Silver Pails 4-H Goat Club Hot Dog Sale

The Silver Pails 4-H Goat Club will be having a Hot Dog Sale on
Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at Freed's Market, 2024 Swamp Pike, Gilbertsville.

In appreciation for Freed's Market customers, a hot dog and soda will cost just 25 cents! Please support our club by buying our baked goods, water ice, and goat milk soap too!

Kit Cat Club Reorganizing!

Do you have a cat and want to learn more about taking care of it? Would you like to help at a cat shelter? Do you wish you could be around cats but can’t have a pet at home?

All youth ages 8-19 (as of 1/1/2011) who are interested in learning more about cats and their care are invited to join the 4-H Kit Kat Club. The first organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, January 20th at 7:30 PM at the PAWS Animal Rescue, 2048 Sumneytown Pike, in Kulpsville. ( 1/4 mile west of Lansdale turnpike interchange, at the corner of Old Forty Foot Road (also Sher Photography). Call 215-256-4215 for more information. Future meeting nights and times will be discussed and decided upon by the group after the first meeting.

Ownership of a cat is not mandatory and youth can get involved with the PAWS cat shelter near Harleysville as part of their 4-H activities if they do not own a cat or have access to a family member’s cat. Members will also have the chance to learn about careers in the animal sciences during their time in the club.

2011 Toastmasters Course

Penn State Cooperative Extension of Montgomery County invites all teens to attend the 4-H Toastmasters Junior Leadership course being offered at the 4-H Center in Creamery. The course is open to all youth ages 14-19, who are interested in increasing their leadership skills and ability to speak in front of others. This course helps improve confidence in speaking at school, on job interviews and in group situations, and participants will get to meet new people and have fun in the process.

Classes will be held at the 4-H Center, located on Route 113 near Skippack, from 7:00-8:30 p.m. The course will start on Monday, February 28th, and continue for consecutive Monday nights up to and including April 11 with graduation ceremonies slated for that final night. Parents and friends are invited to the graduation ceremonies. Those enrolling must attend at least six of the eight classes (preferably all the classes but we realize there may be schedule conflicts) in order to receive their certificates.

Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited and the course fills up quickly. The registration fee is $25.00 to help support the program. To enroll, send the student's name, current age, birth date, home phone number, mailing address, and e-mail to the 4-H Office at:1015 Bridge Road, Suite H, Collegeville, PA, 19426. Or you may download the enrollment form here:
http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/2011ToastMaster.pdf

Enrollees need to enclose a $25 check payable to "Montgomery County Extension", earmarked Toastmasters. Those accepted into the course will receive further details and directions as needed.
Instructors for the course are volunteers from the Toastmasters International Clubs. Youth do not need to be in 4-H prior to the course but by enrolling in the program they will be listed as a member for the year.

Christmas Felting Activity - 4-H Alpaca Club

Join the new 4-H Alpaca Club for an afternoon felting soaps and Christmas tree ornaments.
What, you might ponder, is felting? That's a good question that we'll answer and teach you how do to at our meeting. Guaranteed to be a fun afternoon, and, you'll go home with a nice gift for someone special - or yourself.

Please bring a bar or two of your favorite soap, and we'll provide all of the felting materials.

Sunday, December 19th, 2:00 - 3:30
Little Lost Creek Alpaca Farm
1980 Quarry Road, Salford, PA

If you have any questions please contact Alex or Sandy Frazier, 484-431-5587 or 484-431-9305.

Zimmerman Scholarship application now available!

The Montgomery County Farm, Home & 4-H Foundation has established a scholarship, in honor of Merrill K. and Louise Zimmerman, for their life-long devotion to the 4-H Program. This is the eleventh year that the scholarship will be awarded. In addition, the Montgomery County Farm Bureau has agreed to fund a second scholarship to a deserving student and 4-H alumni.

An application form is available on the Montgomery County 4-H website: http://bit.ly/hRGzKQ. Please notify us if you know of someone else who might qualify so that we can send them the application.
Note that the deadline for submission is March 15, 2011.

If you have any questions, please call me at 610-489-4315 or email: nbs1@psu.edu
Sincerely,
Nancy B. Stevens, County Extension Director

The Montgomery County Farm, Home & 4-H Foundation Scholarship

The Montgomery County Farm, Home & 4-H Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually in memory of Merrill K. and Louise Zimmerman for their life-long dedication and devotion to the Montgomery County 4-H Program.

To be eligible, students must:

• Have participated in the Montgomery County 4-H Program for a minimum of three years.
• Not have won the scholarship previously.
• Be planning to major in (or be currently enrolled in) either agricultural sciences or family consumer sciences/human development fields.
• Be a high school senior or presently attending a college or university in an undergraduate program.
• Have achieved a superior academic record or show promise of outstanding academic success.
• Submit a high school transcript (and college transcript if presently enrolled).
• Submit two (2) letters of recommendation from a variety of sources - may include teachers, volunteer leaders, community leaders, etc.

Deadline for 2011 submission: March 15, 2011 For information, contact the 4-H Office at 610-489-4315. The scholarship amount awarded in 2010 was $1000.00.

Past recipients:
2001 Ellen Nave
2002 Michael Cressman
2003 Andrea Mountney
2004 Mary Kate Berardi
2005 Amy Shollenberger
2006 Brooke Fuhrman
2007 Samantha Carroll
2008 Samantha Carroll
2009 Robyn White
2010 Nicole McMahon

Teen Veterinary Science Short Course Offered

Penn State Cooperative Extension of Montgomery County invites all teens to attend a 4-H Teen Veterinary Science course being offered in the Trappe area. The course is open to all youth ages 15-18, who are seriously interested in learning more about veterinary medicine as a career. According to County 4-H Coordinator Nancy Kadwill, "We plan to address how to prepare for a career, look at schooling needs, and help participants experience some of the daily duties of a veterinarian or vet technician. We are very pleased to have the staff of the Animal Medical Center in Trappe again volunteering to be our instructors”. Other topics will include determining animal health (office visits), animal handling and safety, acupuncture, lab radiology, and parasite control. Members may also have an opportunity to view a surgery procedure on one of the nights. You will get to enjoy the “sights, sounds and smells” of the profession. A certificate will be presented to all teens who complete the course.

The course will run five Thursday nights, from February 3rd, up to and including March 3rd. Classes will be held from 6:30-8:00 PM at the Animal Medical Center in Trappe, located on Route 113 (25 West Third Avenue) near Ridge Pike.

Pre-registration is required. Enrollment is limited to18 teens. The Animal Medical Center deals primarily with companion animals and exotics. For more details, contact the 4-H office at 610-489-4315 or visit http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu for a flier and application form.

The 4-H program is requesting a $25.00 donation per person to help cover the cost of materials and support the 4-H program. Enrollees need to send a check, payable to "Montgomery County Ext. Special Acct” to: Montgomery County 4-H, 1015 Bridge Road, Suite H, Collegeville, PA, 19426, prior to the course. Be sure to earmark the check “Trappe Vet. Sci. Course.” Youth do not need to be in 4-H prior to the course but by enrolling in the program they will be listed as a member for the year. Along with the check, also include your name, address, age and birthdate, e-mail, phone number and reason for wanting to be in the course.

Montgomery County PA Outstanding 4-H Member/Matthew Bailey Scholarship Awards

Applications for the Montgomery County PA Outstanding 4-H Member/Matthew Bailey Scholarship Awards are due July 1. Were you at least 15 on 1/1/2010, and in 4-H for at least 2 years? Are you still in 4-H, in a leadership role? Have you been responsible for a 4-H Community Service project or taken a major role in one? Then you may be eligible to apply! Go to our 4-H website to download and complete the application.

There will be a workshop on June 8, 2010, to help members complete the application and prepare for the interview. The session will begin at 7 pm in the Dogwood Room at the 4-H Center. It should provide helpful information for applying for these awards, jobs, and college. Seating will be limited, so please RSVP to Patti Colby by phone (610)630-8289 or by email patticolby@msn.com.

4-H Center Clean Up Day!

April 24th is 4-H Center Clean Up Day!

C'mon out and make our center look terrific! Bring your tools and equipment for some outdoor work. Don't forget the sunscreen and garden gloves! We will be starting around 9AM but come any time you can if you can't be here early. Call the office (610-489-4315) for more info or email njy1@psu.edu

4-H Babysitting Course Details

April 4-H Babysitting Course at the Indian Valley Library is full.
Contact the library for the library for details on the summer course being held at the library.
100 E. Church Ave. Telford, Pa. 18969
215-723-9109

4-H Babysitting Course at Upper Pekiomen Valley Library this summer,
contact the library for details
Upper Perkiomen Valley Library
350 Main St. Red Hill, Pa. 18076
215-679-2020

4-H Babysitting Course at the 4-H Center
1015 Bridge Rd Collegeville, Pa. 19426
Monday thru Friday, June 28- July 2, 1:30 pm- 3:00pm.
Call 610-489-4315 for a registration brochure.

4-H Babysitting Course Lower Providence Library
50 Parklane Drive Eagleville,Pa. 19403
Call 610-666-6640 for a registration brochure
Mon thru Friday June 28-July 2, 10:30 am- 12:00 noon

Design a Cover for Fashion Revue

Do you like to draw?

If so, enter the contest to design the program cover for 4-H Regional Fashion Revue. You can be a member of any 4-H club to be eligible to submit a drawing. The theme this year is “Picture Perfect”. The drawing should original, be in black and white and no larger than 8.5” by 11”. Drawings are due to the Extension office by May 1. They can be faxed to 610-489-9277, scanned and emailed to nbs1@psu.edu or mailed to the 4-H office at 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, PA 19426. Put to the attention of Nancy Stevens. A $25 gift certificate will be given to the member whose design is chosen.

Horses 101- Back to the Basics

Saturday, April 17, 2010
Montgomery Co 4H Ctr., 1015 Bridge Road (Rt. 113) Creamery, PA

Horses 101- Back to the Basics is an educational program open to all horse enthusiasts (show, trail riders, new horse owners) and experience levels (youth and adults). Get ready for the spring riding/showing season and meet other horse owners. Visit the Tack Swap and plan on attending this educational offering. Program topics include:

• Horse Trailering - Keeping You and Your Horse Safe
• Leg Wrapping for Support, Exercise & Shipping
• Making a Good First Impression in the Show Ring
• Natural Hoof Trimming
• Saddle Fitting
• Horse Show Etiquette
• Body Clipping & Braiding

Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cost for Horse Course 101 = $5/individual, $10/family
Call 610-489-4315

Join the Tail Gaiters 4H Club at the 4H Center for a spring clean-out-the-barn community Tack Swap. Find a bargain. Rent a table for just $15 each.
All proceeds from the swap will benefit the Tail Gaiters 4H Club.
Contact 215-778-6685 for more swap information and table reservations.

Snow Cancellation!

The Montgomery County 4-H Livestock Club meeting scheduled for tonight - Tuesday, February 9th, is canceled due to the SNOW!!!

Any questions please call the 4-H office or your club leader!

New 4-H Quilt Club

Hot News!
There will be a 4-H Quilt Club starting up on January 23 and meeting at the 4-H Center for 6 Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. It is open to youth ages 9 to 14. There is a cost of $25 which covers all quilting materials, batting, thread ,etc. Each participant will make a 36 inch quilt. Call the office to request a brochure or go to http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/2010QuiltClub.pdf for more information. Registration is limited.

4-H Clubs Exhibit at Pet Expo

Montgomery County 4-H participated in the Greater Philadelphia Pet Expo, Friday November 6 through Sunday November 8, which was held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, PA. Throughout the weekend, 4-H members passed out informational brochures and were available to answer questions. A computerized slide show ran continuously, highlighting various club programs, horse shows and the 4-H fair. Banners, project posters, and photographs were on display. The club scrapbooks were available to look through and served as a visual explanation of each club’s activities.

The animals exhibited by 4-H members were a big hit. The public was able to meet and pet mini horses, goats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and Seeing Eye puppies.

The Expo provided an opportunity for Club members to reach out to the general public to show how 4-H has evolved from the traditional clubs to a large variety of non-traditional clubs. Livestock, dairy, horse, dog, cat, poultry, rabbits, sewing, beekeeping, gardening, fishing, crafters and Seeing Eye puppy are among those offered for children between the ages of 8 and 19 to join. Special projects such as 4-H State Achievement Days, the Exchange Program, Leadership Conference and Capitol Days were also highlighted.

Halloween Horse Show

Central Montgomery Co. 4-H Horse & Pony Club presents their 2009 Fall Fun Show. Held October 31, 9AM at the Montgomery Co. 4-H Center.
Registration is between 8:00 and 9 AM
For information: 610-287-7619
Come see our Costume Class! Food will also be available.

2009 4-H Fair Pictures Now on the Web!

Pictures from the 2009 4-H Fair are finally uploaded!

http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/4-HFair2009/index.htm

If you see one you would like to have, email me and I will send it to you!

Norma Young, 4-H secretary
njy1@psu.edu

Study Says 4-H is Great!!!!

Study: 4-H Sparks Science Achievement in Children
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: October 7, 2009

BOSTON (AP) -- American universities have an ally in their efforts to educate more students in science, technology and engineering and keep the nation competitive in the global economy, a Tufts University study released Wednesday shows.

Children involved in 4-H perform better in those subjects and are more likely to pursue science careers, according to the study, released Wednesday in conjunction with 4-H National Youth Science Day.

''When parents ask, 'What can I do to get my kid a leg up?,' getting them involved in 4-H turns out to be a very effective strategy,'' said Richard Lerner, director of the Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development at Tufts and lead researcher for the multiyear study. Read more...

4-H Fair, August 6th - 8th

It's 4-H Fair Time!!!

The 4-H Fair takes place on August 6th , 7th & 8th at the 4-H Center located just outside Skippack on Rt. 113 in Creamery, PA. The Fair opens on Thursday, August 6th from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, Friday, August 7th 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM and Saturday, August 8th from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

There is LOTS to see and do! The Mobile Ag Science Lab will again be featured all 3 days during the Fair, and the Giant Fabric Sale will be ongoing throughout the fair. We have horse and tractor wagon rides, a wonderful Mexican Dance Troupe, the 4-H Animal Costume Show, a magic show, The Daisy Jug Band, and of course all of the 4-H clubs will be featuring their projects and the 4-H animals will be here with their people. Please join us!

Please go to this website for more information and flyers:
http://montgomery.extension.psu.edu/4-H/4HFair2009.html

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