There is a lot of valuable information inside this edition of the newsletter. There are a lot of things going on in the next month or two, so be sure to get them put on your calendars! The Toledo Spring Festival will be Thursday May 14 - Sunday May 17. Be sure to bring the kids out to enjoy the rides and to enjoy some good food and fun.

The Pie Stand and 4-H BBQ are quickly approaching. You should be receiving your BBQ tickets at your next club meeting or sometime soon. Don't forget to SELL, SELL, SELL!!!!! This is the main fundraiser for the year. There is more information about the BBQ inside the newsletter.

Have you started working on your projects? If not, NOW is a good time to begin. If you have any questions about requirements for your project, please ask or reference your Fair Handbook. Also, be working on your project records and project forms. Be sure that you have updated project forms and livestock records, THEY ARE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR!

The office has been making several visits to the county 4th Grade classes during the month of April. These students have been participating in the "Butterfly Program". They were presented with larvae and explored the life cycle. The program incorporates subjects such as Science, Math and English to further their learning. A big Thanks goes to the 4th grade teachers and the administration of Neoga and Cumberland Schools!!!

May 21, 2009

7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office

ANYONE 4-H'er MAY ATTEND!!!!!!

On April 16, 2009, Presley Hatfill called the meeting of the Cumberland County Federation to order with Paige Hatfill leading the American Pledge and Zach Moses leading the 4-H Pledge. The secretary's report was read by Lance Moses. Paige Hatfill made the motion to approve the secretary's report and Melissa Koester seconded the motion. Melissa Koester read the treasurers report. Kyle Spurgeon made a motion to approve the treasurers report and Zach Moses seconded the motion. In old business, we discussed the PQA training that was held on April 21st and 23rd at 6:30. We also discussed the Cardinals game that is on May 23rd. 4-H Memorial Camp will be June 7th-11th. There will be a new member party June 16th at the Toledo Christian Church. We also discussed the ConKerr Cancer and Project Linus Workshop that will be on May 30, 2009 at the Calvary Tabernacle Church in Toledo. Zach Moses made the motion to close old business and Kyle Spurgeon seconded the motion. In new business we discussed the Toledo Spring Festival. The Hurricane Hustlers and Springpoint Rebels are working together for the pie stand. All clubs need to bring at least five pies. The parade will be May 16th, 2009. The theme is celebrating Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday. Paige Hatfill made a motion to have a float and Kyle Spurgeon Seconded the motion. The 4-H BBQ will be on June 20th, 2009. There will be a flyer contest and a poster contest. Kyle Spurgeon made a motion to keep the prizes for the poster and flyer contest the same and Melissa Koester seconded the motion. Zach Moses, Kyle Spurgeon and Presley Hatfill volunteered for the 4-H BBQ committee. The Federation also decided to have fifty BBQ signs made for the price of $274, which comes out to $5.74 per sign. Zach Moses made the motion and Paige Hatfill seconded the motion. The Federation also decided to contribute $1500 to the budget for 2009-2010. Presley Hatfill made the motion and Kyle Spurgeon seconded the motion. Kyle Spurgeon made a motion to give $150 to the benefit for Trevor Nippe and Melissa Koester seconded the motion. Zach Moses made the motion to close new business and Kyle Spurgeon seconded the motion. The next meeting will be on May 21, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office. The Federation decided to have pizza that night also. The meeting was as adjourned by Kyle Spurgeon and Melissa Koester seconded the motion.

May 14-17, 2009

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WALK WITH THE 4-H FLOAT, PLEASE CALL THE EXTENSION OFFICE!!!

THE PARADE WILL BE SATURDAY, MAY 16th STARTING A 1:00 p.m. BE AT THE TOLEDO CHRISTIAN CHURCH by NOON!

SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2009

· The pie stand will be held during the Toledo Fire Departments Chicken Dinner, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

· Each club should donate at least FIVE pies.

· The pies should be delivered to the Fire Station in Toledo between 10:00—11:30 a.m. on the 17th!

· Proceeds from the Pie Stand will go towards the 2009-2010 Program Fee.

· NO CREAM PIES!!

YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!!

Please remember to complete this requirement if you are a first year livestock exhibitor or you plan to show at the Illinois State Fair. This is a requirement for Cumberland County and State Fair. Once you have completed it, you are DONE!

If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office at 217-849-3931.

You can access the QAEC website on the county website. Log-onto:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/jaspercumberland/. Then look for the QAEC link under Today's Features.

4-H member enrollments are due in the Extension Office by either mail or your club leader NO LATER THAN JUNE 1, 2009, for those members who plan to exhibit at the 2009 Cumberland County Fair. Membership and projects may be added or dropped at anytime prior to June 1. Members not enrolled prior to the June 1, 2009, deadline will NOT be eligible to show at this year's shows.

All youth must be 8 years of age or in the third grade by September 1, 2008 in order to enroll or exhibit.

All projects are designed to last 3 years. If you have signed up for a project, and did not use the book, please "recycle" and turn it back in. This will help reduce publication costs.

If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact the Extension Office at 217-849-3931 or by email at rstaley@illinois.edu.

The Jasper/Cumberland Extension Unit has a great web-site for you to find all types of information. You can find this newsletter along with past issues, important dates, livestock record forms, project forms, and MUCH MORE! You can find information about 4-H, Ag. & Natural Resources, Horticulture, and Nutrition & Health.

The address is: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/jaspercumberland/

You can also sign-up for 4-H on our website! Just click here.

4-H'ers in the Horse & Pony project who plan to show at the Equine Challenge Show or the Illinois Jr. Horse Show must have ownership/lease papers on file at the Extension Office by May 1st. The County 4-H Horse Show ownership papers must have all paper work at the Extension Office no later than June 1st.

REMINDER: Include two photos, one for each side of every horse/pony you wish to show. Failure can lead to being ineligible to show!

See leasing information in the Fair Handbook!

Remember snickerdoodles, wheat bread, funny cake, or chocolate crinkles? Do you remember these goodies from your 4-H experience? These and many more recipes from 14 University of Illinois Extension 4-H foods project books can be found in a new "favorites" cookbook available through the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

More than 150 of your old favorites from 4-H foods project books such as You Learn to Bake, ABC's of Food, Adventures in Cooking, It's Fun to Cook, Milk and Eggs, Meat in Your Meals, Pastry in Your Meals, and Yeast Breads in Your Meals are included in this 8 ½" x 11" spiral bound cookbook. Recipes are listed by 4-H project book, alphabetically, and by food category for easy reference. Cost is $15.00 per book.

The cookbook will be available at the Cumberland County Office. You may purchase them by stopping by the office on the NE corner of the square or call 217-849-3931. We are not able to order that many, so buy yours quickly! Proceeds from the cookbook will support current 4-H foods project resources and training for 4-H volunteers.

THIS WOULD MAKE A PERFECT MOTHER'S DAY GIFT!!!! If you would like to order a cookbook click here.

When: June 30, 2009

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: TBA (in next months newsletter)

Why: To discuss the 2009-2010 Program Fee. Watch your mailboxes for more information about this meeting. However it is important that you attend to discuss the future plans of 4-H. We want ideas on how to work with the new Program Fee and answer any questions there are.

This is your last chance to sign up for camp! The deadline to register is May 15, 2009.

If you would like a registration sheet, ask your club leader or call the Extension Office. All registration forms should be sent to the Extension Office

WHEN: FRIDAY, JUNE 5—SUNDAY, JUNE 7

Registration begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5

Youth must be picked up by 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 7

WHERE: Baptist Church Camp
North of Rt. 33 between Robinson and Oblong

FEE: $30.00, $25.00 for siblings

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 5/30

Due to budget cuts throughout the state and Extension, beginning in 2010 there will be a $20/year 4-H Program Fee for each member who is a part of a sustained 4-H experience. The Jasper/Cumberland Extension Council will specify the details as to the final amount and collection of this fee. The county has some options and we would appreciate your thoughts and ideas concerning implementing this upcoming program fee. It is important to SELL 4-H BBQ tickets in advance, because a portion of those proceeds can help with this fee!!! At this time, that amount has not been determined!

· WHEN: Thursday, May 14-Saturday May 16

· WHERE: Cumberland County Extension Office

· TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

· If you would like to submit your favorite quilt, please bring them by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday May 15.

· Prizes awarded for: Best Baby Quilt/Wall Hanging, People's Choice, Best Hand Quilted, Best Machine Quilted.

Everyone should have their Cumberland County Fair Handbook supplement no later than their May club meetings. Please be sure to look through the new material. There have been some changes made. Those were published in the February newsletter. If you are a new member and haven't received your copy of the handbook and/or supplement, please call the Extension Office ASAP!

SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

This fun day will be held at Lake Pauline Llamas, 1501 Marguerite Lane, Effingham, IL. A day of fun llama events for the whole family! Bring your own llamas/alpacas and pens or 25 llamas/alpacas will be available for games, hikes and activities. There will be great activities such as shearing, carding fiber, spinning wheel, wet felting and MUCH MORE! For more information contact Trish Purcell or JoAnn Ring at 618-686-7771. Hosted by the Effingham County 4-H Llama Leaders

Is your club looking for a way to raise funds? Or would you like to have extra revenue in your club account? If so, we have the opportunity for you!! The IL Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is looking for volunteers to help at their "Pork Patio" at the State Fair. Volunteers will help serve pork sandwiches and drinks to customers and help wrap sandwiches. The "Pork Patio" is located in the Commodity Pavilion (across from grandstand) during the 2009 ISF. They are looking for people to work Monday August 17 - Friday August 21. Those working will receive sandwiches to eat, a free gate pass for admission, experience in food service, and money! There must be at least 10 volunteers per shift. If you are interested, please contact the Extension Office for more information!!!

The IPPA must be notified by June 12th if you are willing to work!!!!!

When: June 16, 2009

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Where: Toledo Christian Church

All new members to Cumberland County 4-H are encouraged to attend this PARTY! The 4-H Federation will be present to talk about 4-H Projects, 4-H opportunities and conduct awesome hands-on activities. We have selected a "parent panel" to answer questions for parents that will be attending. Come enjoy some food and learn more about the possibilities of 4-H!!!!

The 4-H BBQ is quickly approaching! There are many things that need to be done before, during and after the event. With the retirement of Don, there are several things that I will need assistance with. There is a lot of planning and organization that goes into this event. That is why, this year I am asking for YOUR help! If you would be willing to help out the night before, please contact the Extension Office! This is a TEAM effort and together this will be a GREAT BBQ!

The busiest time of the 4-H year is just around the corner. When my sons were in 4-H, summer was when they learned the most and also had the most fun—from building and launching rockets, completing forestry displays, shearing sheep, meeting with the judges to discuss their cookies, attending camp year after year, and hanging out with friends at the fair. Of course behind all those events is a lot of planning and work on behalf of the staff, leaders and parents.

This summer will be different in Cumberland County – Don has retired and a full time county director has not been hired. I will be able to attend some of the activities and help with pre-planning, but at 30% time for both Jasper and Cumberland counties that is a total of 12 hours a week. Not much, when it comes to all the big events.

So, keep in mind that more volunteers will be needed to make all of this happen for the kids. If you have a few free hours, please call and volunteer your services. And, if we call you, please say yes. With all of us working together, the BBQ and fair will happen as usual.

Sharon Kuhns,
Interim County Director

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

9:00 - 11:30 a.m.

Location: Calvary Tabernacle Church

We are going to have a morning of sewing and fellowship. We are going to be making blankets for the Project Linus community service project.

We are starting a new community service called ConKerr Cancer. For this service we will be making cheerful pillowcases for children who are sick with cancer or another serious illness.

Please come and enjoy making a blanket or pillowcase to help bring a smile to those in need.

If you cannot make it on May 30th, call the Extension Office to see how you can help!

To learn more about ConKerr Cancer go to: http://conkerrcancer.org/

If you can bring a sewing machine, please contact the Extension Office!!!

Come enjoy a morning of sewing and friendship. Plus you are brightening someone's day!

Mark your calendars for the 12th Annual Horse Camp.

· Date: June 4-7, 2009

· Place: Coon Creek Ridge Riders

· Things offered: Hands-on Activities, Trail Rides, Games, Speakers

This is for ages 10-18 year old. For more information log onto: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/clayfayette/