4-H youth are welcome to attend the Midwinter Rabbit Show at 15039 4-H Center Lane, Mt Carmel on Saturday, Feb. 28. The Show begins at 10 a.m.

This will be a carrying cage show; all cages must be leak proof. There is an entry fee of $1.00, and all entry fees will be awarded as prize money, along with trophies. You may enter as many classes as you wish.

All rabbits must be in the building and entry forms filled out prior to 10 a.m. Doors open at 8 a.m. Wabash County 4-H Clubs will be serving food all day long. There will be a raffle of some very nice rabbit supplies, and a vendor will be available selling cages and rabbit supplies. Mini workshops will also be conducted. For more information contact show superintendent Vernon Henze 618-446-5199, cell 618-240-1383 or email seedmaker41@yahoo.com.

Looking for something fun to do in March? Why not make plans to attend the bowling party for 4-H families and friends from Hamilton, Wayne and White Counties. This activity is scheduled for Saturday, March 7, 2-4 p.m., at Albion Bowling Center in Albion, IL. A discounted fee of $6 will include two games and shoe rental. Please contact the office by March 6 to register.

Tom Ulrich, internationally known wildlife photographer and author, from West Glacier, Montana, in cooperation with the Geff Chatter's 4-H Club, will present a digital photography workshop on Saturday, March 14, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Frontier Community College, Foundation Hall.

Many topics related to digital photography will be covered, including but not limited to, types of cameras, composition, lenses, flashes, close-up shots, shutter speeds, f-stops, software, saving, enhancing and emailing photos. Workshop participants are encouraged but not required to bring their digital cameras to the workshop.

Tom conducts digital photography workshops nationwide and we are very fortunate to have him present in southern Illinois.

The workshop is open to all ages. The cost of the workshop is $35.00 and since space is limited, pre-registration is required. To pre-register contact Ted Davis at (618) 842-7741 or tdavis65@verizon.net.

The 2009 4-H Legacy of Leadership Scholarship applications may be requested from the Extension office. Illinois will be awarding six $1,000 scholarships this summer to 4-H'ers finishing their senior year in high school or who are already attending an approved post-high school educational program (junior college, 4-year university, trade school, etc.). Members must have been enrolled in the 4-H program a minimum of five years. Completed applications are due postmarked no later than March 1.

The Extension office has received information on other ag-related scholarship opportunities. Please see Matt for more information.

4-H members, FFA members and other youth who are horse enthusiasts are invited to participate in this regional event March 28. Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. at the Jefferson County Extension Office in Mt. Vernon, IL.

The Horse Bowl contest gets underway at 9:30 a.m. Cost of participate is $15 per team.

Hippology registration is at 1:00 p.m. with the contest set to begin at 1:30 p.m. There is a $3 fee per person.

The hippology contest has three age divisions (age as of September 1, 2008): Junior, ages 8-11; Intermediate, ages 12-14; and Senior, ages 15-18 (must not have turned 19 prior to Jan. 1, 2009).

Awards will be announced following the afternoon activity. Certificates will be awarded to the top 5 contestants in the hippology contest.

Registration deadline is February 25.

The Extension Office has been notified of the date for the annual 4-H Day with the St. Louis Cardinals. It's May 23 when the Cardinals play the Kansas City Royals. The schedule calls for a 12:10 p.m. start time. Keep in mind this is Memorial Day Weekend. Why not make plans to spend it in the St. Louis area?

Check your calendar now and be prepared to act fast when the forms are released. We'll keep you up-to-date on registration information as it becomes available. If you'd like to pass along your email address, we'll forward the correspondence to you, which should cut down on actual mailing time.

The following 4-Hers were elected to serve as Federation Officers for 2009. Congratulations!

President - Sara Buchanan

V. President - Jentzi Schumm

Secretary - Vanessa Schumm

Asst. Sec. - Remington Henson

Treasurer - Katie Weaver

Asst. Treas. - Cheyenne Bruce

Reporter - Eric Schumm

Asst. Rep. - Evan Weaver

Historians - Noah West & Billy Hatfield

The 4-H Livestock Committee has set the following weigh-in and tagging dates for livestock exhibitors:

Beef Steers: Saturday, March 7^th, 9 - 10 a.m. at the United Producers Barn west of Fairfield

Swine Barrows, Sheep & Goats: Saturday, April 11^th, 9 - 10 a.m., Wayne County Fairgrounds.

NOTE: Please call Matt if you plan to take an animal to the Illinois State Fair.

Fun and effective 4-H meetings contain a balance between three important segments: group building, group decisions, and program or activity. The group building segment (15-20 minutes) includes recreation, refreshments, celebrations, and social time. The group decision segment (15-20 minutes) would include the business meeting and time for discussion and planning. Finally, the bulk of the time during a 4-H meeting should be devoted to a program or activity. Community service projects, tours, guest speakers, project work, and talks and demonstrations might comprise the club program. The "Club Meeting Wheel" highlighted in the Helping You Help Officers and Committees Packet (90410) can be ordered through your local Extension office. Helping members, officers, parents, and other leaders understand the importance of a balanced club meeting and its relationship to meeting the critical elements of positive development is a key role for club organizational leaders.

Applications will be available soon for the 4-H Foundation College Scholarship. Forms may be obtained from high school guidance offices in Wayne County or requested from the Extension Office. Application deadline is April 3.

Are you energetic and outgoing? Are you looking to earn a little extra $$ this summer doing something fun that will look great on a resume? Do you enjoy the outdoors and meeting new people? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then working at 4-H camp might be for you. Life guards are especially needed.

Applications are now available for 4-H camp counselors. You must be 16 or older by June 1. Counselor applications are due Feb. 13. Counselors are responsible for leading camper activities, leading games, recreation, and evening activities, and having fun with campers who are ages 8 to 12.

4-H camp is June 7-10 at Woodmen of the World Camp in West Frankfort. Call the office at 382-2662 for an application or look online at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/hww/4hyouth828.html.

A livestock showmanship clinic will be held at the Perry County Fairgrounds in Pinckneyville, IL on Saturday, April 25, featuring experienced 4-H show judge, Jeff Rister. The clinic is FREE but Perry County asks that you register by April 17^th by calling your local Extension office.

Come for all or part of the day. Species featured will follow this schedule: Swine 9:00 a.m., Sheep 10:00 a.m., Goats 11:00 a.m., Beef 12:30 p.m., Rabbits/Poultry 1:30 p.m.

A $1 hot dog lunch is offered from 12:00 - 12:30 p.m.

Wayne County 4-H activities and events may be cancelled in the event of bad weather. Please listen to WFIW radio 104.9 for 4-H cancellation announcements.

Why not make plans to attend the Illinois State Fair this year. It will run from August 14^th - 23^rd in Springfield. Wayne County's 4-H exhibit day is Sunday, August 23^rd. Check out the State Fair website for information on coming attractions at http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/.

Whether you eat at school or bring a lunch from home, make healthy food choices that will charge your body for the rest of the school day.

• Drink water, milk, or 100% fruit juice. Stay away from sugary drinks and colas, which provide a temporary energy spike but offer no nutritional value.
• Instead of high-fat chips or French fries, choose carrot or celery sticks with dip or a piece of fruit.
• Make a sandwich with whole wheat bread instead of white because whole wheat bread offers more fiber and nutritional value.
• Try wraps or a pita instead of bread. There are endless possibilities of what you can add to a wrap or pita. Add fruits, veggies, meats, and cheeses or create something different.

Your body is fueled by what you eat. In order to maintain good concentration during school, be sure to eat a nutritious lunch.

Pyramid Tortilla

1 8-inch tortilla

1/2 teaspoon low-fat cream cheese

1-ounce thin slice of turkey (or ham)

2 Tablespoons shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

1/4 cup shredded lettuce

1 Tablespoon raisins or shredded apples or pears

Directions

Spread cream cheese on tortilla. Layer turkey (or ham), cheese, lettuce, and fruit on tortilla. Roll up tortilla and serve.

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale has invited 4-H families to attend a Saluki basketball game when they play Wichita State on Saturday, February 28 at the SIUC Arena. There are two packages to choose from and tickets are limited. Order deadline - February 17. Please use the order form found in the newsletter that was mailed to your home or contact the Extension office for a form.

February 9

4-H Federation, Extension Office, 6 p.m.

February 10

Donate-An-Animal Application Deadline

February 21-22

Junior Leadership Conference

February 24

4-H Livestock Comm. Meeting, 6 p.m.

February 28

Mid-Winter 4-H Rabbit Show

February 28

4-H Family Day with SIU Saluki's

March 1

Legacy of Leadership Scholarship Application Deadline

March 7

4-H Beef Weigh-In

March 7

4-H Bowling Party/Federation Meeting

March 14

Digital Photography Workshop

March 28

Southern Region Hippology Contest & Horse Event

April 3

4-H Foundation Scholarship deadline

April 11

Swine, Sheep & Goats Weigh-In

April 25

So. IL 4-H Livestock Showmanship Clinic

May 23

4-H Day with the St. Louis Cardinals

June 7-10

Southern IL 4-H Camp

June 25-27

Jr. High 4-H Camp

July 19-25

Wayne County Fair