Montmorency County
Montmorency County Extension
PO Box 789
Atlanta, Michigan 49709 / P: 989-785-8013
F: 989-785-8014 / E-mail:

Web: www.msue.msu.edu/Montmorency

October 2007

4-H Seat Belt Safety at the Fair
Montmorency County was one of 16 counties in Michigan that received a 4-H grant to do seat belt education. The seat-belt program was planned, organized and processed by our volunteer 4-H leader Carol Klein(she is also our half time FNP PA) , and our teen 4-H leader Lana Klein. Carol and Lana manned the booth for four hours a day for four days, handing out materials and counseling adults and teens individually. During this time over 160 youth participated in the seat belt cover project. Carol, Lana and helpers also handed out over 800 click-it or ticket pencils, 50 seat belt safety posters, 100 seat belt safety key chain kits, and 75 coloring books and boxes of crayons. Carol and Lana were deftly aided in their endeavors by dynamic duo of Vince and Larry (the crash test dummies), and the vivacious Click-It the Cricket. Another six teens participated in taking turns wearing the Vince and Larry, and Cricket costumes. Along with helping at the display, Vince and Larry, and Cricket regularly toured the fairgrounds telling people about the program and urging them to visit the display in Smith Hall.
In addition to these great activities, Carol also secured the State police roll-over simulator to demonstrate the danger of not wearing a seat belt. /
Vince and Larry confer with Click-it the Cricket about the importance of always using a seat belt
The crash dummies (not real people) almost invariably left the vehicle through open windows, giving a vivid display of the importance of everyone in the car wearing a seat belt. Carol also arranged to do these 50 demonstrations with the Montmorency Sheriff department. An informal survey indicated ed: 75% percent already wear seat belts, 20 % indicated they would now always wear their belt, and 5% said they would probably try to wear their belt more often.
Contact: Carol Klein or Dennis McClure
/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on county Extension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through Michigan State University and federally through the US Department of Agriculture.

4-H members, leaders pause to celebrate during National 4-H Week

Over 300 Montmorency 4-Hers joined the more than six million young people across America who participated in 4-H the past year. Their work was recognized during National 4-H Week, Oct. 5-11.
Montmorency 4-H members, like their peers across the country, participate in projects and programs during the year that not only help them learn skills like video production, sewing and rocketry, but also help them learn responsibility, team work and organization.
Forty adult volunteers served 4-H leaders here, giving their time and talents to help young people have positive learning experiences.
On behalf of the Montmorency County 4-H Youth Program, thanks go to the Montmorency 4-H Council, Montmorency 4-H Fair Board and their volunteers, the Montmorency Livestock Association, our leaders and others who make this program possible.
Special thanks go to the Montmorency County Commissioners and legislators Tony Stamas and Matt Gillard for their continued support.
Contact; Karen Fifield
Firewise Education
With the hot dry weather we have been experiencing, the conditions for wildfires have been great. We only have to look at the recent wildfire that torched 600 acres of forest and damaged 20 structures in Iosco County to realize how devastating a wildfire can be. The Galion Fire destroyed two homes and one cabin, and damaged 11 out-buildings (garages, pole barns, sheds) and six structures. Although we have had several wildfires in Montmorency County this year, none have been this damaging.
Obviously the best way to protect your home is to prevent wildfires in the first place. Unfortunately, this is often beyond your control. The nest best step is to learn what you can do to help your home survive a wildfire. To do this, stop by the Montmorency Extension Office a pick up you Free Firewise bulletins.
Contact : Dennis McClure /

MSU Extension support

Montmorency County receives support from a large number of MSU campus-based and regionally based staff members.
Some of the those who have provided assistance to Montmorency this past quarter include:
Luke Reese-Computer specialist
Steve Fouch-Fruit specialist
Russ Kidd- District forester
Howard Russell-Entomologist
Duke Elsner-Entomologist
John Amrhein- Government specialist
Julie Chapin- State 4-H program leader
Cindy Straus-Computer specialist
Amy Blair-MSU Librarian
Mary Dunckel-Agriculture educator
Chris Gehring-Family Nutrition Program educator
Cheri Booth- State 4-H director
Patrict Cudney-North Region Director
2007 Montmorency 4-H fair
This year's Montmorency 4-H Fair was once again a great event for 4-H members and families. Always one of the best organized and friendliest fairs in the state, this year’s fair was even bigger than ever.
With more than 4,000 entries, more than $9,000 in cash premiums and an auction sale of $48,000, it was also a financial success.
A new program at the fair this year was Bats Incredible: a program presented by the organization for Bat Conservation. Over 60 4-H members were able to see and learn about many different kinds of bats from around the world. They were also able to build a bat house and learn important safety information. Cost of this program was covered by a grant from the Northeast Michigan Foundation and the Montmorency 4-H Fairboard.
Contact Karen Fifield or Dennis McClure