Seasons Greetings 4-H Family,

As the snow begins to fall, I am reminded how quickly my first two months at the office has gone. I am looking forward to the winter season being filled with fun and exciting 4-H events. While I am still getting acclimated to Stephenson County, I look forward to the many events being planned for the upcoming year. The winter season is just the beginning to an exciting new year for the 4-H program in Stephenson County.

I would like to thank you all for welcoming me into the 4-H program; I feel very at home and look forward to working with everyone. Also, thank you to everyone that has stopped by to see me; I promise I am working hard on learning names and faces. I look forward to continuing my work with all of you and learning more names and more faces. I have been asked recently on my plans for living in Stephenson County. I am happy to say that I have found an apartment in Freeport and will be moving over the next few months. My goal is to be completely moved in and settled by the 1st of February. Until then I will be commuting from my parent's home in Rockford.

I encourage all of you to get involved in the activities for this year. We will be having the Bowling Party in January, Leader's Super Saturday in February, Super Saturday in March, and many more fun-filled events in between. I will be visiting clubs throughout the next couple of months to introduce myself and get acquainted with the Stephenson County 4-H Program.

While Kim is gone, Sue, Chelsea, and myself will be working hard to run the 4-H program in her absence. As enrollment is coming in, we are looking to reach a goal of 500 4-H members enrolled for the 2004-2005 year. Another goal is to increase the community's awareness about the 4-H program. We are going to work very hard at getting our name out for the public to come and see what 4-H is doing in Stephenson County. Remember we want everyone to know "4-H...So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades!"

~Pam

Anyone who received an award at this year's Achievement Night should remember to send a thank you to the donor that made your award(s) possible. As many of you know, as our economy gets tighter and tighter, we are having a more difficult time getting sponsorship for awards such as these. So PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, send them a note to let them know that you appreciate their donation to our program. It may be the difference in whether or not they will sponsor again in the future.

A big thank you to all the clubs that donated cookies for our Achievement Night celebration. The evening was a great success, due in part to the refreshments that you donated. We appreciate your willingness to be a part of this event, in which we are able to honor our 4-H'ers for all their hard work and efforts! Thank you to the following clubs for donating cookies: Freeport Fantastics, Harlem Helpers, Lena Live Wires, Pearl Valley Rangers, Davis Rockets, Lucky Lancers, Lena Lucky Clovers, and Pearl City Hornets.

The Extension Office will be closed for the holidays Friday, December 24. We will reopen on Monday, January 3, 2005. We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season with his or her family and loved ones.

Thank you to all of the 68 4-H officers who took time to be a part of this year's Officer's Training. Many great ideas were shared and the evening ended with a fun game of 4-H Jepoardy between club Officer Teams. Lena Live Wires had the most points in the Jepoardy; the German Valley Golden Eagles were a close second! We hope that each officer took something away from the training that they will be able to share with their club throughout the coming year, and will help them be a more valuable club officer. The following club officer teams will be receiving a new "I Bleed Green" lanyards. Country Cuzins, Florence Crickets, Freeport Fantastics, Lena Lucky Clovers, Pearl Valley Rangers, and Whiz Kids. They all tied with only one officer from each club not attending! CONGRATUALATIONS to those clubs because they had the most club officers in attendance! Thank you for attending and please utilize all the resources/helpful hints!!

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.

We wanted to thank everyone for their support of the silent auction; the proceeds from the auction are going to be put into a scholarship in honor of Lisa Woessner. Those who donated are listed also. Results from the Achievement

Night Auction include:

• Ribbon Scarf (Ruth Auer)– Kim Christman; Barb Curry
• Painted Stone (Ginger Willing) – Mike Shore
• Computer Generated Art (Troy Hepler)– Pam Schingoethe
• 4-H Stepping Stone (LaDean Scheuer)– Claire Rees
• Decorated Cake (Mike Shore) – Sue Reilly
• Gift Basket (Denise Hayunga)- Julie Miller
• Banana Bread (Sara Miller)– Bonnie Campbell; Mary Scheider
• Starburst Purse (Candi Seffrood) – Amber Wichman
• Homegrown Potatoes (Johnathon Campbell)– Diana Ethridge
• Peanut Brittle (Bev Haselhorst)– Jolene Moest; Tonya Raab
• Candle/Honey Set (Stephenson Co. Farm Bureau)– Jolene Moest
• Warner Lambert Basket (Mary Pieper)– Michael Foley
• Bread Cloth & Assorted Breads (Mary Kay & Pam Schingoethe) – Karen Wilhelms
• Relaxation Package (HCC Cosmetology)– Karen Wilhelms
• Pottery (Ellie Wells) – Sandy Keltner
• Travel Discount for United Airlines (Margaret Larson) – Tonya Raab
• Country Cheese Coupon (Julie Miller) – Curt Miller; William Miller

Total Raised - $386.00

The results from the second portion of the silent auction at Volunteer Banquet include:

• Ribbon Scarf (Ruth Auer) – Martha Ebbesmeyer
• Fudge (Sara Miller) – Gary Hagemann, Shirley Kerr, Dorothy Wire
• Yellow Creek Inn Gift Certificate (Pearl Valley Rangers)– Gary & Diane Hagemann
• Relaxation Package (HCC Cosmetology)– Kim Christman
• Greeting Card Set (Mandy Winning) – Kim Christman
• Bread Cloth & Assorted Breads (Mary Kay & Pam Schingoethe)– Kathy Baumgartner
• 30-minute plane ride for 3 (Pete Haselhorst) – Kathy Baumgartner; Wes Winter
• Gift Basket (Denise Hayunga)– Ruth Werkheiser
• Scenic Photograph (Kim Christman)– Kraig Wheat; Pam Schingoethe
• Country Cheese Coupons (2) (Julie Miller) – Curt Miller
• Pressed Flower Window (Amy Olson) – Pennie Miller
• Amerihost Getaway – Melanie Hull
• Duck, 5# (Johnathon Campbell)- Rose Mielke
• Christmas Placements (Kathy Baumgartner)– Sue Diddens
• Goose, 9# (Johnathon Campbell)- June Mellinger
• Painted Garden Stone (Ginger Willing) – Bonnie Campbell
• Decorated Cake (Barb Curry)– Cindi Mielke
• Pressed Flower Portrait (Lindsey Scheider) - Mary Kay Schingoethe
• Window Trellis (Willie Weisendanger & Mary Scheider)– Mary Kay Schingoethe
• Picnic Gift Basket (Julie Miller)– Bev Haselhorst
• Avon Gift Basket (Rose Mielke) – Mandy Winning
• Christmas Ornament (Kerstin Curry) – Pam Schingoethe
• Beach's Gift Certificate – Wes Winter

Total Raised - $649.50

Yes that's right, Ladies and Gentlemen, the grand total from the silent auction is... (drum roll please) $1035.50! We greatly appreciate all the people that donated all of these great items and the people that bid on each item! Thank you for your participation in such an important project.

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 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

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.

It's time for the program book cover contest! The theme for the next 4-H year is "4-H... So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades" All 4-H'ers are invited to submit their Stephenson County 4-H Program Book cover idea. We are looking for interesting, exciting, and fun designs! Please use the theme stated above when creating your design. Spend some time over Christmas break working on your entry. We are going to do our best to include all the entries throughout the book, so make them look GREAT! The deadline for entries to the Extension Office is January 7, 2005. 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.

Just a reminder that you receive your 4-H project manuals at no cost. This is because the Extension Office pays for them. If you have unused project manuals, or manuals that can be reused by someone else, we encourage you to recycle them. You can either trade them between other members in your club by turning them in to your leader, or bring them to the Extension Office. This way, instead of ordering a new one, and paying the additional shipping charges, we can just give the recycled manuals to other 4 -H'ers to reuse them. It is something very simple that can make a big difference!!

If you've got skills and experience, share them! As a volunteer you do not have to be an expert in a specialized subject area. You just need a willingness and desire to work with youth in helping them learn life-long skills. Ask your child's 4-H leader what you can do to help! Most volunteers find that they get as much out of their efforts as they put in!

It may seem too early to start thinking about the Super Saturday Clinic already, but it will be here before we know it. The 2005 Super Saturday will be on March 19, 2005, at Highland Community College. We would like to have 4-H members, parents, and volunteers start thinking about a variety of different sessions they would like to see provided at this year's clinic. The workshops should be hands-on and may not involve animals since the college does not allow animals on campus. If you are willing to teach a clinic return the form below by December 15. If you have an idea that you'd like to see, put this on the form. Please come share your talents with our county's 4-H'ers.

Homemade gifts are always popular, especially those from the kitchen. The University of Illinois Extension, Stephenson County, is offering a special gift-making workshop just for kids this holiday season. Those attending 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. Everyone will learn to make several homemade mixes (Cookie and Casserole), homemade play dough, dipped pretzels, and more.

Date: Wednesday, December 8th
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Place: 625 Country Lane, John's Lutheran Church; Lena, IL.
Cost: $3.00 per person
Pre-registration is required by Monday, December 6.

To register, contact the Extension Office at 235- 4125. The workshop is subject to cancellation if enrollment is not sufficient. Adults are welcome to attend and will be needed to help at workshop stations.

I would like to see the following topic(s) at Super Saturday:
I would be willing to TEACH the following topic(s) at Super Saturday:
Name & Phone Number

Return this form by December 15th.

Definitely, if you plan to participate! We plan many workshops and activities and it would be too bad for you to miss them if you didn't thoroughly read your newsletter and respond. Be sure to sign up for all workshops and clinics BEFORE THE DEADLINE. Deadlines are set for a reason. If we don't have enough registered by the deadline, we will cancel. IF you did not sign up for a workshop or clinic, do not assume you can just show up. There probably won't be enough supplies or places set up. If it was canceled, we will only notify those that have signed up, since we don't have any way of knowing who was thinking of coming!

The annual 4-H Foundation Club's Choice Pizza Sales will start December 13th and conclude on February 16th. The pick up day is scheduled for Saturday, March 12th in Cedarville at the Community Center. 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!

Perhaps you would enjoy hosting someone from a foreign country in your home? Either way, 4-H has many opportunities available to 4-H'ers and families just like yours. More and more, global understanding is increasingly important in today's world. The International Programs in 4-H can be just the way for you to understand diversity, learn about other cultures and customs, and learn some vital life skills for being a part of today's melting pot. Become a part of the 4-H LABO (Japanese Exchange) program, or perhaps you would like to take part in the IFYE travel program. You can learn more than you'll ever imagine by taking part in one of these programs. So, if you are interested, consider the following: having a previous participant speak at a club meeting; use the culture kits available through the Extension Office; be a host family; or travel abroad yourself. For additional information, contact the Extension Office at 235-4125.

The state contest for 2005 will be held at the U of I Champaign/Urbana campus in the Animal Science Lab Building. The contest dates are April 9-10, 2005. Hippology and speeches will be on Saturday, Horse Bowl will be on Sunday.

The State Fair Jr. Livestock Advisory Committee met on October 22 to review potential changes for the 2005 ISF Jr. Shows. The following changes were made and will be noted in the 2005 State Fair Premium Book:

Horses

• For safety reasons, NO LOCKS are allowed on stall doors at any time unless the stall contains tack. (By order of State Fair Security)
• As of the 2006 ISF, HELMETS WILL BE REQUIRED BY ALL RIDERS WHENEVER MOUNTED. (Helmets must meet ASTM/SEI standards.)

Rabbits

• The Jr. Rabbit Show is now on WEDNESDAY PRIOR TO THE FAIR (Aug. 10, 2005).

Beef

• Classes will no longer be divided by hip heights. They will be divided by breeds and weights.
• Any animals displaying repeated unruly behavior will be dismissed from the class at the discretion of the superintendent.

Sheep

• A new Ewe Lamb Market Class will be established. Jr. Market ewes must be tattooed and nominated at the same time as the lamb weigh and will not be eligible for the Grand Champion Drive.

Swine

• Barrows that weigh-out during the original weigh will be allowed to re -weigh ONE time if the barrow misses the required limits. The re -weigh request must be made immediately; the animal may not leave the ring/weigh area; and the weigh-back must occur within 15 minutes of the original weigh time. The upper limit for barrow weight has been raised to 275 pounds.

Dogs

• SPECIAL NOTE: The SF 4-H Dog Show committee has not met; however there is a STRONG POSSIBILITY of a date/location change for the 2005 ISF Dog Show due to State Fair programming changes. Information will be forwarded to counties AS SOON AS FINAL DECISIONS ARE MADE. (This could be as late as March, 2005.)

This is a special conference open to youth ages 12-14. This year's conference will be Friday & Saturday, February 11th and 12 at the Western Illinois University Olson Conference Center. The theme for this year will be centered on solving crimes with clues using genetics, etc. Registration deadline is February 1st. If you have any questions please contact the Extension Office.

Dates for this year's camp at Camp White Eagle are June 26-30, 2005. The registration process has already started!! If you enroll before January 30, camp fees are $175.00. Enrollment between Jan. 30 and April 16 is $185.00, and enrollment after April 16 is $195.00. A minimum of $75 must accompany the application form. Campers do not need to be an active 4-H member, and 4-H'ers can bring their friends! Camp enrollment will fill up fast, so don't delay; contact the Extension Office TODAY if you are interested!

Prospective counselors must be at least 15 by June 26, 2005; we are looking for individuals who enjoy the great outdoors, enjoy working with kids, able to be a responsible role model, and most of all, reliable. If this fits you, then we've got a great opportunity for you! How about becoming a camp counselor? Now is the time to think about being a counselor for 4-H Camp. If you are interested in being a counselor, contact the Extension Office for an application. The deadline to apply is January 7, 2005. You do not need to be a 4-H member. Applications are available to any interested teen. After all applications are received, we will be selecting individuals as our Camp Counselors for 2005; submitting an application does not ensure a position. Mandatory training dates are: Saturday, February 19; Tuesday, March 22; Saturday April 23; and Monday, June 16, 2005. These meetings are tentative, with the addition of County Program Planning meetings and Counselor Training Weekend. Trainings will be held in Oregon, unless otherwise noted. We will try to provide transportation options to meetings. ***Attendance at all camp planning and training sessions is required. *** We encourage any interested youth to apply; you may have a life changing experience! Camp is a BLAST!!

John Scheider, Snappy Snazzers, ranked first overall, individual and first in the individual evaluation section at the 2004 National 4-H Skillathon Contest. The November 15 contest was held in Louisville, KY. Representing Illinois were: John Scheider, Freeport; Brittany Phillips, Jerseyville; Kyle Knauth, Milford; and Micki Williams, Ridott. They were coached by Wes Winter. For his efforts, John received a pen/clock desk set, belt buckle, and ribbons. ADM Alliance Nutrition, Pork Checkoff, Profile Nutrition, National Swine Registry, Fort Dodge Animal Health, and NAILE sponsored the awards.

The National 4-H Skillathon has become one of the nation's most challenging competitions for livestock industry youth, attracting top young people from through the United States each year. A highly competitive event for young 4-H members, the contest provides participants with an opportunity to develop skills in evaluation, decision-making, communication, self-discipline, and responsibility. The event is a team and individual multi-disciplinary contest. The Illinois team placed 6th overall.

Youth events such as the National Skillathon are prestigious activities that livestock industry organizations sponsor to develop future leaders. The Illinois 4-H Foundation sponsored the team's training expenses. Congratulations to the Illinois team and especially to John!

Be sure to contact your club leader if you are unable to attend a club meeting. Please remember that you MUST attend 1/3 of the club meetings in order to show 4-H projects.

These very special people will be celebrating a December Birthday!

• Amanda Quintero- 12/ 3
• Gregory Tessendorf – 12/ 3
• Lani Kasten- 12/ 4
• Skylar Paulson-12/ 8
• Jessica Standard- 12/ 8
• Cassidy Lobdell-12/9
• Collin Zier -12/9
• Jordanna Mille-12/10
• Austin Babler-12/ 11
• Micki Williams- 12/11
• Katie Engelkens- 12/11
• Evan Zier 12/12
• Samantha Huston- 12/13
• Amanda Mielke- 12/13
• Joe Werkheiser- 12/13
• Jennifer Thomas- 12/14
• Travis Birr-12/14
• Janine Wingert- 12/15
• Johnathon Campbell-12/16
• Erin Mahoney-12/17
• Jacob Hooper- 12/19
• Sarah Sheffey- 12/20
• Heather Niedermeier- 12/21
• Tylor Henneman-12/22
• Natasha Huges- 12/23
• Caleb Heck- 12/26
• Deanna Bonnet- 12/27
• Robyn Borgmann- 12/27
• Troy Hepler- 12/27
• Matthew Ilgen- 12/27
• Ross Barker- 12/28
• Elizabeth Moest- 12/28
• Mallory Runte-12/28
• Camerone O'Haver- 12/29
• Lindsey Zettle- 12/29
• Harley DeLander- 12/30

I'd like to nominate the following to receive a Christmas Box from Federation:

Family Name		Ages of Children
Address
Parent(s) & Child(ren's) Names:
Sizes/Likes
Brief Description of Current Situation/Need:

Congratulations to our volunteers who were recognized at the Volunteer Banquet on November 10, 2004, at the Four Seasons. This year many people were honored, those included were: Diana Ethridge for her 36 years of service as a Project Leader for the Harlem Helpers; Curt and Pennie Miller for all their hard work and patience serving as the Federation Mom and Pop; and Kera Baumgartner for her endless hours over the past year working on the Stephenson County 4-H website. The adult volunteer of the year award was given to Barb Wire of the Lena Lucky Clovers for her service as a project leader and her assistance in the 4-H program for the last eight years. This year not one but two 4-H'ers were awarded the Youth Volunteer of the Year. Stephen Reilly of the Freeport Fantastics and Kerstin Curry of the Pearl City Hornets were the recipients of this prestigious award. Once again, congratulations and Thank You for all of your hard work, we couldn't do it without you!

Attention Dairy Goat project members: The Buck Kid classes have been dropped from our program this year due to low enrollment in the last several years. You may still enter in any of the milking classes, meat goat classes (new this year), pygmy goat classes, or wether class. If you have any questions, please contact the Extension Office.

All 4-H'ers, age 14 and over, may submit their award applications for State 4-H Award selection. You must have your completed application to the Extension Office by 4:30 p.m., Friday, December 17, 2004. Please follow the guidelines that you received with the application. Applications must have a new cover sheet and will not be accepted if the guidelines are not followed. Questions? Call the Extension Office for help.

Food Serving Sizes

The Food Guide Pyramid provides information about the number of servings youth and adults need from each of the food groups. With the holiday season upon us, the temptation to overeat becomes more of an issue. So, we not only need to consider the kinds of foods from the various food groups and the number of servings that we eat, but also the sizes of the servings. We're enclosing a handout from the Get Up and Move campaign that defines a serving size. Keep this in mind as you eat during the holiday season and beyond!