4-H Happenings

A NEWSLETTER FOR HANCOCK COUNTY 4-H PARTICIPANTS

April 2009 Issue

Government Day

On Thursday, March 26, 2009, Lynne,  Andrea, Tyler, Annie and I served as Senate honorary pages in the Maine State Legislature. Several other non-4-Hers also served with us. When we arrived at the State House, the Senate aide showed us around the Senate Chamber and explained to us what we would be doing. The Senate Chamber has two curved  rows of chairs and desks for the 35 senators; three desks for the Senate president and her two secretaries, and a balcony for spectators. The room has enormous windows and large portraits, one of which is of Abraham Lincoln. The session started with us marching forward to be assigned  by the Senate President, Elizabeth Mitchell. We sat on benches below her huge desk. Our job was to distribute papers and take notes from one Senator to another. It was lots of fun!

The day we were there, the session lasted about one hour. I couldn't really tell what they were talking about because they talked so fast, and the Senate President didn't seem to do anything but bang her gavel. They have to read everything in the day's calendar into the records, so sometimes two people would be talking at once! Much of the business was honoring people throughout the state, such as the man who has made all of the Senate gavels for the past thirty years. They took pictures of him banging the gavel. At the end, we all got to bang it too. Not many bills were discussed; most of the business was postponed till the next session which was on the following Tuesday. At the end, our pictures were taken with Senator Dennis Damon.  We ate lunch in the cafeteria, then toured the Maine State Museum. They have a new exhibit called "At Home in Maine", which was quite interesting. They had a kitchen set up from the 1940s, a living room from the 1960s, an old-fashioned bathroom and many more interesting exhibits.  It was a lot of fun, and I hope I can be a page again next year! I would like to thank the leaders association for sponsoring the trip.
             -Robin, Lock, Stock & Barrel.
*Blake Curtis - Jolly Juniors, Amberosity Davis - Independent, Morganne Frye - Horse & Rider, and Jackson Alexander - Horse & Rider also participated, but served in the House of Representatives.

Upcoming Events

 NORMA’S NOTES – Sharon Casey, former 4-H leader, has accepted a job in another state and would like to lease her horse to a     4-Her. He is 24 years old, black with white glaze. The cost of the lease would be his feed and care. The horses name is Midnight, has a sweet temperament, easy to trailer - just easy about everything. He bonds to people easily and a good farm horse. He loves all the farm animals and is gentle with them. For information call: 207-374-9956 or 202-286-5458.

CLUB CHAT - Another April vacation has gone by. As always it was busy!  First the boys had their sleepover (they say they stayed up until 1:00am). That included Pat’s Pizza and swimming. Saturday the older girls joined them making May baskets. Monday: Kindergarten and first grade went for a tour and shopping at Hannafords for Wednesday’s visit to the food pantry. The “coolest” part was going into the walk-in freezer and getting “chilled.” Tuesday: Second graders went to Harmony Farm and to Kenona Farm. Everyone loves seeing the animals. Wednesday: The third graders are learning about nutrition in their cooking class. Second graders joined them. They took the food donations they collected to the Loaves and fishes Food Pantry. Jackie Thurber gave them a tour. It looked like a mini store! They get about 1800 pounds monthly and served twenty-five families this winter. They receive donations from neighbors, Hannafords, churches and our 4-H club. Congratulations to the Jolly Junior Cloverbuds for donating approximately 400 items. Local churches donate their time each month to cover the food pantry. Thursday: Rest for Brenda! Friday: We worked on filling out fair cards and then did a community service project cleaning the roadsides. Twenty-three  kids and seventeen adults made the  town look a lot better. We had a great cookout and playtime after.   By Monica Jodrey, Club Reporter

Trenton 4-H Afterschool is now seeing progress on the green house that had been donated to the school. Most of the time with these kind of projects, there is so much paperwork, planning and coordinating behind the scenes that you wonder if it will happen. The volunteers had a beautiful and successful day to start erecting the frame work onto the foundation. Linda Dinsmore and Cindy Lambert report that it will take two to three days to complete. With such a nice facility, we can’t wait to see what these 4-Hers are going to produce and show at the Blue Hill Fair. They promise to keep us up-to-date.

   4-H NEWS

Volunteer Forum Features One of Our Own! - Last November, at the Maine 4-H Volunteer Forum in Hallowell, volunteers from around the state participated in a variety of workshops, one of which was taught by one of our very own!  Terry Swazey taught a lesson on using the life skills wheel.  It was informative, practical and fun.  Weren’t able to attend the   forum?  Call or email the office if you would like to sign out the DVD that features Terry’s workshop.  In addition we have video segments from two other sessions, Cloverbud Corner and Healthy ME, Healthy You.   Thank you Terry for your willingness to share your knowledge!  You were awesome!

Special 4-H Keepsake Editions - have been distributed to the club leaders.  If you have not received your copy, please check with your leader.  If anyone is interested in receiving a CD, please contact Joyce at the Extension Office.

4-H Horse Camp - is scheduled for June 5 - June 7, 2009 at the Blue Hill Fairgrounds and will be held as part of Jamboree.  The camp is open to eighteen members. Registration is open to only Hancock County members up to May 9th and after that date the registration will be open to other county members in hopes to have a full camp.  If you did not receive a packet, please call the Extension Office.  More details on Jamboree will be coming soon.

 Style Revue - Don’t forget to attend Style Revue on May 8th, at the Ellsworth High School theater at 7:00 pm. The theme this year is “Color My World.” Family, friends and the public are invited to watch this delightful show. Please join us for a fun and entertaining evening.

 4-H Photo Contest - There are (2) Photo Classes (which you may enter one or both):
· Single Photos (1 photo per category)
· Story Board (4-6 photos which tell a story)
There are two Age Division: (by January 1st)   9-13 years old and 14-19 years old. Cloverbuds (5-8 years old) are encouraged to participate but will not be judged. Awards will be presented at Cloverfest.  Deadline to submit photos to the Extension Office is  July 31, 2009. 

 Welcome New VOLTed Junior Volunteer - Amberosity Davis, Independent, from Mount Desert has just completed her VOLT training and  paperwork in Hancock County.  Congratulations!

Bangor State Fair - Please note that the updated 2009 Bangor State Fair rules are on the Bangor State Fair website: www.bangorstatefair.com/contests.php

Norma on the Look Out - Rachael Searchfield, an eighth-grader at Ellsworth Middle School, received the  Overall Youth Grand Champion trophy at the Sebasticook Riding Club’s yearly awards banquet last fall.   The trophy is given to the youth who receives the most points throughout the show season. Rachael also  received four other Grand Champion trophies and three Reserve Champion trophies for various classes of riding competition. She and her horse “Charlie” have received over 20 first places in just two years.
     We want to welcome Rachael to Hancock County 4-H as a member of Horse & Rider 4-H club. Rachael  and “Charlie” plan to bring their expertise and follow the 4-H show circuit. We look forward to hearing all those success stories in 4-H, Rachael.  

That beautiful head of hair was 10 inches longer three days ago. Josie Hardison, Jolly Juniors member, showed her community spirit by donating her hair to Locks of Love. Locks of Love is an organization based in Florida that uses donated hair to make hairpieces for children who have cancer or other diseases. We are proud of Josie and all children who are thinking of others when they donate their hair.

State 4-H News
April 2009

1. 4-H GPS/GIS TEK* Trek
*Technology and Environment for Kids
AKA Naturalist Camp, July 5-10, 2009 at Greenland Point Center and the University of Maine at Machias in Princeton and Machias, ME, for ages 12 – 15.

4H GPS/GIS campers will "Get Outdoors" to learn about wildlife and their surroundings including woods, water, land and air.  Participants will learn to collect GPS data and carry out a service mapping project for the Center and will also spend 1-1/2 days at UM Machias using the computer labs and exploring the campus.  ATV and Boater Safety certifications course will be available. Bring cameras for tips on photography!

Special cost to 4-H members: $150.00 for the entire week (non 4-H cost is $250.00).  To register, go to www.greenlandpoint.com Under Skills Camp, find Naturalist Camp – 4H GPS/GIS – At bottom of list, go to Click Here for Application.  Apply Early! Camp is limited to 15 youth!

2. State Dairy Show and ESE Tryouts
Save the Date! The 2009 Maine State 4-H Dairy Show will take place on July 18-19, 2009 at the Windsor Fairgrounds.  More information can be found on the Maine 4-H Website’s Dairy page at: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/dairy.htm.

3. Make It With Wool Contest
4-Hers in Maine are invited to enter the Make It With Wool Contest, a national competition sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association. The state-level contest will be held on October 10, 2009 at the Page Farm Museum at the University of Maine in Orono. Contestants may enter garments made with wool that are sewn, knit, crocheted or felted. More information and rules for the contest are on our website at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/other/wool.htm or you can contact Michaele Bailey at 1-800-287-0274 for more information.

4. Northeast Livestock Expo
The Northeast Livestock Expo (NELE) will be held May 15-17, 2009 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. If you are a beef, sheep, goat or horse enthusiast of any age, mark your calendars and plan to attend this event. NELE is a multi-species event that includes shows, sales, youth activities and a cook-off for beef, goat and of course lamb dishes. New this year will be horse events.

The activities include:
- American Lamb Board Cook-Off
- Purebred, Feeder Lamb and 4-H Market Lamb Show and Sale Youth Show and Activities
- Horse shows & clinics. 

For more information on horse events please contact Cathy Thomas at hippology@myfairpoint.net or call 458-1402.  For more information or to receive entry forms for NELE, please contact Wendy Reinemann at (207) 785-2978, or by email at guiniridge@gmail.com . You can visit the NELE website at www.northeastlivestockexpo.com.

5.  4-H EDGE Weekend 2009: Connecting Kids to Campus is Friday  May 15, and Saturday May 16, 2009 at the University of Maine
It’s going to be the best EDGE yet!  Team building and recreational opportunities on    Friday! Super workshop sessions on Saturday!  Things like Marine Botany, Animation, Veterinary Science, and dozens more!  Watch for coming information on Parent Workshops like Planning for College in Challenging Times and Supporting Career Aspirations. There’s a great panel planned for Saturday lunch that both youth and adults will enjoy! We’re still investigating overnight arrangements for parents – dorms turned out to be VERY expensive so we are looking for other alternatives!

The cost this year will be $55.00 per 4-H member and $40 for additional family members.  Non 4-H members may also attend at a fee of $75.00 per person. Registration will start in late March and the forms will be up on the website.

Check the EDGE 2009 site on the Maine 4-H website – we’ll be adding new information about workshops and activities! Save the dates...It is going to be the best EDGE yet!  Don’t miss it!!

6. Morris Scholarship 2009
Every two years Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school, and this is one of our years!  To find information on how to apply for this scholarship, look online at:
 http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/ese/morris.htm.

7. Save the Date for 4-H Day at Skowhegan State Fair Sunday, August 16^th, 2009
We would like to invite any 4-H youth and all 4-H clubs to participate in our 4-H Day Parade at the Skowhegan State Fair.  You may participate by walking in the parade; leading, riding an    animal or carrying an animal, riding on a float from your club or county, driving an antique     tractor or just about anything else.  Flags and banners are welcome. Be as creative as you can be – it is a celebration!!  Any 4-H member taking part in the 4-H Day Parade will be admitted free to the Fair on   4-H Day.

During the day, we will have livestock demonstrations in the livestock ring and the 4-H Club Building will be open to view all the projects and educational exhibits from around the state.  Because Skowhegan is a State Fair, all 4-H’ers are welcome to display in our building and show in our 4-H livestock shows.

Eleanor Pooler is the 4-H Day Parade Chairman and she is available at (207) 643-2305 to answer questions.  Emails can be directed to dkantor@umext.maine.edu at the Somerset County Cooperative Extension Office.  More information will follow in the next few months.

8. 4-H Horse Project Study Sessions
Due to lack of attendance, the May 22 study session will be cancelled.  Thank you to all who attended, manned the sites, created lessons, and parents for bringing their children to these study sessions. There does seem to be interest in  getting together throughout the state for 4Hers and we would like to try another venue in the future!!

The national teams of Communications, Hippology and Horse Quiz Bowl will be announced at the end of May. Thank you to all who came into the extension offices to tryout!

Eastern States Tryouts and Maine 4H Days will be June 26-28, 2009. ESE tryouts will be at Skowhegan Fairgrounds and M4HD at Windsor Fairgrounds.

9. Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm Club Hosts Spring Clinics
The Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm Club will be hosting many horse clinics this spring: May 16, 2009: Natural Horsemanship with Lige Moore
For more details, and information about attending these clinics, go online at:                       http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse/clinicschedule.htm.

10. Maine 4-H Days
Maine 4-H Days, held June 26, 27, 28, 2009 will be full of fun events for the whole family. This year we will offer the Physics Road again and some workshops like Rocketry and Digital Photography. The Goat Track will have a veterinarian present a healthy goat seminar and will demonstrate how to test for internal parasites by doing fecal samples and at Dog Camp there will be lots of activities to learn all kinds of dog knowledge.  Parents who come as chaperones can  participate in VOLT training if they are interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer and adults can also learn about what other clubs do in 4-H at the 4-H Speed Date Workshop!

Check out the website in the coming months as more information, and registration materials, become available: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events/4hdays.htm.

11. Market Lambs at Windsor and Fryeburg Fairs
4-Hers planning to raise a market lamb to show and sell at the Windsor or Fryeburg Fair need to submit an Intent To Participate Form in order to receive their ear tags. Find the form at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/lambintent.htm or at your county Extension Office. Forms are due May 2. Market Lambs will need a special ear tag to participate in these two fairs.
To get your lamb tagged, you’ll need to bring them to one of four tagging sites:
Northeast Livestock Expo May 12, 10:00 am - Noon
Cumberland County June Jamboree June 6, Noon
Oxford County Jamboree June 20, 9-11:00 am
Franklin County Jamboree June 13 9-11:00 am
For more information contact Donna Flint at the York County Extension Office at 324-2814 or 1-800-287-1535

12. Operation Military Kids Summer Camps
For youth whose parents are in the military National Guard and Reserve Units and any children with parents who are, will be, or just arrived back from deployment.
Dates:
June 19 – 21, Camp Tracy in Oakland, ages 9-12, Transportation from regional areas (Bangor, Portland), Cost: $25.00
July 31 – August 2, Bryant Pond 4-H Camp in Bryant Pond, Ages 13 – 18, Transportation from regional areas (Bangor, Portland), Cost: $25.00
August 7-9, Bryant Pond 4-H Camp in Bryant Pond, Ages 13 – 18 (limited number of spaces), Transportation from regional areas (Bangor, Portland), Cost: $30.00

For more information and registration forms contact Karen Hatch Gagne karenhg@umext.maine.edu or Heather Andrews handrews@umext.maine.edu, or call 1-800-287-1481.

13. Eastern States Tryout Prep Clinic (Horse)
This event is being held to help our 4-Hers intent on trying out for the Eastern States team.  It is a brush up on Showmanship, Equitation, and Pleasure, for both English/Saddle Seat and Western Competitors.  We will be limiting the number of participants with horses to 12, to be able to give each person individual attention, but spectators will be welcome.
Clinician:  Kyle Smith – 4-H and Open Show Judge June 6, 2009
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Cost: $40.00/participant
Where: Shamrock Farm, Pond Road, West Gardiner, ME 

14. National 4-H Congress & Conference
After an extensive application and interview process, the delegates for the 2009/2010 National 4-H Congress & Conference trips have been selected.  Please join us in congratulating these exceptional youth:
National 4-H Congress: Sara Conant, Grace Gonnella, Dana Hayward, and Morgan Lee
National 4-H Conference: Amberosity Davis, Ashlie Hardy, Kate Laliberte, and Aryn Martin

 Nick Offers Grants and Features 4-H Million Trees Project On-Air

Nickelodeon is offering grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to 10 Green Teams—extraordinary youth across the nation that are helping to make smart, eco-friendly changes in their home, school and community. This initiative is a part of the "Big Green Help," an environmental awareness campaign and kid-led movement that provides information and tools to help explain climate change to young people, and connects them to energy-saving and earth-friendly activities in their everyday lives.

This is a great opportunity for 4-H'ers that are currently engaging in environmental projects. Youth can register their projects online—starting on Earth Day, April 22, and through the end of the year. Details about "The Big Green Help" and the grants are available online at 4-H.org.

Also, Laura Webber, who conceived the 4-H Million Trees community service project with her Belmont, California 4-H Club, will be featured in a 20-second profile airing on the network on Earth Day. As a part of their "Big Green Help" initiative, Nickelodeon will highlight youth who are make a huge impact on the environment.

To learn more about these grants and the 4-H Million Trees Project profile airing on Earth Day, visit 4-H.org or contact Nancy Cole (ncole@fourhcouncil.edu) at National 4-H Council.

Handwashing -  is the Most Effective Way to Stop the Spread of Illness

Wash Your Hands After:
(and before!) Handling food or eating.
Using the bathroom or changing diapers.
Sneezing, blowing your nose or coughing.
Touching a cut or open sore.
Playing outside or with pets.
Use soap to scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.  Use a clean cloth or paper towel to dry your hands.

Hancock County 4-H Leaders’ Association Minutes of April 8, 2009
The meeting was called to order at 7:15 pm. The flag was saluted and the 4-H pledge was recited.
Members Present (8):
· President Terry Swazey, VP Joey Wilbur, Treasurer Barbara Hopkins, Secretary Lisa Carney, Methel Wilbur, Vicki Koehler, Carolee Tully and Brenda Jordan.
Presentation:
· Vicki and Terry gave a presentation on the WINGS butterfly project, which raises awareness of the kinds of butterflies in our climate and helps track populations. The supporting materials looked excellent.
Secretary and Treasure’s Reports:
· There was no official Secretary’s report to vote on for March. The Treasurer’s report was accepted as read.
Club reports:
· Brenda led her group in making May baskets. They also have woodworking projects and sewing projects.
· Carolees’ group collected food for an animal shelter and is working with the horses.
· Lisa’s’ group is cleaning tack.
· Terry is teaching breeds and focusing on things that members say they want to learn.
· Joey chaperoned Government Day and is helping with woodworking projects.
Old Business:
· Style Review - we are told that they have picked a theme.
· Exhibit Hall - on hold until Rob returns from Arizona.
· Ethnic Festival - had good attendance but seemed to end sooner than normal, possibly due to the school bus schedule.
· Demonstrations- went very well.
· Government Day- went very well, other than a few minor behavior issues.
New Business:
· Jamboree - the sump pump has been approved. The horse program is all planned, goats mostly so. Joey has once again volunteered to be head chef.
· Raffle steer - Dwight has procured an animal. It may be going to Becky and Norwood. Many of the kids are raring to go on their ticket selling, so we need to determine the status of the tickets.
· Leaders’ Meeting Schedule - we still need agendas; if you want an issue discussed, please alert the office or Terry so it will be put on the agenda. We need to write up an amendment to the bylaws if we are to have them less than once a month; Lisa will look into drafting a proposed amendment.
· Mini workshop topics - leaders have expressed interest in workshops concerning project records and filling out necessary forms for livestock.
· We need to keep to the standard that all 4-H ages use the December 31^st cut off date.
Meeting adjourned 8:02
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Carney, Secretary

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”

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

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