Sunset Branch – Andrew Wisniewski, Reporter
The Sunset Branch 4-H club met on January 13th, 2025 for the first meeting of the new year. Mrs. Dana put together an arts and crafts project involving watercolors and painter’s tape allowing members to be creative and create resistance paintings. The officer positions have opened up and older members are able to apply for an officer position. Talia put together a food activity involving us putting together trail mix. Not only this but she had also incorporated recipe reading into the activity. Four weeks before the meeting on December 23rd, we had begun the incubation process with some chicken eggs. At this meeting, we were able to meet the newly hatched chicks. We then learned about cardiovascular health and exercised with Ms. Leah involving how to check heart rate, different cardio exercises, how much exercise you should get, and signs of a healthy heart.

 Lord Baltimore Helping Hands
Our meeting began with the pledges and then Ms. Kathy asked 2 of our club members to sign the audit report for Miss Jill.  Ruby then asked the members who had attended the Winter Fun Day and Public Speaking events to share their experiences.  Madi told us her favorite activities of the day – making the snowman with beads and making the snowman snack.  She brought her beaded snowman for everyone to see.  Then Grace told us about her speech about why you should join River Soccer club.  Ms. Kathy shared the scoring sheets and explained how in almost every contest and event, you get feedback to help you do better the next time or what you did well this time.

Then Ruby shared about the upcoming events in 4-H and handed out the information about items to enter in the State Fair.  Ms. Kathy took the Cloverbuds and parents to another room, while Ruby worked with the other 4-H’ers, explaining the fair sticker that gets attached to everything entered in the Fair.  She also had them fill out the sheet that is given to Ms. Kathy with their exhibits for the fair, which makes it easier for her and Ruby to locate on pickup day.  Ms. Kathy was doing the same with the Cloverbuds.

Our next activities were learning about My Plate and how to set a table properly.  Ms. Sarah showed the table settings for various meals and desserts, while Ruby had us fill our plates with pictures of the healthy foods needed for a healthy and flavorful meal.  These 2 activities gave us the information and opportunity to make a Nutritional poster for the fair.  We made sure to label the back of the poster with our stickers that Ms. Kathy had made for us.  When we finished our poster, we also had the opportunity to practice some of the sections of the Foods Skill-a-thon with Ms. Kathy.

Hollymount – Frankie Joella, Reporter
After having no snow to delay our meeting this month, we were all very excited to begin our meeting! We began our February meeting with our pledges, secretary report, and treasurer’s report. As for old business, Hollymount was well-represented at the Public Speaking Contest on January 25. Many of our club members competed as speakers, and some were even emcees for the contest. As exciting as that is, we had thrilling new business to cover as well. State and Environmental Camp registration open on March 1. March 9 is Craft Day, and we will be making three crafts for the State Fair! March 15 is Beach Grass Planting. April 16 to April 17 is the Demonstration Contest, which is always a fun contest. We held our Favorite Foods Contest practice at this meeting, and everything our members brought in was delicious! It was great to see what we must look forward to at the actual Favorite Foods Contest. With so many thrilling events and activities on the horizon, we are all looking forward to our next meeting on March 6!

Bridgeville Mustangs – Cole Carpenter, Reporter
The weather sure wasn’t friendly to us this winter but the Mustangs were still out serving the community and enjoying 4-H activities. In December, we spotted President Juliette Anger out ringing the bell along with Reporter, Cole Carpenter, & member Mark Moore who even brought his keyboard to share some festive tunes with us at the Red Kettle.

Many members joined in the parade float fun as we showed some love for our favorite holiday movie: Frosty. Thank you to all who rode along & the parents who walked along and handed out candy! We also had representation at the Wreaths Across America event which is led by a fellow 4-H’er, Logan Jackson, his family, and community members. On February 13th we met. Members, Mark, & Taylor lead the pledges, & Juliette led the song. Cameron gave the Treasurers report, and Miss Gina gave a leaders report. President Juliette continued to discuss old business such as the Statewide Indoor Archery Championship where Jeremy Messick spoke of his experience. Gideon Q. who won 1st place in his age division, Juliette A. who won 1st place and Brooke Messick won 2nd place in their age division. Awesome job members!! For Public Speaking competition, Macie won 1st place for her speech on Butterflies, Brooke spoke about 4-H Community Service, Jeremy spoke about Archery, Juliette spoke about 4-H. Great Mustang participation at this event! Upcoming events were discussed such as Favorite Foods, UD Youth Basketball Day, Jr. Leader Weekend, Horse Bowl, Fair Fest, & 4-H Formal. After the meeting was adjourned, members enjoyed a balanced holiday snack and learned about the heart benefits of Cheerios!! This led into a craft, making heart-shaped bird feeders out of pipe cleaners and Cheerios cereal. A fun game of Valentine BINGO followed the craft as we rounded out our February meeting that had a lot of one of our 4-H’s…..HEART!! Hope to see all Mustangs at our next monthly meeting for a special activity on MARCH 6th!

Sussex County 4-H Jr. Council – Linda Adams, Reporter
Despite the bitter cold & snowy winter, the Sussex County Junior Council still managed to fit a couple activities into their busy schedules. In December, our VP Abby VanVorst led the monthly meeting and discussed upcoming events such as; the Holiday Walking Challenge, State Teen Conference, State Camp scholarships, and Public Speaking Contest, The teens then exchanged gifts and wrote Thank you cards to give to leaders. Then they hosted a “Thank a Leader” project where they assembled small gifts to give the Sussex County 4-H leaders in attendance to thank them for their continued support. In December, the junior leaders also hosted the first “Grinch PJ Party” held for younger members to allow their parents to finish their last-minute holiday preparations, while they enjoyed Grinch-themed activities, refreshments, and a Movie night. This was great fun had by all & we thank the Grinch for making an appearance and all who helped with this event. We then met on February 3rd and President, Ainsley West thanked the emcees and timers and all of the winners from Public Speaking contest. After that, we discussed upcoming opportunities like the Horse Bowl, State 4-H & Environmental Camps, Jr. Leader Weekend, UD Basketball game, Skill-A-Thon, and Animal Judging Contest. Miss Cheri discussed some community service opportunities and possible fundraisers, and also shared with us a “Being Resourceful” activity she had learned at the State Leaders Forum. Following the meeting, Lillie & Reid Bradley & Ella Marquez led an activity teaching ways to relieve stress, including making stress balls by filling balloons with play doh. The members enjoyed these activities very much. Junior leaders are welcome to join in the fun next month, March 3rd @7PM at the Carvel Building

Seaford Blue Jays – Jayda Riefler, Reporter
The Seaford Blue Jays met on February 19, 2025. Our January meeting was cancelled due to snow. This meeting had small attendance as well because of winter flurries. The Means brought us up to date on Jr. Council and Caydance despite getting her wisdom teeth out the day before, lead the meeting. Grayson and Caydance enjoyed participating in public speaking. Claire, Sophia, and Grayson went to the Statewide Archery Championship. We went over the upcoming Favorite Foods Contest and Demonstration Contest. We will meet again on March 12th and the Means will supply snack and craft.

Here are some photos from our holiday events!