We have had a request for donations of 8-10" bears that will be dressed in camo to send over to the soldiers in Iraq. According to information we received, 10,000 bears are needed to complete the project. If anyone has or knows of family members that have bears that could be used for this project, please drop them off at the Extension Office.

Thank you to everyone that attended the Fall Bash. Also Thank you to our wonderful Grillers and Bakers!!

During the Fall Bash we elected officers and they are as follows:
President - Lance Moses
Vice President - Michelle Niebrugge
Secretary - Jodi Koester
Treasurer - Kristin Moses
Reporter - Houston Moses
Recreation Chair ( Boy and Girl) - Jason Koester and Melissa Koester

Illinois Farm Bureau & Affiliated

The 4-H Premier LCP Awards is sponsor for older 4-H Members in Illinois. The purpose of the awards is to reward members exhibiting outstanding leadership, citizenship, cooperation, and professionalism during the past 4-h program year ( September 1 through August 31). Although all members can apply , the program is designed to recognize and promote achievement in the agriculture industry. Applicants must be 4-H members who are at least 17 years of age by December 1, and cannot have reached their 19th birthday by September 1 of they year they submit the application. A maximum of two applicants per county may be submitted for the state competition. If more then two 4-H'ers turn in an application to the county we will have a panel of judges to choose the two that will complete at the state level. For an application please contact the Extension Office.

Attention all 7^th and 8^th grade 4-H members – have we got the event for you! The State 4-H program is offering a one-day conference ONLY for junior high 4-H and FFA members. The E.D.G.E. Conference (Experiencing Discovery, Growth & Excellence) will focus on helping YOU start your journey into the world of discovering yourself, exploring leadership opportunities, and assisting in your own communities.

Mark Saturday, November 18^th on your calendars and contact the Extension office for a brochure and registration form. The conference will be held in Springfield on the state fairgrounds. (A map will be sent to those who register.)

Cost for the E.D.G.E. Conference is $55 for a youth delegate or $10 for an adult (lunch only). That includes lunch costs and is actually $10 LESS than the cost for last year's event! You can register by sending in the registration form before the November 8^th deadline OR you can register on-line with your parents at: http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/annual012edge.html by that date. Payment can be by check or credit card.

So get ready to focus on building YOUR skills and register today! Let's get you to the E.D.G.E.!!

Who: Open to all youth ages 12 - 14 - 4-H membership is not required

When: Fri. & Sat. February 9 & 10, 2007

Cost: $55.00 per participant - $45.00 for Continuation Committee members. Scholarships ARE available for current 4-H'ers!! Check with your Extension Office!

Scholarship application deadline: Friday, January 12th!!

Where: Olson Conference Center at WIU, Macomb

Registration Deadline: January 26th. Contact the Extension Office at 217-849-3931 for materials or questions.

Switzerland -November
Columbia– December
Poland– January
Sweden– February
Thailand mini– March
Argentina– April

If your club is interested in using any or all of these culture kits, please contact the Extension Office at 217/849-3931.

At October/November club meetings, leaders will be handing out 2006-2007 enrollment forms for you and your parents to complete and sign. If you were enrolled last year, you will receive a form with your information pre-printed on it. You and your parents should check it for accurate information. Don't forget to check "yes" or "no" for the photo release authorization for news media. Return your enrollment forms promptly to your club leader.

Project enrollment sheets and the 2006-2007 Illinois Clovers will also be handed out. Turn in the project enrollment sheet with your member enrollment form. The Illinois Clover has all the projects you can sign up for and gives ideas for things you can do with the project. Check out the projects just waiting for you to explore. Look for new projects hot off the press:

Service Learning
Microwave Magic A-D
Keeping Fit & Healthy
Communications I - III

You can see all of the new projects on your enrollment sheets they will a * buy the title. If you have question please ask you leaders or call the Extension Office.

(Or "Things You Might Want to Know if You Apply for the Committee!)

If you are interested in keeping a statewide, high school leadership event for Illinois 4-H members, then this committee may be for YOU!! This new event may or may not have similar aspect as the 4-H Illinois Leadership Convention (ILC) – a lot of that will be up to the planning committee that we are looking to name. Because we are looking at a new event, applicants CAN include past ILC planning committee members or youth who have never attended ILC. We're looking for new ideas, a new location, and a new format. If you have ideas to share – then we'd like you to apply!

Youth committee members must be currently enrolled 4-H members, ages 14-18 (as of 9/1/2006). Adult members must be over 21 years of age. At this time, the new "event" will only be open to 4-H members, no matter how you participate (Military clubs, community clubs, after-school groups, etc.)

Applications Due October 15th

If you would like an application or have any questions please contact Tonya at the Extension Office.

This year we have a 4-H Family that is wanting to donate a goat to a exhibitor that is not currently enrolled in goats as a project. Please read the rules below : Rules for "Win a Goat" Contest

• Applicant must be a "bona fide" Cumberland County 4-H member by January 8th, not currently enrolled in a goat project or in possession of goats.
• Applicant must complete an application and include a statement of interest to be no less than 100 words in length.
• Applications will be reviewed by a committee of three to determine applicants to be interviewed.
• Those applicants chosen will be interviewed along with their parent and/or guardian.
• The winning applicant will be responsible for care and all costs incurred in the raising of this goat.
• This market goat is to be shown in the 4-H Market Wether Class at the Cumberland County 4-H Show.
• This goat will be sold at the Cumberland County 4-H Auction with the hope that the proceeds will be used to reinvest in a goat project for the next 4-H year.

Applications are available at the Extension Office by calling 217/849-3931.

Applications must be received no later than January 8, 2007.