4-H Happenings

A NEWSLETTER FOR HANCOCK COUNTY 4-H PARTICIPANTS

December 2007 Issue

Leaders’ Banquet a Big Success

Sixty-two 4-H leaders and 4-H supporters were honored at the annual Leaders’ Association Banquet held at the Methodist Church in Orland. Every year the theme is to say a “special thank you” to those involved with 4-H.  The awards give us a chance to see some of what is happening in 4-H and the entertainment provides a chance to sit back and relax. The  evening ends with a silent auction that proves both amusing and rewarding for some of the lucky ones.  It also added $325 to the Leaders’ Association treasury. Next year we hope more of our new leaders join us so that we may honor them. Sue Baez gave, for the first time, special University of Maine pins to the Officers and the Board: Brenda Jordan, Terry Swazey, Joe Wilbur, Lisa Carney, Barbara Hopkins and  Dwight Sargent. Norma was too busy watching and forgot to get that camera going for a group picture.  Bet “you guys” all feel bad about that! This was just another way to say “thank you.”                         
Submitted by Norma Hardison, 4-H Program Aide

Norwood & Becky Ames were honored  with 4-H folding chairs. They deserve a rest but not for too long. There are still a lot of young people out there who need them. Becky (24 years) and Norwood (19 years) have been involved with horses and then in Shooting Sports. They are in the process of planning their third State Shooting Sports training. That takes a lot of time and work as well as running a club. Norwood says thanks but reminds us that it takes a lot of other people to make a club successful. How well we know that but for tonight it was thanks to “Norwood & Becky.”

Upcoming Events

NORMA’S NOTES - I thought those with a  “scrapbooking project” might like this idea I saw in a magazine.  Instead of throwing out old birthday and holiday cards, cut out the words and pictures to use in your scrapbook. It’s much cheaper than purchasing expensive stickers, and adds special meaning to the pages. This is just one of the many ways to recycle those beautiful cards.

CLUB CHAT - Maine Chapter of Safari Club International made a donation earlier this year to purchase a new 22 target rifle. At the last meeting the 4-H’ers posed for a picture holding the new purchase. The Safari Club is happy to promote safe handling of firearms and teaching good stewardship of our natural resources. 

Left to right - Front row: Robin, Henry, Joseph, and Spencer.  Second row: Jessica, Casey, and Katherine.  Third row: Abbey, Luther, John, and Justin.

4-H NEWS

Re-Enrollment - Last notice. Leaders please be sure to complete ALL paperwork and return it to the Extension Office by December 31st. There will be no exceptions. If you do not re-enroll, this will be your last newsletter.

 Get Well Wishes - are extended to 4-H leader Bonnie Moretto.  She spent a week in the hospital for back surgery having the majority of her thoracic (mid back) fused together.  She’ll be laid up for   6-8 weeks.

 Get Well Wishes - are also sent out to new 4-H member Rory Bradford.  Rory has just joined the Horse of Course Club and leader Annie Smith reports that  Rory fell off her pony earlier this month and broke her leg. She had to have surgery in Bangor, but have heard that she is home again now.  Thanks!  Annie

 Leader Recognition - Congratulations to the following leaders 1st year: Shannon Curtis, Angela Hamilton, Joyce Hanson, Michael Haskel, Joanne Jodrey, Lisa Jordan, Ralph Jordan, Edie Kershner, Emily Lowell, Lorie Scovin, Aimee Stormann, Carolee Tully, Molly Varnum, Christy Woodcock, and Linda Woodworth;  5 years: Barbara Allen, Carolyn Bender, Stephanie Bender, Lisa Carney, Gayland Cole, Jasmine Honey, Lorraine Honey, Kelly Pontbriand, and Justin Rowell;  20 years: Pamela Geagan. 25 years: Methel Wilbur; and 40 years: Valerie Rice.

 Former 4-H’er Headed to Iraq - Erik Tainter, son of leaders Ruth & Troy Tainter, left last week to go to Iraq.  Erik would love to hear from 4-H’ers.  Erik’s email address is:  amphibiouswarrior0311@yahoo.com. We’ll be thinking of you Erik while you are serving our county.    

 Baby Congratulations - We’re pleased to send out baby congratulations to several of our 4-H families.
· Late but sincere congratulations go out to 4-H leader Justin Rowell and his wife Brandi.  Their son, Logan Scott, was born on June 17, 2007, weighing in at 10 lbs 1 oz and 23 inches long.  We’re told Isaac loves being a big brother. Congratulations also to the proud grandparents, Methel and Joe Wilbur and great grandmother Barbara Hopkins. 
· Extended wishes to 4-H leaders Ralph & Lisa Jordan on the birth of their new daughter, Lydia Jane.  She was born on October 29 weighing in at 6 lbs and 6 oz. Lisa stated that Sally just loves her new sister to death!
· Also extended wishes to 4-H leaders Gregg & Brenda Jordan who are the proud grandparents to Olivia Louise Jordan  who arrived November 16 weighing in at 9 lbs and 8 ounces, 21 inches long.  Jeremiah, Charlotte, Lucas & Jocelyn are all excited with the addition to their family.

 What an exciting time for these families!

State 4-H News

1. 4-H EDGE Weekend 2008
It’s Back!  4-H EDGE WEEKEND 2008: Connecting Kids to  Campus
May 17 and 18, 2008
An on-campus experience for 4-H youth ages 11-15. 
“College Life at the EDGE of your future!” 

 For youth participants:  Hands-on workshops with UMaine departments, meals in The Marketplace and University Commons, over night in a residence hall, experience on-campus recreation and activity opportunities, find out what excites YOU about the college experience.  

For parents and older teens:  FREE workshops on college life, financial aid, and becoming “college-ready.”  

Save the dates!  Registration forms will be mailed out in January.

 2. Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center Gift Certificates
Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, a program of the University of Maine Cooperative extension has gift certificates available for 2008 programs. This holiday season, instead of giving the special child in your life one more device that will collect dust in a couple months, why not give him or her the gift of nature, adventure and discovery?

     Gift certificates can be purchased in any amount and can be used toward any of Tanglewood’s exciting outdoor programs at their Blueberry Cove Camp in Tenants Harbor and Camp Tanglewood in Lincolnville.  Affordable program offerings for 2008 include family camps and a variety of youth day and residential, discovery, and leadership camps for ages 5-18 years old.

     To order visit www.tanglewood4h.org or call (207) 789-5868. Also, Tanglewood will be releasing their 2008 program catalog in December and will be available online or by calling the office. 

3. 2008 Brain Power Engineers Week Expo
Saturday, March 1, 2008
University of Maine Orono
For more information go to www.EngineeringME.com
Cost: $2.00 per person donation suggested

4. Infovets Educational Materials
Give that animal lover something special for the holidays! Order a CD for your  favorite person who wants to learn more about the animals they love.  For $27.95 each (includes shipping & handling), you can obtain a CD to gain knowledge about your cat, dog, horse, goat, sheep, beef or dairy.  If you prefer the book style, you can    purchase the manuals for all the groups   mentioned.  The manuals cost $80.95 each (includes shipping and handling).  Mail your requests along with a check made out to York County Shepherds to:
UMCE – Donna Flint
21 Bradeen Street, Suite 302
Springvale, ME  04083
For more information contact Donna at 1-800-287-1535 or 324-2814.

5. Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of July 5 to 12, 2008. Citizenship Washington Focus is a leadership program  conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15 to 19. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will leave on July 5 and return on July 12, 2008. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be a part of the trip.  

    Contact your county 4-H office to find out how to apply for this trip. Each county will have their own selection process.

6. Market Beef
All 4-Hers in the Market Beef project who plan to raise a steer for the Windsor Fair or Fryeburg Fair, need to send in an “Intent to Sell” form to their County Cooperative Extension office by January 3, 2008. The forms are available at your county office and on- line at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/beef/2008beefintent.doc.

      In January, you will be contacted about the time and place to tag your steer. The person tagging your steer will have an approval form for you to fill out and s/he will record your tag numbers. Your approval form for your Market Beef project is due in your county Cooperative Extension office on February 15, 2008.

7. National 4-H Conference
Seven delegates from Maine will attend the National 4-H Conference March 23 to 28, 2008. They are Kellene O’Hara from Aroostook County, Natalie Marceau from Waldo County, Michaela Davis and Ashley Martin from Cumberland County, Marjory Hardy from Franklin County, and Cassandra Webster and Hattie Gushee-Kimball from Oxford County.

      This five day youth conference is held at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside of Washington, DC where 4-H delegations from every state meet to share ideas and form recommendations for the future of 4-H. Delegates participate in activities that emphasize civic engagement, youth-adult partnerships, and professional development.  

     If you are between the ages of 14 and 19, and would like to attend the National 4-H Conference in 2009, you can apply this spring. More details will be in your county newsletter.

8. 4-H Earth Connections Sustainable Living Team
The 4-H leadership structure includes an active team focused on environmental education – the Earth Connections Sustainable Living Team.  Our team brings together 4-H members and staff to discuss and make decisions on supporting environmental education in the 4-H program across the state.

4-H Earth Connections began in Maine in the mid-1980’s out of a deep and growing concern among ordinary people about the environment and our ability to adopt sustainable living practices. Rather than using the conventional youth environmental education model of teaching about nature, 4-H Earth Connections teaches that humans are part of nature; part of the interconnected web of all life.

     The overarching goal of 4-H Earth Connections is to educate and mobilize youth, adults and families so that they recognize themselves as part of an interconnected world and become committed to sustainable living.  If you’d like to learn more about Earth Connections & Sustainable Living, check out the Maine 4-H Earth Connections web site:  http://www.umaine.edu/umext/earthconnections/

We are recruiting new members, seeking funding to support teams, creating new resources, preparing marketing materials and curriculum for counties to use, and supporting statewide efforts.  In 2008 our Team will be offering the first annual UMaine Extension Earth Connections/Sustainable Living Conference (stay tuned for more information in future newsletters!) 

The ECSL Team generally meets at Tanglewood 4-H Camp and Learning Center, in part to avail us of the great staff resources there.  The team is open to meeting elsewhere around the state and by phone and video conference if there is interest to do so.  We are seeking volunteers to join us in our work, so please help us get the word out.


The Earth Connections Sustainable Living Team welcomes all to join our efforts. To find out more about the ECSL Team please contact Jon Prichard at 1-800-287-1535 or 324-2814.

Norma On The Look Out
Pies by Monica

Reporter: “Many women do not like to make pies. At ten years old, how did you decide to do a pie making business?”
Monica: “Last summer I said to my mother, I want to make a pie. She said go ahead but don’t be disappointed if the crust doesn’t come out good. My crust came out so well Mom was amazed. Two weeks later I made a squash pie that came out good.”
Reporter: “What kind of experience do you have?”
Monica: “Not much. Cooking in 4-H has helped a lot.”
Reporter: “What do you like about making pies?”
Monica: “I like it when people come to pick them up and say WOW what a good job. I like to pour the filling in the crusts. I like making the slits in the top crust.”
Reporter: What don’t you like ?”
Monica: I don’t like to take them from the oven   because of the heat. I get frustrated when my double crust doesn’t come out good; when it dries and  crumbles.”
Reporter: What kind of advertising do you do?”
Monica: Mom has made a business card with my picture on it. My Nana gave me my first order for an apple pie. I taped the first dollar to my bedroom wall. Thanks to some of the ladies at the Eastbrook church for helping me start my business with Thanksgiving orders.
Reporter: “Who’s equipment do you use and do you use ready made crusts?”
Monica: “I use Mom’s equipment and my crusts are made from scratch. After I get enough profit I can buy some of my own supplies. Right now the only thing I own is a measuring cup that I got when I went to the 4-H Way Cool Science.”
Reporter: “Do you have a specialty pie?”
Monica: “It depends. Right now it is apple but I want to come up with my own idea.”
Reporter: “How has 4-H helped you with this business?
Monica: “4-H taught me about using cooking utensils and to be careful around the stove and to keep records.”
Reporter: “Thank you, Monica for the interview and good luck with your new business.
Monica: “Can I add one thing? I am asking my customers to please call or send a note about what they like or don’t like about my pies. It would help my business.”
Monica to reporter: “Can I go back to calling you Nana now?”

4-H Happenings

An informational source for 4-H leaders in Hancock and Washington Counties 

4-H Demonstrations

One of the greatest fears identified by many people is that of speaking in front of others! 4-H members can develop their communications skills through demonstrations. Each 4-H member is encouraged to present a project talk or demonstration at his or her club meeting during the year. Here are a few tips to help guide members through the process. 

Plan - Choose a topic that you have learned about in your 4-H project work and that you can do well. Be sure you can show or tell others about the topic in the given time frame (3-5 minutes). Pick a topic that you think others will be interested in learning about. Select a catchy title for your talk or demonstration. Limit your presentation to one idea and learn all the facts you can about the topic.  There are three parts to every good public presentation – introduction, body and summary.

Introduction - In planning the introduction you will want to think about how you will greet your audience and tell what you are going to present and why. You may also want to tell the audience how you became interested in the topic.

Body - In planning the body of your talk or demonstration, list the steps to be shown in order and decide what you are going to do for each step. List supplies needed for presentation and decide what you are going to say for each step.

Summary - In planning the summary, you will need to think about how you will show the results of your presentation. You will want to plan to restate or briefly repeat main points; give sources of information; give your audience a chance to ask questions; and finally give out samples or materials (optional). 

Prepare - In preparing for your talk or demonstration, don't memorize your presentation.  Instead use small note cards. Be sure to follow the poster guidelines and have your materials labeled and organized. (for more tips and guidelines on preparation, go to  http://www.maine4h.umaine.edu/demonstration.pdf )

Practice - Plan for a three to five minute presentation. Use a timer to keep track of how long you talk and how fast you talk. Practice in front of a mirror first and then practice for family or friends. Often when you get nervous, you will talk faster than if you are speaking in front of the mirror. Be sure you have enough material to fill up your time allotment.

Present - During your presentation, speak clearly with a loud voice. Pause for a few minutes for effect. Speak with excitement and enthusiasm. Keep good eye contact with the audience. Smile and have good posture. Show you are glad to be present.              Adapted from University of Illinois Extension

Maine 4-H Youth
Development Mission
To educate and empower Maine youth through hands-on and  community-based experiences.

 Maine 4-H Youth
Development Vision
Maine youth acquire the knowledge, life skills, leadership abilities and attitudes to help them succeed now and in the   future through effective collaborations, hands-on experiential education and self-directed learning.
 

“To Make the Best Better”
“Learn by Doing”

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Last Modified: 12/06/07
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Hancock County Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
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