Dear 4-H Family,

As we all wait patiently for spring to be here, I can't help but wonder what our summer show plans will bring. We have had a great winter with tons of activities for all to enjoy. From the Bowling Party to the Federation Ski Trip where the only snow around was on the ski hills! From the freezing temperatures of the Beef Weigh-In to the warm building for Super Saturday, we have had a great winter 4-H season.

As the warm temperatures start to come, we are reminded that summer is rapidly approaching. With that in mind, we are excited to introduce this year's 4-H Summer Assistants! Sara Earnest and Lindsey Scheider will take on the busy job of helping with the summer 4-H Program. Sara is a former 4-H'er and current camp counselor in Stephenson County. She has been very active over her 10-year 4-H career. She was active in her 4-H club as an officer, Federation as a member and officer, and the Fair Committee. We welcome her with open arms into the office. Lindsey is currently finishing her final year in high school as well as 4-H. During Lindsey's 10 years in 4-H, she has been active as a club officer, Federation Officer, Camp Counselor, Fair Committee member, and 4-H Summer Intern. We are very excited to add Lindsey to this year's staff. Please congratulate and welcome these two on their new adventure with the Stephenson County 4-H and Youth Development Program!

As we wait patiently for the summer staff to join us (the end of May cannot come soon enough), we are currently beginning the major planning period for the summer programs. We have a very exciting summer coming up. To get things started in the spring, we have animal and project clinics being planned. The Beef Clinic will start things off with a 2-hour clinic on beef fitting in April. An exciting day of animal clinics will be held in May, which will include Rabbits, Poultry, Dairy, and Sheep. We are planning to finish the animal areas out with a Swine, Goat, and Horse clinic in June. As we are finalizing dates and plans we will be sending flyers out for all of the upcoming events. If you are not signed up for one of these project areas, but are interested in attending one of the clinics, please call the Extension Office and we will send you a flyer when the information is available!

The summer will be coming so soon, we can hardly catch our breath! I look forward to seeing all of you during this action-packed spring and summer!

~Pam

A youth that enrolls in a 4–H club/group, but fails to attend 1/3 meetings cannot be viewed as 4–H participant/member. It is also expected that members attend tours, workshops, or other activities sponsored by the club/group Therefore, the youth is not eligible to take part in 4–H exhibitions, or other 4–H awards and recognitions.

Thanks to everyone who sold Club's Choice products, the Foundation Pizza sale was one of the best ever. We made a profit of $9,314.15 – that's almost $2000 more than last year!! Good Job!! A list of winners follows.

We were very pleased with the way the morning went on Pizza Delivery Day. Although it didn't work quite as we planned at first, once we got it figured out, it went well and nearly everyone was out of the Cedarville Community Center by 8 a.m.! Wow!

We've made some notes for next year on ways to improve Delivery Day and make it go more smoothly. Thank you again.

Kathy Baumgartner and Martha Ebbesmeyer,

Pizza Fund-raiser Co-Chairs

Stephenson County 4–H'ers once again did a great job at selling pizza and desserts for the Stephenson County 4–H Foundation. Congratulations to the following top sellers:

Stephenson County Top Sellers

Jessica Cary Whiz Kids $1387.00

Samantha Huston Country Cuzins $1323.00

Each will received a $50 savings bond.

Top Sellers in clubs – each received a cheesecake

Country Critters Lindsey Grismore

Country Cuzins Jonathan Albright

Davis Rockets Robyn Borgmann

Florence Crickets Heather & Justin Lott

Freeport Fantastics Jaclyn Woolever

GV Golden Eagles Matthew Gann

Harlem Helpers Jessica Mordick

Lena Live Wires Taylor Runkle

Lena Lucky clovers Tina Kerr

Lucky Lancers Logan Koester

Pearl City Hornets Jenna Canon

Pearl Valley Rangers Stephanie Ferguson & Jennifer Thomas

Rainbow Rangers Forrest Beightol

Snappy Snazzers Kaylee Schofield

Whiz Kids Desiree Blaser

Winslow Clovers Jase Baldauf

Thanks to everyone who sold!

Earth Day is celebrated April 22 every year; how do you celebrate Earth Day? Please remember Earth Day should be celebrated every day not just one day in April. Participate in a neighborhood clean up, pick up roadside trash, and don't trash the world yourself, are a few things you can do for the earth. Please help keep our world beautiful by remembering the four R's: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Rebuy. Recycling is easy to do: separate aluminum cans, glass, newspaper, and plastics; these items don't need to get sent to the landfill. Reduce what you buy, be a smart consumer, and buy less wasteful products. Reuse water bottles and other items, rebuy recycled products!!! It's up to everyone to take care of Mother Earth!!! Have you done your part??

Why is recreation at club meetings important?

Recreation is really important for clubs to have for the following reasons:

·Helps 4-H'ers expend energy

·Keeps 4-H'ers busy

·Helps break the ice, helps 4-H'ers get to know each other

·Builds teams

·Prevents boredom

·Can incorporate community service

·Breaks 4-H'ers out of their shell

·Initiates friendships

·Fun

I have no idea what to do for recreation for my club, what can I offer?

Here are some easy recreation ideas that were talked about at this year's Leader Super Saturday by some of our Federation members/ Camp Counselors.

·Community Service Night

·Have a theme

·Different Locations

·Park

·School

·Restaurant

·Pool

·Homes

·Skating Rink

·Bowling Alley

·Team building

·Earth Day

·Scavenger Hunt

·Baseball or other active game

·Movie Night

·Craft or other project

·Incorporate holidays–ie. Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Valentine's Day

OFFICE CLOSED:

The University of Illinois Extension Office will be closed on Friday, May 26, 2006 due to work on the water system at Highland College.

We will re-open on Tuesday, May 30th, following the Memorial Day holiday.

The Illinois State Fair Junior Department once again has job openings. Some positions are open to 14-15 year olds, but most positions require that you be 16 or older. Some of the open positions include: Set-Up Crew & Supervisor, Superintendents, Project Assistants, Project Runners, Project Security, Project Exhibit Judges, Jr. Press Department Reporters & Photographers, Livestock Area Coordinator, Livestock Assistants, Livestock Clerks, Service Crews, Dorm Office Staff, and Dorm Security. If you are interested in any of the above positions please call the Extension Office for further details and an application.

Wanted: Canning Enthusiasts–Do you enjoy canning and freezing fruits and vegetables? Would you like to share your expertise in food preservation with others in your community? Then become a Master Food Preserver. Tentative training dates will be in mid-July through early August. If you are interested in learning more about this program, call the Extension Office at 235-4125.

4-H Labo is an international exchange program for American & Japanese students. We are looking for host families. Japanese youth arrive as strangers and leave as a member of your family. They are anxious to learn about the American way of life & family and teach you about their family and culture. Stephenson County is also looking for a LABO Coordinator; please call the Extension Office if interested.

Congratulations Freeport Fantastics!

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Freeport Fantastics 4-H Club for receiving a grant from the Illinois 4-H Foundation. They were a part of the 50 4-H clubs who received a grant for Community Improvements and Health Improvements. Freeport Fantastics received their grant in the Community Improvements grant category. We are so proud of this club's effort! Way to go, Freeport Fantastics!