Dear 4-H Family,
Is it really August already?! This summer has been filled with lots of 4-H activities and events. Environmental Camp, two weeks of State 4-H Camp, Delaware State Fair, and Georgetown Day Camp.
In mid June, Emma Rider, Dublin Hill 4-H member was awarded the 2014 National Jefferson Award for her participation in the Lead360 Challenge. Many of you have heard about Emma’s shoe drives in schools, churches, and 4-H clubs. Over the past 3 ½ years Emma has collected over 80,000 pairs of shoes. Her efforts have raised money to purchase 40 WaterStep chlorinators bringing pure water to potentially 400,000 people. Be sure to send congratulations Emma’s way and also keep helping her collect shoes for this wonderful cause!
In this newsletter, you will find State Fair results and county updates. The 4-H Building at the State Fair was packed with over 11,000 exhibits! Thank you to those who helped set up the building, were judges or judges assistants/runners, hosts/hostesses, and those who helped take down the building on Sunday. Your hard work did not go unnoticed and is greatly appreciated! The Jr. Council put together a beautiful float and we were happy to hear how full it was each night. Seeing the excited faces, hearing 4-H songs, and waving the pom-poms definitely pleased the onlookers. Congratulations to everyone who entered an exhibit or competed in a Fair competition. The State Fair is always an exciting part of the 4-H year and this year it wrapped up with the engagement of two of our 4-H members, Jackie Arpie and Travis Waller. Congratulations and best wishes!
The Sussex 4-H Staff and family continues to grow! Kaitlin Klair has joined the team as a Program Assistant. Kaitlin grew up in a 4-H family in New Castle County and brings a vast amount of knowledge and excitement to the program. She recently led the Georgetown Day Camp and will be helping with Jr. Council and other events and activities throughout the 4-H year. Please give her a warm welcome when you meet her at the next 4-H event! We also welcome a new 4-H Specialty Club. The 4-Hoofbeats is a Horse Club lead by Elrita Annett. The club meets in Greenwood. Many of the club members have already taken part in county and state events such as the Horse Show, County and State Judging, and Fair activities. Speaking of a growing family, Lindsay Hughes, Extension Educator, and her husband Jimmy, welcomed their little girl, Lyla Elizabeth, to the world on Sunday, July 27. We are so very happy for them and can’t wait for Lyla to join 4-H!
During this busy time and throughout the year, please remember to check your email and the blog regularly for news and updates. Be sure to sign up for events (county and statewide) by the posted deadlines. Thanks for your help! See you at the next 4-H event!
Yours in 4-H,
Jill Jackson
Extension Educator, 4-H
jackson@udel.edu