December, 2010
Dear 4-H Families,
It seems hard to believe that the Christmas holidays are almost here and that I’ve been the Butler CYC for almost a year!
A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers, 4-H & FFA members, parents, leaders, and advisors for all the support you have given me this year. I truly counted on each and every one of you to help me through this first year! I hope you will continue to support the 4-H program in 2011.
From all of us at the office our wishes for the best and brightest holiday season.
Inside this issue
- 2011 Garden Calendars
- Cancellations & postponements
- New address
- 2010 christina hixon award
- State 4-h scholarships
- Cwf trip to Washington d.c.
- Attention! Senior 4-h members
- 2011 pioneer grant
- 4-h projects vs. exhibits
- New! 4-H website launch
- Reminder: 4-H/FFA beef weigh-in
- 4-H day at the ISU women’s basketball game
- Attitude check for new year
- 4-H HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS
- HAPPY ‘DECEMBER’ BIRTHDAYS
- SMILES AND THANK YOU’S
- 4-h CALENDAR OF EVENTS
- FOOD & NUTRITION WORKSHOP FLYER
- Snacktime Snowmen Treats
- Peanut butter Creams
2011 GARDEN CALENDARS
Need a Christmas gift idea? Stop by the Extension Office today and get your copy of the 2011 Garden Calendar. Cost is $6.00 if picked up or $7.73 if mailed to you.
For any cancellations and postponements of Butler County 4-H activities due to inclement weather will be broadcast on these radio stations:
KLMJ, Hampton
KQCR, Parkersburg
TV Stations:KCRG, Channel 9
KWWL, Channel 7
KIMT, Channel 3
NEW ADDRESS!
For those who still keep in contact with Mary TeWinkel, her new address is:
5309 Tree Ridge Trail
Madison, WI 53718
2010 CHRISTINA HIXSON AWARD
The Hixson Opportunity Award is a $10,000 scholarship (distributed $2,500 per year) offered annually to one student from each of Iowa’s 99 counties that are admissible to Iowa State University. Selection is based on eligibility and potential as seen by the application, letter of recommendation and financial analysis. Students can major in any area of study and must maintain a 2.0 grade. Application deadline is February 1, 2011. More information can be found at:
STATE 4-H SCHOLARSHIPS
Students pursuing higher education are encouraged to complete a 4-H scholarship application. More than 90 scholarships totaling nearly $100,000 will be awarded to 4-H’ers attending a university, private college or community college in Iowa with scholarships of $500 to $3,200. For more information go to Scholarship applications are due to the State 4-H Office February 1, 2011. High school seniors interested in attending ISU can log onto for additional scholarship information.
CWF TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C.
“The most important thing I have gained from my CWF experience is that it brought patriotism to my life by seeing the monuments, cemeteries, and our nation’s Capitol. Washington D.C. became a “real” place to me and not just a place “out east!”
Can you image saying this after being in Washington D.C.? You’ll have your chance June 11-18, 2011, as North Iowa 4-H travels east for the Citizenship-Washington Focus trip!
The CWF program helps youth increase their appreciation and respect for themselves and others, as well as increase citizen involvement. The program is held at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center near Washington D.C.
Participants will meet senators and representatives and attend workshops and social activities, as well as tour sites in the Washington D. C. area, such as Gettysburg, Mount Vernon, and many memorials.
Applications and information will be sent to 4-H’ers in grades 11-12. Cost is approximated at $1500. Adults interested in serving as chaperones may request an application from the Extension Office.
ATTENTION!
SENIOR 4-H MEMBERS
4-H Recognition Opportunities Abound!
Exciting opportunities are available for 4-H members for:
- National 4-H Conference
- National 4-H Congress
- State 4-H Council
- Iowa Youth Technology Team
- State Project Awards
While we will still have a written application and an interview, the process will be a little different this year…we’ll hold one state event at Iowa State University on Saturday, March 26, 2011. Members who are not able to participate in a live interview will still be able to pre-record an interview for this event by working with the State 4-H Office.
This year your application (due February 1 to the State 4-H Office) will consist of three parts:
1)Recognition cover sheet (just like in the past)
2)2 pages to answer the specific questions for the recognition area (new this year)
3)2 pages for your own creative telling of your 4-H story and support of the recognition for which you are applying (this has been shortened this year)
For a packet of information about these opportunities, give the office a buzz. Information can also be found at the Iowa State 4-H Recognition site:
2011 PIONEER GRANT
Pioneer Hi-Bred International is offering Pioneer Community Improvement Grants through the Iowa 4-H Foundation again this year. Clubs are encouraged to apply for “seed money” to help them get started on community projects. The brochure, information and application are on the web at:
4-H PROJECTS VS. EXHIBITS
You may wonder what the difference between a project and exhibit are. 4-H projects are the broad areas of interest that members select to explore throughout the year. Projects are chosen when enrollment forms are completed. Projects provide an opportunity to learn new skills, new ideas and new information. They should involve continuous learning and exploration throughout the year.
4-H exhibitsare examples of an outgrowth of the project goals. Exhibits are the part of the project that are displayed and evaluated.
NEW! 4-h website launch
The all-new 4-H website is here and you’ll be amazed by the fresh-new look and expanded resources and content. We hope this new site will be a valuable tool for all 4-H members, families, and volunteers. Check out the website at
REMINDER:
4-H/FFA BEEF WEIGH-IN
Beef weigh-in for the 2011 Butler County Fair will be held at the Waverly Sales Barn on Saturday, December 18 from 8:00 – 11:30 am. This will be a joint weigh-in with Bremer County. Your patience will be greatly appreciated as we learn a new weigh-in process. Bremer and Butler superintendants met in mid-November to discuss how to manage the weigh-in efficiently.
4-H and FFA members planning to exhibit market steers and heifers at the 2011 county fair must weigh in. Breeding beef are not required to weigh in. Breed steers must have the following information: breed, sire name and registration number at the weigh in.
NOTE: Be sure to have all forms completed and brought to the weigh-in with you if applicable.
- Butler Co. born and raised market beef
- IOWA STATE FAIR WAIVER FORMS COMPLETED AND TURNED IN THAT DAY IF A PARENT OR 4-H’ER IS UNABLE TO BE PRESENT AT WEIGH-IN TO HAVE THE ANIMAL CONSIDERED FOR THE 2011 IOWA STATE FAIR.
$5.00 per State Fair beef and an additional $1 for AK SAR BEN. This weigh-in has maximum of 8 head.
All State Fair market beef will need to have retinal scans completed.
4-H DAY AT THE ISU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME
Plans are underway to hold another 4-H Day at the IAU Women’s Basketball game versus Texas A & M on Saturday, January 22, 2011 (11 am. Details are yet to come, so save the date and encourage your clubs to consider attending. A breakfast/brunch will be hosted prior to the game starting at 8:30 am. Prices will be similar to last year ($15/person).
ATTITUDE CHECK FOR NEW YEAR!
There are six steps of attitude that will help you to make your life more successful in
4-H, school, work, home and with others.
Attitude of . . .
Gratitude – Find delight in the simple things.
Humility – Realize you don’t know everything. Let go of ego and be willing to learn. Be honest – not defensive.
Servitude – Be willing to serve others.
Belief – If you sow seeds of disbelief and honesty, you will harvest a crop of disbelief. Believe in others.
Action – Remember W.I.N. – What’s important now!
Commitment – Nothing will happen without commitment!
4-H HELPS YOUTH DEVELOP LIFE SKILLS
4-H has lots to offer with the biggest being the development of life skills. A skill is a learned ability to do something well. Life skills include:
- Decision Making
- Goal Setting
- Planning, Implementation and Evaluating
- Accepting Responsibility
- Communication
- Teamwork and Cooperation
- Record Keeping
Life skills are learned skills that we all apply to real life situations!
HAPPY ‘DECEMBER’ BIRTHDAYS!
Collin Chesnut
Aurora Derdzinski
Erin Folken
Avery Groen
Clayton Groeneveld
Lezlie Holkan
Alyssa Johnson
Ainsley Lovrien
Matthew Negen
Andrea Schrage
Carly Strauser
Morgan Thompson
Sarah Wilcox
Jacob Wolff
SMILES AND THANK YOU’S
- Thank you to our many volunteers, parents, leaders, advisors, 4-H and FFA members who made the 2010 4-H year a success!
- Smiles go out to all those who attended and helped at Officer Training and the Holiday Workshop.
- Smiles to the youth committee and county council for their help at the Award’s Program.
4-H CALENDAR OF EVENTS
DECEMBER
134-H & Youth Committee,
Butler Co. Extension Office,
7:00 pm
18Beef Weigh-in, Waverly Sale Barn, 8:00 – 11:30 am
Food & Nutrition Workshop, Waverly, 3-5 pm
24Holiday – Office Closed
31Holiday – Office Closed
JANUARY
9County Council, Butler Co. Extension Office, 2:00 pm
Snacktime Snowmen
Building a snowman is lots of fun, but coating one in candy is even cooler!
This is a recipe which can be used on Christmas Eve when you want to make treats for Santa.
“The melted candy is hot, so you’ll want to supervise the kids when they dip the cracker sandwiches. Then let them take over decorating.” If you can’t find candy corn, substitute gumdrops or fruit chews.
Snowman Treats
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
34 round butter-flavored crackers
12 ounces white candy coating, coarsely chopped
34 miniature chocolate chips
9 pieces candy corn, cut lengthwise in half
34 milk chocolate M&M’s
Assorted colors of decorating gel.
- Spread peanut butter over half of the crackers; top with remaining crackers to make sandwiches.
- In a heavy saucepan, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Dip sandwiches until coated; place on waxed paper.
- Immediately position chocolate chips for eyes and mouths and add a candy corn half for nose. For earmuffs, place an M&M on either side of face, connected with a strip of decorating gel. Let stand for 30 minutes or until set. Yield: 17 servings.
Peanut Butter Creams
¼ c. powdered sugar
1 c. mini chocolate chips
½ c. sweetened condensed milk
1 c. creamy peanut butter
Mix together and roll into balls, refrigerate uuntil firm. Yummy!