May 5 --4-H Day with the St.Louis Cardinals
May 7 -- 4-H Federation Meeting, 6 p.m.
May 10 --4-H Electricity Workshop, 6:30 p.m.
May 14 --4-H Legislative Ambassadors, HamiltonCounty, 6 p.m.
May 19 -- 4-H Horsemanship Clinic, 10 a.m. -1 p.m., Saddle Club, McLeansboro
May 19 --Midwest Goat Producers Open & Fun Goat Show, Oblong, IL
May 28 --Extension Office closed inobservance of Memorial Day
June 1&2 --Hunter Safety Course
June 4-8 --Cooking & Fitness School
June 9 --4-H Horse Pleasure Clinic, 9 a.m.,Wayne County Saddle Club
June 10-13 --Southern IL 4-H Camp
June 12 --American Red CrossBabysitters Training
June 14&15 --Jr. Master Gardener Fun Days
June 20 --Basics of GPS Workshop
June 25 --4-H Foundation Meeting
July 1-3 --4-H Jr. High Camp
July 2 --4-H Federation Meeting
July 3 --Paper Craft Adventure

The Wayne County Showbook has been updated with the new rules and changes for 2007. Leaders -- please drop by the Extension Office and pick up enough copies for your club members.

4-H'ers -- be sure to read through the rules and project requirements that pertain to you. Don't hesitate to contact the office with any questions you might have.

It's time to start thinking about the Illinois Leadership Convention scheduled for June 28-30. There are several exciting changes to offer this year's attendees - the first being a move back to the U of I campus. Delegates will stay in college dormitories and experience a portion of college life during the event. Workshops for this year's event will focus on leadership skills that youth need to excel in their local community and school activities.

Registration materials are available now from the Extension Office or on line at: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/annual004.html.

A short business meeting will be held at the Extension Office on Monday, May 7 at 6 p.m. Following the business meeting, members will adjourn to Brookstone to play bingo with the residents.

All 4-H members are welcome to attend this or any meeting of the Wayne County 4-H Federation.

The next meeting of the 4-H Legislative Ambassadors will be May 14^th, 6 p.m., in Hamilton County. HOPE bags are running low, so Ambassadors will be packing bags and are in need of the following items: towels, shampoo, and toothpaste. Any 4-H Clubs and/or other groups or organizations wishing to make donations of needed items may drop them off at the Extension Office. Also, Ambassadors will accept monetary donations to purchase needed supplies. Ambassadors are available to make presentations to groups about the HOPE bag project if requested.

Your next chance to enroll in a Hunter Safety Course is June. One has been scheduled for June 1 & 2. It will be held at the Fairfield Gun Club. Friday's class will run from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday's class will be all day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don't forget to bring a sack lunch. Remember you must attend class on both days for certification. The class is limited to 40 participants, so call the Extension Office early to register!

Any youngster planning to exhibit beef, sheep, swine, dairy or horses at the Illinois State Fair MUST complete Quality Assurance & Ethics training via the internet by July 1 if they have not already done so. Once completed, you do not have to repeat the process. Horses have an earlier deadline of June 9. The website address is http://qaec.outreach.uiuc.edu.

4-H'ers - save the date of June 20 for the Basics of GPS Workshop to be held at the Wayne County Extension Office from 1 - 4:30 p.m. More information will be available in next month's newsletter but mark your calendar now and hold the date for this fun and exciting workshop.

4-H Camp for Grades 3-6

4-H Camp is an experience you'll never forget. Make new friends as you enjoy swimming, hiking, canoeing and team games. Learn new skills as you try your hand at Visual Arts, Recycling, Horticulture, Forestry or Woodworking. And, each evening offers special activities like campfire singing, outdoor movies, and board games. Cost is $140.

4-H Youth Camp runs June 10-13 and is held at WOW Little Egypt Camp near West Frankfort. All Southern Illinois kids ages 8 to 11, or in grades 3 through 6, can attend. You don't have to be a 4-H member to come to camp. Space is limited, so register early!

Registration material is available online at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4h/camp/

4-H Camp for Grades 7-8

4-H Junior High Camp is the place for summer fun. This camp offers just the right mix of traditional camping activities and plenty of free time to hang out with friends. Besides the traditional camp fun of swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, and team games, this camp features visual arts and horticulture activities. A unique GPS experience also awaits participants. Cost is $100.

Jr. High Camp runs July 1-3 and will be held at Camp Wartburg, Waterloo, IL. It is for all youth in grades 7 and 8, regardless of 4-H membership. Space is limited so register early!

Registration material is available online at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regions/4h/camp/

The 2007 Wayne County Public Presentation and Food Demonstration contests were held on Tuesday, April 24. Participants included Billy Hatfield, Chelsie Walker, Christina Walker, Katie Liston, Kali Smith, Hayley Spicer, Jarod Fearn and Ashlee Lambrich. Everyone received an "A" rating. Great job!

Public Presentations Trophy- under 12: Katie Liston

Public Presentations Trophy- 12 & over: Ashlee Lambrich

Food Demonstration Trophy: Billy Hatfield

Tri-County Pork Producers Award: Billy Hatfield

State Fair Delegates- Public Presentations: Ashlee Lambrich, Katie Liston, Kali Smith, Billy Hatfield, Jarod Fearn, Alternate, and Hayley Spicer, Alternate

State Fair Delegate- Food Demonstration: Billy Hatfield and Chelsie Walker

Forty-nine 4-H members from southern Illinois participated in the regional 4-H and FFA livestock judging contest held April 21 in conjunction with SIU's Agriculture Industry Day. Participants from Wayne County were Dianna Hatfield, Emily Hatfield, Billy Hatfield and Jentzi Schumm. The team consisting of Dianna, Emily, Jentzi and Callie Webb from Hamilton County placedthird in the senior division and tied forfifth overall among 4-H teams. Congratulations to all!

Wayne County was well represented at the Regional Dairy Judging Contest held Saturday, April 14 in Hoffman, IL. Contestants were divided into junior and senior divisions.

Results were as follows:

Sr. Division - Chris Lowe 19^th, Emily Hatfield 26^th, Jentzi Schumm 28^th, Ethan Keyser 31^st, Joe Meagher 32^nd and Trenton Simpson 36^th.

Jr. Division - Billy Hatfield 11^th.

Several members from the Hamilton-Wayne-White Unit attended the Regional Hippology and Horse Judging Contest held March 31 in Washington County. Members attending from Wayne County were David Harl, Emilee Hatcher, Andrea Nelson and Jentzi Schumm. David qualified for state in the junior division and Jentzi qualified in the senior division. Congrats!

The Hamilton County Bandits 4-H Club is sponsoring a Horsemanship Clinic, Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Saddle Club in McLeansboro (turn south off of Rt. 14 between the fairgrounds and the housing complex). Participants will learn about horse nutrition and health, basic roping skills, proper tack fitting and horse judging. Lunch is available to purchase for $2. Pre-registration is required by calling Connie at 728-4467 or Angie at 925-6569 or Bev at 643-2232.

The Wranglers 4-H Horse Club is sponsoring a Pleasure Clinic on Saturday, June 9 at the Wayne County Saddle Club beginning at 9 a.m. The clinic will be led by Glen Morgan. All interested 4-H'ers are welcome to attend.

Talented 4-H members and clubs are encouraged to submit a VHS videotape or DVD of a performance for consideration in the Illinois State Fair 4-H Performance Showcase, scheduled for Sunday, August 12. Tapes/DVD's should be submitted to the State 4-H Office postmarked by May 15.Contact the Extension Office at 842-3702 for more information and an application form.

Illinois 4-H clubs/groups are being recruited to spend one or more days at the State Fair teaching the general public skills they have learned through 4-H. Clubs accepted for this opportunity will receive a $100/day premium, providing they meet the required criteria for the presentations:

• A minimum of 3 youth and 1 adult must be on-site during the assigned time.
• Presentations must be action-oriented – involving the general public in actively learning knowledge or skills that relate to a 4-H curriculum area.
• Youth must be involved in the planning.

Presentation times are available Friday, August 10 thru Sunday, August 19. The application and more details are available from the 4-H website at: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/07fair/07ActionPresent.doc. Applications must be submitted by May 1.

Again this year, Dr. Loy Hosselton has been so generous as to offer to test and inspect your livestock project free of charge. Remember all livestock exhibited must conform to the current year's Illinois Livestock Exhibition Regulations as stated under the general livestock rules of the Wayne County Fair Association. Health papers, as required, must accompany all animals to the Fairgrounds. All you need to do is call Dr. Hosselton at 842-4884 to set up an appointment in early June to get on his schedule. Be prepared to let him know the kind of animal, how many, and directions to your farm. All testing must be completed by June.

The Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association Auxiliary will again sponsor the Veterinary Science Award. Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18 (inclusive) by September 1, 2006 and currently enrolled in a Vet. Science 4-H project and must have been enrolled in a Vet. Science project at least three years (current year included). Once a 4-H member has received this award, they are deemed ineligible. The winner will receive a $100 cash award. Application deadline is July 2. Application form is available at the Extension Office by request.

Judging contests are a long standing tradition in Illinois 4-H. The State Judging Contests are scheduled for Tuesday, June 19 at the University of Illinois in Champaign. If you have never attended a state judging event, give it a try! You may choose to participate in the judging events or you may want to observe this year and see how things work. We will be carpooling to Champaign from the Extension Office. If you would like to participate, please call Matt at the Extension Office.

Contests include: Dairy Judging, Jr/Sr Livestock Judging, Poultry Judging, Jr/Sr Horticulture Judging, Jr/Sr Horticulture Public Speaking Contest, and Rocket Launch.

Winners of these events may become candidates to compete in Invitational Judging Contests held at the Illinois State Fair in August as well as in national competitions.

Individuals wishing to make livestock entries for the Illinois State Fair Junior or Open Shows must adhere to the July 1 entry deadline. The premiums books are up on the website: http://www.illinoisstatefair.info/. Click on the "picture" link for Premium Books. All entry forms for livestock are listed as well. NOTE: Individuals will need Adobe Acrobat in order to read the files. If you need assistance with the forms, please stop by the Extension Office.

Are you looking for a fun class to join this summer, then look no further. Cooking School is coming to Wayne County, taught by Extension staff member, Brandy Campbell.

This is your chance to learn food safety, cooking techniques, healthy eating habits and even cook and bake using simple recipes.

• Date & Time: June 4-8, 9 a.m. - 12 noon
• Ages: 8-12 year olds
• Location: Center Street School Home Ec Room

All participants will receive cookbooks and educational material. There is no cost to attend, but youth must register by calling the Extension Office at 842-3702.

Whether you are an experienced babysitter or a beginner, we have something for you. U of I Extension is sponsoring the American Red Cross Babysitter's Training, which will be offered June 12 from 19 a.m. - 3 p.m., at the Extension Office.

The training is open to all youth between the ages of 8-18. If youth are age 11 to 15, they can become a certified babysitter through the American Red Cross. Youth younger or older may attend, however they can't be certified.

The course includes the information and skills necessary to provide safe and responsible care for children in the absence of parents or adult guardians. This training will help develop skills in leadership, professionalism, basic care, safety, safe play, first aid and the basics of CPR. Extension Youth Educator, Renate Jobst, will be the instructor.

Cost is $12 and includes a Babysitter's Handbook and lunch. Certification is an additional $3 fee. Space is limited, so contact the Extension Office to register and pay by June 5.

Kids, join U of I Extension on a 4-H Junior Master Gardener adventure. The program will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 and 15 at the Extension office in Fairfield.

Come get "buggy" as you create an insect costume! Eat some tasty, "edible" soil (OK, it's not really dirt, but you'll dig in and have fun as you learn!) You'll also make cool horticulture projects using herbs, plants and other materials. Renate Jobst, U of I Extension youth development educator, will be the instructor.

The program is open to all youth, ages 8 to 12. The cost is $10 and includes all materials, plus lunch for both days. Space is limited. Drop by or call the Extension office at 842-3702 to register by June 13. Payment is due at the time of registration. Space is limited so don't delay!

Pop top cans, coordinating cards and candy sack containers are among the projects that will be created during University of Illinois Extension's Paper Craft Adventure, taking place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 3 at the Wayne County Extension Office.

Experienced and beginning crafty kids are invited to take part in the adventure. Renate Jobst, U of I Extension youth development educator, will teach the program which is open to all youth, ages 8 to 12. Each participant will get to make unique projects. Just $12 will supply all materials as well as lunch. Come craft with your friends!

Register by dropping by the Extension office and paying the $12 fee, which is due by Friday, June 29 or call 842-3702.

If you are planning to show a bucket calf this summer at 4-H Fair, you will need your project manual/record. Please call or stop by the office to pick yours up. Remember, the judge will need to review this during judging.

If you are feeling sluggish, it just might be a sign that you are dehydrated. Don't grab a soda – your body needs water! Drinking water helps transport nutrients to your cells that need them the most. Soda and other sugar-laden drinks can provide a big sugar-shock that can leave you feeling even more sluggish.