UPDATE—4-H PROGRAM FEE

Many of you have heard that the State 4-H Office has considered levying a fee per person to participate in the 4-H program. Presently, McHenry County asks 4-H families to contribute $5 per person to help with project book and materials costs.

The State 4-H Office plans on implementing a statewide 4-H fee in 2009. What does this mean to McHenry County 4-H families? We will continue to ask that families contribute the $5 per person fee during this 2008 4-H year to help us with the ever rising cost of 4-H project books and materials. As we get closer to the 2009 4-H year (September of 2009) we will announce what the total fee will be for 4-H participation in McHenry County and also give you an idea of how your program fee will be used.

If you have any questions…please feel free to contact the Interim County Director, Russ Higgins or the 4-H Youth Development Educator, Katie Wagner Roberts.

4-H Hall of Fame

Marie Payne, leader of the Keepers of the Clovers 4-H club was selected into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame this year. Marie was the leader of the Hartland Homemakers when her children were in 4-H and retired and then came back as the leader of Keepers of the Clovers 4-H Club. Marie has also served on the Extension Council, Expansion and Review Committee, Foods Superintendent and has started the Food Quiz Bowl here in McHenry County. Congratulations Marie.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Fair Thank You

The McHenry County Extension Staff would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone who assisted in one form or another to make this year's fair so successful. Thanks again to each of you!

Barn Yard Curb Appeal

A big thanks to Cross County Farmers and Huntley Pioneers who worked together to find donations for the new beef barn curb appeal. What a great look! Thank you again!

Master Gardener's

Thank you to the McHenry County Master Gardener's for all of the work they did in creating the flowerbeds on the fairgrounds. We appreciated the help and support.

Food Stand Volunteers

A huge thank you to all the youth and parents who volunteered to work the food stand. The food stand is one of the fund raisers that the McHenry County 4-H Foundation does to keep the McHenry County 4-H program running. Why is what you did so important? The money made from the food stand pays for the county 4-H program insurance, part of the curriculum supplies, mailings, guest speakers, fair cost, programs and workshops and much, much more. Thank you again for all of the hard work you did.

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

National Congress Winners

Deanna Harman and David Harman of Keepers of the Clover 4-H on being selected to represent Illinois at this year's National Congress. Deanna was selected in the area of Personal Development and David in Environment and Natural Resources.

Ambassador Scholarship Winner

Hannah Rinn, member of the Community Clover Leaves 4-H club, was selected as this year's Ambassador Scholarship winner. Congratulations Hannah!

State Judging

Congratulations to the McHenry County youth who attended this year's state dairy judging contest. McHenry County placed first in the state.

Members placing in the top 10 in the state include Colleen Ziller, Cross County Farmers, Levi Martin, Cross County Farmers, and Philip Shanks, Milky Way. Others participating in the event were Dan Arriola, Eric Martin, Colleen Ziller, and Levi Martin of the Cross County Farmers, Adam Olbrich and Morgan Olbrich from Milky Way 4-H. Congratulations to each of you ona great job.

2008 Superior Young Dairy Producer Award Winner

Congratulations to Phillip Shanks, Milky Way 4-H Club on winning a $1,000 scholarship at the 2008 IL State Fair Superior Young Dairy Producers Award program.

The 2008 Illinois State Fair Superior Young Dairy Producer Award (SYDPA) program was held August 13, 14 & 16, in conjunction with the Illinois State Fair Jr. Dairy Show. This four-phase competition, emphasizing the youth's knowledge of the dairy industry, awarded each of the top five overall participants with a $1,000 scholarship. Scholarships were sponsored by Archer Daniels Midland, Decatur, IL and Illinois State Fair.

4-H Hall of Fame

Marie Payne leader of the Keepers of the Clover 4-H club, was selected into Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame this year. Marie was the leader of the Hartland Homemakers when her children were in 4-H and retired and then came back as the leader of Keepers of the Clover 4-H Club.

Marie has also served on the Extension Council, Expansion and Review Committee, Foods Superintendent and started the Food Quiz Bowl here in McHenry County. Congratulations Marie!

Dairy Quiz Bowl

Colleen Ziller of the Cross County Farmers was selected to serve on the Illinois State 2008 Dairy Quiz Bowl Team. Sarah Sheehan of Huntley Harvestors is first alternate and Levi Martin of Cross County Farmers second alternate for the team. Congratulations to each of you for a job well done.

NEW 4-H CLUB ENROLLMENT DEADLINES

4-H enrollments forms must be returned as a club to the Extension Office by Friday, December 5, 2008.

Add/drop project forms and new member enrollments must be completed and turned in by March 31, 2009 in order to show at the 2009 fair.

New members may still join after this date but will not be able to show at the 2009 fair. These members will still be able to participate in club work, work at the fair, etc.

4-H YOUTH RETURN FROM TRIPS ABROAD

We would like to welcome Tanya and Natasha Fetzer back to the United States after traveling aboard with the 4-H program. Both young ladies would be willing to come to your club meetings and share their experiences.

Natasha traveled to Finland and Tanya to Japan. They are members of the Trail Blazers 4-H Club in Spring Grove.

INTERNATIONAL NIGHT

We are pleased to announce that the Landorf Family will be coordinating this year's event. Watch the newsletter and our web site for more updated information.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, 4-H

Lights, Camera, 4-H! is the theme for this year's 4-H Recognition Saturday, November 1 at 2 pm at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in Building D. An old fashioned Ice Cream Social is being planned along with recognizing this year's 4-H members and leaders.

Invitations will be in the mail around the first of October. Only those who have met the 4-H standards for this year will be invited.

PREMIUM CHECKS TO BE MAILED SOON

Premium checks will be mailed soon and they must be cashed within 60 days to avoid complications. Remember that youth only get paid for the top five projects. As of this year, all premiums are paid the same for all project areas.

PLEASE KEEP US INFORMED

Throughout the year special mailings, emails and phone calls are made to members and leaders. Please remember to contact the Extension Office if you change any information that is found on the enrollment form at the beginning of the year. Especially remember to update cell phone numbers and email addresses. You may miss out on something very important to you so please keep us informed.

ARE YOU MISSING YOUR FAIR PROJECT?

4-H families – non-animal projects that were left at the county fair on Sunday evening were brought back to the Extension office. We will hold these projects until October 31 to give people some time to come into the office and pick them up. After October 31, the projects will be destroyed.

Some items we have in our possession at this time? LOTS of display boards, a rocket, a cake plate (it used to have some cake decorating on it) and so much more! See you soon…

CLOVERBUD PROJECT DAY

Saturday, October 18 from 9:30 to 1 at the Extension Office all Cloverbuds are invited to attend this year's Cloverbud Project Day Workshop. A committee of youth plan this fun day. Join us for stories, handS on activities and of course a chance to make new friends over lunch. Registration may be done online beginning September 1 and the fee for this program is $5.00

INTERCULTURAL - YOUTH TRAVELS ABROAD

We would like to welcome Tanya and Natasha Fetzer back into the United States after traveling abroad with the 4-H program. Both young ladies would be willing to come to your club meetings and share their experiences.

Natasha traveled to Finland and Tanya to Japan. Both young ladies are members of the Trail Blazers 4-H Club in Spring Grove.

4-H T-SHIRT LOGO CONTEST

The McHenry County 4-H T-Shirts and Sweatshirts are down to a very few, so before we ordered more, we thought it is time to redesign the Logo!

So, we are having a McHenry County 4-H T-shirt Logo Contest!

There are several ways to go.

You could design a Large Logo with 2 colors for a color Tee or Sweatshirt - Or - you could design a small logo that would go on a polo shirt.

We are open to any design - use your imagination!

The Design must include:

A Regulation/copyrighted 4-H Clover and the phrase "McHenry County"

Also, let us know what the background color tee or polo shirt should be.

Please email your design to the McHenry County Extension Office by February 1, 2009. Email to:

kwagner@illinois.edu (if not using a Microsoft Office software package, please convert your design to a .pdf…for more info on this, call Katie at the Extension office).

For questions about the t-shirt contest, please call Cheryl Hammerand at 815-653-9610

Lights...Camera...4-H—National 4-H Week

All youth are invited to take part in a 4-H Individual Poster Contest (in addition to club window display) during National 4-H Week, October 5-11. This is your opportunity to polish your creativity and create a fantastic 4-H poster promoting 4-H in your community. In addition to promoting 4-H awareness, you will have the opportunity to win a $50.00 Savings Bond as top prize. For further information and a copy of the rules, contact the McHenry County Extension Office at 815-338-4747 or your club leader. Hurry, deadline for entries is September 26.

Due to allergies, good homes are needed for 3 (2 unaltered females and 1 altered male). They are used to being outdoors from early spring through early winter except during extreme weather. If you are interested, please call Linda Resenbeck at 815-399-1735 or email to lresenbeck@att.net.