July 30, 2008
Royalty Winners Announced
Congratulations to Ellen Mulch and Chris Baker the 2008 McLean County 4-H Fair Queen & King!
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 11:09 PM | Permalink |
July 25, 2008
Green Hair Day Announced
Green Hair day at the McLean County 4-H Show will be on Thursday, July 31. Sport your 4-H spirit and show of your GREEN hair!
Sponsoredy by Jr. Federation
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 8:33 AM | Permalink |
July 17, 2008
4-H Fair Volunteer Needs & Activity Registration Update
Volunteer Needs
4-H Sundae Booth
Contact: Randy Lloyd
Randy is coordinating 4-H Sundae Booth registrations for 4-H clubs which is sponsored by the Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association and 4-H Federation. Clubs or groups of FOUR 4-H youth and TWO adults are asked to sign up for the following open shifts. Please help to ensure that the public & 4-H families can enjoy this 4-H treat! We have a lot of open spots and need your help in filling them!
Wednesday – 1-3; 3-5; 5-7; 7-9
Friday – 11-1; 3-5; 5-7
Saturday – 1-3; 3-5; 5-7
Sunday – 11-1; 1-3
Sign up: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1709
4-H Fair Tours
Contact: Randy Lloyd
Randy also coordinates 4-H Fair tours. We have a large group of over 100 youth coming to the fair for a tour on Friday. Tours allow for young children to see 4-H projects and learn about 4-H by 4-Hers! We need tour guides for the following times:
Thursday – 9:00 (1 tour guide)
Friday - 9:45 (2 tour guides), 10:00 (2 tour guides), 10:15 (2 tour guides)
Sign up by email: lloyd1@illinois.edu
4-H Fair Volunteers
We are still in need of 4-H volunteers to help at the fair. Youth and adults are needed to serve as project secretaries, and judge's assistants. We also would love to have 4-Hers volunteers to help pick up judges tables to clear the exhibit areas when judging is completed on Wednesday. We are also looking for 2-3 volunteers to assist with hanging Photography projects from 1-3 pm
Sign up online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=1708
If you are interested in the Photography opportunity please email: techamb@illinois.edu
4-H Activities Update
4-H Share the Fun
Share Our Fun – Perform!
Have a dream to perform? Want to be a star?
Grab some friends, fellow 4-H'ers, and sign up for the Share-the-Fun competition. It will be Thursday, July 31, starting at 7 p.m. in Cloverleaf Hall.
Acts/skits may be prepared or impromptu. Impromptu acts should arrive at 6:30 p.m. to get a theme for their act. Impromptu groups will have no more than 30 minutes to prepare their acts.
- Acts should be no longer than 5 minutes and have a 4-H or fair-related theme.
- Impromptu acts should last at least 2 minutes.
- Acts may be performed by one or more individuals.
- Groups may include members from different clubs and non-4-H friends.
- Remember to project your voices so the audience will be able to hear you.
- Top three prepared and top three impromptu acts will receive special recognition.
- A traveling trophy will be awarded to the group voted "Having the Most Fun."
- Acts will be videotaped and top acts will be posted on YouTube.com.
Be creative and join the fun!
Sign up by email: techamb@illinois.edu
4-H Lympics
We currently have 7 clubs signed up for 4-H Lympics – there is room for at least 3 more clubs. Be sure your gets a chance to have fun and play silly games!
Sign up by email: techamb@illinois.edu
Federation 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
Registration is full for this event at 5 Junior and 5 Senior Teams.
Don't miss the 4-H Dance on Friday, August 1, 7:30 – 10:30 pm
Sponsored by Federation
We are always looking for chaperones. Be sure to tell your 4-H members to put in their song requests at the Federation booth in the lobby near the 4-H Alumni Booth.
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 10:29 AM | Permalink |
July 17, 2008
Unexpected Partner to Help Kiowa County Kids
GREENSBURG, Kan. – A representative for a philanthropic group, The New York Says Thank You Foundation, is proposing a barn raising to rebuild the 4-H Livestock Pavilion at the Kiowa County Fairgrounds Sept. 4-7, 2008.The New York foundation might seem an unlikely partner for rebuilding a Greensburg, Kan., landmark, but then, even some stars are involved.
News of the catastrophic tornado that struck the small Kansas community May 4, 2007 was widely reported and noted by Jeff Parness, the driving force behind the foundation, which chooses an annual re-building project to help others rebuild after a loss.
The volunteer organization was formed as a response to events that occurred Sept. 11, 2001, Parness said.
Helping others' recovery efforts is a way of saying "thank you" for the many volunteers who extended a helping hand to New Yorkers in the days following 9/11, he said.
Projects are typically tackled by a volunteer corps that includes New York City firefighters and others who either survived the Sept. 11, 2001 attack or were affected by it in some way. The volunteer group also includes survivors from communities stricken by disasters and assisted by The New York Says Thank You Foundation on previous anniversaries of 9/11.
According to Parness, helping others rebuild is a way to "Pay it forward."
Previous projects have included rebuilding a church destroyed by a tornado in Indiana and homes destroyed by wildfires in California or damaged by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana. In 2006, the foundation organized volunteers to rebuild a home that housed disabled veterans in Texas.
Parness first visited Greensburg last fall to work with children in the community on a project called "Stars of Hope." The project was suggested by a Texas family previously assisted by the foundation.
The family cut out and delivered 220 stars for the school children in the community to color, decorate and display to bring hope – and color – back into the community.
Parness, who typically takes photos of foundation projects and activities, photographed students and volunteers working side by side on the project and compiled the photos in a fund-raising book: "Greensburg's Stars of Hope."
Working with the children – and getting to know the community – inspired the proposal for the barn raising, he said.
Parness pitched the idea to the community and now is hard at work with them to make it happen, said Kendal Lothman, deputy director of emergency management and long-term recovery in Kiowa County.
"Jeff would like to bring 150 to 200 volunteers to raise a new show barn," said Lothman, who noted that the concept has understandably sparked enthusiasm for the project in the community.
Initial estimates for the cost of replacing the 14,000 square-foot barn exceeded $400,000, he said.
Volunteer labor will offer a substantial savings, said Lothman, who noted that the fundraising goal for the new barn has been set at $250,000.
Parness also would like to raise money for a smaller building to house public restrooms and a concession stand, he said.
Kiowa County 4-H members and their families, and others who simply care about helping a community that is facing multiple challenges, are encouraged to consider a donation to help rebuild the 4-H facility for Kiowa County youth, he said.
Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to the Kiowa County 4-H Show Barn, in care of The Kansas 4-H Foundation, 116 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. Contributions received prior to Aug. 15, 2008 will be earmarked for building materials; contributions received after Aug. 15 will be earmarked for the project at the discretion of the 4-H Council for internal amenities/needs, such as stalls, tables and chairs.
More information is available from Lothman at 620-723-4154 or the Kansas State University Research and Extension office in Kiowa County at 620-723-2156.
More information about "Greensburg's Stars of Hope" is available on The New York Says Thank You Foundation Web site: http://www.NewYorkSaysThankYou.org.
Why a Fair Building?
GREENSBURG, Kan. – Choosing to replace a key building on the Kiowa County Fairgrounds is expected to bring a little bit of normalcy back to this storm-stricken community.
"The county fair highlights summer months and brings friends and neighbors from the community and surrounding area together in a way that nothing else can," said Pam Muntz, a Kansas State University Research and Extension agent in Kiowa County.
In the wake of the storm last year, Muntz and Carmen Stauth, also a K-State agent in Kiowa County, worked with community volunteers and Extension agents from nearby counties to borrow equipment needed to stage a scaled-down version of the county's fair to begin bringing the community back together.
The 2008 Kiowa County Fair this year is scheduled July 21-22. Since the re-building process has not yet begun, the fair will follow the same format as the 2007 fair, Stauth said. For more information, contact the Kiowa County Kansas State University Research and Extension office at 620-723-2156.
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 9:30 AM | Permalink |
July 17, 2008
Support the Kansas 4-Hers in Kiowa County!
On May 4, 2007 an entire American town disappeared when an EF-5 tornado destroyed 95 percent of Greensburg, Kansas. New York City firefighters who survived the 9/11 attacks will lead the effort to raise the spirits of the people of Greensburg in an historic and truly national community rebuilding effort--an American barn raising in Greensburg, Kansas on the 9/11 Anniversary 2008.
NEW YORK –- It may be America's largest barn raising. Working in partnership with Kiowa County EMA, 4-H clubs, K-State Extension, SCKTRO and South Central Kansas Community Foundation, The New York Says Thank You Foundation will coordinate more than 150 volunteers from New York City and from around the United States to help rebuild the 14,000 square-foot Main Pavilion of Greensburg's 4-H county fairground.
The Pavilion was the focal point of the fairground. The Pavilion is one of the structures that truly sits at the "heart" of this very special Kansas community and raising this landmark structure will help to uniquely raise the spirits of an entire town as well.
Hundreds of local volunteers will work shoulder-to-shoulder with New York City firefighters. The New York Says Thank You Foundation is all about celebrating the humanity New Yorkers experienced on 9/12 when so many people from small towns and big cities all across this country converged on New York City to help in time of need. This is the New Yorkers special way of giving some of that love back.
Joining the FDNY firefighter group in Greensburg will be Ground Zero construction workers, 9/11 family members, New York City school children, and scores of other New Yorkers directly impacted by September 11. The New York group will be joined by disaster survivors from every community the foundation has assisted on previous anniversaries of 9/11 who will be volunteering as their way to "Pay It Forward." This special group of volunteers will include San Diego County wildfire survivors, Hurricane Katrina survivors from Slidell, Louisiana and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and tornado survivors from Utica, Illinois, Evansville and DeGonia Springs, Indiana and Groesbeck, Texas.
Need immediate help to make this 9/11 Anniversary rebuilding project a success
The foundation needs more than $250,000 worth of donated building supplies for this rebuilding effort. Construction companies and building suppliers interesting in donating materials for this special effort may view a complete materials list and related engineering drawings at http://www.newyorksaysthankyou.org/GreensburgKansas.html
In addition to donated building materials, The New York Says Thank You Foundation needs to raise $50,000 in cash donations to sponsor their largest volunteer group ever which is expected to be at least 150, and possibly 200 people strong. This year, sponsorship is $1,000 per FDNY firefighter/ NYSTY volunteer and any amount you donate will help. To support this 9/11 Anniversary 2008 rebuilding effort, please send your tax-deductible charitable contribution to: The New York Says Thank You Foundation, c/o Jeff Parness, 275 West 96 Street #9F, NY, NY 10025. (EIN# 20-1554830)
From one day of terror, 10 years of kindness.
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 9:27 AM | Permalink |
July 7, 2008
State Horse Judging Contest Results for McLean County
Congratulations to the McLean County team!
Horse Judging (Non-Reasons) 32 contestants
Mclean County was the 2nd Place Team with 775 points!
3rd place - Rachel Riddle - 271 Points
4th place - Morgan Killion - 264 Points
Horse Judging (Reasons) 21 contestants
7th place - Marissa Rader - 302 Points
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 2:11 PM | Permalink |
July 7, 2008
Fashion Fantacy Game
www.fashionfantacygame.com
Geared especially for preteen and teen girls, this site lets girls develop their own virtual (online) businesses. They may open up a store or become a fashion designer. This site offers good experiential learning activities which relate to a number of our project areas;
- Sewing and Textiles
- Clothing Decisions
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial champions
- Service Learning
Please read this news article which will tell you more, and check out the site. http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/fashionfantasygame/33084/ They are excited about 4-H youth utilizing their site.
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 9:15 AM | Permalink |
July 1, 2008
State Livestock Judging Contest Results
Sr. Division Livestock Judging
Team – 10th place with a score of 1202 out of 1350.
- Austin Baer placed 13th and received a blue rating with a score of 422 out of 450.
- Tyler Becker placed 43rd and received a blue rating with a score of 402.
- Bryan Fuller placed 77th and received a blue rating with a score of 378.
- Red ratings were received by Chris Crider and Jacob Mohr – they each scored a 372.
Jr. Division Livestock Judging
Team – 7th place with a score of 1046 out of 1350.
- Reed Baer placed 16th and received a blue rating with a score of 389 out of 450.
- Caitlyn Wade placed 38th and received a blue rating with a score of 337.
- Mitch Mohr received a red rating with a score of 320.
Great job 4-Hers for participating and representing McLean County! Thank you to Rhonda Baer for volunteering with the group, and coordinating participation!!
Posted by Theresa Chambers at 8:32 AM | Permalink |
