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Home My WebLink AboutTimes Advocate, 1995-07-26, Page 7Times -Advocate, July 26, 1995 Special anniversary Pull -Out Section Fifteen -year-old Shannon Glefen and her project horse, Desti- ny, are part of the South Huron Horse Club. Area 4H Clubs Brenda Burke T A staff Zurich 4-H Calf Club Led by third -year leader John Becker from mid-April to August, the Zurich Calf Club consists os six youths between the ages of 10 and 16. "Cattle are a dying thing in this area and it's hard to maintain inter- est," said Becker. "(The club is) small but we're trying to build it up." The focus of this dub is Beef Management and Marketing. Achievement Day was held at the Zurich Fair this month. A few more meetings will be held before the club ends for the year. Becker stressed the importance of the 4-H motto, 'Learn to do by do- ing' and especially likes the inter- raction the club creates between older and younger members. Huron 4-H Goat Club "This year we're trying to stress cleanliness and care of the goat," said leader Joan Van Slightenhorst. "We're trying to teach these kids that clean water and clean hay means more money in the end." During this 'Care of the Goat' club, running from May to October, its 10 members ranging in age from 10 to 16 receive pointers on show- manship and judging goats and also have a chance to build mangos. Achievement Day is in August, a time when members show their goats. Judges will give points in two separate categories, the goat and showmanship. "I'm in this because I want every- body to win," said Van Sligten- horst, who's been a 4-H leader for 5 years. "They're such a hard group to lead because their interest wanes but they're such a neat group of kids...It's not a cliquey type of club. You see that so much with or- ganizations." South Huron Usborne 4-H 4-H Horse Wearable Art Club Club This club emphasizes the training of horses. We're showing the kids the ba- sics," says four-year leader Cathy Walper. Althotigh the 11 club members range in age from nine to 17, in- cluding one pre -4-H person, most of Walper's students are pre -teens. That's one reason why the club's Achievement Day, when members get an opportunity to show their horses, is held at the end of August rather than during September fairs. "It's quiet at Achievement Day," said Walper. "It's good for begin- ners...The show we have is often the first show for the kids...They get exposure to a show but it keeps it calm for them." Besides, adds Walper, most members are busy in the fall plan- ning to attend other area horse shows. Two members have their own horses to practice with while the rest borrow horses for their club which began in mid-April and will run until the beginning of Septem- ber. For August the club has a horse farm trip and fundraising car wash planned. Since the group is not af- filiated with a fair, funds will help cover judge and show ticket ex- penses. "We have a lot of expenses," says Walper, adding "We rely on other people a lot to help us out." A Fun Show is also in store for the club. "It'll be really casual," said Walper of the September event. "We may end up playing hockey on horseback." When asked what she likes best about being a 4-H leader. Walper replies, "The enthusiasm of the kids. I enjoy that the most. They love horses and I like to encourage that." Because of our very close links with the agricultural community, we consider it an honor to salute 4-H for the important contributions they have made over the past 80 years. Working with our youth to build a strong foundation for the future deserves a great deal of credit. We congratulate all the leaders and other volunteers who are responsible for the success of this important organization. ENSALL IS TRIC T 0 -OPERATIVE COMMITTED TO SERVING RURAL COMMUNITIES Hensall Exeter 262-3002 235-2081 1-800-265-5190 Seaforth 527-0770 Forest 786-2312 Ailsa Craig Zurich 293-3282 236-4393 Ilderton 666-1300 Parkhill 294-6252 1 This winter club, running from mid-February to April, consisted of 44 members aged 10 to 20 with six leaders. Members met at Usborne Central School once a week to make art they could wear inlcuding decora- tive T -Shirts, necklaces, leather crafts and dough art. The Club was divided into smaller rotating groups of six or seven members per leader. "It was probably the most chal- lenging (club) to lead," said Bev Prout, in her fourth year after lead- ing a total of 10 4-H clubs. "I relied on resource people." Those resource people met with the club to give presentations on color, bread dough art and bead bracelets. "The options we had for crafts...was a learning experience for me as well as the kids," added leader Judith Parker, who has led 14 clubs over eight years. Involved with 4-H since she was 12, Parker has received her advanced honors for completing 18 clubs as a mem- ber. Usborne's Acheivement Night consisted of skits and craft dis- plays. "I have the most fun when I see kids learn to do by doing," said leader Laura Hern, who has led 16 clubs during her 12 years of 4-1-1 volunteer work. When asked what they enjoy most about leading 4-H groups, many leaders in this club men- tioned the age group and the oppor- tunity to work with kids they know. "Working with that age group, I certainly enjoy that," said Melonie Miller, who's led six clubs over the past five years. "I guess being with my own kids and all their friends, I like that," she added. "And that's why I got involved because I have three girls," Cindy Harrigan said in a separate inter- view of her two years leading 4-H clubs. "When you decide you're going to do a club you let all your neigh- bors know," said Morley. Zurich 4-H Sewing Club This six-week introductory 4-H club, beginning mid-March, fo- cused on sewing equipment with a special emphasis on the sewing ma- chine. Basic sewing technique was taught as well as rudimentary knowledge of fabric and patterns. Eight youths aged 10 to 16 com- pleted mandatory projects accord- ing to their sewing levels. Begin- ners made scissor cases while intermediate sewers worked on tote bags and advanced members com- pleted hand puppets. Club members also make pillow cases, vests, cush- ions and in one case, a baby quilt. Acheivement Night in May in- volved parents viewing projects and demonstrions as well as play- ing sewing -related games with their children. Sylvia Neeb and Margaret Deichert led the sewing club. Over the span of eight years Neeb led 18 4-H clubs. She began her first pro- ject in 1971 when she was 12 and now has an advanced honours in the program for completing 18 clubs as a member. "I enjoy working with the young people and seeing their reaction Page 7 when they've finished a project," said Neeb who also feels the 4-H motto, 'Learn to do by doing' pro- vides variety for members. Deichert, a retired school teacher, has led nine clubs during her five and a'half years as a 4-14 leader. Exeter 4-H Calf Club Like the Zurich Calf Club, Beef Management and Marketing is also the current focus of this club which consists of six youths aged 11 to 18. Tom Hern, who has led the club for 22 years, teaches members from May to September with an empha- sis on judging different classes. "4-H is more intertwined with other clubs now so we do different things. We don't just judge," said Hem. Bevan Shapton , a leader of the club for 12 years, began 4-H when he was 11. He says the best part of leading 4-H is "seeing the members develop." The club's Achievement Day takes place at the Exeter Fall Fair in September, during which mem- bers bring their calves to be judged. Marllou Hem, 14, displays her Wearable Art T-shirt that took less than an hour to make. 11N1D111 We Are the BES?! Bill, Bob and the staff at Becker Farm Equipment on Hwy. 4. South of Exeter are proud to recognize the accomplishments of our area 4-H groups. The 4-H tradition of 80 years of service in Ontario means a great deal to those who have already benefited from 4-H activities and ideals and to those who will learn from and participate in future endeavors. At Becker Farm Equipment, we support the 4-H Recycling Program by using our premises as a Used Battery Depot. BILL BECKER President • BOB BECKER General Manager FARM EQUIPMENT - EXETER, ONTARIO Sales, Service & Rentals Since 1932 (519) 232121 FAX (519)235-2791 (2,1!.• .1 COI I-'OHATION (.(11..11,11!(1 11 tidef liark of Case Corporal loo CASE /%/