School is out on November 11^th, but exciting things will be happening at the Extension Office. A program for youth will be offered from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Participants will make healthful Thanksgiving type foods and have them for lunch. How does Pumpkin Soup, Corn Maize Soup, and Fry Bread sound? And that's only the beginning. There will also be a program about the history and meaning of Thanksgiving. Those who attend will make crafts related to the Thanksgiving holiday and will be able to take them home. There is no fee for this workshop. It is open to youth ages 8-18. Please call 439-3178 to let us know if your kids will be attending.

Bred Heifer Sale Set for December 13

The Illinois Heifer Development Program (IHDP) spring-calving bred heifer sale is set for 5 p.m., Saturday, December 13, at Farmers Livestock Market in Greenville.

Twenty IHDP consignors from central and southern Illinois are offering 110 high-quality, spring-calving replacement heifers. All heifers are guaranteed bred to calving ease bulls and have met strict health and reproductive requirements.

For more details, contact Teresa Steckler, University of Illinois Extension beef specialist, 618-242-9310, tsteckle@illinois.edu. Consignor information is available on the SI Agriculture website, http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/ag. A sale catalog and a copy of the IHDP requirements are also available.

A commercial bred cow sale (500 head estimated) offered by Greenville Livestock Auction will follow the IHDP sale.

Photo Editing Class to be Offered

Photo Editing for Beginners is the latest computer education class offered by Franklin County Extension. The class is set for Monday, November 24, at the Extension Building west of Benton. The class will be offered twice -- from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and again from 6 to 8 p.m. -- to accommodate schedules of area residents. Participants need only attend one session.

This series is designed for beginners who know how to take pictures with their digital camera but want to learn how to use their computer to improve those digital photos. Participants will use a free software program called Picasa to work with photos. And, one lucky person at each session will even win a flash drive.

Richard Fitts, of Razor Consulting, will be the instructor. Computers will be available so that participants can immediately practice the skills learned.

Topics for the three-part series include the following:

- Understanding file size settings on your camera

- Connecting your camera to your computer

- Using Picasa to lighten or darken, sharpen, straighten, and fix red eye

Cost is $10 per person. Space is limited, and registration is on a first-come basis. To register, send your name, address, phone number, email address, and the time of the session you want to attend, along with check payable to U of I Extension, to Franklin County Extension, 1212 Route 14 West, Benton, IL 62812.

Advance registration is required by November 17. For more details, call 618-439-3178. Or email franklin_co@extension.uiuc.edu. If you need disability accommodations to participate, please indicate when registering.