Never a Dull Moment!

This weekend, my dad asked me if I’d help him with a job. Aside from his actual work, he hauls animals or equipment for others.  Normally, when he asks me to go, we take a horse to a different barn.

Well, this trip was definitely not a normal delivery! We were to pick up a miniature donkey from an Amish farm, and take it to a birthday party at a restaurant in the city of Boardman, Ohio. It seemed like an interesting way to spend our Saturday evening, so we grabbed an oversized party hat and went on our way.

We took the horse trailer to go pick up the donkey. After we got him loaded and headed toward the restaurant, my dad said, “Oh man! We don’t know his name!” We laughed and I started suggesting names; Norman? Ralphie? Francis? After a while, we decided to call him Franklin.

When we arrived at the restaurant, I helped my dad groom Franklin and put the party hat on him. We unloaded him from the trailer and stood with him in the parking lot. Shortly, the people attending the party made their way out to see him. They all loved Franklin and had pictures taken with him. He got a lot of attention and even a few kisses! There was an abundance of laughter and, because I was holding him, I was asked many questions about him and donkeys in general. This was my first time handling a donkey. They may be similar to horses, but I don’t know much about donkeys. Despite not knowing much about the animal, I had a lot of fun. It was great to be a part of making people laugh.

Upon returning our new friend Franklin, my dad asked his owner what the donkey’s name was. His reply was, “He doesn’t really have one.”  When I told them that I had named him Franklin for the night, they decided that it would stick with him.

It was a nice evening of light-hearted fun, and I even got to name a donkey!

Vestibular Therapy Anyone?

Hello Everyone!

I’d like to start my blog by saying that I absolutely LOVE spring!  Spring is definitely my favorite season and I am so excited that spring has finally arrived!  With spring, people often talk about “spring cleaning” and with cleaning, comes change. 

During spring, the birds begin to chirp again, the fresh scent of new vegetation is apparent, the earth gives birth to new life, and everything seems to be merry in the world… well, for the most part.

Many things have changed in my life recently as I have been doing some “self spring cleaning”.  Have you ever heard of Vestibular Therapy?  No?  Yeah, I hadn’t either.  The first time I heard of Vestibular Therapy was not until my concussion specialist suggested that I undergo this type of therapy.  Since I have still been dealing with side effects from the concussion I received from my automobile accident way back in January, she thought that this would be a good idea.

So what exactly is this so-called “Vestibular Therapy”?  Well, it’s actually pretty neat.  Strangely enough, I have problems telling my brain to turn my head from left to right and I also have problems moving my head up and down.  My doctor explained that sometimes whenever the head is traumatically shaken, certain parts of the brain mess things up and systems get weaken.  For me, Vestibular Therapy is helping me to “get out of the fog” because sometimes I’m processing information much slower than my norm.    It is also helping me to increase my reaction time and to more normally move my head.  My problem is that I – to put in simple words – “don’t feel right” and Vestibular Therapy is helping me out tremendously.

For this exercise, 
I look at each letter
in a clockwise rotation 
and then, in a counterclockwise rotation.

So, once a week, I meet up with my doctor for an hour-long appointment.  During my appointments, the doctor asks me routine questions like “how are you doing” and “how have your headaches been on a scale from 1-10”.  After the cliché, I start doing my “exercises”.  Now, whenever I say “exercises” it’s not the typical treadmill or weightlifting, what I am doing are brain exercises.  One exercise includes walking while turning my head from left to right and another includes shaking my head while trying to maintain a clear imagine of the word “OK”.  Although these exercises might sound strange and fairly easy, for me, they are a huge help and are actually difficult.  It’s not until you’ve been

For this exercise, I first look at the
blue bead, then green, then purple,
and then I repeat the entire process.

knocked down that you can truly appreciate whenever you’re in good health.

With that being said, I hope you learned something new and appreciate your good health!  You never know whenever it might be taken away from you…  Although I’m still not 100% better, 4‑H has been my backbone.  I really appreciate all the support from my council members, 4-H friends, leaders, advisors, etc.  Also, I had an absolutely fantastic time at the 2013 PA 4-H State Capital Days!  I also had the opportunity to counsel at an “Inbetweeners Retreat” and share the opportunities 4-H has to offer at all age levels.  4-H is such a great program and I hope all of you reading this blog stay involved.  I cannot stress how great 4-H truly is.  In fact, one week from day I’ll be at the 2013 National 4-H Conference with six other delegates from Pennsylvania including PA 4-H State Council Members Cecilia and George!  I am too excited to express my words for joy!  Well, that’s all I have for now.

Until later,

Cassidy Baker

2012/2013 PA 4-H State Council President

"I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance.  It overcomes almost everything, even nature."

John D. Rockefeller.

The Joy's of Farming

One thing that I love about living on a farm is that you never know whats going to happen next.  Even though there might be a plain in place the animals or the equipment might make a change, or some chances, within the plains.  It can be something as simple as cows getting out, or fence down; to as complicated as a water line brake, or a piece of machinery malfunctioning and backing up work that needs to be done.

Just the other day I was just sitting in my house and I got a phone call telling me that we had cows out. I got my barn clothes and went out the door.  After I got the cows back into the pasture, I started to put up the fence that was knocked down to find out when I was finish, that the cow would just step over the fence.  At that point my grandfather looked at me and said "well that's not going to work". Within ten minutes we were able to get the fence in a working order.  Once that job was done we went to the normal scheduled and fed the animals.  Later that day when the sun was down, my grandfather called saying that the cows were out once again, this was not on my scheduled for that night.  When I got to the farm I noticed that the cow were able to get out at a different part of the pasture.  This time took a little longer to get the cows back in.  Once again my grandfather and I were able to get the fence working with out to much trouble.  When we were just standing around and talking one of the cows were acting very odd.  Grandpa figured she was missing her calf and then he and I went on a calf hunt.  We look everywhere, in the barn upstairs and downstairs, the machinery shed, and the out side of the fence.  During my hunt  in the barn i was startled by a opossum, and that's when I declared that the barn is scarier at night.  When I was walking along the fence Grandpa got to thinking and called me over.  He told me where he thought the calf might be.  Sure enough when we went to go look the calf was there.  She was in our grain shoot, where we store the feed for the cows.  We got her out with a little trouble.  She was not harmed, and soon after she was reunited with her mom.

Although farming may not run as smoothly as I want it to, I still love to do it.  It the unsuspected happening that make it interesting and fun to do.

Sincerely,
VP of Internal Affairs & Sentinel
John Hess Jr

Embryology in the Classroom

            Spring is in the air and it’s that time of the year when I travel with our county 4-H extension educator to talk about embryology.  First of all, what is it?  Did the chicken come first or did the egg?  Well, if you’re sitting through my demonstration, sometimes I talk about the chicken first and sometimes I talk about the egg first.  We talk about the different purposes and jobs of the chicken, the different parts of the chicken, and the leg band on the chicken including testing for quality and health.  We also let the classroom know what the rooster’s job is and what the hen will do to “brood” the eggs.

            After all our talk with the chickens, we will move to the egg and the incubator.  We educate the youth on the different parts of the egg and how those parts help the chick in its development.  We help the kid’s set-up and prepare the incubator including the proper use of it.  The temperature and humidity in the incubator are vital to a successful hatch.  If either of those two things isn’t right or kept at a constant, in all likelihood, the peeps won’t hatch or they might hatch, but they may struggle to survive. 

            Did you know that chicken eggs will hatch 21 days after the incubation has begun?  If you let the water chambers within the incubator dry-up, the embryos will die.  Another important factor that we teach the kids is about the importance of washing their hands prior to handling the eggs.  You see, in order for the eggs to properly grow into peeps, the eggs must be turned several times a day while they are in the incubator.  It helps to mark all the eggs with a small penciled “X” on one side of the egg.  At least three times a day, you need to turn the egg over to its other side.  You also want to make sure that however many times you turn the egg throughout the day; you do it an uneven number of times to ensure that the eggs aren’t on the same side through the night.

            After we teach the kids all these tricks, they become “eggsperts.”  We leave them with a dozen eggs and an incubator that has been set to temperature.  After a week, we return to the classroom where we “candle” the eggs.  We candle the eggs to check for viability.  After only one short week, by turning off the lights in the room and holding the egg to the light box, you can actually see the growing embryo inside the egg.  We remove any eggs that show no signs of life. 

            By day 18, the eggs are no longer turned.  Instead, the box is left to wait.  You will hopefully begin hearing slight “pipping” noises which the chick is making its way.  Before long, you we see a small “x” like crack in the egg.  The chick has begun to make his entrance into the world.  As difficult as it may be for you to refrain from helping the little chick make its way out of its egg, don’t!  The chick builds strength as it works to free itself from the shell.  They aren’t the cutest thing in the world when they first make their appearance, but rest assured, before long, they become the cutest ball of fluff we are all smitten with.  So when all conditions are right, one of the most rewarding things is being able to witness the hatching of the chicks.

 

 

So let the play begin!

So much starting up this month!  Along with the State Capital Days just getting over, spring soccer will start soon, play practice, swine raising, horse breaking, and marching band will begin!  It's almost like summer is just racing to get up on us, as if spring isn't coming fast enough.
Very soon, we will get to perform our play "East of the Sun" in my 4-H Theatre Arts club in cooperation with another program to which I got a part to and can't wait to meet the cast I'll be working so closely with this month, all of which I've heard are great people!  My smaller group in the cast is hoping to make this a really fun experience for all of us, and the rest of the members, and hope to keep in touch after the play's over.
Indoor soccer is beginning to come to an end with spring soccer just around the corner as well as swine raising and getting to work with my horse now that the snow is melting, which is great now that my new friend is interested in learning to ride!  Nothing better than getting to ride with people you love being around!
Along with the upcoming spring and summer, so are the SATs and ACTs and checking out colleges for when I graduate next year.  So many to choose from!
Now that the songs for this year's Marching Band Show, we can start practicing the songs, then marching practice!  This show will be a great way to kick off the end of my marching band experiencing after going to Disney next year and performing in a great parade!  The closer Marching Season comes in, the closer Varsity Soccer gets.  Yet another wonderful team I get to be a part of and work with!  I can see a great season ahead for all!

Quickly coming up, the County 4-H Kickoff!  Ours will be held during Earth Day, so Earth Day related activities with my county council and other members of 4-H clubs to help teach about and promote the 4-H program at a very fun and educational day with many events such as animal track making, GPS, and hiking trails!  Also coming up in a few months, 4-H camp!  I may miss the older councilors I've worked with in the past, but the experience I can help the younger councilors with will be amazing for the councilors, staff, and even better, the campers!

The Play's the Thing, no matter all you work around and all the work put into it.
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players" -Shakespeare

Looking to the Future

Just look at yourself and ask, where will I be in 5 years. Lately I have been asking myself that, and within about a year things have changed dramatically. 

Last year if I would ask myself that question I probably would answer somewhat like "I plan on going in to the work force right after graduation and maybe be able to work for the Carpenters Union". It is amazing in just one year how if I ask myself that question my answer is no where close to the same answer. If I was to answer it right now I would say say that I plan on going to college and hopefully to be my dad's boss shortly after graduating college.

I am very certain that this is what is going to be happening within the next 5 years or so. With that said, of course there is always the change of something big popping up and changing everything, witch has happened within my life before. Knowing that I am trying to make sure that i do will keep as planned. One of the things that I'm dong is applying for scholarships, so I am able to pay for college. 

If things don't end up as planned I hope it is for the better. I'm trying my everything in my power to keep it as planned. As long as if its for the better I'll be perfectly fine with change of plan. 

Sincerely, 

VP of Internal Affairs & Sentinal

John Hess Jr

Help Yourself While Helping Others

Engaging in volunteer work is crucial to be able to develop into a well-rounded citizen. Volunteering builds character and gives you a real purpose to life. In my school, there are many ways to give back to the community by joining one of the many student-led community service organizations.

When I was in eighth grade, I heard of an opportunity to apply for my junior high school’s Builders Club. This Kiwanis International sponsored organization is specifically for middle school or junior high students to serve the community. Builders Club introduced me to many aspects of my community that I was unaware of and it allowed me to give back in small ways. Naturally, I joined the high school version of Builders Club when I graduated from junior high. Key Club, as it is identified, is the largest organization based on community service in my high school. Although the structure was very different than what I was accustomed to in junior high, Key Club continued to give me opportunities to get out into the community and give back.

 

For me, the epitome of volunteerism is when I am involved with helping another Kiwanis affiliated club called Aktion Club. Aktion Club is a very special group made up of adults who are living with disabilities, but who still want to give back to the community their fullest capacity. It is extremely humbling getting to work with Aktion Club members who are so devoted to share their talents and help other people.

The most common way Aktion Club members give back is by doing a service project after each of their monthly meetings. Decorating Meals on Wheels Bags, making cards for ill children in the hospital called “Caitlin Smiles” cards, making ornaments to decorate a Christmas tree, and many other simple service projects are what the Aktion Club excels at.

Many Aktion Club members also attend Special Olympics swimming practice held once a week at the local YMCA. Key Club members from my school attend and help the swimmers by encouraging them to keep swimming and have fun, and by timing the swimmers who are independent and who are swimming for competition. The joy that beams from each of the athletes’ faces when they get in the water and they have a Key Club swimming partner is truly priceless. It is extremely meaningful to us as Key Clubbers too. Not to mention, the athletes and their parents are truly appreciative that enthusiastic Key Clubbers come to cheer on the swimmers. Smiles are very contagious with the Aktion Club members and Special Olympic swimmers!

Last February, I was given the privilege and elected to serve Boyertown Key Club as president for the 2012-2013 school year. Because we transition our club officers in March, I am nearly at the end of my term. Throughout the year, it has been our goal to be recognized by Pennsylvania Key Club as “distinguished” officers. I am proud to say that my officer team achieved this title that few officer teams attain. What a memorable past year I’ve had with Boyertown Key Club and I look forward to the shift to the upcoming officers and I wish them the best of luck. I hope our achievements this year inspire Boyertown Key Club officers to remain determined to earn the distinguished title for many years to come.

I know I would not be the same person today if I had not joined a service organization back in eighth grade. I would not have experienced the joy of working with Aktion Club members and I may have not learned what volunteerism feels like. Hopefully you can say that you know what community service is all about and remember that the benefits of community service are much greater than you may ever realize.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Stuetz

Pennsylvania State 4-H Council Secretary

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Mahatma Gandi

It is Feburary Already!

Greetings,

I can't believe that it is Feburary already!  This new year has been going by so fast.  Just a while my fellow 4-Hers were at State Leadership Conference learning how to go from being the best Leaders to better Leaders than before.  I remember all the hard work we put into it and to see it a success.  I remember the long nights working with John Hess Jr. preparing the video which showed in the begining of the event.

After that I been very busy with my school musical.  This years selection is ... Into The Woods!  A wonderful musical where you take five different musicals and throw them into the same woods and whatch the chaos that occurs in one woods.  The music is very interesting to play except it is always in the wrong key.  I can not wait for the musical which will be in the next couple of weeks.

I also have been hard at work in my own club planning our next fundraiser.  Working with younger youth is my specialty and I have learned that the best way to motivate younger 4-Hers is to challenge them and whatch their skills improve.  I can not wait to whatch them all grow up as the next generation of great 4-Hers. 

Finally, I have been hard at work preparing as a camp counselor.  This has included workshops, presenatations, and what I hope comes soon, the training day.  I can't wait to work with new counselors and help them adjust to the difficult role as a camp counselor. 

After all that hard work as a 4-Her I also had to make time to work on essays for english, bio labs, and chapter outlines.  Being a student and a State Officer can be difficult at times but I soon learned the importance of time managment.  I have begun living on a schedule. 

In a couple of days, State Capital Days begins and I can not wait for the only state 4-H event not in Penn State University Park.  I can not wait to be at my first 4-H event as a State Officer.