The 4-H Forum. A bi-monthly newsletter of the Mercer County 4-H Youth Development Program

Transcription

1 RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF MERCER COUNTY The 4-H Forum A bi-monthly newsletter of the Mercer County 4-H Youth Development Program A bi-monthly newsletter of the Mercer County 4-H Youth Development Program FAIR FAIR REVIEW INSIDE ISSUE THIS ISSUE: RECENT NEWS RECENT NEWS FAIR REVIEW FAIR REVIEW FAIR WHAT S PHOTOS NEW WHAT S FUNDRAISER NEXT FUNDRAISER OPEN HOUSE OPEN HOUSE CALENDAR CALENDAR CLUB REPORTS CLUB REPORTS TEEN SCENE Congratulations!!! This on year s a fantastic Fair fair! was a huge The participation of your club made it a true success! success because of the participation of your club! The fair, which was held at Howell Living History Farm, The Fair, which was held at Howell Living History Farm Saturday, Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2, sure was a memorable one! While August Friday 1 & night Sunday, and Sunday August morning 2, sure of was the fair a memorable were a bit soggy, one! Saturday event highlights the 4-H spirit included stayed the positive! Goat Show, Horse Grooming Demo, Historical Country & English Dance Demo, & Pie Saturday highlights include the Goat Show, Horse Grooming Demo, Historic Eating English Contest. & Country Unfortunately, Dance Demo, we were and Pie hit Eating by two Contest. severe Unfortunately, thunderstorms two severe on Sunday, storms on so Sunday many of forced the us day s to cancel activities some were of the cancelled. day s events. Even Even so, so, the the Sheep Show continued, on, & and many of of our 4-H families 4-H families helped helped each each other other out before moving leaving to higher for higher ground! ground! Planning Planning for for next next year s fair will will begin begin right right away! away! Please Please forward forward suggestions to Kate at keverett@njaes.rutgers.edu. Thanks again for all your help in making our Fair great! Thanks again for all your help in making our fair great! LEADER LEADER NEWS NEWS F.Y.I. F.Y.I. Chad Chad Ripberger Ripberger County 4-H Agent County 4-H Agent Kaitlin Kaitlin Everett Everett 4-H Program Assistant 4-H Program Assistant IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES CORN MAZE FUNDRAISER SEPTEMBER 19, 20 & 26, 27 LEADER S MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 4-H FALL FEST & OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10 FALL LOW ROPES COURSE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

2 Send in your 4-H stories and see them in the next addition of the newsletter! CALLING ALL CLOVERBUDS Mercer County 4-H set up a booth at Freedom Fest at Mercer County As of September Park. Our 1, presence 2009 the at New Freedom Jersey Fest 4-H helped Prep Program promote our became own fair! the Volunteers New Jersey are 4-H Cloverbud welcome Program. to help out this event The 4-H next Cloverbud year. Program is designed to provide K-3 youth with The age-appropriate 4-H Field & Ropes experiential Day was learning held at activities the West in Ward a small Community Center These in youth Trenton may on be Saturday, registered July members 18th. Members of a 4-H from Cloverbud the club setting. Clever club Clovers or in a standard Stars club of Trenton with assigned, Clubs attended registered and volunteers had a great time! trained in the 4-H Cloverbud Philosophy *A& similar curriculum. Low Ropes This program, Event is in coming the tradition soon, of sign the Prep up now* Program, will remain non-competitive. The 4-H Cloverbud Program is a nationally recognized program for younger 4-H members. The 4-H Junior Master Gardener Ecology & Insect Camp was held at the beautiful Lawrence Nature Center from August The day camp, which is in it s second year, is a great way to reach out to non-4-h youth residing near Lawrenceville. During the two weeks of camp, Master Gardeners, County Naturalists, and local bee keepers came to speak and give hands-on demonstrations! Above, Ruedi Kasabach, of the 4-H Stars of Trenton Club, maneuvers through the low ropes course as new 4-H friends look on. 4-H Teen Leadership Camp was held August in Freehold, NJ. Over 50 teens from all NJ counties attended. Unfortunately, like our weather at Fair, severe thunderstorms forced the camp to close early on Saturday. Bummer! Gladly, there is already talk about holding a make up Lock-in (4-H teen sleepover) event. THE 4-H FORUM

3 2009 MERCER COUNTY 4-H FAIR SHOW RESULTS GOAT SHOW Showmanship: Kellie VonThun, Novice; Alex Potosky, Junior; Tim VonThun, Senior; Alex Potosky, Overall Champion: Alex Potosky, Jr. Alpine; Kristie VonThun, Sr. LaMancha; Ed Struk, Sr. Nubian; Kellie VonThun, Jr. Oberhasli; Tim VonThun, Sr. Oberhasli; David Koons, Jr. & Sr. Grade Best in Show: Kellie VonThun, Junior Doe; Kristie VonThun, Senior Doe SHEEP SHOW Showmanship: Renee Stillwell, Junior; Alex Byrnes, Senior; Renee Stillwell, Overall Showman Best in Show: Alex Byrnes, Grand Champion; Renee Stillwell, Reserve Grand Champion POULTRY SHOW Champion: Ed Struk, Bantam Chicken; Maggie Emley, Waterfowl; Best in Show: Maggie Emley RABBIT SHOW Best of Breed: Emily Dallas, Holland Lop; Nate Byrnes, Dutch; Best in Show: Emily Dallas Tack Box Contest Winners: Best Traditional Finish David Koons Best Creative Finish Alex Potosky Best Constructed Ed Struk The winners of the 2009 Caretaker s Award: Alex & Nate Byrnes, Alex Potosky, George & Renee Stillwell Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Fair Food Drive for Rutgers Against Hunger (rah.rutgers.edu). We reached our goal of collecting a wagon full of food! During our Saturday and (shortened) Sunday festivities, we collected a total of 25 bags of canned and non-perishable food to benefit local food pantries! In these tough economic times, that donation really makes a difference in the lives of local families! Congratulations again, on a job well done! The Pie Eating Contest Senior Division was won by Ed Struk, of the Clever Clovers, & the Junior Division was won by Kasper Kasabach of the Stars of Trenton! Awesome job guys!!! The Pancake Breakfast was a big hit on Sunday morning of the Fair. The Howell Farm kitchen offered many of us shelter from the storm, as we heated four skillets and lots of coffee to feed the 4-H camping crew. Volunteers from the Anime Club and Stars of Trenton were a huge help, cranking out colorful and creative pancakes shaped like 4-H clovers, the American flag, and happy faces. Stacks of blueberry, chocolate chip, and banana pancakes filled the room, and then our tummies! Thanks to everyone who helped! We ll definitely be cooking again next year!

4 Highlights of the 91st Mercer County 4-H Fair The Friday night before the fair is filled with fun fair set-up, family potluck, night hike, campfire & campout! Who could ask for more?! Below, 4-H ers gather around the campfire to make s mores! We had some severe weather during the fair, but that didn t dampen the 4-H spirit! The Clever Clover s Goat & Sheep Shows went on, along with a goat milking competition, goat cart rides, and sheep flipping! The Boltin Colts Club joined in on the fun by holding a horse grooming demo.

5 A number of new events took place at the fair this year, including a cupcake decorating contest, pie eating contest, frozen shirt contest, and a 4-H pancake breakfast. Some of these events were just fun to try, others will definitely be coming back again next year! Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out!

6 A number of new clubs are starting up this year! SHOOTING SPORTS Learn the basics of archery & riffle shooting GAMING Learn cooperation, communication & strategy COOKING Learn to cook & bake, focusing on healthy foods SMALL ANIMAL Learn how to raise, care for & show small animals JR. MASTER GARDENERS Explore the Lawrence Nature Center & more We hope you enjoyed the fair!... Now come on back to Howell Living History Farm during the last two weekends of September with your club, friends, and family to enjoy their award-winning, 4 acre corn maze! Help support farm restoration efforts & 4-H by having a blast with your friends in the maze! 50% of the proceeds will be donated back to the Mercer County 4-H to help keep our Fair fun & FREE! What: Corn Maze Fundraiser - $8.oo/Ages 13 & up, $6.00/Ages 5-12 Children 4 year & under FREE, group rates (20+) available Where: Howell Living History Farm When: September weekends - 9/19, 9/20, 9/26, & 9/27 Why: 50% of 4-H generated proceeds will be donated to our Fair How: Go online, for more information & *a number that you must show to identify yourself as a 4-H supporter*

7 Saturday, October 1-4 pm PROMOTE YOUR CLUB & HAVE FUN! COME ENJOY AN AFTERNOON OF GOOD FRIENDS & GOOD FOOD! BRING YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT 4-H! COME ENJOY Fall hike Apple dipping Scarecrow making Pumpkin painting More tricks & treats! 4-H Fall Fest & Open The Lawrence Nature Center located off of Rt. 206, Fernwood Ave, Lawrenceville, NJ *Bring friends & old clothes for scarecrows* EACH CLUB SHOULD RSVP TO KATE: OR KEVERETT@NJAES.RUTGERS.EDU

8 SEPTEMBER 09 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Sewing Club 2 Anime Club Sewing Club 16 Anime Club 17 Diversity Junior Council Corn Maze Fundraiser 20 Corn Maze Fundraiser Leader s Meeting Corn Maze Fundraiser 27 Corn Maze Fundraiser OCTOBER 09 Check it out! All these club meetings Sun are held at the Mon 4-H Office! Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat For more information on these & other clubs, call or Kate at or Sewing Club Anime Club 4-H Fall Fest & Open House Teen Council Sewing Club 14 Diversity Junior Council 21 Anime Club Fall Low Ropes Course

9 CLUB REPORTS Diversity Junior Council will be changing meeting dates to 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7:00-8:00 pm, starting in October. The club is open to 5th-7th graders. Teen Council meetings dates will also change in October, to the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 7:00-8:00 pm. Teen Council is open to 8th-12th grade students. Both clubs meet at the 4-H Office on Spruce Street, and both clubs focus on leadership skills and community service. Members of the Clever Clovers attended the State 4-H Goat Show, held at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 20. Both the VonThun & Potosky families were present. Tim VonThun won Senior Showmanship/Fitting, while Alex Potosky won the Junior class, and Kellie VonThun came in third in the Novice class. Great job everyone, way to make Mercer County 4-H proud! The Boltin Colts 4-H Club won the 4-H Club Proposal Contest, which was presented at the fair. Their project will be a club trail ride. One of their founding members, C.J. Mozeika, contributed her artwork for our Ad Book cover design contest, and it ended up on our fair t-shirts! The Boltin Colts are open to new members, & will hold their first meeting of the year on Thursday, September 24. The 4-Leaf Clovers won the club booth display at the fair, in the theme It s Easy Being Green with their reduce, reuse, recycle display. They used magazine clippings to make a big collage. Awesome! Also at the fair, the Clever Clovers won the new club banner division. Their new banner was recently created and used in an Allentown Street Fair to promote 4-H. Way to go green! CLEVER CLOVER ELECTIONS REPORT President Tim VonThun Vice President Emily Dallas Secretary & Club Reporter Nate Byrnes Treasurer Alex Byrnes Health Officer Renee Stillwell Historian Kellie VonThun

10 TEEN SCENE Are you interested in learning about being healthy & active? Become a 4-H Food & Fitness Ambassador Clubs are encouraged to incorporate health activities into meetings All NJ 4-H clubs are encouraged to elect a club health officer We also need 2-3 teens to serve as 4-H Food & Fitness Ambassadors Primary responsibilities include: Attend the free weekend training at 4-H Camp from September Promote the concept of 4-H club health officers to our clubs *If you are interested, contact the 4-H office for an application & details Applications are due to the 4-H office by Monday, September, 14 For more information about the Ambassador program, please go to If you are currently in grade 8 12, and would like to learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills while making friends and having fun, TEEN COUNCIL IS FOR YOU! Members of Teen Council attend Winter Camp and South Jersey Teen Conference, as well as complete community service projects throughout the year. If you are interested in finding out what Council is about, attend a monthly meeting 2nd Tuesday s of the month - the 4-H Office SAVE THE DATE WINTER CAMP JANUARY 29-31, 2010 High-school aged teens from Mercer, Burlington, Gloucester, Morris, and Salem Counties will join in a frosty adventure at L.G. Cook Camp in Sussex, NJ. Sign up by contacting Kate: or keverett@njaes.rutgers.edu

11 LEADER NEWS If you have not yet done so, pick up your club s fair t-shirts at the 4-H Office, or arrange for them to be dropped off. For arrangements, please call YOU RE INVITED: LEADER & VOL. MEETING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 7:00 the 4-H Center FAIR EVALUTION & ACHIEVEMENT NIGHT PREP Please RSVP to Kate A special thanks goes out to all of our leaders and parents who helped out before, during, and after our wet fair this year. You made the event even more special for our club kids. We could not have pulled it off without you! You are appreciated! SEPTEMBER MEANS It s time to revise club lists! Whether your club is just starting out, or has been around for the long haul, it s important that the 4-H Office has your club s current member list. Please call, or , Kate with your most current information following your September meetings. When new members join later in the year, updating will be easy!

12 Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Trenton, NJ Permit No MERCER COUNTY 4-H 930 Spruce St. Trenton, NJ Phone: Fax: To Make the Best Better Brian M. Hughes, County Executive Brian M. Hughes, County Executive A HUGE 4-H THANK YOU GOES OUT TO TARI BENNING A SUPER 4-H SECRETARY FOR OVER 16 YEARS! WE WISH HER LUCK AT HER NEW POSITION AT THE ONE STOP CAREER CENTER! MERCER COUNTY 4-H STAFF Chad Ripberger, Mercer County 4-H Agent; Sharon Gore, 4-H Program Associate; Miss Harmon, 4-H Program Associate; LouAnn Mastromarino, 4-H Program Assistant; Kate Everett, 4-H Program Assistant; Adele Dinges, 4-H Secretary