Foundation Scholarships Awarded

Four scholarships have been awarded to outstanding 4-H members. Nicole Pallme, Helen Celewicz, Matthew Stebbins, and Hannah Rinn have been awarded scholarships after completing written review and interviews in the scholarship process. Nicole, Helen, and Matthew were awarded the scholarship during 4-H Night ceremonies at the McHenry County Fair. Hannah was awarded her scholarship post fair after judges' review and scoring. An Extension error in processing scholarship applications completed and turned in by the deadline initially omitted her from the completed application process.

Thank you to all who completed applications and to those who served as judges for our scholarship applicants.

County Adults Needed

NEW Fashion Revue Committee

Adult volunteers are needed to work with a committee of youth who will be responsible for planning and implementing the annual 4-H Fashion Revue, creating stage decorations, narrations, line up, music for the show and etc. The first meeting for this committee will be held on Monday, January 12 at 6:30 pm in the Extension Conference Office. This committee will meet mostly in the spring and closer to the July Fashion Revue at this time. For further information please contact the Extension office or register for the committee.

Fair Superintendent Needed

A Clay Superintendent is needed for the Visual Art Area. The responsibilities include answering questions youth may have about their project, check-in of projects for that department, guidance for the 4-H members through the judging process, overseeing the judge and recorder. For more information please contact the Extension Office.

Holiday Workshop

The Holidays are upon us! McHenry County Extension is offering a holiday workshop for youth to create their very own personal gifts for family and friends. The cost for the workshop is $10.00. Mark your calendar now and plan to attend December 6 from 9 am until noon at the Extension office.

A few of the gifts will include: Glass Ball Wreath (Red glass ornaments), Candy Cane Vase (please bring a clean tin can), a hand painted Welcome Mat, Stenciling or Free-Hand painting, Fresh Green Door Hanging, Holiday foods, ornaments and much, much more!

Registration will be done on line.

March Project Day

Volunteers, both youth and adult are invited to a planning meeting for March 7 Project Day. The planning committee will meet on Thursday, November 20 at 7 pm in the Extension Conference Room.

Poultry Clinic

It's not too early to be thinking about what breeds of poultry or other birds you are interested in. The most frequently asked questions are:

· What are the different breeds?

· What is the difference between breeds?

· How do I identify them?

· When is the best time to purchase them?

· How do I plan my poultry management schedule?

· How do I handle and care for my poultry?

These questions and many more will be answered on Saturday December 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Building D at the McHenry County Fairgrounds. A qualified judge along with the poultry superintendents will provide you with the most updated information. Parents are also encouraged and welcome to attend this clinic.

Enrollments Due Soon!

4-H enrollment forms must be returned as a club to the Extension office by 4 p.m. on Friday, December 5, 2008.

Add/drop forms and new member enrollments must be completed and turned n by March 31, 2009 in order to show at the 2009 McHenry County 4-H Fair. New members may still join after this dated but will be unable to show at the 2009 fair. They will be able to participate in club work, work at the fair, etc. No phone or faxed enrollments will be accepted.

Using the 4-H Name and Emblem

Just a reminder certain guidelines must be followed when using the 4-H Name and Emblem. If youth or volunteers are not sure, please contact your leader. Each leader has a folder in their leader box that explains the guidelines for using the name and the emblem or you may contact the Extension Office.

DO NOT:

~ Remove any leaves

~ Do not place text or other images over or on top of the 4-H Emblem

~ It must be kept upright

~ Appearance, shape and proportion of the 4-H Emblem should never be distorted to fit in an imprint space

~ Should never be screened, shaded, gradated, or appear in a multi-colored hue

Cashed Your Premium Check?

If you have not cashed your premium check, please do so as soon as possible. You have sixty days to cash them from when they were issued!

REMINDER……………..

Don't Miss Out

Please contact the Extension office if any of your enrollment information changes. Especially remember to update cell phone numbers and email addresss. We don't want you to miss out on something very important.

McHenry County Extension Office will be closed for Thanksgiving on November 27and 28. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

CLOVERBUD DAYCAMP

Cloverbud Daycamp will take place in the Extension Auditorium of Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Online registration will begin after the 1st of the new year. More information will be forthcoming.

4-H TEENS—Are you interested in planning a fun day for Cloverbuds? Let's get together on Tuesday, November 18 at 6:30 to decide on a theme and activities for this fun day! Please email or call to indicate your interest. If you are 10 years of age or older...consider yourself invited to the planning committee.

Livestock Fair Book Meeting

Mark your calendar December 15, 7:00 pm at the Extension Office to review last years fair and work on the 2009 fair book.

"How to Avoid Marrying a Jerk or Jerkette" ………...

This is a fun, five-night research-based program for single adults who are looking for or are in between relationships. The workshops cover how to balance your heart and your head when starting a new relationship, as well as how to determine if you are compatible. If you are a single adult or know someone that is, this is a fantastic opportunity.

The workshops will be held on five consecutive Thursdays, May 21 – June 18 from 7 - 9 p.m. at University of Illinois Extension – McHenry in the small conference room. Registration fee is $35 (workbook included).

On-line registration will begin in January. Registration deadline is May 7.

Single parents may bring a young adult child (age 17+) at no extra charge; however, you must call to register the child.

The Secret Life of Bees: 4-H Connection

Many of you may know that National 4-H Council has partnered with Fox Searchlight Pictures' feature film, "The Secret Life of Bees" to support 4-H's Science, Engineering and Technology communication efforts. Nearly 700 4-H professionals enjoyed this fabulous film, based on the novel by author Sue Monk Kidd, during an exclusive 4-H screening at the Galaxy III Conference in Indianapolis.

This exciting partnership also revealed that Ms. Kidd is a 4-H alumna who credits her 4-H club experience in entomology and reading as a positive force in her life and career: "Wouldn't you know-- my history with 4-H has to do with books and bugs. So perhaps it is not completely surprising that I grew up not only to read books, but write them, and that one of those books was about the secret life of the Apis Mellifera."

You can find out more about the film, read Ms. Kidd's full story, follow her on a special backstage tour, and view special souvenirs by visiting www.4-H.org. "The Secret Life of Bees" was released on October 17 to great reviews and is in theaters everywhere now.

The 2008 4-H Recognition Event/Ice Cream Social was a nice afternoon of recognizing our volunteers and 4-H members. As part of this event, clubs were invited to create a centerpiece representing the theme of the Recognition Event. The theme was Hollywood: "Lights, Camera, 4-H!" Eleven centerpieces were entered into the contest and attendees at the Recognition Event voted for their top 3 choices. Contest winners are to receive "clapboards" – the icon being used for our year-long club achievement/standards recognition. The first place club received 20 clapboards, second received 15 clapboards and third received 10 clapboards for their participation.

Winners in the Centerpiece contest:

First Place: Keepers of the Clover

Second Place: Community Clovers & Gophers

Third Place: Hebron Helping Hands

Thanks to all those who participated and to those who attended this year's Recognition Event!!