HOME

The sign on the Jolly Junior’s float for these happy elves says "Making the Best Better

78 Years"

These happy elves are

Arthur, Ethan, and Norman.

Walking with the Mix n’ Match club is Destiny with her goat “Felicity” and Lindsey with her goat “Kiko”. In the background is Maiah with “Dancer,” Mom Lisa and Lorie Scovin.

NORMA’S NOTES -A Happy New Year Greeting and Special Thanks to special people…. From all the staff at the office we send you best wishes for the new year and special thanks to each and everyone of you for your participation in 4-H. To the volunteers, a HUGE thanks for your gifts of time and talent to our youth! To the parents, many thanks for the time and energy you put into helping with 4-H projects, club activities, fundraising, and every other way you make your child’s participation possible. And last but not least, to our wonderful youth! This program is all about you - about your aspirations, your leadership development, your enthusiasm, curiosity, and caring. You are an inspiration to us all!

CLUB CHAT - 4-H News by Monica Jodrey Jolly Juniors
This is my first club report. Christmas is coming and the 4-Hers have a busy schedule. At the cookie swap, we made centerpieces (one to keep and one to give away). As usual we got to choose three dozen delicious homemade cookies. That was hard to do!

Now let’s march to the parade. The Jolly Juniors did their own float this year. The theme was Santa’s Workshop. We had sewing, woodworking and cooking displays. Oh, we couldn’t forget those project records. The snow started falling and b-r-r- it was cold but pretty as twenty 4-Hers rode and walked.

Finally let’s get this party started. About 57 attended our pot luck Christmas party. After our game of “How Well Do You Know This Story,” we exchanged our home made gifts. There was a huge variety of presents.

The Jolly Juniors have many great ideas. Let’s see what they come up with next!

Thank you, Monica for sharing with us your club report. You are off to a good start. We hope this inspires others to send reports to us. We love to hear from the 4-H members with club news and photos. Maybe you could make that a club “New Year’s Resolution?” We look forward to hearing from you.

No Leaders’ Meeting - Due to inclement weather and the cancellation of the December leaders’ meeting, there are no minutes.

Enrollment Packets - The new re-enrollment packets are in and all new information has been posted to the computer. Each club leader will be receiving a club list with a copy of their member’s health form in the mail and membership cards as soon as possible. The new volunteer directory will also be coming out shortly.

Demonstrations Reminder - Each club should be holding their own club demonstrations during the month of February. Leaders be sure to call the office by February 20th with the name of the demonstrator and the name of the demonstration. We will announce the date, time and place as soon as it is confirmed. Judging sheets are now available on our website: http://www.umaine.edu/umext/hancock/4-H/newslettertoc.htm. For additional tips, go to the website: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/projectrecord/demonstration.htm. If you have any other questions, feel free to call the Extension Office at 667-8212 or 1-800-287-1479. Good Luck to all!

Tips for Preparing A Demonstration -
1. Pick a topic by asking yourself these questions:
· Am I interested in this topic?
· Will others find it useful or interesting?
· Does it have a simple main idea and logical steps that can be shown in 5 minutes or less?
· Can I find enough information?
· Can I easily find props and materials?
2. Pick a title that will arouse the interest of your audience. One of your posters should show your title.
3. Your introduction should catch the interest of your audience in the first 15 seconds! Start with a question or a short snappy sentence. “Help, my bunny is a giant fur ball!”
4. The body of your talk should explain the points or demonstrate the steps you wish to show clearly and in logical order. Use a poster or two to list your steps.
5. Select materials that are familiar to you and easy to use and see. Arrange on a tray in step by step order. Use clear containers if people need to see inside.
6. Conclusion: Neglecting to have a well defined end to their talk is the most common mistake speakers make! Show the finished product. Summarize the main thing you wanted the talk to teach. Show your poster again. End by asking for questions or thanking the audience for their attention!
Taken from Aroostook County’s Newsletter

This is an opportunity for clubs or Independent 4-H members to learn about another country and then share their knowledge about their country in a fun festival activity.
WHEN: Thursday, March 12, 2009
TIME: 4:30- 6:00 PM
WHERE: Cafeteria at the Ellsworth High School
CONTACT PERSON: Deborah Arnold at 667-4722 x 5516 or email darnold@ellsworthschools.org
DEADLINE: Friday February 13^th will be the last chance to notify Deborah
CHOOSE A COUNTRY (Only one country per club so have a second and third choice ready when you call Deborah)
Each group is asked:
· To design a stamp for the passport that travelers take from “country to “country.”
· To have a craft, game or some type of hands-on activity.
· To have tiny food samples representing that country with the recipe.
Other ideas might be:
Costumes, posters, maps, native dance, paper mache, art work, music and information about that country.

1. Volt Training Corner
There will be a VOLT training at the Androscoggin/Sagadahoc Office, 24 Main Street in Lisbon Falls on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 9am – 1pm. For more information or to register call 353-5550 or 800-287-1548. The snow date for this training is 1/24.

2. 4-H EDGE Weekend – It’s BACK……
Plans are underway for the 4-H EDGE Weekend 2009: Connecting Kids to Campus! We had such fun the past two years and this year promises to be even bigger! So put May 16 and 17 on your calendar right now. We are hoping to bring 100 kids to EDGE this year and we want to see you! Keep watching your newsletter for continuing details.

3. 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 2, 2009. The forms are available at your county office and on- line at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/beef/beefintent.htm. We will not mail out forms this year.
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 16, 2009.

4. Maine 4-H Days
Hold the date for Maine 4-H Days this year. Come to the Windsor Fairgrounds the weekend of June 26, 27, and 28 for a weekend filled with fun learning activities for the whole family. There will be various animal tracks, exciting enrichment tracks and this year we will add a volunteer track for 4-H leaders and parents.

5. National 4-H Conference
Eight delegates from Maine will attend the National 4-H Conference March 28 to April 2, 2009. They are Katie Thoutte, Sky Critchfield, and Dana Hayward from Cumberland County, Jodi Harnden from Franklin County, Anthony Severance from Hancock County, Molly Lindsey from Kennebec County, Katlyn Keane from Oxford County, and Grace Gonnella from Penobscot 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 make 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 18, and would like to attend the National 4-H Conference in 2010, you can apply this spring. Deadline for your application is March 13, 2009 and more details can be found at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/natltripsletter.htm or contact you county Extension Office for details.

6. Horse Study Sessions
4-H Horse Members! Study sessions for horse knowledge will start up again in January. Study sessions will be done by video conference at various high schools throughout the state one Tuesday night of each month until May from 6-8pm. The study sessions will be held at eight different high schools around the state: Hampden Academy, Lewiston HS, Sanford HS, Oxford Hills HS, Houlton HS, Nokomis HS in Newport, Hall-Dale HS in Farmingdale.
The dates are: January 20, February 10, March 17, April 14, and May 19.
Who should attend? Anyone who would like to learn more about horses or might be interested in the Eastern States Equestrian Team, the Communications Team, the Hippology Team, Horse Judging Team or the Horse Quiz Bowl Team. These will be interactive study sessions with other 4-Hers from all over the state. Updates and cancellations will be on the website at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse/study.htm or contact Kate Slattery at slatterk@sad44.org or 836-3217 for more information.

7. Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF)
Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of July 4 to 11, 2009. CWF 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 4 and return on July 11, 2009. 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.

8. 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.

9. New Members to Animal Science Committee
Eight new members were nominated and accepted to the Animal Science Committee at the semi-annual meeting on November 1, 2008. The Animal Science committee helps to develop and implement an educational program for Maine 4-H members interested in a particular animal species. You can learn more about the committee at:
www.umext.maine.edu/4h/manual/attach/ascmemresp.htm.
Dog Committee: Amberosity Davis, Hancock County
Horse Committee: Sara Fernald, Androscoggin County Jodi Johnson, Oxford County
Goat Committee: Barb and Scott Raymond, Piscataquis County Robin Pellerin, Penobscot County Annie Treworgy, youth member, Penobscot County Meagan Walker, youth member, Franklin County
Sheep Committee Wendy Reinemann, Knox/Lincoln Counties Nancy Burnham, Cumberland County

10. Help for Maine Horses in Need
Some horses in Maine are facing a difficult winter. With rising costs of hay, fuel, grain, a worsening economy & job losses some horse owners may not be able to care for their horse. The Maine Farm Bureau Horse Council is putting together a list of Farmers Helping Farmers. If you can help with any of the following, please contact the Farm Bureau office at 1-800-639-2126 or email jjennings@mainefarmbureau.com with what you are able to do. The Farm Bureau will list names, contact information and resources available on their website. Let them know if you can provide any of the following: Feed donations, what type and how much, fostering horses and how long, trailering and transportation, cleaning of stalls, training, mentoring for new horse owners. For more information call 1-800-639-2126. Their website is www.mainefarmbureau.com.

11. Harlem Globetrotters
Maine 4-Hers have an opportunity to buy bulk rate tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters basketball game at the Bangor Auditorium on Monday March 23, 2009. Discount tickets for 4-H members, volunteers and staff are $16 each, as well as a $.50 handling fee for processing and mailing the tickets. The game starts at 7:00 pm but we are invited to their SPIN Healthy Lifestyles program before the game at 5:30 pm.
4-H leaders and members can place an order for tickets at their County Extension office. Payment must be received when you order tickets by February 9, 2009. We are ordering early to get the best seats.
You can see the informational flyer on our website under What’s New at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/whatsnew.htm. View the Harlem Globetrotters website at www.harlemglobetrotters.com.

12. Involve all 4-H members in Youth Community Action in 2009
Whatever the project or activity, 4-H members can be involved in community action. We all want youth to gain skills needed for responsible citizenship, service to community, and the ability to take leadership roles. The Youth Community Action team (formerly called Youth in Governance) encourages each 4-H club, each 4-H after-school program, each 4-H family, each 4-H group to incorporate 4-H’s civic engagement programs in all 4-H work. Civic engagement empowers youth to address issues that are of concern to them through hands-on adventures that inspire powerful personal growth and positive community change. Stretch even further and raise youth aspirations by providing opportunities for career exploration and acquiring entrepreneurial skills. Remember, 4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. Please report all of your Youth Community Action events or activities to your 4-H Educator to help demonstrate the impact of our 4-H program in Maine communities. On November 22, 2008, 18 youth and 6 adult partners gathered in Bangor and learned to mobilize to make a difference They identified three statewide action projects they would like to do in 2009: - Statewide Youth newsletter - In-state exchange program - Raising awareness of Maine 4-H If you would like to - Join any of these project teams, or - Help the Youth Community Action Team create a workshop for EDGE and Maine 4-H Days, or - Share your ideas for mobilizing or connecting teens and all 4-H youth state-wide, then Please contact one of three 4-H Educators serving on the Youth Community Action Program Leadership Team: - Barb Baker, Penobscot/Piscataquis – bbaker@umext.maine.edu – 942-7396, 1-800-287-1485 - Debra Kantor, Somerset – dkantor@umext.maine.edu – 474-9622, 1-800-287-1495 - Jane Haskell, Waldo – jhaskell@umext.maine.edu – 342-5971, 1-800-287-1426

13. Winter Outdoor Survival Weekend
Saturday, February 14^th to Monday, February 16^th At the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond Sponsored by Operation Military Kids and the UMaine Cooperative Extension Learn the survival skills everyone who lives in Maine should know! Have fun and meet new friends! Learn valuable winter survival skills like how to build fire without matches, build a snow shelter, cook over an open fire, and understand what to do if you fall through the ice. Learn about animal tracking, water purification, ice fishing and much more! Open to youth ages 13 – 18 Cost $30 Registration forms are on-line at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/youth/survcamp/ or from your local County Extension Office. Directions to the University of Maine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond are at www.extension.umaine.edu/briantpond. Please mail the registration form, health form and payment to the Kennebec County Extension Office, 125 State Street, 3^rd Floor, Augusta, Maine 04330-5692 Registration Deadline is February 2, 2009 Questions? Call Karen 1-800-287-1481 or Susan 1-800-287-1482 or 655-2068

14. New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar – Understanding Your Butcher’s Cut Sheet
Farm and Forest Exposition Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 9:00am to 12:30pm Radisson Hotel, Salon D, 700 Elm Street, Manchester NH
Info: Rick Lemay from Lemay and Sons Beef in Goffstown, NH will lead a question and answer session on Meat Cutting. He will explain the cuts of meat available from both lamb and goat carcasses. Handouts will be provided. Registration, at the door, $5.00 per family and anyone 4-H age is free. The proceeds go toward the conference and the 4-H dairy goat activities.
Schedule: 9:30 ADGA District #1 Meeting, President Phil Cassette, ADGA Director
10:00 Understanding Your Butcher’s Cut Sheet
12:15 Discussion and Questions
12:30 Adjourn
If you would like accommodations to participate in the program, contact Tina Savage before January 25^th at 603-447-3834.

15. UMaine Day at the Legislature – 4-H Honorary Page Program
UMaine Day at the Legislature, Thursday, March 12th, is quickly approaching. Since legislators like to see 4-H members from their districts, 4-Hers (recommended age 13 or older) are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. The Maine 4-H program has reserved 25 spots for Honorary Pages. What Does a Page do? Pages hand out information to Representatives or Senators or place the paper information on their desks. They also hand phone and other messages to Representatives and Senators on the floor. To learn more about what Honorary Pages do, visit the website listed at the end of this article. If you are interested in serving as a page on March 12th, please contact Jane Haskell, Extension educator in Waldo County at 1-800-287-1426 x1013 or jhaskell@umext.maine.edu. She will be serving as the coordinator of the 2009 program. We will attempt to have pages from different parts of the state. Slots, representing different state senators and representatives, will be filled in the order they are received. If the slot for your legislative district has been filled, your name will be added to a wait list in the order it is received. If you are leaving a message, please be sure to say “I am interested in serving as a 4-H Page at the Legislature on March 12th”. Your slot will be reserved if you leave this complete information: - full name - age - mailing address - county - phone number - email address - name of your school - name of your 4-H Club - name of your Maine State Representative - name of your Maine State Senator 4-H Honorary Pages will be in the Capitol from 8:30am – 3:00pm. A parent or 4-H volunteer provides transportation and chaperoning. For a complete list of expectations and duties, visit the 4-H Honorary Page Program webpage at www.umext.maine.edu/Waldo/4H/Pages.

16. Horse Fun Day
Coming in February - Horse Fun Day get together. This is a chance to meet other 4-Hers interested in horses and attend horse science workshops. Learn how to try out for the competitive teams that travel to regional and national competitions. The Hippology Team, Horse Judging, Quiz Bowl, and Communications Teams will have works shops as well as learning how to try out for the Eastern States Team. There will also be a parent’s forum, and Cloverbud topics. Bring a lunch and save the dates of February 15 or 22. More information will be coming on the 4-H Website at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse.htm .

Cooking With the Kids

No-Bake Cookies

Makes 4 servings, 2 cookies each

Ingredients:
8 whole-wheat graham cracker squares, finely ground
¼ cup raisins
¼ cup smooth natural peanut butter
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons honey
4 teaspoons unsweetened coconut

Instructions
Combine ground whole-wheat graham crackers, raisins, peanut butter and honey in a small bowl. Pat into 8 cookies and press lightly in coconut.

Recipe can also be found at:http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/no_bake_cookie.html

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.

Member of the University of Maine System
Last Modified: 10/14/09
These pages are currently being maintained from the
Hancock County Office, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Send comments, suggestions or inquiries to jfortier@umext.maine.edu