4-H Flash Newsletter

November / December 2008

Volume 3, Issue 9

Calendar

November 27 Thanksgiving Day - Extension Office Closed
November 28 Office Closed
December 25 Christmas Day– Extension Office Closed
December 31  Reenrollment Packets Due

For a complete listing of what’s happening in 4-H  check out the 4-H Calendar  Page at: http://extension.umaine.edu/4h/calendar.htm.

Perry Harvest Fair 4-H Displays

A HUGE thank you to our clubs that created displays for the Perry Harvest Fair this fall.  The displays showcased a wonderful variety of what 4-H members and volunteers are doing around Washington County.  We also used some of the displays at our “Business After Hours” event that the office hosted for the Machias Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. Thanks for helping us spread the word about 4-H and be watching your newsletter for details about next year’s new club display contest!

Reminder

If you haven’t picked up your display yet, please stop by the office at your earliest convenience. 

I Pledge My Hands to Larger Service…

As your club begins to make its 4-H plan for the year, be sure to spend some time thinking about service to others as this is as this is a major element of the 4-H experience.  How will your club make a difference in the lives of others this year?  How will you make a difference this year?  Need some ideas or what to apply for a mini-grant?  Check out www.kidscare.org to learn about other kids around the country who are making a difference.

Washington County Bulletin Board Items

Farewell to a Friend of 4-H!- Colleen Brown, our 4-H Program Aide has moved on to new adventures.  Colleen worked with our 4-H volunteers and clubs for the past three years.  She brought new ideas, enthusiasm and commitment to her work and will certainly be missed.  We wish her well as she focuses her energies on her new consignment shop for children’s clothing.  Thank-you Colleen for all you did to make the best better!

 Winner of Early Bird Special /Reenrollment –Congratulations to the Horse Power Club for winning the early bird special promotion.  They will receive a $25 Wal-Mart gift card to be used in support of their club!

 Leaders please be sure to submit ALL paperwork by December 31st. There will be no exceptions.

Kid’s Science Challenge

The Kid’s Science Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to engage 3rd to 6th-graders in practicing science. It was created by Pulse of the Planet and is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation.

 4-H is a partner organization for the Kid’s Science Challenge. As a partner, the Kid’s Science Challenge organizers have dedicated a limited number of free hands-on science kits to the first 4-H groups who enroll. 4-H staff and volunteers might organize ongoing after-school Kids' Science Challenge sessions or set up several 4-H meetings to inspire kids to enter the Challenge.

 The Kid’s Science Challenge launched on October 1. Read below for more information about the Challenge and visit the Web site at http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com The Web site uses Flash, so users will need to be able to view Flash content to use the Web site.

Energy Resources

Introducing a new web site for information on:

8 Home energy conservation

8 Home heating alternatives

8 Transportation alternatives

8 Saving tips for small businesses

8 Energy tips for farmers

 Web site: http://www.umext.maine.edu/energy/default.htm

Maine State 4-H News

1. Horse Study Sessions

4-H Horse Members! Study sessions for horse knowledge.

Starting October 21, study sessions will begin for any interested 4H horse club members. Study sessions will be done by video conference at various high schools throughout the state on the third Tuesdays of each month October through May from 6-8pm. The study sessions will be held at eight different high schools around the state: Hampden Academy, Lewiston HS, Sanford HS, Oxford Hills HS, Houlton HS, Nokomis HS in Newport, and Hall-Dale HS in Farmingdale. Find one close to you and come join us!

Who should attend? Anyone who would like to learn more about horses, or might be interested in the Eastern States Equestrian Team, the Communications Team, the Hippology Team, Horse Judging Team or the Horse Quiz Bowl Team. These will be interactive study sessions with other 4-Hers from all over the state!

Updates and cancellations will be on the website at:  http://www.umext.maine.edu/4h/resources/horse/study.htm or contact Kate Slattery at:  slatterk@sad44.org or 836-3217.

2. Maine 4-H ESE Canine Team

The 2008 Maine 4-H ESE Canine Team coaches Nancy and Greg Conant, would like to

congratulate Sara Conant, Amberosity Davis and Marisa Dayken for their outstanding work at this year’s Eastern States Exposition 4-H Dog Program held on September 26-28 in West Springfield, MA. Overall the team placed third in the Quiz Bowl competition held on Saturday. Sara Conant from Cumberland County received awards for obtaining the third highest Dog Knowledge Test Score of Division II and for Highest Scoring Steward. Amberosity Davis from Hancock County received an award for Reserve Champion Steward. Marisa Dayken and her Miniature Pinscher Harley from Kennebec County won third place in both their showmanship and obedience classes. Congratulations to all! More results of the other Eastern States teams coming in the December newsletter.

3. Time has come to take a step forward…

If you have wondered how to start a community project, get others involved, or find a way to keep the energy level high after you come back from a conference like CWF, a leadership training, a national/regional contest, or national 4-H award trip – let’s get connected and…“Mobilize to Make a Difference” On Saturday, November 22, 2008 we’re doing something wild!

9:30 am to 3:00 pm (still enough time to shop) In Bangor at the Penobscot County Cooperative Extension

Learning and Action 9:30 to 12:30 – Steps for Action

12:30 to 1:00 – Networking Lunch provided 1:00 to 3:00 – Action – apply what you’ve learned

For teen and adult partners – come as a team if you can

Outcomes:

» New ways to connect teens across the state » Form a new group with Youth and Adult Partners

» Existing groups become re-energized with their own focus

» Virtual meetings as follow up – using new technology – may become a statewide teen counsel or not – your choice » Valuable skills for decision-making; powerful beyond 4-H - useful in school or community or world!

No charge, just get here – it is a one-time event! If you can, bring snacks to share.

Sponsored by the 4-H Youth in Governance Program Work Team (YIG PWT) – A Maine 4-H Youth Community Action Program. For more information contact me, Barbara A. Baker, 4-H Youth Development Extension Educator, 207-942-7396 or 1-800-287-1485, bbaker@umext.maine.edu

Cooking with the Kids

 Jiffy Oatmeal Crunch

 Ingredients:

1/2 cup margarine or butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups uncooked quick oats
1 cup raisins 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° and grease a 9X13 inch baking pan.

2. In large skillet, melt butter and brown sugar.

3. Remove from heat and stir in remaining ingredients.

4. Spread into pan and bake for 15-20 minutes. Cool; cut into squares.

 Adapted from: Creative Recipes for Less Familiar USDA

Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD)  Phone Numbers 1-800-287-8957.

If you are a person with a disability and will need any accommodations to participate in any programs, please call the Hancock County Office at 1-800-287-1479 or Washington County Extension Office at 1-800-287-1542 to discuss your needs.  Please contact us at least 20 days prior to the event to assure the fullest possible attention to your needs.

University of Maine Nondiscrimination Statement

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals for diversity, the University of Maine system shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or citizenship status, age, disability or veterans status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University.  The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.  Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Employment Opportunities, 101 North Stevens, (207)581-1226.

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Last Modified: 11/19/08
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In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and in pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans' status in employment, education, and all other areas of the University. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Questions and complaints about discrimination in any area of the University should be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens, (207) 581-1226.

Information in this web site is provided purely for educational purposes. No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned in this web site. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied.