Green Day- Time of Your Life

Another turning point
a fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist
directs you where to go
So make the best of this test and
don't ask why
It's not a question but a lesson
learned in time

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your
life

So take the photographs and still
frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health
and good time
Tattoos of memories and dead
skin on trial
For what it's worth it was worth
all the while

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your
life
It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

It's something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

"This is a Great song! Make the best of your life! Obstacles may cross your path but that's okay, life is about living and learning!"

Enjoy,

Chelsea

"I love this song! It takes me back to my years in 4-H. I was involved in the State Leadership Convention planning committee and this was the song we closed the convention with. In everything I have done and will do, my memories are what I enjoy the most! I hope all of you take the time to have the "Time of your life"."

Pam

The winner of this year's 4 -H Program Book Cover contest is Kerstin Curry of the Pearl City Hornets. We had quite a few entries this year and we would like to thank each of you for the time and effort you put in to take part in the contest. Those who sent in entries, in addition to the winners were:

• Melissa Bronkema, Pearl City Hornets
• Mark Bronkema, Pearl City Hornets
• Mandy Bronkema, Pearl City Hornets
• Michelle Bronkema, Pearl City Hornets
• Morgan Curry, Pearl City Hornets
• Emily Gahm, Freeport Fantastics
• Shelby Gahm, Freeport Fantastics
• Josh Krogman, Lena Lucky Clovers
• Heather Lott, Florence Crickets
• Sara Miller, Davis Rockets

They are all very talented and made the competition great this year. Thank you!

You will receive information and registration next week for our Super Saturday. We are offering a wide variety of workshops that will be both informative and fun! Registration will soon underway and will continue through March 4th. The registration and payment must be to the Extension Office by 4:00 p.m. on March 4th. The day will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Session sizes are limited and will fill up quickly, so choose the workshops that you would like to participate in and return them with the $4.00, per participant, fee plus any fees listed for particular sessions. The sooner they are received in the office, the better c hance you have to get your first choice in workshops.

If you use the 4-H Clover, please be aware of the clover use rules, and that the 4-H Clover is protected by law. Be sure that the only lettering or writing that is on the Clover is the H's that are in the leaves. Anything else on the Clover is an illegal use of the Clover. Also be aware that the Clover colors are limited to four colors that it can legally be printed in. Those colors are Green, White, Black, and Gold. Any other color or mixture of colors is not legal. Call the Extension Office for more information if you plan to use the Clover for something

Any youth that enrolls in a 4-H club/group, but fails to attend any club events (meeting, tours, workshops, or other activities sponsored by the club/group) cannot be viewed as a 4-H participant/member. Therefore, the youth is not eligible to take part in 4-H exhibitions, receive 4-H premiums, or other 4-H awards and recognitions. Don't lose out–make sure you participate and make the most of your 4-H experience! See Club Attendance Policy for further information. (next article.)

We'd like to remind everyone of the attendance policy for exhibit requirements. There is a 1/3-club attendance policy for meetings. The rule reads as follows: from September 1st, 2004, to August 31st, 2005, in order to exhibit at any of the 4-H shows, the 4-H'er must attend at least 1/3 of the club's meetings after joining (by the enrollment deadline) and prior to specific show dates at which the 4-H'er intends to exhibit. Each leader will turn in a form listing those that do not qualify to exhibit by the required deadline. Any questions, call the Extension Office for further clarification.

• Are you 15-18 years old?
• Have you successfully completed all levels of your project area?
• Do you want to continue a study in your chosen project area?

If you can answer "yes" to each of these questions, then Clover Challenge may be the option you need! Clover Challenge is an advanced study unit for state 4-H projects (not county). This is an option only after the 4-H member has successfully completed all other levels in a particular curriculum area. To assist members who enroll in Clover Challenge, a Clover Challenge Agreement, which each member must fill out, can help the member design his/her project. For more details, and a copy of the Agreement, contact your leader or the Extension Office.

4-H has been invited to the Cardinals Baseball game May 7 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Cardinals will be playing the San Diego Padres; the game starts at 1:15 p.m. 4-H'ers and accompanying adults will be able to go onto the field, and even have their picture taken in the Cardinal dugout. What a great memorial to have of Busch Stadium before it comes down in 2006! This makes a great club trip, or a nice family day! Call the Office for more details!!

The 9th annual 4-H Legislative Connection is scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. This is a great time to get our message to the lawmakers that "4-H makes a difference in the lives of Illinois youth, their families, and communities in which they live." We hope to make an impression on the lawmakers with the talent, poise, leadership, communication skills, and personal achievements of our 4-H youth. State Fair Superior Award winners will be receiving an invitation directly from the State 4-H Office. Once you've received that letter, if you have any questions, please feel free to give our office a call. Also, if you're planning to attend, please call the Extension Office. February 14, is the registration deadline- don't be late!! We will keep a running list and let you know who you might ride with or share a room with. Be sure to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn and to share how 4-H does make a difference for us all!!

The Cloverbud Party is scheduled for March 17, 2005 at 6 p.m. at Highland Community College in the cafeteria. This year's party theme is FIESTA!!!! There will be games, food and fun for all! All Cloverbuds will soon be receiving an invitation. The Federation Cloverbud Committee has been working hard to make this event a fun one for our Cloverbuds, so please take time to attend. It is sure to be a great time!!

Don't forget that the Beef Weigh-In will take place on February 5th from 9:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Please follow the assigned schedule of times that was in the letter that you received. This will really help to make the day run more smoothly. Also, please note that the weigh-in site is the Lena Vet. Clinic. If you have any questions, or did not get a Weigh-In form, please be sure to give the Extension Office a call! Registration deadline is January 31st.

Forty-three people attended the 4-H Federation Ski Trip at Tyrol Basin in Mt. Horeb, WI, on Sunday, January 16th. Everyone had a blast! There weren't any broken bones and no emergency room trips – we are happy to say! There were snacks, smiles, and stories for everyone when they took a break for dinner. We look forward to skiing with everyone again next year.

With the exception of a few projects; everything will be the same as 2004

Summary of Major Changes for 2005 State Fair 4-H Exhibits

• Although non-conferencing judging in State Fair eligible 4-H project classes will again be conducted prior to the beginning of the fair, conference judging has been added for one project area per day on Monday through Friday of the second week of the fair.
• Posters, display areas, and class e xhibit requirements have been reduced in size.
• The numbers of exhibits allocated to Extension units by project area have been reduced.
• Additional action-oriented judging i ncludes Fashion Revue (superior ribbons will be awarded) and skill-a-thons in Dairy Foods and Outdoor Meals I (S'mores and More).
• New project exhibit classes include Citizenship III, Financial Champions, and Digital Photography.
• Class deletions include Kites.

Details regarding these changes may be found in the 2005 Illinois State Fair Junior Department Premium book 4-H Exhibit Division section.

MAKE SURE YOU READ YOUR PROGRAM BOOK!!!!

4-H Federation sponsored a 4-H Bowling Party at the 4 Season's Bowling Ally in Freeport. We had a pretty good turn out and everyone seemed to have a fantastic time. The scores from this fabulous adventure are:

High Scores –

• Bumper Top Scorer – Noah Lincicum (Whiz Kids)
• Jr.-Jr. Top Scorer – Courtney Clay (Whiz Kids)
• Jr. Top Scorer – Jermey Willis (Whiz Kids)
• Sr. Top Scorer – Mark Engelkens (Rainbow Rangers)
• Adult Top Scorer – Ruth Werkheiser (Lena Live Wires)

Low Scores –

• Bumper Low Scorer – Ryan Miller (Davis Rockets)
• Jr.-Jr. Low Scorer – Morgan Curry (Pearl City Hornets)
• Jr. Low Scorer – Haylee Endress (Pearl City Hornets)
• Sr. Low Scorer –Sabrina Lewis (Snappy Snazzers)
• Adult Low Scorer – Sherman Willis (Whiz Kids)

Beef--Steers must be weighed and tattooed on or between February 1st and March 15th, 2005, to be eligible for the Illinois State Fair. All beef animals must be castrated prior to tattooing. Each exhibitor may nominate a total of 10 steers for the State Fair Open and Jr. Premiere Classes. To qualify, carcasses must grade at least low select, have a yield grade lower than 4.0, and weigh 900 lbs. or less. Stephenson County 4-Hers' steers must be weighed and tattooed on February 5, 2005, at the county beef weigh in.

Pork--Swine have to have been farrowed on or after February 10, 2005. Both purebred and crossbred swine are eligible. Each exhibitor may nominate a maximum of 25 barrows at the time of tattooing. Swine must be castrated before they are tattooed. Barrows must be nominated, ear notched, and tattooed before they are 35 days old.

Swine cannot weigh more than the equivalent of 1.0 pound per day of age when tattooed. All swine must be tattooed by April 15, 2005. Please contact Pam Schingoethe at the Extension Office if you need swine weighed and tattooed for this program!

Sheep--Lambs for the 2005 Illinois State Fair Jr. and Open Premiere Shows must be nominated, weighed, and tattooed between March 15 & May 15, 2005. All Premiere wethers must be owned no later than May 15th. An exhibitor may nominate a total of ten wethers. Lambs must have been castrated prior to tattooing for the wether classes at the State Fair. Please contact Pam Schingoethe at the Extension Office if you need sheep weighed and tattooed for this program! Premiere Animals Showing at the State Fair

4-H camp is a GREAT summer activity for kids!!! Campers age ranges from ages 8-15, from all over Stephenson, Ogle, and Lee Counties. Campers spend June 26th - June 30th at Camp White Eagle, in Leaf River, Illinois. Campers sleep in cabins with qualified, responsible, caring, and most of all FUN counselors!! Each day campers choose "camptivities" that they want to go to. Camptivities include: Archery, Arts and Crafts, Riflery , Canoeing, Swimming, Crate Staking, Recreation, River Walks, Challenge Hikes, Rock climbing, and more!! Evening activities include, and not limited to, opening and closing campfires, talent show, impromptu skits, relay races, scavenger hunts, and night walks. Does camp sound interesting!! DEFINETLY!!

The price before January 30th is $180.00. January 30th thru April 16 is $190.00 and after April 16 the price is $200. A minimum $75.00 deposit must accompany the application form If you want more information contact the Extension Office!!!

Each year Stephenson County has exceptional youth apply to be a camp counselor for the SOL (Stephenson, Ogle, Lee) Camp Week at Camp White Eagle. It is our pleasure that we have had ten applicants selected to be counselors for the 2005 camp year. These individuals are responsible and we believe once trained will help contribute to the greatness of the SOL team and to the success of a GREAT camp week! Serving as Counselors from Stephenson County:

Sara Earnest	Laura Miller
Mitch Berning	William Miller
Brandon Lamm	Lindsey Scheider
Chelsea McIntyre	Candi Seffrood
Kelsey Miller	Kraig Wheat

My name is Gretchen Elsasser and I'm going to tell you a little about what I did this summer during the six weeks I spent on my IFYE trip to Finland. Let me just say that it was an amazing time. There were so many things I had never done, or maybe even thought about before.

The first experience that I'm going to tell you about is the flight. I had never been on an airplane before, or even seen the inside of one, unless you count Air Force One. I was excited and nervous at the same time. I thought my first flight was going to be international which had me a little worried, but we ended up starting from Missouri, so I had the time during our flight to Chicago to adjust to this new adventure before we went out over the great, blue ocean. Now I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me back up to the Kansas City airport.

We have checked in, made it through security, everyone has their passports, tickets and carry-on luggage and now we just have to board the plane. We were all a little nervous, I think. We only have a few minutes until boarding time when a voice comes over the loud speaker telling us that there are severe weather conditions in Chicago and they are not letting anyone take-off or land. They said it would probably take one hour for things to clear off so that we could head out.

Two hours later we're finally in the air. It's amazing!! We fly over the clouds and see only sunshine above. After one hour we're ready to land in Chicago. Only then did we find out that our connecting flight to Sweden had already left. Our chaperones came to the rescue and after a little paper work and a lot of running we managed to snag a flight to Manchester, England instead. We walked aboard about five minutes before take-off. I sat down and breathed a sigh of relief. Just then, believe or not, a voice (with a British accent this time) came over the speaker telling us that there was some trouble with the plane and take-off would be delayed while they figured out what was wrong. It turns out that with all the rain some of the wires had gotten wet and they had to shut off all power in order to dry them off. So we sat in a very large, very dark plane for about 45 minutes. The wires got sorted out and after our second 2-hour delay we were ready to go. Once again the delightful loud speaker came on with yet another announcement for us. Because of the delay, our supper was no longer hot enough to serve. Now I have to tell you that it was now about 8:30 p.m. and nobody from our group had eaten since breakfast at 8:00 that morning and we were all starving. The crew decided to serve us half of breakfast for supper and then the other half in the morning. We were just glad to eat!!

After a seven hour flight, we landed in Manchester just in time to run through what seemed like every hallway to find our final plane and board at the last possible minute. Because we had to change flights so late due to the missed plane in Chicago, they didn't know we were coming so there were no meals for us. The crew was great and they managed to throw some things together for us so that nobody would go hungry.

We arrived in Helsinki that evening only to find that our luggage had gone a different route and would be catching up with us in the next few days. Let me just add that carry-on is VERY important! : )

Our luggage came the day before we split up to go to our different host families. I was up at 5:00 a.m. (don't forget the time difference - that made it even harder to get up that early) to catch my train to Savonlinna. Now the real adventure begins!

Thanks Gretchen- more focus articles to come, detailing Gretchen and Shannon's amazing trip!!

Lots of Great Birthdays for the month of February

• Marilu Anderson
• Mandi Armstrong
• Allison Bamberg
• Jacob Bardell
• Benjamin Baumann
• Darci Clark
• Valerie Curran
• Morgan Curry
• Crystal Daniels
• Shelby Davidson
• Alissa DeHaven
• Christopher Dornink
• Rachel Dornink
• Morgan Duncan
• Mark Engelking
• Ryan Gahm
• Jessica Grismore
• ZayLinn Grossenbacher
• Kara Johnson
• Jace Kempel
• Kyle Koester
• Hannah Kuhlemeier
• Ethan Lartz
• Jacob Mack
• Kayla Miller
• Jessica Mordick
• Alysca Niedermeier
• Tabitha Richards
• Lindsey Scheider
• Ben Thomas
• Andrea Winder
• Alexander Wise
• Stephanie Wise
• Maddie Witt

Stephenson County 4-H Federation is sponsoring a Dutch Mills Bulb Fundraiser. The profits generated from this sale will be used for providing leadership activities for the 4-H youth in Stephenson County. The Top three youth (providing they beat Margaret's sales total) will get a package of certificates for the Freeport Park District. For everyone selling 10 items or more will be invited to a pizza party with Kim, Pam, and Chelsea.

Key Sales Dates:
Sale Starts: 1/24/05
Sale Ends: 2/21/05
Orders Due: 3/1/05 Return orders to the Extension Office
Delivery Day: TBA
Delivery Time & Location: TBA

*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.

(Please return this portion of the form to the Extension Office no later than Wed., February 9, 2005)

---

Registration Form
Name(s):
Phone Number:		Enclosed is	$_________

My family and our guests agree to abide by the 4-H Code of Conduct.

(Signature of Parent or Guardian)

February:

5–Beef Weigh-in
12–Leader's Super Saturday
16–Foundation Pizza Sales End
21–Federation Meeting

March:

8–KIM RETURNS!
12–Pizza Delivery Day
17–Cloverbud Fiesta Party
18–Pizza money due to Ext. Office
19–Super Saturday
21–Federation Meeting
29–Leader's Meeting