Hello everybody! I hope that you are continuing to enjoy your summer. It seems as if the time is flying by. I guess that's what happens when you stay busy. I am recovering from General Project's Day and from the other shows. I have also been wrapping up all the loose ends that those shows produce. I have also been preparing for the State Fair Trip, which has a whopping four vans going down for the two-day trip, and I've been working with Sara to plan a culture day camp. We will be focusing on a couple of different cultures and will be doing crafts and games throughout the day. It promises to be fun and exciting. I have been working on the Little Sprouts Garden. I enjoy spending time in the garden and teaching the future gardeners. I'm also preparing for the Stephenson County Fair and even though I will not be able to attend, I am hoping for a very successful and fun fair week. I would like to congratulate all of the winners at General Project's Day and all the other shows. I would like to wish everyone luck with their projects at the Fair. I hope all of you will have a great time enjoying all the Fun Fair Festivities!

~Lindsey

To Everyone,

I hope that everyone has enjoyed their summer. As we are coming up fast on the Stephenson County Fair, I am reminded that classes will once again be starting. I will be attending Highland Community College again this fall and will begin classes on the Monday of the Fair. I am sad that my days can not be fully devoted to being at the Fair. While everyone one is showing their projects and enjoying their time at the Fair, I will be sitting in a classroom probably listening to a boring lecture. I have a bit of good news that I would like to share with all of my 4-H family. As you may or may not have known, I have worked at Sullivan's Foods of Freeport for the last three years of my life. I am now able to resign from my position at Sullivan's. I have received a position to work for the Land of Lincoln Americorps Program at Taylor Park Elementary School in Freeport. I am very excited about my new job opportunity!!! In the last month I have been busy working on the Dress Revue, General Project's Day, trophy sponsors, State Fair, and the cultural day camp with Lindsey. I hope that you will all enjoy the last month of your summer vacation from school. I also wish that everyone will have a Fun fair week as we enter into this wonderful time of the summer!

With all my love for everyone,

Sara

A huge thank you to the representatives from the following clubs that worked to either set-up for General Project's Day or stayed afterward and helped clean up! We couldn't have done it without you and our words of appreciation really don't do justice for all the thanks that we owe you! THANK YOU to the following clubs and their volunteers!!

Set-up: Clean up:

Lena Live Wires Pearl Valley Rangers

Snappy Snazzers Country Cuzins

Winslow Clovers Freeport Fantastics

Florence Crickets The Flock

German V. Golden Eagles Davis Rockets

Pearl City Hornets Whiz Kids

Rainbow Rangers Country Critters

Harlem Helpers Lena Lucky Clovers

Thank you General Project's Day Helpers!!

Thanks to all the youth that helped serve donuts, juice, and took pictures of champions! Thanks, Liza Howe, Laura Millers, Johnathon Campbell, Stephen Reilly, and Sabrina Lewis. You guys are the best!

A BIG THANK YOU TO DENISE HAYUNGA FOR ONCE AGAIN HELPING WITH THE STATE FAIR TABLE!!! We couldn't have done it without you!!

And a big thank you to Bonnie Campbell for asking our teen youth to fill out our interest survey!

Please remember that there is more to 4-H than the blue, red, and white ribbons. Grand Champion ribbons and trophies are nice, but there is much more than a ribbon gained from being in 4-H. As shows come and go, please evaluate your learning! Did you enjoy the project? Did you challenge yourself? What improvements could you make for next year? Did your project turn out how you envisioned it would? 4-H is about learning by doing. What you put into the 4-H program will determine what you gain! Take advantage of the many opportunities 4-H has available!