It's that time of year when we are full swing into fall and 4-H activities, so be sure to check out the rest of this newsletter for dates on several upcoming 4-H events. Also, as we head into the holiday season take a moment to thank your leaders for all of the time they dedicate to your club.

Come support your team of 4-H volunteers and members at the 2009 Peoria County 4-H "Recognition of Excellence" Awards Program – Thursday, November 12, 7:00 – 8:30 pm at the Peoria First Church of the Brethren (next door to the Extension office). We will be recognizing our awesome team of volunteers and members for their many outstanding achievements. Put on your favorite sports attire and join us for this fun event.

An Officers Training Workshop is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at the Crossroads Methodist Church in Washington. This is a great workshop for all you newly elected officers. Contact Judy Schmidt at the East Peoria Extension Center to register. 694-7501. Flier can be found on our website.

As you are aware, there will be a 4-H Program Fee of $20 assessed to each 4-H member in Illinois. Peoria County has set a cap for families of four or more members at $75. With this policy, IL is joining similar efforts of other states who have found it necessary to generate additional dollars to continue providing high quality programs. Only a portion of the fee will go to the State 4-H Office. The rest of the fee stays in Peoria County to offset program costs.

The program fee is due upon enrolling. We will not enroll the member until the fee is paid. This can be paid by the club, individual member or members can look for a sponsor to cover their fee. Sponsorship forms can be found on the Peoria County website.

If you have any questions about the fee, please contact Cathy at the Extension Office.

The next Federation meeting will be Tuesday, November 24, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Kickapoo Township Hall. All 4-H members 12 and older are welcome to attend.

The 2010 Lock-In is scheduled for January 29 & 30 at the Landmark Recreation Center. Watch for registration form in the next Clover News.

The next session of the 4-H Shotokan Karate Class begins on Thursday, December 10, (6:00 – 8:00 pm) at the Kickapoo Township Hall. Cost for the 12 week session is $40 per participant. Please call the Extension office to register or for more information. Registration form is also available on our website.

Peoria Patriots 4-H Club Fundraiser

Culvers' in East Peoria

Wednesday, December 9

between 4-8 p.m. The club will receive a percentage of the sales between that time. So come on out and help support 4-H.

The 4-H Premier LCP Award is sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau and Affiliate Companies for 4-H members age 17 and above by December 1, 2009. LCP stands for Leadership, Citizenship, and Professionalism. This two-tier award program involves an intense leadership development conference and award plaques. Applications can be obtained from the Extension Office. Applications must be in the Extension Office no later than Friday, December 11.

February 12-13, 2010

Sign up today! Teens from across Illinois are invited to converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The 4-H Great Debate is for all high school age youth interested in learning about how Illinois state government works.

During the two-day event, teens will:

· Learn persuasive speaking

· Develop an understanding of the legislative process

· Meet people from other areas of the state

Besides all the work, participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night.

Sponsorship of bills will be on a first come first serve basis. Register early to get your first choice!

Registration fee for the conference is $60. The deadline for registration is January 22, 2010. Lodging will be at Lake Springfield Christian Academy. Delegates will need to bring bedding, towels and toiletries in addition to clothing.

More details on the conference are available on the web at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/greatdebate/. Registration forms will be available after November 18 online or through your local county Extension Office.

An informative one hour training set for December 8 at 6:00 p.m. will provide information on how to write amazing 4-H awards, scholarships and much more. Led by Judy Schmidt, Youth Development Educator in the East Peoria Center, you'll find out what to include, what to leave out and how to explain all the great things you've done. There will also be time to review and ask questions about the state 4-H award applications. Registrants will get instructions to join the teleconference using their own phones. Registrations are due by December 1.

To register contact our office at 685-3140 or call Judy Schmidt directly at 694-7501, ext. 229.

The 12-14 Conference will be held at the Nauvoo Family Inn & Suites in Nauvoo, IL on February 12-13. Cost is $55 if registered by January 15. After that, cost is $60 until the final deadline of January 22.

The theme this year is "Who Did It? CSI." Those who attend will learn skills of investigating, exploring, examining personal traits, etc. This will be an interactive, fun-filled overnight stay with hotel accommodations, food, and entertainment included - swimming, games, movie, pizza. For more information, or for registration materials, contact the Extension Office or they can be found on the Peoria County Extension Website.

Also needed are male and female chaperones. Contact our office right away if you are interested in being a chaperone.

Nine members of the Peoria County 4-H Shotokan Karate Club were among over 30 youth and adult karate students that tested on Tuesday, November 10 in Pekin to receive a higher belt rank. All students testing had to demonstrate before a panel of nine Black Belt judges from the Central Illinois Shotokan Karate Association what they had learned in Basic Techniques, Kata, and/or Sparring. The following Peoria County 4-H Karate Club members did very well and advanced to the following ranks:

• Travis Hoerr - 9c Kyu (yellow belt w/white stripe)
• Garrett Herrmann – 9a Kyu (solid yellow belt)
• Mattie Plumer – 9a Kyu (solid yellow belt)
• Reid Stahl – 9a Kyu (solid yellow belt)
• Alex Pullen – 8c Kyu (red belt w/white stripe)
• Lillian Pullen – 8c Kyu (red belt w/white stripe)
• Nicolas Pullen – 8c Kyu (red belt w/white stripe)
• Dayton Rumbold – 8c Kyu (red belt w/white stripe)
• Carly Patton – 8a Kyu (solid red belt)

(FYI - The smaller the number – the higher the rank)

July 10-17, 2010

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a weeklong program that will provide you with many insights into the workings of our federal government. Through small group sessions a the National 4-H Center you'll learn about federal legislation, the political parties, the Bill of Rights, and how to make a positive impact in your community.

Delegates must be 14-18 years of age by May 1, 2010. There is an initial limit of two delegates per county. The minimum cost is $1,050 but could be increased is fewer delegates register. On-line registrations are due by December 15 on first-serve basis. A $350 deposit is required at that time. On-line registration can be completed at: https://webs.extension.uiuc.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=3650

A complete flier can be found on our website.

Illinois 4-H members Mason & Matthew Dehlinger (Richland County), Patrick Sheridan (Randolph County), Brian Buss (Hancock County), Isaac Forney and Justin Keyt (Peoria County) and Kirk Robb (Warren County) placed second in the National 4-H Engineering Bowl at the National 4-H Engineering Challenge in West Lafayette, Indiana, October 4-6, 2009. During various rounds of competition, team contestants answered questions related to the following project areas: aerospace, bicycles, computers, electric energy, lawn tractors, small engines, tractors, robotics, and welding. The event drew sixty-one contestants from eleven states.

In individual competitions, Isaac Forney and Justin Keyt placed second in Robotics. During individual competition, participants complete various activities such as a written exam, identify various parts or symbols related to the subject area, and present a public presentation or demonstrate individual and or team skills. The seven Illinois contestants had earned the right to advance to the National Engineering Challenge by placing first or second in Illinois 4-H Skillathons in Welding, Robotics, and Electricity or the 4-H Tractor Driving competition earlier this year.

The Peoria Rivermen hockey team will once again be sponsoring 4-H Night on Saturday, January 16, 2010.

Special guest, David Henrie "Justin Russo" from Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place will be in attendance signing autographs from 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for Upper Bowl; $15 for Lower Bowl. Ticket order deadline is January 2nd. The order form is available on the East Peoria Extension Center website: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/eastpeoriacenter, under 4-H Youth Development. Order forms are also available from the Peoria County Extension Office.

Tickets must be ordered directly from the Rivermen Office. To order tickets you can print out a order form or, contact Katie with the Rivermen at 309-680-3791.

Features 300 hours of audio and video interviews with more than 130 people

Anyone with a computer can now see and hear the history of Illinois agriculture told by the people who lived it. The Illinois State Museum launched the Audio-Video Barn website (http://avbarn.museum.state.il.us), featuring 300 hours of interviews with more than 130 people involved with agriculture in Illinois over the past 129 years. The website is the culmination of a two-year Oral History of Illinois Agriculture project led by the Illinois State Museum and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

The interviews tell the story of Illinois agriculture from the people who know it best – grain farmers, beekeepers, elk ranchers, 4-H kids, college professors, broadcasters and pumpkin growers, among others, from every corner of the state. A unique feature of the website is the ability to search the audio and video clips based on topic, name, date, or geographic location. The website also features educational resources for students and teachers, including instructional videos on how to do oral history interviews and lesson plans based on agricultural themes.

"The Audio-Video Barn website is rich with fascinating stories about Illinois agriculture. Visitors can search the website and find the answers to many interesting questions, such as 'What was it like to farm with horses 100 years ago? How has agriculture changed since then? How are farmers coping with challenges to the family farm?'" said Robert Warren, Project Director and Curator of Anthropology at the Illinois State Museum.

"This collection will be a fantastic resource to anyone who wants to know more about the role agriculture has played in Illinois' history and continues to play today. There's something in this collection for everyone, be it a high school student, academic scholar, journalist, or curious patron," said Mark DePue, Director of Oral History for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

NAE4HA is working on a 4-H Stories project. They would like to create a 4-H Stories book much like the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. They would like to have stories from every state and at this time do not have any stories from Illinois. Dan Tabler, former Maryland Extension staff member is serving as the Editor. The stories may come from staff, volunteers, or members. The stories should be at least three pages double-spaced. For more information or to submit stories, contact Dan Tabler at dtabler@umd.edu.

· Show calves; 1 steer, 2 heifers. Sires Monopoly, Dr. Who. Halter broke. Make offer. (309) 385-1636.

· Several rabbit cages of all sizes. Please contact Paula Feucht at (309) 385-4545.

Attached is an important survey that we would like each family to participate in. (Only one per family allowed.) You can print out this survey and send in or it will also be available on line and can be submitted that way. Deadline for submitting is November 30.