Unit 18 - Serving:

Macoupin County Branch Office #60 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville, IL 62626 Phone: 217-854-9604 FAX: 217-854-7804 Hours: Monday -Thursday 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. & 1:00—4:30 p.m.

Montgomery County Main Office #1 Industrial Park Dr. Hillsboro, IL 62049 Phone: 217-532-3941 FAX: 217-532-3944 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Christian County Branch Office 1120 N Webster St. Taylorville, IL 62568 Phone: 217-287-7246 FAX: 217-287-7248 Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Jersey County Branch Office 200 North Lafayette, Suite 6, 2nd Floor Jerseyville, IL 62052 Phone: 618-498-2913 FAX: 618-498-5913 Hours: Monday & Wednesday 8:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. & 1:00—4:30 p.m.

University of Illinois Extension

Macoupin County

EXTENSION

CONNECTIONS Sept-Oct 2013

University of Illinois / U.S. Department of Agriculture / Local Extension Councils Cooperating

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!

At the County Board’s August meeting,

an event took place where Macoupin

County students affiliated with the

University of Illinois Extension and

4-H were able to shadow a county

official for the day. The event was

facilitated by the local Extension

office in conjunction with the County

Board office over the last several

months and resulted in a total of 10

local students participating.

County Extension Director, Amanda Cole, said it was great to see the

youth and County Elected officials working side-by-side to complete

a local community service project. Cole also stated “We hope this

program encourages those that take part to get involved and become

future leaders within their communities.” This was the second year

for the program to occur in Macoupin County with the County Board.

The day started off with a community service project in which Board

Chairman Mark Dragovich, Sheriff Don Albrecht, and other county

officials present joined together to clean up the garden on the east

side of the courthouse by mulching and weeding the area surrounding

the building. The participants also planted plants that were donated

by the Extension’s Master Gardner program. Andrew Holsinger, Horti-

culture Extension Specialist and Jeanette Baker, Master Gardner,

assisted the workers and answered any horticulture questions

throughout the morning. Students and officials then moved to the

County Board meeting room where they were able to shadow their

county official during the Board meeting.

Along with the local Extension Office, Shelby Lahey worked closely

with the Board office to make the shadowing project become a reality

and success.

https://web.extension.illinois.edu/cjmmWe are on the web!

MACOUPIN COUNTY YOUTH

SHADOWING OF LOCAL OFFICIALS

Extension Connections Sept-Oct 2013 Page 2

Chris Casey is a Community and Economic Development Educator for the University of

Illinois Extension in Unit 18, serving the counties of Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and

Montgomery. Chris grew up just outside of Hardin, located in Calhoun County in

southwestern Illinois, north of St. Louis. He attended Lewis and Clark Community College

and graduated from the University of Illinois at Springfield with a Bachelors Degree in

Political Studies/Communication in 1999 and a Masters Degree in Political Studies in 2002.

Before joining the University of IL Extension, Chris worked for the American Institute of Architects, Illinois

Council (AIA Illinois) as Special Projects Coordinator. His responsibilities included helping the Executive Vice

President and the Contract Lobbyist on advocacy initiatives. He assisted with legislative issues, grassroots

coordination and served as Assistant Treasurer of the Illinois Architects Political Action Committee.

Additional past experiences included working for a high-ranking legislator in the Illinois House and the Office

of Lieutenant Governor/Governor’s Rural Affairs Council.

Donisha Clemons is the a Program Coordinator in the Christian County office. Donisha is

from St. Louis Missouri but currently lives in Carlinville IL. She is an Alum of Blackburn

College with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Minor in Criminal Justice. She spent

much of her college career working as the student assistant in the Department of

Intercultural Programs and Services. She was given the opportunity to become the Director

of Intercultural Programs and Services working directly with the students and staff as a

liaison, program coordinator and academic advisor for minority students. She has taught in the classroom for

the Venice, IL school district and tutored outside the classroom for Sylvan Learning Center. As the Program

Coordinator she works with various departments and organizations throughout Christian County, including

HCEA, Community and Economic Department, Horticulture and Agriculture specialist primarily as the liaison,

marketer and coordination side of all operations.

Kate Harding Is the new 4-H Program Coordinator in Macoupin County. Harding

graduated from Illinois State University in 2000 with her B.S. in Parks and Recreation

Administration with a Therapeutic Recreation focus. She was then employed at

Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana, IL for eight years where she facilitated a wide

variety of programs and services for youth working as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation

Specialist. Harding relocated to the Carlinville area in 2008, after her husband,

Andy, accepted a position with Pioneer in Litchfield. Harding has been involved with the

4-H program in Macoupin County since May of 2009.

Charlotte Schuricht is the Agriculture Literacy Coordinator for Montgomery County. She began in this role

in November 2009 and in August 2013 was promoted to Program Coordinator. Charlotte teaches the Ag in

the Classroom program in schools and coordinates special programs to educate people of all ages about

agriculture, its importance and the role it plays in our daily lives. This new role will continue the existing

program as well as bring the opportunity to develop summer agriculture programs for both youth and

educators. Charlotte received her degree from the University of Illinois in Community Health and prior to

working with Extension was the Human Resources Manager for a hospice and hospital as well as working in

the education field. Charlotte resides in Mount Olive with her husband Shane and four children.

U of I EXTENSION UNIT 18 WELCOMES NEW STAFF MEMBERS

Extension Connections Sept-Oct 2013 Page 3

4-H & YOUTH

Unit 18 4-H Shooting Sports Fall Classic

The first annual 4-H Shooting Sports Fall Classic

will be held on Saturday, September 14th at the

Brittany Shooting Park located at 11374 Prairie Dell

Rd, Bunker Hill, IL. Registration is from 8:30 to 9:30

a.m. with Safety Orientation at 9:30 a.m. The shoot

begins at 10:00 a.m. and will include all three

disciplines, Archery, Shot Gun, and Rifle. Youth will

be divided into three age groups. For more

information on the shoot contact your shooting

sports instructor or your local Extension office.

Each participant will receive a t-shirt and are eligible

for ribbons and prizes. Participants must be enrolled

in shooting sports in Christian, Jersey, Macoupin or

Jersey Counties in order to participate.

Illinois 4-H Joins AT & T in “It Can Wait”

Campaign Illinois 4-H announced that it will join AT&T in the “It

Can Wait” campaign as its members encourage

drivers to take the pledge not to text while driving.

Illinois 4-H members are asking drivers to help

make the state safer and to save lives by sending a

simple text message. To take the pledge, anyone

can text “4H4ICW” to “50555.” “It’s a small way to

make a big difference,” said Angie Barnard,

executive director for the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

AT&T presented these facts in the effort to end

texting and driving:

More than 100,000 crashes a year involve drivers

who are texting (Source: National Safety

Council)

75 percent of teens say texting and driving is

“common” among their friends (Source: AT&T

Wireless Survey)

97 percent of teen drivers say texting while driving

is dangerous ― yet 43 percent admit to doing it.

(Source: AT&T Teen Driver Survey)

“The members of Illinois 4-H are committed to

making a difference in the ‘It Can Wait’ campaign,

and we will be encouraging friends and family

members to take the pledge to never text and drive,”

said Barnard. “We’re excited to spread the message

through the state with our 23,000 members in 1,250

4-H clubs.”

Unit 18 4-H Hall of Fame Winners

Unit 18 is proud to announce four awesome

volunteers were inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of

Fame on Saturday, August 10th on the Director’s

Lawn at the Illinois State Fair. These volunteers

were nominated by their local Extension staff and

clubs for their many years of dedicated service to

the local 4-H programs. Left to right is: Lolita &

John Alward (Macoupin County); Marti Benning

(Montgomery County). 2nd Row: Kenneth Schafer

(Jersey County)

Unit 18 4-H Leaders Training 4-H Leaders from across Unit 18 will meet on

Saturday, September 21st from 9:30 – Noon at

Lincoln Land Community College in Litchfield. This

year’s training will focus on Community Service:

What does it mean to your club, community, and

world? A light brunch will be served.

Extension Connections Sept-Oct 2013 Page 4

SNAP-Ed FOOD & NUTRITION

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Healthy Halloween Treats

Halloween brings out the kid in all of us. It's fun to get dressed up in a costume and

parade around the neighborhood or go to a party. Treats are a part of the fun.

However, treats don't have to be sticky, gooey candy.

Treats to Give When gathering the treats you will offer this year think about some possible

low- calorie, low-fat options.

Here are some ideas to get you started thinking:

Cheese and cracker packages

Sugar-free gum

Cheese sticks

Juice box packages

Small packages of nuts or raisins

Package of instant cocoa mix You could also consider giving some non-food treats such as stickers, balloons,

crayons, pencils, colored chalk, erasers, whistles, baseball cards,

rubber spiders or worms. A friend of mine used to give nickels, in today's

economy that may need to be dimes.

Treats to Make

Quick Pumpkin Cupcakes 1 box regular yellow or vanilla cake mix, 2-layer-size

2 eggs

1 Tablespoon oil

2/3 cup canned pumpkin

1-1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1 cup water or apple juice

Decorations:

Canned low-fat vanilla frosting

Candy corn

Black or orange jelly beans

Black licorice

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray each muffin cup with nonstick

cooking spray or use paper cupcake liners. Blend the cake mix

with the eggs, oil, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, and the water or

juice with mixer at low speed until moistened. Beat at medium

speed for 2 minutes. Spoon into the prepared muffin pan. Bake 18

minutes or until done. Cool in pan completely before frosting.

Kids will love to decorate these cupcakes. Makes about 18 cup-

cakes.

EXTENSION NEWS

Extension Connections Sept-Oct 2013 Page 5

From the

Directors

Desk

On Thursday, August 15, Unit 18 hosted what will become

our first annual HCE Retreat. Those in attendance came

from Christian, Jersey and Macoupin County HCE Units.

Topics of discussion included “Engaging Generations,”

“Parliamentary Procedures,” jewelry making and a special

meeting with County Presidents and other officers.

I wanted to host an event that provided HCE members with

information on the different generations that existed in our

society, what the groups’ goals and values are, and what

motivates them to volunteer and join different groups such as

HCE. Chris Casey, Community and Economic Development Educator and I pulled from a research based

program called “Engaging Generations,” for the presentation, and encouraged participants to provide

feedback throughout. One attended said, “Thanks, I can finally understand where my daughter –

Generation X, and my grandson-Generation Y, are finally coming from.”

The professional development event was planned by Shelby Lahey and Sara Marten, two Generation Y

summer staff members. They expressed the fact; this opened their eyes to what HCE has to offer. Until

working on this program one of the staff members had never heard of HCE.

It was decided the event was a huge success and that this format for professional development should and

will continue. The goal is to host at least two of these pre-year. The next one is tentatively scheduled for

Tuesday, January 21, 2014, at the Hillsboro Extension office. Jersey County will host and Peggy Hampton,

has been booked to present COLORS. COLORS is a personality program, teaching attends about one

another differences and similarities. Jersey County will provide a meal and

work on the afternoon breakout sessions. We hope to see you there.

Amanda Cole

County Extension Director

Unit 18, HCE RETREAT ~ “ENGAGING GENERATIONS”

Extension Connections Sept-Oct 2013 Page 6

EXTENSION NEWS

Horticulture Container Recycling Help the environment and become a part of this recycling project!

DROP OFF LOCATION: U of I Extension Office, #60 Carlinville,

Plaza, Carlinville

Four Seasons Gardening 2013 Summer/Fall Teleconference Series

Pollinator Plants September 17 at 1:00 PM

Celebrate pollinators as we talk about these important visitors and the plants that attract them. Find out what great pollina-

tors we find in Illinois and how we can transform our own backyards into a garden that encourages them. If you would like

to share your garden with the butterflies and the bees, this program will tell you how.

What's Trending Now in Landscape Design October 1 at 1:00 PM or October 3 at 6:30 PM

Come enjoy the final session in the Four Seasons telenet series for 2013 as we explore current trends in landscape design.

Find out what trendy design "-isms" exist, popular landscape features American homeowners are using in their backyards,

and examine some over-the-top, yet, admired landscape designers. Looking for new ideas for your landscape? This pro-

gram will definitely give you some things to consider.

Registration Details Each session is $5.

Advance registration is needed one week before the program you attend.

For More Information University of Illinois Extension

60 Carlinville Plaza

Carlinville, IL 62626

To participate we ask that you:

Recycle only the pots or trays marked with the recycling triangle symbol

usually found on the bottom of the pot. The appropriate marks are #2, #5

or #6 on the inside of the triangle.

Separate and stack pots according to type (#2, #5 or #6) and size regard-

less of style or color.

Nest all pots and trays of same size and same plastic type tightly together.

Do not bring household plastic, food plastic, clay pots, soil, metal

Drop off items at exten-

sion office anytime

Monday through Thursday

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

(Closed for lunch from

noon to 1:00 p.m.)

SPONSORED BY

Macoupin County

Master Gardeners

MACOUPIN COUNTY STAFF:

Amanda Cole, County Extension Director, acole1@illinois.edu

Chris Casey, Community and Economic Development, ccasey1@illinois.edu

Peggy Hampton, 4-H Youth Development, phampton@illinois.edu

Andrew Holsinger, Agriculture & Natural Resources, aholsing@illinois.edu

Gary Letterly, Environmental & Energy Stewardship, letterly@illinois.edu

Kate Harding, 4-H Program, harding@illinois.edu

Beth Groves, SNAP-Ed, egroves@illinois.edu

Connie Niemann, Agricultural Literacy, cniemann@illinois.edu

Laura Baugh, Office Support Assistant, llbaugh@illinois.edu

If you have questions about these or other programs, don’t hesitate to contact our staff. The University of Illinois Extension Macoupin County is dedicated to working for you.

University of Illinois Extension - Unit 18 Christian, Jersey, Macoupin & Montgomery

web.extension.illinois.edu/cjmm

Unit 18 - serving Christian, Jersey, Macoupin and Montgomery

Macoupin County #60 Carlinville Plaza Carlinville IL 62626

Address Service Requested

University of Illinois~U.S. Dept. of Agriculture~Local Extension Councils Cooperating

University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

If you need disability accommodations, please contact the Extension office one week before the program.