

4-H Achievement Program -Nov 20 at Aviston Grade School at 6:30 p.m.

Can't find your newsletter? It is posted in the newsletter section of this web site and all the flyers for upcoming 4-H workshops in December, January and February are posted in the Local 4-H Fun section.

Of course any time you have questions don't hesitate to call the office at 526-4551.

Clinton County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week October 4-10

In Clinton County, more than 130 4-H members and 25 volunteers are involved in 4‑H.

Some members and their families recently shared their impressions of 4-H. "What we like about 4-H is the extended family feeling it gives to me and my son. It's a life time of shared activity for years to come and talk about when our paths cross again in the future.

One of our favorite out of the many memorable 4-H experiences as a group and a family we share is how we all come together, laugh, and have fun as we decorate the floats/wagons for parades." Says Karen Shackelford. Her son Jordan is a member of the Sugarcreek 4-H Country Kids in Trenton.

The fundamental 4-H ideal of practical, "learn by doing" experiences encourage youth to experiment, innovate and think independently. 4-H programs are offered through school-based, after-school and camp settings and within community clubs. Hoffman Klover Kids leader's Sheila and Doug Lueking agree. "My favorite thing about 4-H is that it let me learn to be myself - to find my talents and realize them! It is the greatest self-esteem boost a kid can get!" Sheila says of her time as a 4-H member. As a leader Doug enjoys seeing a kid succeed and improve their skills.

There are so many different project opportunities for youth in 4-H today. "It's fun to work on projects that I'm interested in. Sometimes it takes a long time and many attempts to complete the projects, but the final result is worth it." According to Connor Thole a member of the Aviston 4-H Aces.

You can join the 4-H community today. To learn how to become a 4-H member or volunteer leader in Clinton County, contact Elaine, at University of Illinois Extension, Clinton County Unit at 526-4551 or ecraver@uiuc.edu.

I can't believe that it is almost August already. All the 4-H Shows are done except for the horse show which will be held next week. The General Show went really well, despite the rain. I saw a lot of really interesting projects, and had some judges tell me they went home with new ideas to work on from things they saw at the show. For the livestock shows held during the fair the weather was BEAUTIFUL. We really could not have asked for better! Once again Farm Fun at the Fair had a good turn out with just over 100 kids, a big thanks to Federation members who came out to help that afternoon.

The next big items on our 4-H agendas are the State Fair and Award Applications. Clinton County Day at State is August 15. General entries are due this Friday, livestock entries are already closed and we will be well represented in both horse and dairy again this year. Award Applications are due the last Friday of August so it is not too early to start working on them. It might be better to get them out of the way before school starts. Information about Award Applications can be found in the back of the 4-H Handbook. If you can't find your copy it is available on line or you can get another copy at the office. And don't forget your award applications need to be signed by your 4-H leader so don't wait until the last minute.

There will be a newsletter coming out soon to recap show results and close out the year. The new 4-H year will start Sept 1. Now is the time to start thinking about recruiting new members for your club!

As things are winding down at your school things are really gearing up here at the Extension Office. We are all getting ready for summer programs. I will be leading Cloverbuds again this summer for 5-7 year olds, and Barb and Stephanie will be teaching Cooking School for 8-12 year olds and this summer they have added a special advanced session for 12-14 year olds (some restrictions apply). Sessions are filling up fast so if you are interested call the office for more information right away.

We've added a new program this summer too. There will be a Robotics Day Camp this summer in late July for High School students. It will be led by local 4-H alum Amanda Luebbers who is now an Engineering Student at the U of I. Flyers for that program will be out to local high schools later this week.

Of course we still have everyone's old favorite-4-H Camp and Jr. High Camp this summer too. Enrollment for both camps will be open until the end of May so if you are planning to attend either one you will want to get registered right away.

How are those 4-H projects going? I have a few more 4-H books still due in later this week but for the most part eveyone should have their books by now. If you don't have your books, and you haven't heard from me about when they will be in, please call the office.

By the end of May you will recieve your show entry forms in the mail. Please read them carefully and return them by the deadline. I use the entry forms to make sure we have enough judges and all the categories covered and I also use them to print your project tags. If you have any questions about your show entries please give me a call.

Since summer is such a busy time if you are planning to stop by the office to pick something up or to ask me a question it might be a good idea to give me a call first to make sure I am there, with all the different programs going on it can sometimes be hard to catch me at my desk and I would have to have someone make a trip to the office and find I am not there.

Our office phone number is 526-4551 and after hours my voice mail is box #12. Of course you all know you can also reach me by e-mail at ecraver@uiuc.edu

At this point in the 4-H year you should have a pretty good idea what projects you plan to take. Many of you turned in enrollment already. Project books have been ordered for everyone who has turned in their project selections so far (which is well over 3/4 of our membership). Those books will be passed along to leaders as they come in to the office.

At this point in the 4-H year you should know what your 4-H club meeting schedule is and make an effort to be at as many meetings as possible. And if you are an officer you should be starting to have a good feel for your duties and requirements. At this point in the year you should also be considering the talk or demonstration you plan to give at a club meeting if you haven't already.

As you look ahead to the rest of the 4-H year there is a lot going on. Be sure to keep an eye on the 4-H newsletters to see what we have in store. In February there is a Valentine Dance hosted by the 4-H Federation on February 15th at Breese Elementary School. Keep an eye out for flyers in the mail with details. On February 16th there is an electricity workshop at the office from 9-11 a.m. The cost is $10 and it is filling up fast.

The new 4-H handbook is in the works and will be out in mid to late February so make sure to pick up a copy at your March 4-H club meetings. If you have any questions about 4-H activities please give us a call at 526-4551.

Elaine

Friday night was our annual Achievement Program at Central High School. We had a great turn out this year with over 100 people. Lots of new faces in the crowd too.

An overview of the awards is listed below.

Cloverbud Member Award Recognition

Cloverbud members who completed award applications

Brandon Huelsmann

First Year Member Awards

First year members who completed award applications

Brittany Fuehne

Quincy Fuehne

Lexi Hemker

Hannah Hoffmann

Ryan Huelsmann

Rebecca Kreke

K.C. Lichtenfels

LeAnne Lichtenfels

Katie Richter

Olivier Sherman

Valerie Tebbe

Jonathan Weekley

4-H Alumni Award

Awarded to members who have completed their last year of 4-H and were enrolled for seven or more years.

Christopher Kollmann

8-11 Year Olds

Members receiving a blue award have previously received the county award in a specific category and continue to achieve in that category.

Danielle Brinkmann Child Care Blue Award-Photography

Bailee Cinotto Cat

Brianna Deerhake Clothing

Chad Diekemper Dairy

Erica Diekemper Cat Blue Award-Food & Nutrition

Quincy Fuehne Citizenship

Kristen Gebke Visual Arts

Lexi Hemker Photography

Hannah Hoffmann Photography

Ryan Huelsmann Crops, Heritage Arts, Tractor Care

Kathy Jansen Interior Design

Rebecca Kreke Clothing

Ryan Kuper Blue Awards –Computer Science, Dairy, Food & Nutrition

Nicole Lappe Cake Decorating Blue Award-Heritage Arts

KC Lichtenfels Dog, Woodworking

LeAnne Lichtenfels Food & Nutrition

Dylan Richter Blue Award -Beef, Rabbit

Katie Richter Clothing

Oli Sherman Bicycle

Valerie Tebbe Food & Nutrition

Tyra Waner Blue Award- Horse

12-14 year olds

Members receiving a blue award have previously received the county award

in a specific category and continue to achieve in that category.

Cody Diekemper Food & Nutrition Woodworking

Josh Diekemper Tractor Care Blue Awards-Dairy, Food Nutrition,

Dakota Grayling Dairy Crops

Brittany Fuehne Photography

Jordan Henss Dog Care Poultry Goats

Amy Huelsmann Consumer Savy Interior Design Blue Awards –Heritage Arts, Photography, Clothing, Visual Arts

Alicia Luebbers Blue Awards-Interior Design, Heritage Arts

Jennifer Luebbers Cake Decorating Heritage Arts

Alex Richter Beef

Jennifer Richter Scrapbooking

Ryan Sherman Bicycle Electricity

Jared Tebbe Blue Award-Crops

Jonathan Weekley Tractor Care

15 and older

Members receiving a blue award have previously received the county award

in a specific category and continue to achieve in that category

Jeana Brandmeyer Foods & Nutrition, Forestry, Journalism Blue Awards-Achievement, Citizenship, Clothing, Leadership, Photography, Visual Arts

Christopher Kollmann Blue Award-Dairy

Miranda Kollmann Dairy

Kendra Deerhake Blue Award-Visual Arts

Jacob Henss Cat

Emily Tebbe Blue Award-Cake Decorating, Interior Design

Curtis Richter Beef, Rabbit

Jeff Wegmann Blue Award-Crops

2008 4-H Individual State Award Medal Winners

Achievement

Sponsor: Friends of the Illinois 4-H Foundation

Chris Kollmann

Animal Science

Sponsor: Friends of the Illinois 4-H Foundation

Miranda Kollmann Curtis Richter

Community Involvement & Global Awareness

Sponsor: Paul A Fund Foundation

Emily Tebbe

Home and Family

Sponsor: Friends of the Illinois 4-H Foundation

Kendra Deerhake Alicia Luebbers

Personal Development

Sponsor: Friends of the Illinois 4-H Foundation

Amy Huelsmann

2008 4-H Individual Specialty Awards

President Award

Sponsor: Clinton County Extension

Jenny Richter

Secretary Award

Sponsor: Clinton County Farm Bureau

Hannah Hoffmann

Treasurer Award

Sponsor: Clinton County Farm Bureau

Brianna Ratermann

Clothing Award

Sponsor: Clinton County Homemakers Extension Association

Katie Richter

Food and Nutrition Award

Sponsor: Clinton County Homemakers Extension Association

Josh Diekemper

Illinois Holstein-Friesian Association Awards

Sponsor: Illinois Holstein-Friesian Association

Chad Diekemper

Cody Diekemper

Erica Diekemper

Josh Diekemper

Dakota Grayling

Christopher Kollmann

Miranda Kollmann

Ryan Kuper

Jonathan Weekley

I Dare You Leadership Award

Sponsor: American Youth Foundation

Emily Tebbe Elizabeth Raynor

Outstanding 4-H Members

Sponsor: Alvey Labs

Chris Kollmann Kendra Deerhake

Clinton County Extension Foundation

Recognition for Livestock Exhibitors

(must exhibit a live animal in Dairy, Beef, Sheep, Swine or Horse & complete an award application in the corresponding category)

Chad Diekemper Cody Diekemper

Erica Diekemper Josh Diekemper

Dakota Grayling Chris Kollmann

Miranda Kollmann Ryan Kuper

Alex Richter Curtis Richter

Dylan Richter Jonathan Weekley

2007-2008 4-H Club/Group Recognition

4-H Scrapbook

Sponsor: Hometown Building Services

4-H Clovers & Cloveretts

Progress Towards Goals & Standards Of Excellence

4-H Clovers & Cloveretts

4-H Buttercups

Aviston 4-H Aces

Sugarcreek 4-H Country Kids

Outstanding 4-H Club

Sponsor: Clinton County Electric Cooperative

Sugarcreek 4-H Country Kids

2008 National 4-H Week Window Display Recognition

Sponsor: 4-H Federation

4-H Clovers & Cloveretts

Aviston 4-H Aces

Klover Kids

4-H Horse Back Challenge

Elizabeth Raynor

Leader Recognition 07-08

Aviston 4-H Aces

Vivian Luebbers (9)

Ruthie Markus (9)

Barb Richter (6)

Brian Richter (3)

Linda Richter (3)

4-H Clovers & Cloveretts

Anita Brandmeyer (38)

Diana Jansen (1)

Annette Tebbe (1)

Michelle Wegmann (1)

Klover Kids

Doug Lueking (11)

Sheila Lueking (11)

St. Rose 4-H Happy Helpers

Cindy Gnaedinger (16)

Anita Pingsterhaus (1)

Deanne Remmert (4)

Deb Wiesemeyer (8)

4-H Buttercups

Kathy Pingsterhaus (14)

Sheilla Pingsterhaus (2)

Diane Sinclair (36)

Denise Sinclair (10)

4-H Firecrackers

Susan Kleiboeker (3)

Ange Siddell (16)

Sam Siddell (14)

Hillcrest Wranglers

Joelle Macke (3)

Angie Kuhl-Cooksey (3)

Jackie Van Gorkham (3)

Sugarcreek 4-H Country Kids

Janice Huelsmann (8)

Tracy Grayling (3)

Marilyn Kollmann (13)

Joyce Huelsmann (37)

Anyone who recieved awards that was unable to attend should check with their 4-H leader's to see if the leader's picked up the awards for them. If the leader's didn't pick them up, unclaimed awards are kept at the extension office for a month. Please call before coming in to pick up your award.

Most award applications were returned to members Friday evening, a few were kept at the office. We are putting together some samples of winning award applications in each age group so if your award applications was not returned it was kept as a sample. The samples will be returned after they are all copied.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZT54BmAZYHFzv0q7Wyk_tA?authkey=XZsVA_wcD4g

The link above should take you to our 4-H Year In Pictures. Anyone who didn't get to catch the presentation at the Achievement Program an still see it here.

Results from the Achievement Program will be posted next week.

National 4-H Week is just around the corner, Oct 5-11 Are you ready? Is your club doing a window or school display? Are you planning to wear your 4-H t-shirt on Oct 8? Are you going to join us in doing radio spots to promote 4-H? Are you going to attend the scavenger hunt on Oct 12th?

National 4-H week is a great time to spread the word about 4-H, tell friends about the display your club put up. Invite some one to your next club meeting or to the scavenger hunt.

Another thing coming up in the next few weeks is the robotics workshop on Oct 13. It is for members 10 and older. There are only a few more open spots in this workshop so if you want to attend you will need to get signed up right away.

We had a leaders meeting this week, expect to get your club enrollment forms at your next 4-H meeting. To help keep project book orders straight, it would really help us out if members returned their enrollment forms to their leaders at a meeting instead of sending them directly to our office. It greatly reduces our shipping cost to be able to order books for each club as a group rather than one person at at time.

The date will be set soon for our Annual Achievement Program. Once details are finalized all members will recieve an inviation in the mail in early Oct. Even if you did not fill out an award application you are welcome to come and join us for dinner that evening to see what the Achievement Program is all about and to cheer on your peers.

Have a good weekend 4-H friends.

Each 4-H year seems to go faster and faster. After show day is done the summer shifts into high gear and before I know it, it's time to start getting ready for the new 4-H year. But before we get there we need to work on award applications.

It was a good 4-H year for us with 50 more general projects shown this year than the year before. I hope that many of you take the time to fill out award aps. In fact I have a few turned in already, which I hope is a good sign of things to come.

All award applications for individuals, and club records and nomination forms are due on August 29. I will be splitting them up and sending some of them out for judging the following week, so awards turned in late might not get judged.

Very helpful information about awards is located in the back of your 2008 4-H Handbook. I can't stress enough how important it is to look at that section for award categories and tips.

The September/October newsletter is in the works right now and will be out late next week. Among other things It will have information about premium checks (good news), state fair, and National 4-H Week so be sure to check it out.

The first 2008 4-H Show is this Saturday! Are you ready? General Projects (everything except live animals) will show Saturday July 12 at Central High School. Judging will start at 9 a.m. and go until we get done, which is normally around 11:30. Then we'll have our public speaking contest and fashion revue and announce the state fair delegates and best of show awards.

The Dairy Show will be at the fairgrounds on Monday July 14 at 9:30 a.m. Swine, Poultry, Rabbits, Goats, Dogs & Cats will all show on Tuesday July 15 at the Fairgrounds. Swine will be at 9 a.m., with poultry and rabbits following at 10 and 10:30 then dogs, cats, and goats will be at 11 a.m. 4-H Beef will show at 10 on Thursday July 17 and the 4-H Sheep show will be at 4:30 that afternoon. The 4-H Horse show will be July 31 at 5:30 p.m. in Mascoutah.

As you attend your 4-H shows it is important to remember-there is more to 4-H than just showing your projects.