An Educational Youth & Families, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Newsletter for Residents of York County

September - October 2005

 We are Moving…..

York County Extension Office is Moving to Springvale

The York County office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is moving this fall from our current location on Shaw’s Ridge Road in Sanford to the Anderson Learning Center at the old Nasson College campus in Springvale, 2 miles up the road from out current location.  Our target date for the move is November 1, but we’ll have to wait and see how the preparations on our new digs go. 

A lot of people have asked what will happen to the gardens here at the Extension office grounds. Well there is a multiple part answer to that question.

1.      We’ll be having the ultimate Plant Sale – literally selling almost all of our plants at the office grounds in Sanford on Saturday, September 10, from 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM. Also for sale will be several non plant garden items such as a lawn mower, blueberry netting, etc.

2.      We have worked out a cooperative arrangement with the Wells Estuarine Research Reserve at Laudholm Farm to have some demonstration gardens there as well as do educational outreach in cooperation with the Reserve (see article on MOU).

3.      We also have made a cooperative agreement with the Notre Dame Institute in Alfred to have our community garden and Kids Can Grow programs conducted on the ground there.

4.      There is potential for us to have some limited demonstration gardens at our new site in Springvale – time will tell as things develop.

York County Extension Agreement with Laudholm Farm at Wells Estuarine Research Reserve Promises Partnership

As this issue of Extension Horizons goes into the mail, the ink is still drying on a new Memorandum of Understanding between Laudholm Trust and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, York County Office. The seeds for a partnership were planted a while ago, and circumstances have finally allowed an agreement to form. Under the MOU, the Extension's Master Gardeners will use Mather Auditorium at Wells Reserve for volunteer training and will explore hosting a gardening series for the general public. Master Gardener volunteers will also collaborate with Laudholm and the Wells Reserve on maintaining the gardens there, help out with the Laudholm Native Plant Sale, and possibly create community or demonstration gardens. Together, we will explore collaborative education and research projects related to environmentally sound gardening practices.

This great opportunity was aided by the interest and dedication of the Laudholm Trust President, Susan Rouillard, and the staff and volunteers at Wells Reserve.

What can parents or caregivers do to foster success in school-aged children?

Encourage Children to Think

• Encourage your children to ask questions about the world around them.

• When reading with young children, ask them to imagine what will happen next.

• Actively listen to your children's conversations, responding seriously and nonjudgmentally to the questions they raise.

• When your children express feelings, ask why they feel that way.

• Suggest that your children locate information to support their opinions.

• Use entertainment--a TV program or a movie--as the basis for family discussions.

• Use daily activities as occasions for learning. For example, instead of just sending child to the store with a simple list of items to purchase, talk with the child first. Discuss how much each item might cost, what the total cost might be, and estimate how much change should be received.

• When children are involved in talk about the "why" and the "how" of things, they are more likely to become active thinkers.

Encourage Children to Listen

• Again, encourage children to ask questions to clarify understanding. After a discussion, ask children questions about the topic to reinforce learning.

• Teach them to focus on the main ideas presented.

• Urge them to concentrate both on the words and the ideas and feelings expressed by the speaker.

Teach Children to Follow Directions

• When showing children new skills, demonstrate each step and allow them to participate until they can perform the task alone.

• Give directions one at a time to avoid confusion.

• Motivate children

• Serve as a role model to show learning is an ongoing and enjoyable experience.

• Show interest in what your children are learning.

• Offer constant encouragement so your children can learn effectively.

• Acknowledge and celebrate your children's efforts to learn.

This article was exerpted from “Encouraging Success in School” by Beth Gaydos, an Ohio State University Extension Publication

Monitoring Program Works to Protect Public Health at Maine’s Coastal Beaches

By Esperanza Stancioff and Kristen Whiting-Grant, Maine Sea Grant/UMCE

To ensure that Maine's salt-water beaches remain safe and clean, The Maine Healthy Beaches Program was established in 2002. The program brings together dozens of beach communities where stakeholders perform standardized monitoring of beach-water quality and beach managers notify the public if health risks are detected. The program also works to educate both residents and visitors on what can be done to avoid water-related illness at the beach.

The Maine program was created after initiation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Beaches Environmental Assessment, Closure and Health (BEACH) Act of 2000. The act addressed a growing concern about public health risks posed by polluted coastal bathing beaches. These health risks are associated with swallowing or having contact with swimming water that may have been contaminated by fecal matter that carries harmful bacteria, parasites and viruses.  This unsanitary condition may be due to causes such as improperly disposed diapers, vomiting or fecal accident in the water,

animal feces, malfunctioning septic systems and storm water run-off among others. The most commonly reported symptom of water-related illnesses is diarrhea. The best means for avoiding transmission of water-related illnesses are to wash hands after bathroom use, avoid swallowing water, and avoid swimming if you feel ill.

Currently stakeholders from 20 coastal towns and State Parks, representing 42 beach management areas are taking water samples at coastal swim beaches for bacteria, an indicator of recreational water-borne illnesses. Municipalities, state agencies and the EPA will use the data in their efforts to promote public safety. Every York County coastal community participates in the program including: Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Biddeford, Saco, and Old Orchard Beach.

Because a comprehensive, standardized approach to swim beach water quality monitoring had not been implemented statewide prior to 2002, numerous steps have been taken to establish effective procedures. They include: gathering extensive information from participating municipalities and state beaches; surveying beach users to establish the extent of public knowledge and incidence of health problems related to swimming in coastal areas; developing monitoring methods for coastal swim beaches; and developing a public education and notification  program.

There are several relevant factors considered when determining the health of a beach. Maine uses a "Risk Assessment Matrix" to determine the potential human health risk in each case, considering water test results, location, environmental impacts from nearby waste disposal, storm water runoff, public restroom  facilities, the presence of dogs or wildlife on the beach, beach usage statistics and a history of previous closings or contamination. Monitoring of coastal beach sites should be conducted weekly. If an exceedance occurs, the site is resampled and a decision is made by the town to post an advisory or closure based on the data and conditions at that site. The public is notified of an advisory or closure by signage at the beach and also on the Maine Healthy Beaches website. When there is an incidence of water-related illness at a beach reports should be called in to the Maine Bureau of Health, Division of Disease Control at 1-800-821-5821(in state),  207-287-8016 or (207) 287-4479 TTY.

Each town in York County has experienced high bacteria counts in their beach water at some time this summer. Many different scenarios exist as reasoning for this unusual occurrence including spring tides (extreme high and low tides), a high water table, spring runoff from intense rainfall, boat effluent, and various land use practices including failing septic systems. A systematic approach is being used to try to determine the sources of fecal contamination in several consistently problematic areas. Several partners in the program including the towns, University of Maine Cooperative Extension and Sea Grant, the Departments of State Planning, Environmental Protection and Marine Resources and the US Environmental Protection Agency are coordinating their efforts in Kennebunkport, Kennebunk and Biddeford to identify and work towards remediation of pollution sources.

To learn more about the Maine Healthy Beaches program, check in on the status of a beach or get information on healthy beaching, visit www.mainehealthybeaches.org/.

Homemade Ice Cream Safety by Kathy Savoie
Eating ice cream to beat the summer heat is one of America’s favorite pastimes.

What is responsible for unsafe ice cream?

 Homemade ice cream is a special treat for many, but every year is causes several outbreaks of salmonella infections. The ice cream ingredient responsible for the outbreaks is raw or undercooked eggs. A person infected with Salmonella enteritidis, the strain most frequently found in raw eggs, usually has a fever, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps beginning 12 to 72 hours after eating or drinking a contaminated food or beverage. The infection generally lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment. But for those who are at high risk, like infants, older people, pregnant women, and people with a weakened immune system, it can be life threatening.

Safe Homemade Ice Cream

 You can still enjoy homemade ice cream made with eggs without the side effects of salmonella infection by preparing the ice cream safely. Use egg products, egg substitutes, or shell eggs that are pasteurized or use a cooked egg base. Egg products are eggs that have been removed from their shells and pasteurized. They can be frozen, liquid or dried whole eggs, whites, yolks or blends of eggs and other products. Unpasteurized shell eggs, the kind regularly found in grocery stores, can also be used to make ice cream as long as they are cooked properly.

Preparing safe homemade ice cream

 To prepare homemade ice cream with unpasteurized shell eggs, mix the eggs and milk to make a custard base and then cook to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. This will destroy any salmonella if it is present. Use a food thermometer to make sure the mixture reaches the correct temperature, and resist the temptation to taste-test it during preparation when the custard isn’t fully cooked. After cooking, chill the custard thoroughly before freezing.

The Four H’s and the Essential Elements of 4-H

Do you know the 4-H pledge?  The National 4-H Council has translated the four H’s into four essential elements that provide a framework to the 4-H program.

All young people will find some way to meet their basic needs, to build their skills and values, and to use their skills and energies in ways that will make them feel good. The ways they find, however, may be positive (filled with promise and success) or negative (blemished with loss and trouble).  4-H helps youth to meet their basic needs in positive ways.  4-H givers youth opportunities…

To experience INDEPENDENCE – I pledge my head to clearer thinking.  Youth need to know that they are able to influence people and events through decision-making and action.  By exercising independence through 4-H leadership opportunities, youth mature in self-discipline and responsibility, learn to better understand themselves and become independent thinkers.

To experience BELONGING – I pledge my heart to greater loyalty.  Youth need to know they are cared about by others and feel a sense of connection to others in the group.  This “fellowship” has always been an important part of a 4-H experience.  4-H gives youth the opportunity to feel physically and emotionally safe while actively participating in a group.  Current research emphasizes the importance for youth to have opportunities for long-term consistent relationships with adults other than parents.  This research suggests that a sense of belonging may be the single most powerful positive ingredient we can add to the lives of children and youth.

To experience GENEROSITY – I pledge my hands to larger service.  Youth need to feel their lives have meaning and purpose.  By participating in 4-H community service and citizenship activities, youth can connect to communities and learn to give back to others.  It’s clear that these experiences provide the foundation that helps us understand the “big picture” of life and find purpose and meaning.  Community service projects allow 4-H club members to see that their effort to help is important and valuable.  Youth learn that they do not live in a secluded world, but instead it is indeed a global community, which requires awareness and compassion for others. 

To experience MASTERY – I pledge my health to better living.  In order to develop their self-confidence youth need to feel and believe they are capable and they must experience success at solving problems and meeting challenges to develop their self-confidence.  By exploring 4-H projects and activities, youth master skills to make positive career and life choices.  To do so, youth must have access to quality research-based content and have the opportunity to learn by doing.  Additionally, youth need to have a safe environment for making mistakes and getting feedback, not just through competition but also as an ongoing element of participation.  Finally, youth need the breadth and depth of topics that allow them to pursue their own interests.

In York County the “Essential Elements of 4-H Youth Development” provide the foundation of our programs and help us to make strategic decisions as we plan programs.  Whether it is with Vaughn Island 4-H Camp, Discovery Arts programs, club activity, county fairs, afterschool programs, community leadership programs, or any of our other varied 4-H programs, you will find at its core an educational program helping youth to develop the essential elements of Independence, Belonging, Generosity and Mastery.

Resources

 Visit Turn Beauty Inside Out Maine at the Common Ground Fair !

Visit our booth at the Common Ground Fair, September 23-25 in Unity Maine.  We’ll have resources and information from collaborating groups around the State… and of course our tee shirts and bumper stickers.  Come meet others working to change the definition of beauty to “good hearts, great works and activism” and share your ideas with us.

Healthy Beaching Information

Resources on healthy beaching such as general hygiene information, tips for keeping kids clean, and best boating and pet practices can be found online at www.mainehealthybeaches.org/. The site also provides official notification of the water quality status at the 42 beach management areas involved in the Maine Healthy Beaches Program.

Soil Test Box and Form

Fall is the best time to test your soil. Learn what your lime, organic matter and nutrient needs are for your favorite farm or garden plants.  Call our office to request that we mail you the box and form. You then fill out the soil test form, take the sample according to the directions and mail it in with a check for $12.  York County Extension Educator, Frank Wertheim is available for consultation on either how to take samples, or how to interpret the results and recommended amendments.

Programs

Plant Sale

September 10, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

York County Extension Office Grounds

This plant sale is being billed as THE ULTIMATE YARD SALE as we are literally DIGGING UP AND SELLING THE YARD. As the York County office of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension is moving to Springvale November 1, we will be selling all of the plants in our demonstration office grounds.  Everything will be Priced to Sell!  Highbush Blueberries, perennials, shrubs, herbs. Other non plant garden items such as soaker hoses, blueberry netting, a lawnmower and much more will be available at yard sale prices.

This is going to be a dig your own sale, with Master Gardener Volunteers on hand to help with anyone who needs a hand in the digging.  We will have pots and bags on hand, but please do bring your own pots if you have them available.

Tomato Tasting Extravaganza!

September 10, 10:30 – 11:30 AM

York County Extension Office Grounds

Join us for this tomato tasting extravaganza in which both York County Master Gardeners and the Public are invited to bring 3-5 tomatoes of each of your favorite varieties to cut up and share. Heirloom, hybrid, determinate, indeterminate tomatoes – we’ll have samples of each at the great tomato tasting event. Taste new and different tomatoes and learn about the attributes of these varieties and what they taste like. There will be an open discussion of the varieties brought in.  Join us whether you can bring us some tomatoes to share or if you just want to taste and see what to try and grow next year.

Food Safety Training for Volunteer Quantity Cooks

October 11, 2005, 10:00  AM—3:00 PM

York County Extension Office

Register by calling Lois at 1-800-287-1471
Registration Deadline is Oct. 4th
Learn up-to-date methods for safely preparing, handling and serving food for large groups.
Workshop leader: Kathy Savoie, MS, RD, UMCE Extension Educator

Please contact us 10 days prior to this event at the University of Maine Cumberland County Cooperative Extension office 1-800-287-1471 if  you are a person with a disability and will need any special accommodations to participate in this program.

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