Dear 4-H Family:

Welcome to 2006!! We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year! While many of you probably spent most of your time with family and friends, I'd like for you to take a little time out of your day to think about those who are protecting our freedom and working diligently to keep us safe from terrorism. Many of them didn't get the opportunity to spend the holidays with their families. While you may or may not agree with what we are doing in Iraq and Afghanistan, I hope that you consider the importance and value of supporting our troops and our elected leader while we are there.

The picture on the copies mailed is a photo of five Airmen who work with me at the 180^th Fighter Wing in Toledo, Ohio. These soldiers are currently serving in Iraq as Transportation troops. They are activated in Iraq for 6 months. These five guys are just like myself and thousands of other guardsman. They have full-time jobs, families, and a life here in the United States. Yet, unlike many civilians I hear grumbling about what we are doing in Iraq and elsewhere in the world, they are proud to be where they are, doing what they are doing. And I am proud of them as their officer. I know they are putting themselves in harm's way and they are far from loved ones and friends.

So, what I'd like from all of you this holiday season is one, please take a few moments to say a prayer for them, and two, please support our soldiers and our leader as we fight the battle against terrorism in our world, even if you don't agree with it. Our soldiers need to know that you believe in them and support what they are doing.

God Bless You and Our United States and Allied Soldiers,

Kim Christman

Youth Educator,

University of Illinois Extension and

1^st Lieutenant, Ohio Air National Guard

180^th Fighter Wing, Transportation Flight Members (from left to right)

Staff Sergeant Victor Kynard

Staff Sergeant Rodney West-Estell

Airman First Class Christopher Zika

Technical Sergeant Craig Laubender

Senior Airman Daniel Gibson

Hey future campers! We have already begun plans for 4-H camp this year. This year's camp dates for Stephenson County are June 25th– June 29th. Camp prices for 4-H camp follow. If you register before January 30, cost is $180. The price is $190 from January 30-April 16. The price is $200 after April 16. A minimum of $75.00 must accompany the application form when registering. Camp registration forms will be available at the Extension Office soon. Get a head start and register today, as camp fills up fast!

Don't forget to turn in your entry for the Program Book Cover by January 6, 2006. This year's theme is "4-H...Take the Trip!" All designs must be in one color, preferably black, very clean, free from wrinkles, and on 8 ½" x 11" paper. Please leave 1" margins on all sides. Your original will be used for reproduction. Please remember to place your name and club on the back of your entry. Do NOT use lined paper. Be creative!! Computers may be used to design entries, as long as the design and layout is the 4-H'ers own work. We look forward to seeing many creative entries soon.

The annual 4-H Foundation Club Choice Pizza Sales are underway. You have until February 10^th to sell those pizzas. Order forms are due into the Extension Office no later than February 17^th. The pick-up day is scheduled for March 11^th, at the Jane Addams Community Center in Cedarville. We encourage all members to go out and sell the fund-raiser items like never before! Everyone who sells at least 20 items will get their name in a drawing for an I-POD. We appreciate everything you do to help support this endeavor. Funds go to support 4-H events for you and your 4-H friends!

Stephenson County Extension & 4-H Foundation still has some REEL money gift cards available. Thanks to those clubs and individuals who have already sold or purchased cards. This has been a good fund-raiser for its first year. Since this type of gift never goes "out of style", why not buy a few for birthday gifts? Cards sell for $10 each, and are worth $10. Foundation gets $1 for each card they sell. It's a win-win situation!! Call the Extension Office at 235-4125 to get your cards.

Bev

In January, 2006, U of I Extension offers a 5-part in-service training series on current nutrition topics for dietitians, home economists, healthcare providers, and others wanting the latest research information.

The sessions will be conducted via a telephone conferencing system to our office and throughout the state on January 19, February 16, March 16, April 20, and May 18, 2006. All sessions run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on these dates.

Participants can register for individual sessions ($10) or for the entire series ($45).

Wes

The University of Illinois 2006 Shepherds' Clinic held over the teleconference system will cover updates on the Illinois Scrapie program, animal ID, and producing lambs for ethnic markets. The teleconferences will be held January 9^th and 23^rd at the Extension Office, from 7 – 9 p.m. Those interested in participating in the programs should contact our office at (815)235-4125.

Margaret/Pam Rosmann

A day of horticulture fun is scheduled on Saturday, February 25, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Highland Community College Conference Center. Registration for Joys of Gardening is $25 if paid by February 17. Thereafter, or at the door, the fee is $30. The registration fee includes the morning refreshments, lunch, keynote speaker, four break-out sessions, materials, and free seeds. A half-day registration with no lunch is available for $15.00. Call Stephenson County Extension at 235-4125 for a brochure.

Margaret

This is the time of year when many of us are working hard to keep up those health-related New Year's resolutions. A special cooking class, "Meals for a Healthy Heart" may be just the thing to help you stick to your resolution. This class is scheduled for Wednesdays, February 1^st and 8^th, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lena. There is a second class scheduled for Thursdays, February 2^nd and 9^th, from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library. The two-class series is open to anyone who wants to shop and cook (and snack) for heart health. Call us by Friday, January 27^th to reserve space. Class size is limited; and there is a $15.00 registration fee to cover food costs, materials, and cookbook.

Barb

Barb is currently working with WIC twice a month on Mondays. She will also be a speaker at this year's Joys of Gardening again. She just finished doing the Gifts from the Kitchen program at the Freeport Library where over 30 youth participated. It was a great kick-off to the holiday season in the Freeport area. After the holiday season, she will be continuing her work with WIC as well as Life Skills classes for FACC with Bev.

In response to recent surveys and questions we have decided to make an addition to the Focus. Each month we will address a few questions that have been brought to the 4-H Staff's attention.

Comment/Question: Did you know that the 4-H Program is the only federally approved and organized youth development organization in the nation?

Answer: This is the reason there are so many rules and regulations when it comes to the 4-H Program and why it is so important to use the Clover in the appropriate manner. The 4-H Name and Emblem is on an equal status with the Presidential Seal and the Olympic Emblem.

Comment/Question: Help all children and parents feel welcome and included. This is not how we've been treated by some families.

Answer: Please remember what it was like your first time joining the 4-H Program. New families and members may not know anyone and it's up to everyone to make them feel welcome and included. New Family Support Coordinators should meet with their new families and members before or after each 4-H meeting to help answer questions.

Comment/Question: "Less emphasis on winning – more on doing your best."

Answer: 4-H is about learning. Winning is not the most important thing in 4-H. You should always try your best because that is what makes you a true winner. It is our goal to emphasize learning, not winning.

Comment/Question: "Change 4-H Award Applications."

Answer: 4-H Award Applications are set by the state. If we created Award Applications for our county only, youth eligible for further awards would have to recreate their applications in order to meet the state requirements. By using the State Award Applications, we can reduce major work/changes that have to be made to the applications being sent to the state.

We encourage you to send in your comments and suggestions and we will attempt to answer them in this section.

University of Illinois Extension, area Farm Bureaus and Highland Community College, are working together to offer a farm management course called "Annie's Project," beginning Tuesday, February 7, 2006. The course is targeted toward farm women, women landowners, and new farmers. It includes six classes (Tuesday, February 7; Thursday, February 9; Tuesday, February 14; Thursday, February 16; Tuesday, February 21; and Thursday, February 23, 2006). There will be a morning section, which will meet from 9:00 a.m. – noon, and an evening section from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. The course will be taught at Highland Community College.

The course will be taught by Highland Community College faculty, local agri-business professionals, and University of Illinois Extension Educators. A few of the course topics include: communication, business plans, financial statements, retirement, risk management, computer software tools, and much more.

"Annie's Project" began in Illinois. Annie was a farm wife who grew up in Northern Illinois. She married a farmer and spent her lifetime learning how to be an involved business partner with her husband. Together they did great things, but it wasn't easy. This course is "Annie's Project" – to take her experiences and share it with farm women living and working in a complex business. "Annie's Project" is a comprehensive educational program and support network for farm women.

Locally, Lori Schoeny of Shannon, a farm wife with a very similar background to "Annie," learned about the program at the Farm Progress Show this fall. "It sounded like something that we needed in this area–a program to give farm women an overview of business tools they so desperately need, and in a targeted, supportive way." Lori contacted people at Highland, the Farm Bureau, and Extension to ask for their help, and "Annie's Project" in Northwest Illinois took shape.

The fee for the course is $50. With the software, resources and materials that each participant receives, the value of the class exceeds $300 per person. Each participant will receive portfolios, calculators, a 128 mb thumb drive, software, and much more.

Contact University of Illinois Extension, Stephenson County, at 235-4125 to register or get a brochure. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please notify us two weeks prior to the event.