The enrollment deadline for previous 4-H members is March 1st. But, those who have gotten all of their forms in by January 3rd will have their names put in the hat for a prize drawing!

New member enrollment deadline is April 1st.

Are you a creative 4-H member–one who likes to create photography, audio, video, or mixed media on the computer or using digital technology? Or, are you a 4-H'er who would like to learn more? If so, please visit

http://www.4hdmc.org. The Digital Mayhem Challenge (DMC) is an opportunity for youth to submit electronic materials that help promote 4-H, as well as tutorials to build technology skills and learn about the video, audio, and graphic production process. Submissions will be added to the website continually, so check back often! Prizes go to winning entries quarterly.

Without the work of the adult volunteers, there would be no such thing as

4-H clubs. These volunteers give an abundant amount of unrecognized time and effort to keep the 4-H program strong in the county. We would personally like to thank each of our organizational leaders for all they do to help our youth become leaders!

The following are the Organizational Leaders in Stephenson County.

Baileyville Bandits

Jackie & Larry Sander

Country Critters–

Belinda Chritz

Country Cuzins–

Linda Meier

Davis Rockets–

Julie Miller

Bonnie Campbell

Florence Crickets–

Jane Hendrickson

Dean Kuper

Freeport Fantastics-

Denise Hayunga

G. V. Golden Eagles–

Rhonda Kasten

Harlem Helpers–

Bonnie Bawinkel

Rose DeVries

Lena Live Wires–

Kathy Baumgartner

Lena Lucky Clovers–

Dorothy Wire

Pearl City Hornets–

Claire Brinkmeier

Barb Curry

Janine Tessendorf

Pearl Valley Rangers–

Curt & Pennie Miller

Jeff & Becky Thomas

Rainbow Rangers–

Mary Engelkens

Karen Wilhelms

Snappy Snazzers–

Pam Ryman

Susan Grindey

Whiz Kids–

Jeannette Lincicum

Please take time to thank these leaders, as well as all the other leaders in your club!

The 2008 Joys of Gardening conference, presented by the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, will present a host of new and exciting experiences for gardeners. This seminar will be held Saturday, February 23, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Highland Community College Conference Center in Freeport. There will be several hands-on workshops this year including a cooking demonstration, vermicomposting workshop, and the ever popular building a willow garden structure. The registration fee is $25 for those that register before February 11 and $30 after February 11. For further information, contact the Extension Office at 815-235-4125. 4-H members can register for 1/2 price!

Jennika Alber

Emma Arbogast

Sabrina Barry

Austin Block

Courtney Borchardt

Alex Brinkmeier

Sarah Chritz

Sean Cooper

Emily DeHaven

Chelsey DeVries

Erin Ebbesmeyer

Charles Elliott

Alexander Geiseman

Whitney Hellwig

Kourtney Heun

Kelsie Kluck

Courtney Knight

Samantha Koch

Sydney Koch

Christina Kruger

Andrew Leek

Noah Linicicum

Mikhayla Luttropp

Robert Martz

Mollie Miller

Nicole Moest

Preston Niedermeier

Cattrina O'Haver

Jacquelyn Purple

Callina Rockey

Luke Rumage

Christopher Sander

Jacob Scheid

Brittany Simler

Justin Spellman

Benjamin Stake

Kassidy Stephan

Drew Strohecker

Mike Thom

Alyssa Walker

Kate White

Kyle Wichman

We are looking for donations to go toward purchasing ribbons for the 4-H Program. Ribbons cost the 4-H program over $2,000 a year! We are asking each family to donate $5.00 to be used to purchase ribbons. Also, if you have Stephenson County 4-H ribbons that are around the house and are in very good/almost new condition, have no writing on them, and you no longer want them, we will accept those as well. Everyone receives a ribbon for their project and we hope that you and your family will be willing to help so that we may continue to award all of the youth in Stephenson County 4-H.

SSgt Shamecka Harris, a member of my Guard unit in Toledo, lost everything in a house fire on Christmas day while she and her family were away visiting family and enjoying the holiday. Their home burned down and everything was a

complete loss. Thankfully no one was injured. She and her husband have three young sons (ages 1, 3, and 5). Shamecka is a great person and a young member of our unit.

I know this family isn't from our community, or even our state, but I know how big the hearts of our 4-H families are and I'd love to see us make a difference for this family in need.

I would like to collect items (boys clothing sizes: 2T, 4T and 7), toys, games, kitchen supplies, etc.) that are new OR gently used. We can accept cash or checks payable to: Shamecka Harris. I will need to take the items to drill next month, which means I will need everything that is going to the them NO LATER THAN Tuesday, January 29 - that gives me time to pack it all up and load it in my car for that coming weekend.