It's 4-H Fair time! We look forward to seeing all of our Peoria County 4-H members and their projects at the 2008 4-H Show on July 31, August 1 & 2. Be sure to read this newsletter for important information about 4-H show events, locations and activities. We have a lot of changes for the show this year and do not want you to miss out on any fun judging events or activities. Also be sure to read through the 4-H Show Book online at www.extension.uiuc.edu/peoria to find out what you need to do to get your projects ready for the show.

Summer is a busy time of year and the Peoria County Extension has some wonderful volunteers who are willing to help out each year. Many of our volunteers have answered the call to help again this year and yet still more are needed. If you would like to volunteer to help at the 4-H show, please fill out the form in this newsletter or call the Extension office. The more hands we have helping, the smoother things will go at 4-H show time.

If you want to look at something in the last 4-H newsletter, or the one before that, or the one before that—can you find it? If you have internet access, you can find the last entire year's worth of 4-H newsletters on our website. Just a few clicks away at: www.extension.uiuc.edu/peoria

Now that a lot of things will be sent via e-mail, please be sure to keep us up to date on your e-mail accounts.

I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater loyalty, my Hands to larger service and my Health to better living for my Club, my Community, my Country and my World.

Peoria County 4-H families are invited to help support the relief effort for youth victims of the recent devastating earthquake in China. We will be having a fund raising booth for this relief effort at the 4-H Show so be sure to check it out!

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Chinese culture? Well, here's a great opportunity for you to learn first hand! Peoria County will be hosting guests visiting the United States from China to learn more about the 4-H program. These guests will be taking information gained here back with them to start the first new 4-H clubs in China. This is our chance to make a positive impact on the Chinese culture, especially with the 4-H youth development program. It's also a great opportunity for you to learn first hand about China. The guest will be visiting Peoria County from Wednesday, August 20 thru Monday, August 25. If you would like one of the guests to stay overnight night with your family for one or more of the nights they are here please give Virginia or Cathy a call to schedule a time. Also we are looking for a 4-H club that would be willing to have a 4-H club meeting on Thursday, August 21 for them to attend. We know that many of our clubs meet before that time but if you are willing to change your meeting for the month of August to host these guests and have a great cultural experience please give Virginia or Cathy a call.

The next Federation Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, 6-8 p.m. at the Kickapoo Township Hall.

This is a 4-H Federation sponsored event – Family 4-H Swim Party – Is your club looking for a fun summer activity? Are you and your family looking for a way to beat the summer heat? Then join the 4-H Federation youth for a cool summer activity at Splashdown in East Peoria on Saturday, July 19 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Cost is $6.50 for ages 13 on up and $4.50 for youth 3-12. Check the Peoria County Website for a complete flyer on the event.

On Monday, July 7 at 7:30 p.m. we will have the Livestock Auction Committee and Superintendents Meeting. This will be held at Peter Shynk's Country Insurance Office in Kickapoo (next door to the Kickapoo Post Office.)

The non-livestock superintendents will be meeting at the Extension Office on Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Thank you to the leaders and 4-H members that attended the June 17 meeting: Robin Forney, Aleta Litwiller, Martha Eberley, Sarah Lueschow, Kelly Kieser, Renee Weiland, Kim Mills, Sally Ohlson & April Foster. Members also attending: Isaac Forney, Shiloh & Jess Lueschow, Constance & Summer Foster. Leaders attending gained valuable information on the following topics: Preparing for the 4-H Show and how to prepare 4-H Records. Leaders that were unable to attend can contact Virginia Kuo or Cathy Ludolph for more information.

The next Leaders meeting is scheduled for September 16 at the Extension office.

Thank you to the following members that attended the Horse Committee meeting on June 16: Mary Harris, Kim Krusmark, Vikki Waldbeeser, Martha Eberley, Aleta Litwiller, Annie Lynn, Brian Parrish, Lori Windish, Brian Windish, Miley Davis, Jenni King & Nancy King.

The next Horse committee meeting will be Tuesday, August 12, 6:30 pm at the Extension office.

Mark your calendars now for this fun and informative workshop. It will be on Saturday, July 12 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Kickapoo Township Hall.

Members will learn helpful tips on getting your poultry ready for the 4-H Show and how to exhibit your Poultry at the 4-H Show. This workshop will be especially helpful for the inexperienced exhibitor. Please call the Extension Office at 685-3140 if you are planning to attend.

Attention 4-H'ers! This is your opportunity to exhibit your public speaking skills! We know there are a lot of 4-H'ers in Peoria County that have excellent Public Speaking skills and we hope to see you all participate in the 2008 Peoria County 4-H Public Speaking Contest at the Extension office on Tuesday, July 15. The contest will begin at 6:00 p.m. for both the Junior Division and the Senior Division. Please call the Extension office if you are planning to participate.

Summer is in full swing and what better way to celebrate summer than a little baseball. So come celebrate 4-H and enjoy a night out with the Peoria Chiefs on Saturday, August 23. There will be a fireworks display after the game. A lucky 4-H member will get a chance to throw out the first pitch or get to be the PA announcer for 1/2 inning.

Registration and ticket order forms can be found on our website or contact the Extension Office. Ticket orders must be in by August 1.

Join us for the annual Science Sleepover to be held at Bradley University on September 5-6. This sleepover is for 4-H girls in 4th, 5th & 6th grade. This year we will sleuth around a University campus to see just where science can be found! Cost is $15 which includes dinner, breakfast, snacks and a t-shirt. Registration and fees are due August 22. More information can be found on the Extension website.

All 4-H Clubs are encouraged to fill out an Illinois 4-H Club/Group Report that reflects the involvement of the 4-H members and leaders working together as a team toward the accomplishment of a common goal.

These reports are the club's records for the year. In the report the leaders and members work together to showcase the work they did during the year. These reports are sent down to the State 4-H Office for judging and awards.

4-H Clubs/Groups Reports are due August 11 to the Extension Office so they can be signed and turned in to the State 4-H Office in time. A copy of the award application can be picked up at the Extension Office.