Greetings,

We hope everyone had an enjoyable holiday! Holidays are magical! Yesterday (12/22), Pam and I delivered Christmas boxes to a need family affiliated with 4-H .

4-H Federation started this tradition of collecting food and buying presents for the family. Our continued success is made possible by your generous donations. THANK YOU!!

As Pam and I dropped off the boxes, we were filled with wonderful feelings! The mother was overwhelmed by our 4-H'ers generosity.

4-H'ers single-handedly made a Christmas for a family. Pam stated, "When the kids get an idea in their head, they end up doing big things!"

Be proud you helped a family–GOOD JOB!

Thank you for your involvement.

Chelsea & Pam

Most 4-H'ers know the 4-H Pledge, but few have seen the 4-H Creed. As you read this, try to see if your 4-H experience is offering you these opportunities–if not, you might want to see how to get more involved!

THE 4-H CREED

• I believe in 4-H Club work for the opportunity it will give me to become a useful citizen.
• I believe in the training of my HEAD for the power it will give me to think, plan, and to reason.
• I believe in the training of my HEART for the nobleness it will give me to be kind, sympathetic and true.
• I believe in the training of my HANDS for the ability it will give me to be helpful, skillful, and useful.
• I believe in the training of my HEALTH for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, to resist disease, and to work efficiently.
• I believe in my country, my state and my community and in my responsibility for their development.

Hey future campers! We have already begun plans for 4-H camp this year. This year's camp dates for Stephenson County are June 26th– June 30th. Camp prices for 4-H camp follow. If you register before January 30, cost is $180. The price is $190 from January 30- April 16. The price is $200 after April 16. A minimum of $75.00 must accompany the application form when registering. Scholarships available this year include: the brother/sister scholarship offered by Camp White Eagle through the April 16 deadline. The first child pays full price, the next three can go for $100 if registered by April 16th. Camp registration forms are now available at the Extension Office. Get a head start and register today, as camp fills up fast!

A camp first aid volunteer is needed for this year's 4-H camp June 26th through June 30th. We would like this person to be First Aid and CPR certified. The volunteer would spend the week at camp and help with any first aid situations. This is an unpaid position but the volunteer may have one child attend camp for free. If you are interested please call the Extension Office.

Without the work of the adult club volunteers there would be no such thing as 4-H clubs. These volunteers give lots and lots of unrecognized time and effort to keep the 4-H program strong in the county. We would like to thank each of our organizational leaders for all you do to help our youth become leaders! The following are the Organizational Leaders for each 4 -H club in Stephenson County.

Country Critters	Belinda Chritz
Country Cuzins	Linda Meier
Davis Rockets	Julie Miller
	Bonnie Campbell
Florence Crickets	Jane Hendrickson
Freeport Fantastics	Sue Reilly
Harlem Helpers	Rose DeVries
	Bonnie Bawinkel
GV Golden Eagles	Rhonda Kasten
Lena Live Wires	Kathy Baumgartner
Lena Lucky Clovers	Dorothy Wire
Lucky Lancers	Kera Baumgartner
Pearl City Hornets	Chris Urish
	Cindy Heimerdinger
	Janine Tessendorf
Pearl Valley Rangers	Jeff & Becky Thomas
	Curt & Pennie Miller
Rainbow Rangers	June Mellinger
Snappy Snazzers	Angie Birr
	Pat Yeagle
Whiz Kids	Jeannette Lincicum
Winslow Clovers	Maury & Lynne Howe

4-H members are recognized at Achievement Night if they meet the individual standards of excellence for their age level. We'd like to remind you what the Standards of Excellence are for each age group.

Project Achievement: 8-11 year olds

1. Select project and set goals; complete project record sheets or award application.
2. Attend 2/3 of the club meetings.
3. Give a talk or demonstration; exhibit the completed project.

You will receive a Project Achievement medal the first year you accomplish these standards, and a certificate for the following years in this area.

Service Achievement: 12-14 year olds

Continue completing the above Project Achievement standards, plus the following:

1. Serve on a committee or as a club officer.
2. Participate in community service or a learning activity in the community relating to the member's project.
3. Assist a leader with a special club activity, tour, or program.

You will receive a Service Achievement medal the first year you accomplish the above six standards and a certificate the following years in this area.

Leadership Achievement: 15-18 year olds

Continue completing the above six standards, plus the following:

1. Participate in one or more learning experiences at the county, regional, or state level.
2. Assist in conducting a program at the county level or beyond.
3. Provide leadership for a project area.

You will receive the following Leadership Achievement awards if you accomplish all nine standards.

• Leadership Key Ring at age 15
• Leadership Notebook at age 16
• Leadership Plaque at age 17
• Leadership Key Award at age 18

Each fall your club leader turns in a list of members achieving these standards. Be sure to talk to your leader for ideas or suggestions on how you can help serve your club and attain these Standards of Excellence

The annual 4-H Foundation Club Choice Pizza Sales are underway! You have until February 16th to sell those pizzas. The pickup day is scheduled for March 12th, at the Jane Addams Community Center in Cedarville. We encourage all members to go out and sell the fund-raiser items like never before! We appreciate everything you do to help support this endeavor. Funds go to support 4-H events for you and your 4-H friends! Remember that we have several incentive gifts this year, so SELL, SELL, SELL!

Did you know that all of the newer 4-H manuals require three years to complete? This includes all of the animal project manuals, woodworking, aerospace, child development, etc. Whichever projects have level I, II, III are designed to take three years to complete each level.

The practice of leasing animals to show in 4-H is only permitted for horses, ponies, and dogs. Remember that horse and pony lease and ownership forms are due by May 1st to the Extension Office. The dog lease and ownership forms are due by May 15. Be sure to be aware of all lease/ownership deadlines!

If you have questions about beef, swine, sheep, dairy, equine, or poultry, there is a great website that will supply you with educational materials. Illinois TRAILL is a coordinated effort between universities, Extension, and the livestock industry to provide training, research, technical support, and concurrent information. The website is http://il-traill.outreach.uiuc.edu.

All 4-H'ers who intend to exhibit animals at the 2005 Stephenson County 4-H Livestock Shows must abide by the following animal ownership, lease, and registration deadlines:

January 1st

• Beef Steers
• Dairy Cows
• Dairy Goats
• Milking
• Doe Rabbits

May 1st

• Horses
• Horse Leases & Registration Papers Due

May 15th

• Dogs
• Market Sheep
• Dog Leases Due

June 1st

• Breeding Beef
• Beef Heifer
• Calves
• Dairy Goat Kids
• Dairy Goat Yearlings (not in milk)
• Pygmy Goats
• All Swine
• Swine Ear Notch Forms Due
• Dairy Calves & Heifers
• Breeding Sheep

June 15th

• Dairy Registration papers due

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.

The 4-H Beef Weigh-In is scheduled for Saturday, February 5th at the Lena Vet Clinic. All the details have not been finalized, but each beef project member will receive a letter with the information and pre-registration info that will need to be returned to the Extension Office by February 1st. If you have not yet enrolled and have a beef project, let the Extension Office know so that we can send you the information. The weigh-in will be held from 9 a.m. till 12 p.m. We would appreciate each member weighing according to the schedule below. Please go by the first letter of your last name. The schedule is as follows:

9 a.m. to 10 a.m. – R-Z
10 a.m. to 11 a.m. –A-H
11 a.m. to noon – I-Q

The Poultry Committee is planning a clinic for all members in this project area on January 22, 2005, at Highland Community College, Room 101. If you are enrolled in this project, you should have received a flyer for this event. If you are not yet in enrolled in this project and plan on enrolling call the Extension Office to get a flyer sent to you.

The state Fair Junior Livestock Advisory Committee has made the following changes, which will be noted in the 2005 State Fair Junior Show Premium Book:

• Horses – *For safety reason, NO LOCKS are allowed on stall doors at any time unless the stall contains tack. (By order of Sate Fair Security).
• As of the 2006 Illinois State Fair, HELMETS WILL BE REQUIRED BY ALL RIDERS WHENEVER MOUNTED. (Helmets must meet ASTM/SEI standards.)
• (Revision to 2nd paragraph of #7, under Additional information for Exhibitors.) In the Land of Lincoln classes, only animals which are Illinois bred, born, and owned and exhibited by Illinois 4-H and FFA members shall be eligible to participate in classes 69301, 69302, 69401, 69602, 69607, and 69500. Please refer to the complete Land of Lincoln rules in the Jr. Department Premium Book.
• Dressage will have an additional level. Information will be forthcoming in the ISF Jr. Premium Book.
• Rabbits --
• The Junior 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. Junior Market Ewes must be tattooed and nominated at the same time as the lamb weight, and will not be eligible for the Grand Champion Drive.
• Swine --
• Barrows that weigh-out during the original weight 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 weight time.
• The upper limit for barrow weigh has been raised the 275 pounds.

Don't forget to turn in your entry for the Program Book Cover by January 7, 2005. This year's theme is "4-H...So Bright You Gotta Wear Shades!" All designs must be in one color, preferably black, very clean, free from wrinkles, and on 8 1/2" x 11" 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!! Computers may be used to design entries, as long as the design and layout is the 4-H'ers own work. We look forward to seeing many creative entries soon.

You've seen the TV show and wondered how those people learn that investigative stuff. Now's your chance to experience it up close and personal by attending CSI: 12- 14 Conference Crime Lab. This regional workshop will be held at Olson Conference Center on the Western Illinois University campus in Macomb on February 11-12. Open to youth ages 12- 14, the program begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and concludes Saturday at 3:00 p.m. Learn all about CSI careers while you experience investigation, electrophoresis, and solve the crime!!! The cost is $60 per participant. Registration deadline is February 1st, so contact the Extension Office quickly if you wish to participate.

The 4-H House is a cooperative sorority at the University of Illinois in Urbana- Champaign. It was founded in 1934 to provide an economical home for college women. Organized as a cooperative sorority, each house member shares in the management of the house and the house's daily responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning. The 4-H House also provides social enrichment through involvement in the University Greek System. To become a member of the 4-H House, at least five years of 4-H club work must be completed. For more information, please contact the Extension Office.

Carroll County is hosting a Livestock Judging Contest on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at the Carroll County Highway Building, 1/4 mile west of Mt. Carroll on Rte. 64. Registration is 8 - 845 a.m.; Contest starts at 9 a.m. There will be 3 rings each of beef, sheep, swine -- of these 1 of each species will be a production class the 10th class will be a questions class.

Dairy judging will be Saturday, March 5th, 2005, at the same place. Registration will be from 12:15-12:45 p.m. Contest starts at 1:00 p. m. and there will be 5-8 rings of dairy to judge.

Adult volunteers are needed to be ring leaders and help with scoring, set-up, and clean-up There is no cost for 4-H'ers to attend. Preregistration is appreciated so we know how many to plan for. Call the Extension Office 815-244-9444 by February 25th. It is also helpful in the event that we have to cancel the judging contests because of the weather, we will know who to notify.

FFA will be selling hot dogs and pop at noon. For more information, please call Leanne Rahn, Carroll County, Youth & Family Community Worker.

DeKalb County is hosting Horse Sense 101: Basics of Horse Ownership on Saturday, January 29, 2005 at Kishwaukee College, 21193 Malta Rd., Malta, IL. We mailed a flyer to those enrolled in horses this year and last year. If you did not get a copy or would like more infor, please call the Extension Office and we will mail you the information.

Celebrating birthdays in January are:

• Nicole DeVries- 1/02
• Mollie Miller- 1/02
• Megan Plenger-1/03
• Shane Werntz- 1/04
• Kelsie Kluck- 1/8
• Christine von Schrott- 1/08
• Austin Block- 1/9
• Jeff Kunz- 1/9
• Kassidy Stephan- 1/0
• Alyson Bilgri –1/10
• Stacie Mokros- 1/11
• Emily DeHaven – 1/12
• Carie Lynn Meinert- 1/12
• Erik Dornink- 1/14
• Callina Rockey-1/14
• Whitney Hellwig-1/14
• Samantha Koch- 1/14
• Sydney Koch- 1/15
• Sarah Chritz- 1/15
• Corbin Grossenbacher- 1/15
• Christopher DeVries – 1/16
• Kyle Wichman-1/18
• Preston Niedermeier –1/19
• Courtney Knight- 1/20
• Mary von Schrott-1/20
• Holly Turman-1/20
• Mike Thom- 1/21
• Jacob Clay- 1/22
• Erin Ebbesmeyer- 1/22
• Rebecca Arnold – 1/25
• Brittany Simler- 1/25
• Matthew Wise-1/26
• Alex Brinkmeier- 1/27
• Amanda E. Watter-1/27
• Brian Bull –1/27
• Chelsey DeVries-1/27
• Preston Hull – 1/28
• Stephen Terpstra- 1/28
• Christina Kruger- 1/29
• Casey Allen – 1/30
• Cattrina O'Haver-1/31
• Christopher Sander- 1/31
• Jacob Scheid- 1/31
• Russell Wire-1/31

*Sunday, February 27, 2005
*5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
*At the YMCA in Freeport

• Open Gym, Swimming, Movie & Popcorn
• Racquetball (bring your own equipment)

*Cost is $5 per person OR $15 per family
(Anyone age 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult.)

*Refreshments furnished!

This event is open to all Stephenson County 4-H families and their friends. If you bring some friends interested in joining 4-H, then both you and your friend(s) will get your names entered in a drawing for some REALLY cool prizes!

RSVP by turning in the attached slip and your money to the Extension Office by Wednesday, February 9, 2005! We must have 90 people or this event will be cancelled.

If event is cancelled, all money will be refunded.

This event is being organized by the: Stephenson County 4-H Expansion and Review Committee–Club Enhancement Sub-Committee.

January:

7 Program Book Deadline
8 Bowling Party
14 Camp Counselor Apps Due
16 Ski Trip
22 Poultry Clinic
24 Federation Meeting
25 Leader's Meeting

February:

5 Beef Weigh-In
16 Pizza Sales End
21 Federation Meeting