Hi there! Welcome to Fall! I want to write to you to give you a heads up on what is in the horizon for me. I am getting ready to leave for a four-month (approximately) leave of absence. As many of you know, I went to Officer Candidate School over 1 ½ years ago for the Air National Guard. Since then I have been serving as the Mission Support Group Executive Officer. I didn't go to my technical training school because we had a major inspection that we were preparing for. Recently I was told that the National Guard Bureau is eliminating the Executive Officer position for Mission Support Group across the nation. So, I had to find a new job on base. I am going to be a Logistics Readiness Officer, and work with personnel in Supply, Transportation, Fuels, and Deployment Planning. It also means I need to learn my job. So, I have to go to my technical training school. I will be heading out to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas on November 26, 2004. I will have a short Christmas break, and then back to school until approximately March 8, 2005.

I'm sure you are all thinking, who is going to run the 4-H program while I'm gone!!??!! Well, lucky for us we have just hired an exceptional new addition to our staff! Pam Schingoethe is our new 4-H Program Assistant. She, in cooperation with Sue Reilly, will spearhead things in my absence. Several other staff members will take on an additional duty while I'm gone, so please welcome their support and help them any way you can! Thanks so much for all of your continued support of my military service and please know that I will miss you all while I'm gone!

Peace, Kim

Greetings Stephenson County!

My name is Pam Schingoethe. I am 23 years old and a recent graduate from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors of Science in Animal Science. I am new to Stephenson County 4-H, but have been around 4-H all of my life. I grew up in Rockford and was in the Winnebago 4-H program since I was about 7. I spent 11 years as a 4-H member, Jr. Leader, committee member, and Fair volunteer. During college, I continued volunteering summers at the 4-H office and 4-H shows. I spent the last year working for as the 4-H Assistant in Winnebago County, and am very eager to learn about the Stephenson 4-H program. I am looking forward to meeting all of you as the year progresses. Feel free to stop by and say "hi" the next time you're by the Extension Office.

Pam

We are very excited to have Pam Schingoethe as our new 4-H Program Assistant! Make sure you introduce yourself and welcome Pam at our upcoming events!

As we begin the new 4-H year, we reflect on what has happened this past year. Anyone who has spent any amount of time in the Stephenson County 4-H program knows how wonderful our 4 -H club leaders are, and how much time they put into their roles to be that GOOD!! Many are putting in much more time than any of us can imagine. Moms, dads, grandparents, and 4-H'ers, please take time to express your appreciation to your club leaders or volunteers and then ask them, "Is there any way in which I can help out?" You can make their jobs more manageable and the 4-H club work even better than it already is by simply getting involved, and being supportive. 4-H is a family affair, one that will be of most benefit for you if you are involved as a FAMILY. Together we will build stronger youth, 4-H program, and country!!

When signing up for your projects, don't forget about the county projects that are not offered in the Clover. This year the county projects that are available are listed on the green enrollment page with a check mark (Ö) after them. ***Due to guidelines established by Illinois Bureau of County Fairs for the Ag Premium Fund county projects are NOT eligible for premiums!!*** So if you're interested in an area not listed in the Clover be sure to look at the county projects, but remember you will not get a premium on those exhibits! Anyone wishing to take Scrapbooking, please sign up in Visual Arts. This is also a county project, and will pay no premium.

When your club reorganizes for the new year, here are a few reminders and suggestions about enrollment. At your first meeting, when you receive the "Illinois Clover", ask your family and 4-H leader for help and consider the following:

• How old are you? We know that younger members would like to sign up for many projects, but then find out there is too much to do and learn that they can't handle it all. Most of the project listings have a suggested age range; take that into consideration when making enrollment decisions. Don't try to enroll in a project that may be too advanced.
• What projects have you taken? It is fun to try new projects, but you should find out from older members what you might face if you take a different project. Limit yourself to one or two new projects a year.
• Leader Enrollment – 4-H Organizational, Project, and other leaders, in addition to Jr. Leaders must be re-enrolled for the upcoming 4-H year. Keep in mind that if we don't have a current Volunteer screening form on every leader, that leader will not be re-enrolled until the forms are completed and received.

If your son or daughter is enrolled in 4-H this year, but is away at college we would be glad to send a monthly issue of the "4-H Focus" to them. Let the office know their mailing address. Remember anyone who has not yet reached his or her 19th birthday as of September 1, 2004, is still eligible to be enrolled. They can enroll in the Kollege Krusaders club. Give the Extension Office a call A.S.A.P. We would love to keep them in 4-H another year. This club only meets four to six times a year during breaks!

Citizenship III- My Community and Me

Is the third and final installment in the individual Citizenship projects series, youth will learn about the various components that make up communities and how those components interact. Topic areas include: Government, law and courts, business and industry, transportation, communication, and utilities, culture, and heritage.

Meat Goats

A new series from 4-H CCS includes three levels of member guides and a helpers guide, and includes activities related to goat breeds, health care, grooming, management, showmanship, marketing and careers.

Step up to Leadership

A new leadership curriculum from 4-H CCS includes a workbook, journal, leadership portfolio, and mentor guides. The activities offer a crosscultural perspective to topics such as relationship building, group processes, communication, planning, and organizing. Wildlife- Levels A and B from Purdue University Extension. Activities focus on identification of featured wildlife species, their habitats, behavior, and population issues. A project supplement will provide additional information for leaders and references to sources of Illinois wildlife information.

Horse

There are now five levels of horse project manuals. Giddy Up & Go; Head, Heart & Hooves; Stable Relationships; Riding the Range; and Jumping to New Heights.

Revised project books for 2004-05:

Prairie Plants in Illinois, Sewing and Textiles, Corn, Soybeans, and Small Grains. New Projects

A HUGE thank you to all 4-H'ers who took the time to complete their Award Applications this year. We wish we had more 4-H'ers complete award applications at the county level, but maybe next year! Everyone who completed an Award Application did a good job! We would like to take time to show our APPRECIATION & GRATEFULNESS to all the leaders, volunteers, and the Leadership & Awards committee members who helped with the judging and awards selection. A special thank you for all your time and effort to: Dorothy Wire, Diana Ethridge, Kathy Baumgartner, Bev Haselhorst, Ruth Werkheiser, Kera Baumgartner, Bruce Baumgartner, Tom Reilly, Stephen Reilly, Ed Curry, Julie Miller, Ginger Willing, Karen Hauser, Curt Miller, Rose Mielke, Deb Winning, Jeannette Grindey, Kristi Grindey, and Linda Meier. This is a big job, made easier by willing helpers. Giving of your time and talent is truly appreciated!

Achievement Night The Annual Stephenson County Achievement Night will be held Wednesday, November 3rd beginning at 7:00 p.m. This evening, held in honor of all our "AWESOME" 4-H'ers, will be at Highland Community College in Building H, Room 201. All 4-H'ers, parents, and leaders are invited to come out to help honor the 4-H'ers and their accomplishments. We've got many exciting awards to give. There will also be door prizes for 4-H'ers. We are looking forward to seeing you there. Let's make this the best-attended Achievement Night ever! Clubs are each asked to donate one dozen cookies for the evening's refreshments. Please have ALL cookies to the Extension Office by Monday, November 1st.

State Award selection will begin in January. All award applicants that want to be considered at the State level must have completed award applications returned to the Extension Office by Friday, December 17th, 2004. We will then submit them to State for Awards Judging. We encourage everyone who is old enough who completed an Award Application for county judging, to submit it to State. If you have any questions, ask your club leader or call the Extension Office. Remember: sending your Award Application to State is the only way you can win such honors as National Dairy Conference or National 4-H Congress. We've had several winners and attendees in the past several years, so let's keep up the Good Work! If you submitted in the past and haven't won, try again!

All publications listed in the Illinois Clover as a "Reference" for the project will automatically be distributed to 4-H'ers who enroll in the related project. Materials listed as "Project Support" items will NOT automatically be distributed. These materials must be ordered in addition to signing up for the project. Ask your leader if you have any questions. Also be sure that when you are completing your enrollment papers you check both boxes only IF YOU NEED the project manual. ***Also note*** if you are enrolling in Entomology you can contact the Extension Office for additional resources to help you with your project.

If you received a trophy, special award, or halter at the 4-H Fair this year and you haven't sent a thank you note to the sponsor yet, DO IT NOW!! It is very important to make sure that these sponsors receive the thanks that they deserve. Keep in mind; if they don't feel appreciated this year, they may not sponsor anything next year! Send those thank you's!

All club officers are encouraged to attend the MANDATORY Club Officer's Training on Thursday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m. All club officers will receive an invitation in the mail if their leader has turned in their names. The training will cover the following positions: President/Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Reporter, Recreation, and Historian/Scrapbook. This training will be very valuable for officers to learn about their jobs, and is an opportunity to meet others who hold the same position throughout the county. We look forward to seeing ALL officers, from EVERY club in the county!!! There will be a reward for the club with the most officers in attendance. Make plans to attend now!

Have a desire to travel abroad or be a host family for one of the many students visiting Illinois? Five million youth went to Japan last year and any one of them would be willing to share what a great time and learning experience it was! 4-H youth have many different types of intercultural exchanges available to them. In the IFYE program youth ages 15-25 travel for 4-6 weeks in Europe or Australia during the summer, young people ages 19-30 can spend an extended 3 to 6 months in another country to get an in-depth living experience. For more information about any of 4-H's Intercultural Exchanges programs or to get information, contact Bill Million at the State 4-H Office at 217-333-0911. Applications are available at the Extension Office. Talk to Shannon & Gretchen Elsasser if you have questions–they were able to visit Finland this summer!

You all received a special mailing regarding National 4-H Week activities and opportunities. Take part in as many of them as possible. We start off our new 4-H year with a blast, so be sure to join in all of this year's National 4-H Week activities! Get involved in your club's activities, our county events, and PROMOTE, PROMOTE, PROMOTE our 4-H program. Share your enthusiasm by inviting a friend to attend your next club meeting!

Available at the office for the month of October is the Caribbean culture kit. In February we will have the Japan # 2 kit. Plus more! If you have any questions about what the materials cover, or would like to take a look at the materials, please give us a call at the Extension Office at 235-4125. These materials can enhance your project knowledge, give you extra information for your talk or demonstration, or just give you some really neat hands on fun focused in a particular area. Stop in and see for yourself today!

We have a few lost projects from the fair so please take some time to check the projects you brought home from fair. Please keep your eyes open for:

1. Chalk drawing with three flowers in black plastic frame.
2. String art in red frame with a yellow background.

If you find these project or know their whereabouts please call the Extension Office ASAP!

Kayla Mielke, of the Country Critters, competes with the Illinois High School Rodeo Association. The closest competition will be:

October 16 & 17
Wahls Double G Equestrian Center
Rt. 30 W., Sterling, IL

Saturday's Performances:
Slack at 11:00; Performance at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday's Performances:
Slack at 9:00; Performance at 2:00

Admission: $6.00

Premium checks have been mailed directly to each 4-H'er who exhibited premium eligible projects. The checks are only valid for 60 days. You must have them deposited by November 1st.

It's getting to be that time of the year when you start picking out your 4-H projects. Leaders will be handing out the new enrollment forms and new issues of the clover. The clover is also available online at 4h.uiuc.edu Check it out!

National Congress Winners

Unfortunately this year we don't have any National 4-H Congress winners. Don't let this get your spirits down, continue to work hard this year and maybe we will get some winners next year!!

Team members selected to represent Illinois at the 2004 National 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl in Louisville Ky., include: Brent Koester, Laura Lyford, Glen Meier, Katie Meier, first alternate is Ross Simler. Congratulations everyone for doing such a great job, Good luck in Louisville. Please give the following Top 10 contestants at the State Fair 4 -H invitational contest a round of applause. Receiving "Top 10" certificates include: Luke Brinkmeier, Kyle Koester, Glen Meier, and Katie Meier.

Now that the 4-H year is close to an end, it is time to reflect back about what you have accomplished this year. Chances are that you had some successes. You may have one or two things you wish had gone differently. Take a few minutes to answer these questions about your 4-H year.

1. What accomplishments are you most proud of this past 4- H year?
2. What do you wish you had done better?
3. What were your goals for your projects this year?
4. Were you able to meet your goals?
5. Were you able to go beyond your goals in any project?
6. What would you like to try next year?

We love our 4-H volunteers and appreciate everyone's dedication of time, and energy for the 4-H program. Each year we have a special banquet to celebrate our volunteers. This year's volunteer banquet is scheduled for Wednesday, November 10th at the 4 Seasons Banquet Facility. Invitations will be sent out soon.

Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) is a 4-H leadership program for high school youth, ages 14-19, from across the country. Every summer thousands of young people stay at the National 4-H Conference Center, near Washington, D.C., to participate in a week-long program focused towards enriching young people's lives by providing activities for them which broaden their appreciation and respect for themselves and others in their world. CWF will be held July 17-July 23 for more information please contact the Extension Office ASAP.

I pledge... my health to better living. The fourth H of the 4-H pledge is Health. In recent months there has been much discussion of the issue of adult and youth obesity in America. 4-H encourages health and physical activity as a theme for 4-H clubs/groups for the 2004-2005. Each issue of the Illinois Leader will have information on this topic. Beginning in September, the Illinois 4-H website, http://www.4-h.uiuc/opps/move, will include additional information such as program activities, recreation ideas and healthy snack recipes for refreshments. To get started, 4-H volunteers may want to enroll their club/group in Health as a group project for the year. In addition, they may want to download the "move It!" activity pyramid from the USDA website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/resources/feedmoveposters.html. The color poster reminds us that youth need 60 minutes each day of moderate activity. Like the food guide pyramid, the activity pyramid suggest that we "do less" of the items at the top and "do plenty" of those at the bottom. Join us and get up and move!

Each month we are wondering what is happening in each of the clubs. If we don't hear from you we can't share your successes, help you through the challenges, or invite others to participate in your club's activities. At the county level we are requesting that your club submit a monthly blurb making us aware of what your club is planning, doing, or how an event went. If the club secretary or reporter would just submit a short summary of the business and event happenings from your club meetings and either mail or email it to Stephenson_co@extension. uiuc.edu marked club news we, will put it in the following months Focus. We would love to hear from you and be able to share whatever is taking place in your club!

• The 4-H Federation meeting was called to order by Co-Presient Kraig on September 20, 2004, at HCC Building H. Room 210 at 6:30 pm. The pledges were led by Sara. Roll call was led by Lindsey.
• The Co-President's Report was given by Kraig and Sara. Sara hasn't been working on much since the Fair, but Kraig has been working on finalizing several fair events. Sara ga ve the Treasurer's Report. She also gave financials for Kiss-a-4-H-Livstock-Project Contest, Earplug Sales, and Pop Stand. We lost money on the Pop Stand, due to the weather, but we are selling pop to other 4-H events. Annie gave the Secretary's Report and collected Treasure Chest Forms. Lindsey gave the Rec Report. Movie Night will be on Sept 27th at 6:45 p.m. at the Lindo Theatre. The cost is $5.00 for delegates (with student I.D.) and $6.00 for adults. The movie we'll be seeing is Cellular. For the October meeting the plan it to go to the Haunted Maze. If the weather is bad, we'll hold a Costume Party. More info on this will be sent!
• Maggie and Krissy gave the Scrapbook Report. They have updated the Fed. Scrapbook and are only a few pages away from being done.
• Kraig updated us on Pizza Hut sales. We sold a total of 232 pizzas. Kraig also asked if there were any suggestions for next year. He then handed out committee recognition awards.
• Sara gave an update for the Pop Stand. Aside from the sales themselves, the planning meetings went very well and everything was done ahead of time. Lani and Cassie weren't there to give out Committee Recognition, so it will be forwarded to the next meeting.
• Candi gave an update for the Kiss-a-4-HLivestock- Project Contest. It went very well this year and we thought the committee did a great job planning it. Ideas for the future are: Extension staff, teachers, fair committee, and prom queens. The winners were Dan Stephens, Sara, and Shannon Keister. She also rewarded the committee with a committee recognition.
• Kim finalized the meeting day and time. The meeting date (third Monday) and time (6:30 p.m.) will continue to remain the same as this works out for almost everyone.
• National 4-H Week will be on October 3-9.
• We did a survey on the Federation activities and asked the delegates to circle their top 5 favorite Fed. activities, top 2 C-bud activities and cross out the ones they didn't like. We also gave out a sheet with the ones the officers wanted to keep or recycle (to be used later). We also came up with some possible new activities.
• Kim will be leaving for Air National Guard training for four months from the end of November to mid-March.
• Kim discussed a college care package for Jodi, who is at Eastern Illinois University. We are going to send her games, candy, and microwavable foods (nothing that needs to be kept cold). We will also be sending her a card, too. So bring an item to the next meeting to send to Jodi at college!
• The new staff member, Pam Schingoethe, will be replacing Claire as 4-H Program Assistant. Chelsea will also be working in the office 10 hours a week as a 4-H & Youth Assistant.
• The next Federation meeting will be October 18th, 2004, at 6:30 p.m.; location TBA! The next Officer Team meeting will be October 14, at 5:00 p.m.

The Federation Halloween Party is scheduled for Monday, October 18th. If you are interested in coming to Federation and just want to see what its like, feel free to attend this meeting! If you are not signed up to be a Federation Delegate and want to be, let your leader know, call the Extension Office, or come to the meeting! Federation is for youth, age 12-19, from Stephenson County who are interested in participating in a youth-run concept. Federation is a great way to get experience beyond the club level and add additional leadership or other experience to your award application for next year. A mailing will be sent to Federation Delegates regarding the Halloween Party. If you are not on the Federation mailing list, call the office for more details!

The Winslow Clovers 4-H Club held its first meeting of the new 4-H year on Tuesday night, September 14, at the Winslow United Methodist Church.

For unfinished business nobody brought any trophies or ribbons to show, so we just talked about how we did at the Fair.

For new business, our club received the third place ribbon in the booth judging contest. This is the second time we've placed in the top five. We welcomed new members Lea and Codi Patrick. National 4-H Week is October 3-9 so we all wrote "What 4-H Means To Me" and handed them in so Mrs. Howe can take them to the Extension Office. Achievement night is November 3 at 7 p.m..

Jase, Katie, and Erin formed a nominating committee for club officers and presented this slate: President, Jase Baldauf; Vice-president, Katie Mahoney; Secretary, Rebecca Moest; Treasurer, Kara Johnson; Reporter, Don Howe; Scrapbook, Erin Mahoney; Sentinel, Ben Moest; Junior leaders, Evan Johnson and Grant Moest; Recreation, Lea Patrick and Annie King if Annie decides to join our group since she was just visiting tonight.

Jase invited club members to his place for a bonfire for our next meeting on October 12. Mrs. Baldauf will make lemonade, the Howe family will take paper plates/cups/napkins, the Patrick family will take graham crackers and chocolate bars for making s'mores, the Mahoney family will take marshmallows, and we voted to have the club buy hot dogs.

We'll be making Halloween cards for the nursing home residents, so members should bring supplies: markers, stickers, glue, and construction paper.

- Don Howe, Reporter

We met at the Thomas farm Saturday night, September 11, at 6:30. Jeff Thomas drove his tractor and hayrack. We left around 7:00 p.m. We went down Silberman Road past my Grandma's house, turned on Babbs Grove Rd., right on Heitter Rd, and back to the Tho mas Farm. It was about 3 country blocks. It took about an hour and ten minutes. By the time we got to the bonfire we were hungry. Becky Thomas stayed at the bonfire to get things ready.

We each cooked our own hotdogs, we also ate chips, smores, BBQ's, macaroni, brownies, cookie bars, lemon bars, and drank Kool-aid. After we ate we discussed the events that happened at the fair. Saturday, Sept. 25, we will have a paper drive. We will meet at the Legion Parking Lot at 10:00. At our next meeting we will vote on our new officers. It will be 10-10-04, Sunday night, 7:00 at the Pearl City Masonic Lodge.

- Submitted by Melissa Bronkema, reporter.

Happy, Happy Birthday! We have some very special people celebrating birthdays this month: Here is to more years ahead!!

• Josh Bolen
• Evan Bull
• Tyler Bussian
• Melissa Diffenderfer
• April Dittmar
• Evan Dornink
• Shelby Duncan
• Nathan Falk
• Jacob Gilbertson
• Kimberly Goeke
• Ashley Hendrickson
• Jonathon Hudik
• Robert Hull
• Cassi Jansen
• Hanna Kasten
• Brent Koester
• Nikki Kuniej
• Zachary Lawson
• Samantha Mack
• Alex Marck
• Devin Mielke
• Max Parks
• Gabriel Scheid
• Hanna Scheid
• Lane Scheider
• Emma von Schrott
• Satara Wenger
• Jessica Willis
• Adam Wise
• Caleb Wise
• Jared Wise

October
6th–Skating Party, Skate Station
12th–Superintendent Meeting
18th–Federation Meeting
28th–Officer Training

November
3rd–Achievement Night
10th–Volunteer Banquet
15th–Federation Meeting
22nd–New Family Support Coordinator Meeting
25-26–Thanksgiving Vacation