THE ACORNICLE

JAMUL CHAPARROS 4-H CLUB NEWSLETTER

December 2007

Editors: Vicky Lindsey - e-mail - victorialindsey@cox.net
Newsletter articles need to be submitted by the Friday following the Unit Meeting

Community Club Leader Ginnie Wadhams - e-mail - VEWadhams@aol.com

E-mail address is: email@jamul4h.org

Jamul Chaparros 4-H Website - http://www.jamul4h.org/

Club Officers

President – Lucas Van Winkle	Recording Secretary – Haley Grigsby
Vice-President - Caroline Avery-Brown	Treasurer – Jennah Meyer
Reporter – Brittney Grigsby	Corresponding Sec - Jo Lindsey
Sgt. at Arms - Ali Merlino	Supply Officer – The Mottolas
Song Leader - Catie Corle	Historian - Cristine Noriega
Recreation – Chelsea Smith	Teen Council Rep - Jon Fowler

Awards Night is always a great opportunity to see what our members have accomplished over the past year. Also, I want to give a great big thank you to all of our adult volunteers who have put in hours and years to offer projects and learning experiences to our young people. Be sure to thank all of your project leaders for all their work.

Nancy Grigsby was voted “Leader of the Year” by our members. She received an engraved green mug with the 4-H clover and a gift certificate to TGIF for dinner. Nancy has been the horse and pony leader for 7 years. This is a very popular project and we all thank Nancy for all of her hard and dedicated work.

I’m really looking forwards to the Holiday Party on December 16. The Van Winkles have graciously offered their home for the party. This is a great evening of fun for the entire family.

Have a safe and fun holiday. Remember our next unit meeting will be the second Tuesday of the month on January 8, 2008.

The unit meeting will be on the second Tuesday of the month because the school will be closed on the first Tuesday. Please mark your calendar for January 8^th for the unit meeting at 7:00 PM at Jamul Primary School.

The 4-H Christmas Party will be on December 16^th at Lucas Van Winkle’s House from 4:00 to 7:45. There will be a $10.00 gift exchange. The club will be buying pizza.

San Diego County has an awards and incentive program to recognize the achievements of the 4-H members and leaders. The awards night on December 4 presented awards to our members and leaders. Here is a short description of the program.

Medals are provided for the top record books countywide. There are also medals for the Dog Care & Training Hi-Point Program. Officer’s books are evaluated and medals are provided to the top four books (secretary, treasurer, historian, and reporter).

Member year pins and stripes are given to members who complete one year in 4-H and turn in a signed Annual Project Report. These pins and stripes are worn on the 4-H hat. Junior leader badges are for middle school members and Teen Leader badges are for high school members. Theses members must assist a project leader and fill out the Junior/Teen Leader Plan and Report form with their record book.

Star ranks are awarded at the club level. These stars represent various levels of participation in the 4-H program by members in the 4^th grade and above. Primary white star is awarded at the club level at the completion of a primary members’ first year.

Emerald and All-Star program involves members participating on the county level in 4-H. Please contact the 4-H office if you are interested

On November 17 our club helped at the community fundraiser for fire victims. We collected pet food. The Kiwanis will distribute the food before Christmas. Thank you to everyone. Also, you can still bring pet food for donation to the Holiday Party on December 16.

Hi, this is your new reporter Britney Grigsby with a little note to all of our members. This month’s unit meeting on December 4th was very awarding because it was Achievement and Award Night. Congratulations to Leader of the Year, Nancy Grigsby.... my mom and all other award winners! Small Animal Learning Day was on Nov. 3rd where Paulette Sauln and I demonstrated showmanship for all small animals. All November project meetings went well and were a lot of fun. For all December project meeting dates look at the club web site. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Junior Leadership Camp

This is special weekend event for sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. The dates are Jan 25 - 27. Put these dates on your calendar. Cost $120.00 session leaders are $45.00. Location Camp Fox.

County Representative Office

The board has recommended that County Representative be a club office. Jon Fowler is our county representative and an All-Star in the county program. Thank you Jon for representing our Jamul club.

The last board meeting was busy. We worked on the budget for the year and then presented it to the club for approval. This board meeting will discuss the agenda and Super Saturday. The board meeting is open to all members

Super Saturday is a county event for all 4-H members. Different clubs and groups in the county of San Diego have hands on booths with games and projects to participate in. The County All Stars are in charge of this event. Super Saturday is always an amazing day.

All the great things they are doing and learning also show non 4-Hers what it’s all about.

All-Star is the highest attainable county 4-H rank. Applicants must be 14 years of age by January 1 of the current year. They also must have earned an Emerald or Gold star. Being an All Star is a strong commitment on the county level. Jon Fowler in our group is a County All Star for San Diego. If you are interested about learning more about this program, please contact Jon or All Star Advisor Kevin Fletcher (858-694-2849, county 4-H phone number)

All Star applications will be available online at the San Diego County 4-H webpage under the awards and incentives heading at the beginning of January 2008. The application will be due on February 29, 2008.

The recent wild fires damaged the Ramona Fair grounds. The fair lost tarps and the grounds themselves were burned. Therefore, Ramona is planning a pizza fund-raiser and clean up day to repair the grounds. The dates were originally set for November or December but this is on hold for right now. Please call Ginnie for the dates as more details come in.

PROJECT INFORMATION

Arts and Design Group

We will meet again on Friday, December 14^th at approximately 4:00 p.m. until about 7 p.m. at the Grigsby’s.

Cooking will be at St. Pius Church on Sunday, December 16^th at 12:00-1:45. Contact Gene Merlino for more information.

Computer Project

The Computer Project will meet on December 9^th. We start at 5:00 pm, at the Fletchers. Please join us and learn how we maintain our club’s web site. www.jamul4h.org.

Dairy Goats

Dog Project

Horse and Pony Project

December 16^th – Trail Ride, 9 a.m. in Cuyamacha, $10.00 RSVP by December 12^th by calling Carmen Rodriguez, for information.

Livestock Project

Pygmy Goat Project

Poultry

Poultry will meet on Sunday, December 16^that 2:00. Meetings are at the Lindsey’s. We will be working on our poultry knowledge.

Quilting Project

We will meet on January 3^rd from 6:30 to 8:30 at the Fletchers. We will be making a twist and turn quilt this year.

Small Animals

Rabbits and Cavies will meet at 3:00 on December 16^th. Meetings are at the Lindsey’s. We will be learning all about cavies and rabbits health and classifications.