4-H on the Move A Newsletter for 4-H Families                      JUNE	Archives of the Newsletter
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4-H Calendar

Visit the State of Maine 4-H Calendar at: www.maine4h.umaine.edu/calendarpage.htm

Visit the Waldo County 4-H calendar at: www.umext.maine.edu/Waldo/4H/Calendar

 

County News

Alice in Wonderland

By: Bo Curtis, 4-H Member of the Friends 4-H Club

This year the play I was in was Alice in Wonderland. I have usually been an extra like a townsperson, but this year I have a big part. I was the King of Hearts!

Chapter 1

First I went to tryouts and had to read a monologue. I got a monologue about worms and races. Then I had to go to classes at co-op on Thursdays. Every Thursday we’d go up to Bangor and I’d try to remember my lines. Then I would go home and read through my script, and listen to my CD.

 

Chapter 2 Finally we had to come to Brooks and practice for the week, ON STAGE! On Tuesday I wore my cape and crown. On Thursday we all wore our costumes. When Friday came we had 2 schools come for a dress rehearsal. I thought this was a good show because I couldn’t see their faces! Chapter 3 On Friday night the house was full. The house is the part where the audience sits. It was fun to see all my relatives there. My relatives that came were; Mom, Dad, Alyssa, Megan, Isabelle, Aunt Dawn, Bob and Kathy Pratt, Ellen Curtis (great grandmother), and Granny.

Chapter 4

On Saturday at 2:00PM we had a matinee. The matinee set a record of people at Marsh River Theatre!!! At 7:00PM we had a good show, it was the last one so we had everyone give their stuff to Mrs. Seekins, the director.  It was 10:00PM when I got to bed and 12:30 when I finally fell asleep!!!!

 

Am I Ready?

By Christy Fitzpatrick, Extension Educator, Aroostook County

Fair Time will be here before we know it.  It’s time to start getting ourselves and our animals ready to go!

•  Am I ready for Fair?

•  Have I thought about how I will use my Fair experience in the future?

•  Am I responsible, respectful, trustworthy, fair, caring and a good citizen?

•  How will I make sure that my animals are well taken care of during the fair?

•  How will I support other 4-H members?

•  How can I show respect to 4-H volunteers, judges, fair staff and the public?

•  What can I do to make the fair the best experience possible for everyone attending?

•  Are my exhibits ready for Fair?

•  Is my project going to represent my best effort and my ongoing project work?

•  Have I read the requirements for the exhibit carefully?

•  Have I prepared a life skills wheel and an Exhibit Judging card ready for each exhibit?

•  How is my project record for my exhibits coming along?

•  Are my animals ready for Fair?

•  Am I doing everything necessary to make sure my animals will have a safe and stress-free fair?

•  Have all my animals that need an approved rabies vaccine, received it?

•  Have I checked with my vet to see what other vaccinations my animals might need?

•  Am I working with my animal EVERY day to make sure it is ready to be shown?

•  Are my forms all collected in a notebook including my animal approval and lease forms, vaccination and other immunization forms and registration papers?

Here are some more tips to help get your animals ready for Fair . . . . .

Start preparing animals 30-60 days before fair.  Get them used to as many fair conditions as possible including noise, being tied or confined, being with other animals, being around strangers.  Start them on the same feeding schedule they will be on at the fair.

To make sure animals drink enough during fair, add a little molasses or a few drops of lemon juice to their drinking water to cover up the taste about 2 weeks before fair.  Then add it to the water at fair.

If hooves need to be trimmed, do this 2-3 weeks before fair so they will have time to toughen.

If you are raising a market animal, make sure that you are aware of withdrawal times for anything you put into or on your animal.  Make sure you have accurate records.  Remember that your animal will be processed either during or after fair and that you are responsible for insuring that your buyer has a safe product!

Make sure the trailer you are using is clean and disinfected—especially if you are borrowing or sharing!

 

4-H, Good Character, and Showing at the Fair This Summer

Fair season is upon us and 4-H members are busy getting their projects, demonstrations and animals ready for exhibit.  Making high quality exhibits or preparing a demonstration or an animal for showing takes a lot of time and patience.  But also remember that you will be showing something else at the fair, your character.

One of the main reasons we go to fairs is to teach other people about the 4-H program.  Learning about and using good character is one of the most important parts of the 4-H program, so all 4-H members are expected to “exhibit” the six pillars of character!

Before you get to the fair, think about how you are going to prepare to exhibit yourself as a person of good character!

A person who exhibits good character is trustworthy.  Having your forms filled out honestly, on time and with you at the fair, having your own animals for show, being where you say you’re going to be, returning what you borrow, and making sure that your market  animals meet food safety standards are all ways you can show trustworthiness. 

A person of character is responsible.  His or her animals have fresh water, food, and a clean space.  Responsible 4-H members do not allow anyone to bother any animal for any reason, even as a joke.  Responsible members make sure that their animals are under control and keep the public’s safety foremost in their minds. 

 4-H members of good character are respectful. They treat all other 4-H members, volunteers and parents politely.  They answer questions respectfully even when they have heard the question 100 times already. Respectful behavior means treating judges and other fair officials courteously, accepting judges’ decisions gracefully, congratulating members who win classes, and managing to stay calm and positive when things don’t go their way.

Fairness and caring should also be shown by 4-H members.  Fairness requires that members do their own work and never submit anything as theirs that was not done by them.  Fairness means following the rules and treating all fellow competitors as you want them to treat you.  4-H members show caring by sharing their knowledge and equipment with younger members.  They do not engage in rough behavior where someone could get hurt.  They do not pull pranks on other members of their exhibits.

Finally, 4-H exhibitors show that they are good citizens.  They are in their area when they are supposed to be there and help keep it neat and attractive. They are on time for shows and events, and they follow the 4-H rules of the fair. 

We will again be awarding the Exhibitor of Character awards to members nominated as those who model the “Six Pillars of Character”.  Every member should make sure what you “show” of yourself is blue ribbon quality!

 

Last Chance for . . . Animal Approval Forms

Any Waldo County 4-H member wishing to exhibit animals in 4-H events for the 2008 Maine fair season must have a completed animal approval form on file with the Waldo County Extension office.   The deadline for submitting Animal Approval Forms is June 30th (except animals which are going to Eastern States). 

When submitting your Animal Approval Form:

·          Your 4-H leader/advisor signs directly below the last animal listed,

·          Your Extension Educator also signs the form,

·          The original Animal Approval form is kept at your County 4-H office, and

·          A copy is sent back to you.

The 2008 Animal Approval Form is now available on line at:

www.maine4h.umaine.edu/newforms.htm

 

Northeast Livestock Expo Weekend

 4-H Volunteer Tom Hodgman shared that there were a few Waldo County 4-H members at the Northeast Livestock Expo - though not a 4-H show it was clearly a learning event for all who attended (Quizbowl, judging contest, fitting clinics and contests, showmanship and breed shows, etc.).

  

State and National News

4-H Volunteer (VOLT) Training Corner

On the following Saturdays in 2008, July 12 and October 11 VOLT training will be held in Penobscot and Piscataquis Counties. Select one of those dates to attend from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Please bring your lunch, completed application forms, and a $5.00 fee for the notebook and materials. No one will be turned away for lack of money. Location will usually be in Bangor at the Penobscot County Cooperative Extension office, 307 Maine Ave, but we may hold one in Piscataquis County in Dover if we have enough requests. So, register ahead of time by calling 942-7396 and speaking with Stacy (Barb, or Theresa).
 

Maine 4-H Days

Maine 4-H Days at Windsor Fairgrounds will be June 27, 28, and 29. It will be a weekend full of personal enrichment workshops as well as livestock events. The Craft Extravaganza will be full of different choices like silk batiks, kite making, Mexican tin work, and making cork fishing lures. There will also be woodworking, mask making and making a friendship bracelet. See the incredible demonstrations at the Physics Road Show again this year as well as a Fishing Derby which is new this year. Check out the Dog Camp as well as all the fun goat activities. There will be a horse show as well as lots of horse events. The Earth Connections track will show you about composting, tree identification and the water cycle. The Youth in Governance track will help you to take a community service idea and put it into action. Camping is encouraged and entire families are welcome. The registration brochure will be mailed out soon.

Dog Camp at Maine 4-H Days

 

Dog Camp will begin on Friday June 27 and continue through the 28 and 29 at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Dog Camp is open to Maine 4-H participants of all ages and experience levels. This year our breed group focus will be on the Toy Group and as always the major focus will be on having fun with our dogs.

Planning is still in progress but we have some exciting events underway. This year there will be a presentation about behavior counseling through the use of Bach Flower remedies and we will be having a presentation from a Chihuahua Rescue.  We will also have Showmanship and Obedience workshops for multiple experience levels. Back by popular demand this year are Agility workshops, a pizza party, and Quiz Bowl. Dog camp is always a fun and informative experience for everyone and we hope to see you there!

 

 

Maine 4-H Teen Conference on Wheels

July 14-17, 2008 – 4-H Members ages 13-18 – Deadline to Register: June 18

Travel to different locations to learn about community leadership, successful business strategies, environmental issues and citizen science. Download registration form: http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/events or contact your county Cooperative Extension office to have a form mailed to you.
 

2008 Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum

The 2008 Northeast Regional Volunteer Forum will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire from October 23-26, 2008.   For more details, a promotional flyer is available on our website at: http://extension.unh.edu/4H/4HVol/08NEVF.htm.  The full registration brochure will be available in May.

Stay Tuned! We look forward to seeing you in the fall!
 

Horse Vaccination Requirement

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension will require certain vaccinations for horses who participate in 4-H events during the 2008 season:

4-Hers attending 4-H horse events in 2008 must provide proof of current, annual vaccination for rabies as well as a current Coggins test done by a veterinarian. EVH-1 and Equine Influenza are also required.  Horse owners may, however, administer their own EVH-1 and Equine Influenza inoculations and a sales receipt will be sufficient evidence for proof of vaccination.” EVH-1 and Equine Influenza are considered effective for six months. Plan the timing of your inoculations with your last event in mind.

If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact your county Extension office or you can call the State 4-H Office at 1-800-287-0274.

 

Horse Tryouts for Eastern States

 

The Eastern States tryouts for the horse team will be held June 20, 21, and 22, 2008 at the Skowhegan Fairgrounds. Maine 4-Hers who would like to try out for the horse team can find the packet at www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse.htm.  Members who cannot access the packet on the website can contact their county Cooperative Extension Office for a packet.

4-Hers who intend to participate in the Horse Tryouts also need to fill out an "Intent to Participate" form and send it in by April 1. The intent form is at http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/forms/eseintents/horse.htm

 

2009 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

 

The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. sponsors an annual contest for 4-Hers, giving them an opportunity to win one of three cash prizes.  The topic for the 2009 contest is “The Dance Language of Bees”.  For a copy of the rules and more information, please contact the State 4-H Office at 1-800-287-0274 or 207-581-3877.

 

Market Lambs for Windsor and Fryeburg Fairs

You are no longer required to send an Intent to Participate Form for Market Lambs being shown at Windsor and Fryeburg Fairs; however, if you are planning to show at these fairs, you still need an Approval Form and to have your lambs tagged. There are four lamb tagging sites this year and bringing your lamb to one of them for tagging will constitute your intent to participate. When your animal is tagged, you will be given an Approval Form that must be signed and embossed by your county educator or professional. The deadline is June 30.

Tagging Sites:

June 07           Franklin County 4-H June Jamboree, Farmington Fairgrounds, 9 to 10 am
June 07           Cumberland County 4-H June Jamboree, Cumberland Fairgrounds, 12noon
June 21           Oxford County 4-H June Sheep Jamboree, Oxford Fairgrounds 9:00 to 11 am

 

2008 Summer GIS Camps – this Year in Northern and Western Maine

Northern Maine 4-H GIS Camp @ Greenland Pont Center in Princeton, ME, July 20-23
Western Maine 4-H GIS Camp @ Bryant Pond Conservation Center July 6-8
Ages 12-15

Program aides ages 16-18 – see below

Maine 4-H and the 4-H Science, Engineering, and Technology Program Team are excited to announce that there will be two GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Community Mapping Camps this summer.  These camps provide hands-on experience with GPS (Global Positioning System) data collection and GIS mapping software for campers ages 12-15.  Participants will use their new skills to do a community service mapping project for the camp site.  In addition, campers will be able to participate in many of the conservation activities offered such as swimming and boating, games, and campfires.

The Northern Maine 4-H GIS Camp will be held at the Greenland Pont Center in Princeton, Maine, July 20-23.  Campers will be mapping new recreational and interpretative trails and having an opportunity to work with forestry and wildlife professionals.  Cost of the camp is $75.00.  There will be a conservation camp running at the same time so campers will also get to take part in some of those activities.  GIS campers have also been invited to remain at the Greenland Point Center conservation camp for the rest of the week for an additional $100.  For more information on this camp, call Christy Fitzpatrick at the Houlton Extension office at 532-6548 or 1-800-287-1469 or email her at cfitz@umext.maine.edu.  The registration form will be posted on the Aroostook County 4-H website in early April and can also be mailed to you by calling to Houlton Office.

The western Maine 4-H GIS Camp will be held at the Bryant Pond Conservation Center July 6-8.  Information about the program and costs will be available soon. For more information about this camp, contact Susan Jennings at the Oxford County.

Important news for 16-18 year olds with GPS/GIS experience - both camps are looking for up to four program aides to help with the GPS and GIS work and other camp chores.  If you would like to apply to be a program aide, please contact either Christy or Susan as soon as possible.  Program aides will get to participate in all of the activities, but will get to come to camp for a reduced fee.  For Greenland Point, the fee will be $45.

 

 

4-H Day at the Skowhegan State Fair

Somerset County 4-H Leaders Association invites any 4-H Club or 4-H Member to take part in the 6th Annual 4-H Day at the Skowhegan State Fair on Sunday, August 10th, 2008.  This special day will begin with a parade around the racetrack with line-up beginning at 11:30 AM.  The parade can include floats, club members, led or ridden animals, etc.  Anyone taking part in the parade will be admitted free on 4-H Day.  Livestock demonstrations will begin at 1:00pm.

If you would like to participate in this event, please contact the Somerset County Extension Office, 4-H Secretary, Johanna Cliff, to receive the necessary paperwork and contact information, (207) 474-9622 or jclift@umext.maine.edu.  Hope to see you there.

 

Heart-Healthy, Tasty Maple Granola

 

You asked for it! Here’s the popular Healthy Lifestyles recipe served at the University of Maine 4-H EDGE conference this year:

Heart-Healthy, Tasty Maple Granola
courtesy of Vermont FEED (Food Education Every Day) – check out their website at www.vtfeed.org
 

Heat oven to 350 degrees

Mix:
4 cups rolled oats (see if you can find Maine grown oats at your local health food store!)
½ cup raw sunflower seeds (not toasted or salted)
In a separate bowl mix:
½ cup maple syrup (find a local sugarhouse in your area on this web site: http://getrealmaine.com/visit/maine_maple_sunday.html)
4 tbsp canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the dry ingredients with the maple syrup mixture.  Spread out evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.  Stir/turn granola and bake for another 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Let it cool, then pour into storage containers.  Eat for snack, breakfast or as a topping on dessert (like frozen yogurt!). Yummm!