4-H Connections
A Newsletter for 4-H Volunteers and Families August, 2006

YORK COUNTY 4H NEWS

Here comes Acton Fair!

Some reminders:

All livestock entries must be on the fairgrounds by 8: 30 a.m.  Thursday and remain until 5:00 p.m. Sunday.

Parents are responsible for transporting their children to and from the fair.

All 4-H beef and dairy animals must be stalled in the 4-H barn. No exceptions.  Ann Boucher is in charge of the barn.  Please report to Ann upon arrival at the building.

Diane Qualey is in charge of the sheep/goat barn.

Donna Flint is in charge of the llama and poultry members.

All stalls and pens MUST be cleaned prior to leaving Sunday or Herdsmanship premiums will be withheld.

Proper 4-H attire is required!  That includes clean and neat white, tan, or green pants; white or 4-H T shirts. NO jeans, sneakers, hats, or clothing with farm names or other advertising is allowed.

If you haven’t signed up to sit in the Exhibit Hall or work the Food Booth, it’s not too late!

Enjoy the fair!

See the Community Banners Project at Acton Fair 4-H Exhibit Hall!

This year at  Acton Fair we are again offering the “Community Banners Project” We will be asking 4-H members and visitors to the Hall during fair week to stop by a project area and create a colorful banner using art supplies that will be provided. 

These banners will be hung on the Exhibit Hall barn.  Stop by and paint a banner!

Maine Day at the “Big E” Bus Trip

It’s time to reserve seats for the buses traveling to Eastern States Exposition (ESE or also called the “Big E”) in W. Springfield, Massachusetts for Maine Day on Saturday, September 30, 2006. This one-day trip is sponsored by the Maine Trustees of the Eastern States Exposition to encourage Maine 4-Hers who don’t presently participate in events at ESE to see the activities that go on for 4-H youth in hopes to bolster their enthusiasm to participate in the future. Two buses are reserved for us and the northernmost bus will originate in Bangor and they will stop at several points on I-95. Seats fill up very quickly, so register early.

All youth must go with a chaperone, but since this event is primarily for youth, seats are limited to no more than two adults per child. The bus ride and admission to the “Big E” are free, but all individuals on this trip are expected to march in the parade at 5 pm. It works well if you wear a 4-H tee shirt if you have one and for clubs to bring their club banner to display during the parade.

Items you might want to bring along with you are: light snacks, water, a good book, G-rated movies (there is a DVD/VCR on the bus), a pillow, and a blanket. There will be rest stops along the way. Other items to consider bringing: clothing to identify your club, a comfortable pair of walking shoes, a hat with a visor, sun glasses, sun screen, a back pack, personal spending money, a camera, and a watch. If you have a cell phone, it will be helpful for logistics. Please include your cell phone number when you register.

Please leave valuable items at home. We will not be responsible for lost or stolen items. Bus stops will be determined based on location of riders. Reservations must be made in writing or by e-mail to:

Jessy Brainerd
103 Libby Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME  04469-5741
jbrainerd@umext.maine.edu

When you register, please give your name, address, home phone and cell phone number if you have one. Please give the names of all the people in your group and indicate if they are a child or adult. Reservations are due by Friday, September 8. A confirmation letter will be sent to you two weeks before the trip giving you the time and pick up location. Pick up will be bright and early in the morning, but the return trip will be staggered. One bus will leave right after the parade; the second bus will leave after the evening events. So when you register, let us know if you’d like to return on the early or late bus.

For questions you may contact Jessy Brainerd or Michaele Bailey at 1-800-287-0274 or (207) 581-3877.

4H’ers Make Southern Maine Horse Camp a Success

Our third annual 4-H Horse Camp was a huge success this year (July31-Aug 3) at Ossipee Valley Fairgrounds.  During 4 days and 3 nights, our 28 campers (aged 6-16) participated in an exciting mix of lessons, demonstrations, riding, free time, crafts and good food.  In addition to the campers (and 26 horses), were 12 full-time parent volunteers and 5 highly skilled instructors. 

It was a hot week!  We experienced temperatures of close to 100 degrees and one afternoon a microburst accompanied by severe thunderstorms.  But nothing could dampen our spirits, and all had a terrific time.

Many volunteers helped to make Horse Camp a success this year, and Laurie Doody deserves special mention as Camp Coordinator.  Laurie’s energy, attention to detail and leadership, as always, was extraordinary.

And now some words from Laurie:

“As Horse Camp Coordinator it was my pleasure to have the opportunity to work with such a awesome group of kids and adults.  It was a rewarding experience to watch the campers as they made new friends, learned new things, and just plain had fun.

I feel lucky to be part of this 4-H family!”

4-H Community Angels Will Use Art to Help Cancer Patients

York County 4-H is piloting with York Hospital a new program that will train 4-H teens to use art as a way to support cancer patients and their families.

Art has been used for centuries as a healing tool. Modern medicine now recognizes the important role art can play in the healing process. The creation of art taps into individual strengths, and allows for the exploration and expression of thoughts and feelings.

4-H’ers age 12-18 will be invited to participate in this innovative new program.  An informational meeting for parents and youth will be held at the Wells Urgent Care facility (a branch of York Hospital), in October.  Additional information will be provided in upcoming mailings, so stay tuned!

Check Out the New National 4-H Volunteers Resources Website

National 4-H Council has upgraded its 4-H Volunteer Web Site provided through National 4-H Council.

The web address is: www.4hvolunteersusa.org

Additional resources will continue to be added throughout the summer.  Funding for the upgrade was provided by ACH Foods (perhaps better known as Fleischman’s Yeast) and UPS. 

This is a great resource – check it out!

Maine goes Novice

All-Novice Show combined with a 4-H Show
Saturday September 16, 2006
Cumberland Fairgrounds
Judge: Sue Leppard-Koerfer – Ontario, CA (AQHA judge)
See www.meqha.org for the class list and details.

Recognizing the Serene Caprines for Summer Celebration Display

When we held the 4-H Summer Celebration at Homestead-by-the-River in June we asked clubs to prepare displays to share at the event, and noted that we would make awards for these.  We want to take the opportunity now to recognize Serene Caprines 4-H club for their efforts. 

They had a wonderful and educational display on goats, as well as a special goat visitor that was popular with all.  A great job by the entire club, and especially by Dana Tripp, Forrest Tripp, Regan Hussey and Cole Hussey who put the display together.  The club will receive a special award at 4-H Fallfest for their efforts.  Great work!

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