Tuesday, October 9, 2018

History Day Reminder

Don't forget to RSVP for Homeschool History Day by October 16. I'm going to be very strict with the deadline this year! Here are all the details

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History Day is scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 2018

We will meet in the morning at 9:30am at Historic Saranac Lake's Laboratory Museum for kids' presentations, which will start at 10am. Then, we will all share a potluck lunch together at noon. In the afternoon, we will caravan over to the Bela Bartok Cabin to learn about this famous historical musical visitor. We will most likely be done at 2:30-3:00pm. Here's what you need to do to participate:

1. Please RSVP by October 16 so that we have a complete headcount.

2. Kids are NOT required to prepare a presentation (because being in the audience is an important role too!), but if they would like to choose a historical person, place, or thing to dress up as and present about for about 5 minutes, it really is a fun way to practice no-pressure public speaking! 

3. If you are able, please bring a small treasure to put into each child's goody bag that they get at the end of the day. In the past, people have brought things like pencils, stickers, apples, etc.

4. Please bring a dish to pass. Please let us know if your kids have any allergies we should be aware of.

RSVP to me: Sunita Halasz (sunitahalasz@gmail.com)
Thanks!

Saturday, October 28, 2017

2017-2018 Year

4-H will be meeting this year from 1:30-3:30 at the North Country Alliance Church

Meeting Dates for Regular Meeting will be second Thursday of the month

Thursday, October 13, 2016

The monthly meetings will be held from 1-3pm on the second Thursday of the month at the North Country Alliance Church

Monday, November 2, 2015

Meeting Time will stay 1-3pm

Our meeting time will remain 1-3pm on Thursdays.

Public Presentation Training Day

There will be a public presentation training day on Nov 19, 2015 from 1-2:30. This is an optional meeting. 

Training day will include
1) actual demonstrations of types of presentations. 
Bradley/Chris/Kaitlyn- dramatic interpretation-- this skit is supper funny--they did it years ago for presentation but it still makes everyone laugh
Aileen--recitation
Grace--power point talk
Kaitlyn--poster illustrated talk
Miriam--cloverbud 
Bradley/Christ-- sharing experience about doing an impromptu
Liam--what you need to know for competition level
Harrison K-overall comments from a seasoned evaluator

2) Practice games

3) Tips for selecting and giving a presentation
Choose to talk about what you love

4) Making visuals
--posters or power points/preszi
--even cloverbuds can do simple power points-- especially good for those not interested in arts and crafts projects

5) Question and answer time

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Announcements for OCT Meeting

All 4-Hers are asked to participate in one of two county fund-raisers. You must do one if you are planning to participate in fair. Your family can
    a) Sell a minimum of one bar of cheese per child. You can sell either to jut your own family or to neighbors, friends, and relatives. Our group gets a tiny portion of the revenue. Cheese sale orders are due November 12th at the next meeting. The cheese will be ready for pick up will be on Thursday DECEMBER 3rd. I will pick it up, bring it to the church to sort and call families to pick it up. Cheese forms are in your family folder.
    b) Second option is to sell paper clovers at Tractor Supply. Sign up with the 4-H office, for a 2 hour slot. You stand near the register and ask customers if they would like to buy a clover for $1 to support 4-H. Money raised goes to the county 4-H program.
There is a sign up sheet in the hallway-- please let me know which fund-raiser your family is participating in so that I can keep accurate records. You can participate in both if you choose.

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All 4-H youth need to participate in at least one service project. We offer many service projects during the year. We have 4 service projects for the fall:

a) Thursday Oct 29 from 10-11:30 am/or 1:00-3pm We will participate in operation Christmas child with the Champlain Valley Assisted Living Center in Willsboro (10 Gillilland Lane, Willsboro). Our group will bring supplies to pack15 boxes. Each family participating will be asked to bring 7 or 8 of the same item (there is a sign up sheet in the hallway), 1 special gift, one shoe box (either from shoes or a plastic shoebox) and money to help ship the box ($7 or less for each family the participates). We will set up a store where the youth will “shop” in teams to pack a box along with a resident. The small groups will make a card to go in the box. We will be packing boxes for the following groups: 5-9 girl (4 boxes), 5-9 boy (4 boxes), 10-14 girl (3 boxes) 10-14 boy (4 boxes). Following the box packing we will do crafts with the residents. The nursing home has asked if we could do crafts with the residents. They are only interested in doing them if they think they are helping others do them. The crafts are good for manual dexterity.

b) The Frances Project: This is a county wide 4-H project. It is named in honor of the the mother of Darlene Medeiros, the Clinton County 4-H assistant. Frances, a resident of the Clinton County Nursing home, has Alzheimer's. A gift of a baby doll has changed her life-- giving her purpose and focus. The project's aim is to provide with a doll or stuffed animal to all the Alzheimer's and dementia patients in area nursing homes. The dolls and animals can either be new or gently used. Youth will collect and clean the dolls, dress them and diaper them, and wrap them in a blanket. The outfitted dolls will be given to the nursing home residents. The doll/stuffed pet will wear a bracelet with the residents name. We hope to present them in December to the memory patients at the Champlain Valley Assisted Living Center.

c) Nursing Home Visit: Our annual nursing home holiday visit will be on Dec 17. We will visit 1 or 2 nursing homes depending on the group's interest. (Plattsburgh Senior Housing and Champlain Valley Assisted Living Center). The youth will present a holiday talent show (all talents accepted) and interested youth with act out the Christmas story and sing related carols with the members. We will have a small handbell choir that practices in Dec.

d) Cookies for the homeless: We will continue to bake cookies for the homeless in Montreal. Youth make cookies and bring them in disposable containers and leave them on the check in table. Mikayla Kyle brings the cookies to the couple who collects them and puts them int eh brown bag lunches that gets distributed in Montreal.

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There is no more yearly submission of project record books. Project Record Books can be completed and entered into fair as a fair project. They are a great way to organize what you learn. However, the 4-H office has decided they are way to cumbersome to evaluate at the end of each year. Starting OCT 1 of this year, all youth MUST submit a project summary at the end of the year. This summary is a simple 2 page form. Project Summary sheets can be found in each family folder as well as each youths folder. They are to be a living document that you update when you participate in 4-H activities. It combines the portfolio and record book all in one. Youth who do NOT submit the form do NOT get credit for being in 4-H.

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For youth who have been in 4-H for more than 2 years and you would like to earn a project medal, you must have completed a minimum of 6 hours in the project area. Please sign up on the sheet in the hallway or email me. I will submit the awards at the end of the month.

Reminder: You can do 4-H projects independently of the group. You can take advantage of various learning opportunities to meet your learning objectives.

OCTOBER EVENTS:
--The animal sub group will be visiting JEM Appaloosa horse farm in Champlain on Thursday Oct 22 at 10am. Bring a helmet if you have one. Otherwise, the farm will provide one. We will be touring the barns and riding arena area and then learning about the styles of riding. Following, the youth with divide into two sections: Grade 7-12 to learn about advanced horse topics and Grade K-6 to learn about grooming and equipment.

--Time to start thinking about your public presentation topic. More information will follow throughout the month.

NOVEMBER EVENTS:
--November 2nd teams can sign up to compete in the Jr Iron Chef. The competition will be held March 12th at the Potsdam Middle School. Teams consist of 3-5 middle OR high school youth. Please sign up in the hall if you would like to be on a team. Teams develop healthy recipes using a combination of Local & USDA commodity foods and prepare their creations at the competition. Sign up in the hall if you are interested.

--There is an Adirondack Stampede Charity Rodeo being held on November 6 & 7th in Glens Falls. Linda & Sam from Essex county are trying to find interest in attending this event, the tickets are $17 for adults and $8 for youth. If there is enough interest for a group then group tickets can be purchased. Contact the 4-H office if you are interested.

--Registration for Youth Equi Day at Miner Farm is now open on-line! Registration for this event ends on midnight on Nov 2nd. This is a pointed event & will be held on Saturday, November 7th, 2015 at Miner Farm Institute. It starts at 9:30 and is done at 11:30-12:00. Please dress accordingly as the event is held outdoors in the horse barn. All youth who expressed interest in horse have been registered. You will have gotten email confirmation of your registration. If you have not received the confirmation, you are not registered. In our country, you register if there is a remote change you might go so you can earn your point. If you can not make it, you don't go. But if you go and you have not registered you will not earn your point. Points are needed for showing animals at fair. Youth interested in riding or showing horses at fair need to earn one point. You do not need to be interested in showing to attend this event. Youth Equiday is an annual event at Miner Institute and has been a wonderful learning opportunity year after year. The staff at Miner makes the day very enjoyable, informative, and hands on. Please bring a helmet if you have one.

--If you are more interested in music than horses, the first meeting of the two-county bluegrass club on Sat Nov 7 from 10-12. The location will be announced. A professor from SUNY Plattsburgh will be speaking about bluegrass and about the opportunities this year. The club is open to any one who wants to learn an instrument, learn about bluegrass music or just enjoy the music. There are potential opportunities for lessons and loaned instruments. SUNY has a grant to work with youth. None of the local schools are able to work with the program, so SUNY is working with 4-H. Meetings will be held once a month with additional meetings for lessons and activities.


--4-H is offering an exciting new opportunity to youth & adults! Jordy & Chelsea will be hosting a two hour long workshop called "Veggies 101" on Saturday, November 21st, 2015 from 10am-12pm at our office. This event is free of charge & open to any and all skill levels. We will be showing you some simple tricks and techniques on how to use and cook your favorite (and maybe not so favorite) vegetables! Register on-line: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/Veggies101workshop_209
Operation Shoebox list for 2015 has been posted. Check out the Tab.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Exploring Your World Rocketry Links

I hope you have a great time building and launching rockets on Thursday. Here are the other activities you may want to try. 

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THIS
EXPERIMENT
• High-Pressure Foam Rocket

• How to Make Match Rockets

• How High Did it Go? By Robert L. Cannon. Estes Educator.com
Elementary Mathematics of Model Rocket Flight

• How Fast Did it Go? By Robert L. Cannon. Estes Educator.com

• Soda Straw Rockets

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Exploring Your World: Satellite Paper Crafting

Our oldest group did some paper crafting of satellites last week. If paper crafting interests you, here are some sites to get patterns for paper satellites:

--this is the model we made in class--the middle age group may enjoy trying this option:  http://www-ssg.sr.unh.edu/index.html?tof/Missions/Ace/Model/acemodel.html
--several model options: http://oregonspacegrant.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/papercraft-spaceships-and-satellites-build-your-own-space-program/

Exp[loring Your World Rocket Class

In November/December we will be building model rockets with the middle school class and anyone from our elementary class that would like to. So if you are in grades 2-4 you can choose whether you are comfortable with you child making a model rocket and using model glue. The youngest group will be making rockets as well, just not the Estes kits. More on the lines of soda bottle rockets-- rockets that will be reusable but not kit rockets. The middle class will split for the building section based on each families determination of their own child's abilities. Generally most 2nd graders are not ready to build model rockets. 3rd graders can go either way. I am mentioning this now, as Michaels has a coupon for 50% off this week and it is the cheapest way to purchase a model rocket. I am not going to require a certain rocket. The youth should pick a rocket that matches your budget, the youth's ability, and the youth's interest. Some rockets require more assembly--some are pretty easy they snap together and they are done! (2nd graders can do these)--generally all say ages 10-up due to the launching of them. For 4H we are not allowed to have Cloverbuds (ages 5-7) launch rockets. You would have to launch them in your own family. The rockets that the younger group makes will be fun so anyone making these will not feel left out--they are also rockets that are "designed for older kids."
LINK FOR THE MICHAELS COUPON:
http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/?cm_mmc=EMAIL-_-0914Circ-_-40AORPI-_-Coupon1

Battle of Plattsburgh Weekend

For Sat--
Parade line up is at noon at the Elks Club (or 12:30 for those who need to come then). We will be a little North of the Elks club--look for a big truck (white?) that is pulling a wagon full of flowers and trees. You will be given your spot in our display when you get there.

Due to the weather--PLEASE dress in layers. It would be best to put your "other" clothes under your dresses/shirts if possible....for ladies with shawls-- you might consider using a wool shawl/blanket under or instead of your cotton shawls. Definitely wear tight, leggings, and long underwear if you are prone to getting cold. Boys can wear long sleeve turtle necks and long underwear under their shirts. Ladies with skirts--wear long sleeve shirts and long underwear for tops. :-)

For rain-- you could wear a clear garbage bag over top....I will bring a box of them.

Wear comfortable shoes for walking. The parade starts at 1pm. once we are done, enjoy the parade and the festivities.

Don't forget your
--hats
--boys sashes
--rings for the shawls

For Sunday:
We will be working in-front of the McDonough Monument

We will be doing 3 crafts: paper hats for boys and girls, rooster tails, and paper lanterns.

Welcome to 2014-2015 Year

Welcome to the 2014-2015 Chattering Chipmunks 4H Year. As with each year, we will be doing things a little bit differently than last year. 

Our 4H group will have 4 sessions to the year PLUS our community service component and our separate ANIMAL groups. 

SESSIONS:
FALL: We will be meeting once a month from Sept to Dec. Youth will select from 4 options.
+optional class DEC 4: Christmas Gift Making Class

WINTER: 5 week elective class (Jan 8, 15, 22, 29, Feb 5) Youth will select from 4 options. 
+Regular monthly meeting on Feb 12. 

SPRING: Play--"The Magicians Nephew." Play rehearsals each Thursday in April and May with extra rehearsals in the end of May/beginning of June. Play will be performed 3-4 times between (5-10 June). 2-3 senior centers and one evening parent performance. 
+Regular meeting on June 18

SUMMER: 
July--Fair
August--Outdoor Adventures

SERVICE PROJECTS: 
Battle of Plattsburgh: Sat Sept 13 and Sun Sept 14
October 30: Operation Christmas Child
December 18: Christmas Cantata for Senior Center
February 26: Senior Center public presentations
June: 2-3 Senior Center Play Performances 
+ monthly collection of cookies for the homeless
+ Henry's Trail Project 

ANIMAL PROJECTS: (both individual and group)--group meetings will be at separate times as agreed upon by members. 
-----Poultry, Goat/Sheep/Llama, Cow, Horse
To sign up for our group: go to this website---
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JCJSKLH

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Feb.27

    This was the last week of winter elective classes.  The Exploring Our World class learned about circuits and electric circuit theory. Students pretended they were electrons moving through a wire.  They learned about conductors and insulators. The students then made mason jar lamps and got to connect the wires on their sockets. They can fill the jars with whatever they'd like. 
     Delicious aromas wafted through the hallways from the Cooking Class.  They made rice, beef stew, carrot salad, and desert crepes.
     The Amateur Radio Class learned how to set up the equipment and how to use it to talk to people.  They talked to people that were located in England, Georgia (state), and Ohio.
     The Drawing Class learned how to draw models.




Wednesday, February 26, 2014

FLL Robotics Championship

On Saturday the 22nd, the Robotics Team competed at the Hudson Valley First Lego League championship in Poughkeepsie, NY.  They did a great job competing against all the other sectional winners. 

Feb.20

Feb.20th was the 4th week of the 5 week winter session of electives. The Exploring Your World class learned about the science of snow and ski jumping. Then they went outside to learn about and try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and bobsledding.  The drawing class, cooking class and ham radio class also met for their 4th week and continued with their scheduled instruction.  Perhaps a participant of those classes can provide further information about what they have been learning.

The Rube Goldberg group did not meet this week. The Robotics team practiced for their competition which was Saturday the 22nd.

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Rube Goldberg

The Rube Goldberg competition team has met twice. They learned about simple machines and decided on a theme. Members are designing the components of the machine at home. An original Rube Goldberg cartoon is shown below.

Robotics

On Saturday, Feb. 22, the robotics team is going to DCC to compete in the FLL championship after winning second place at RPI in December. They have been practicing.

Winter Classes

For the past 3 weeks we have been having winter elective classes.

In the Exploring Our World class we have learned about hydraulics and made a hydraulic box.
We made art projects. Mrs. Liz Boolukos taught us how to decorate cakes with frosting tips and we helped make fondant.

Mr. Roy Brinker is teaching a drawing class about learning how to draw quick sketches and use shading

Harrison Kyle is teaching a ham radio class.

The cooking class is learning advanced cooking skills from chef Marjorie Antoniou of the Latitude 44 Bistro.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Horse News for the Week Ending Jan 17

FRANKLIN COUNTY HAS INVITED US TO A HORSE WINTER SYMPOSIUMS - Please see below, I do need to remind you that these are a pointed event for Clinton County 4H members however only if you pre- register with us here at the office by using our link to register for the event . You are certainly more than welcome to attend these events but if you do not register with us here in Clinton County then it would not count as a point for our fair requirements. If you will be attending this event for just the Small Ruminant part you will need to be there by 10:30 to partake in that as that is just a portion of what will be covered. Unfortunately the small ruminant part will not be able to be a pointed event, but the horse part will. See attached announcement and listing of what will be covered.

UNBRIDLED THOUGHTS
- As some of you may know Jeannie Griffiths our state 4-H Horse person will be retiring. Attached is the last Unbridle Thoughts that will be done and she has asked us to share this with all our horse members. http://ansci.cornell.edu/4H/horses/ubt/ubt_fall13.pdf

HORSE CAMP PLANNING MEETING: Just wanted to let you know that on January 28th at 6:30pm there will be our first horse camp planning meeting, please plan to come if you have some ideas of something new or to make horse camp better, or just to help in any way you can. The meeting will be taking place here at our office.

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Franklin Country Event Info:
9:30-2:30




Classes this year will include:
1. “A Bit About Bits”- Tony Jackson and Larry Spaulding. Bit history, uses, and fitting. Will this do what I want/need? How does it work? How should it be attached to the bridle...and more. Offered all sessions. Will also be available for an “Ask the Trainers” session.
2. “No Teeth-No Horse”- Dr Dorothee Gilmore, DVM St Lawrence County. The importance of dental care for all ages and stage of your horse’s health. 11:00-12:00 One Session Only.
3. “When to Call the Vet and What You Need to do until they arrive in an emergency” –Dr Judy Fry, DVM. What constitutes an emergency, what to look for, and all the questions you want to ask before you are in a panic! 9:30-10:30-longer if enough interest.
4. “Equine Nutrition for the Old or Problem Horse”. Animal Nutrition Specialist, Scott Christian. Feeding needs for horses over age 15 and horses with issues such as past founder episodes, and Cushings disorder. 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30
5. “Equine Nutrition”. Equine Nutritionist from Poulin Feeds. Feeding equine needs for all disciplines from the sometime trail horse to the hard working equine. 9:30-10:30, 10:30-11:30
6. “Colors, Markings and Patterns & Name That Breed”. Interactive class presented by Jenny Mott. All sessions.
7. “Horse Treats”. Make horse treats for your special 4-legged friend. (offered until materials are gone)
8. “Small Ruminants-Care and Feeding 101”. Rose Bartgiss, Adirondack Goat Club. Everything the new or first time goat or small ruminant owner needs to know to get started and to keep their small ruminant alive and healthy. Feeding, worming, vaccinations, hoof care, and common diseases.
9. Conformation and Judging: Larry Spaulding. Times TBA as room is available.
10. Room with horse games and activities. Available all day.

*Rooms will be marked. You may choose which sessions you wish to attend. Some are not offered all day, so plan accordingly. You won’t need to sign up in advance for classes. Lunch will be Pot Luck from 12:00-1:00. Stewart’s has donated “Make Your Own Sundae” for dessert. **Please bring serving spoons and utensils for any dish you bring to share. There are plenty of outlets, microwaves, and ovens to warm
items. ***Some paper plates and bowls will be available. Plan to bring enough paper plates and utensils for your family.

Great time to catch up with everyone and brainstorm about upcoming events.

DIRECTIONS: Directions to North Star Industries: From P'burgh-Rt 11 through several lights in Malone. Go through the light at Walmart and take a right at the next light. This road is still Creighton Rd in GPS units but the sign will say Co Rt 51. Go 1/2 mile-on your right will be North Star Industry buildings. We will be in the one parallel to the road.