Friendly Paw Dog Club Members Participate in Dog Handling Course

Friendly Paw Dog Club members recently completed a six-week training course on Conformation Dog Handling. Members met for an hour once a week to learn handling techniques and gating patterns. It was obvious by the marked improvement of both the children and their dogs' that they were diligent in practicing throughout the week at home. The knowledge they gained during the training sessions will enable them to compete in dog shows as well as Junior Showmanship competitions.


The culmination of the training sessions ended with a club field trip to the Huntington Valley Kennel Club show held at the Wrightstown Grange in Bucks County. Members were able to see first hand the professionals and owner-handlers at work in the ring with their dogs. This experience, of being able to see the application of the dog handling techniques they had been taught, helped to solidify their basic understanding Conformation Dog Handling. Several of the members were surprised to realize, "My dog and I are not that bad after all" and that all the compliments that club members had been receiving from their instructor at 'how good they were doing' were for real.


The highlight of the day was the Junior Showmanship Competition for children ages 9 through 18. In this competition the youth's ability to expertly present their dog is judged, not the quality of the dog. The Dog Grooming & Showmanship Competition that Friendly Paw Dog Club members participate in at the 4-H Fair is modeled after this event. 4-H permits contestants to enter any dog, pure or mixed breed, as long as they can safely control it in the ring.
Click here for photos of this event!

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!

An Invitation to NON Equestrian 4-H Members!

Attention Non-Equestrians!!

• Have you ever wondered what goes on at a horse show?
• Why do they dress like that?
• What's the deal with riding around in that ring?
• What is a lead change and where are the posts for posting?
• How does a horse bend a pole with no hands?
• Does a horse really fit through a keyhole?

Timber Talk Trotters would like to invite you to stop at the 4-H Center on May 30th and find out!There will be breakfast goodies for early birds and a cookout for lunch. Grab a bite to eat - stay for an hour or make it a day! We would love to see you and answer any horse show questions you might have!

CLICK HERE for a photo of a Timber Talk Trotters Event!

THE OFFICIAL INFO:
Timber Talk Trotters 4-H Horse Club is holding their annual open English,
Western and Driving show on Saturday, May 30th at the Montgomery
County 4-H Center @ 1015 Bridge Road (Rt 113), Creamery, PA. The
show starts at 8:00 am. Please contact Leslie @ 215.234.9376 or
lesliekblair4@comcast.net for a copy of the prize list.

Matthew Bailey Scholarship / Outstanding 4-H Member Award

Dear Matthew Bailey Scholarship and Outstanding 4-H Member Applicants:

Thank you for your interest in either of the above referenced awards. Both are the highest honors in the local 4-H Program and are highly coveted.

The application for the Matthew Bailey Scholarship and Outstanding 4-H Member Awards is now on the 4-H website at:
http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/2009MB-OMApplication.pdf

I want to call the following to your attention.

First, all applications and leader recommendations are due on July 1. There are no exceptions granted for any reason when applications or recommendations are received late (not even if your mom, dog, cat, bird, goat, sheep, any other being or alien ate it). You are encouraged to remind leaders so that your recommendations are received on time, and as per the description outlined on page 2. (Sometimes busy leaders forget, so a gentle reminder is often welcomed.)

Second, read all guidelines and instructions carefully, and follow them. Submitting an incomplete application will put you at a severe disadvantage.

Applications may be submitted online to patticolby@msn.com, with a copy to Nancy Kadwill at nmk1@psu.edu. In the reference line, be sure to include the words "4-H Scholarship/Outstanding Member Application". For the signature areas, just type in your name and the date on the appropriate lines, and after your name, type the words "I approve". (The same instructions apply for leaders wishing to submit recommendations online.) For the extension office signature, you may leave that blank, and I will verify with Nancy that she has approved the application.

The application consists of 10 pages (the last 4 are Leader Recommendation forms).

Finally, interviews will be conducted on July 8 and July 22. On both evenings, the times will be 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 8 p.m., and 8:45 p.m. When you submit your application, please indicate your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices for interview dates and times. Watch your email after 7/1/2009, for confirmation of your interview. Emails will include the words "4-H", "Interview", and "Confirmation", and they will generate from "Gary or Patti Colby".

Please read and follow all instructions carefully. If you have questions, please send an email to patticolby@msn.com.

Good luck!
Patti Colby,
Chairperson of the Selection Committee