On behalf Mendota Hills, LLC, project manager, Scott Martin recently presented a check to the Lee County Extension Foundation for $10,000.00. Mendota Hills is the wind farm project extending from southern Lee County into LaSalle County.

Martin writes in an email, "As a business owner [we have] always invested in the education and support of the local children wherever we have our projects. One of the ways we do this is help with the local 4-H clubs."

The Extension Foundation will use the donation to maintain and improve the county 4-H program.

Lee County Extension and the Extension Foundation are extremely appreciative of the generosity of Mendota Hills, LLC.

Beth Grossman, FNP staff had Amboy fifth grade students learn about sugar in their diets by calculating the amount of sugar in various different kinds of pop or fruit drink. They first had to determine how much sugar was in the pop can that their group had, then divide by 4 (4 grams of sugar = 1 teaspoon) to determine how many teaspoons of sugar was in the pop can and then to measure out the correct amount of sugar. Each group reported on the amount they had in their group's pop can, compared it to the rest of the group's results, then discussed their findings.

On the second day of learning about sugar in their diets, the class members had to calculate how much sugar they would consume in one year if they drank one can of pop a day. This was very eye opening to them. They then made their own pop by mixing frozen apple juice and club soda together.

Several students stated that by sharing the info with their parents or the adults they lived with the amount and kind of pop had been changed in their households.

Jim Endress, farm management and marketing educator from the Rockford Extension Center spoke with landowners, renters and farm managers about leasing farm land on September 25 at the Loveland Community Center.

Endress discussed how to determine "fair" cash rent, the options to traditional crop share and cash leasing arrangements, and the factors that should be considered when negotiating a farm land lease.

More than 250 people gathered at the Lee County 4-H Center Sun., Nov. 9 to honor 4-H members for the achievements during the past year.

In addition to awarding 138 4-H members with county outstanding awards, clubs received awards for participating in activities throughout the year. Golden Aces 4-H Club (Ashton) and Palmyra Pixies & Patriots 4-H Club (Dixon) received the "Don't Be Late in 2008" Contest award. These clubs collected the participated in the most workshops, community service projects, and more during 2008.

Palmyra Hillbillies 4-H Club (Dixon) placed first in the National 4-H Week window display contest, followed by Dixon Wonder Workers (Dixon) and Maytown Comets (Maytown/Sublette) 4-H clubs.

Adam Svendsen from the Wyoming Indians was named the top senior 4-H member and Rachel Vaessen from the Sub-let Indians was named the top junior 4-H member. Top senior and junior 4-H members are chosen based on the following criteria project depth, scope, and quality; significant and unique leadership responsibilities; involvement in planning, attainment of established goals and significant personal growth.

Emilie Rod of Golden Aces received the "I Dare You" Award. This award recognizes a 4-H member for personal integrity, balanced living and the potential for leadership.

The VIP Leader Award went to Nancy Gittleson a 20-year leader of the Grove Go-Getters 4-H Club (Franklin Grove). Gittleson encouraged club members to participate in a variety of community service projects including cleaning road ditches, planting flowers at parks, and coordinating food drives.

The afternoon closed with the announcement of the 2009 theme: 4-H Will Shine In 2009.

For more information or to register, call (815) 857-3525 or visit http://lee.extension.uiuc.edu.

Turbulent Times Teleconference—Dec. 16 & Jan. 20, 1:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. at Lee County Extension

Dow falls, Dow rebounds, Dow suffers record losses; Dow hits you in the pocket book. The volatile market has people working or retired asking the question; what should I do with my money? Lee County Extension is hosting "Saving and Investing in Turbulent Times", a teleconference with campus-based professors and extension educators to help answer questions regarding what to do with your money in light of the current financial markets. David Sinow, clinical professor of finance at University of Illinois will address how today's economic situation affects different types of investors. Paul McNamara, professor of consumer economics at University of Illinois will speak on lessons we can derive from behavioral economics and previous market history. Extension educators will discuss sound investment and risk management strategies, including diversification, dollar cost averaging, and rebalancing.

See Your Soldier Video Visits—Jan. 12 & 13, 2009 at Lee County Extension

Dozens of Illinois families will have the chance to visit face-to-face with their soldiers stationed in Iraq via University of Illinois Extension's videoconferencing system. Soldiers at Al Asad Airbase (Air Force), Camp Taji/Cooke (Army), Camp Baharia, Camp Taqaddum and Camp Victory will be able to see and talk with family members in private 30-minute "See Your Soldier" sessions. There is no charge to participate. Families must register online at http://www.seeyoursoldier.uiuc.edu no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23 to be eligible for a time slot, and reservations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. The live audio/video linkages are being offered in collaboration with the Freedom Calls Foundation, which provides the videoconferencing equipment and satellite connection in Iraq. When a family has registered, the military will alert the service member about the opportunity to visit with friends and family, and the time and date of the Internet transmission. If the soldier's duty schedule can accommodate the visit, family members will be assigned a time for their 30-minute session.