The general public is invited to attend the 4-H Washington County Public Speaking Tournament which will be held on Saturday, March 9th at 1:00 p.m. at the Kay Parker Building on Hadley Lake Road in Machias. 4-Hers from across the county will be presenting a demonstration or illustrated talk on the topic of their choice. Come support our local 4-Hers as they learn an important life skill!
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Public Invited to 4-H Public Speaking Tournament
Thursday, February 28th, 20134-H Flash — February 2013
Tuesday, February 12th, 2013Volume 8, Issue 2
Calendar
February 27- Registration Deadline for Washington County Public Speaking Tournament (PST)
March 9- Washington County PST
March 6- Shooting Sports Registration Deadline
March 16- Robotics Expo
March 23- Regional PST-UMaine Orono
April 6 & 7- 4-H Shooting Sports Training-Columbia
Public Speaking Tournament
4-H Public Speaking is off to a great start this year. With five schools and one county Public Speaking Clinic held in January (led by Lisa Reilich, our 4-H youth development professional), we have reached over 75 4-Hers (not to mention all parents, volunteer leaders and school staff) in Washington county clubs and schools this year through these alone. It’s clear that the enthusiasm for learning this important skill is catching on!
Our county 4-H Public Speaking Clinic, held at the Extension office on January 13th, was attended by five 4-H youth and three adults, who came to learn all about how to do Public Speaking the 4-H way, and how to prepare a demonstration or illustrated talk for the Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament this year. We had some experienced 4-H youth attend, who came to brush up on their skills, along with those quite new to 4-H public speaking.
Jane Bell, our 4-H volunteer leader and member of the 4-H Public Speaking Committee, and Nicole Wiley our 4-H program aide were both on hand to help everyone do their best and keep the learning fun! After the clinic, all the youth who attended said they planned to prepare a demonstration or illustrated talk in their club and county tournaments. That’s the 4-H spirit!
Clinics were also held at the Ella Lewis Grammar School and the Jonesboro Elementary School – both are 4-H School Groups. All our school groups will be holding School 4-H Public Speaking Tournaments to show off their newly gained skills. Look in the March newsletter for more news on how it all went.
We look forward to seeing many of our 4-Hers at the Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament. The tournament will be held at the Kay Parker Building in Machias on March 9th at 1pm (snow date of March 16th). Please be sure to register with Tara by February 27th.
-
- Participants of the Washington County Public Speaking Clinic try new skills during the clinic.
Washington County Bulletin Board Items
4-H Shooting Sports Training Coming to Washington County – 4-H Shooting Sports instructors, Ryan LeShane and Phil Catanese, are coming to the Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association in Columbia to provide a two-day training for 4-H Volunteers! This is a LEADER TRAINING, designed to prepare adult leaders to run 4-H Shooting Sports clubs in the disciplines of rifle and shotgun. Interested volunteers must have a volunteer application and cleared SBI (background) check on file at the county office, and be 21 years of age or older. If you are a VOLT certified, enrolled volunteer in Washington County, this paperwork is already on file. New volunteers should contact Nicole or Tara in the county office to obtain a volunteer application packet as soon as possible. Registration deadline is March 6th.
More information and online registration can be found at: http://umaine.edu/washington/programs/washington-county-4-h-program/4-h-shooting-sports-volunteer-training-weekend-washington-county/.
4-H Robotics Expo – March 16, 2013- University of Maine at Machias- 4-H Clubs that are involved in a Robotics project are welcome to participate in the 4-H Robotics Expo. Registration materials can be obtained through the Extension office by dialing 255-3345. Registration deadline is Friday, March 1.
Spectators are welcome to attend the exhibit session between 9:30 and 11:15 a.m. Come see local robotic displays and demonstrations as teams show off their work to the judges. You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in the “Crowd Pleaser’s” Award by voting for your favorite exhibit! Admission is free.
4-H Public Speaking – Reminder – Club and Independent delegate names must be given to the Extension Office by February 27th, 2013 in order to participate in the County Tournament. Include each youth’s name, 4-H age, club name, title of demonstration or illustrated talk, and whether it will be an individual or team presentation. County tournament will be held on Saturday, March 9, at 1:00 pm, at the Kay Parker Building in Machias. Regional tournament will be held on Sat., March 23, at the UMaine Orono campus.
“Grow It Right!”- Master Gardener Volunteers Plant Sale- The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and its Master Gardener Volunteers are offering a special “Grow It Right!” plant sale to raise funds for its statewide Master Gardener Volunteers program.
Money raised will assist Master Gardener Volunteer projects and also will provide scholarships to those who cannot afford the Master Gardener course fee. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the UMaine Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program has assisted in dozens of community horticultural projects across the state, including Maine Harvest for Hunger, youth gardening and other community-based volunteer efforts.
You can support the project by ordering a high-bush blueberry plant pack, consisting of three young plants, two varieties per pack, for $35.95 or a pack of 10 asparagus crowns ready for planting in the spring for $15.00. Plants will be available for pickup at the Washington County Extension office on Saturday, May 18, 2013. You will receive expert advice on growing blueberries and growing asparagus at every stage and a take-home package of instructions from Extension staff and Master Gardener Volunteers.
To place an order, go to the following website http://umaine.edu/gardening/master-gardeners/benefit/. A soil test is recommended prior to planting to help gardeners get the most out of their garden site.
For more information about Grow It Right!, contact Marjorie Peronto, 207.667.8212 (toll-free in Maine, 800.287.1479), or email marjorie.peronto@maine.edu.
Hancock County Winter Sewing Workshop – Hancock County construction judges for Style Revue, Judy Bragg and Ann Durgin, have agreed to teach a basic sewing workshop at the Hancock County Extension office. This would include pattern selection, sizing, fitting, layout, cutting, marking, seams, finishes, darts, hems, buttons, pressing, following instructions, etc. Mark you calendar for Wednesday, February 20th, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm – snow day, Thursday, February 21st. Please bring a brown-bag lunch. Call Joyce at the Hancock Extension Office at 667-8212 or 1-800-287-1479 by February 13 to register. We need a minimum of 10 people committed to this to make it worthwhile.
Downeast Region School News
Welcome to 4-H Jonesboro Elementary School!
Jonesboro Elementary School officially became a 4-H School Group in January – what a great way to ring in the New Year! We are so excited to have the students and staff of Jonesboro Elementary as part of our 4-H family. The school has already been working weekly with our Cooperative Extension Food Corp Service member, Taylor Weiss via Farm to School garden-based enrichment learning in the classroom. Can you guess what the first big project the school decided to do as part of officially enrolling in 4-H? If you said “4-H Public Speaking” you would be right! Principal Day and her staff have bravely taken on introducing 4-H public speaking as part of their daily lesson for the entire school, with students developing their own demonstration or illustrated talk to be presented as part of a school-wide 4-H Public Speaking Tournament to be held in mid-February. Their hard work is showing already. The tournaments themselves should be very exciting!
Maine State News
1. 4-H @ UMaine: Connecting Kids to Campus - If you know of a youth between the ages of 12 – 18, make sure they save the date! 4-H @ UMaine will take place May 17 & 18, 2013 at the University of Maine in Orono. Details will be available online in February at: http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-events/4humaine/.
2. Apply Now for National Trips – National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference. To learn more about these trips, visit: http://umaine.edu/4h/home/national-4-h-trips/.
Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 15, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Thuotte at 1-800-287-1535 or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
3. 2013 Morris Scholarship for Eastern States Participants – This is the year that Maine has the opportunity to select an Eastern States Exposition participant to receive a $500 scholarship towards continuing his or her education beyond high school. To find information on how to apply for this scholarship, look online at: http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-events/eastern-states-exposition-ese-or-the-big-e/morris-scholarship/.
4. 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament – for Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington Counties – The 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament will be held Saturday, March 23rd at the University of Maine at Orono in the Bangor Room. 4-H Youth ages 9 to 18 who have participated in their county 4-H public speaking tournament are invited to participate. For youth in counties which do not hold public speaking tournaments, arrangements may be made through their county’s Extension office to either participate in a neighboring county’s tournament or present in another format to be eligible. Registration for the regional tournament must be handled through the youth’s county Extension office. To register youth, county offices should contact Joyce Fortier in the Hancock County Extension Office no later than March 13th at 667-8212 or at joyce.fortier@maine.edu. For more information on 4-H public speaking, including guidelines and judging sheets, please visit http://umaine.edu/hancock/programs/hancock-county-4-h/ or contact Lisa Reilich at 207-598-6621 or lisa.reilich@maine.edu.
5. Celebrating 100 Years of 4-H in Maine – A Message from Lisa Phelps, 4-H Program Administrator- Did you know the first 4-H club in Maine was started in 1913, and it was a Potato Club in Scarborough Maine? Yes, indeed, it’s true! In 2013, 4-H is celebrating 100 years in Maine. I hope you will join me in celebrating the 100th birthday of 4-H in Maine and look for ways you can celebrate locally and statewide. We have a lot to be proud of in our 4-H program in Maine! Since the beginning, the youth development program of University of Maine Cooperative Extension has emphasized the importance of building the life skills needed to be successful adults.
We would not have had the strong program we have had for the past 100 years if it were not for the extremely dedicated volunteers and staff. On behalf of the thousands of youth all of you have impacted over the years, thank you for all you have done.
Please check out our special Celebrating 100 Years website at http://umaine.edu/4h/celebrating-100-years-in-maine/ - I would also encourage all of you to consider giving financially to the 4-H Foundation as we work to raise $100,000 in 2013 to support the 4-H program. Happy 100 years Maine 4-H, and here’s to many more!
6. Maine 4-H Foundation Post-Secondary Education Scholarships- Information and applications for Maine 4-H Foundation’s post-secondary education scholarships are now available online at their web site http://umaine.edu/4hfoundation/funding/. These scholarships are available to all current 4-H youth in Maine, high school seniors or recent graduates, who are pursuing higher education. The deadline for applications to be received at the local county Extension office is March 4, 2013. The Maine 4-H Foundation must receive completed applications from County offices by March 11, 2013. If you have any questions please email Dana Rickman dana.rickman@maine.edu or call 207-353- 5550.
7. Maine ESE Horse Tryouts – This year ESE Horse tryouts will take place on July 12, 13, and 14 at Skowhegan Fairgrounds. Reminder that riders/drivers must be 14 years old as of December 31, 2012. Information and tryout forms will be posted to the 4-H website the first week of February. If you have questions about ESE tryouts please connect with Tina Hogan, ESE Horse Committee Coordinator, maineesehorse@gmail.com or Kristy Ouellette, Extension Educator, kristy.ouellette@maine.edu.
8. State 4-H Dairy Program Dates- Please hold the following dates for your participation in the State 4-H Dairy Programs:- Quiz Bowl Tryout– Tryouts for the Dairy Quiz Bowl Team is Sunday, February 17, at the Farm Bureau office in Augusta. Quiz Bowl will start at 1:00 pm and finish up before 4:00 pm. Open to all 4-H Dairy project members. Snow date is the following day, Monday, February 18. Snow cancellation will be determined the evening before. Call 581-3872 for a message announcing the cancellation of Quiz Bowl if there is a storm. - Dairy Judging – April 13, Sat., time / location to be announced. Open to all 4-H Dairy project mem- bers. - Intent to Participate Form due May 1, 2013 for 4-H Dairy Team to Eastern States. - Fitting Competition – July 20, 5:00 pm at the Windsor Fairgrounds. - Maine State 4-H Dairy Show – July 21, 9:00 am at the Windsor Fairgrounds. The new dairy packet will be posted in March.
Forms are/will be posted on the 4-H Dairy web page at: http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-projects/animal-science-resources/dairy/
9. UMaine Day at the Legislature – 4-H Honorary Page Program – UMaine Day at the Legislature, Tuesday, February 26th, is quickly approaching. Since legislators like to see 4- H members from their districts, 4-Hers (age 13 or older) are encouraged to serve as Honorary Pages. The Maine 4-H program has up to 30 slots for Honorary Pages.
What does a page do? Pages hand out information to Representatives or Senators, or place the paper information on their desks. They also hand phone and other messages to Representatives and Senators on the floor.
If you are interested in serving as a page, please contact Debra Kantor in Somerset County at 1-800- 287-8957 or debra.kantor@maine.edu. We will attempt to have pages from different parts of the state. Slots, representing different state senators and representatives, will be filled in the order they are received, but the final deadline is February 8th. If the slot for your legislative district has been filled, your name will be added to a wait list in the order it is received. If you are leaving a message, please be sure to say “I am interested in serving as a 4-H Page at the Legislature on February 26”. Your slot will be reserved if you leave this complete information: full name, age, mailing address, county, phone number, email address, name of your school, name of your 4-H Club, name of your Maine State Representative, name of your Maine State Senator
4-H Honorary Pages will be in the Capitol from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm. A parent or 4-H volunteer provides transportation and chaperoning.
10. Save the Date for 2013 Maine 4-H Days – Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18 – 21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will be on the 20th & 21st. If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 581-3877.
11. February Vacation Day Camp at Tanglewood 4-H Camp- This outdoor day camp will be held at Tanglewood 4-H Camp in Lincolnville, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day with aftercare available until 4 p.m. Feb. 19th- 20th is for 6-8 year olds, while children ages 9-13 come on Feb. 21st-22nd. It’s a fun-filled adventure packed with outdoor exploration, wildlife tracking and sledding, which encourage personal growth in harmony with nature. The cost is $65.00/child for the two-day program. For more information or to register visit http://umaine.edu/tanglewood or contact Patti at (207) 789- 5868 or patricia.chapman@maine.edu.
12. 2013 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl and Hippology Meetings - Horse quiz bowl and hippology meetings will begin January 26th and be held once a month on Saturday or Sunday. 4-Hers interested in trying-out for the Maine teams which compete nationally in Kentucky at the Eastern 4-H Horse Round-Up exposition are required to attend these meetings. Although material is designed for 4-Hers ages 14-18, all ages are welcome to attend and material will be revised for younger 4-Hers.
Meetings will consist of working with quiz bowl buzzers, labeling horse diagrams, hands-on activities, review of workbook assignments, field trips to equine facilities, lectures/demonstrations by equine professionals, and educational games. Home assignments will consist of assigned readings, short research essays, and review quizzes. All materials will be provided free of charge.
Topics to be covered each month are as follows: - January – History of the horse, breeds and breed associations, coat colors and markings; - February – physiological systems and anatomy; will include skeletal, muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, and digestive systems; - March – foaling, yearling care, and dental aging and care; - April – Infectious diseases of the horse, common health conditions and problems, first aid, and vices; – May – Nutrition, feeds, the healthy horse, poisonous plants, and common parasites and flies; - June – Conformation, unsoundness’s, horse judging principles, shoeing, and farrier equipment; - July – Tack, riding disciplines and events, farm management, and pasture care; - August – Equine genetics, breeding and reproduction; - September – Review - October – Regional Competition - November – National Competition
For more information about time and place of meetings, call Edie Kershner (207) 322-4601 or email at ediekershner@yahoo.com
13. Celebrate Awesome! 2013 Engineering Expo – Saturday, March 2, 2013 – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the University of Southern Maine, Gorham Campus, suggested $2 per person donation at the door. Over 1,500 children and adults are expected to experience first hand the many contributions that Maine Engineers make to our communities and way of life. Maine’s top engineering firms, engineering schools, educators, government agencies, industry, and engineering societies will provide hand on activities and exhibits throughout the field house. The fun, dynamic, and positive environment will help encourage our youth to pursue careers in engineering and pro- vide a diverse and vigorous workforce for the future.
For more details visit: www.EngineeringME.com – the Maine Engineering Promotional Council.
14. Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) – Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of June 29 to July 6, 2013. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15 to 18. Delegations of 4- Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building work- shops. This summer, the Maine delegation will travel on June 29 to July 6, 2013. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washing- ton will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capitol. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 27th. For more information visit: http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-events/citizenship-washington-focus/.
Contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience.
15. Invention Convention – The Invention Convention is a statewide competition that promotes important life and work skills for Maine middle school students. Throughout the school year, students work to identify and solve problems by using a systematic approach to innovation. After competing against their peers at a local level, top students will be invited to attend the state conference where they compete for the top invention awards. The competition is open to any school offering grades 6, 7, and/or 8, as well as children who are homeschooled. For more information about the Maine Invention Convention, visit http://www.maineinvents.org or call Angela Marcolini at the UMaine Foster Center for Student Innovation at 207-581-1454, or email angela.marcolini@maine.edu. For more details please see our December 2012’s 4-H newsletter.
16. Eastern States Exposition – Calling all 4-H youth, ages 11 and up, along with volunteers who have an interest in showcasing the many interests and talents of Maine 4-H… we want you! Join the group of dedicated performers and demonstrators as we share our love for 4-H with the fairgoers at The Big E in West Springfield, Mass, the 3rd weekend in September. It’s an experience you will not soon forget.
Maine 4-H participates with displays and demonstrations in the New England Center, which also houses creative arts competitions, and daily stage performances. Working in teams of two at stations called “pods”, youth demonstrate 4-H projects, which this year will be focused on Robotics and Engineering. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in stage performances, which consist of planned presentations using costumes and other props, as needed. All projects and demonstrations will be centered around a science theme. Please call the UMaine Cooperative Extension Office in Oxford at 743-6329 or 800-287-1482 (in Maine) for specific details and for the team application. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. Sign up now as a small group with other teens. Students stay in the dorm, meals and transportation are provided.
17. New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar – New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar – Transitioning From a Hobby to a Commercial Goat Dairy. This seminar is being held during the Farm and Forest Exposition on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The schedule for the Dairy Goat Seminar starts with the ADGA District meeting at 10:00 followed by “Transitioning to a Commercial Goat Dairy” at 10:30. At 12:00 noon, the topic will be “Safe Handling of Milk”, adjourning at 12:30.
This event will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester NH. Free for 4-H youth and $5.00 per family. For a complete brochure on the Farm and Forest Exposition go to: nhfarmandforestexpo.org.
18. 4-H Farm-to-Fair Key Volunteers Needed – In order to continue the success of this exhibit at Union Fair, two key volunteer roles will need to be filled as soon as possible. A Volunteer Coordinator is needed to seek out and organize the schedule of volunteers operating the exhibit for the 8 days that the fair is open (August 17-24, 2013). The person, or team of two, needs to commit to being available for all of these days. If there is a team of two, the times can be shared.
We also seek a Farm Store Coordinator, who will coordinate the products that kids will choose from to take home after they have been through the exhibit. This person will be responsible for procuring enough donations of locally-produced items to fill the store shelves every day the exhibit is open. This will be done prior to fair week, so your presence will not be needed during the fair.
If you can help or want to learn more, contact Cindy Rogers, 4-H Program Aide, Knox and Lincoln Counties, 832-0343, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
Cooking with the Kids
Fruity Breakfast Smoothie
A healthy way for kids to start the day, this berry smoothie is perfect for breakfast or a snack on Valentine’s Day and beyond
Ingredients:
1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 banana
1 cup strawberries
1 1/2 Tbsp honey
Mix all ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish smoothie with a red licorice swirl, strawberry or make a red licorice straw from a licorice stick. Remove end of licorice so the ends are open.
http://www.parenting.com/article/fruity-breakfast-smoothie
School Garden 101 Training to Begin in March at Milbridge Elementary School
Friday, January 25th, 2013School Garden 101 is a course for school staff (teachers, aides, cooks, health coordinators, etc.) who wish to create a school garden and tie it to classrooms and the cafeteria. In multiple sessions, participants learn basic gardening skills, think through and document a school garden plan, and initiate their school garden. Each session focuses on a gardening subject (composting, soil health, growing seedlings, garden planning, insects/ diseases) and provides time and tools for school teams to plan and network with others.
This session is being held at the Milbridge Elementary School on Mondays, March 11, 18, and 25th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. The cost of the course is $30.00. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 20th. To register, please complete the registration form- School Garden 101 Registration Form- 2013 and return along with the course fee to University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 28 Center Street, Machias, ME 04654.
For questions, please contact the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office at 1-800-287-1542 or email tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
“Grow It Right!” Master Gardener Volunteers Plant Sale
Friday, January 25th, 2013
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension and its Master Gardener Volunteers are offering a special “Grow It Right!” plant sale to raise funds for its statewide Master Gardener Volunteers program.
Money raised will assist Master Gardener Volunteer projects and also will provide scholarships to those who cannot afford the Master Gardener course fee. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the UMaine Extension Master Gardener Volunteers program has assisted in dozens of community horticultural projects across the state, including Maine Harvest for Hunger, youth gardening and other community-based volunteer efforts.
You can support the project by ordering a high-bush blueberry plant pack, consisting of three young plants, two varieties per pack, for $35.95 or a pack of 10 asparagus crowns ready for planting in the spring for $15.00. Plants will be available for pickup at specific University of Maine Cooperative Extension county offices on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The office locations include; Hancock County in Ellsworth; Penobscot County in Bangor; York County in Springvale, Cumberland County in Falmouth, Knox-Lincoln counties in Waldoboro, Oxford County in South Paris, Washington County in Machias and Highmoor Farm in Monmouth.
You will receive expert advice on growing blueberries and growing asparagus at every stage and a take-home package of instructions from Extension staff and Master Gardener Volunteers.
Cooperative Extension will provide the gardeners with applied research information as the plants mature and reach harvest. “This is more than a plant sale. It is an educational experience with positive results,” says Richard Brzozowski, UMaine Extension educator in the Cumberland County office.
To place an order, go to the following website http://umaine.edu/gardening/master-gardeners/benefit/.
A soil test is recommended prior to planting to help gardeners get the most out of their garden site.
For more information about “Grow It Right!” contact Richard Brzozowski, 207.781.6099 or (toll-free in Maine, 800.287.1471), or Marjorie Peronto, 207.667.8212 (toll-free in Maine, 800.287.1479), or email richard.brzozowski@maine.edu or marjorie.peronto@maine.edu.
Nominations Sought for Norman W. Duzen Volunteer Award
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013Nomination Form for Norman W. Duzen Volunteer Award 2013
Each year, the Washington County Extension Association (WCEA) honors an individual from Washington County who has contributed as a volunteer to the lives of people in Washington County. WCEA is seeking nominations for the 2013 Recipient of the Norman W. Duzen Volunteer Award.
Norman W. Duzen had a very special place in his heart for the people of Washington County and contributed hours of volunteer time to help its residents. The Washington County Extension Association Executive Committee and the Washington County staff of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension felt that one way that they could continue to honor Norm and carry on some of his work was to establish the Norman W. Duzen Community Service Award. This award is presented on an annual basis to a person who lives in Washington County that has enhanced the lives of the county’s residents through their volunteer work. The recipient will receive a wooden keepsake box with their name engraved on it at the Washington County Extension Association’s Annual Meeting. Their name will also be added to a plaque that hangs in the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s office.
If you would like to nominate a deserving volunteer, please contact our office at 1-800-287-1542 or 255-3345 to request a nomination form. You may also visit us at our office at 28 Center Street in Machias or email tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
Deadline for applications is February 11, 2013.
4-H Flash Newsletter- January 2013
Friday, January 11th, 2013Volume 8, Issue 1
Calendar
January 13- Public Speaking Clinic
February 27- Registration Deadline for Washington County Public Speaking Tournament (PST)
March 9- Washington County PST
March 16- Robotics Expo
March 23- Regional PST-UMaine Orono
April 6 & 7- 4-H Shooting Sports Training-Columbia
Welcome Susan Storey!
We welcome Susan Storey, a newly enrolled 4-H Volunteer, assisting with the Princeton Pioneers club.
Dennys River Manure Movers Lend a Helping Hand
Members of the Dennys River Manure Movers 4-H Club assist Dennys River Historical Society with the mailing of their quarterly newsletter.
Photo by Jane Bell
Washington County Bulletin Board Items
4-H Shooting Sports Training Coming to Washington County – Know of any youth who like to hunt or target shoot, or who would like to learn these skills? Wish we had some 4-H Shooting Sports clubs here in Washington County? On April 6th and 7th, 2013, 4-H Shooting Sports instructors in the areas of rifle and shotgun are coming to the Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association in Columbia to provide a two-day training for 4-H Volunteers! This is a LEADER TRAINING, designed to prepare adult leaders to run 4-H Shooting Sports clubs. Participation does not commit volunteers to lead a club, but rather provides the required training if they choose to start (or assist with) a club. Interested adults should contact Nicole or Tara in the county office to obtain a volunteer application packet which is required prior to the training (if you are already a volunteer you do not need to apply again). Registration for this event is required, and the cost of the event is $25 (to cover material such as curriculum and ammunition). Feel free to call or email Nicole with any questions. Please spread the word… and mark your calendars!
Hancock County Winter Sewing Workshop – Hancock County construction judges for Style Revue, Judy Bragg and Ann Durgin, have agreed to teach a basic sewing workshop at the Hancock County Extension office. This would include pattern selection, sizing, fitting, layout, cutting, marking, seams, finishes, darts, hems, buttons, pressing, following instructions, etc. Mark you calendar for Wednesday, February 20th, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm – snow day, Thursday, February 21st. Please bring a brown-bag lunch. Call Joyce at the Hancock Extension Office at 667-8212 or 1-800-287-1479 by February 13 to register. We need a minimum of 10 people committed to this to make it worthwhile.
4-H Public Speaking – Below please find 4-H Public Speaking Guidelines and Judging Sheets for 2013. It’s not too late to make your New Year’s resolution to prepare an illustrated talk or demonstration for this year’s County Public Speaking Tournament. Be sure to visit http://umaine.edu/hancock/programs/hancock- county-4-h/ for helpful information and videos on 4-H public speaking to help you get going.
2013 WASHINGTON COUNTY 4H Regional Public Speaking Guidelines
2013 Regional PST Judging Worksheet
Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program – Join other Maine high school sophomores and juniors on the backpacking adventure of a lifetime through the finest wild country in Maine. As you explore the area on and around the state’s highest peak, Katahdin, you will hear from experts in a variety of fields, including geology, biology, writing, photography, and more. You will see why preserving wilderness is essential to so many people as well as for all the other species that rely upon this land. In April, the ten selected participants receive required reading materials and other assignments, and submit a project proposal in May. The field experience in Baxter State Park is August 3 through August 11, 2013. Thanks to the support of generous donors, Friends of Baxter State Park is able to offer this program at no direct cost to the student. Applications are due February 8, 2013. Participants will be notified in March.
To apply: Contact Friends of Baxter State Park at: admin@friendsofbaxter.org Download a form at: www.friendsofbaxter.org Write to: Maine Youth Wilderness Leadership Program, Friends of Baxter State Park, PO Box 609, Union, ME 04862.
Downeast Region School News
Trenton Elementary School – At Trenton Elementary School, the afterschool program has started a wonderful 4-H project that should keep them busy for the rest of the year! Building on the vermiculture project they started last year with Mr. Rayner and Ms. Stephanie, we started worm journals where we examined what our worms look like and drew pictures of them; we explored how long they get when they stretch out and how short they can be as well, recording that data; and then we did more experiments on the kinds of environments worms prefer. They plan to continue to work together to build up their worm bins, and even hope to harvest castings in the spring for planting seedlings. Keep up the good work!
Ella Lewis School – On November 19th as part of a professional development day, fourteen Ella Lewis teachers and staff took part in a school 4-H volunteer training session. For two hours, they got a chance to learn all about 4-H programming and how it fits with the great teaching already happening at their school. We had great fun with interactive activities to explore experiential learning and positive youth development, and also had a chance to explore some of the resources available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Thank you to all those at Ella Lewis School for being such wonderful teachers and mentors to all you your youth – and thank you for helping to make 4-H part of their learning and growing process!
Maine State News
1. 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament – for Hancock, Knox, Lincoln, Somerset, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington Counties – The 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament will be held Saturday, March 23rd at the University of Maine at Orono in the Bangor Room. 4-H Youth ages 9 to 18 who have participated in their county 4-H public speaking tournament are invited to participate. For youth in counties which do not hold public speaking tournaments, arrangements may be made through their county’s Extension office to either participate in a neighboring county’s tournament or present in another format to be eligible. Registration for the regional tournament must be handled through the youth’s county Extension office. To register youth, county offices should contact Joyce Fortier in the Hancock County Extension Office no later than March 13th at 667-8212 or at joyce.fortier@maine.edu. For more information on 4-H public speaking, including guidelines and judging sheets, please visit http://umaine.edu/hancock/programs/hancock-county-4-h/ or contact Lisa Reilich at 207-598-6621 or lisa.reilich@maine.edu.
2. Save the Date for 2013 Maine 4-H Days – Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18 – 21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will be on the 20th & 21st. If you are interested in helping to plan this year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 581-3877.
3. Invention Convention – The Invention Convention is a statewide competition that promotes important life and work skills for Maine middle school students. Throughout the school year, students work to identify and solve problems by using a systematic approach to innovation. After competing against their peers at a local level, top students will be invited to attend the state conference where they compete for the top invention awards. The competition is open to any school offering grades 6, 7, and/or 8, as well as children who are homeschooled. For more information about the Maine Invention Convention, visit http://www.maineinvents.org or call Angela Marcolini at the UMaine Foster Center for Student Innovation at 207-581-1454, or email angela.marcolini@maine.edu. For more details please see our December 2012’s 4-H newsletter.
4. 4-H Farm-to-Fair Key Volunteers Needed – Did you get to visit the 4-H Farm-to-Fair interactive exhibit at the 2012 Union Fair? The Knox-Lincoln 4-H Leaders’ Association reports that the response from the public was resoundingly positive! Local families and folks visiting the area from other states (and countries) praised the exhibit for being fun and informative, a great way to teach kids about how the food they eat and products they use are produced.
In order to continue the success of this exhibit at Union Fair, two key volunteer roles will need to be filled as soon as possible. A Volunteer Coordinator is needed to seek out and organize the schedule of volunteers operating the exhibit for the 8 days that the fair is open (August 17-24, 2013). The person, or team of two, needs to commit to being available for all of these days. If there is a team of two, the times can be shared.
We also seek a Farm Store Coordinator, who will coordinate the products that kids will choose from to take home after they have been through the exhibit. This person will be responsible for procuring enough donations of locally-produced items to fill the store shelves every day the exhibit is open. This will be done prior to fair week, so your presence will not be needed during the fair.
If you can help or want to learn more, contact Cindy Rogers, 4-H Program Aide, Knox and Lincoln Counties, 832-0343, cynthia.rogers@maine.edu.
5. Eastern States Exposition – Calling all 4-H youth, ages 11 and up, along with volunteers who have an interest in showcasing the many interests and talents of Maine 4-H… we want you! Join the group of dedicated performers and demonstrators as we share our love for 4-H with the fairgoers at The Big E in West Springfield, Mass, the 3rd weekend in September. It’s an experience you will not soon forget.
Maine 4-H participates with displays and demonstrations in the New England Center, which also houses creative arts competitions, and daily stage performances. Working in teams of two at stations called “pods”, youth demonstrate 4-H projects, which this year will be focused on Robotics and Engineering. Youth also have the opportunity to participate in stage performances, which consist of planned presentations using costumes and other props, as needed. All projects and demonstrations will be centered around a science theme. Please call the UMaine Cooperative Extension Office in Oxford at 743-6329 or 800-287-1482 (in Maine) for specific details and for the team application. Space is limited, and will be filled on a first-come, first served basis. Sign up now as a small group with other teens. Students stay in the dorm, meals and transportation are provided.
6. New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar – New Hampshire Dairy Goat Seminar – Transitioning From a Hobby to a Commercial Goat Dairy. This seminar is being held during the Farm and Forest Exposition on Saturday, February 9th, 2013 from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. The schedule for the Dairy Goat Seminar starts with the ADGA District meeting at 10:00 followed by “Transitioning to a Commercial Goat Dairy” at 10:30. At 12:00 noon, the topic will be “Safe Handling of Milk”, adjourning at 12:30.
This event will be held at the Radisson Hotel in Manchester NH. Free for 4-H youth and $5.00 per family. For a complete brochure on the Farm and Forest Exposition go to: nhfarmandforestexpo.org.
7. Apply Now for National Trips – National 4-H Trips are excellent opportunities to meet 4-H members from across the nation. Participants learn about many career options, and learn through educational workshops at Congress or become a part of a team making recommendations to National 4-H Council at Conference. To learn more about these trips, visit: http://umaine.edu/4h/home/national-4-h-trips/.
Any Maine 4-H Youth, ages 14 to 18, is eligible to apply. Applicants must be current Maine 4-H members both at the time of application and the time of the actual trip. Application packets must be sent to your county office and postmarked by March 15, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Heidi Thuotte at 1-800-287-1535 or heidi.thuotte@maine.edu.
8. Citizenship Washington Focus (CWF) – Start making plans now to visit our Nation’s Capitol during the week of June 29 to July 6, 2013. CWF is a leadership program conducted by the National 4-H Council for high school youth ages 15 to 18. Delegations of 4-Hers from across the country spend six days touring the city and attending leadership skill-building workshops. This summer, the Maine delegation will travel on June 29 to July 6, 2013. You will stay at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside Washington, DC. Visiting the most popular sites in Washington will be a part of the trip, including spending the 4th of July in our nation’s capitol. There is a mandatory orientation for Maine delegates on April 27th. For more information visit:
http://umaine.edu/4h/youth/4-h-events/citizenship-washington-focus/.
Contact your county 4-H office for details about how to be a part of this experience.
Cooking with the Kids
Banana Snowmen
Blend a few bananas with some milk. Add a few drops of vanilla extract to make it creamier and also to add that aromatic touch. Freeze it for sometime and then scoop out a few balls of different sizes from this. Stack three balls together with the help of a toothpick to make a snowman. Make eyes and nose using raisin bits. Use a dash of chocolate frosting for the mouth. To make the scarf, use red licorice string. Place two grapes for a top hat and pretzel sticks for arms. Enjoy.
Introduction to Beekeeping Course to be Offered in Machias
Tuesday, January 8th, 2013Would you like to learn how to produce your own local honey, and help provide pollinators to your yard and neighborhood? Don’t miss this opportunity to take beekeeping classes in Machias from a member of the Maine State Beekeepers Association, through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.
Introduction to Beekeeping, a five-week introductory beekeeping course, starts February 26th and continues on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 pm through March 26th. The course will cover such topics as the Honey Bee Colony, Constructing Hives, Seasonal Management, Pests and Diseases, and Honey Production. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a local hive for observation and hands-on experience during a field lab. Instructing this course will be Andrew Dewey of the Maine State Beekeepers Association. The course fee is $50 per person/couple to help cover the cost of materials. The course is limited to 15 people. Class participants will be founding members of the Washington County Beekeepers, a chapter of the Maine State Beekeepers Association.
Beekeeping classes will take place at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office located at 28 Center Street in Machias. Registration deadline is February 11th. For more information about the course, please contact Andrew Dewey at 266-7294 or by email at andrew@beeberrywoods.com. For registration including online registration, please see the Extension website at http://umaine.edu/washington/programs/introduction-to-beekeeping-course/ or contact the Washington County office of UMaine Extension at 1-800-287-1542 (in state) or 207-255-3345 or tara.a.wood@maine.edu.
Any person with a disability who needs accommodations for the program should contact Jen Lobley at 1-800-287-1542 to discuss their needs at least 7 days in advance. UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.
4-H Flash Newsletter- December 2012
Tuesday, December 11th, 2012Volume 7, Issue 12
Calendar
December 25- Office Closed
January 1- Office Closed
January 7 & 14- VOLT Training- Machias
January 13- Public Speaking Clinic
March 9- Washington County Public Speaking Tournament (PST)
March 16- Robotics Expo
March 23- Regional PST-UMaine Orono
April 6 & 7- 4-H Shooting Sports Training-Columbia
The Quoddy Kids
The Quoddy Kids met on November 20th to explore polymers such as hydrogels. After snacks and some gooey science, the members received some much earned recognition for their 2011-2012 club year: ribbons, pens, bracelets, drinking cups and premiums for their extensive work in Project Records and Perry Harvest Fair exhibits. Following the club meeting, Jodie led a tour of the new recycling center and the well established greenhouse and raised beds. Years of great work between 4-H and the community is evident in Perry!
The Quoddy Kids pose for a group photo.
The Quoddy Kids visit the new recycling center.
A member of the Quoddy Kids 4-H Club learns about hyrdogels.
More youth from the Quoddy Kids work with hyrdogels.
Washington County Bulletin Board Items
4-H Shooting Sports Training Coming to Washington County - Know of any youth who like to hunt or target shoot, or who would like to learn these skills? Wish we had some 4-H Shooting Sports clubs here in Washington County? On April 6th and 7th, 2013, 4-H Shooting Sports instructors in the areas of rifle and shotgun are coming to the Pleasant River Fish & Game Conservation Association in Columbia to provide a two-day training for 4-H Volunteers! This is a LEADER TRAINING, designed to prepare adult leaders to run 4-H Shooting Sports clubs. Participation does not commit volunteers to lead a club, but rather provides the required training if they choose to start (or assist with) a club. Interested adults should contact Nicole or Tara in the county office to obtain a volunteer application packet which is required prior to the training (if you are already a volunteer you do not need to apply again). Registration for this event is required, and the cost of the event is $25 (to cover material such as curriculum and ammunition). Feel free to call or email Nicole with any questions. Please spread the word… and mark your calendars!
VOLT Training – VOLT Training will be offered on January 7th and 14th from 6pm to 8:30 p.m. at the Extension office in Machias. VOLT is our 4-H Volunteer Ongoing Learning and Training course that introduces volunteers to the offerings of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, teaches volunteers more about the 4-H Youth Development program, and informs volunteers of the Maine 4-H risk management policies, procedures and guidelines. The typically day-long training has been divided into 2 evening sessions to accommodate our differing volunteer needs, including those who work during the day. Any adults (including parents) who attend more than 3 club meetings or who spend more than 8 hours a year with the club should attend. [Club leaders: if you know of any parents who need this training, please share this article and these dates with them, thanks!] Please call Tara to register, cost is free.
Northeast Regional Volunteers’ Forum- If you missed the NERVF, you can view six sessions. They are available from the website: http://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/?Page=nervf2012.html. Just below the date for each of the broadcasts you will see a link to the recording for that date. Topics include Managing A Club, Diverse Needs, Shared Leadership, Dealing with Difficult People, Dealing with Challenging Parents and Positive Parental Involvement.
Encouraging Science for K-2 – Go to the web for a wonderful article about encouraging Cloverbuds to think like scientists: https://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/email_web_version.cfm?publish=newsletter&user_id=NSTA&message_id=2346714 . Check it out monthly for experiments posted. Children are natural scientists!
Hancock County Winter Sewing Workshop – Hancock County construction judges for Style Revue, Judy Bragg and Ann Durgin, have agreed to teach a basic sewing workshop at the Hancock County Extension office. This would include pattern selection, sizing, fitting, layout, cutting, marking, seams, finishes, darts, hems, buttons, pressing, following instructions, etc. Mark you calendar for Wednesday, February 20th, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm – snow day, Thursday, February 21st. Please bring a brown-bag lunch. Call Joyce at the Hancock Extension Office at 667-8212 or 1-800-287-1479 to register. We need a minimum of 10 people committed to this to make it worthwhile.
4-H Public Speaking - Please find your 4-H Public Speaking Announcement below. We want to encourage you to get a jump on planning your presentation this year. Consider picking your topic before the New Year so you can dive right into preparing and practicing once the holidays are past. Don’t miss the 4-H Public Speaking Clinic on Sunday, January 13th, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the UMaine Extension office in Machias — fun for young and old alike! Look for more tips, reminders and information on the 2013 County and Regional Public Speaking Tournaments in the January Newsletter.
4-H Demonstrations and Illustrated Talks – What are they anyway?
4-H Public Speaking Clinic – Sunday, January 13th, 2pm to 4pm
Washington County Cooperative Extension Conference Room
For ANYONE! — 4-H Youth, Volunteers & Supporters
Come to learn new skills or to brush up on old ones!
Presented by Lisa Reilich, 4-H Youth Development Professional
With the ringing of the New Year, it will soon be time to get up in front of your family, friends, club, class and/or community and give your 4-H demonstration or illustrated talk! For some of us, that can sound a little scary – even for me, and I have been getting up in front of people and talking or presenting for quite a long time.
Did you know that the average person spends up to 50% of their waking time either speaking or listening? 70% of American adults say they fear public speaking. These adults also report fearing public speaking (41%) more than death (18%). 4-H alumni who participated in 4-H Public Speaking when they were younger, come back to tell us that this was their most important 4-H life skill. Don’t worry; YOU can learn public speaking skills very easily. Just like any other skill, the more you work at it, the better you will become – and it’s never too early to get started!
I will be holding a fun and interactive 4-H Public Speaking Clinic at the Washington County Cooperative Extension office on Sunday, January 13th, from 2pm to 4pm. We will go over what makes a 4-H Public Speaking presentation, how demonstrations and illustrated talks differ from one another – with some live and video examples, try our hand at creating a presentation together, and have you leave with valuable suggestions for helping you, your 4-H youth, or your school group decide on a topic, prepare a presentation and have the courage to get up there and do it!
Please register by Wednesday, January 9th, by calling Tara at the office, 800-287-1542, or e-mailing her at tara.a.wood@maine.edu. I hope to see many of you there!
WHAT ARE DEMONSTRATIONS AND ILLUSTRATED TALKS?
Demonstrations are simply showing and telling how to do something. You explain what you are doing while you work on something you like to do. You’ve seen lots of demonstrations without realizing it. When your mom or dad shows you how to pound a nail, make your bed, or set a table, that’s a demonstration. When your 4-H leader shows you how to transplant a house plant, that’s a demonstration, too. Many television shows also feature demonstrations.
Illustrated Talks are like demonstrations but, instead of working on something while you talk, you just talk and use a variety of visual aids to help you. When your 4-H leader explains the horse breeds and colors by using horse models, that’s an illustrated talk. When your friend explains a family vacation trip and shows you pictures, maps, and souvenirs, that’s an illustrated talk, too.
All of our 4-H youth are invited to prepare a demonstration or illustrated talk for their club or class, and for this year’s Washington County 4-H Public Speaking Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, March 9th. Youth 9 to 18 years of age who participate in the County Tournament are also invited to participate in the 4-H Regional Public Speaking Tournament to be held Saturday, March 23rd, at the University of Maine at Orono.
adapted from Knox-Lincoln County & UNH Cooperative Extension materials
Clubs and Schools please let us know what is going on with your 4-H projects and with the 4-Hers. We want to hear from you! Send photos and reports to Tara at tara.a.wood@maine.edu, by the 20th of each month so we can be sure to share your news with all our Washington County 4-Hers.
Downeast Region School News
Trenton Elementary School in Trenton and Ella Lewis Grammar School in Steuben are off to a fantastic start for their 4-H year. Both schools took the 2012 4-H National Youth Science Day Experiment’s Eco-bot Challenge! Ella Lewis 4th through 8th grade science students and the Trenton Afterschool youth became scientists and worked together in teams to create a prototype of a robot that could be used to help clean up toxic spills. Over a two week period, they built, tested, redesigned and tested their robots. We have some fantastic young scientists that really know how to think out of the box. There were great variations on the original design and some very creative ways to create containment areas. There were even some great unplanned ”mistakes” that led to even more effective clean up of the test waste site than expected. I can’t wait to see what else they come up with as their 4-H year continues!
Ella Lewis 4-H School Enrichment
Trenton Elementary 4-H School Enrichment
Maine State News
1. Save the Date for 2013 Maine 4-H Days – Maine 4-H Days will take place July 18 – 21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will be on the 20th & 21st. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 581-3877.
2. Market Steers for Windsor and Fryeburg – 4-Hers raising a steer for the 2013 market steer shows at Windsor or Fryeburg Fairs need to send in an Intent to Participate Form http://umaine.edu/4h/files/2012/10/2013-beef-intent.doc by January 3, 2013. We appreciate you completing your paperwork early. Please enroll or re-enroll as a 4-H member early, and send your Intent to Participate form to your county office. The earlier we receive your paperwork, the earlier we can begin tagging animals, and avoiding tagging during the winter months.
3. Invention Convention – The Invention Convention is a statewide competition that promotes important life and work skills for Maine middle school students. Throughout the school year, students work to identify and solve problems by using a systematic approach to innovation. After competing against their peers at a local level, top students will be invited to attend the state conference where they compete for the top invention awards. The competition is open to any school offering grades 6, 7, and/or 8, as well as children who are homeschooled. For more information about the Maine Invention Convention, visit http://www.maineinvents.org or call Angela Marcolini at the UMaine Foster Center for Student Innovation at 207-581-1454, or email angela.marcolini@maine.edu.
The curriculum will teach and lead students through four steps:
1) Identify a Problem. Students begin the project by identifying a real-world problem through the use of a variety of methods including traditional research and insight mining. They are encouraged to draw from their experiences and learnings to identify the largest and most frequent problems people experience. The problem they choose should not only be meaningful to others, it should also be one they are passionate about solving.
2) Generate Ideas for Solutions. Using the reliable Innovation Engineering® tools and system for idea generation, students create “meaningfully unique” ideas for solutions the problem they identified. A meaningfully unique idea is one that solves a problem in a better, more efficient way. Through the use of the Innovation Engineering® ideation tools, students will have the chance to leverage the diversity of their peers and generate ideas they can get excited about creating.
3) Make it Real. Once students choose the solution they are most excited about, they must begin the process of making it reality. As part of this stage, they make the idea real by articulating it through written concept pitches and creating a prototype. The most important part of this is the documentation of the invention process, which is achieved through an inventor’s notebook and a mock provisional patent application. Rapid cycles of learning should be stressed so students may process their learnings as they happen and make continuous improvements to their idea.
Students are encouraged to learn through research, surveying, and prototyping, and to adapt accordingly as they progress.
4) Present the 3 Ps. Once the student has created their invention, the final step is to present the “three Ps” – Problem, Promise, and Proof. Students must provide answers to the following questions: What problem is being solved? What is the promise the invention can make? Why should customers believe this promise? They prepare to present these answers in oral, written, and visual formats.
Cooking with the Kids
Delicious Decorations
Need a healthy appetizer for a class party or a holiday gathering? Trim a platter with these good-for-you edible ornaments.
Ingredients
Low-fat cream cheese
Water crackers
Colorful veggies (such as peas, diced peppers, carrot slices and broccoli stems)
Instructions
Spread low-fat cream cheese on water crackers, then top each with colorful veggies
From FamilyFun Magazine
Pricing Products and Services Workshop Scheduled for December
Thursday, November 15th, 2012University of Maine Cooperative Extension has announced a pricing workshop for small and home-based business owners to be held Thursday morning, December 20 at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension office located at 28 Center Street in Machias beginning at 9:00 a.m. and ending at Noon. This workshop is free of charge, but registration is required. The workshop is limited to 12 participants.
For more information or registration, contact Louis Bassano at 255-3345, 1-(800) 287-1542, or by email at louis.bassano@maine.edu. UMaine Extension programs are open and accessible to all in accordance with program goals.
In these uncertain times, it is important to understand how to price your business service or product to improve your bottom line. Jim McConnon, UMaine Extension Business & Economics Specialist, and Louis Bassano, Extension Educator will be the presenters of the session designed for those who are considering starting a business as well as those already in business.
Which products or services are making a profit? What happens if you set the price too high or too low? What wage and profit would you like to earn? How many hours a day do you estimate you work? Complete and accurate records and realistic pricing let you answer these and other key questions about the performance of your business.
Improve your odds of success by learning all you can. Make decisions based on research. Take time to be informed.
Any person who needs accommodations to attend this program should contact Louis Bassano at 1-800-287-1542 to discuss their needs or call Extension’s TDD number at 1-800-287-8957. To provide adequate time to respond to your request please provide as much notice as possible.
4-H Flash Newsletter – November 2012
Friday, November 9th, 2012Volume 7, Issue 11
Calendar
November 12- Office Closed
November 22 & 23- Office Closed
November 30- Re-enrollment Forms Due at Office
January 7 & 14- VOLT Training- Machias
January 13- Public Speaking Clinic
March 9- Washington Count PST
March 23- Regional PST-UMaine Orono
Horse Power and Princeton Pioneers Annual Recognition Events
On October 20th, the Horse Power and the Princeton Pioneers clubs gathered for their annual recognition events. Youth were recognized for their leadership, community service, attendance, Perry Harvest Fair exhibits, and their project records. Horse Power concluded with the construction of the National Youth Science Day Eco-bots. The Princeton Pioneers had a cookout-style lunch and pumpkin carving.
4-H Program Aide Nicole Willey joins volunteers and members of the Horse Power Club during their recent recognition event hosted by the club.
Project Records 2011-2012
Twenty Washington County 4-Hers submitted project records this year. Congratulations to the following Blue-Ribbon recipients:
Emily Bosley Jodie Harris Mikaila Loughlin Madelyn Willey
Helpful Hints towards earning a Blue Ribbon…
1. Start your 2012-2013 project records now! To print a copy or use the online version, visit: http://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/resources/forms/
2. Write your full name wherever asked.
3. Enter the day, month & year when filling in the date.
4. Leave nothing blank. If you don’t know how to fill something in, ask for help.
5. Give your work value! Income can be the item(s) you create, regardless of if you sell them. Income can also be the premiums you earned from the Perry Harvest Fair.
See the judging rubric (attached to your 2011-2012 project records, or available from your club leader or the county office) for scoring components and examples.
Washington County Bulletin Board Items
Re-enrollment 2012
All clubs and independents should have received their reenrollment packets by now. Please return all paperwork listed in these packets no later than Friday, November 30, 2012. There are new member and new volunteer enrollment forms available at: http://extension.umaine.edu/4h/volunteers/resources/forms/
If you have any questions or need forms sent to you, please contact Tara or Nicole.
Coming Soon…Public Speaking Clinic
January 13th, 2013 2-4pm
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Conference Room
Mark your calendars! Lisa Reilich will be leading this clinic in preparation for the March 9th Washington County Public Speaking Tournament. Open to all 4-Her’s, ages 5 to 18, the tournament is a wonderful opportunity for youth to share their knowledge and skills. Last year we learned about ice fishing, tree identification, hatching chicks and dog agility. We also learned how to make a Danish Christmas ornament, how to do a card trick, how to make a star album and a hula hoop! What cool information do you have to share?
Come on Sunday, January 13th to learn how to prepare your topic for the Washington County Public Speaking Tournament!
VOLT Training
VOLT Training will be offered on January 7th and 14th from 6pm to 8:30 p.m. at the Extension office in Machias. Please watch for more details.
Maine State News
1. Important News about 2013 Maine 4-H Days Dates
Please note: If you are planning to attend Maine 4-H Days in 2013, the date has changed. Next year’s event will take place July 18 – 21 at the Windsor Fairgrounds, and the State Dairy Show will be on the 20th & 21st. If you are interested in helping to plan next year’s event, please contact Jessy Brainerd at jessica.brainerd@maine.edu or 581-3877.
2. Military Teen Adventure Camps 2012-2013 – Nearly 1600 military teens (14-18 years old) will have an opportunity to participate (at little to no cost) in adventure camps scheduled April 2012 through March 2013. These high energy, high adventure, and high experience camps are planned across the United States from Alaska to Maine and from Colorado to Georgia as well as states in between.
Each camp offers a unique outdoor experience that will allow a teen to build leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skills while participating in activities like backpacking, river rafting, canoeing, wilderness survival, rocketry, rock climbing, GPS use, mountain biking, first aid, winter camping, dog sledding, ropes courses, camp cooking, archery, and other camp activities. Camps for youth with special needs (mental, physical, and emotional) are also planned in California, Ohio, and New Hampshire. For military youth already in the Pacific Rim, two camp dates are available in Hawaii. Information may be found at the following URL: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/.
3. Market Steers for Windsor and Fryeburg – 4-Hers raising a steer for the 2013 market steer shows at Windsor or Fryeburg Fairs need to send in an Intent to Participate Form http://umaine.edu/4h/files/2010/08/2013-beef-intent.doc by January 3, 2013. We appreciate you completing your paperwork early. Please enroll or re-enroll as a 4-H member early, and send your Intent to Participate form to your county office. The earlier we receive your paperwork, the earlier we can begin tagging animals, and avoid tagging during the winter months.
4. Activity Corner Encouraging Science for K-2
FYI – Here is an article about encouraging Cloverbuds to think like scientists. https://www.magnetmail.net/Actions/email_web_version.cfm?publish=newsletter&user_id=NSTA&message_id=2346714. There will even be experiments posted here monthly. Children are natural scientists!
Cooking with the Kids
Pumpkin Bread
Ingredients
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking soda
11⁄2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg ½ tsp ground cloves
3 cups sugar 1 cup of vegetable oil or apple sauce
1 cup water 1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves in a large bowl. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, oil or applesauce and eggs. Beat well on medium speed. Alternately add flour mixture and water to sugar mixture, beating on low speed until combined after each addition (do not over beat the batter). Stir in pumpkin. Pour batter into 2 greased 9x5x3 in h loaf pans. Bake for 70-80 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool in pans for 15 minutes and then remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.