This week we were invited to participate in the Hedding Elementary School's open house in Abingdon. Thanks to Jeanne Wiskirchen, Debby Jo Metsker and Logan Boydstun for helping to tell the 4-H story to the many people in attendance. It's amazing how many people have no idea what 4-H is, what we do, or what we learn! We really are a big secret!

It was a great time explaing the wonderful benefits of 4-H to people. I bet they think there really is no way a youth organization can be so many things to people but it is! What other organization can you join where you get to learn about something that you like or are interested in?

All in all, it was fun to be there and hopefully a few we get to learn more about 4-H by joining a club!

It's great to see the 4-H robotics teams are starting this fall with great enthusiasm! We will have two FIRST Lego League teams who will be meeting weekly with dedicated coaches to fulfill the nine challenges proposed, a research project and presentation in the area of transportation. It's quite a task from now until December 12 but each year the youth and adults involved seem to get it accomplished.

This is all part of our Science, Engineering, and Technology (SET) initiative where we hope to have one million more scientists through 4-H. Getting youth involved in this will only benefit them in the future as they determine their career choice! Apparently what they work on is what beginning engineering students are challenged with as well!

Have a great time robotics teams!

Leaders from the 4-H community clubs in Knox County met yesterday to turn in their award applications and records from their members. Let the judging begin to see who will win the prestigious awards at our November 5th Recognition for Excellence program!

Information to start the new year was distributed and it's time to rally the troops to have your friends join 4-H! It's a great opportunity and you'll be glad you did! Thanks to all of our 4-H volunteers who have been doing this for many, many years who keep the program going!

Let's have a great year!

Today the 4-H Fashion Revue Committee met to make plans for the Fashion Extravaganza to be held July 25 at the 4-H Show. Thanks to Samantha Krause, Annie Geitner, Michelle German, Melanie DeSutter and Amy Krause for their creative minds and abilities. We selected a theme and everything will revolve around the theme. We hope you enjoy the production on July 25 and come out to see the wonderful fashion statements made by 4-H members!

Here are the reasons 4-H has been good to you this year!

1. Developed skills to succeed in the workplace.
2. Improved goal-setting and decision-making skills.
3. Became a community leader.
4. Got to go on 4-H trips, camps and conference.
5. Practiced responsibility.
6. Met new friends.
7. Participated in county-wide events.
8. Learned about citizenship and how it works.
9. Learned new things.
10. Had lots of FUN!

Happy New Year!

Last night was the last 4-H skating party to be held at The Skate Palace as they are closing their doors. We had a really nice crowd who wanted to skate for the last time. For me, it's been twenty one years of 4-H skating parties here in Knox County. I'm sure others have a longer tenure than I. It was great to see parents there who I had seen as youth at the parties only now they are ushering around their children.

I remember skating when I was in elementary school at the local skating rink near Quincy. Scottie's was a great place to learn determination, have fun with friends and get some great exercise. Some could skate really well and some of us were happy to get around the rink without falling. Those moonlight skates were interesting to see who would pair up with each other.

Skating is a little like life lessons. We hit a bump and we might fall. Sometimes we are off balance. Others at times come crusing in and we try to keep our balance as we come in contact. As each person fell last night, they were all the more determined to get back up and keep trying! Isn't that how life is? We take a few steps back (or down) and determine we can keep rolling along!

It is disappointing to see The Skate Palace close and yes, I did fall last night, but I kept going with my chin up determined to keep going!

Recently I attended a conference in Washington DC to learn more about public issues and leadership. The speakers were engaging and insightful with much for me to learn. On the second day I sat down to breakfast with a group from Georgia. All were agricultural agents and explained their county situations, 4-H fairs and some of their hot topics for call in questions, especially fire ants. It is always interesting to learn about our Cooperative Extension System of how we are alike and different. They assured me we did not want fire ants in Illinois!

One agent asked me where I worked. He wanted to know if I knew where Dahinda was. Usually people ask me to repeat the name, Dahinda, here in Illinois because they have never heard of the town. Annually he and a friend venture through the midwest to purchase show pigs and Dahinda is one of their stops. Of course it had to be Grant Strom, a former 4-H member and current 4-H leader in Knox County. Who would of thought that being in DC and talking with someone from Georgia a common thread would be someone from Dahinda. That is the power of 4-H!

At the national level we have a phrase that describes 4-H. 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. He described it as a network and that's what it is! What a great time I had learning about another person's venture to Dahinda!

When I look back to my formative years, 4-H obviously had an impact on my life and that of my family. We worked hard, created interesting exhibits, learned how to communicate (or hold your words!) and learned how to make good decisions. What did I gain from that experience? I learned how to complete tasks, organize events and activities, become a leader, and most especially that a quality youth development experience can last a life time. Perhaps this is your sentiment also. Were you a 4-H member, leader, or parent who benefited from the experience? What has 4-H youth development done for you lately? Inquiring minds might like to know how it helped or changed your life! Let's be sure to let others in on how great a program it is.

Here's the quote for this week. . . my son will gain much more from 4-H than any sport that he will participate in. Wow -- what a statement that was for me! From our perspective, it is worth it to see those who participate fully in the program excel in so many ways and in life. Studies have shown that those who particiapte in 4-H youth development activities achieve vital leadership life skills. It is so worth it to give talks and demonstrations to be able to stand up in front of people without being nervous, have organizational skills to get so many things done today and have leadership skills to accomplish great things in the community, something so needed in today's society. It's great to have these conversations, because typically we don't see the rewards of 4-H youth development programs until youth are well into adulthood. Sometimes, that's when they figure it out themselves.

It's been quite a while since we have had a 4-H staff person dedicated to strengthening and expanding the 4-H community club program here in Knox County. I'm so pleased to announce Lindsey Hankes will be taking on this challenge to coordinate the 4-H program. I feel Lindsey will be an asset to our office and you will find her to be enjoyable to work with. Feel free to stop by and welcome her to our program. Let's have some fun and let everyone know how great the 4-H program is and can be. Be watching for Lindsey's blog here soon!