As club reporter, it is important that you write a brief article about your club meetings and special events. Those news releases should be sent to the local newspapers as well as the Extension Office. To be included in the 4-H newsletter, reporters can send their news releases to:

Jodi Baumgartner

University of Illinois Extension

421 W Pines Rd., Suite #10

Oregon, IL 61061

E-mail: jbmgrtnr@uiuc.edu

FAX: (815)732-4007

If you need contact information for the local newspapers you can contact the Extension Office.

by: Zachary Hall, Reporter

The Carefree 4-H Club began the 4-H year with its first business meeting on September 10. The members of the Trailblazers 4-H Club had voted prior to the meeting to disband as a club and join the Carefree Club. The Trailblazers presented the Carefree Club with a check to add to the club's treasury. Election of Officers for the 2007-2008 4-H year took place. The new officers are as follows: Jill Ebens, President; Annalisa Bertsch, Vice-President; Caitlyn Wolber, Minutes Secretary; Claire Rypkema, Attendance Secretary; Michael Ring, Treasurer; Cloverbud Jr. Leaders, Megan Wolfe and Abby Mongan; Program Jr. Leader, Rebecca Eden; Photographer, Noah Leffelman; Reporter, Zachary Hall; Historian, Jeneen Schier; Federation Delegate, Joseph Ring; Recreation Chairperson, Allison Hunt; Treat and Drink Chairman, Jacob Ebens.

The fall was busy for our club. The float committee organized and made a float for Autumn on Parade. The National 4-H Week committee decorated store front windows to promote 4-H. Three baskets were assembled for the club to donate to the Fairground Fundraising Dinner Auction. The club participated in Halloween On the Prairie. Members visited a corn maze on October 20^th, and items were collected and sent from our club to our alumni, Kevin Danekas, who is serving in the military in Iraq.

by: Jozi Steele, Club Reporter and Angie Miller, Leader

Circle M met November 12. Old business was discussed. Three members and families attended the annual 4-H Kick-off party where they took 1st place in the pumpkin decorating contest. The Haunted Hayride at the Miller's was fun, scary and very cold! Byron's Halloween on the Prairie was extremely fun. Circle M placed 2nd. The food drive was on November 10th at the Mt. Morris and Oregon M&M Food Marts. The kids collected around 160#'s of food and $137.30 all which was donated to the Oregon Lifeline Food Pantry. The Senior Citizen Supper was also held on the 10th. Members helped set up, serve, and clean up.

by: Luke Miller, Reporter

On November 5th, the Polo Pioneers held their monthly meeting. The club decided to have a Christmas Party on December 3rd. The members decided to make treat bags that the First State Bank Shannon-Polo handed them out to their Christmas Star children. The club, also, voted to buy a gift for one of the Christmas Star children. Bethany Fike gave a talk on how to do the different types of smocking. After the meeting, the club members chose if they wanted an ice cream cone or a root beer float.

The Forreston Friskies 4-H Club helped with Christmas in the Country on November 7th. Members assisted at the Forreston Library, from 6-7:30 pm, with ornaments for the kids to make and take home or place on the community tree located on the corner of The Car Store lot across from the Forreston State Bank.

by: Travis Hanlin, Reporter

The By-Y-Badgers 4-H club kicked off its new year October 8th. Members received their project enrollment forms and calendar of events, and elected officers. This year's officers are: Tara Reeverts – President, Taylor Reeverts – Vice President, Tyler Hanlin – Treasurer, Tanner Spring – Secretary, Travis Hanlin – Reporter, and Sophie Reecher – Historian. Laura Overmyer will serve as Junior Leader and oversee the Cloverbud meetings. To celebrate National 4-H week, which was also Fire Protection Week, club members delivered many baked goods to the Byron Fire Station to thank the staff for their service to the community. Members also attended the 4-H County Kick-off Party which was held October 13th at the Ogle County Fairgrounds.