4-H Fair Update

1. This year members will be judged in their outfits prior to the fair, on Thursday, July 30 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the 4-H Center. You may come at any time, but not past 7:30 p.m. because we would like to be finished no later than 8 p.m.

If members will be on vacation, you may bring your member's outfit to the 4-H Center, on or before July 30, so that judges may judge construction.

2. 4-H members' projects will be on display at the 4-H Fair from 5:00 PM August 6th until 4:00 PM on August 8th. We will have a mini Fashion Revue (no competition) on Saturday, August 8 at 3:30, using the same commentaries from the County 4-H Fashion Revue on June 20. You will have an opportunity to sign up to participate when you come on judging night, July 30. All outfits will be kept here from July 30 until the Fair is adjourned. Members will need to arrive at 3:00 PM on August 8 to participate in the Fashion Revue. Be sure to bring along a written commentary if you did not participate at the Fashion Revue in June.

3. We need help setting up the clothing displays for the 4-H Fair on Tuesday, August 4 at 4 p.m. Adults and youth are needed to make the room look as beautiful as it has in the past. If you can help, please email or call Patti Colby at patticolby@msn.com or 610-630-8289.

In addition, we need members, parents and leaders on Saturday August 8 at 4:00 PM after the fair is over to help take down exhibit tables and clean the facility.

5. Again this year, there will be a GIANT Fabric Sale, to benefit your 4-H Center and the

4-H Clothing & Textiles Program. The hours will be August 6 from 6-10 p.m., August 7 from 9:30 AM-9 PM, and August 8 from 9:30 AM-3 PM. The sale will take place in the gym. Volunteers (parents, leaders and teens) are needed to help sell fabric and to sort/price the fabric during July and the week prior to the fabric sale. For every two hours that you work at the Fabric Sale, you will receive a $5 credit toward any purchases at the Fabric Sale. Email Patti Colby (patticolby@msn.com , preferred, or call 610-630-8289) if you can assist. If you want to donate fabric for the sale, we will accept donations at the Extension Office, beginning June 27 through July 25 (go to the website http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/FabricDonations.html for specific dates and times). It is helpful if you can label the content and yardage amount.

6. During fair judging each level is judged separately. As a reminder, we will award Clovers for a truly outstanding job, and Grand and Reserve Champion for first and second place of all clothing entries, plus we will continue to award a "Best in Class" at each level. We'd like everyone to feel good about the ribbon he or she receives, whether it's red, blue, or white, and to understand that it's OK to not get a blue ribbon every time. Remember, everyone gets a ribbon! Members who don't fit into a specific 4-H clothing category can be judged in the "OPEN YOUTH" categories.

Sara Danehower Scholarship

Finally, it’s not too late to apply for the Sara Danehower Scholarship to help finance your 2010 4-H clothing and textiles project. The application will be forwarded in another email within the next week. Your leader also has a copy of the application. The deadline to apply is 7/15/2009.

See you at the Fair!

Patti Colby

4-H Volunteer

4-H State Achievement Days at Penn State

State Days July 28-30

Application Deadline- Must be received by June 18th

Imagine having fun meeting 4-H teens from across the state while competing in contests related to your project area. Think you are good at shooting an air rifle, giving a presentation, or judging horses? Or that you have lots of knowledge about rabbits, dogs or archery? Want to experience staying in college dorms and seeing the Penn State campus? Can you sing or like to design computer graphics for marketing? If this sounds like fun, come and be part of this exciting three-day event held at Penn State each summer.

This program is open to qualified 4-H members ages 13 (as of 1/1/09) and older. The first day is devoted to registration, a service project, the opening ceremony with a motivational/entertaining assembly, and some social time. Some contests may have a special session that afternoon as well. The second day is devoted to your contest and educational program in the morning and afternoon. Then there is some free time to relax before dinner. The evening often offers choices like the Fashion Review, movie, and a dance. On Thursday the morning is devoted to the awards assembly and then the trip home!

While most of the members have already been practicing for their teams, there are several events (like The Apprentice, State Chorus, and Ag Career Exploration) that allow teens to attend that might not be in a specific program or project area. There is also a talent showcase that allows those members who are already going to State Days in another contest to perform if selected. With the exception of these few events, you should be taking a project in that area and/or work with a designated coach. For example, if you plan to compete in Physical Fitness, you MUST attend the practices, study nutrition, and be approved by the coach who is Karen Moore. There is a new puppetry program too!

Barb Schwarzer (from Toastmasters) and I will help those interested in doing public speaking or demonstrations. Anyone planning to do the tractor driving must get an approved adult to work with them and sign off that they have seen you actually drive through a course similar to the one you will be required to do. You also need to study the parts of the tractor.

Winners in many of our state contests can go on to national competition. In recent years, our Avian Bowl went on to competition in Kentucky, our public speaker went to the Eastern National 4-H horse Roundup in KY, and four members of our Air Rifle Team competed at the National 4-H Shoot in South Dakota.

If you want information on the photography, poster art and small animal essay contests which are judged during State Days but are not a team event, go to the State Days website at: http://pa4h.cas.psu.edu/77.htm and print off the requirements and information you want. Let me know in advance if you plan to enter as these must be sent to Penn state ahead of time.

If you want to go, you MUST have your application and check to me by June 18th. Cost is $135 per person payable to "Mont. Co. 4-H Dev. Fund." Your portion pays for the registration for the contest, lodging (in the dorms), meals, and other related event activities at Penn State. Your only additional cost should be meals en route. We pay for the bus and chaperone costs which run about $3,200 in addition to what you pay. Those who sign up will receive details regarding attire, medical forms, transportation, etc. We travel by bus and leave from the 4-H Center Tuesday morning (about 8:15 AM) and return there Thursday afternoon (about 4:00 PM). If you are not staying in the dorms and only driving up for the contest and going home, talk to me as there is a reduced fee for that option. The single room request on the application is for chaperones only.

If you want to go to the Tuesday afternoon session regarding "What Does Penn State Have to Offer" be sure to check that on your form. Do the same with the Talent Show (also requires a video) and fill in the required papers (see the website). Because we have encountered some problems in the past, we will not accept State Days applications without the check.

Again, please go to http://pa4h.cas.psu.edu/77.htm to look up and print off your event rules and regulations so you know what to expect of your contest. Completed applications and checks MUST be received in the office by June 18th so don't wait till the last minute to apply. Late registration costs are $175. This includes any applications coming to us after the June 18th date and prior to July 1st. We will only accept late registrations if there is room on the bus.

There is a service project that everyone will participate in on Tuesday afternoon once we get on campus. You will get details once you register for the event.
You may download the application on the Montgomery 4-H website:
http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/2009SAD.pdf

Ambler 4-H Club Service Project at Elmwood Park Zoo

The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown contacted the Montgomery County Ambler 4-H club and asked for a Cotton-Top Tamarin sign board to be constructed and painted. The Ambler 4-H club purchased the sign board wood and paints and the 4-H club leader designed the Tamarin sign board. Three Ambler 4-H leaders and senior high school member David Robbins constructed and painted the Cotton Top Tamarin sign board. Ambler 4-H club has also performed community service by constructing the Butterfly sign board (2000) and the Tree Frog sign board(2008) for the Elmwood Park Zoo at no charge to the zoo. Great Job!

4-H Kit Kat Club Fundraiser

The 4-H Kit Kat Club is proud to hold a fundraiser on Sunday, June 14th from 11AM-3PM to raise funds and donations for the local SPCA and the Cat Angel Network. We will be at the Trappe Feed & Pet Supply 325 W Main Street, Trappe (behind Dairy Queen) We are gratefully accepting:

• Food (dry and canned)
• Cat Litter (especially pine)
• Old towels and blankets
• Bleach
• Newspapers
• Small and medium plastic litter boxes
• Kitten milk replacement
• Paper towels
• Small toy mice
• Monetary donations are always appreciated

Please come and visit us!