The Holiday Season is approaching quickly, almost to quickly! There are a lot of things going on within the 4-H Family and outside of it. We cannot forget about all of the new members and thinking that they just know exactly what is happening. Remember, take the time to explain things maybe a little more in detail, just because. It is the same way with your family don't forget them in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. A smile, a hug is always nice to have besides the gifts.
On the radio program the other day with WSDR I talked about community service and volunteerism. The first question that I was asked from the host was, has 4-H seen community service and volunteerism go down with the economy? I was proud to say that really within 4-H we keep strong in these two areas. With community service we are especially busy this time of year and I am so proud of that, but let's keep it up throughout the year. Volunteering we are strong but we can always use help. You may think because of the timing that it is extremely busy, however a lot of the volunteering requires time more towards the spring, summer and fall.
May your travels and ventures be exciting during this time of year!
Have a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!
Seasons Greetings!
THANK YOU FOR NATIONAL 4-H WEEK
Thanks to all of the ambassadors that assisted with cookie jar packing and delivery of the cookie jars. Those ambassadors that assisted were as follows: Marta Bender, Brittany Dykstra, Sarah Gascoigne, Kaleb Medema and Katie Medema. Also congratulations to the Cookie Jar Winners: Jennifer Metzler, Christine Graszer and Lydia Bender; and to the Window Display Winners: Genesee Hillbillies, Fenton Wizards and the Hume Happy Hustlers.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE WHO ASSISTED WITH THE BBQ
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to all of the parents, volunteers and 4-H'ers that assisted with the selling, working and delivery of the wonderful pork chop dinners cooked by the Whiteside County Pork Producers. Thanks for helping support Whiteside County 4-H!
ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT THANK YOU
The 2009 4-H Achievement Night was held on October 24th with great success. The success was do to the great 4-H award applications that were turned in along with great help from the 4-H ambassadors and 4-H volunteers. The ambassadors that assisted with the evenings agenda were: Claire Leonard, Kaleb Medema and Katie Medema. The volunteers that assisted with the programming were: Denee Clark, Greg Clark, Janet Goodell, Roxanne Holland, Gordon Kelm, Chris Krum, Darren Mosher and Brenda Ward. Thank you for all of your help and Making the Best Better!
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION BANQUET
Thank you goes out to the Volunteer Banquet Committee for all their hard work. I hope everyone is enjoying the wonderful door prizes if you won one of them. Thank you to our ambassadors Brittany Dykstra, Sarah Gascoigne, Kaleb Medema, Katie Medema and their leader Chris Krum for helping at the banquet with setup, presenting and clean up. Most importantly, thanks to the volunteers who gave of their time all year long so our 4-H program continues to change lives for the better.
OFFICE HOLIDAY HOURS
The University of Illinois Extension Office, Whiteside County, will be closed for the holidays from December 24th-January 3rd. The office will re-open at 8:00 a.m. on January 4th. The office will also be closed on Monday, January 18, 2010 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
BAD WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
If Extension programs are canceled because of bad weather, listen to WSDR (1240 AM) or WSSQ (94.3) in Sterling or KCLN (1390 AM) in Clinton, KZEG (94.7) in Clinton, WZZT (102.7) in Morrison or WIXN (101.7) in Dixon for cancellation announcements.
TRIP TO AN INDOOR WATERPARK
Whiteside County 4-H Federation will be taking a trip to an indoor water park on Sunday, January 17, 2010. We will need parents to help carpool and chaperone. If there are parents willing to help out please let me know ASAP! All of the logistics are still being worked on so watch for more details!!!
Remember that December 1, 2009 all re-enrollment of past 4-H'ers is due in the Extension Office! Additional projects, other than livestock, can be added until May 1st!
FOOD DEMONSTRATION/PUBLIC PRESENTATION CONTESTS
It's that time again to select your topic, gather your notes, and practice, practice, practice for the annual 4-H Communications Contest to be held on Monday, February 15th at the Extension Office. Food demonstrations begin at 2:00 PM and public presentations will follow. All participants must pre-register with the Extension Office by February 8th, 2010. Prizes and awards will be given the day of the event. Everyone who participates will win a COOL prize.
Given below is a description of each category you may wish to enter. Ribbons and premium money are awarded to all participants. Top junior presenter will be selected, as will other award winners described in this article.
FOOD DEMONSTRATION
The demonstration must be related to a state offered food and nutrition project unit in which the member is enrolled. Demonstrations may be an individual or a team of 2. Members are responsible for furnishing all equipment and supplies needed. A stove, refrigerator, demonstration table, trays, and overhead mirror will be available to use. Demonstrations are to be 8 to 10 minutes in length.
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS
Talks, including illustrated talks, can be on any subject selected by the contestant. Speeches should be in one of the following six categories:
Formal Speech
Formal speeches, (without props or aids), must be between 4-6 minutes in length. Formal speeches provide info to the audience.
Illustrated Speech
Illustrated speeches, (with visual aids), must be between 4-6 minutes in length.
Extempore Speaking
Members must be present 45 minutes before their assigned time to select their topics. Topics will be related to events of state, national, or international issues from January of current year to present. Members will draw three topic options for their speech from a large number of topics. They will then select one of these three topics for their speech. Participants are responsible for providing their own research materials for this class. Participants will have 45 minutes to prepare a 4-6 minute speech.
Demonstration
Demonstrations may pertain to any topic except foods and nutrition. An individual or a team may give demonstrations. Members must furnish all equipment and supplies needed. Demonstrations must be 8-10 minutes in length (trays are available).
Original Works
Member may present any type of original works (i.e. comedy, storytelling, original poetry, radio segment, etc.). May be done by an individual or a team of no more than 3 members. Works must have been written by 1 of the team members. Segment must be between 4-6 minutes in length.
Oral Interpretation
May be humorous or dramatic interpretation, oratorical declamation, prose reading or verse reading. Material may be read or memorized. May be done by an individual or a team of no more than three members. Interpretation must be between 4-6 minutes in length.
GRANTS AND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
4-H members and clubs, there are many grants available to you if you apply for them. There are $50 to $250 grants per year available to clubs for 4-H Community Health Improvement Programs and there is $50 to $250 grants available per year for 4-H Community Improvement Programs. If you are planning on doing a certain community service and need some extra money this is an opportunity to check out. For applications call the Extension office at 815/772-4075. Deadline for applications are January 30, 2009.
CULTURE KITS AVAILABLE
There will be a culture kit available again through the State 4-H Office. We also have 10+ other culture kits available for you to utilize. They consist of Australia, Egypt, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Sweden, Guatemala and much more. If your club would like to utilize these kits, please contact the office.
MAGNIFICENT MONDAY PRESENTERS NEEDED!!
It's time to start thinking about Magnificent Monday presentations. Even though it's scheduled in February, we need to have a schedule of workshops ready to go by December, so I am giving you an opportunity to get ready now. I am specifically looking for 4-H'ers to demonstrate some kind of "hands-on" workshops. What are your areas of expertise? Visual Arts? Livestock? Foods? Outdoor Activities? Recreation? Many of you are very talented in several areas. This is your chance to share your expertise and gain some leadership experiences!!! Fill out the sign up sheet enclosed and return to the Extension Office. If you have noticed that the sessions are again hour long sessions so if you don't want to be the main presenter each session will need helpers. Thanks!
NOTICE THE DATE FOR MM IS FEBRUARY 15, 2010!!!
BEEF WEIGH-IN
Beef Weigh-in for Beef Rate-of-Gain and 2010 Illinois State Fair beef steers will be Saturday, February 13, 2010. It will be held from 9-11 AM at the Dave Vanderlaan farm, 17792 Holly Road, Morrison.
BEEF BUCKET CALF ESSAY
In 2010 there will be a Beef Bucket Calf Essay Contest. Scholarships will be given to help purchase a bucket calf. Essay criteria is to tell why you want a beef bucket calf and how you will take care of it. You must care for and show the calf in the 4-H Show in 2010 and as a second year bucket calf in 2011. Participants only qualify to win a calf once every two years. Essays are due in the Extension Office by February 12, 2010.
ILLINOIS HORSE FAIR
The Illinois Horse Fair will be March 5-7, 2010. For more information go to www.horsemenscouncil.org.
2010 JUNIOR STATE 4-H HORSE SHOW DATES
The 2010 State Fair Junior Horse Show will be Tuesday, July 27 through Sunday, August 1st. Registrations for the State 4-H Horse Show Classes will be due prior to July 1st. We will update you, as we know more.
HORSE DATES TO REMEMBER
January 1 - Project Enrollment Deadline.
April 1 – Horse Photos and Leases: All 4-H'ers enrolled in a horse project, MUST SUBMIT THREE photographs (front and two side views), and a copy of their lease agreement or ownership forms to the Extension Office by April 1. Old Forms on the same horse may be initialed and dated or new forms may be picked up at the office. NOTE: You need to check and make sure that you have pictures of the right horses submitted from the previous year. If you participated in the State 4-H Horse Show we do need new pictures, because state required them. Members who plan to exhibit a horse registered in their parent's name need a signed statement (lease agreement) on file. If you have any questions or doubts call the office.
DOG INFORMATION
Dog obedience classes will start shortly. Please stay tuned for more details. If you are enrolled in dogs you will receive a notice.
2010 PORK AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Illinois Pork Producers are looking for 2010 Pork Ambassadors. You must be 18 to 23 years of age or completing your senior year in high school. For more information contact the Extension Office at 815-772-4075.
SWINE FARROWING DATE
Swine farrowing date for the 2009 4-H Show is January 14, 2010.
LIVESTOCK JUDGING
Have you ever been interested in learning more on how to judge beef, swine and sheep? We are looking at continuing the judging team for Whiteside County, but to do this it requires teammates and volunteers. If interested contact Karen at the Extension office at 815/772-4075 to be put on the mailing list.
LAMB CHAIN
How about a lamb for a 4-H project?? A lamb is available to the 4-H'er who writes a winning essay telling why you would like to have a lamb as a project. The winner of the lamb will care for and show the lamb at the 2010 4-H Show. He/she must then breed it and pass on another lamb within two years. The deadline for the essay is January 4, 2010. If you have questions, contact the Extension Office. Come on, don't be baaashful; starting writing!
DEADLINES
January 1st is the deadline to sign up for the following projects:
Beef
Dairy
Goat
Horse
Poultry
Rabbits
Sheep
Swine
2010 Whiteside County 4-H Camp at LOMC
Date: Sunday, June 13 - Thursday, June 17, 2010
Fees for camp:
Before Feb 28 $235.00
Mar 1 thru April 15 $245.00
April 16 & later $255.00
A minimum $75 deposit must accompany the application form. Any balance due must be paid by May 1, 2010. You may pay this in monthly payments or all at one time by May 1, 2010. Any registration after May 1 must be paid in the full amount at registration time.
Financial Assistance:
LOMC also offers financial assistance to campers wanting to attend camp at LOMC and they are offering this for our week of 4-H Camp too. If you are interested in applying for this you must fill out a form, 60 days before camp, for LOMC which is available through our office so if you would like one contact us at 815-772-4075.
Fundraising:
We encourage all clubs and club members to participate in local fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of camp, January - March, to earn your way to camp. Contact Gordon Kelm at 815-438-3185 if you are interested in fundraising to earn your way to camp. More information will follow in upcoming newsletters.
Registration:
**Applicants may get camp registration materials from the Whiteside County Extension Office at 100 E. Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270, Phone 815-772-4075
** Again this year completed registration materials and fees will be mailed directly to the Whiteside County Extension Office.
**Past campers will be mailed registration forms from the Extension Office. These should come out in December if you don't receive one let the office know.
CAMP COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING
Counselor-In-Training program will be for those who have completed 8th grade and are 14 years old by September 1, 2010. When you register for the Whiteside week of camp put on your application that you want to be a C.I.T. this year. This is offered only during Whiteside's week. The cost of this is the same as the resident camp fee. For those who want to be counselors in the future, you will need to come to camp one year and take the pre C.I.T. training which is on the last day of camp and then come back the next year as a C.I.T. and go through training the whole week of camp. After you have completed this, you will be required to attend at least four training meetings through the winter and go to counselor training weekend the first part of June. If you have any questions about any of these programs, call Gordon at 815-438-3185.
ILLINOIS 4-H JR. LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The Illinois 4-H Jr. Leadership Conference will occur February 20-21, 2010 at the Lake Williamson Camp & Retreat Center near Carlinville, IL. This event is open to Illinois 4-H members that are in 7th or 8th grades as of September 1, 2009. Cost for the two day leadership event is $98, if we have a group of 4 or more the cost will go to $93/person. Scholarships will be available. For more information contact the Extension Office at 815-772-4075.
NATIONAL 4-H CONFERENCE
National 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Maryland will be held March 20-25, 2010. Illinois Delegation will consist of 5 to 6 teens, ages 15-18. Delegates must be 15 to 18 years of age as of January 1, 2009. (First Consideration goes to State 4-H Leadership Team.) This is a working conference on future programming of 4-H on a national, state and local basis. Deadline for applications are December 7, 2009. For more information contact Karen at 815-772-4075.
THE GREAT 4-H DEBATE
4-H'ers from across Illinois are invited to converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The Great 4-H Debate is for all high school age Illinois 4-H'ers who are interested in learning about how Illinois state government works. This will be a two day event on February 12 and 13, 2010 with a cost of $60. Registration is also open to non 4-H'ers. Deadline for registration is January 22, 2010 for more information contact Karen at 815-772-4075.
CITIZENSHIP WASHINGTON FOCUS
The Citizenshiop Washington Focus trip will be July 10-17, 2010. Delegates must be 14 - 18 years of age as of May 1, 2010. The cost is a minimum of $1050.00 and an increase may be possible depending on the number of delegates. Online registrations are due by December 15, 2009. For more information contact the Extension office at 815-772-4075.
4-H HOUSE
Are you a girl, looking at attending the University of Illinois in the Fall of 2010 and wanting to get involved then check this out. The 4-H House is a cooperative sorority located on the Champaign-Urbana campus is seeking new members. As a cooperative living sorority, the 56 women of 4-H House take responsibility for preparing their own meals and keeping the house in working order. 4-H House provides an inexpensive living alternative to women who have had at least 5 years of 4-H experience. Living at 4-H House saves members over $5,000 per year when compared to living in University housing. If interested contact the Extension Office for more details.
TEEN LEADERSHIP AWARD: FARM BUREAU 4-H PREMIER LCP AWARD
Again, the Illinois Farm Bureau & Affiliates Youth Education Committee will be sponsoring the " 4-H Premier LCP Award." This program is designed to recognize older 4-H members who excel in the areas of leadership, citizenship and professionalism. Two 4-H'ers from the county are sent to the state level. The top ten selected will have the opportunity to attend the 2009 Premier 20 Youth Conference in April. Applicants must be at least 17 years of age by December 1 and cannot have reached their 19th birthday by September 1 of the current year. If interested in applying, stop by the Extension Office and pick up a copy of the application. The application deadline must be postmarked by December 15, 2009.
CHRISTMAS TREES FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
4-H Federation has came up with a new and exciting way to assist needy families in the Whiteside County community during the holiday season. On Saturday, December 5th Federation members will be going out and cutting fresh trees down and delivering them and decorations to needy families throughout Whiteside County. Join in in this wonderful fulfilling opportunity! If you are interested in 4-H Federation now would be a great time to come see what it is all about. We will be meeting at the Extension Office at 10:00 a.m. to head out to the tree farm from there. Check out the flier enclosed in the newsletter!
4-H FEDERATION HOLIDAY PARTY
Come have some holiday fun on Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at the Extension Office. Pizza, scavenger hunt, community service, games, movies and fun will be had by all! Check out the flier enclosed in this newsletter.
WELCOME NEW 4-H'ERS
Cottonwood 4-H Club
Kara Saville - Cloverbud
Kayla Saville
Corrie Scobee
Kellie Scobee
Kurt Scobee
Laura Zuidema
Leon Wide Awakes
Lauren Johnson
Maureen Johnson
Paul Johnson - Cloverbud
Taylor Skromme
4-H BRICKS
The Whiteside County 4-H Support Fund will be selling bricks for the Memories In Mortar again this year. The bricks will be in place by the 4-H Show again. You can buy a brick in your name, someone else's name or a business or a club. Order deadline is May 1, 2010 and this year the bricks will be sold at $60. Check out the flier enclosed in the Cloverleaf Special to place your order today!
Fenton Wizards
By: Erin Stichter
The Fenton Wizards 4-H Club met at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church Hall on Sept. 24, 2009. The meeting was called to order and the pledges were said. The treasurer's report was given. Then, business was discussed. The fall edition of the Drive-Thru Pork Chop BBQ is Oct. 1. Do not forget to pick up your meals at 6:00pm at St. Ambrose Church. Those present received the club schedule for meeting dates and times, and talks/demonstrations/refreshments for the upcoming year. 4-H week is the week of Oct. 4-10, 2009. This year's theme is: 4-H…Keeping it Green. Members will be meeting at the Erie Public Library to decorate the Window Display with clean recycled materials and small projects to promote 4-H. They will also be wearing 4-H t-shirts to school on Fri. Oct. 9. If you are not able to wear your 4-H shirt on Fri. due to sports, wear it any other day of the week to promote 4-H. Re-enrollment folders and sheets were distributed. If you missed the meeting, please make arrangements with a leader to either pick it up, or have it delivered. We were reminded to please remember to read the monthly Cloverleaf from the Extension Office. It is full of information that you don't want to miss. Special dates and activities in the cloverleaf were read out loud. Achievement Night for Whiteside County has been changed to Oct. 24, 2009. Our club Achievement Night will be Sat. Nov. 7 at St. Ambrose Hall. This is a family potluck. The next meeting is Oct. 22 at 6:30pm at the Catholic Church Hall. Kuhnens are scheduled for talks/demonstrations and refreshments and there will be a speaker as well. Erin Stichter gave a talk on "Sewing a Tote Bag". The meeting was adjourned. After the meeting, 4-H members made bookmarks to be distributed at the library to kids during 4-H week. Refreshments were provided by the Stichter family.
Fenton Wizards
By: Olivia Mettler
The Fenton Wizards 4-H Club met at St. Ambrose Catholic Church Hall on 10/22/09 at 6:30pm. They enjoyed a speaker, Ed Anderson, from the Illinois Department of Conservation. He spoke about the Illinois Prairies.
The meeting was called to order by Vice President, Megan McCullough. The American Pledge was led by Chance Johnston and the 4-H Pledge was led by Koby Kuhnen. Members gave roll call by telling about their Halloween costume. Several new members and guests were present. The secretary's report and treasurers report were given.
The club discussed the results of the 4-H week activities. The club won 2nd place in the Window Display contest and member, Christy Graszer received 2nd place for her cookie box. The club also decided to send a thank you to the Erie Library for allowing the club to use their window.
New dates for the 4-H show have been set for July 12-15, 2010. County awards night is on 10/24/09.
In the business part of the meeting, the club also discussed ideas for the Christmas float. Bring your ideas to the next meeting.
Koby Kuhnen gave a talk on Sportfishing. Aubrey Graham gave a talk on Natural Resources Refreshments were provided by Kuhnens.
The next meeting is Sat. November 7, 2009 at 6:30pm at the St. Ambrose Catholic Church Hall. It will be a family potluck. Members and guests should bring their own table service, a meat dish, and a dish to pass. Drinks will be provided. Come and recognize the accomplishments of last year's 4-H'ers.
Remember 4-H Club Reporters to turn in your club reports to Karen at the Extension Office! You can email your report to her at katkinso@illinois. edu, you can fax it at 815-772-4077 and finally but not least you can send it by snail mail to 100 E Knox Street, Morrison, IL 61270.
December
1 Re-enrollment Deadline for All Re-Enrolling 4-H Members
5 4-H Federation Christmas Trees for Needy Families, 10:00 a.m. at the Extension Office
24 – Jan 3 Extension Office Closed, Happy Holidays
29 Federation Holiday Party - Collection for Food Pantries, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Extension Office
January
1 Project Enrollment Deadline for: Beef, Dairy, Goat, Sheep, Swine, Rabbit, Poultry & Horse
4 State 4-H Award Application Due at the Extension Office
17 Waterpark Trip, TBA
18 Extension Office Closed
19 Leaders' Association Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office
February
8 Registration Deadline for Communications Contest
13 Beef Weigh-In, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
15 Magnificent Monday Workshops, 9:00 a.m. at the Morrison United Methodist Church
15 Communications Contest, 2:00 p.m. at the Extension Office
21 Federation Meeting & Guest Speaker, 3:00 p.m. at the Extension Office
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