YWCA McLean County in search of holiday helpers!

The YWCA will again be providing over 150 holiday gifts to senior citizens participating in their Home Based Services program throughout McLean County. If you are interested in making a donation (either monetary or a requested item) or volunteering to help deliver the gifts, please contact Vicki Hightower at (309) 662-0461 ext. 265 or vhightower@ywcamclean.org.

Deadline dates:

November 30, contact needs to be made with Vicki Hightower

December 14, gifts needed at YWCA (1201 N. Hershey Rd, lower level)

December 16 – December 22, gift deliveries

Home Sweet Home/Salvation Army needs Sleeping Bags!

I am emailing you in hopes that one (or hopefully a few) of you will be able to assist the community with this need. As we have already seen, the economy has taken a toll on individuals from across the country and as such we are seeing more and more individuals in need of services. As we also know, both shelters in town are current at capacity (in regards to males) and it is anticipated that this will only continue throughout the rest of the winter. In addition, PATH is very low on hotel funds and limiting who they assist because the state (and federal government) has not given them the much needed money in months. If that weren't enough, the communities supply of sleeping bags are currently at ZERO. In previous years if both shelters were full and PATH couldn't help, at least PATH / Safe Harbor would be able to provide a sleeping bag and warm places for the night. Because of all these circumstances, I am asking, hoping, praying that you (and your friends, family, organizations, clubs, church groups, etc...) can assist the community in accumulating a supply of sleeping bags. In the past, many individuals simply took multiple old blankets and created sleeping bags from them. They do not have to be bought, but the most important thing is that individuals in this community have something for the freezing nights ahead.

I ask that you please consider this request.
Thank you very much,
Danny Sherling

nzaring@hshministries.org

The Salvation Army is expecting a 25% increase in families in need for Toys for Tots this year. Most of these will have never been part of the Toys for Tots program before. Funding losses from major corporations make a need to increase toys. Hope you will help. Please e-mail Katrina Whalen (4-H alum & Parent) at kattap2000@yahoo.com or the director is Matt Drat his e-mail is mattdrat@mac.com.

The McLean County Home and Community Education packed holiday cookies on Tuesday, Dec. 2 to send to soldiers overseas. Over 505 DOZEN cookies and goodies were brought to the Extension office at 402 N. Hershey Rd. in Bloomington. About 20 volunteers packaged the donations (cookies, candy, money, popcorn) that came from 4-H clubs, HCE members, State Farm employees, IAA employees, GFWC ILLINOIS Woman's Club of Heyworth, Bloomington-Normal Junior Woman's Club, retired teachers, and many other individuals in McLean County. 147 BOXES of cookies were mailed out this year! It costs $11 a box to ship to the soldiers. HCE appreciates any donations toward postage expenses. Send donations to McLean County HCE, 402 N. Hershey Rd., Bloomington , IL 61704. Thanks to everyone who helped to make this project so successful. If any questions, contact Leatha Poshard, 309-452-9164.

HCE Donation List

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth542.html

HCE Website

http://www.mcleanhce.org/

We've had 4-Hers and a 4-H volunteer do a two minute forum on WJBC our local AM radio station. Keep checking back for more links:

Monday - Reid Gramm

Tuesday - Claire Weinzierl

Wednesday - Jonathan Livengood

Thursday - Katie Sandage

Friday - Carolyn Hansen

The date for the 4-H Recognition of Excellence Awards Ceremony has changed from November 8 to November 15 at 3 pm.

The event will be held at Central Catholic High School's auditorium on Airport Road in Bloomington.

• Community renewal, including responding to the economic crisis
• Education, including literacy and keeping kids in school
• Energy and the environment
• Health and nutrition
• Safety and security

A cool link that shows the progression of the construction of the International Space Station.

http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/iss_timeline/flash.htm

Caution - if you have a slow internet connection, it may take a while to load and play.

Receive $400 for your County 4-H Program

Thanks to generous support from John Deere, a $400 award will be presented to one county from each state (and one U.S. territory) with the highest number of individual Biofuel Blast results survey submissions between October 1^st and October 30^th, 2009. The awards can be used toward the implementation and promotion of science, engineering and technology programs in your county. After youth complete the experiment, make sure that they go to www.4-H.org/NYSD to fill out the survey so your county can compete for the award!

In addition, of those who submit their results through the Biofuel Blast experiment survey, five youth names will be randomly selected to receive a 32GB third generation iPod touch. The five youth will also be able to designate a 4-H club, school classroom, or youth organization to receive one of the pictured Fuel Cell Car Experiment kits. Click here for official drawing rules.

On 4-H National Youth Science Day – October 7, 2009 – millions of young people across the U.S. will participate in a live demonstration of how organic materials can be converted to fuel to supply energy. McLean County will kick off National Youth Science day on Saturday, October 3 from 9:30 – 11:30 am. We are looking for 4-H clubs to volunteer to lead the science experiment with attendees at the museum during this time. A total of 10-15 youth volunteers and five adults are needed to assist in leading the experiment.

The experiment offers several activities to showcase how cellulose and sugars in plants can be used to create ethanol. The National Science Experiment will encourage a national youth debate to discuss the "best" biofuel based on experiment outcomes. Youth will be engaged before, during and after the experiment via several popular communication mechanisms and through the www.4-H.org web site. To download youth and facilitator guidebooks go to www.4-H.org/NYSD.

Please consider adding this activity to your list of leadership opportunities for your members. Interested members need to sign up with Theresa techamb@illinois.edu no later than September 18 --- this Friday!

The 2009 National 4-H Week Promotion Toolkit is now available on the National 4-H Council web site. This kit contains flyers, bookmarks, letterhead, proclamations, certificates, news releases, and news ads. The theme appears to be Meet the Future – National 4-H Week – Oct. 4-10, 2009. Most of the files are in Microsoft Word and can be customized to add your club information if your club is recruiting new members.

Be thinking of creative ways you can promote the week and to use this great opportunity to recruit new adults as volunteers and new youth as members.

National 4-H Week materials available online:

http://4-h.org/brandnetwork/4hweektoolkit.html

Expand your geospatial skills!! Orienteering is an exciting and challenging sport that calls upon your ability to navigate in the woods or at a park. Between checkpoints marked on your map, you choose your own route – around the hill on a trail or cross-country over the top. The event is free, but groups should pre register.

Flier online: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/19215.pdf

Ever wonder how to tie a service project into something more than local? Check out the service calendar provided by Youth Service America. It includes a list of related days and weeks to local and world issues.

http://tinyurl.com/seasonsofservice09

The end of the 4-H program year is very near and it's time to start on 4-H records!

There are two different types of 4-H records in Mclean County - My 4-H Project Record forms and County/State forms - Illinois 4-H Award Application.

Standards of Excellence & Achievement and the My 4-H Project Record form facts:

• All members receive a Standards of Excellence & Achievement form with their project books at the time of enrollment.
• Depending on the projects enrolled in, members will get ONE copy of the My 4-H Project Record form in EACH Award/Curriculum area.
  • Example: If you enroll in horses, cats, clothing you will receive an Animal Science and a Home and Family form.
• These forms are available online for members to fill out and carry on from year to year. You do not have to use a new sheet or form each year if you are typing them on a computer. Just be sure to put the year down with new information.
• If several projects are taken spanning several curriculum areas members can CHOOSE to focus on a few Award/Curriculum areas so that they do not have to fill out a My 4-H Project Record form in each area.
  • Example: If you are enrolled in visual arts, leadership, breads and cereals, food demonstration, beef, horses, horticulture and welding: You can CHOOSE to focus on Personal Development, Food, Nutrition and Health and Animal Science.

County/State Forms - Ilinois 4-H Award Application

The Illinois 4-H Award Application is all a member needs to apply for county and state awards in one or more specific award/curriculum areas. No other records will be used in selecting county and state award winners. The application covers the member's entire 4-H career. Suggested starting ages 12-14 years old.

This form can be downloaded here: http://tiny.cc/MDxnn

For more information about the 4-H Recognition of Excellence program go here: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hrecognition/680.html

The dates for the McLean County 4-H Show & Fair for 2010 are August 4-8.

The fair typically runs on the first Saturday of August. Since the first Saturday of August is the 7th, the entire fair is in August next year.

The calendars that were enclosed with premium checks have incorrect dates. Please update any calendars you have at home with the above dates.

Last week, Mike Swartz, director of the McLean County Farm Bureau and manager of the Interstate Center, announced that in an effort to employ fewer Bloomington police overnight, he was proposing a new gate schedule.

Public Gates will shut down at 9 PM – there will be no entry after that time.

4-Hers with a wrist band can get in until 11 PM but only for banded members – no friends, etc. ONLY 4-H arm band wearers.

Public gates are slated to re-open between 7-8 AM, but 4-Hers and their families should be able to access earlier than that through the North Gate accessed from College Avenue.

The Cloverbud Crownbearers for this years Royalty contest are:

Lauren Mohr (age 5) of Carlock Clever Cloverbuds

and

Zach Stoltz (age 6) of Towanda 4-H Cloverbuds

They were randomly drawn from over 30 entries for the 4-H Cloverbud Crownbearer drawing contest. They will present the crown and hat to the Queen and King at this year's McLean County 4-H royalty contest during the McLean County Fair on July 29.

Congratulations 4-Hers, your fair entries are all turned in!! We've received a mountain of entries usually around 11,000 of them! We will have verifications out in the mail sometime next week.

In your verification letter, be sure to check to see if there is any special information you need for an exhibit. Many exhibits have supplements that can be downloaded from the fair website or they can be picked up at the Extension Office. Here is the link to the Fair website's Forms & Downloads page: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/fair/downloads.html

You'll want to pick up your fair wristband sometime after you receive your verification form. All 4-H members, Cloverbuds and Leaders (who are not fair superintendents), may pick up their entry wristband from the Extension Office prior to 5pm on Friday July 24 OR from the 4-H Fair Office at the Interstate Center during exhibit check in Tuesday July 28. (Some members 4-H leaders may have picked up all of the wristbands for your club.) You might check with your leader before coming from out of town.

Help is Needed for Fair Set Up, July 25^th at 10:00 am and Fair Clean Up, August 2^nd following checkout. We need all kinds of help, kids to count ribbons, clean displays, arrange tables, adults with power tools – help make your fair great!!

Looking for things to do at the fair? Be a fair tour guide or building host/hostess with your parents! You can volunteer at the fair by filling out this link on our website or fill out the paper form that was included in the July newsletter that you should have at home. Fair Volunteer Form Online

There are just a few spots left to work at the Ice Cream Sundae Booth. Call Randy Lloyd at 309-663-8306 to see if your club has a spot they can fill!

Illinois State Fair Jr. Show Livestock Exhibitors - Ethic's Training

If you haven't taken the Ethics training that must be completed by July 1. After July 1, the website is no longer available, so be sure to complete it before the deadline.

Website: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/qaec/

McLean County 4-H Show & Jr. Show fair entry deadline July 1!

All members should have received their fairbooks and entry forms from their 4-H leader in May/June. Entries are due July 1 by five pm or must be postmarked on July 1.

Fairbook website link: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/fair/115.html

If you have questions regarding exhibits of projects for the fair please call our office at 309-663-8306.

4-H Fair Service/Leadership Opportunities

Volunteer at the Fair

Each year the 4-H show needs over 200 volunteers to assist with judging and other events during fair week. We need your help as 4-Hers and parents to help keep our fair running smoothly. A lot of opportunities exist for volunteering including:

• Judging Assistant
• Judging Secretary
• Fair Tour Guide
• Building Host/Hostess

Fair volunteer form online: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2996

Ice Cream Sundae Booth

It only takes 2 adults and four 4-Hers to earn $50 for your club working in the Ice Cream Sundae booth sponsored by the Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni Association. Register your club today there are 5 spots left! https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3001

Royalty Nominations Due July 1

Be a part of a fun group and experience the fair like never before. 4-Hers must be nominated by their club leader, and the club president has to sign the form. Form available online here: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/16348.pdf

4-H Fair Activities

Share the Fun

Make memories for a lifetime with your 4-H friends when you participate in Share the Fun. On Thursday, July 30 at 7 pm, come and participate to see 4-Hers showcasing their creativity in crazy fun skits for prizes. This program is for 4-Hers by 4-Hers. Register by emailing techamb@illinois.edu.

4-H TEEN Dance

For a night full of friends and fun, come to the 4-H Teen Dance for 4-Hers age 13 and older, in Cloverleaf Auditorium from 7:30-10:30 pm on Friday, July 31. Two non 4-H friends admitted with 4-Her wearing wristband.

3 on 3 basketball tournament

Join the Fair Fun in a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament at 1:00 pm on Friday, July 31. Sign up from project check in until Thursday at 3:00 pm, club or mixed teams. Check in at court 12:00-12:30.

"Just For Fun" Karaoke

Cloverleaf Auditorium, Saturday, August 1 from 7-8:30 pm. Stop by the DJ table to sign up and choose your song. Get a group of 4-H friends together or sing a solo and HAVE FUN!

If your members are staying in town for the Memorial Day weekend, why not be in the PARADE! The parade in Bloomington kicks off at 9 am in downtown Bloomington and ends at Miller Park.

4-H clubs that wish to participate need to arrive in front of Central Station Restaurant no later than 8:15 am. A short Flag Etiquette presentation will be led by Randy Lloyd. The parade entry is provided by Timeless Clovers 4-H Alumni.

Bring your club banner & wear your 4-H t-shirt – Cloverbuds are welcome also, if they can make the trip. The 1+ mile route will be walked by everyone…comfortable shoes are a must! Dress for the weather as the parade is held rain or shine!

If you have questions about the parade please contact Randy Lloyd at 663-8306 or lloyd1@illinois.edu.

4-H Leader Update online:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hleader/

Printer friendly version: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/17261.pdf

4-H "summer" packet: - most registrations due July 1

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/17305.pdf

Cloverbud "summer" packet: - all registrations due July 1

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/17259.pdf

4-H Softball Registration: individuals or teams welcome!

https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2847

4-H Fair Volunteer Form online:

https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=2996

4-H Sundae Booth sign-up:

https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3001

Fairbook online: - Entry Deadline July 1

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/fair/115.html

New Additional Resource on the 4-H page – Forms & Downloads (add to your favorites/bookmarks)

This new link will be home to a number of items for leaders, parents etc. As time goes by, more and more forms, registrations and fliers will be posted there in the future. http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth2795.html

4-H News Blog – get updates on the 4-H Horse Judging team!

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/blogs/eb148/index.html

New State 4-H Website:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/

Scholarships – Mosbacher & Holder – Applications due August 31

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/scholarships/index.html

If you have eligible members, they will need to download the form electronically.

Do you know who ROCKS??
McLean County Horse JUDGING!! THAT'S WHO!!! Black Hawk College Spring Invitational Contest Sponsored by the U of I 1st Place Jr TEAM!! Shelbi Mason- 4th Top Individual Morgan Killion Courtney Wright 2nd Place Sr Team!! Melissa Keiser 5th Place Top Individual Rachel Riddle Danie Reece Jackie Vermatt.

Special thanks to Diane Wholers for coaching the teams!

Learn more about Global Youth Service Day coverage on WJBC:

http://tinyurl.com/cagvp5

WJBC interview with the Olympia Pacesetters 4-H club members, Andrew Desch, Gracie and Claire Weinzierl.

http://tinyurl.com/caqwor

WJBC interview with Theresa Chambers about upcoming how 4-Hers are involved with Global Youth Service Day.

The public is invited to attend the GYSD service showcase at ISU's Brown Ballroom from 4-6 pm on the ISU Campus, this Friday April 24.

See you there!!

Last night was the first time 4-Hers interested in robotics met to prepare for the first State 4-H Robotics skill-a-thon coming up on April 25. We have lots of interested members in robotics, but many are not available to participate in the skill-a-thon this year due to scheduling.

4-Hers that will represent McLean County this year are:

Aaron, Ben, David and Tim Miller from Stanford Silver Stars 4-H Club

Jonathan Kothe from Downs Top Notchers 4-H Club

Sam Scheltens from Towanda 4-H Club

All six of our members will participate as an exploratory team for McLean County in the Junior division of the skill-a-thon. They will bring back their experiences to share with other interested Robotics members so that we can continue growing our 4-H robotics program in McLean County.

Special thanks to their father's: Loren, Kevin and Henry for encouraging the boys and providing expert technical support!!!

If you would like to volunteer with Robotics please contact Theresa at techamb@illinois.edu.

Please join me in Congratulating the following competitors!!

• Jrs: Kayla and Krista Colthurst Intermediates: Morgan Killion, Shelbi Mason, Courtney Wright, Kira Colthurst, Rachel Riddle
• Srs: Marissa Rader, Jessica Raney, Danie Reece, and Melissa Kieser And a BIG congratulations to the following exhibitors who placed!

Check out Rachel Riddle who had a SPECTACULAR DAY!! She tied for Grand Champion Reasons, and the tie was broke by her overall total score.

• Juniors: Krista Colthurst placed 18^{th overall}
• Intermediate Reasons: Courtney Wright 5^th, Rachel Riddle 2^nd
• Intermediate Individual: Courtney Wright 14^th, Rachel Riddle 2^nd
• Senior: Danie Reece 20^th, Melissa Kieser 15^{th overall}

Last night marked the 2nd Oh, the places you'll go...in 4-H! workshop on the Recognition of Excellence program for McLean County. 31 adults and 4-Hers attended this hands-on orientation. If you missed this opportunity, don't fret! You can still get the tools you need to be a successfull 4-H member.

Mark your calendar for April 27 from 6:30-8 pm at the Workforce Development Center at Heartland Community College Room 2003. We'll have an "Oh, the places you'll go...Lab." At the lab you can have the opportunity to get one on one assistance with 4-H record forms and start on the Illinois Award Application.

Special thanks to the planning committee for this event:

• Alisa Clary
• Cathy Otto
• Kathy Weinzierl
• Jeanie Wager

Great work!!!

Led by the Belmont (California) 4-H Club, the 4-H Million Trees (4HMT) Project is a large-scale service-learning project with the goal to plant 1,000,000 trees across the United States by 2011 to beautify America, absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide, and combat global climate change. In 2008, National 4-H Headquarters signed a partnership agreement with Arbor Day Foundation in support of this project. Attached is a letter to 4-H clubs to tell them how they can get involved.

More information: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/news/news13416.html

This past weekend (March 6-8 at the IL Horse Fair in Springfield, IL the McLean County Jr and Sr Horse Judging Team won overall division champions!!

When judging horses competitively, you judge a series of 8 classes, 4 performance and 4 halter classes. The closer your placing matches the official placing of the official contest judges, the higher your score. Each class has a possible 50 points earned.

As a team, we start practicing in January and compete at the IL Horse Fair in March, the Hoosier Horse Fair in April and the IL State Competition in June. The two top teams have been competing together for 3 years now.

Jr. Team Sr. Team
Shelbi Mason Carlock, IL Jessica Raney Danvers, IL
Courtney Wright Bloomington, IL Marissa Rader Danvers, IL
Morgan Killion Danvers, IL Rachel Riddle Stanford, IL
Danie Reece Bloomington, IL

Top Ten Individuals

Jr. Team Sr. Team
9th Shelbi Mason 10th Place Marissa Rader
8th Place Jessica Raney
1st Place overall individual Jr Champion
Courtney Wright

Additional members of the teams:
Kira Colthurst, Kayla Colthurst, Krista Colthurst and Melissa Kieser

Congratulations! Thank you Diane our volunteer coach for working with these 4-Hers!!

2009 Illinois 4-H Robotics Competition

• Date: April 25, 2009
• Time: Teams assigned to morning or afternoon time slots (10-12am or 1-3pm)
• Location: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Agricultural Engineering Building
• Cost: None
• Equipment: LegoMindstorm NXT kits will be provided to teams onsite to complete the assigned challenge

This is a team competition and has two age divisions (Junior and Senior). Each junior division team must be comprised of three youth who are ages 9-14. The top four winning teams will qualify for full scholarships to attend the First Lego League Robotics Competition at the University of Illinois in December 2009. Each senior division team must be comprised of three youth who are ages 14 -18 (must be 14 by 1/1/09). The top winning team will be invited to represent Illinois at the National 4-H Engineering Competition at Purdue University at a time yet to be announced. Counties may send as many teams as they like. Details on the competition will be released soon.

If you are interested in Robotics - please contact Theresa Chambers at techamb@illinois.edu, or 309-663-8306.

Katie Poppe and Cathy Troyer are leaders of UNITY Community Center's 4-H Club—"Future Leaders". They meet monthly with the children and are building a great relationship with them and the Center.

They are looking for 4-H members and/or Leaders to help us out. They would like to have weekly/biweekly meetings or workshops with the children. 4-H members need help with projects. Unfortunately, they are unable to commit to more than once a month. The meetings last from about 6:00 pm to 6:45 pm on Thursday evenings.

This is a great opportunity for 4-Hers to gain volunteer and leadership credit for their records, job applications, and college applications. If you have interest, please contact Katie Poppe at Kpoppe24@aol.com or you can call me at (309)726-2301.

4-H Dog Obedience/Dog Agility Classes Set

When: Monday Evenings April 6-July 6, No class May 25

Location: Interstate Center

Fee: $10 for each class

Must bring: Copy of current rabies vaccination for 4-H staff to keep

Instructors: McLean County Fair Dog Superintendents

Dog Obedience Times:

Beginner Obedience 6-7:00pm

Advanced Obedience 7:15-8:15 pm (anyone who has shown in obedience)

Dog Agility Time: 6-7:00 pm

April 6 - All 4-Hers should come at 6:00pm.

Obedience participants will have registration from 6-7:00. Both the 4-Her and the dog should be present for registration. Your dog's lead and training collar will be checked. If you do not have a lead or training collar, recommendations will be made and some will be available for purchase.

Agility participants

April 6 will be a demonstration and information night – dogs should not come.

Please call Jody at the Extension office 663-8306 with questions.

Order your tickets for the May 23rd game at this link: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/go/cards

All forms are due by April 13, 2009

Mclean County Week at 4-H Camp June 28-July 2

The deadline for registering for 4-H camp during McLean County week is May 1. All registrations for this week are turned in to us at the Extension Office. We have 90 spots available this year, and they are filled on a first come, first served basis. Registration forms are available online. Watch this link for the registration forms: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/4hyouth482.html

4-H Memorial Camp site: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/4hmemorialcamp/memorialcamp.html

Updated version of the Horse Ownership/Lease Form are available:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/15800.pdf

All forms are due to the Extension office on May 1. If you are showing at the IL State Fair you also need to fill out the state owner/lease form:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/236.pdf

Updated version of the Horse Program: Rules & Guidelines:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/15802.pdf

Saturday, Feburary 7th was the 4-H (roller) skating party, over 50 4-Hers, parents and cloverbuds were in attendance. Skaters played the familiar game of limbo, and the 4-H version of 4 corners. Each corner represented one of the leaves on the clover, Head, Heart, Hands and Health.

Clubs that had skaters there included:

• Olympia Pacesetters
• Home Spun
• Hudson Ag
• Ardent Tillers
• Towanda 4-H
• Clover Crew
• Lexington Leprechauns
• Blue Ribbon Kids
• Downs Top Notchers
• Saybrook Willing Workers
• Danvers Industrial Youth Cloverbuds
• Stylistics

Thank's to all of the 4-Hers and familes that participated! If you missed this fun event, I hope you mark your calendar for next year it's typically the first Saturday in February!

National Jr. Swine Association 2009 Swine Boot Camp

March 21, 2009 on the U of I Campus

Entry Form & Schedule

http://www.nationalswine.com/njsa/njsaShowsEvents/09_boot_camp.html

New postings on the web:

4-H Livestock Mailing

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/15510.pdf

4-H Horse Exhibitor Meeting – February 11^th Flier

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/15507.pdf

Aerospace Exhibitor – Tips and Recommendations

On the McLean County Fair Site under Forms & Downloads

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/downloads/15511.pdf

We are building excitement for 4-H Blogs! Would you or your 4-Hers be interested in learning how to use a blog at Heartland Community College in January/February in a computer lab, where you would work at your own machine to learn how to blog? I am willing to offer a class (or two) if there is enough interest. There may be a minimal cost per person, and participants would receive an hour of training on the blogspot.com website. You can learn to use the following sites:

A place for 4-H clubs to chat about what's going on in your club!

http://mclean4-hclubchatter.blogspot.com/

Current 4-H Fundraisers…what a great way for 4-Hers, volunteers & alumni to support 4-H fundraisers!

http://mcleanco4-hclubfundraisers.blogspot.com/

If you are interested, or know of someone interested – please send names to techamb@illinois.edu with names and email/phone numbers.

Taken from the Youth Service America site: www.ysa.org

The holiday season is often one of joy and anticipation as children look forward to visiting relatives, eating sweets, and opening presents. However there are a multitude of ways that children benefit from giving the gift of joy to their communities – a gift doesn't cost a dime. Here are 10 simple and unique ways that children and their families can serve their communities:

1. Turn off the lights! – We use a lot of energy around the holiday seasons. Don't forget to turn off the decorative lights during the day or whenever you leave your home.

2. Invite a family to your home for the holidays – While donating food is always helpful, opening up your home to guests is a great way to spread joy and is much more personal. Invite them to join you in helping someone else.

3. Send holiday cards to the spouses and children of men and women in the military – We should never forget the sacrifices made by our enlisted men and women; but a homemade card for their families shows that we're thankful for their sacrifice as well.

4. Bake cookies for your neighbors – They may or may not be in need, but we don't always know the value our gifts bring to others; and that's okay.

5. Share your stories – Get your class to write and illustrate a short story and donate them to a neighboring school or a homeless shelter; it's a nice twist on the pen pal letter.

6. Listen to stories – Spend some time with your grandparents, or other senior citizens in your community, and listen to the stories they tell; they'll appreciate the company and you'll be surprised at their experiences.

7. Clear the way – Depending on your weather, volunteer to rake the leaves or shovel the snow at the home of an elderly neighbor.

8. Talk to a bell ringer – Even if you don't give money, ask the Salvation Army volunteers outside the mall or grocery store what they're doing; they will be thrilled to talk to you and may give you ideas about how you can serve your community.

9. Clean up – ask your teacher if he or she needs help cleaning up the classroom before winter break; they'll appreciate the opportunity to see their families a little earlier as well.

10. Think ahead – 2009 is almost here. Begin thinking about how you can help your community on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a national day of service on January 19, 2009, or by planning a project for Global Youth Service Day, April 24-26, 2009.

The Peoria Rivermen hockey team will again be sponsoring a 4-H Night with the Rivermen on Saturday, March 7th, 2009! Tickets are $13 for Upper Bowl; $18 for Lower Bowl. Ticket order deadline is February 20^th. For flier click: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/knox/downloads/14865.pdf

The Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference for youth in 7^th and 8^th grades will be held February 21-22 at the Lake Williamson Camp & Retreat Center, Carlinville, IL. This weekend to challenge young minds has been planned by the Illinois State 4-H youth Leadership Team. Exciting hands-on workshops will focus on strengthening leadership abilities, intercultural understanding, healthy lifestyles, animal sciences, and wind technology.

Registrations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Click here for on-line registration. Early Bird Registration is $88 if you register by December 31. From January 1 until the January 16 deadline, the registration cost is $95. That includes a one-night lodge stay, three meals, insurance and all programming materials. Only 100 spaces are available!

The Illinois 4-H Junior Leadership Conference is conducted by the Illinois State 4-H Youth Leadership Team as part of the University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service. For more information on the 4-H program in your area, contact your local University of Illinois Extension office at 217.333.7672.

4-H Community Health Improvement Grant
Grants of $50 to $250 per year are available to local 4-H clubs for carrying out worthwhile community improvement projects. They are given to assist local 4-H club members in establishing and operating health or safety-related projects. Due to County Extension Office by January 25.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/hww/downloads/14796.pdf

4-H Community Improvement Grant
Grants of $50 to $250 per year are available to local 4-H clubs for carrying out worthwhile community improvement projects. They are given to assist local 4-H club members in establishing and operating projects that help make their community a more pleasant place in which to live. Due to County Extension Office by January 25.

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/hww/downloads/14795.pdf

University of Illinois Extension along with the American Lung Association of Illinois, Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Radon Program are partnering with the National Safety Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to sponsor the Illinois portion of the 2010 National Radon Poster Contest for youth ages 9-14.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Fifty percent of Illinois counties are at high risk. We hope you and the members of your club or organization will participate to learn about radon and reduce the risk of radon exposure. The National Radon Poster Contest brochure outlines the criteria for the contest and is on this website: http://www.TakeActionOnRadon.uiuc.edu/resources/contest .

Posters due to the McLean Extension Office on April 13, 2009.