Sunset Branch – Ethan Perry, Reporter
December 2023 Meeting – Prior to the meeting Mrs. Dana held a public speaking preparation meeting. In this meeting we went up to the podium to say a few things about ourselves. This meeting was to boost your confidence for public speaking.  During our meeting we did the pledges, and we told everybody what we did over the last month along with the 4-H events that happened. We discussed the new business and what 4-H events will be going on in the following month. After that we got into groups, and we were either playing games or making Christmas ornaments. The games were teambuilding games to make us work better in groups. In the first game we tied our legs together and brought balls from one side of the course to the other. In the second game, four 4-H members held onto the end of two towels tied together with a bottle in the middle. The objective was to pick up red solo cups from the course and put them in a basket. And the final game we played was a game where you shake balls out of a container and get the most out of your container and in a red solo cup. The crafts were a stuffed sewing craft and a snow globe. The stuffed sewing craft was a sewing kit where we used a thread, two patches, and a beginner needle with some stuffing and used a whipstitch to sew around the edges. The snow globe craft was a picture of each member in a plastic ornament with designs.

Lord Baltimore – Cassidy White, Reporter
Lord Baltimore Helping Hands December/ holiday meeting was on December 10, 2023. We started the meeting by going over old business such as the Card Party for Hero’s, as well as new business like the Ice-Skating Party, Favorite Foods, and what the theme of our basket for the spaghetti dinner. Then we did two STEAM activities. The first one was to use popsicle sticks and Play-Doh to create a shelf to hold Santa. The next one was to make a parachute for Santa to land on the red plate/ landing zone. Next, we did our craft for the day, which was to make and decorate gingerbread houses. Finally, to end our holiday meeting we did a gift swap while sharing cookies we made together. This ended our December meeting for Lord Baltimore Helping Hands.

Lord Baltimore – January meeting
Our pledges were led by Maddie Hall and Ruby DiSabatino.  Ruby began the meeting by reviewing the recent events – the State 4H skating party (which she and Jacob attended) and the Winter Fun Day (which Maddie and Miss Kathy attended.)  Madison brought her “goodie” bag from the day and explained the activities she enjoyed there… Her favorite activities were making (and eating) the healthy trail mix and the Cardinal Christmas ornament.  The snowman tray favors (that were completed at home) were turned in, to be delivered to Meals on Wheels this coming week.  Our favor for Feb is a bear sharing a bear hug.

Miss Kathy then went over the upcoming events and their registration due dates.  She also talked about the spaghetti dinner and basket auction coming up.  It was decided our themed basket would be “Let’s Party!” with things to celebrate approximately 5 holiday parties.

Ruby then took over the rest of the meeting, leading us in the making of 2 huge casseroles (broccoli, rice, and chicken) and 2 pans of brownies from scratch.  These will be taken to the Shepard’s Office (a non-profit for homeless services in Georgetown.  They serve hot meals every night and gratefully accept donations.) Ruby showed the 2 Cloverbuds, Arya and Maddie, how to correctly use small paring knives to cut up the chicken and broccoli.  They also learned how to blend the ingredients together for the casseroles.  Next, Arya and Maddie made the chocolate chip brownies from scratch.  The girls learned how to measure dry and liquid ingredients, crack an egg into a separate container and why, use a stand mixer, and prepare the pan for the batter. Ruby explained each step and then allowed them to do it themselves.  It was a fun learning (and teaching) experience for all.  While the brownies baked, Ruby demonstrated how to properly set a table, and let the Cloverbuds make a poster of a place setting as an entry for the Fair. When the brownies were finished baking, we did what any good baker does – we taste tested them!

The next day was MLK Day, and Ruby delivered the 2 casseroles and bagged brownies to the Shepard’s Office.  They were extremely grateful for the donation of the dinner and dessert.

Our next meeting will be Sunday, Feb. 11.

Seaford Blue Jays – Jayda Genshaw, Reporter
December 2023 Meeting – The Seaford Blue Jays met at the American Legion in Seaford on December 13 for our Christmas meeting. Janet brought the meeting to order, and Caydance and Embrey led the club in the song, “Great Big Moose”. Those who attended International Foods shared their experience with the club. Our club enjoyed buying for a family for Christmas with a donation from the Good Ole Boys. We also decorated and rode a club float in the Seaford Christmas Parade. Janet reminded everyone of the upcoming events, contests, and judging. We talked about the Spaghetti Dinner as well as collecting for our club basket. We ended the meeting with a secret Santa exchange and party snacks. Our next meeting will be on January 10th and the Platek family is hosting at the American Legion. The Seaford Blue Jays wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.

Seaford Blue Jays – Jayda Genshaw, Reporter
The Seaford Blue Jays met at the Seaford American Legion on January 10, 2024. Our president, Janet Shultie, brought the meeting to order. The Means family attended the Junior Council meeting and shared what they learned with the club. They also attended the skating party after Christmas and talked about the fun they had. All members brought in donations to help fill our club’s basket that will be auctioned off at the spaghetti dinner in March. Our meeting ended with a yummy snack provided by the Platek family along with making a beautiful paper heart ornament. Happy New Year from the Blue Jays!!!!

Sussex County 4-H Jr. Council – Lillie Bradley, Reporter
On Monday, January 8, the Sussex County Jr. Council met for their monthly meeting. 20 Members attended the meeting. Members discussed their experiences on activities throughout the meeting such as: Santa Calls and the State 4-H Ice Skating Party. After the meeting, members enjoyed snacks and stuffing kits for the homeless with useful items, while officers discussed ideas for the upcoming Jr. Leader Weekend.

Hollymount – Francesca Joella, Reporter
We started off our January meeting introducing ourselves to our new members. We also played ships and sailors and Ghosts in the Graveyard! They were great ways to kick the meeting off. In addition, we also sung a few songs to get us in the 4-H spirit. After we finished songs and games, we made our way over to the table for pledges and our business meeting. The public speaking and favorite foods contest are coming up! The spaghetti dinner is in March. After our business meeting concluded, we practiced for favorite foods and public speaking. This meeting was a great way to start off our 2024 meetings!