What a Month

So much has gone on this past month for me, ranging from the West Alexander Fair, down here in Washington, soccer games, county council meetings, preparing for Keystone, and yes of course, working on plans for the up and comeing State Leadership Confrence!!!

The West Alexander Fair, is the smallest in my county, but probably my favorite of the two. This year's fair went real well, but i dont think that there was a night that we could just sit around and enjoy a nice warm night. It was cold and rainy, and the night of the pig show, the LIGHTS went out!!! Talk about fun, lucky we had people with genorators around though. Plus to make that night even better it was my little sister's birthday. The lamb show went real well, I had a small lamb this year that i wasn't sure how he'd place, but I got Champion lightweight with him and got him donated back to me during the sale. Our sale also went well, we had many people come to support both Washington and Ohio County (W.V.) 4-H clubs, and the 2 FFA chapters.

The soccer season for me has gone well so far, we aren't doing as well as previous years but that's ok because we keep our heads held high and positive attitudes. For County Council, we had elections this month, unfortunately i had to miss the meeting but lucky we have a good president taking over.

Now my 2 favorite things i've done so far this month, prepare for K.I.L.E, next weekend, and plan for SLC!! This year i'm exhibiting 2 Duroc gilts which I take alot of pride in, also my sister is taking 2 gilts that were born from 2 of my litters this past spring, these 4 gilts i'm hopeing do well. This year's State Leadership Confrence is one to look forward to! It's going to be a weekend full of fun! Plus were going wild.

This past month was crazy, i mean with school starting, a fair, soccer, and me taking my driver's test, plus getting my 2 gilts to cooperate was fun. Now i can't wait to see how the rest of the year goes, and i can't wait to meet everyone this year at all the events!

Your 2011-2012 Pa State Historian,
Bridget McConn

Side by Side

"The nice thing about teamwork is that you always have others on your side." This quote is one of the meanings of our council. Where ever we look, where ever we go, there is always someone to turn too. It may me a fellow member, an advisor or even past council member. They are always here building us to our fullest potential to serve you. That being said, boy to we have things planned for you! Our first conference call came and went... One of the topics of discussion was SLC. Who's excited to join in some fun and leadership building???? I know our team is! We are planning the event so you, the PA 4-H members, will have a roarin' good time! Contact your county extension agent for more information on how to register.

School has now been is session for a good five weeks... Hope everyone is having fun and learning to build their future. It is going to be a full semester for me with a lot of homework and projects. Just as school is picking up the pace, my 4-H life slows down. Now that our fairs and state shows are over our members can relax and enjoy their meetings. The next event I will be attending is 4-H science day held at Penn State. I am looking forward to helping school students have a hands on experience for the big science world.

Enjoy the beautiful weather before snow and ice come. Here is a thought to ponder: "Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile." -Vince Lombardi

PA State 4-H council secretary,

Ashley Mohn

The Best of September

This has been a very busy but successful month! Where to start? My final season of Varsity Girls Soccer started, I had my 18^th Birthday, had my senior pictures done, participated in Clearfield County’s Agricultural Safety Days, and represented the State Council at the 4-H Tailgate! Along with so many wonderful events, the first month of my last year in High School is now over.

Now that I have that big mouthful of words over, I can tell you a little more detail! It’s sad to say, but it is my last year of soccer. I will miss my teammates so much and the memories that we have made over the last several years. Our girl’s soccer program started my freshman year and it’s amazing to see how far our young team has come. From only winning 3 games our first year to now making it to districts. So far our record is 6 wins and 5 losses but I know we can work together and make it our best year yet!

My 18^th birthday went very well, even though my mother and oldest sister couldn’t be there. They were in ITALY! I was kind of bummed that I couldn’t go with them but I’m glad they had a great time! For my birthday my other sister, Katie, invited me to stay with her for the weekend at her house at college. I had a great time catching up with her and picking out my homecoming dress. She even baked me a cake! After returning home, the rain finally stopped and I could have my senior pictures taken. I haven’t seen them yet, but I can’t wait till they are done!

This was my first year participating in my county’s safety days. I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially bringing one of my horses and my comical duck Koda. I spent the morning with some of my fellow county council members teaching 2^nd graders safety around animals. I also had the opportunity to talk to them about the 4-H program and the opportunities it gives kids their age.

Recently, I attended the 4-H Tailgate at the Ag. Arena in State College. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I got there, but it ended up being a really neat experience. I had the opportunity to talk with a lot of different people and learned a lot of new things. The Seeing Eye dogs caught the eye of almost everyone there and the work they do is incredible. It was a lot of fun and I definitely would want to go again!

Seeing how this month was so busy and exciting, I can’t wait till October starts! I can already tell you, it will be one that I will always remember!

Liz McAndrew

State 4-H Council Vice President of Operations

Fall is in the air!

The season of fall is upon us all. With the change of season we get to enjoy the scenic beauty while traveling places, because the leaves change to several different colors and create a beautiful sight. The bad thing is that with the change to fall it promises that winter will be here shortly. I will admit that I am not a big fan of that season. With winter brings a lot of fun things to do, but I don't like the cold that comes with it. There are plenty of you that do like winter I am sure and that is good news for you!



This is the time of the year where 4-H seems to calm down a little for my county. With it being fall it slows down a bit, because schools having started and the 4-Her's have less time to do things, but still we get together and think back over what happened during this year and plan for next year. My County Council group is currently planning our Achievement program which is only a weekend away. We get to dress up in board game characters, because our theme for that night is board games. I am still working on picking out who I want to be for that night and deciding how to go about creating my costume.All over County's are planning their own end of the year achievement programs, and I hope that they all go over with success and that everyone has a good time. For those of you that have already had that program I hope that you can think back on it as a great time.



Now even though you are going to be busy with school, and many other after school programs just remember to take some time to enjoy the change of the season. Some ways to do that is by picking apples and making cider, apple sauce or just eating them plain, or picking pumpkins, or raking up the leaves that fall off the trees and then jumping in them; because no matter what you are never too old for that!




Enjoy these fall days!


Danielle Knapp

Reporter

Sight to see

September Seventh started the beginning of a long battle for many in our state. Tropical storm Lee gave it his all and hit hard, causing flooding that can only compare to that of the hurricane Agnes in 1972. Within the Central Pa area, over 100,00 people were evacuated from there homes. There have been seven people who have lost their lives to this disaster. Trees and debris are all over the streets and and in peoples homes. As you drive down the streets all you see is piles of ruined furniture and trash from peoples homes, piles that are as big as cars.

Even with all that was going on, the first people to check-in to see if all is okay, were other 4-Hers. 4-H is a family, and this really showed during the flooding of 2011. I always knew that 4-her's were close but never knew how close. The night that the flooding happened, texts came pouring in, not just from other local 4-Hers but also from other around the state who heard what was happening.Everyone was seeing how they could help, or just checking in. Just getting that text shows how much others care. This event was one that we all hopefully don't have to go through anytime in the near future, but one that helped bring us together.

To everyone who was affected by the Tropical Storm Lee flooding, we hope you are recovering well, and know that we are all here for you.

Lia Schmittel

Vice President of Events

plan,plan,plan

As State Leadership Conference creeps closer to us every day, the state council has been thinking up ideas to make this years conference a roaring good time. So far we have thought up a theme and have pounced on a few ideas to keep the kids entertained. We have also hunted down our speakers and cornered them according to their presentations. we have also decided on some snacks. how does animal crackers sound! I know that you are thinking that it sounds a little corny ,but it can't be because corn isn't found in the jungle.


Our theme is Wild for Leadership, and as the name insiuates this year's conference is gonna be a wild time. As for now i can say no more about State Conference .I hope you are ready to break out your inner jungle self. Your gonna need it. So get ready to be wild for leadership. Hope to see ya there. State council Sentinel Garrett Richadson.