Top 10 Reasons to do a Project Record Book

1)It's a great way to reflect on all the cool things you've done throughout the year!!
2)It's an easy and fun way to earn 4-H scholarship money to help you pay for camp and summer fun opportunities.
3) It's a great resource for when you get older. Helps you fill out college applications, job applications and resumes.
4) You will have a great sense of accomplishment.
5) Helps to improve your writing and record keeping skills.
6) Gives you time in the spotlight!!
7) You can win an award at district and state level.
8) It's something to share with your friends and family.
9) You can do them on any topic you choose. The possibilities are endless.
10) You may win a cash prize.

For more information on how to do a project record book contact your club leader or come by the Extension Office. I'll be glad to help.

You must be 9 years old by January 1, 2010 to compete at district and state levels but we encourage Cloverbuds (5-8) to compete at local level. Awards and recognition will be given to all age groups.

Project Record Books are due to the Extension Office by January 15th at 5:00 pm.

Forms can be accessed HERE or by contacting Amy or Michele at the Extension Office at (336) 372-5597 or amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.

4-H Horse Bowl

Do you like horses? Want to learn more about them? Call Stacy Adams about becoming a member of the 4-H Horse Bowl team. You will learn about food and nutrition/ tack/ colors and markings/ riding and training techniques and much more!! HorseBowl participants will travel to Iredell County on January 30th to participate in the district competition. Open to any youth ages 9-19. You must be 9 years old by January 1, 2010 to particpate. You do not have to own a horse to participate. For more information contact Stacy at (336) 372-5164 or the Extension office at (336) 372-5597 and ask for Amy.

Citizenship Washington Focus Program Assistant

**Application Due Janaury 18th**

It's an experience you'll never forget. Get paid and live on the campus of the National 4-H Youth Conference Center while you spend some quality time in our nation's capital as a CWF program assistant. CWF program assistants ensure that CWF participants have fun and learn a lot during their stay here. They become licensed Washington, DC, tour guides and facilitate the program's educational workshops. Develop and enhance your leadership skills as you explore a variety of aspects of citizenship with Washington, DC, as the backdrop!

Applications are due January 18th!! Interviews are the end of January.

Applicants must:

• Have experience in leadership roles, public speaking, and presenting
• Be flexible and work well under pressure and with others
• Be at least 18 years old and no older than 25
• Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with education beyond high school preferred. Courses in political science, communications, history, and education preferred
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Be able to read, write and speak the English language
• Pass a satisfactory background check
• Successfully complete the tour guide exam and meet the medical and physical requirements of DCRA

Employment available from May to August

Housing is provided

Form more information and application click here!

Application Deadline: January 18th (must be received in Washington by this date)

2010 NC State University Aquatic Sciences Day Camp

When: Saturday, March 27, 2010
Where: NC State University Campus
Online application must be submitted by January 15, 2010
Cost:$30.00, payable upon selection. Cost includes instruction, lunch and a t-shirt

Contact:Dr. Derek Aday, Department of Biology, NCSU at derek_aday@ncsu.edu

What:A day of fun and learning for high school students focused on activities and hands-on experience with aquatic ecology, fisheries, aquaculture, and aquatic animal health. Participating students will also explore career opportunities and degree options at NC State.

Target Audience:Accomplished, motivated high school students (preferably sophomores and juniors) interested in pursuing a career in aquatic ecology, fish biology, aquaculture, conservation biology, veterinary medicine, fisheries management, or a related field.

Benefits: This day camp will be taught by NC State University professors and graduate students actively engaged in research and teaching. NCSU boasts Top Five programs in both Fisheries and Veterinary Medicine. Participating students will receive hands-on experience and training that will help identify career paths, make contacts in the scientific community, and build credentials for a future application to NC State.

Application Process: Deserving students should be nominated by a high school science teacher (one student per teacher).

If you are interested in attending, please contact the Extension Office at 336-372-5597 for more information.

North Carolina 4-H International Exchange

Would you like to learn about people in other countries, travel to Japan, Costa Rica, Australia or Norway, host an Exchange student from Japan, or one of the Newly Independent States such as Russia or Ukraine, or just learn more about the world? North Carolina 4-H offers you that opportunity through the 4-H International Exchange Program. For more information and forms click HERE or contact the Extension Office at 336-372-5597. Deadline for Outbound Exchange Opportunities is January 15, 2010.

Minimum ages for travel:
13 to Japan
15 to Costa Rica
16 to Australia
17 to Norway

You must be the specified age by January 1, 2010.

December Clover News

The December Clover News is now available. Click here to find out all the great things going on. Happy Holidays!!

Gingerbread House Workshop

Join us for a sweet time and build your very own graham cracker gingerbread house to take home. Snacks will be served. You must pre-register for this event.

Who: Youth ages 8 and up
When: Tuesday, December 22nd,
10 am to 12 pm
Cost: $12 (some scholarships may be available)
Where: Alleghany Office Building, 2nd Floor Conference
Room
Registration Deadline: December 16th

4-H Family House Fire

A Greensboro 4-H Family lost everything in a house fire on Sunday, November 22. Below is an excerpt from the newspaper about the tragedy.

Please keep this 4-H family in your thoughts as they go through the re-building their lives and their home. Carolyn Ivey, Guilford County 4-H leader, is coordinating collecting items for this family. Carolyn Ivey, iveycm@aol.com, 5118 Smith Dairy Road, Gibsonville NC 27249.

The Kline Family needs everything. If you would like to send a monetary donation, please make checks payable to Northeast McLeansville 4-H Club and send to address above in care of: Carolyn Ivey. If you would like to donate household or personal items, they may be dropped off at the Guilford County Extension Office, 3309 Burlington Road, Greensboro.

Please contact Pam Marshall, Shannon Wiley, or Peggie Lewis at
336.375.5876 for drop off arrangements.
Thank You for your Kindness in this time of need!
Peggie


Fire destroys home, kills family's pets By Angela Evans

An Elon family was at church in Greensboro on Sunday when a fire destroyed their home in Elon. The family returned to find their home and its contents destroyed, and family pets killed by fire. Jonathan Kline, 37, of 998 Milesville Road, told Fire Marshal Vernon Massengill that he and his family left home about 9:30 a.m. to go to church in Greensboro.

The fire was reported about 2:40 p.m., and neighbors later contacted Kline.
Kline told The Messenger that neighbors said the fire consumed his house in just 15 minutes. "The firefighters did a great job putting it out," Kline said. "It's just unfortunate that it's an old house and once it hits those timbers, it's going to burn quickly." Kline, who has been living in the home just over two years with his wife Heather, 34, son Jacob, 9, and daughter Sarah, 11, said the wood-frame structure was nearly 100 years old.
The family of four lost their 12-year-old house cat in the fire, along with their son Jacob's goldfish and 51 chicks

The Caswell County Sheriff's Office contacted the American Red Cross to assist the family, who are staying at Days Inn in Yanceyville until they make other arrangements.

The Klines are in need of clothing and shoes, and wear the following sizes:

Jacob, clothing size 10, shoe size 3

Sarah, clothing size 12, womens shoes size 5

Jonathan, medium shirt, 32 waist, shoe size 11

Heather, clothing size 10, shoe size 7

"I want to thank the community for their help during this difficult time," Kline said.



If you have items you would like to donate we will collect them at the Alleghany County Office through Wednesday, December 16th and deliver them. For more information contact Amy 336-372-5597 or amy_lucas@ncsu.edu

Holiday Safety Leads to a “Greener” Season

This holiday season, make small changes that will increase your home’s safety, lower your utility bills, and conserve energy. You will be creating a safer home while saving money on your energy bills and you will be helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s
E-Conservation Program has many energy saving suggestions to help North Carolina consumers reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency in the home.

LED Lighting:

LEDs are Safer:
Unlike traditional incandescent Christmas lights, LED lights do not get hot – a big plus if you will be using them on a real tree; and beneficial for any use. Because LED holiday lights are cool to the touch, replacing your old strings of 7-watt bulbs with LED lights can decrease the chances of home fires.

LEDs are More Energy Efficient:
LEDs use 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights, saving you money on your holiday utility bills, and reducing your impact on the environment.

LEDs Last Longer:
LED lights last up to 100,000 hours. Assuming you use your Christmas lights five hours a day between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, that’s only 200 hours of use each year! How’s that for long-lasting?

LEDs are More Durable:
Since LEDs use light emitting diodes (not incandescence) to produce light, there are no filaments to have burn out; and thus, no bulbs to replace. Just plug in your Christmas lights, and they’re ready for use. Also, since the bulbs are plastic, rather than glass, there’s less chance of breaking lights while you’re stringing them up, and less time spent fussing over how they’re packed up after the holidays. Just toss them in a box, and forget about them until next year.

LEDs Come in a Variety of Styles:
Big bulbs, small bulbs, colored bulbs, white bulbs—LED Christmas lights come in a wide variety of styles – so there’s truly something for everyone. You can even find snowflake-shaped lights, rope lights and net lights.

LEDs are Inexpensive:Strands of indoor/outdoor lights can be purchased from big-box retailers for as little as $9.99 a strand.


For more energy saving tips, go to E-Conservation.net. The E-Conservation Program was created to inform and educate North Carolina consumers about ways to both reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency in the home. This project is designed to reach and teach consumers to be proactive in reducing their home energy consumption and in saving money through no-and low-cost energy efficiency measures, behavioral changes and home retrofits.

Military Extension Internship

A new initiative and partnership between the Cooperative Extension System and the Department of Defense has provided the funding for a national, military childcare/youth development internship program. Through this initiative, students and recent graduates will have the opportunity to develop professional skills in childcare and youth development through practical work experience with military children, youth, and families. Interns’ compensation will include travel to and from the internship site and housing for the duration of the placement. Interns will be placed on military installations across the United States.

The Military Extension Internship Program will continue to accept applications for its inaugural term through December 7th for placements beginning January 11, 2010. More information and application materials can be found at www.extension.purdue.edu/military, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Application materials for Summer 2010 internships will be available after December 21st.