Dear 4-H Member, Leader, and Parent:
December and January were busy and exciting months for Sussex 4-H! The Junior Council went caroling and collected food for the community pantry, 55 attended the Breyer Horse painting event; more than 200 attended the State Ice Skating Party, 15 received CPR certification and eight attended the babysitting training. Fourteen link members and 15 junior leaders provided an exciting Winter Fun Day for 39 participants and 103 leaders, staff and parents attended the Delaware Leaders Forum held at Del Tech
Community College. Heather Smith was recognized as Delaware Salute to Excellence Volunteer of Year and Debbie Vanderwende was awarded Sussex County Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer at this event.
This agent had the opportunity to see the Bridgeville Mustangs Club in action at their December Family Night. There was delicious food, games, public speaking activities, good leadership, secret Santa and fun for all in attendance! Members did an outstanding job decorating the hall and welcoming all attendees and guests. Following the event the group went caroling in the park! This is definitely an energetic club!
Evelyn Messick, Sussex County 4-H leader and Link member, passed away on January 14. She devoted 42 years to the 4-H program and was a mentor, friend, leader, encourager and volunteer. Mrs. Messick impacted the lives of many youth. There will be a void at Younger Member Weekend, Farm Tour, Pumpkin Contest and Leader Forums. Sussex 4-H will miss this outstanding lady. Sadly, while writing this newsletter, we have learned that LeRoy Messick, Evelyn’s husband, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 3. Please keep the Messick family in your thoughts and prayers.
February 4-H activities include: Quilt as You Go Sewing Workshop, State Teen Conference, Horse Bowl Training, Avian Bowl Training, Public Speaking Contest, Favorite Foods Contest, Food & Nutrition Judging Contest and Photography, Wood Science, and Textiles and Clothing Judging Training. Details are included in this newsletter.
Good News to share: Congratulations to Hunter Murray and Kaleb Scott! Hunter and Kaleb will represent Delaware at the National Ag Day Event March 17-19, 2013. They will travel to the National 4-H Youth Conference Center, Chevy Chase, Md. and meet with our congressional delegation to promote agriculture. Both young men are University of Delaware students and Sussex County 4-H members. Hats off to: Sydney James, Kimberlyn Scott and Jonah Vincent! These Sussex 4-H members will join Regina Reynolds, Jessica Sullivan, Philip Moore and McKenzie Ivory as delegates to the National 4-H Conference in Chevy Chase, Md.
February is American Heart, American History, and Black History Month, and Dental Health Month. We celebrate Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day. As you plan your club program you may want to include activities about these holidays. I look forward to seeing you at the next 4-H event!
Mary Argo,
Sussex County 4-H Educator