Thank you to everyone that brought in bears for the Military. We collected over 150 Bears!!! They have been picked up and they will so be on there way over seas to the military personal.

We are going to fill military boxes again this year. We are needing current address of soldiers that are serving over seas from Cumberland County. We will be putting the boxes together on December 9th.

Please have the address to Tonya at the Extension Office by December 6th so we can get boxes and address labels made.

We are working on our new community service this year and it is going to be Project Linus. We will be setting up a workshop date to meet with a Member of Project Linus and they are going to help us make blankets and collect them. Please look in your December newsletter for the workshop date. Below you can see what a Blanketeer is. Be a Blanketeer -- How You Can Help

• It's easy to help Project Linus. Simply make a blanket and donate it to your local chapter of Project Linus. Your blanket will be given to a child in need.
• Our volunteers, known as "blanketeers," provide new, handmade, washable blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. It is Project Linus' policy to accept blankets of all sizes, depending on the needs of the local chapters. All styles of blankets are welcome, including quilts, tied com forters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors.

If you have any questions please contact Tonya at the Extension Office.

4-H Photo Contest Winners Announced

Effingham Equity held a reception on Saturday, November 4^th at its corporate offices in Effingham IL, to showcase the 13 finalists in its "2006 Agriculture – Farm Life is Best"

4-H Photo Contest. The finalists ranged from age 8 thru age 19. Sarah Kibler of Newton was presented the Grand Prize award. Each finalist received an individual award of $50 and the Grand Prize winner took home an individual award of $100 and also an award of $100 for her 4-H club, "Vanderhoof".

The winning photos are being showcased at the recently remodeled Corporate Headquarters in Effingham. Everyone is welcome to come and view the display.

The details for the "2007 Agriculture – Farm Life is the Best" 4-H Photo Contest were announced at the reception also. For 2007 contest rules contact your local extension office or an Effingham Equity location for details.

Effingham Equity is a local agricultural cooperative that serves a market area of approximately 10,000 square miles in South Central Illinois and has locations at Effingham, Stewardson, Lovington, Altamont, Marshall, Farina, Alma, West Liberty, Dieterich, Montrose, Pana and Robinson. Effingham Equity utilizes the 4-H Foundation's Matching Funds Program along with other corporate matching programs to maximize its annual donations to 4-H within the various counties of their trade territory.

Winners include: Zachary Moses, Toledo; Bethany Deters, Sigel; Laura Wente, Sigel; Rachel Deters, Sigel; Lee Mette, Dieterich; Ray Myers, Iuka; Kelsie Loos, Iuka Back row: Landon Crews, Marshall; Sarah Kibler, Newton; Jade Waterson, Alma; Melinda Jones, Ellery; Lacey Eggers, Greenup; and Kara Berg, Mason.

December 25-January 2 for the Christmas Holiday.

Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday

Cookbooks for Sale

HEA Cookbooks $10.00

We also have 4-H Beanie Bears.

These would be great gifts for Everyone.

It's that time of year again. In the event that ANY SCHOOL that serves Cumberland County cancels or dismisses school early due to bad weather conditions, 4-H events will be canceled and rescheduled also. The Extension Office will try to notify radio stations in such an event.

There is going to be Multi-County Livestock Camp at the Lawrenceville Fairgrounds on June 10-12, 2006. We are in the making of this camp. The camp is going to talk about basics of Beef, Sheep, Swine and Goats. There will be more information to come please mark this on your calendar before it get filled up.

All 4-H members that were in livestock last year will be receiving a questionnaire in the mail about this camp. Please return it back to the Extension Office by January 8th.

If you have any questions or suggestions or ideas please contact Tonya at the Extension Office.

Cumberland County 4-H Week will be March 5-10th. I would like every club to send me at least three Themes. Suggestions for the theme can be sent to the Extension Office and will be passed on to the 4-H Federation. The theme ideas will be voted on at the January 11th Federation meeting.

Each 4-H member who attends one of the November or December 4-H events is encouraged to bring items on the scavenger hunt list with them.

Events include:

December 8 – Military boxes, Trees and Door Decorating. Calvary Tabernacle Church - 10:00 am

December 14 - Federation Meeting 7 p.m. Toledo Village Hall

Don't Forget To Bring Items To Your Club Meetings!

Items need to be in the Extension Office by Friday, December 15, 2006. Items should be full size products. Trial size will be worth half of the listed points. The 4-H Club who accumulates the greatest point value will receive a gift to be determined by the 4-H Federation.

Items collected will be delivered to the Neoga and Greenup Food Pantries.

POINTS
Toothpaste 20
Toilet Paper 15
Deodorant 20
Lotion 20
Shampoo 20
Conditioner 20
Toothbrush 15
Tissue 10
Bar of Soap 15
Diapers 30
Baby Wipes 15
Laundry Detergent 20
Dish Soap 10
Canned Meat 15
Feminine Products 15
Boxed Food Items 10 per item
Canned Food Items 10 per item

Each year the 4-H Federation sponsors various 4-H workshops. The actual planning of the events is done months in advance. If you have any ideas or suggestions for a workshop contact the Extension Office or let your club delegate know. War are seeking hands-on projects that can increase the participation levels in various project areas.

If you have a special talent, skill, or hobby that you would like to share with 4-H, give the office a call.

Club Leaders are reminded and encouraged to send the Extension Office a copy of your meeting locations, dates and times for the upcoming year as soon as they are finalized. When individuals contact the Extension Office interested in joining 4-H, a club program is a great item to have. Clubs also receive points on the Illinois 4-H Standards of Excellence award form for providing the Extension Office a club calendar.

Club Reporters are also reminded to send in club meeting minutes and activities for the monthly newsletter. The newsletter generally is printed and sent out the last week of each month for the upcoming month. Not to mention it is a great way to share what your club is doing with the other 4-H clubs in the county.

E-Mail them if you wish to tjeich@uiuc.edu

Mark your calendars for June 10-14 – That's Cumberland County's week to attend 4-H Camp near Monticello.

Remember...

4-H Camp Scholarships are available from The Cumberland County 4-H Federation.

You need to attend a Federation Meeting to Request Funding.

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.

Presley Hatfill, Cumberland County Clovers
Jacob Sappington, Liberty Hill Rangers
Liz Woolridge, Illinois 4-H Youth Leadership Team Member

Leaders have received information about the 2007 Illinois 4-H Mexico exchange summer program. To find out more about experiencing life and culture 'south of the border,' contact the Extension office. Deadline for the first payment is January 1. There are also opportunities for exchanges in Australia, Japan and Finland.

Don't like to travel? There are summer host opportunities for 4-H families to invite Japanese students from other countries for a visit. Previous experience isn't necessary. Host families receive an orientation about the Japanese culture. More information is available at the Extension Office.

The purpose of the IL Pork Ambassador/Intern program is to provide an opportunity for a young person to serve for one year as the official youth representative of the IL Pork Producers Association and to work as a part of the IPPA staff during the summer of such year. The selected Ambassador/Intern could receive up to $4,500 in scholarships from IPPA and the National Pork Board plus a $500/month stipend (to be used for housing/travel expenses) during the three summer months they work in the IPPA office.

Application deadline is December 29, 2006. Applications are Available at the Extension Office.

The Illinois 4-H Foundation has grant monies available for 4-H clubs to support community outreach efforts. The funding for these community related projects comes from Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and Country Insurance & Financial Services.

Please note the following timeline:

• Club Grant Application Deadline: January 5, 2007
• Club Grant Application Announcement: February 2, 2007

Note: individual clubs may apply and be considered in both categories; however, each club can be awarded funds in only one of the two granting categories. While the Illinois 4-H Foundation recognizes that many clubs do multiple projects, they also hope to award the available monies to worthy projects in as many different clubs as possible.

Applications are available at the Extension Office.

• An on-line course for 4-H Jr. Leaders that uses U of I WebCT course software.

What's in this for ME?

• Experience in navigating around a real on-line course
• New ideas about what I can do as a 4-H Jr. Leader
• A chance to practice leadership skills & make my 4-H club better.
• A certificate of completion and other recognition as a Jr. Leader.

If you do not have internet access, the office internet is available for your use. Just call Tonya and set up a time.

You can get a application from your Leader or the Extension Office.

February 24-25, 2007

Decatur Conference Center and Hotel

This is event is open to 4-H members only in the 7^th or 8^th grade as of September 1, 2006. The theme this year is "JLC Pizzeria Better Skills...Better leaders." The registration fee for this event is $91.00. There will be some scholarships available for 4-Her's who are attending for the first time. Scholarship deadline is December 22, 2006. Registration is on first come first serve basis.

On-line registration will be available at http://www.4-h.uiuc.edu/events/annual013jlc.html Registration deadline is January 22, 2007. There is a limited amount of space at this conference so register early. If you have any questions please contact the Extension Office.

Microwave Version

8 c. popped popcorn (2 bags microwave popcorn popped)
¾ c. firmly packed brown sugar
½ c. butter or margarine
2 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1/8 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. Baking soda
½ c. toasted slivered almonds (optional)

Combine popcorn and almonds in a large microwave safe bowl.

In a 4-cup microwave-safe measuring cup, combine the brown sugar, butter, corn syrup, and salt. Microwave on high for 2 minutes; stir. Microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes or until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Stir in baking soda; mix well. Pour over popcorn and almonds; toss until coated.

Microwave on HIGH for 2 minutes. Immediately spread on foil or waxed paper to cool.

Makes 8 cups.

If you like this recipe come join us on December 14th to make more Candy.

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.