Pumpkins Galore

Did you know that pumpkins are really a squash and some can grow to over 1000 pounds? Check out this special edition NEWSLETTER devoted entirely to bright orange treats growing in the fields. Find out facts about their life cycle and anatomy as well as some fun facts you may not have known. For more information on pumpkins or how you can grow your own, contact the Extension Service at 336-372-5597.

Military Appreciation Day & Veteran's Day Opportunities

Here are a few Veteran's Day Opportunities sent by J. Scott Enroughty Project Manager Extension Assistant/Military Programs.

Golden Corral's Appreciation Dinner

Golden Corral's 9th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner will be held on Monday, November 16, 2009, from 5 to 9 pm in all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide.

The free dinner meal is a special "thank you tribute" to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to join us for Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Monday dinner.

To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.2 million free meals and contributed over $3.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.

To locate a Golden Corral near you, visit www.goldencorral.com/locator.


Belk Discount

Belk is having a grassroots events, which allows Local/Federal Goverment employees and Military families to receive a special 20% discount on October 27, 2009. This would be on all regular & sale priced merchandise with very limited exclusions. All Belk stores will be participating. We too at Belk, appreciate the efforts of our military and the sacrifices their families endure to make us safe here at home. We have stores in AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MO, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV. For the discount coupon please click HERE.



Veterans Day offering at Applebees

On Wednesday Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), Applebee's will be offering all US
Veterans and active duty military personnel (including Reserves and
National Guard) a free entrée, including traditional sides, at all
domestic Applebee's restaurants. Military personnel can select from
one of six entrees:

7 Ounce Sirloin, Three Cheese Chicken Penne, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Fire
Pit Bacon Burger, Chicken Tenders Platter, and Oriental Chicken Salad.

For more information feel free to visit www.applebees.com and click on
"Veterans Day".

Leaders' Fall Day Reminder

Just a reminder that the deadline to register for the upcoming Leaders' Fall day is quickly approaching. The event will be held on November 14th in Rowan County from 9 am - 1 pm. This is a great time to get some ideas for your club or networking with other 4-H Volunteers. It is also a good opportunity to talk to others if you are interested in starting your own club. You do not have to be a current volunteer or club leader to attend. Please note the registration deadline has been moved to Wednesday, November 4th by 5 pm. You can register by calling the Extension Office at 336-372-5597.

Lunch and limited transportation will be provided. For more information, contact Amy at amy_lucas@ncsu.edu or by calling the Extension Office.

National 4-H Week (October 4-10)

Even though National 4-H week is almost over it's not too late to get involved with Alleghany 4-H

In Alleghany County there are more than 400 youth 4-H members and 50 volunteers involved in the 4-H program.

The fundamental 4-H ideal of practical, "learn by doing" experiences encourage youth to experiment, innovate and think independently. 4-H programs are offered through school-based, after-school and camp settings and within community clubs.

You can join the 4-H community today. To learn how to become a 4-H member or volunteer leader in Alleghany County, contact Amy Lucas, Extension Agent - 4-H Youth Development at the Alleghany Extension Office at (336) 372-5597 or amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.

4-H is a community of six million young people across America learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. National 4-H Council is the private sector, non-profit partner of National 4-H Headquarters (USDA). The 4-H programs are implemented by the 106 Land Grant Universities adn the Cooperative Extension System through their 3,100 local Extension offices across the country. Learn more about the 4-H adventure at http://www.nc4h.org/.

Wilkes County Fair and Livestock Shows

The Wilkes County Fair is just around the corner. The fair will be held on October 13-17, 2009 at the Wilkes County Fairgrounds. For more information and directions check out the Wilkes County Fair WEBSITE.

Tuesday, October 13 - Beef and Meat

Goat Shows

6pm at the Livestock Barn

Entry Forms due by October 5th.

Thursday, October 15 Pet Show

5:30 pm Livestock Barn

For a full list of classes and registration forms click HERE.

West Central District 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Fall Day

**SAVE THE DATE

The upcoming Leaders' Fall day will be Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the Rowan County Extension Center in Salisbury, North Carolina from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This event is open to those who are current leaders or volunteers or to anyone interested in learning more about 4-H.

Cost: Free

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

The deadline to register is Friday, November 6th!

This year workshop topics include: What is ACE, Project Books from A to Z, Goat Basics, Woodworking, Friends of State Parks, Etiquette, Gifts by Nature and Sew Resourceful. For a detailed agenda, please click HERE.

Transportation will be provided, at no charge, to the first five registrants. For more information or to register contact the Extension Office at (336) 372-5597 or e-mail amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.

4-H Zooms into National 4-H Week

National 4-H Week will take off with a speedy start on October 4th, as the 4-H emblem makes its debut appearance in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race. The well-known national icon will be featured on the 'TV panel' of the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet driven by Jeff Gordon at Kansas Speedway that day. The placement of the 4-H clover on the No. 24 Chevrolet was made possible through a generous donation by DuPont, sponsor of both the No. 24 team and of 4-H.

National 4-H Week is an annual celebration for the 100-year old youth development organization. The highlight of the week includes the highly anticipated, 4-H National Youth Science Day, which brings together millions of youth to participate in the National Science Experiment. This year's experiment, Biofuel Blast, will introduce youth to alternative energy. DuPont is a premier sponsor of 4-H National Youth Science Day and the Biofuel Blast National Science Experiment.

"The appearance of the 4-H emblem on Jeff Gordon's car in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup is a wonderful salute to 4-H by DuPont, and an amazing way for us to begin National 4-H Week," said Donald T. Floyd, Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. "Now, millions of current 4-H'ers, 4-H alumni and racing fans alike can watch with excitement as the clover takes to the track for the first time."

The Kansas event is the third in the 10-race Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, and the 1.5-mile track is the site of two of Gordon's 82 career victories in NASCAR's premier division.

"4-H has been a leader among youth development organizations, enriching the lives of millions of young people for more than100 years," said Gordon. "It is an honor to have such an iconic emblem featured on the DuPont Chevrolet and to provide such an exciting way to help the nation kick-off National 4-H Week."

4-H National Youth Science Day was created to spark an early youth interest in science education and to combat a national shortage of young people pursuing science in college and future careers. Participants in this year's National Science Experiment will learn how cellulose and sugars in plants - such as corn, switchgrass, sorghum and algae - can be converted into fuel, and how alternative energies can be used in their own communities. Youth will create their own biofuel through Biofuel Blast, lead discussions about what they've learned, and see how their small creations are a part of a larger, global discussion.

"Research into biofuels and bio-based materials is an important area for our company, and we are proud to sponsor 4-H in their extraordinary effort to help young people understand one of the most important issues facing our nation today," said James C. Borel, group vice president, DuPont Agriculture.

Currently, more than five million youth across the nation take part in 4-H science, engineering and technology (SET) year-long programming that introduce youth to new areas of interest and help them explore environmental and scientific issues. 4-H SET programming span from robotics, rocketry, and computer science, to agricultural science, GPS mapping and renewable energy.

According to a longitudinal study by Tufts University, youth who participate in 4-H programs are more likely to get better grades in school, to seek out science classes, to see themselves going to college, and to contribute positively in their communities. In addition, 4-H youth have been shown to better resist peer pressure and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors.

Glow in the Dark Party

Who: Youth ages 8—15
When: Friday, October 9—Saturday, October 10
Cost: $5
Where: Surry County Extension Office
Registration Deadline: September 30th

Don’t miss out on this exciting sleepover adventure as we make our way to Surry County for a glowing night of food, games, arts and crafts, entertainment, and a glow in the dark obstacle course all in celebration of National 4-H week (October 4th-10th).

Saturday morning we will be traveling to Fisher River Park to participate in the Big Sweep project.

We will meet at the Alleghany Extension Office at 5 pm on Friday and will return on Saturday around 12 pm. Snacks and breakfast will be provided. We encourage you to invite a friend even if they are not currently a 4-H'er. Space is limited so be sure to call now to register.

You will be given a suggested list of things to bring when you register.

For more information and to register contact the Extension Office at (336) 372-5597 or e-mail amy_lucas@ncsu.edu

West Central 4-H District Science Fair

When: Saturday, October 24, 2009
Where: Catawba Science Center

Deadline for entry: September 30, 2009

Set up begins at 8:00 am
Judging begins at 9:00 am
Entry Forms due by September 30th
Hands-on science workshops while you wait for judging!

PRIZES
Junior (9-13) and Senior (14-18): 1st—$75,
2nd place-$50, 3rd place-$25
Electric and Energy Junior and Senior:
1st-$100, 2nd place-$50, 3rd place-$25
Cloverbuds (5-8) may enter a project or science poster in a non competitive category

What is required at the science fair?
1) A tri-fold display, explaining the steps of your project
2) Some participants include visuals showing parts of their projects
3) A copy of your research paper is also optional
4) Be prepared to answer judges questions about your project

For more information on completing a science fair project visit: www.sciencebuddies.org

Entry forms can be found HERE or by contacting the
Extension Office. Need help finding a project or for more information contact Amy Lucas @ (336) 372-5597 or amy_lucas@ncsu.edu.

September Clover News

The September Clover News is now available. Click here to find out all the new and exciting things going on.