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

March - April, 2005

Articles     Resources     Programs     Maine Garden Day

Articles

Arts Saturday!  Kicks off

4-H Arts Discovery Programs

York County 4-H introduces its new 4-H Arts Discovery Programs with a series of expressive arts classes offered on five consecutive Saturdays in April and early May.

4-H Arts Discovery Programs is the umbrella under which a variety of youth arts programs will be offered to 4-H members and other youth through York County Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program.  4-H Arts Discovery programs are designed to help youth in “discovering the art of life”.

The goal of the Arts Discovery Programs is to provide youth with opportunities to:

• Learn and experience expressive arts

• Learn about themselves, their communities and the world around them

• Use the arts to learn broader, valuable life skills

• Have fun!

York County’s 4-H Art Discovery Programs will inspire children to explore the world through creativity journaling, painting, music, and other mediums.

Extension Educator Jon Prichard has designed the program as a collaboration with local artists.  “We are so excited to be finding ways to use the arts as a means for teaching youth about themselves and the world.  In addition to providing an outlet for creative expression, the arts are a terrific way to teach youth life skills that will serve them a lifetime,” he said.

Research has shown that the arts can help youth to develop self-esteem, appreciation of the work of others, self-expression, cooperation with others, and critical thinking skills, skills vital to their success.

The following programs are planned for 2005:

Arts Saturday! : discovering the art of life! –  This program will run five Saturdays, beginning April 12, and provide youth with opportunities to experience a variety of arts activities.  See “Programs” in this newsletter for information on Arts Saturday!   

Outdoor Arts: discovering the art of nature!  A weeklong arts “day camp”, July 18-22 that will include “found art”, and art in nature.  Aspects of Outdoor Arts will also be a component of Vaughn Island 4-H Camp this year.

Community Colors Banners Project : discovering the art of life! – An experiential arts program open to the public at Acton Fair.  Youth and adults will be invited and guided to create colorful expressive banners, which will be used to educate and decorate the 4-H Exhibit Hall during the fair.  We will train 4-H members to teach and encourage participation.  This program will occur in August, 2005.

Community Colors Storytelling Project: discovering the art of community! – This is an exciting intergenerational program, in which youth interview elders (family, community, friends, etc.), and then create a titled visual art project that relates some aspect of the elder’s story and/or life.  These will then be displayed in public places as a living history of our community’s elders.  This program will be piloted in fall, 2005, with special 4-H workshop offerings and through afterschool programs.

Additional 4-H Arts Discovery Programs are in the works for the winter and 2006, including a family 4-H folkehojskole (folkschool) camp for the summer of 2006.  Stay tuned for more information on this and other upcoming programs that will help our youth in discovering the art of life!  For more information on any 4-H Arts Discovery Programs contact Jon Prichard.

York County Farmers Network

A group of York County farmers has been working hard to develop a York County Farmers Network.   Below is an outline of our mission, goals and activities.  If you are a commercial farm of any kind please join us!

Mission Statement:

“We are a community of farmers that promotes, supports and strengthens local agriculture through informal gatherings, demonstrations, and information and resource sharing.”

Goals:

1. Strengthen farm financial viability

2. Provide Interaction between farmers to build community.

3. Be inclusive of all types of farms: large, small, part-time, organic, non-organic, crops, livestock, etc.

4. Collectively market/promote York County farms

5. Encourage growth of York County farm-based businesses

6. Stay up to date with best agriculture practices

Activities:

1. Write a York County Farmers Network marketing plan.

2. Share marketing and business strategies to strengthen farm financial viability.

3. Create promotional materials, i.e. brochures, farm location maps, web-based information and press releases.

4. Conduct on-farm demonstrations of new and innovative techniques and best agricultural practices.

5. Provide opportunity for informal information sharing among farmers at network gatherings.

6. Pursue grant opportunities to support on-farm research, group marketing and web-based promotion.

7. Discuss methods that promote the long-term health of the farm.

If you would like to join and benefit from the York County Farmers Network, please contact us with the following information:

Name:

Farm Name:

Type of Farm (vegetable; greenhouse, sheep, etc.):

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Email address:

Web Site:

Please send your contact information to us via University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator, Frank Wertheim, 41 Shaw’s Ridge Road, Sanford, ME  04073, (207) 324-2814 or 1-800-287-1535, Email: frankw@umext.maine.edu, or FAX: (207) 324-0817. You can call, write E-mail or Fax, whichever is easier, the key is that we hear from you.

“What Makes You Beautiful?”

Eight and nine year old girls were discussing what it means to be beautiful in their small York County community girls group a couple of months ago.  There were very thoughtful and reflective and spoke from the heart. 

They said being beautiful was “being real, being respectful, being non-judgmental and being a good friend.”  They said it was “being who you are, an individual, original and not following trends.”   They said beautiful was “your personality, not putting people down, telling the truth and having fun. Taking care of yourself and being healthy makes you beautiful.”  And true beauty was about “being comfortable, standing up for yourself and standing up for others.”

The girls were then asked “what messages do you get about what makes you beautiful?”

They said the messages were about “how you look, having the latest fashions, being popular and skinny”.  They said the messages about what is beautiful are about “putting people down, having to be with somebody and having a boyfriend.”

The girls were in an after school program called “Turning Beauty Inside Out” that challenges media definitions of beauty.  They were discussing a new and more empowering definition of beauty for girls that emphasizes their inner beauty, their strengths, their talents, the way they treat people and how they work to make the world a better place.  True beauty is “good hearts, great works and activism.” 

 For more information on Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine, see the resource section or visit the program online at http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/GenderProject/TBIO.htm .

Designing the Future of Kittery, Eliot, York and South Berwick

Kittery, Eliot, York, and South Berwick (KEYS), are the four southernmost towns in Maine, separated by the Piscataqua River from the greater Portsmouth, NH area. With more than 36,000 residents in 2005, these towns have more population than the city of Portsmouth, and more than many counties in Maine.

These towns, rich in natural resources and talented people, are only an hour's drive from Boston MA to the south, Manchester NH to the west, and Portland ME to the north. Population growth is rapid, and tourist and commuter traffic is high and growing. Community members in these towns have decided not to allow their future to "just happen", but instead, they plan to design it. 

In 2004-2005, a planning process is taking place called Our Future by Design (OFBD): Working Better Together. OFBD began as a visioning and planning conference held in April 2004. Its goal was to develop solutions to issues of a regional nature that individuals and towns cannot solve independently.  The conference was attended by over 100 people and more than 70 surveys were collected to gather public input. Focusing on the KEYS region, vision/outcome statements that describe a thriving community, were drafted: abundant arts and culture, a vibrant and diverse economy, a commitment to education, respecting the environment, valuing our senior citizens and our youth, health care with access to prevention and treatment resources, the importance of family, an adequate variety of housing, full municipal services, and adequate transportation. Community leaders from each of these sectors then organized working groups that met repeatedly during spring 2004 to further refine ideas generated at the April conference. The OFBD reports and plans generated by these working groups are being posted on the internet to provide for continuing community review and feedback.

You are invited to read the draft reports at www.keysregion.org and email comments to sector leaders. For more information or to get involved, please contact the Community Wellness Coalition at 207-438-9100 or keysregion@comcast.net. You can also download KEYS Counts, a compilation of data regarding the KEYS region towns.  This resource is also available by contacting the Community Wellness Coalition.

OFBD is organized by the Community Wellness Coalition, working closely with the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, with support from York Hospital and Maine Sea Grant, and major funding from the Greater Piscataqua Community Foundation, a regional arm of the NH Charitable Trust. The OFBD work is guided by a Coordinating Council made up of representatives from diverse community sectors, with an Executive Board and staff managing the core functions needed to keep this KEYS regional planning process moving forward.

Adapted from material provided by the Community Wellness Coalition, Nov. 2004

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Resources For You!

4-H Curriculum:

Arts & Crafts - A Palette of Fun

The 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System has a terrific youth guide for Arts and Crafts, Arts & Crafts - A Palette of Fun (134 pages.)

Youth will have many artistic experiences with A Palette of Fun with Arts & Crafts: A Helper's Guide for Children's Art Activities. All activities focus on teaching the elements and principles of art and developing skills for a lifetime. Children learn art through cutting and pasting, painting, sculpting, drawing, printing, and construction with fibers and other materials.

A Palette of Fun connects the art experience to careers, culture, science, technology and more. This helper's guide can be used with groups of children in any setting, in and out of school. Grades K-6.  Cost: $15.00.

Review and order direct at http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp, or call 612-624-4900. You may also review this at the York County Extension office.

4-H Curriculum: Theatre Arts

Theatre Arts 1 – Play the Role

(40 pages) The activities in this first level are a wonderful introduction to the world of theater arts as the child and helper learn together in the fascinating world of make believe. Grades K-2.  $3.95

Theatre Arts 2 – Become a Puppeteer

(40 pages) This guide is exciting and lots of fun for both youth and helpers. Youth create sound effects, make puppets and prepare a puppet skit. Although acting is the primary subject matter, young people will practice and learn many life skills such as problem solving, managing feelings, decision making and communicating.  Grades 3-5. $3.95

Theatre Arts 3 – Set the Stage

(40 pages) Youth do improvisations, create disguises and design costumes. They learn how to express themselves clearly in the exaggerated manner that is seen on stage and screen. Other life skills practiced include problem solving, accepting differences, communicating, learning to learn and decision making. Grades 6-8. $3.95

Theatre Arts - Group Activity Helper's Guide

(40 pages) This guide assists the Helper to facilitate learning throughout this project. How the skills are addressed throughout the series is explained and the "Advice to the Helper," provides the valuable information about experiential learning  The group activities reinforce the skills youth develop. Helpful hints throughout the guide aid the helper as the youth work through the four achievement programs of the theater arts curricula. $3.95 

For more information, to review or order copies of these materials contact the Extension office.  To review and order direct, visit http://www.n4hccs.org/shop/products.asp

KEYS Counts: Community Facts and Figures 2004 for Kittery, Eliot, York and South Berwick

If you live, learn, work, or play in or near the “KEYS”towns—Kittery, Eliot, York,

and South Berwick, Maine—this report is for you. KEYS Counts compiles data related to KEYS region demographics, social and civic participation, communication and culture, environment, economy, lifelong learning, and physical and mental health. Learn the facts about the past and present to develop a community vision for the future. Available by contacting the Community Wellness Coalition at 207-438-9100 or keysregion@comcast.net.

York County Farmers Network 

Join the fledgling York County Farmers Network so together we can, support and strengthen local agriculture through informal gatherings, demonstrations, and information and resource sharing. Please contact us with the following information:

Name:

Farm Name:

Type of Farm (vegetable; greenhouse, sheep, etc.):

Mailing Address:

Phone:

Email address:

Web Site:

Please send your contact information to us via University of Maine Cooperative Extension Educator, Frank Wertheim, 41 Shaw’s Ridge Road, Sanford, ME  04073, (207) 324-2814 or 1-800-287-1535, Email: frankw@umext.maine.edu, or FAX: (207) 324-0817. You can call, write E-mail or Fax, whichever is easier, the key is that we hear from you.

Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine

Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine (TBIO) is a grassroots celebration of a new cultural definition of beauty as “good hearts, great works and activism” and a celebration of media images that promote healthy development.  Do you want to learn more about this  project and how you can get involved?  Contact the Extension office (324-2814) for a packet of TBIO information.

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Programs For You!

Media Literacy and Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine

This professional development and volunteer training opportunity for adults who work with young people will be offered twice:

Monday, March 21,  2005    6:00 - 9:00 pm

Conference Room, Caring Unlimited Office

Main Street, Sanford

To register, call the York County Ext Office at 324-2814

Monday, April 11,  2005    6:00 – 9:00 pm

Wells High School

To register, contact Wells Ogunquit Adult and Community Education at 646-4565

What is media literacy?  How does today’s media culture construct reality, produce meaning and define masculinity and femininity for young people?  How are girls and boys uniquely vulnerable and what can we do to make a difference?

In this training, we will explore answers to these questions using media literacy activities that can be adapted for use in school and community settings.  We will discuss one community education and action strategy, Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine, (TBIO) in depth.

Turn Beauty Inside Out, Maine is a grassroots celebration of a new cultural definition of beauty as “good hearts, great works and activism” and a celebration of media images that promote healthy development.  It is a community education and public awareness project focusing on issues of media literacy, body image, self-esteem and leadership development for girls and women, and is about education, activism and social change.

This workshop  is for teachers, 4-H and Girl Scout leaders, youth advisors, after school program staff and other professionals and volunteers who work with young people.  It is designed to support adults in taking these concepts, activities and action strategies back to their work with young people. 

Raising Your Own Backyard Poultry

• Thursday, March 31, 6:30 – 8:30 PM

• York County Extension Office, Sanford

• Free and Open to the Public

• Pre-registration required by March 30

Learn the basics of raising poultry including nutrition, conventional or organic feeds, housing requirements, processing costs and considerations.  You will also be able to order your spring chicks, turkeys, or game birds. This workshop will be offered in cooperation with Woodsome's Feeds & Needs, Blue Seal Feeds Inc., Ken Hussey Butchering, and Richard Brzozowski of the Cumberland County Extension office.  Please join us and bring a friend.

Art Saturday!  Teen Leader Program

Assist children in learning art projects

• Classes are on 5 Saturdays, April 9- May 7, 2005

• York County Extension Office, Sanford

• 2-3 teen leaders (ages 13-17) needed to assist each class

• Applications due by March 30

• Call the Extension office to request a brochure and application

• $5 materials fee per class

York County 4-H’s Art Saturday! program is looking for a teenagers (age 13-17) to act as teen leaders for this program.  We will accept 2-3 teenagers for each session of Art Saturday!.  This is a great way to learn new art projects, create art yourself, help younger children, and perform community service. See more information on Art Saturday!  in this newsletter. Art Saturday!  Teen leader program is part of York County 4-H Arts Discovery Program, which uses the expressive arts to help youth in “discovering the art of life”.

Art Saturday!: discovering the art of life!

Youth may choose to attend some or all classes

Classes are on 5 Saturdays, April 9- May 7

York County Extension Office, Sanford

Workshop limited to 16 children, ages 7-12

Registrations due by March 30

Call the Extension office to request a brochure and application

$5 materials fee per class

“The Story of Me” Wordpicture Collage
Saturday,  April 9, 9:00 - noon

Participants will use images, words and letters cut from magazines and a variety of art mediums to tell their own story in a wordpicture collage. Sharing and storytelling. A fun way to create and get to know each other.

One-of-a-Kind Recycled Art
Saturdays, April 16 & 23, 9:00 - noon

Create cool stuff from old stuff. Make fantastic one-of-a-kind art, sculpture, original jewelry, and wearable accessories from recycled objects, including old jewelry, beads, fabrics, natural and decorative materials.  This is a two-session class, as some projects will need to set or dry after the first class.

Healing Art Cards
Saturday, April 30, 9:00 - noon

This workshop gives participants an opportunity to use their creativity to help others. Using various art mediums and 3-D techniques we will learn to design cards with special messages of love and well being for family, friends, or a neighbor in need.

Mother’s Day Gift Making
Saturday, May 7, 9:00 – noon

Make an original gift and a special card in celebration of Mother’s Day; it may be for any special female in your life – mother, aunt, friend, teacher.  A good way to celebrate Turn Beauty Inside Out month, which promotes a new cultural definition of beauty as “good hearts, great works and activism”. 

Art Saturday!  is part of York County 4-H Arts Discovery Program, which uses the expressive arts to help youth in “discovering the art of life”.

Maine Garden Day
Saturday, April 16, 2005

• Central Maine Community College - Auburn, Maine

• Registration fee:  $37

• Call 1-800-287-1482 for a full brochure

• Space is limited to 550 persons.

• Pre-registration is required.

The 12th annual Maine Garden Day will feature 35 dynamic workshops from renowned horticulturists on Saturday, April 16 at the Central Maine Community College in Auburn. In addition there will be educational displays and a gardening trade show.

Some of the featured speakers will include: Extension Small Business Development Specialist, James McConnon, presenting “Growing a Business”; Bonsai enthusiast, Richard Pollock presenting “Bonsai Basics”; Windswept Gardens owner, Robert Bangs presenting “Roses, the right choice for Maine?” and Robins Nest Aquatics owner, Christopher Paquette, presenting “Water Gardening in Maine”.

First 550 registrations accepted. To register for Maine Garden Day you must request a brochure from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension by calling 1-800-287-1482 or find the brochure online at http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/ . The cost of this day-long gardening extravaganza is $37 and includes lunch and all workshops.

Brochures are also available via our county Extension web page: http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/MG/mgbrochure.htm

8th Annual: Get It Together 2005 Fashion Show

• Friday, May 13, 2005, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

• J. Richard Martin Community Center, 189 Alfred Street, Biddeford, ME

• Free and open to the public

• Pre-registration and choice of workshops by May 12 by 

Workshops Include:

• Container Gardening for Small Spaces

• Crafts Workshop

• Don’t be Foolish around Credit

• Planned-Overs and the New Food Guide

We Need You! Be a model for our fashion show—it’s fun! If you are interested, call our office and leave a message for Nancy Beaulieu, Fashion Show Coordinator or email Nancy at beaulieu@umext.maine.edu 

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