October 4-7 -- NASA Space Center Trip
October 6-8 -- Discover Chicago Trip
October 6-8 -- Southern IL Leadership Convention
October 7-13 -- National 4-H Week
October 13 --Second Annual Pumpkin Festival
October 23 -- 4-H Achievement Night
October 26 -- Haunted Trail at Dolan Lake
October 27 -- 4-H Wiener Roast, Extension Office, 6 p.m.
November 2 -- Plat Book Photo Contest Deadline
November 22 & 23 -- Extension Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday
December 10 -- 4-H Federation, 6 p.m.

The Wayne County 4-H Federation will host a wiener roast for 4-H families and guests on Saturday, October 27, 6:00 p.m., at the Extension Office. A brief business meeting will also be held. This will serve as the November Federation meeting. The next scheduled meeting will be December 10. Officer elections will be held at that time.

Everyone likes recognition. If you're a 4-Her, consider Wayne County 4-H Achievement night your opportunity to be recognized for all your hard work throughout the 4-H year.

Scholarships for 4-H camp, trips, conventions and conferences will be awarded. Cloverbuds, first year, ten year and retiring 4-H members will be recognized, as well as those turning in end-of-the-year records and State Fair participants. Other awards such as Project medals and trophies, Victory Awards, and naming the Friend of 4-H and 4-H Alumni for 2007 will also be on the evening's program.

Achievement Night is scheduled for Tuesday, October 23 at the Geff Ruritan Building. The evening will start with a light meal at 6 p.m., followed by the awards program. This should prove to be an enjoyable time for the entire 4-H family. We hope to see you there!

That's right – all over the nation, 4-H clubs will be celebrating National 4-H Week, October 7-13. Wayne County is doing its part.

Public service announcements will be aired on WFIW during 4-H Week, recorded by some of our own 4-H'ers, and Wayne County Press is running a special page promoting 4-H as well. Any club planning to put up a window display is asked to call the Extension Office at 842-3702 and let Matt know where it's located. Displays should be in place by the end of the day on Monday, October 8.

A 4-H Petting Zoo will be held in conjunction with the Fairfield Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 13, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. It will be set up on the east side of the Courthouse lawn. Any 4-H'er willing to participate by bringing one or more animals should call the Extension Office at 842-3702. Help is also needed to man the booth that day.

The evening of Friday, October 26 will be filled with ghosts and goblins as 4-H members from Hamilton, Wayne, and White counties host a haunted trail at Dolan Lake. This trail will be open to the public and is scheduled for 7-9 p.m. A $2.00 fee will be charged per person, which will include a trip through the mile long trail, snacks and gift bag.

In addition, helpers are needed to decorate the woods and plan the stations on Friday afternoon, October 26.

Participating clubs wishing to donate cookies, brownies, popcorn balls, candy or any food items to be served at the haunted trail should note that these items must be individually wrapped.

You've done the work; now get the rewards.

You've done so much in 4-H . . . so why not try out for a state award! Winners attend the best trip ever .... a trip to National 4-H Congress in Atlanta, Georgia.

You must have been 15 years old on Sept. 1, 2007 to apply this year. Filling out state award forms takes time. START TODAY. There are plenty of knowledgeable people who would be glad to assist you, so call the Extension Office if you're interested. Records must be turned into the county office by Dec. 15.

The form is quite different from our county records. Download the form at:
http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/staff/90221.pdf

The Wayne County 4-H Foundation has announced a photography contest to choose the cover of the 2008 Wayne County Plat Book. This contest is open to any 4-H'er in Wayne County. The picture needs to be taken in Wayne County. Please include the location and brief description of the photo. Entries can be brought into the Extension Office or emailed to the office at wayne_co@extension.uiuc.edu.

The winner will receive a check for $25 from the Foundation. Deadline to enter is November 2. For ideas on pictures or questions on the contest, give the Extension Office a call.

Several new 4-H projects have been added this year, and several 4-H manuals have changed. Be sure to check them out in the new 4-H Clover your leader will give you!

Floriculture: Growing & caring for plants, production science, floral designs & careers.
4-H Cooking 101: Replaces Let's Start Cooking, You Learn to Bake and Tricks For Treats I & II.
Forestry 1-3: Brand new books about trees, forests, ecology and need for trees.
Geospatial 1 & 2: Cool technology about geospatial science, technology, GIS and GPS.
Photography 1-4: Great books which teach basic skills, lighting, composition and digital technology.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils: New books about gardening, plants, soil and science experiments.
Robotics I & 2: Using legos, 4-Hers will build robots. This is a very expensive project, so be aware!
Tractor A-D: New books about engine operation, hydraulic systems, electrical systems and safety.

Have fun choosing which one to take!

When your club reorganizes for the new 4-H year or if you are a new member, here are a few reminders and suggestions about enrolling or re-enrolling. At your first meeting of the new year, you will receive the Illinois Clover. It has more than 100 project units to choose from. Ask your family and 4-H leader for help, and consider the following:

• How old are you? We know that younger members would like to sign up for many projects, but then find out there is just too much to do and learn, and that you can't handle them all. Most of the project listings have a "suggested" age range. Don't enroll in a project that is too advanced for you.
• How many years in 4-H? If you are a first or second year 4-H member, limit yourself to 3 or 4 projects. This will give you time to enjoy each project and complete it by exhibit time. If you take too many projects, you will not enjoy them and those that help you won't enjoy them either.
• What projects/units have you taken? It is fun to try new projects, but you should find out from older members what you might face if you take a different project. Limit yourself to one or two new projects each year.
• What about awards? If you are interested in awards, you may want to take one or two project divisions for several years, moving through the different units that might be more advanced.

Teens interested in traveling to Washington, D.C., July 5-12, 2008, as part of Citizenship Washington Focus, are encouraged to apply by the November 2 deadline. Space is limited to 30 youth delegates.

Some sites teens will visit include Arlington National Cemetery, FDR Memorial, Iwo Jima, Jefferson Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. There will also be an opportunity to talk to U.S. Congressmen from Illinois to share personal 4-H experiences. Delegates will stay at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Maryland, during the week.

The cost for youth delegates will be approximately $1015, which includes the week-long trip, most meals, transportation to and from Washington, D.C., housing and the conference itself. Adult chaperones are also needed.

Applications and additional information for youth and adults can be found at http://www.4h.uiuc.edu/events/annual005.html.

If you sent a project to State Fair, it has been returned to the Extension Office and ready for pick up.

Southern Illinois Leadership Convention - Emily Hatfield, Dianna Hatfield and Lian States will represent Wayne County at this new event to be held at Touch of Nature near Carbondale October 6-8.

NASA Space Camp - Kelsey Scott, Sara Rogers, Sara Buchanan, Billy Hatfield and Ashley Neikirk will "blast off" for fun at NASA Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, October 4-7.

Discover Chicago - Katie Liston, Kali Smith, Chelsie Walker, Derek Greifzu, Brandae Gill, Justin Gill and chaperone, Kim Liston, will spend an unforgettable weekend in the "windy city" as they tour sites of interest with other 4-H'ers from the Southern 4-H Region. Have fun.

You can eat healthier by choosing and preparing foods that are low in salt, sugar and fat. Add flavor to your healthful foods by adding herbs and spices.

• Cook tasty low fat food by flavoring meats, vegetables and grains with herbs and spices.
• Sweeten foods with spices such as allspice, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg.
• Season foods without salt by adding herbs and spices that have zesty flavors such as black pepper, hot pepper, garlic, coriander, onion, and curry.

Salt-Free Herb Blend
Makes about 1/3 cup. Use this herb blend in any recipe as a substitute for salt.

5 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/4 teaspoons thyme
2 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Spoon herb blend into a shaker. Add a few grains of white rice to keep the mixture dry.

A GOOD RULE OF THUMB:

• Use herbs and spices sparingly to start.
• Add FRESH herbs near the end of cooking or just before serving.
• Add DRIED whole herbs and spices at the start of cooking to get full flavor. Removing whole herbs and spices, at the end of cooking, may be necessary to reduce choking hazard.
• Get more flavor from DRIED flaked herbs by crumbling them in your palm before adding them to your dish. Some flaked herbs are mild (basil) and best added at the end of cooking while others are robust (thyme) so they can be cooked longer.
• Add DRIED ground herbs and spices towards the end of cooking time.
• Hot red pepper gets hotter during cooking so start with small amounts.
• For cold foods (dips, dressings, etc.), add herbs several hours before serving.
  

HERB ROASTED POTATOES -- Serves 5.
3 medium baking potatoes
1/2 cup chives or onions, minced
2 tablespoons parsley
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon rosemary
Non-stick vegetable cooking spray

Scrub potatoes under running water. Thinly slice potatoes. Mix chives, parsley, pepper, paprika and rosemary together in a small bowl. Layer 1/3 of potatoes in an 8x8x2 inch baking pan sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 1/3 herb mixture. Repeat with layer of potatoes and herbs two more times. Cover with foil. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until done.
NUTRITION FACTS (per serving) - Calories 210 ~ fat 0 g ~ calories from fat 0 ~ sodium 20 mg ~ total carbohydrate 46 g ~ fiber 6 g

The Food Stamp Program provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact Dept. of Human Services at 618/842-2621.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it fuels up your body to get you going in the morning and keeps you going all day. If you don't like "traditional" breakfast foods, that's okay. You can eat any nutritious foods for breakfast that you like.

When selecting breakfast foods, include at least three of the five food groups from MyPyramid. You might have a favorite bowl of cereal with milk and sliced fruit. Or, try a turkey sandwich and a glass of fruit juice.

Choose foods with less sugar and fat–unsweetened cereals, bagels, pancakes with fruit topping, fresh fruit, and low-fat milk are good options.

Recipe of the Month
Quick Egg Breakfast -- Makes 2 servings

4 medium eggs
¼ cup low-fat milk
Salt and pepper
Non-stick spray

Coat a microwave-safe dish with non-stick spray. Crack eggs into mixing bowl. Add milk and beat with a fork or wire whisk. Pour mixture into microwave-safe dish, cover and microwave on High for 4 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with toast and orange juice.

Just for Fun

Unscramble these foods and drinks that could be part of a healthy and tasty breakfast.

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The Food Stamp Program provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. It can help you buy nutritious foods for a better diet. To find out more, contact Dept. of Human Services at 618/842-2621.

4-H Club Business Meetings An annual ritual of the beginning of the 4-H year is the election of the club officers and the planning of the club program for the year. While it is important for those elected to learn about their roles and duties, it is also necessary for all members to assume their responsibilities to the club. The club business meeting is one of three parts to a regular club meeting. The business portion of the meeting should last 30 minutes or less. The business portion provides the opportunity for individual members to learn about the methods of making decisions and the effect of decisions upon the group, learn effective methods of conducting business using parliamentary procedure, and develop leadership skills involved in serving as an officer or committee chair. Individual members need to learn parliamentary procedure skills so that they can participate fully in the business meeting. Each member should learn how to answer roll call, address the chair, make a committee report, make and second motions, discuss motions, and vote on items of business. Members may learn these skills through active participation in the business meeting, through enrolling in Leadership: Skills You Never Outgrow, or by participating in club committees. A packet on Working with Committees is available to club leaders on the Urban Extension Web Site at http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/committees. This web site contains fact sheets, role descriptions, worksheets, and additional resources to assist leaders and members in developing effective committees within their club. Helping You Help Youth – Working with Officers and Committees and Helping You Help Officer and Committees are additional resources that may be ordered through the local Extension office. Leader training is also available on "Making Meetings Fun" and "I Move – Effective Meetings." Contact your local Extension office for more information. Valued Volunteer Program The VALUED Volunteer Program is expanding again this year. New and less tenured volunteers who are interested in the orientation program should contact their local Extension office to enroll. The six one-hour orientation modules are offered through face-to-face meetings, teleconference sessions, and web-based or self-study sessions. Participants are asked to complete evaluation forms for each module. Content includes volunteer roles in 4-H, club organization, club program planning, and communications within the 4-H club, positive youth development, and experiential learning. This year the VALUED Volunteer Training Series will also be introduced statewide. This is a continuation of the Orientation program. Nine additional modules will be offered: developmental stages of youth, behavior management, fiscal policies, making meetings fun, parental involvement, parliamentary procedure, public presentations, risk management, and working with officers and committees. These sessions will help leaders learn to provide their members with stronger decision-making opportunities at the club level as well as help to energize their club meetings with fun, age-appropriate activities. New and tenured leaders are welcome to enroll through their county Extension office in this program for 2007-08. Get Up and Move Clubs may enroll in Get Up and Move! Series 1, 2 and 3 through 4-H DMS. Print copies may be ordered through the local Extension office or the materials are available the web at www.4-h.uiuc.edu/opps/move. Get Up and Move! would be an excellent project in which new clubs enroll. Materials are readily available and the activities can be led by older youth or parents. This project ties in nicely with the national 4-H mission mandate on Healthy Lifestyles. An additional resource for leaders interested in this area would be the Healthy Lifestyles: Less is More website at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/regionwc/ lessismore. This program series is designed for families with children – because what we do today affects the health of our children tomorrow. The web site contains fact sheets, tips and recipes that can help lead to healthier lifestyles. Check out the sections: Tip and Recipe of the Month and Smart Shopping. 4-H Fair Share Program National 4-H Council and National 4-H Supply Service announced a new 4-H Fair Share Program last fall. 4-H volunteers, members, families, and Extension staff may order 4-H merchandise on line at www.4-HMall.org. Illinois receives a 10% commission on the value of the merchandise ordered. This money benefits the Illinois 4-H Recognition for Excellence Program. Good news! Since the program's inception, Illinois has received more than $5,000 as its share of the commission. Please continue to order your club supplies, recognition items, and other 4-H items on-line to support Illinois 4-H! Tools to Help Recognize 4-H'ers' Accomplishments and Promote 4-H Fall is a great time to recognize 4-H members for their accomplishments from the previous year. Page borders and other materials have been created to help you recognize youth. The page borders allow you to create certificates with customized text – or even use them as flyers or signs. A thumbnail graphic is posted by each material, so you can quickly scan the list to see what works best for you. http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/staff/promotion.html October 7-13 is National 4-H Week. Several materials on this web page were created to help promote 4-H during National 4-H Week and throughout the year. Materials include: recruitment brochures, bookmarks, game sheets, cards, postcards, candy/cereal bar wrappers, and more! National 4-H Brand Network also has a National 4-H Week Kit. Check out those materials at: http://www.4-h brandnetwork.org/ (New users will need to register first.) Club Grant Opportunities – Focusing on Community and Health Improvement Outreach 4-H clubs across Illinois have the opportunity to "pledge their hands to larger service" by making thethird "H" a priority in 2008. The Illinois 4-H Foundation is again supporting 4-H club outreach by funding community related service projects supported through funding from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and Country Insurance and Financial Services. Areas of focus include Community Improvement Projects OR Health and Safety related projects. Grant monies ranging from $50-$250 per club are available. Applications are available from your Extension Office or at www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/grants/html. Grant applications are due January 4, 2008. Other grant opportunities are also available through National 4-H Council. For information about those opportunities, check www.fourhcouncil.edu/GrantsProgram.aspx.