4-H Focus Newsletter
News for 4-H Leaders and Supporters
Summer 2002

 

4-H Club:  
The Future Begins Here

      With a rap of her gavel, Ronesha called the meeting of the Sullivan’s Little Angels 4-H Club to order.  After pledges to the American and 4-H flags were recited, Tyler, club secretary, read the minutes from the last meeting.  A motion was made and seconded that the minutes be approved.  A chorus of “ayes” went up as the motion was approved.  Kandance, the club reporter, then read an article about 4-H Camp from the “4-H Herald” newsletter after which Vice President, Taylor, introduced the program for the month. 

     The Sullivan’s Little Angels 4-H Club at Camp Taylor School is just one of two hundred seven organized 4-H Clubs in Jefferson County with a collective membership of over 5,000 youth.  Most of the clubs are schools clubs but there are also twenty-six community clubs, six horse clubs, one dog club and several teen clubs.  Through 4-H Clubs youth make new friends, learn organizational skills, practice leadership roles and learn basic parliamentary procedure.  “By being in a 4-H Club I have learned how to cooperate and work with other people as a team,” said one member of Sullivan’s Little Angels.  Ronesha said that being president of her 4-H Club has taught her to listen to other people and be a leader.  “Four-H also teaches us respect for others,” chimed in another 4-H student.  For most of the students, 4-H is the first time they have belonged to a club and, for the officers, the first time they have served in leadership roles. 

     While activities vary somewhat from club to club, most clubs provide similar basic learning experiences.  Four-H Clubs organize, select a club name, and elect officers.  Members learn simple parliamentary procedure, develop leadership and communication skills, and understand the importance of cooperation in order to successfully function as a social group.   

     In addition to their regular club meetings, many 4-Hers attend 4-H summer camp, make and enter projects in the 4-H Fair and participate in community service projects.  Sullivan’s Little Angels 4-H Club appointed committees to research community service project ideas.  Some of their ideas include collecting clothing and toys to donate to a homeless shelter, writing letters to service men and women serving overseas, and conducting a food drive.  At their next meeting the committees will make their reports and then the members will vote to decide which project they want to do.  And, like thousands of other 4-H youth, they will live out the 4-H pledge they made as they opened their meeting:  “I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living. for my club, my community, my country and my world.” 


Members of the Sullivan's Little Angels Club at Camp Taylor School begin their club meeting with pledges to the American and 4-H flags.


4-H club secretary, Tyler Bischof, does roll call.   Also pictured are 4-H president, Ronesha Glynn, and vice president, Taylor Miller.

"I pledge my head to clearer thnking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country and my world."

Celebrating
Our Centennial 

     We’re still looking for the oldest 4-H alumnus living in Jefferson County.  Have we found her?  Possibly so.  Ruth Kestler, 85 years young, was a member of the Cane Run 4-H Club.  Ruth said her leader, Gertrude Korfhage, held the first organizational meeting at her home and 50 kids showed up.  As an adult, Mrs. Kestler became a 4-H leader herself as well as her husband, Glenn, who served as president of the Jefferson County 4-H Council.  “The most fun I ever had in my life was at 4-H Camp,” Mrs. Kestler remembers.  “There was no pool and no hot water but we still had the time of our lives.” 

     Join our Centennial Club!  We hope to recruit 100 members who will contribute $100 each to celebrate 100 years of service to children.  Call Rosie, 425-4482, for more information.  Welcome to our newest members:

Doris L. Baker                                       Woodford Baumgardner
Sandra Smith Boone                           Raymond M. Burse
Sue Terry Crowner                               Mike Norris
Jefferson Co. Extension Council     Rosie Sims Norris
Larry O. Larimore                                 Pat Peers
Charlotte Tharp                                    Southside 4-H
Lucile B. Leggett                                  Louise J. Samuel
Mary Barbara Bland Taylor               Roy C. Strange
Jeff. Co. Extension Homemakers    Margy Chadwick
Rodney Williams, Jr.                           County Judge Rebecca Jackson 

As part of the National 4-H Centennial celebration, we will publish a favorite 4-H memory in every issue of the “4-H FOCUS” this year.  If you have a special memory, 4-H picture or news clipping you would like to share, we’d love to hear from you!  Fax your memories to 425-0109, or mail them to 4-H Office, 8012 Vinecrest Ave., Louisville, KY, 40222  or email them to Rnorris@uky.edu.  We’ll print as many as possible.

Volunteer Spotlight
 Pearl Brooks
     


     Welcome to our newest 4-H volunteer – Pearl Brooks!  While Pearl is a new volunteer she is definitely not new to 4-H.  Mrs. Pearl Brooks has just retired after 21 outstanding and dedicated years of service as the 4-H Program Assistant in Metro West.    For Pearl, 4-H was never just a job.  She believes strongly in the youth development mission of 4-H and the values 4-H tries to instill in young people -  the values of responsibility, leadership, respect and caring.   And so for Pearl, 4-H has been a personal as well as a professional commitment to reach out and make a difference in the lives of children.  And, has she ever! 

     Pearl’s caring ways have touched the lives of so many appreciative 4-H youth.  One of Pearl’s favorite memories is of a young member of the Dragons 4-H Club at the DuValle Boys and Girls Club who was constantly being disruptive.  After many rude remarks, Pearl remembers gently placing her hand on his shoulder.  “With each remark I would give him a gentle pat.  On one occasion I told him he was going to be one of my best 4-Hers,” she recalled.  “His facial expression changed showing complete surprise.  With a little direction, encouragement and help, he was elected president of the club!” 

     Now Pearl wants to relax and devote more time to her family and church.  But, she won’t walk away from 4-H entirely.  Pearl has agreed to continue as a volunteer leader for The Rising Stars 4-H Club which will meet in her home.  This is one of the oldest and most long running 4-H Clubs in the west Louisville community, largely due to Pearl’s leadership.  The club is active in gardening, communications, 4-H Fair, community service and so much more. 

     Last month a retirement reception was held for Pearl at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.    The event was attended by family, friends, 4-H volunteers, staff and former 4-Hers.  It was a wonderful and special event to honor a very special lady. 

     Because Pearl believes so strongly in 4-H, she has made 4-H a true family affair.  Her daughter, Peggy, has served as Metro West treasurer; a cousin has served as camp leader, and grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews were involved in 4-H Clubs.  The proud and rich Brooks family 4-H tradition continues as great granddaughter, Ashley, recently participated in the county-wide 4-H Communications. 

     We all wish Pearl a happy and fulfilling retirement!   

The Kentucky delegates to the National 4-H Conference gather around the podium built and donated by 4-H volunteers Larry Larimore and Michael Blackwell.  The cherry wood podium, with an official Kentucky emblem, will grace the Kentucky Room at the National 4-H Center.

 

Aaron Brink, 4-H student from St. Agnes School, is awarded a trophy from 4-H Program Assistant, Carolyn Popplewell.  Aaron was selected champion in the 10 Year Old Speech division.

 

Justin Plappert gives a fascinating demonstration on how to care for a hermit crab at the county-wide 4-H Communications event.  Over 3,000 Jefferson County students built self-confidence, communications skills and poise by participating in the 4-H Communications project.   


KLOVER    K U D O S 

  Congratulations to our 4-H “Cover Girl”, Deepa Sheth, whose picture appeared on the front cover of the April issue of Kentucky Living Magazine.   

  Jared Ruhl has been selected to represent Kentucky 4-H at National 4-H Congress. What a great honor for a deserving young man! 

  We are SO proud of all students who participated in this year’s 4-H Communications event.  Listed below are the best of the best.  These youth will advance to the State 4-H Communications events in June.  Congratulations to Christina Ambrose, Aaron Brink, Colleen Belak, Addie White, Laurin Gottbrath, Amy Spendlove, Deepa Sheth, Rushi Sheth, Stacie Scott, Carly Kirkpatrick, Keiren Baliban, Katherine Hackett, Kalee Arza, Bobbi Hill, Kenneth Courtney, Max Noonan, Casey McKnight, and McKenzie Groghon. 

  Vote, vote, vote for Stephanie.  Stephanie Moses is running as treasurer of the State 4-H Council.  Good luck, Stephanie! 

  Educational KUDOS to 4-H Agents, Kelly Woods who was awarded her master’s degree and Madonna Weese who has completed all requirements for her doctoral degree from the University of Louisville.  Congratulations “Master” Kelly and Dr. Madonna!

Public Notification for Procedure for Filing a Complaint 

The 4-H/Youth Development program of the Cooperative Extension Service prohibits discrimination in its programs and employment on the basis of race, color, age, gender, religion, disability or national origin.  To file a complaint of discrimination contact Rosemary Veach, Extension Specialist/Human Resources, UK College of Agriculture, Lexington, KY, 40546 or the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

Jefferson County 4-H Council
2001  -  2002

                        Harriette Ray                        Larry Larimore
                        Richard Curtsinger                Randy Gonterman
                        Russ Hale                             Melissa Fleitz
                        Mark Hodge                         Jonathan Harris
                        Lynn Slominsky                     Helen Sanders
                        Mike Smith                            Neil Gonterman
                        Jennifer Elwell                        Sally Moss
                        JoAnn Brewer                       Sherry Wehr
                        Stan Gonterman                     Von Macklin
                        Raymond Burse                     Sandy Boone
                        Jack Ragsdale                        Angie McDonald-Hackett
                        Linda Crouse                         Roy Strange
                        Greg Stevens                          Sabra Reeser
                        David Dick                            Anne McMillin
                        Charlotte Tharp                     Ann Bowdan
                        Dr. Bakula Sheth                   Stephanie Moses
                        Jean Lambert                         Jim Gale
                        Bill Ash

  4-H FOCUS
   News items for 4-H Focus
   were selected from the total
                Jefferson 4-H Program.

Rosie Norris
Extension Agent for 4-H/Youth Development