We would like to thank everyone for their support of the silent auctions. The proceeds from the auctions will go to the Lisa Woessner Science and Technology Grant. Results from the Achievement Night Auction include:

Painted Saw donated by Ginger Willing – Andy Winning; Decorated Cake donated by Barb Curry– Jake Clay; Gift Basket donated by Denise Hayunga – Pennie Miller; Peanut Brittle donated by Bev Haselhorst – Sue Reilly; Relaxation Package donated by HCC Cosmetology – Sue Reilly; Peanut Brittle donated by Bev Haselhorst – Kathy Baumgartner; Shampoo, Cut, & Style donated by HCC Cosmetology – Julie Miller; Frozen Duck donated by Johnathon Campbell – Rose Mielke; Frozen Goose donated by Johnathon Campbell – Pat Yeagle; Gift Basket donated by Davis Rockets 4-H Club – Morgan Curry; Etched Picture donated by Morgan Curry – Pat Yeagle; Basket donated by Val Curran – Barb Curry; Gardening Basket donated by Jacob Barr – Bonnie Campbell; Beef Package donated by Kerstin Curry - Pam Schingoethe; Cookies donated by Whitney Runkle - Grant Curry; Cookies donated by Taylor Runkle - Shirley Williams; Apple Pie donated by Lorraine Runkle - Dave Busch; Cranberry-Apple Pie donated by Lorraine Runkle - Kelsey Zettle; Cookbook donated by Country Cuzins - Bonnie Campbell.

Total Raised - $261.00

Results from the Volunteer Banquet include:

Avon Gift Basket donated by Rose Mielke - Dorothy Wire; Thermos Set donated by University of Illinois Extension - Norm Templin; Frozen Duck donated by Johnathon Campbell - June Mellinger; Photography donated by Kim Christman - Pennie Miller; Anti-Aging Manicure donated by HCC Cosmetology - Bev Haselhorst; Yellow Creek Gift Certificate donated by Pearl Valley Rangers 4-H Club - Judy Zier; Candle Set donated by Stephenson County Farm Bureau - Bonnie Campbell; Pumpkin Decoration donated by Kathy Baumgartner - Mike Shore; Frozen Goose donated by Johnathon Campbell - Cindi Mielke; Spa Package donated by HCC Cosmetology - Pat Yeagle; Cyberimaging Session donated by HCC Cosmetology - Pat Yeagle; Water Pot donated by RSVP - Carol Pinter; 1 night stay donated by Amerihost - Judy Weems; Water Pot donated by RSVP - Judy Weems; Gift Basket donated by Davis Rockets 4-H Club - Judy Weems; Holiday Cookies donated by Deb Winning - Joe Werkheiser; Frozen Turkey donated by Johnathon Campbell - Karen Wilhelms; Avon Gift Basket donated by Rose Mielke - Karen Wilhelms; Gift Basket donated by Denise Hayunga - Pam Schingoethe; Card Set donated by Hanna Scheid - Pam Schingoethe; and Willow Chair donated by Willy Weisendanger - Margaret Larson.

Total Raised - $422.00

Total Raised from both Auctions - $683.00

Thank you very much to everyone who bid and donated all of this year's items! It was a huge success!

Several outstanding clubs submit a "June is Dairy Month" report, filled with accounts of all of the activities that they did to promote the dairy industry. This report puts them in the running for "June Is Dairy Month" awards. Checks have been put in club folders at the Extension Office for leaders to pick-up.

First Place - Lena Live Wires

Second Place - Davis Rockets

Third Place - Lena Lucky Clovers

Congratulations to all of you for an outstanding job in promoting the dairy industry!

Homemade gifts are always popular, especially those from the kitchen. The Freeport Public Library is offering a special gift-making workshop just for kids during this holiday season. Those attending the workshop will make samples of several different food gifts to take home. In addition, everyone will take home an idea sheet with recipes to make more gifts after the workshop.

During the session, Barb Curry, Coordinator of the Family Nutrition Program in Stephenson County, will lead participants in making several homemade cookie, soup, or casserole mixes, homemade play dough or cinnamon ornaments, dipped pretzels, and more.

"Gifts from the Kitchen" will be offered on Tuesday, December 12, 2006, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. at the Freeport Public Library, 100 E. Douglas Street. Adults are welcome to attend and will be needed to help at workshop stations. Please volunteer when registering.

Pre-registration for this program is necessary. Please contact the Library at 233-3000 to pre-register before Friday, December 8. There is no cost to attend.

Tune in to WFPS and WXXQ radio stations for bad weather cancellation notices regarding Extension and 4-H programs. In case of committee meetings, we will make every effort to personally contact each committee member. You may also call the Extension Office voicemail for info at

235-4125.

Office Closing

The Extension Office will close for the holidays Monday, December 25 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, 2006. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season with his or her family and loved ones.

By now most everyone should be through the 4-H re-enrollment process and moving full steam ahead with the 4-H year. Here are some tips for a successful 4-H year:

·Attend all of your club meetings;

·Get involved with your club activities;

·Carefully read each 4-H newsletter;

·Start early on your 4-H projects;

·Work on your 4-H records and award applications after each meeting.

Remember that your 4-H leader and the Extension staff are happy to answer your questions. Don't hesitate to stop by the Extension Office, or call 235-4125 with any questions or concerns that you may have.

Calling all 4-H'ers! It's time to come up with those creative Stephenson County 4-H Program Book cover ideas. The theme is "Discover the World of 4-H!" We are looking for interesting, exciting, and fun designs! You may use a computer to assist you in your design. Please use the theme stated above when creating your design. Spend some time over Christmas Break working on your entry. The deadline for entries to the Extension Office is January 5, 2007. For reproduction reasons, all designs must be in one color, preferably black ink, very clean, free from wrinkles, and on 8 1/2" x 11" white 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!! We look forward to seeing many creative entries soon. Computers may be used to design entries, as long as the design and layout is the 4-H'ers own work. Parents, you may offer suggestions, but please don't do it for your child.

The annual 4-H Foundation Club's Choice Pizza Sales will start December 11^th and concludes on February 14^th. The pick-up day is scheduled for Saturday, March 10^th in Freeport at Highland Community College, Building R. Start selling as soon as you get your order forms! With the holiday season quickly approaching, it might be a great idea to take your order forms with you to family functions. The money raised from this will go toward clinics, ribbons, judges, camp scholarships, and many more events!