4-H C ounty onnections

SEPTEMBER 2008

2008-2009 ALL STARS Pg. 3

Leadership Retreat Pg. 4

Dinner Auction Contest Pg. 4

State Field Day Results Pg. 8

Ideas for Parents back page

Inside this Issue

University of California - Cooperative Extension Agriculture & Natural Resources

Merced County 4-H Youth Development Program

Serving Merced County Since 1917 University of California. United States Department of Agriculture and Merced County Cooperating

CA Focus Delegates

Merced Focus Delegates

SLC Delegates

Life Is A Highway

Lander tour guide and guests

Old MacDonald’s Farm, Merced Fair

Southwest 4-H Tour Guides, getting prepped

Friends Helping Friends Day, Merced Fair

Fishing Derby

Dos Palos 4-H members, State Field Day, UC Davis

Birds, Bugs & Beyond Campers

4-H County Connections is the newsletter of the Merced County 4-H Team & UC Cooperative Extension.

4-H Management Team

Educational Development Home Ec. Louise Farley Large Animals Small Animals Jaci Luxon Leadership Plant/Other Social Science Louise King Science/Tech Richard Mahacek

Promotional Development Board Advocacy Carole Dietz Delivery Russ Hill Evaluation Promotion Tiffany Rotondaro

Resource Development Board Accounting Auditing Marie Janz Fundraising Marlene Murphy Incentives Linda Borba

All-Stars Laurel Hanson Der Vue Rachel Wilson

Staff:

Richard L. Mahacek 4-H YD Advisor

Russell Hill 4-H Program Representative

Mai Thao 4-H HUD Program

Mia E. Torrez 4-H Secretary

Deadline for articles submitted is the 25th of the month.

Submissions may be mailed to: UC Cooperative Extension Attention 4-H Office 2145 Wardrobe Ave. Merced, CA 95341 Phone - 209-385-7418 Fax - 209-722-8856

Email: mercedfourh@ucdavis.edu

Website: http://merced4h.ucdavis.edu

The University of California prohibits discrimination or harassment of any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran (covered veterans are special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, Vietnam era veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized) in any of its programs or activities. University Policy is intended to be consistent with the provi-sions of applicable State and Federal Laws. Inquiries regarding the University's nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action/Staff Personnel Services Director, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 300 Lakeside Drive, 6th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612-3550, (510) 987-0096.

IMPORTANT DATES

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SEPTEMBER

OFFICE CLOSED, LABOR DAY Monday, Sept. 1, 2008

Management Team Meeting, 7:00 pm Monday, Sept. 8, 2008

New Leader Orientation, 1-3 pm or 7-9 pm Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008

4-H Leadership Retreat, Camp Pacifica Saturday, Sept. 20-21, 2008 Dinner Auction Poster Entries Due Friday, Sept. 26, 2008

OCTOBER

Officer Training, 7-9 pm Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008

Achievement Day, 1 pm Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008

National 4-H Week Oct. 5-11, 2008

Management Team Meeting, 7-9 pm Monday, Oct. 6, 2008

National 4-H Week Window Display Judging Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2008

New Leader Orientation 1-3 or 7-9 pm Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008

OFFICE CLOSED, COLUMBUS DAY Monday, Oct. 13, 2008

Dinner Auction Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008

Livestock Leaders Meeting, 6:30-8:30 pm Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008

READY FOR THE CHALLENGE? 2008 NATIONAL 4-H WEEK

October 5-11, 2008

www.4-H.org

Youth across the nation are leading efforts to solve problems in their communities,

raise awareness about environmental issues, and make a difference for their futures.

You too can make a difference.

Keeping it Green is the theme for 2008 National 4-H Week. On Tuesday, Oct. 7 the

4-H Office staff will judge the window displays by local 4-H Clubs. Participating 4-H

Clubs will have the chance to earn first, second, third and fourth place prizes. Be sure

to use the theme of 4-H week, Keeping it Green in your displays. Window displays must

be in place by Sunday, Oct. 5th to participate. Please provide the office with the

following information: Name of club, address and window location of club display, and

city. This information can be emailed to metorrez@ucdavis.edu or called in. Displays

will be judged on theme development, educational development, quality, arrangement,

and information on how to join 4-H. A good display location is also key to promoting

National 4-H Week.

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2008-2009 Tentative Calendar of Events

August 27 Kick Off Meeting

September 1 Office Closed, Labor Day 8 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 17 New Leader Orientation, 1-3 or 7-9 pm

October 1 Officer Training, 7-9 pm 5 Achievement Day, UC Merced 5-11 National 4-H Week 6 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 7 Window Display Judging 8 New Leader Orientation, 1-3 or 7-9 pm 18 Dinner Auction 21 Livestock Leaders Mtg., 6:30-8:30 pm 24 Record Books due to County for State judging 27 New Leader Orientation, 1-3 or 7-9

November 3 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 7-9 State Leader’s Forum 2008 Asilomar 11 Office Closed, Veteran’s Day 15 4-H Expo, Merced Fairgrounds 24 4-H Camp Planning Mtg., 6-8 pm 27-28 Office Closed, Thanksgiving Holiday

December 1 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 25 Office Closed, Christmas Holiday

January 1 Office Closed, New Year’s Day 5 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 19 Office Closed, MLKJR DAY 20 LCORT orientation for all attendees, 6:30-8:30 26 Camp Planning Mtg., 6:30-8:30 pm 30-Feb. 1 LCORT

February 2 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 12 Office Closed, Lincoln’s B-Day 16 Office Closed, President’s Day 25 New Leaders Orientation, 1-3 or 7-9

March 2 Management Team Mtg. 14 Communications Day, TBA

April Fashion Revue, TBD 6 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm 21 End of Year Club Leader’s Meeting

May 4 Management Team Mtg. Fishing Derby???? 25 Office Closed, Memorial Day 28 All Star Dinner and Interview 30 State Field Day

June 1 Management Team Mtg., 7-9 pm

Attention Members! The new 2008-2009 4-H is beginning and we will be needing members who are interested in earning their Emerald star to chair upcoming events such as 4-H Expo, Communications Day, Fashion Revue and Fishing Derby. If you are interested and would like to earn your Emerald Star contact Russ Hill at 385-7418 for more information.

NEW LEADER ORIENTATION

September 17, 2008 1-3 pm or 7-9 pm

October 8, 2008 1-3 pm or 7-9 pm

October 27, 2008 1-3 pm or 7-9 pm

February 25, 2008 1-3 pm or 7-9 pm

In the 4-H classroom

2145 Wardrobe Avenue

Merced

Here’s your chance to complete your orientation for the new year

2008-2009 ALL STARS

Congratulations to our 2008-2009 Merced County All Stars! Look for these 4-H’ers at our events!

Laurel Hanson, Dos Palos 4-H Der Vue, Southwest 4-H

Rachel Wilson, Our Lady of Fatima 4-H

2008-2009 Enrollment Fees

Enrollment fees will be increasing for the 2008-2009 4-H Year. The fee will be $12 for mem-bers and $6 for volunteer leaders.

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September 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Office Closed

2 3 4

5 6

7 8 Management Team

Meeting 6-9 pm

9 10 11 12

13

14 15 16 17 New Leader Orientation 1-3 or 7-9

18 19 20 Leadership Retreat

Camp Pacifica

21 22 23 24 25

26 Dinner Auction

Poster Entries Due

27

28 29 30

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October 2008

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Officer Training

7-9 pm 4-H Classroom

2 3 4

5 Achievement Day UC Merced, 1 pm

6 Management Team Meeting, 7-9 pm

7 Window Display

Judging

8 New Leader Orientation 1-3 or 7-9

9 10 11

12 13 Office Closed Columbus Day

14 Dinner Auction

Tickets due 50% profit to clubs

15 16 17 18 Dinner Auction

Hilmar Grange Hall

19 20 21 Livestock Leaders Meeting, 6:30-8:30

22 23 24 DUE Record Books for

State Judging Dinner Auction

Tickets 25% to clubs

25

26 27 New Leader Orientation 1-3 or 7-9

28 29 30 31

National 4-H Week

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Our Lady of Fatima 4-H By: Madison Marks-Noble, Reporter

4-H camp was way more than I expected! Although it was my first time being so far away, I had a great time. We were supposed to go to Camp Pacifica in Ahwanee, but because of the smoke from the fires we went back to Camp Sylvester in Pinecrest.

There were different themes for each day, such as space day, mismatch day, hippie day, beach day and of course 4-H pride day. Everyone dressed accordingly for each day. We made tye-dyed shirts for hippie day. The secret was to draw designs with a Sharpie and pour rubbing alcohol on the designs.

There was so much to do each scheduled day. We sang songs and learned skits. I even rode in a ca-noe! The food was fabulous but making new friends was the best.

I would like to thank all the counsel-ors and adult volunteers and 4-H for giving me the opportunity to go to camp.

OLF will have their first meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 6:00 pm at St. Joseph’s Parish Hall. Please join us and see what 4-H is all about. You will love it like I do!

El Nido 4-H By: Jason Lourenco, Secretary Hello. My name is Jason Lourenco and I am the outgoing Secretary for El Nido 4-H. We have had a great year in our club. In February, we had a Rigatoni Dinner Fundraiser in which the El Nido community really came out and supported our club. Our projects grew this year. The beef group went from one member last year to two members this year and they did really great at the Chowchilla Fair. Way to go Audun and Clinton! The swine group, which I am a part of, also did really great in Chowchilla. Way to go Christy, Karl, Colton, Jessica, Connor and Jason! The Foods and Nutrition group has really stepped up this year. On the fourth of July we took cookies and goodie bags to the firefighters that were staying in Merced at the Eagles Nest Hotel. They were on their way to Santa Barbara to help fight the fires. They were really happy to see us. Our leader gave us the idea and we ran with it. We cooked all night on Thursday and part of Friday. We were happy to do this because they worked hard for us to keep our mountains safe. It was the least we could do for them. We also had our picture taken with the Batallion Chief from the Colton Fire Department. A feeling of pride come over us as we seen how happy we made them with the treats. “Way to go guys and thank you again.” Now were all ready for Merced fair and we hope to see you there.

Southwest 4-H By: Janelle Burns, Reporter

Southwest 4-H came in Second Place at the fair for their tote bags made in their sewing project.

Janelle Burns also came in second place in the paper airplane contest at the fair. Congratulations to all!

Hi Everyone! This year for our All Star project I, Laurel Hanson of Dos Palos 4-H and Der Vue of Southwest 4-H worked on the Fishing Derby event on June 7th at Kelsey Bass Ranch. Though it was windy, we had a memorable, fun filled day. In addition to fishing, we had games, GPS, archery and ice breakers. For lunch, derby contestants had their choice of hamburgers or hot dogs which was served to them in their very own buckets. We’d like to thank all of the people who helped out with the Fishing Derby; your help was greatly appreciated. We’d also like to congratulate all of our fishing winners. Overall, it was a great day that would not have been possible without the support of everyone there. A spe-cial thanks to all the clubs that came out and participated! Thank you, Laurel Hanson and Der Vue Merced County All Stars 2008-2009

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Presentations Corey Bayer Blue Educational Display Abigail Coelho Blue Interpretive Reading Mallory Cordeiro Blue Interpretive Reading Mallory Cordeiro Gold Share the Fun Miranda Cordeiro Blue Demonstration Miranda Cordeiro Gold Share the Fun Mekayla Coughran Blue Demonstration Keri Court Gold Share the Fun Keri Court Gold Demonstration Alexandra Dietz Gold Share the Fun Daniel Fields Blue Prepared Speech Daniel Fields Gold Share the Fun Theresa Frey Gold Demonstration Tawnie Frey Gold Demonstration Avery Hanning Blue Demonstration Avery Hanning Gold Share the Fun Pierce Hanning Blue Demonstration Pierce Hanning Gold Share the Fun Nelson Hanson Blue Illustrated Talk Ila Janz Gold Share the Fun Ashley Montez Blue Illustrated Talk Madison Murphy Gold Interpretive Reading Madison Murphy Gold Share the Fun Regan Murphy Gold Share the Fun Jared Price Gold Illustrated Talk Alexandrea Quinn Gold Share the Fun Colin Russell Blue Audio/Visual McCalister Russell Gold Prepared Speech Rebecca Sanders Gold Illustrated Talk Tilly Schoonhoven Blue Demonstration Tim Schoonhoven Gold Prepared Speech Tess Schoonhoven Gold Demonstration Amanda Skidmore Gold Interpretive Reading Amanda Skidmore Gold Share the Fun Andrew Skidmore Gold Audio/Visual Andrew Skidmore Gold Share the Fun JohnMichael VanRuler Gold Illustrated Talk Christine Viney Gold Interpretive Reading Christine Viney Gold Share the Fun Kate Wallace Blue Educational Display

Intermediate The Commercial Beekeeper Intermediate The Gettysburg Address Junior Clementine Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate So You Think You Can’t Knit? Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate Luscious Crème Puffs Senior 4-H Network Live Senior Flip Flop’n It! Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate Mark Twain’s Interesting Life Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate Do You Know What’s Proper? Intermediate Do You Know What’s Proper? Junior Nitty Gritty Desert with Worms on Top Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate Incredible Wearable Art Senior 4-H Network Live Junior Skeet Shooting Basics Senior 4-H Network Live Senior Mustang & Arabian Freeze Brands Junior Because of Winn Dixie Senior 4-H Network Live Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate Marine Biology Mammals of Monterey Bay Senior 4-H Network Live Senior Cow Comfort Junior Making A Difference Junior Five Types of Milking Parlors Intermediate Luscious Crème Puffs Intermediate Six Simple Skills for Good Leadership Junior Prize Pizza Pockets Junior Junie B Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentine Senior 4-H Network Live Junior Kid’s Dirtiest Chores Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate The Incredible Almond Intermediate Diary of a Young Girl, Anne Frank Senior 4-H Network Live Intermediate Branching Out

State Field Day Results UC Davis

May 31, 2008

Judging Events Nelson Hanson Gold Medal Junior Abigail Coelho Gold Medal Intermediate

Job Interviews Amanda Skidmore Gold Medal Junior Andrew Skidmore Gold Medal Junior

Plant Science Jared Price Gold Medal Intermediate

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COOPERATIVE EXTENSION UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Merced County 2145 Wardrobe Avenue Merced, CA 95341-6445

For special assistance regarding our programs, please contact our office.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 641 Merced, CA

SEPTEMBER 2008