Greetings,

The new 4-H year is off to a wonderful start. Thanks to all of the fantastic 4-H leaders and parents that spend numerous hours helping make the program a huge success.

Congrats to all of our Achievement Night Winners. You can check out the program with all of the winners listed at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/will/downloads/20449.pdf

Hope you have a great 4-H year!

Dave McMurtry, Interim Youth Educator

Jocelyn Knox received the National Award for her Illustrated Talk at the NJHA convention held in Harrisburg, PA. There were 210 participants from 14 states. In addition to the contests, the delegates went on tour of Longwood Gardens where staff there conducted workshops in a variety of areas including integrated pest management (IPM), plant management, plant propagation, and composting. They also visited Hersey, PA (and of course Chocolate World) and the Milton Hershey School. They went on tour of the state capitol grounds and visited the Senate, House or Representatives and Supreme Court chambers. Banquet speakers included an entomologist from University of Maryland, "Bugs, Plants and You" . This was also the 75^th anniversary of the National Junior Horticulture Association.

On December 12, Operation Care Package for the second year, is going to lay wreaths at the Abraham Lincoln Cemetery. Last year several 4-H'ers and their families as well as Master Gardeners participated in this activity. But there were so many volunteers, there weren't enough wreaths for everyone to lay even one. So this year, we asked how could we help with this project.

Debbie Smothers, the head of Operation Care Package, said it would be a great help if we could help feed the volunteers after the event, last year they ran out of food very early. The Master Gardeners have invited the 4-Her's to join them on this project. We would ask that the food be dropped off at the Extension office on Saturday morning, December 12 by 9:30 a.m. If you are interested in making one or two side dishes (regular size recipe) please call the Extension Office at (815) 727-9296 and let Nancy, Coleen or Mariana know.

IT IS A COAT DRIVE!!!!

Most of you are aware of a community just south of us called Pembroke. They have a need that we would like to help fill. They did not ask for our help but we know our community wants to give it. We are collecting NEW or Gently used coats, gloves, scarves, snow pants,sweatshirts and NEW socks and NEW hats. There is a need for both children and adults sizes. Drop boxes are currently available at the Connor Shaw 5^th Grade Center, & Peotone Junior High School in Peotone, Immanuel UCC in Peotone, and thru Prairie 4-H by contacting Virginia Hamann 708-258-3306 or Teri Hall 708-534-1903. Please take this time to go through your closets or pick up something new to show our children that charity starts at home. If you have any questions please contact either Virginia Hamann 708-258-3306 or Teri Hall 708-534-1903. from Prairie 4-H.

There will be a Candymaking and Cookie Decorating Workshop on Saturday, December 12 from 9:00 a.m.- Noon. This workshop will be led by Cindy Pecka. The workshop will be held at the Grundy County Extension Office in the basement of the Farm Bureau located at 4004 N Division Street in Morris. This program is for children ages 7 and up. The cost is $8.00 and includes supplies and lunch. Call the Grundy County Extension Office to register. Their phone number is 815-942-2725. Deadline to register is December 4. Please be sure to let us know of any dietary restrictions or allergies when you call to register.

We will be using recipes from our Candymaking Project so this may be an opportunity to try some of the recipes in advance of the 4-H Fair. There will also be extra recipes not from the project book. Bring a cooked 6 in. cookie in a plastic bag.

The Mather Family, pictured left to right, Vivian, Miyuki, Jay, Jayson, Vanessa & Cody

Will County became the home for seven Japanese students and one adult chaperone here through the Illinois 4-H/Japanese Exchange Program.The four-week summer program matches Japanese students, ages 12-16, with area teens and their families. The state of Illinois welcomed 50 delagates this year, placing them throughout the state. The students who come from various cities in Japan come to experience American culture and improve their English language skills.

The Will County Area Coordinators, Vivian and Jay Mather, recruited the host families within our county. The host families were: from Frankfort-John & Joyce Sears, Lane & Lydia Mather, Jon & April Pomerantz, and Jesus & Velia Saucedo, from Monee-Jay & Vivian Mather, from New Lenox-Jeff & Karen LaBine, from Peotone-Miguel & Linda Aguilar, and from Joliet-Fran & Tina Figueroa.

This year's host families enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, boating, sightseeing in Chicago, the Illinois State Fair, and horseback riding with their Japanese students. If you are interested in being a host family in 2010, please contact Coordinators, Vivian & Jay Mather for more information at (708) 534-8171.

International Opportunities

International 4-H Exchange Programs provide 4-H youth an opportunity to connect with the global world around them by hosting international visitors or providing travel opportunities to another country.

Some of our exchange opportunities find participants living with 4-H families or with families in organizations that have similar values and goals as 4-H – providing opportunities for families to do things together with other families. Traveling or hosting through 4-H International Exchange Programs require some work and preparation, but the benefits realized by the individual and host families are priceless.

Travel opportunities await 4-Hers 12 – 18 years of age (varies by program) to destinations in Australia, Costa Rica, and Japan.

Hosting opportunities include both short term (approximately one month normally June - August) for inbound youth 12-18 years of age and year-long opportunities (10-11 months) for inbound youth 15 – 17 years of age participating in the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and Japanese High School Exchange.

Recruitment is currently underway for host families for the 4-H Japanese Summer Exchange that will occur between July 22 and August 20, 2010. Additionally families are needed for year-long FLEX program participants arriving in August, 2010. Click on the link below to obtain additional information describing the expectation of being a host family and to access host family application materials.

If you are interested in participating in any of these international programs, as a host or as an exchange participant, please contact Jay and Vivian Mather, the Will County International Exchange Program Coordinators at (708) 534-8171.

Sign up today! Teens from across Illinois are invited to converge in Springfield to debate bills and learn about the legislative process. The 4-H Great Debate is for all high school age youth interested in learning about how Illinois state government works.

During the two-day event, teens will:

• Learn persuasive speaking
• Develop an understanding of the legislative process
• Meet people from other areas of the state

Besides all the work, participants will meet youth from across the state and enjoy games and music on Friday night. Sponsorship of bills will be on a first come first serve basis.Register early to get your first choice!

Registration fee for the conference is $60. The deadline for registration is January 22, 2010. Lodging will be at Lake Springfield Christian Academy. Delegates will need to bring bedding, towels and toiletries in addition to clothing.

More details on the conference are available on the web at http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mclean/greatdebate/. Registration forms will be available after November 18 online or through your local county Extension Office.

Become a Fan of The 4-H Great Debate on FaceBook.

Citizenship Washington Focus is a weeklong program that will provide you with many insights into the workings of our federal government. The 2010 Citizen Washington Focus is scheduled for July 10-17, 2010.Through small group sessions at the National 4-H Center you'll learn about federal legislation, the political parties, the Bill of Rights, and how to make a positive impact in your community. You'll have appointments to meet with some of our Illinois Congressmen and share information with them about 4-H and University of Illinois Extension.

Eligibility – Delegates must be 14-18 years of age by May 1, 2010. There is an initial limit of two delegates per county. (If a county has more than two youth interested, additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list and inclusion of those youth will be determined after December 15.) Counties or units who provide scholarships to two or fewer members may allow others to attend who wish to pay their own way. The above policy still applies. All delegate positions are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information, call the Extension Office at (815) 727-9296 or go to this website: https://my-s.extension.uiuc.edu/documents/895091910091009/Brochure%202010.pdf

Are you a female member of 4-H, interested in attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign next year? If so, 4-H House Cooperative Sorority could be the perfect home-away-from-home for you while attending college! 4-H House provides an economical, fun, relaxed living environment with other girls who, like you, have been active in 4-H related activities. If 4-H House sounds like it would be a great fit for you, do not hesitate to contact our Interviewing Chair, Katherine Chenoweth, at (217) 344-4784 or by email at kchenow2@illinois.edu. Also, check us out at www.4hhouse.com! We look forward to hearing from you!

The Will County Extension Office will be closed for the holiday season on the following dates: November 26 & 27 and December 24 through January 1, 2010.