County News and Updates – September 2014

cmanneri

Links Meeting – Tuesday, September 2
Calling all Sussex Links Members – The September meeting is the most important of the 4-H year!  We will be taking nominations and voting for our 2014 inductees.  Discussion of the upcoming Pumpkin Contest will also be on the agenda.  If you cannot attend, but would like to nominate a 4-H graduate, leader, or alumni, please email Amy Webb – amywwebb@aol.com.

Sussex County Exchange Trip
The 4-H Interstate Exchange Program has a long history of providing youth and adults with opportunities to travel and host youth from different states.  Sussex 4-H would like to revive this tradition!  We will be having an Exchange Trip Interest Meeting on September 15 at 6:00 pm.  This program is for youth ages 13 and older and is a two year commitment.

The interstate exchange project is designed to help youth:
• Learn more about the history of Delaware
• Learn more about themselves and their own family, friends, county, and state.
• Learn to help plan and conduct fundraising projects to pay expenses for the trip and for hosting
• Learn to be a good host or hostess.
• Create new and lasting friendships.
• Learn more about 4-H in other states.
• Have fun as a member of a 4-H exchange.

If you are interested, please plan to attend.  We need at least 8 youth to participate in this exciting program!  We are also looking for Parents/Leaders to help lead this program.

Northeast Regional Leaders Forum
The annual Northeast Regional Leaders Forum is coming up in the fall and will be held in Maryland.  They are asking for items to be donated for the silent auction.  It would be great to have DE 4-H represented.  The Sussex Leaders will be donating a “Movie Night” theme basket.  Items could include DVD’s, popcorn, games, etc.  If you would like to donate an item, please bring it with you to the August or September Leaders meeting.  Debbie Lagano will be taking the items to Maryland for us in September.  Thanks for your help!

Paper Clover Fundraiser
October 8 – 19 support the Tractor supply Paper Clover fundraiser for local 4-H at the Seaford Tractor Supply Store.  When you checkout at the register, be sure to purchase a paper clover for $1.00.   Proceeds from this fundraiser benefit Delaware 4-H.   Your club can set up a display, do a demonstration or provide a 4-H hands on table.  If interested in having a display etc., visit www.tractorsupply.com/4h and click the fundraising tab or banner.
Please promote this to your club, family, and friends.  Proceeds from this campaign help offset the cost of 4-H project books in our county.  This is a good way to promote 4-H and thank Tractor Supply for participating in this campaign.

Archery Certification for Leaders
Fall 2014 – All three sessions are mandatory, as certification requires 14 classroom hours.
The sessions will be held in Dover.  Please bring a bag lunch for the two Saturday classes. The Saturday classes will be hands-on.  Please dress accordingly.
Classes may conclude early, and follow up work may be requested to be completed at home.
Thursday, September 11, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 20,  8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 4, 8:00 am-2:00 p.m.

Contact Kristin Cook, kristin@udel.edu, if you have any questions or to register for this certification class.

Registration now open for 2014 Delaware Coastal Cleanup
Trash on our beaches and in our waterways isn’t just unsightly – it’s also potentially dangerous to marine life and in some cases harmful to water quality. But, like the 1,900 volunteers of all ages who joined in in Delaware’s 2013 beach cleanup, you can help make a difference in Delaware by signing up for the 28th annual Delaware Coastal Cleanup, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014. In case of severe weather, rain date will be Saturday, Sept. 27.

For general information about the 2014 Delaware Coastal Cleanup, please contact coordinator Joanna Wilson at 302-739-9902, or email joanna.wilson@state.de.us.

Delaware State Fair Jr. Board Now Accepting Applications
Applications accompanied by two letters of recommendation are being accepted through October 3, 2014 for six open positions on the 12 member DSF Jr. Board. This opportunity is available to youth age 16-21 (as of 10/31/14) and is a two year term. Members are required to contribute a minimum of 30 volunteer hours before and during the Fair. The purpose of the Jr. Board is to develop leadership and interpersonal skills as well as expose youth to the many facets of the Delaware State Fair. A brief interview to take place mid October is required.  An application can be obtained from the Delaware State Fair Web site www.delawarestatefair.com (click on INFO, About Us, Jr. Board) or by calling the DSF office at 302-398-3269.

PUMPKIN CONTEST – OCTOBER 25 AT REDDEN LODGE – Georgetown, DE
Believe it or not, it’s time to start planning how you may want to decorate yourpumpkin or gourd for this year’s Pumpkin Contest.  Sussex County Links members are planning a fun evening.  While your pumpkin is being judged, 4-H’ers can participate in games, songs, activities, and enjoy refreshments. Expect to see the new activities from last year plus more fun entertainment. Ribbons and prizes are awarded.  Winners are announced that evening and then members are asked to take their pumpkin/gourd to a nursing home, hospital, shut-in, or school for others to enjoy.

*Look for more information in the October newsletter

Diamond Clover Award – Intent Forms DUE November 26
Delaware 4-H members are eligible to participate in the Diamond Clover Award program. Delaware 4-H adopted the Diamond Clover Award in 2011 from a program used in Maryland and Nebraska. This award will be the highest level of recognition that a Delaware 4-H member can achieve. It is similar to the Boy Scout Eagle Award or the Girl Scout Gold Award. The Diamond Clover Award consists of six levels, each steadily advancing in intensity and achievement over the last. It is intended to take a 4-H member six years to complete. The nice thing about this award is that many 4-H members are already doing the work, so all you need to do is fill out the forms and submit them. For other 4-H members, this award can provide you with a long-term challenge for your 4-H career. Either way, when you have finished the process you have completed an amazing journey that will benefit you forever. And a Diamond Clover Award will look pretty good on your college application too! To find out more, visit the Diamond Clover site on the State 4-H webpage at:

http://extold.anr.udel.edu/4h/about-delaware-4-h/feature-awards/4-h-diamond-clover/

If you plan to participate in this award program for the 2014-15 4-H year, Level Intent Forms must be submitted by November 26.

 

 

Leave a Reply