I hope that everyone is enjoying the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. But please don't get too busy and forget the upcoming 4-H events that are scheduled. The Craft/Candy Making/Project Linus Workshop is coming up on December 13th. The Federation will also be putting together Military boxes at their next meeting. Please be sure to attend either one or better yet, both events that are coming up!

Everyone should be checking out their enrollment forms and the new 4-H Clover, Winter is a great time to work on your projects and project manuals, so be sure to get signed up to get your manuals now. You can never start too early on your 4-H projects. If you need help or have any questions on a project, contact the Extension Office.

If you should have any type of questions, the office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We do have an answering machine if you need to call after hours. If you wish to email, I can be reached at rstaley@illinois.edu.

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON!

November 4, 2008

7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office

The Federation will meet a week earlier this month. Items to discuss: Nursing Home Door Decoration ideas, tree decorations, appoint members to committees and preparation for the workshop held in December. Everyone 12 years and old is eligible to participate in the 4-H Federation.

The Federation met on November 9, 2008 at the Movie Theater in Mattoon, IL. They watched a movie and enjoyed supper at Villa Pizza. After filling their bellies, members discussed t-shirts, community service project and a benefit dinner. All members were reminded of the Achievement Program.

To all of our 4-H families and volunteers, we want to wish you a holiday filled with great blessings and a new year that is healthy and happy. We are truly blessed to have each and everyone one of you in the 4-H program!

Cumberland County 4-H will again be preparing military boxes to send to the troops that are serving our country over seas. Please share current addresses of soldiers from the Cumberland County area. We will be putting the boxes together at the December Federation Meeting. Please have the addresses to Ryan at the Extension Office by December 4th so we canget the boxes and address labels made.

Christmas Trees

Christmas Tree Walk at the Sumpter Township Library (849-2072) and Greenup Public Library (923-3616) will take place again this year! All 4-H clubs are encouraged to decorate trees for the contest displays. The Sumpter Township Library has a few trees that clubs can use, or you can use your own. Both displays are open to the public for viewing. The public votes with monetary donations for the top displays and the money generated helps fund the library facilities. Prizes are awarded to the top displays. Clubs may contact the libraries for more information.

Nursing Home Doors

Christmas Door Decorating contest at the Cumberland Nursing Center in Greenup will again be sponsored by the Greenup Nursing Center Ladies Auxiliary Club. The Auxiliary will award $25.00 to the first place door, $15.00 for second place, and $10.00 for third place. Any club wishing to decorate a door should contact Cumberland Nursing Center at 923-3186. It is suggested that the doors be decorated the end of November so that the residents can enjoy them during the holiday season. However, you can decorate them anytime during the first part of December. They will be having a Holiday Dinner on December 6th, so you might want to decorate before then. Decorating the doors provides a sense of home and brings great joy to those who reside there. Please remember that there must be 3 inches around the door that is undecorated. This is done to reduce the risk of fire.

The Extension Office will be closed Wednesday December 24th thru Friday January 2nd. We will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on January 5th.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Do you need ideas for a great gift for Christmas. If so, we have the answer for you! The Cumberland County HEA has a new cookbook available. When you purchase this cookbook, you will be blessed with 892 recipes from outstanding cooks of Cumberland County. The cookbook is only $10.00! There are also recipes from Geneva Farrell, Home Ec. Adviser here several years ago. So, if you need a gift for the cook in your family, stop by the office and make your purchase! We also have them for sale at local businesses: The Fillin' Station in Toledo, First Neighbor Bank, Toledo Branch, 3 B's Hardware Store in Toledo, Lynn's Hair Parlor in Greenup and Gail's Country Cuts.

The Illinois 4-H Foundation has grant monies available for 4-H clubs to support community outreach efforts. The grants that are available are: 4-H Community Improvement Program and 4-H Community Health Improvement Program. Both categories must be complete and sent to the State 4-H Office by January 30, 2009. If you would like to receive an application or to ask more questions about this opportunity, please contact the Extension Office!

WHEN: Saturday December 13, 2008

TIME: Begins at 9:00 a.m.

BRING WITH YOU: 3 Christmas Cards

COMMUNITY SERVICE: We will be gift wrapping from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

If anyone would like to donate Wrapping Paper towards the Community Service Project, it would be greatly appreciated!!! You can drop it off at the office before the 13th or bring it with you to the workshop!!!!

Attention all 7th and 8th grade students. You need to keep February 21 & 22, 2009 open for the 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference! All 7th and 8th grade 4-H members should receive a packet of information for this event. The early bird registration date is December 31, 2008 if you register online. If you are registering by paper, please have it to the Extension Office no later than December 23rd. Registrations done online after this date must be done by January 16, 2009. If you register by paper, the Extension Office must receive it by January 14, 2008. The State 4-H Office is offering scholarships again for those that attending the JLC. The date for those to be turned in to the Extension Office is no later than January 2, 2009. This scholarship is available to first time attendees of the conference. You must also have all of the required paper work and a complete registration to be eligible for the scholarship. If you have any questions, please call Ryan at the Extension Office at 849-3931 or email to rstaley@illinois.edu.

Mark your calendars for Sunday, January 18, 2009 for the annual Skating Party at the Silver Star Skate Center in Mattoon. Please plan on being there from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for all of the fun! The Federation is once again sponsoring this event. They will be covering the rental fee and you admittance fees. Please be sure to tell the employees at the window that you are from Cumberland County 4-H. You may also bring your own skates or roller blades. Coles County 4-H'ers will be joining us for a fun filled evening!

The Great 4-H Debate is a conference for 4-H'ers from across Illinois who converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The Great 4-H Debate is for all high school age U of I Extension 4-H youth development program participants who are interested in learning about how Illinois state government works.

During the two-day event, youth will:

· Learn persuasive speaking

· Learn how to find information on the legislative process

· Develop an understanding of the legislative process

· Meet people from other areas of the state

Besides all the work, participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night.

The 2009 Conference will be February 13-14, 2009.

Register now at https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2217

This conference is open to Illinois 4-H youth. Registration fee for the conference is $60. The deadline for registration is January 23, 2009. Lodging will be at Lake Springfield Christian Academy. Delegates will need to bring bedding, towels, and toiletries in addition to clothing.

When: Saturday, March 7, 2009

Game time is at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $18 for lower bowl and $13 for upper bowl seats. Deadline for orders is February 20, 2009. For more information or to receive a registration form, please call the Extension Office.

4-Hers, ages 10-13, are invited to participate in the 3^rd Annual Multi-County 4-H Livestock Camp, March 6 & 7, 2009 at the Fairfield Inn and Extension Office in Effingham, IL. Camp is open to 4-H club members from Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Jasper, Richland, Fayette, Edgar, Shelby and Lawrence Counties.

While attending camp, 4-H members will be getting Back-To-The-Basics learning more about their livestock project. Instructors will give hands-on learning sessions on 4-H Livestock Records, Show Ring Ethics and Quality Assurance. They will also learn about various careers and opportunities. Some 4-H members have been around animals all their lives, but they do not realize the various options involving their interest in animals outside of 4-H and other than showing.

New and exciting this year will be a Livestock Judging and Quiz Bowl Contest. Animal Specialists will explain 4-H Livestock Judging. Campers will learn how to make a careful analysis of animals measuring them against a standard that is commonly accepted as ideal. Campers will also participate in a Mock Judging Contest at camp.

Check-in for the Camp will began at 7 PM on Friday, March 6th. Campers will spend time getting to know each other while making various crafts, watching a movie and snacking late into the night. Scheduled hands-on learning activities will start at 8:15 AM on Saturday, March 7^th. Camp will close at 3:30 PM. Attending Saturday only is also available; check registrations materials for information.

The registration fee is $40. Ages for participants are 10-13 on day of camp. Registration materials will be available early January, 2009 at your local extension office.

Each Club is encouraged to begin their donations for this years scavenger hunt. This is a great opportunity for the club to get involved and help out the community. 4-H'ers need to bring items to their club meeting or to any 4-H sponsored event from now until December 12, 2008.

Events Still Include:

· Candy/Craft/Project Linus Workshop (Dec. 13)

· December Federation Meeting (Dec. 4)

Don't forget to bring items to your club meetings as well!

Items need to be in the Extension office by

December 12, 2008. Items should be full size products. Trial size will only receive half points. The 4-H Club who accumulates the greatest point value will receive a gift from the 4-H Federation. Items will be delivered by the Federation to the food pantries throughout

Cumberland County.

POINTS

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

Even in our community there are individuals that suffer from hunger. Most of us do not realize what it is like to be hungry for more than a few minutes. 4-H'ers are always great at stepping up to the plate and help those in need. Let's make this year another success!

This scholarship is available to current 4-H members who are high school seniors or in an approved post-high school facility. Members must have been enrolled in 4-H for a minimum of five years. Scholarships will be for $1,000 and will be paid directly to the scholarship recipient upon receipt of proof of enrollment in an approved post-high school educational program. You may only be awarded this scholarship once. Some of the application requirements are: a complete application, two letters of recommendation, contact information on individuals who wrote recommendations, 4-H enrollment, and official transcripts. For more information or an application, please call Ryan at the Extension Office. This could be a great way to help your educational career!

It is 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 cancelled and rescheduled also. The Extension Office will try to notify radio stations in such an event.

This program is to provide an opportunity for a young person to serve for one year as the official youth representative of the Illinois Pork Producers Association and to work as a part of the IPPA staff during the summer each year. All candidates must be an Illinois resident and between the ages of 18 and 23. The Ambassador/Intern will being their responsibilities immediately upon announcement at the Awards Banquet at the Illinois Pork Expo on February 3, 2009. The duties during the school year consist of working from the school/home on projects and programs as agreed upon by the Ambassardor/Intern and the IPPA Youth Coordinator. Hours may vary during the school year. During the summer, it is expected to work a five day work week throughout the summer. There are just a few items related to this opportunity, so if you are interested or know someone who might be interested, please email Ryan at rstaley@illinois.edu or call the Extension Office. All applications must be turned into the IPPA no later than December 21, 2008.

WHEN: MARCH 14-15, 2009

WHERE: Holiday Inn, Rockford, IL

This conference is open to all Illinois 4-H'ers 13-18 years of age by 3-1-09. More information about the conference will be available on Dec. 3rd at: http://extension.uiuc.edu/boone. All registrations must be received by Jan. 28, 2009.

If you wish to have more information, please call the Extension Office or email rstaley@illinois.edu.

2009 4-H Livestock Weigh-In Dates

BEEF: February, Date and Time TBA
SWINE: April, Date and Time TBA
SHEEP: April, Date and Time TBA

All first time 4-H Livestock exhibitors must complete a "Quality Assurance and Ethics Clinic" prior to exhibiting a livestock project at the Cumberland County Fair. 4-H members exhibiting at the State Fair must comply and complete the online training as well! This training is available online only, for both the County Fair and the State Fair. If you need assistance or internet capabilities, please contact the Extension Office.

Workshop Ideas

Each year the 4-H Federation sponsors various workshops. The actual planning of events is done in advance. If you have any ideas or suggestions for a workshop contact the Extension Office or let your club Federation delegates know. We are seeking hands-on projects that can increase the participation levels in various project areas. We also need some volunteers to assist with these workshops. It is also important that we have 4-H members attending the workshops, if we do not have 10 attendees for all workshops, they will be cancelled.

4-H Week Theme Ideas Needed!

Cumberland County 4-H Week will be March 7-14th. I would like every club to send me at least three theme ideas! Suggestions for the theme can be sent to the Extension Office and will be passed on to the 4-H Federation. We need them no later than January 7, 2009!!